Garage Gazette

TOOLS AND THE SHOP => ANTIQUE/COLLECTOR TOOLS/BOXES/HAND ONLY => Topic started by: Davethorik on March 14, 2019, 09:34:58 PM

Title: Wright 3429 offset 3/8 ratchet
Post by: Davethorik on March 14, 2019, 09:34:58 PM
Been after one of these funky little rats for a while, and even a blind squirrel finds a nut every so often.

They also made a 1/2 drive version, 4429.
They were discontinued at some point, and the 3429 part number was recycled for their bent flex head ratchet, which are still sold new.

This one was made in 1964. Single pawl, 41 teeth. In very good shape, I'd venture a guess that it may be unused and just has a bit of drawer rash.
Title: Re: Wright 3429 offset 3/8 ratchet
Post by: goodfellow on March 14, 2019, 10:36:39 PM
 Very nice!! ..... and congrats on the great find


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Wright 3429 offset 3/8 ratchet
Post by: hickory n Steel on March 14, 2019, 10:57:46 PM
Interesting ratchet and in excellent condition, congrats on the find.

Title: Re: Wright 3429 offset 3/8 ratchet
Post by: Lookin4_67GalaxieConv on March 15, 2019, 12:25:31 AM
Very cool, never seen one before.
Title: Re: Wright 3429 offset 3/8 ratchet
Post by: lauver on March 15, 2019, 11:13:46 AM
Gang,

I've never seen this model before, not even in a catalog.

Very cool offset ratchet.  And, the tootsie roll grip is in good shape :-\
Title: Re: Wright 3429 offset 3/8 ratchet
Post by: Davethorik on March 15, 2019, 05:24:44 PM
Thanks guys. It's hard to tell but the Tootsie Roll was actually pressed on crooked. Oh well, beggars can't be choosers!

Random fact- the Tootsie Roll grips were not made by Wright, but instead Karman Rubber in Akron, Ohio. Wright bought them and pressed them on to their ratchets. They never made Tootsie Roll grips in 1/4 drive, just 3/8 and 1/2.
Title: Re: Wright 3429 offset 3/8 ratchet
Post by: jabberwoki on March 15, 2019, 06:28:47 PM
Mmm never seen one either.
Beaut condition.
Title: Re: Wright 3429 offset 3/8 ratchet
Post by: Davethorik on March 15, 2019, 07:05:01 PM
3429 (1964)
3428 flex (1971)
3400 (1961)
Title: Re: Wright 3429 offset 3/8 ratchet
Post by: Lookin4_67GalaxieConv on March 28, 2019, 05:53:39 PM
3429 (1964)
3428 flex (1971)
3400 (1961)

You have a breaker bar with the tootsie roll grip?
Title: Re: Wright 3429 offset 3/8 ratchet
Post by: Davethorik on March 29, 2019, 08:21:50 AM
Nope, no Tootsie Roll breakers
Title: Re: Wright 3429 offset 3/8 ratchet
Post by: Lookin4_67GalaxieConv on March 29, 2019, 09:52:22 AM
I've got one.  Will try to post a pic soon.
Title: Re: Wright 3429 offset 3/8 ratchet
Post by: bonneyman on March 30, 2019, 01:06:47 PM
Nice find!

I had a Tootsie Roll rat once. Didn't do much for me, so I sold it. But that bent one does have an appeal. Do you know when they were discontinued?
Title: Re: Wright 3429 offset 3/8 ratchet
Post by: hofferwood on March 30, 2019, 01:27:04 PM
Nope, no Tootsie Roll breakers

I had one, I think I sold it to M_fumich??????

(http://i870.photobucket.com/albums/ab269/hofferwood/wrenches/SD531698.jpg)

(http://i870.photobucket.com/albums/ab269/hofferwood/wrenches/SD531693.jpg)


Nice Find Dave!!!!
Title: Re: Wright 3429 offset 3/8 ratchet
Post by: bonneyman on March 30, 2019, 03:19:23 PM
Ah, just get a HF breaker and wrap hockey tape around the handle. Nobody will know.  :-X
Title: Re: Wright 3429 offset 3/8 ratchet
Post by: Lookin4_67GalaxieConv on March 30, 2019, 03:20:57 PM
Ah, just get a HF breaker and wrap hockey tape around the handle. Nobody will know.  :-X

Heretic!  :-\
Title: Re: Wright 3429 offset 3/8 ratchet
Post by: Davethorik on March 31, 2019, 09:35:46 AM
Hofferwood, if my understanding of the Wright date codes is correct, that breaker would be a 1981 with the U.

I'm sorry BM I don't know when it was disco'd. I will try calling Wright and see if they have anything to say, I don't have any cat scans I'd never looked to be honest lol. I did notice this rat doesn't say USA, neither does my 3428.

I had a 4400 1/2 dr. but I gave it to my dad because he likes them. I've just collected the 3/8 so far.
Title: Re: Wright 3429 offset 3/8 ratchet
Post by: bonneyman on March 31, 2019, 10:26:05 AM
Hofferwood, if my understanding of the Wright date codes is correct, that breaker would be a 1981 with the U.

I'm sorry BM I don't know when it was disco'd. I will try calling Wright and see if they have anything to say, I don't have any cat scans I'd never looked to be honest lol. I did notice this rat doesn't say USA, neither does my 3428.

I had a 4400 1/2 dr. but I gave it to my dad because he likes them. I've just collected the 3/8 so far.

No big worry, Dave. I'll just add it to my lookout list and see what happens.

It's not like I'm lacking for any ratchets! :-[
Title: Re: Wright 3429 offset 3/8 ratchet
Post by: Davethorik on May 09, 2020, 10:38:10 PM
Digging this thread back up. I just got a Wright 1/2 drive offset ratchet 4429 to match my 3/8 drive 3429 that I started the thread about.

The 4429 is date coded "64" which obviously means 1964. However the 3429 is date coded "D" which also means 1964. Kinda cool!

And an updated tootsie roll family shot.
Title: Re: Wright 3429 offset 3/8 ratchet
Post by: goodfellow on May 09, 2020, 10:57:50 PM
Very cool !! Love those old handle models


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Wright 3429 offset 3/8 ratchet
Post by: Lookin4_67GalaxieConv on May 10, 2020, 12:58:22 AM
Those are nice.  I haven't seen any offset tootsie rolls.
Title: Re: Wright 3429 offset 3/8 ratchet
Post by: slip knot on May 10, 2020, 08:00:26 AM
That's a nice collection there. I don't recall ever seeing one with that handle around here.
Title: Re: Wright 3429 offset 3/8 ratchet
Post by: oldnslo on May 10, 2020, 08:42:56 AM
I had a few, and thought someone had abused them along the way...


No....wait....perhaps I just had one.......


Ohh.....wait.....maybe I just found it in the wild, but with no handle.....


Yeh, thats the ticket, I rehandled it (vintage handle of course) after seeing it sit in my ratchet collection for so long with no use and pushed it down the road to make room for other shiny objects that don't get used.


Picture dug from the depths of my "used to own this stuff" file.
Title: Re: Wright 3429 offset 3/8 ratchet
Post by: Davethorik on May 11, 2020, 12:41:30 AM
Nice mod! As you learned, these Wrights dont have the little "wings" to hold the handle on, like modern soft grip ratchets. I dont think they used glue, either. Just a press fit!!

I've had to glue 2 of my tootsie rolls that came loose. Scuffed the chrome with rough sandpaper, then used some of the black industrial loctite we have at work. They're never coming off again unless they go thru a fire.

Thanks for the kind words everyone.
Title: Re: Wright 3429 offset 3/8 ratchet
Post by: hickory n Steel on May 14, 2020, 07:26:33 PM
Very cool.
I like WRIGHT tools, but have never tried a tootsie roll handle.
I've just went with the awesome contour grip, and have one round handle in my locker at work which I like as well.