3/8" Drive sets

[bonneyman]

Did somebody say we needed another thread???

Well, with all the jaw dropping sets that have been displayed in 1/4" and 1/2" drive I thought that 3/8" should have its own showcase. And in 3/8" I can post some. Will have to assemble some of my sets as they're spread out, but at least I can get this party started. Post up what you've got in 3/8" drive!

Here's my original socket set - a 1980 vintage S-K tray set in it's original box. Made during the Dresser Industries era (1969 to 1985). Still have it, it's my go-to work set. Has never let me down.

[bonneyman]

I attempted to put together a mixed 1/4" and 3/8" S-K Wayne set but couldn't complete it. I ended up selling most of the pieces to give another Wayne collector a crack at it. Here it is at it's best.

[goodfellow]

A beautiful legacy set --  well done with that purchase Walrus.

[Cruiser808]

Love that S-K Wayne set Bonneyman. Vintage S-K is tough as nails with beautiful chrome. And your set is in mint condition!

[bonneyman]

Love that S-K Wayne set Bonneyman. Vintage S-K is tough as nails with beautiful chrome. And your set is in mint condition!

Thanks! Being Wayne owned S-K for only 7 years or so there's alot less of it out there then other eras. Making them quite hard to find. The pictured set included other older vintage S-K parts that I found and included till I got the appropriate replacement. Which didn't happen. Someone else has the majority of these pieces now.

[Cruiser808]

While not the original tool kit that came with Toyota FJ40's, in my humble opinion this Japan made Koken 3/8 socket set is an appropriate substitute. And unlike original FJ kits, if you can find them, this one doesn't break the bank. The quality is okay too. The ratchet reminds me of the classic Proto 5249's. Works for me.

[goodfellow]

Koken = Quality Tools. That is a great set

[Cruiser808]

Thanks GF, it's an old one, although I don't know exactly when it was manufactured.  I do know the newer Koken tools have a lot more bling.

[J.A.F.E.]

Did somebody say we needed another thread???

Yes and this was exactly the one that was needed! Thank you for starting.

Unfortunately I just have have tools not anything that could be gathered into a set in 3/8 unless you count a rail of sockets as a set.

[bonneyman]

I've got a nice Bonney 3/8" collection (much more extensive than in 1/4" or 1/2").
I just need time to get them together for a family shot.

[Cruiser808]

 Hi Bonneyman. Really looking forward to seeing your collection, especially the Bonney sets.

[d42jeep]

By George, I’d like to see some Bonney sets too. That’s a brand I’ve never collected. Here is a Snap-on Ferret set that I put together from a box I found at an estate sale. Snapmom generously donated the sliding Tee.
-Don

[bonneyman]

Here's my Bonney sockets. SAE top rows, metric bottom rows. Mostly 12 pt Loc-Rite. Missing a few metrics (deep 18 mm, shallow 19 mm. Hint, hint.  )
No box. The one shallow set came in a plastic socket box that literally fell apart the third time I opened it. Since then the sockets have been hanging on pegboard.

[bonneyman]

My 6 pt Bonney set, backing up my Thorsen socket set for the personal car. And a few other 6 pts, included their 2 spark plug sockets - with rubber inserts intact.

[bonneyman]

Most of my Bonney ratchets and drive accessories. Older vintage stuff on the left, nice 3/8" flex ratchet and breaker bar there, along with a well-rusted 16" long extension. The more modern stuff includes three 3/8" drive rats (two are users, one is NOS and is put away except for fashions shows like this), a long flex head, and a 3/8" gear in 1/4" body to round out all the extensions, universal, and drive adaptors in the middle.
I do have a long wobble extension that had a damaged knuckle. Seller was pretty bummed about it. But I told him I could use it, so he sold it to me. Took a 1 1/2" used extension and modded the damaged knuckle to take the short ext, then allen screwed it in place. Think it gives me 13+ or so inches total, and without looking close you don't notice the surgery. Don't know where it is at the moment.

[bonneyman]

And what Bonney collection would it be if there weren't any spares stored nearby!

[mrchuck]

I found the earliest made 3/8" Bonney ratchet this morning at "Big Daddy's swap meet.
Paid 8 bucks.
Got it to my shop and lubed it. This ratchet has the plates fixed with the factory permanent rivets, so you just squirt lube oil into the edges and it lubes up quickly.
This makes the 3rd one like this that I have.
I'm 80 years old now and have to make plans to sell all of my collectibles.

[bonneyman]

I found the earliest made 3/8" Bonney ratchet this morning at "Big Daddy's swap meet.
Paid 8 bucks.
Got it to my shop and lubed it. This ratchet has the plates fixed with the factory permanent rivets, so you just squirt lube oil into the edges and it lubes up quickly.
This makes the 3rd one like this that I have.
I'm 80 years old now and have to make plans to sell all of my collectibles.

I feel for you, Chuck. Selling my tools is not a job I look forward to.

[Cruiser808]

Wow, Bonneyman, I’m blown away. How long did it take you to collect all that drive tool goodness?

[bonneyman]

Wow, Bonneyman, I’m blown away. How long did it take you to collect all that drive tool goodness?

The sockets were easier than the wrenches. All told I've been hunting for Bonney's since 2006.

[J.A.F.E.]

Quite an impressive collection. What got you into Bonney?

[Cruiser808]

Bonneyman,  your 3/8 drive tools are awesome. I can just imagine what your Bonney wrench collection must look like. Some of the best wrenches ever. I love the feel of them in my hand. As I recall, SK farmer has some really nice Bonney sets too.

[bonneyman]

Bonneyman,  your 3/8 drive tools are awesome. I can just imagine what your Bonney wrench collection must look like. Some of the best wrenches ever. I love the feel of them in my hand. As I recall, SK farmer has some really nice Bonney sets too.

Thank you, sir!

When collecting Bonney, the main thing to keep in mind is that one is in it for the long haul. Unless you're lucky and grab a whole pristine set, putting together a set of Bonney tools is slow and requires much effort. Tracking down endless leads, running into one dead end after another, scouring websites, keeping your eyes open - it takes real commitment. I think it's harder now that the secret of Bonney is "out" - alot more people have come to appreciate them and so they get snapped up quick. Prices have gone up, too. But I don't want to discourage anyone - deals can still be found. You just gotta be willing to stick with it.

[Snaparxon]

A mostly 40's set of Snap on

[bonneyman]

Quite an impressive collection. What got you into Bonney?

I posted the story over in the Bonney tools thread as it seemed more appropriate over there.

[bonneyman]

Bonneyman,  your 3/8 drive tools are awesome. I can just imagine what your Bonney wrench collection must look like. Some of the best wrenches ever. I love the feel of them in my hand. As I recall, SK farmer has some really nice Bonney sets too.

A good selection of them are pictured in the Bonney tools thread I started after GG re-booted. Thus it was kinda buried back aways. I added a new post to bring it up to the top so inquirers could find it easier. Might want to take a look see.

[Cruiser808]

Will do. Thanks for sharing.

[d42jeep]

Here are a couple more Plomb sets. The green one is wartime and the red one is postwar.
-Don

[d42jeep]

Here is an S-K set made up in a recently found empty box. I included the cardboard insert in one of the pictures.
-Don

[bonneyman]

I love how the older sets made provision for fitting the speed handles in there yet it didn't get in the way of the other components.

I think your S-K set is from the FACOM era (1985-2005). I got say S-K sure knew how to do chrome! IIRC that's one of the things that took 'em down in the end.

[bmwrd0]

I had my Armstrong tools out today, so, here is the 3/8" set:
20181007_111330
20181007_111339
The core of the set is from about the mid sixties, but I have a habit of throwing extra stuff in. Dunno, it works for me.

Oh, and a shout out to the Alien for the Flickr suggestion.

[Cruiser808]

Here are a couple of late 40’s or early 50’s P&C sets. They are a work in progress as I don’t believe they match the catalogs.

[Cruiser808]

As. Proto fanboy, I’m always on the lookout for company spinoffs. Here are two Challenger 3/8 sets. Other than than the box color and tool stamping, the sets are indentcal to the Proto sets of the same era. These seem to be of early 1960’s vintage.

[Cruiser808]

Here is a Proto set of the same era as the above shown Challenger set. Other than the ratchet, the rest of the tools are the same in the Proto empire. I included three clutch sockets that I found on EBay. As I was told, these sockets were used on auto upholstery and trim back in the day.

[Cruiser808]

Here’s a Proto LA baby set from the 1950’s. In pretty decent condition. It appears the previous owner included a modified vise handle to act as a crossbar. Seems to fit well, but I haven’t tried it.

[J.A.F.E.]

GM used clutch screws on 40's and 50's era Chevies and Chevy trucks for some reason.

There are also two types.

[J.A.F.E.]

Cruiser as always just magnificent.

[Cruiser808]

Wow Steve, thanks to you, I just learned something new today. Until now, I never knew there were two types of clutch designs. Mahalo for sharing my friend.

[d42jeep]

Here is my favorite and most rare Plomb 3/8” drive set. It’s a 1939 Challenger set that pretty much looks unused. I’ve never seen another like it. All the tools are dated 1939. The finish on the tools is beautiful.
-Don

[J.A.F.E.]

Wow Steve, thanks to you, I just learned something new today. Until now, I never knew there were two types of clutch designs. Mahalo for sharing my friend.

Glad I could add something besides my usual silliness.

Heres another tidbit about the clutch heads - supposedly they were designed so a flat screwdriver could be used. Never tried it though.

Here is my favorite and most rare Plomb 3/8” drive set. It’s a 1939 Challenger set that pretty much looks unused. I’ve never seen another like it. All the tools are dated 1939. The finish on the tools is beautiful.
-Don

That is a real beauty even still has the crossbar - just amazing.

[bonneyman]

I had my Armstrong tools out today, so, here is the 3/8" set:
20181007_111330
20181007_111339
The core of the set is from about the mid sixties, but I have a habit of throwing extra stuff in. Dunno, it works for me.

Oh, and a shout out to the Alien for the Flickr suggestion.

Love the lines on that breaker bar! 

[bonneyman]

Cruiser as always just magnificent.

Yeah +1. Those clutch tips are primo!

[Cruiser808]

Hi Jeep. That’s a mighty fine rare Plomb set from the pre war years. And in incredible condition! Here’s a post war Plomb set that just might be the last of Plomb 3/8 sets in the late 1940’s before the Proto moniker took over. What say you?

[Cruiser808]

Opps. Here we go.

[d42jeep]

I would agree with your assessment. I would date my set around ‘46 and your logo looks newer. Yours seems likely to have been made shortly before the name transition especially since the box isn’t embossed.
-Don
PS. Here are some early snap-on clutch head bits. I have a ‘60s GM product with clutch head screws.

[Cruiser808]

Thanks Don. Can you tell me what GM cars in the day needed those clutch sockets? That would be a real education to me. Thanks.

[d42jeep]

I have a ‘63 Corvair van that has a bunch of clutch head screw fasteners in the interior. I think they were used in other GM trucks from the ‘40s through the ‘60s.
-Don

[Cruiser808]

Thanks Don. Very cool vehicles!!! Absolute classics.  The van has to be a one of a kind in the auto industry.  What's it like to drive?

[d42jeep]

You sit way forward so you have to turn a little later than you think. No power anything. Typical squeaks and rattles. Kind of squirreley at higher speeds. Like me, it’s mostly retired and does small jobs around the cabin. I better post some 3/8” sets to get back on topic. Here are some partially metric Thorsen combination sets made a few years apart.
-Don

[bonneyman]

Thanks Don. Can you tell me what GM cars in the day needed those clutch sockets? That would be a real education to me. Thanks.

I recall some website that specialized in those clutch fasteners and drivers. I think it had something to do with old motorhomes? The site had a vintage look to it.

P.S. Found it!

https://www.vintagetrailersupply.com/Clutch-Head-Screw-Bits-p/vts-578.htm

[slip knot]

A couple of 3/8 sets

[slip knot]

This one is very clean. maybe even unused.

[Cruiser808]

Hi Slip Knot - as you are well aware, the Crown Craftsman tools are the best Sears ever had to offer. And when in pristine condition like your set, that’s vintage gold.   

[bonneyman]

Hi Slip Knot - as you are well aware, the Crown Craftsman tools are the best Sears ever had to offer. And when in pristine condition like your set, that’s vintage gold.   

Translation: "Do you want to sell them, cause my wallets burning!" 

[slip knot]

  I about jumped over the table to grab that set.  

[d42jeep]

Here is a blue box S-K 3/8” and 1/4” combination set.
-Don

[d42jeep]

Here is another 3/8” drive set I found at a Berkeley estate sale. It was missing one socket that I found at another sale later that day. It went quickly on eBay since it was a duplicate for me.
-Don

[Cruiser808]

 An Action 3/8 set from the local swap meet. It's basically new, with only the 1/2 socket seeing any action. It's good for me because the FJ uses 13/16 spark plugs. Everybody these days want sets with 5/8 spark plug sockets. I got it for $7.

[J.A.F.E.]

Nice set that has not seen much Action. The spark plug socket alone was worth the 7 bucks.

[Uncle Buck]

WOW, incredible cheap.

[hickory n Steel]

Here's my only 3/8 " set " which was a gift for my birthday last year from someone who doesn't know a ton about tools.
The ratchet is smooth and it gets the job done, but being made in China It's nothing I'd want to brag about.
Maybe when they start making these in the US again I'll break it and exchange it at Lowe's 


And of course this is the epitome of what I hate about blow mould cases, I could easily fit 3 of these sets in a steel case if these dimensions.

[J.A.F.E.]

Believe it or not a lot of people like the blow molded cases. I have nothing against them because they are plastic my objection is the interiors leave little room for additions and they are always kind of silly large for the contents. But hanging in the store it looks like you are getting a big set and I guess that's what moves the merchandise.

[hickory n Steel]

Believe it or not a lot of people like the blow molded cases. I have nothing against them because they are plastic my objection is the interiors leave little room for additions and they are always kind of silly large for the contents. But hanging in the store it looks like you are getting a big set and I guess that's what moves the merchandise.

They work great when the tools aren't extremely hard to remove as they can be, it's mostly just the bulk for me though I do like the classic appeal of steel.

I've had and seen blow moulded cases that make good use of space, but most such as this one seem to be huge just so they can look " cool " on the rack.

[bonneyman]

Heck, put a RHFT rat in that box and call it a good day! 

[J.A.F.E.]

Heck, put a RHFT rat in that box and call it a good day! 

The RHFT is one of the best ratchets to wear the Craftsman name the others all being antiques now. Definitely a ratchet worth having.

The sockets in the set are actually pretty good but an extension or two and a universal are needed.

[d42jeep]

Here is a wartime Duro/Indestro/D-I 3/8” drive set that I’ve been putting together for quite a while. During WW2 1/2”, 1/4” and even 9/32” drives were more popular than 3/8” so it’s been pretty time consuming finding the pieces and I’ve had plenty of help from my WW2 tool buddies. The sockets are all D-I marked except for one wartime Duro.
-Don

[DeadNutz]

Blow molded cases are fine as long as you are paying attention when opening them. Nothing worse than opening them upside down and ending up with a pile of loose sockets. The wife has a Husky USA 1/4, 3/8, 1/2" set that I grab as a road box when I go to help someone and I have opened it upside down.

[bonneyman]

Blow molded cases are fine as long as you are paying attention when opening them. Nothing worse than opening them upside down and ending up with a pile of loose sockets. The wife has a Husky USA 1/4, 3/8, 1/2" set that I grab as a road box when I go to help someone and I have opened it upside down.

You've only got to do it once! 

[J.A.F.E.]

Blow molded cases are fine as long as you are paying attention when opening them. ...

Yes I have to confess to doing tat myself. Perhaps more than once.

The other thing when the cases use a molded flap as a hinge or clasp and it breaks over time then it won't stay closed and tends to dump everywhere. And forget about using the grab handle.

[hickory n Steel]

Blow molded cases are fine as long as you are paying attention when opening them. ...

Yes I have to confess to doing tat myself. Perhaps more than once.

The other thing when the cases use a molded flap as a hinge or clasp and it breaks over time then it won't stay closed and tends to dump everywhere. And forget about using the grab handle.

I used to have a cheap drill in a blow mould case that the latches broke off of, I'd forget and every other time I picked it up the drill would fall out. I'd often catch it but it didn't take too many impacts on the garage floor to leave the drills guts spilled about.
The crappy western auto 1/4 set also had problems opening, and it was in a steel box albeit with a poorly designed latch.

[bmwrd0]

I found the 5/16-2/8-7/16 and 5/8-11/16- 3/4 (all FV's) today at the restore, already had everything else I needed and put together this small set. Don't really need much outside these for most light jobs. Just need to find the correct 2" extension and I am good to go.

[bonneyman]

Nice! Hows the ratchet feel? SO probably has the kit for it still if need be. The one time I called SO for a rebuild kit the lady on the phone was super nice and they got the parts to me really fast.

[bmwrd0]

It already has a kit in it, I had been hanging on to it for a while, just waiting for something to do with it.

[d42jeep]

Here is a Walden combination 3/8” and 1/4” drive set that is missing a few pieces along with an earlier Walden ratchet.
-Don

[Jwitt]

Some craftsman back in the day needed a way to carry his 3/8 set around. What he did was make a wooden box that incorporates the speed wrench as the handle.




All of the tools are early Craftsman.
Jim

[Uncle Buck]

Some craftsman back in the day needed a way to carry his 3/8 set around. What he did was make a wooden box that incorporates the speed wrench as the handle.




All of the tools are early Craftsman.
Jim

Oh I like that! 

[bonneyman]

Some craftsman back in the day needed a way to carry his 3/8 set around. What he did was make a wooden box that incorporates the speed wrench as the handle.




All of the tools are early Craftsman.
Jim

Oh yeah, I like that too!

[J.A.F.E.]

I recall seeing that before somewhere. Pretty clever on someones part.

[d42jeep]

The spark plug socket arrived today to complete my Sparta (New Britain) set.
-Don

[J.A.F.E.]

Holy smokes that looks like it just came off the line.

[d42jeep]

Thanks. I had picked up the socket set at some estate sale and wasn’t sure what to do with them. Four.cycle mentioned that they were somewhat rare so I thought it would be nice to complete the set. I found the nice box with two extensions on eBay and found the ratchet and 13/16” socket there as well. The spark plug socket seemed to be the final piece and was in nice condition so I grabbed it too.
-Don

[J.A.F.E.]

It is astounding the stuff that is out there.

[bmwrd0]

I have this set almost complete, all I need is the correct 5/16" socket.

[d42jeep]

I received a couple of almost complete Thorsen 3/8” drive sets from my tool collecting buddies recently. I was able to complete the regular deep set but will be looking for a 19mm for the metric set. Here they are along with some other early and later Thorsen 3/8” drive sets.
-Don

[goodfellow]

Wow -- that is quite a haul! Great sets and a really great brand. I'll look through my odds 'n ends socket drawer, but the I think the only Thorsen deeps that I have are the 1970s Montgomery Wards Powr-Kraft era Thorsen.

[d42jeep]

Here is a Walden 1/4” & 3/8” drive set that I completed recently with a little help from an eBay seller. His extras matched up almost perfectly with the ones I was missing and the price was right.
-Don

[hickory n Steel]

 Here's my Craftsman flying V 3/8 set.
Everything is V, mostly =V= except the 5/8 sp socket which is -V-.


capital one bank near me now
The box is a new PROTO 1/4 box.
I know the decal I've got on it isn't exactly period for a Flying V , but I couldn't find a crown logo and I quite like this 50's Craftsman logo anyways.

[bonneyman]

Looks great, hickory!   

Only a purist would complain.

[J.A.F.E.]

That came out very nice and something to be proud of.

Sometimes minor details have to be overlooked and I doubt very many would know the difference anyway. I am not familiar enough with the Craftsman logos and timeframes to know.

The important thing is it looks great and it looks right.

[hickory n Steel]

That came out very nice and something to be proud of.

Sometimes minor details have to be overlooked and I doubt very many would know the difference anyway. I am not familiar enough with the Craftsman logos and timeframes to know.

The important thing is it looks great and it looks right.

Thanks.
I like the crown logo, but = CRAFTSMAN = as seen in the logo is what's stamped on the tools after all and I find it more appropriate than the crown logo is.

[bmwrd0]

Looks good Hick! Much like the Plomb set I made up above, it was just something I like to do. That sticker isn't right for the set, its a WWII era logo and those are Pebble pieces. But it was fun to put together.

[hickory n Steel]

Looks good Hick! Much like the Plomb set I made up above, it was just something I like to do. That sticker isn't right for the set, its a WWII era logo and those are Pebble pieces. But it was fun to put together.

Thanks.
I definitely like that set of yours

[d42jeep]

I finally found the Thorsen 19mm socket I was missing to complete this set I posted upthread.
-Don

[hickory n Steel]

This thread needs some resurrection.

[hickory n Steel]

This husky set is my go-to for 3/8, goes from 3/8-1" with no skips.

The ratchet isn't original but that's what it came to me with.

I use it with my WRIGHT 3425, because that fairly modern husky professional ratchet is pretty stiff.
Eventually I'll probably get the proper CB-45 for it, but the WRIGHT 3425 is my go-to 3/8 ratchet so I don't really need the CB-45.

[bonneyman]

I really like those EASCO ergo ratchets. Very comfy in the hand. One of the few styles I have a triple play of.

[hickory n Steel]

I really like those EASCO ergo ratchets. Very comfy in the hand. One of the few styles I have a triple play of.

I like the action much more on the 3/8 than I do on the 1/4, but they are nice ratchets.
In general they have a very nice light smooth action for a 3/8 round head,  the 71 1107 does feel pretty decent in hand but I do kind of like the 71 1106 a little more.
( I still want the 1/4, preferably the master mechanic example )

I got all 3 of these NOS off Ebay from Whatchamacallit tools.

[hickory n Steel]

I just got this NOS factory sealed New britain AMERICAN FORGE set in ( also from whatchamacallit tool) as a birthday gift for my brother.

I wasn't sure if I wanted to open it, but figured I should lube the ratchet.
I'm glad I did too, because sadly the plastic insert has crumbled.



Now I'm not quite sure if I'll be giving this to my brother or not, the box is blue which is his favorite color but I don't know how I feel about the sockets having to just be loose. It's a 3/8 and 1/4 combo set, so I can't just put the sockets on a cut down rail.
I have yet to actually use that Easco set that I have and could give him that set instead,  but I specifically bought this NB set because it's metric which I figure will be more useful to him.

[Uncle Buck]

You can put all the sockets on one rail if you combine the socket holder spring clips together on one rail.

Very nice looking set there.

[hickory n Steel]

You can put all the sockets on one rail if you combine the socket holder spring clips together on one rail.

Very nice looking set there.

I thought about that but was thinking the rails were different sizes.
Ill probably grab a couple of the cheap metal rails from HF tomorrow and do that.

[Uncle Buck]

I am fairly sure I am correct, but if not it would not be the first time I was wrong about something.

[bonneyman]

I am fairly sure I am correct, but if not it would not be the first time I was wrong about something.

I thought I was wrong once....but I was mistaken. 

[hickory n Steel]

I am fairly sure I am correct, but if not it would not be the first time I was wrong about something.

I thought I was wrong once....but I was mistaken. 

The last time I thought I was right I was wrong, because I thought I was right about being wrong when in fact I was actually right in the 1st place.