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Herbrand Vintage Tire Tools

The Herbrand company was founded in 1881, in Fremont, Ohio, and started out making vehicle springs and suspension systems. The company later developed a number of tools for the automobile as it gained popularity in the early 20th century. "Van-Chrome" was an early line of trademark alloy steel tools. In the 1920s and '30s Herbrand began supplying high-volume retailers with their automotive tools. Through the 1940s and '50s, Herbrand remained competitive, then were acquired in 1961. Vintage Herbrand tools are collectible, and as of October 2010 they are for sale online, at auction or available for purchase at other locations.

Antique Tire Bubble Balancer
- A vintage antique tire bubble balancer on a cast iron stand was auctioned online recently. The piece was advertised as having no cracks or welds in the base, but the bubble unit was missing.
Car Tire Bead Breaker Tool
- A rare, Herbrand vintage car tire bead breaker tool was recently available for auction. The Herbrandp9 was a handy tool for changing tube tires. The auction price included pictures on how the tool is used. The condition of this tire bead breaker tool was listed as excellent.
No. 1134 Tire Changer Bar
- A used, vintage Herbrand No. 1134 tire changer bar was found for sale in 2010. The tire changer bar was "Made in the U.S.A." and was listed at 17 1/4 inches long. In "used" condition, with scrapes, scratches and surface rust, the seller reportedly cleaned some of the rust to reveal the markings.
Forged Hub/Wheel/Brake Drum Puller
- Available for auction was a vintage Herbrand forged hub/wheel/brake drum puller. This was advertised as a very popular puller for Chrysler/Desoto Products, GPW Jeep, VW Bug and Bus, Hudson, Packard and Dodge vehicles. The puller removed rear wheel hubs on numerous cars and trucks from the 1920s through the 1950s.
  
  The tool was designed to pull the tapered drum hub from the axle. Cars with common castle nut/cotter-pin-retained rear hubs could use this type of puller. The legs were attached to lug studs and a pressure screw was centered on the axle. The puller could be tightened with a socket. Once tight, you hit the head of the pressure screw with a large hammer to pop the hub from the axle. This tool was manufactured in the 1940s or 1950s and was listed in excellent condition, with excellent threads, legs and tip.
No. 177 Tire Balance Pliers
- A vintage Hebrand±set of tire balance pliers was up for online auction. A little rusty, and used, the length of this pair of vintage mechanic's pliers was listed as 10 1/2 inches.

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