1/4 Drive Sets

[four.cycle]

Another model 350 Indestro "Vest Pocket" 8-pc 1/4" hex drive SAE socket set with metal holder.
Early production - note that "ell" handle is stamped "Pat. Pend." - referring to patent number 2065340.
(* see post #477 for later versions of this set *)
(* the 11/32" socket in this set was ground down by the previous owner for additional clearance. *)

[four.cycle]

A late production model 350 Indestro "Vest Pocket" 8-pc 1/4" hex drive SAE socket set with metal holder.
This is the third (and last) version of the model 350 set, having both the Indestro name and the part number and the patent number (2065340) stamped on the bottom of the holder.
(* see also post #477 and post #510 )

[four.cycle]

U.S. made No-Name 1/4" hex drive SAE socket set with driver handle

(* Sockets are stamped with size and "Made in U.S.A." only. Driver handle has no markings at all. This appears to be a knock-off of the Indestro model 360 6-pc "Slip-on" set (pat. 111026)(see catalog snips below), but unlike the original Indestro, this one has a tang on the end of the shalf of the driver which prevents the user from being able to use the handle as storage for the sockets, unlike its Indestro counterpart. It does not resemble anything I've seen made by either Oxwall or G.M. Mfg. Co., or any other U.S. based low-end tool maker. Until someone can positively identify it, its origin remains a mystery.* )

[d42jeep]

Hi Steve, you got it. It's easy for the early Plombs. Like Snap-on, Plomb put year dates up to 1941. Actually,  I found some early 1942 sockets with a number stamp. But, most of the war years had letters stamped on them. TWERSTY did the research and found that the letters coincided with the years,  B=1942, C=1943, and so on. For the 1/4 sets, 1944 and 1945 rarely had markings, but the designs are giveaways. Also, the square edge Plomb boxes during the war had some nasty, ugly, sticky paint that will probably never die. Then came the round edge boxes. After the end of the war, the tools were chrome again and the tool boxes were coated with red paint and new logos. During the transition to Proto, the tool design remained consistent with the last Plomb sets. Moving on to early Proto, the Flying Lady was painted on all the Proto boxes. They also remained the same design from the Plomb years.

Thanks for the pictures and the information. Very helpful.
-Don

[four.cycle]

VIM Tool Company, Minneapolis, Minnesota - model 994 9/32" square drive SAE socket set with box

The sockets are all stamped "VIM" and are stamped with the size. The 12-point sockets are 1/4", 9/32", 5/16", 11/32", 3/8", and 7/16". There is also a square (4-point) 5/16" socket.
The set is missing the 1/4" square (4-point) socket, the sliding "T" handle, and the collared extension.
The box appears to be original, matching the one shown in the 1931 catalog illustration.
Note that the driver handle has two detent balls on the drive end. There is a YouTube video of the driver handle here:

There is a brief entry on VIM at Alloy-Artifacts HERE: http://alloy-artifacts.org/other-makers-p3.html#vim

[CRTDI]

Snappy black band metric set.

[J.A.F.E.]

The black bands are my all time favorite socket and in my mind very desirable. Beautiful set looks completely unused.

I have a 1/4 and 3/8 shallow six point sets and miscellaneous single pieces.

[hickory n Steel]

Snappy black band metric set.

That's an awesome looking set, I've got relatively minimal experience compared to everyone else here but having combo wrenches in a 1/4" set is just an idea I like.

[slip knot]

That's a gorgeous set. 

[CRTDI]

Williams 9/32" drive set with an add-on Plomb ratchet.

[d42jeep]

Nice sets! I like the older Williams stuff but I rarely run into any.
-Don

[CRTDI]

Speedmaster set with a very odd gearless ratchet. I'm thinking the tools might Wright or Stevens Walden sourced, just not sure...

[CRTDI]

Indestro set with a Firestone ignition tool.

[hickory n Steel]

Speedmaster set with a very odd gearless ratchet. I'm thinking the tools might Wright or Stevens Walden sourced, just not sure...

Real nice set there, I ( and probably a lot of people ) typically think of gearless ratchets as a very modern thing, but obviously they're not.

[Cruiser808]

Indestro set with a Firestone ignition tool.

Once again CRTDI, you demonstrate that you are the king of 1/4 socket sets.