Final Thorsen goodness to round out the collection

[oldnslo]

While being a former Thorsen fanboy from the early 80's and selling this stuff in the local auto supply (my former employer), I used the metric socket and wrench set throughout the next several decades without issue. I've given the metric socket set to my son, and kept the wrench set as (one of many) backups to my daily users.(Cman polished from their clearance days).

So whats new? I snagged a 1-1/4 combo to expand my SAE set to its full capacity, after collecting each combo 1 by 1. The metric set is all original to me up to 19mm, and I have picked up the larger sizes over the years.

Some hate the the feel of the shanks, I'm indifferent. I do enjoy the beefy open ends, and the smaller size box ends are 6pt (a nice touch).

So, as Rod Serling would say.....Submitted for your approval....fellow gazette-eers.

[bonneyman]

Me likey!   

[J.A.F.E.]

My favorite wrench of all time is the Snap-on V groove and these are very similar so I have a built in preference for these. I like the collection you have.

[goodfellow]

Very nice collection! -- Thorsen made great tools back in the day. Still have a lot of older Wards (Thorsen era) wrenches and sockets in the drawers.

[hickory n Steel]

They look excellent to me.

[oldnslo]

Thx all!

The upside SAE is a 11/32" in a MAC. A size I've never needed in a wrench, a few times in a socket, but rarely brought into play.

[d42jeep]

I like ‘em too, but then again I would! Nice collection.
-Don

[crankshaftdan II]

Very nice collection-most of the thorsens found in this area are in pretty sad shape as they tend to rust heavily due to the thin chrome plating if left where there is moisture.   Your set looks very nice!

[Uncle Buck]

I bought a few many years ago, and might even have a few remaining if I did not give them away. I cannot explain why, but I just never warmed to the design of the brand myself. I cannot point to any particular flaw of design or the wrenches themselves either, just a matter of taste I guess.

Thorsen sockets I flat out dislike due to a number of them that have failed on me. I have had more Thorsen brand socket fail than any other so I make a point of avoiding the brand.

[goodfellow]

.......Thorsen sockets I flat out dislike due to a number of them that have failed on me. I have had more Thorsen brand socket fail than any other so I make a point of avoiding the brand.

Interesting observation Herb. My experience is limited to Montgomery Ward mid-late 70's Thorsen sourced products, and the sockets have held up better than most of my other budget brands from that time. My biggest losers have been late 70s SK sockets.

[ScoutDriver]

Lovin' the Thorsen!! 

Scott

[highland512]

The open gear Thorsen ratchet is one of my favorites, I think they are a neat little tool. I usually take them home when I find them.

I do have quite a few Thorsen tools as they are bought cheaply and when I started down this tool rabbit hole 10 years ago cheep US made was nice. I have broke a few sockets but the combo wrenches have held up very well.

[bmwrd0]

A set of the metrics was my go-to set for years until I upgraded to a set of Proto pros. Going to give them to a friend with many more children than me, and he will put them to good use.

[Cruiser808]

I have quite a bit of Thorsen tools as they were a California company. Not pretty, but tough as nails. Here’s a set I found cheap at a garage sale some time back.

[J.A.F.E.]

I have a couple odd sizes of the Speed Hed wrenches but not seen a set before. Ratcheting open ends are something you either like or you din't.  I like.

[fatfillup]

Made heavy so I would think they would hold up well.  Not my favorite but sure don't hate them. 

[four.cycle]

Only issue I've seen with Thorsen is that the chrome is either really really good, or it's really really bad. Flaking, peeling, and chipping seem to be common problems. Comments I've seen from men who have actually put them to use indicate it's one of those "love it or hate it" brands - there doesn't seem to be a lot of middle ground. Personally I've never had any big issues with them.
There's a set of those "V-groove" SAE open-ends waiting for me over at the post office. Somewhere around here I've got a set of the "V-groove" SAE combination wrenches. Nothing in metric yet, as I recall.

[d42jeep]

Living in the SF Bay Area, there is often quite a bit of Thorsen to be found. As BK says, chrome plating was not Thorsen’s strong suit so I tend to leave those peeling ones behind. Here are my Thorsen finds from a local estate sale on Friday.
-Don

[four.cycle]

* d42jeep - just in case you should stumble across these on your ventures:
I am still looking for two matching pieces to complete a set - I believe they're the last iteration of the Thorsen offset DBE - they have two part numbers stamped on them. These are the 10° offset double-end box - not the deep offset. As I recall, Thorsen used the same part numbers on both the 10° offset and the deeper 45° offset double ends. (Go figure)
2214 (15214) 7/16 x 1/2, and 2216 (15216) 1/2 x 9/16 - the rest of the set is pretty cherry:

[four.cycle]

Found photos of some of those SAE "V-groove" combination wrenches I have. More around here somewhere I think. (?) As I recall, I bought a box of 10 of the little 5/16" "V-groove" from a guy - all NOS. I think there's still a few of them left.
Also a couple of the "shorty" 45° double-end box models - one Thorsen and one Giller here. 

[oldnslo]

As I recall, Thorsen used the same part numbers on both the 10° offset and the deeper 45° offset double ends. (Go figure)

They did the same with the combo wrenches, same part #, different length wrench (short and long).

[fatfillup]

Crap,,,,,,,,,,,,,haha ,,,,,,,,,,am I dense.  You were talking V groove and I was thinking V cut that SK likes so much and thinking, they aren't v groove wrenches.   didn't realize you were referring to the beam

Glad I didn't post anything

[d42jeep]

* d42jeep - just in case you should stumble across these on your ventures:
I am still looking for two matching pieces to complete a set - I believe they're the last iteration of the Thorsen offset DBE - they have two part numbers stamped on them. These are the 10° offset double-end box - not the deep offset. As I recall, Thorsen used the same part numbers on both the 10° offset and the deeper 45° offset double ends. (Go figure)
2214 (15214) 7/16 x 1/2, and 2216 (15216) 1/2 x 9/16 - the rest of the set is pretty cherry:

BK,
It looks like the great majority of my Thorsen DBE are offset. Here is a fairly recent picture.
-Don

[four.cycle]

^ I've got those deep offsets in Giller. Still trying to complete that set of shallow offset Thorsens - the bugaboo seems to be trying to find the late version (with both the four-digit and the five-digit part numbers stamped on them.)
(Thorsen - Giller = same/same except the branding.)
Still missing the 2225 (13/16" x 25/32") or 2226 (13/16" x 7/8") - but no way am I paying $22.00 for one wrench! I've got 13/16" covered about three different ways in Indestro.