Author Topic: Wright 3429 offset 3/8 ratchet  (Read 10403 times)

Offline Davethorik

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Wright 3429 offset 3/8 ratchet
« 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.
« Last Edit: March 14, 2019, 09:36:52 PM by Davethorik »

Offline goodfellow

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Re: Wright 3429 offset 3/8 ratchet
« Reply #1 on: March 14, 2019, 10:36:39 PM »
 Very nice!! ..... and congrats on the great find


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Offline hickory n Steel

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Re: Wright 3429 offset 3/8 ratchet
« Reply #2 on: March 14, 2019, 10:57:46 PM »
Interesting ratchet and in excellent condition, congrats on the find.

Always lookin' to learn

Offline Lookin4_67GalaxieConv

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Re: Wright 3429 offset 3/8 ratchet
« Reply #3 on: March 15, 2019, 12:25:31 AM »
Very cool, never seen one before.
boop/bop/beep

Offline lauver

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Re: Wright 3429 offset 3/8 ratchet
« Reply #4 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 :-\
When my wife leaves me, my dog dies, and they repossess my home, I'll still have my tools.

Offline Davethorik

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Re: Wright 3429 offset 3/8 ratchet
« Reply #5 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.

Online jabberwoki

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Re: Wright 3429 offset 3/8 ratchet
« Reply #6 on: March 15, 2019, 06:28:47 PM »
Mmm never seen one either.
Beaut condition.
Is the need enough? Or does the want suffice?

Offline Davethorik

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Re: Wright 3429 offset 3/8 ratchet
« Reply #7 on: March 15, 2019, 07:05:01 PM »
3429 (1964)
3428 flex (1971)
3400 (1961)
« Last Edit: March 15, 2019, 07:08:47 PM by Davethorik »

Offline Lookin4_67GalaxieConv

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Re: Wright 3429 offset 3/8 ratchet
« Reply #8 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?
boop/bop/beep

Offline Davethorik

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Re: Wright 3429 offset 3/8 ratchet
« Reply #9 on: March 29, 2019, 08:21:50 AM »
Nope, no Tootsie Roll breakers

Offline Lookin4_67GalaxieConv

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Re: Wright 3429 offset 3/8 ratchet
« Reply #10 on: March 29, 2019, 09:52:22 AM »
I've got one.  Will try to post a pic soon.
boop/bop/beep

Offline bonneyman

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Re: Wright 3429 offset 3/8 ratchet
« Reply #11 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?

Offline hofferwood

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Re: Wright 3429 offset 3/8 ratchet
« Reply #12 on: March 30, 2019, 01:27:04 PM »
Nope, no Tootsie Roll breakers

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






Nice Find Dave!!!!
If it aint broke----fix it till it is-----there's nothing more permanent than a temporary fix.

Offline bonneyman

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Re: Wright 3429 offset 3/8 ratchet
« Reply #13 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

Offline Lookin4_67GalaxieConv

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Re: Wright 3429 offset 3/8 ratchet
« Reply #14 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!  :-\
boop/bop/beep

Offline Davethorik

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Re: Wright 3429 offset 3/8 ratchet
« Reply #15 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.

Offline bonneyman

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Re: Wright 3429 offset 3/8 ratchet
« Reply #16 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! :-[

Offline Davethorik

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Re: Wright 3429 offset 3/8 ratchet
« Reply #17 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.

Offline goodfellow

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Re: Wright 3429 offset 3/8 ratchet
« Reply #18 on: May 09, 2020, 10:57:50 PM »
Very cool !! Love those old handle models


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Offline Lookin4_67GalaxieConv

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Re: Wright 3429 offset 3/8 ratchet
« Reply #19 on: May 10, 2020, 12:58:22 AM »
Those are nice.  I haven't seen any offset tootsie rolls.
boop/bop/beep

Offline slip knot

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Re: Wright 3429 offset 3/8 ratchet
« Reply #20 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.

Offline oldnslo

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Re: Wright 3429 offset 3/8 ratchet
« Reply #21 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.

Offline Davethorik

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Re: Wright 3429 offset 3/8 ratchet
« Reply #22 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.

Offline hickory n Steel

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Re: Wright 3429 offset 3/8 ratchet
« Reply #23 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.
Always lookin' to learn