Garage Gazette
TOOLS AND THE SHOP => MECHANIC HAND TOOLS WE USE => Topic started by: skfarmer on September 03, 2018, 02:45:05 PM
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here is a classic from the past. show us your matched set of 3 (or more) ratchets. doubles and odd balls that match and drive sizes outside of the 3 allowed as long as we stay with the spirit of the thread.
armstrong rhft ratchets in 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 ratchets.
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Yay! Thank you for bringing this back.
Sorry I snuck in a 3/4 in these Blackhawk Baldies.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/938/30097613578_345038e602_z.jpg)
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read the fine print! :D
3 is good, more is better. i know there are many sets that have 4 or more drive sizes and some that only have 2 as long as we stay somewhat close, let's see em! :)
isn't there a 7/16 baldie? :-X
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There is a 7/16 Baldie. I'll post it up with two of it's siblings.
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I can play!
Duro
Thorsen open gear
EASCO paint brush handles
Bonney -702K series
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And there's a roundhead triple play buried in this family pic of S-K's.
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Caterpillar ratchets
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Snap on military ratchets plus a breaker bar
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Blackhawk Baldies 3/8, 7/16 and 1/2 drive.
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1773/43917684142_7e35e8d7f9_z.jpg)
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MAC
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Par-X
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Blue-Point
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Snap on military flat handle
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Matco
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Snap-on flex head. The last two are both 1/2 just different handle length.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/930/43917714782_33d76ae5c7_z.jpg)
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Snap-on long handle.
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1832/43917720712_24a107a4b3_z.jpg)
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Snap-on the top two are 1/4 and 9/23.
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1779/42157416820_b25e3a2f4e_z.jpg)
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Nice collection of vintage ratchets Steve.
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Thanks!
I was just drooling over that Blue Point stuff. I never see those ratchets. You have some really great stuff.
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I'm one ratchet short of quite a few more triple play's ???
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Thanks!
I was just drooling over that Blue Point stuff. I never see those ratchets. You have some really great stuff.
All but the 1/2" dr standard handle were Ebay. All I have ever seen in the wild were some 1/4" dr sockets that I think you ended up with and the 1/2" ratchet that I traded for from a guy I worked with years ago
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you guys know how to play. looks like i am in catch up mode!
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you guys know how to play. looks like i am in catch up mode!
Are we gonna see the Big Dawg's?
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you guys know how to play. looks like i am in catch up mode!
Are we gonna see the Big Dawg's?
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
in due time........
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So you're holding out on us?
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So you're holding out on us?
Harlan hasn't been the same since UB called him a "collector"! :))
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I'm one ratchet short of quite a few more triple play's ???
Same here.
Williams industrial finish round heads reporting for duty
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Never seen those before. Very nice.
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Thanks, maybe you missed them in the old thread.
There is also the black 71 series with tri wing selector, they have a bit larger of a head, but I don’t have the triple. Not to mention the Superratchet version in black.
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I must somehow have missed them. There's some cool stuff in your collection.
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Over the years, I've picked up or have been given several broken Plomb ratchets. Fortunately, Proto ratchet kits are readily available, allowing me to put these old timers back in action. These are users and work very well.
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This 3/4 Plomb ratchet was a freebee. The pawls and gear were trashed, but a new Proto kit took care of that. So i added it to the pebble Plomb triple play.
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Yay! Thank you for bringing this back.
Sorry I snuck in a 3/4 in these Blackhawk Baldies.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/938/30097613578_345038e602_z.jpg)
Those are incredible, Steve. How long did it take you to collect those beauties?
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Thanks Cruiser. Some of my favorites I must say. Took a long time they came in one at a time probably about 10 years. Good thing I wasn't in a hurry.
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This is as close as I've got.
PROTO professional 1/2 and 3/8 flex heads with a 1/4 adapter for the 3/8.
(https://s6.postimg.cc/x1b63sgxt/IMG_20180904_191101936.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/gqb27h4fx/)
They came from my dad who says they came together when he bought them, but nothing is certain.
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Snap-on ratchet adapters.
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1771/43247568284_1bb6045efa_z.jpg)
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Some Plomb WF goodness. The extra ratchet is 9/32. Did this style show up in 3/4 drive?
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1816/29028141417_98a72700ec_z.jpg)
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Some Plomb pebbles.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/930/43060806955_eb13134255_z.jpg)
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Snap-on flat military.
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1793/42157443740_388e8c9ba3_z.jpg)
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Snap-on ratchet adapters.
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1771/43247568284_1bb6045efa_z.jpg)
Wow - that is a sweet set, Steve! 8)
I'll bet expensive as all get out, too.
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Thanks! They could be expensive but I have been frugal in getting them. They were all bought used and the most expensive one was the 3/4 which I managed to get for (IIRC) for about 35.
I use the 1/4 a fair amount and used to use the 1/2 a lot until I got the longer ratchets.
I still have some beam torque wrenches and they do get used on those.
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Those Armstrong RHFTs are beauties!!! Got two, need the 1/4". The Snappy flex and long handles are great too. Glad to see this thread resurrected!
I'll add some crappy cellphone picks of a few of mine:
Bonny 701, Filson, and Husky -41
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And a few Kilness patent round heads:
Blackhawk, Giller, and Thorsen
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Husky -43 & -45, Mustang -43, and Sparta -43
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Wow very impressive collection. You have some great stuff.
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I managed to find some pics of Indestro pearhead's I had at one time. Somebody was asking about them. I only have the 3/8" now.
I'm really sorry I sold the 1/4"er. At the time I wanted a nice small quarter drive for tight work, and liked the look of the 6xxx Indestro rats. But the head on the 1/4" was just too big (and it wasn't fine tooth enough). If you look at the pictures the head of the 1/4" isn't really that much smaller then the 3/8". The difference between the 3/8" and 1/2" is much greater.
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I managed to find some pics of Indestro pearhead's I had at one time. Somebody was asking about them. I only have the 3/8" now.
I'm really sorry I sold the 1/4"er. At the time I wanted a nice small quarter drive for tight work, and liked the look of the 6xxx Indestro rats. But the head on the 1/4" was just too big (and it wasn't fine tooth enough). If you look at the pictures the head of the 1/4" isn't really that much smaller then the 3/8". The difference between the 3/8" and 1/2" is much greater.
I like my 1/4 indestro, but you're right.
The head is large and the teeth aren't very fine, it's not been a hindrance to me yet but I've definitely noticed.
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Wow very impressive collection. You have some great stuff.
Thanks JAFE, you've got some really great stuff too, and plenty I don't have.
That said, some more crappy cellphone pics:
Easco RHFT, QR & non
Easco plastic handled and pear head
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Sorry Steve, but i’ve followed Powderkeg’s threads for years and I’m convinced he’s the undisputed King of ratchets. He has upgraded my stash in the past and I’m eternally grateful. Thanks Powderkeg.
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I agree completely. He has stuff I've never seen and never knew existed and absolutely deserves the title.
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Powder, I never knew RHFT were anything but QR. But I have seen an EASCO tootsie roll ratchet or two.
Made me put a rubber handle (gas hose) onto one of my Bonney's! ;D
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Well thanks guys, I'm humbled, but I know there are others out there with a boatload as well - Twersty for one, and he's got a fantastic history/catalog website on top of that (although it's not working at the moment?). I've partially written some "collection" posts over the years as this obsess... er, collection has grown wildly beyond any initial expectations, as I've figured fellow tool gee... er, gurus would get a kick out it. But unfortunately The Sequential Vortex keeps intervening before I can complete posts and pics. Even got statistics & percentages figured, but I don't want to spoil the "reveal", when someday I finally outpace The Vortex.
I'll say this much - I passed 500 some years back - some may remember Moparhound going thru and counting his massive stash to see how many more he had over me (hint, he had a crap-ton of 'em :)) ). That was either here or over at GJ, can't remember. Also won't approach 1000 for a good many years, as acquisitions have dropped off ('cause I got so %#!!*&! many now it's a lot more difficult to remember what I already have, even with an Excel spreadsheet list...).
I like the way JAFE put it earlier - he's been frugal. I'll be a little more blunt and admit being a total cheap-@ss. Only about 6.5% of the total are from the Big 4 truck brands, with close to 1/2 of them from Snap-On. I'll also note that I've got @ 130 different "USA" stamped brands represented, and a good 20 more noted but no ratchet (yet). Those two snippets should indicate two things - there's a much larger number of USA ratchet/socket "brands" out there than likely any of us ever could have imagined, and a full collection of one of each ever made would be scary HUUUGE and floor collapse capable if money was no limitation. Does anyone have any idea about how many ratchet models Snap-On has produced? That alone has gotta be scary big...
And after that, here's a few more crappy cellphone pics of more triple plays:
Firestone
Craftsman from Plomb
Powr-Kraft from Wright
Bluegrass from Wright (with blue tootsie rolls too)
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A few more:
Armstrong -91 (flattened handle)
Armstrong -903
Action open head
Companion open head (maybe by Wright Forge? Unique use of outside snap rings on the drive gear, unlike other open heads)
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And the last for probably a little while - heading out on a Bourbon Pilgrimage back to the Holy Lands of Kentucky and the Sacred Cities of Louisville, Bardstown, and Frankfort later this week.
K-D Easco pear heads
K-D Danaher
Craftsman early MDF smooth beam and indented beam
Man these crappy cellphone pics really are crappy! Gotta look into that for the future...
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You have quite a few very desirable ratchets there very impressive. (https://farm1.staticflickr.com/918/43410479762_ba8d997bf9_q.jpg)
Well put PowderKeg there are so many brands and so many variations even with very deep pockets finding some would be a quest that would Bilbo's adventure finding Smaug's treasure look easy (except you wouldn't have to deal with the almost getting killed around every corner part).
Whatever happened to Mopar?
I started the ratchet collecting when I got the idea to collect one of every ratchet Snap-on made. That was me being naive and not understanding the depth of my quest. I have no idea how many different ratchets they made over the years but the number has to be staggering and some are very very hard to find.
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You have quite a few very desirable ratchets there very impressive. (https://farm1.staticflickr.com/918/43410479762_ba8d997bf9_q.jpg)
Well put PowderKeg there are so many brands and so many variations even with very deep pockets finding some would be a quest that would Bilbo's adventure finding Smaug's treasure look easy (except you wouldn't have to deal with the almost getting killed around every corner part).
Whatever happened to Mopar?
I started the ratchet collecting when I got the idea to collect one of every ratchet Snap-on made. That was me being naive and not understanding the depth of my quest. I have no idea how many different ratchets they made over the years but the number has to be staggering and some are very very hard to find.
Makes me glad my ratchet quest is so basic.
I really just want to have a nice little compact 1/4 set thats as inclusive as it can be for as compact as it is, and I'd like to find THE 1/4" ratchet for me.
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... and I'd like to find THE 1/4" ratchet for me.
:D That's what they all say. Welcome to the madness. :D
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... and I'd like to find THE 1/4" ratchet for me.
:D That's what they all say. Welcome to the madness. :D
I honestly like everything about my Craftsman tear drop except the plastic parts, and could easily take or leave the QR.
If I find a old Craftsman teardrop without a QR I'm not sure I'd be looking anymore, not that I'm actively searching as what I have currently works.
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It always starts that way.
I only had a single ratchet once.
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... and I'd like to find THE 1/4" ratchet for me.
:D That's what they all say. Welcome to the madness. :D
Yup, ya done stepped onto the slippery slope - we'll be waitin' for ya at the bottom!
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Here are my 4 sets to add to the list.
I don't have alot of 1/4 ratchets or I would have more sets.
Wizard set
Williams set
SK set
PowrKraft set
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A couple of Williams sets.
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How about a triple of boxed sets
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Sliip that set of boxes is outstanding.
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Sliip that set of boxes is outstanding.
Thanks, Chopper helped me with the 1/2 set I was missing.
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Nice of him to help. A collection worth paying attention to.
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Snap-on 3/4, 1" and 1 1/2" drive.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/932/43247643434_683f5982a7_z.jpg)
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1800/43322998494_265a0307c8_z.jpg)
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Those big guys are sweet.
I've been looking for a 3/4 willies paintbrush handle but haven't come across one locally. They're cheap enough on Eprey but the shipping kills it.
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Slipnot, beautiful Williams stuff. 8) That 3/8 flex B54? has got to be a hard to find ratchet.
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Thanks, I have a serious weakness for Williams sets. >:D I've been accused of getting stupid when it comes to getting a nice example.
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Sliip that set of boxes is outstanding.
I'll second that! Is the 1\2" metric or SAE up to 1 1/2?
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All the sets are SAE. I haven't seen much Williams metrics. Mostly what I look for is prior to the MM taking over here in the states.
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Good grief, slip knot, your Williams sets are beyond awesome! 8)
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(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1800/43322998494_265a0307c8_z.jpg)
Steve, my wife was looking over my shoulder when I scrolled past this picture with the Alien and she lost it! :D
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He is quite a ham for the camera.
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How about 3 knurled grip Wrights?
4425, 3426, 2400
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Those Wrights are cool. Those are some great ratchets.
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Thanks! What can I say, i have a soft spot for made in Ohio ratchets!
Here's a triple play of XL Cornwells.
SRF76L
JR40L
TR4
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Those are beauts. Cornwell makes some great ratchets.
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Geez Louise! What's the length on the flex head?
Cornwell does make some beauties!
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Geez Louise! What's the length on the flex head?
Cornwell does make some beauties!
The SRF76L is 27-3/8"
JR40L is 17"
TR4 is 8"
They don't just look beautiful. I love the ergos, low back drag, and built like a brick shithouse. The big one is great for lug nuts if you don't have a compressor like me.
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here is one requested a while back. proto hard handle big dawgs with a couple knurled chrome thrown in for good measure.
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following the hard handle theme, here is some macs that shared the same handle as the hard handle big dawgs. 1/4 spinner and 3/8 and 1/2 breakers.
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Very impressive collection.
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did someone say classic round head sk? 1/4 - 3/4 with some long, hard handle, roto and thumb wheel thrown in.
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here is the gearwrench 120 xp triple play.
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how about an sk compact 3/8 triple? regular long and flex.
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The S·K group is most impressive.
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i really like this triple play even if it doesn't cover anything other than 3/8.
all 88's. an armstrong, matco and a gearwrench with an 88 kit.
my favorite is still the armstrong.
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did someone say classic round head sk? 1/4 - 3/4 with some long, hard handle, roto and thumb wheel thrown in.
SK, did you put that dark green hard handle on that 3/8"er, or did it come that way?
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did someone say classic round head sk? 1/4 - 3/4 with some long, hard handle, roto and thumb wheel thrown in.
SK, did you put that dark green hard handle on that 3/8"er, or did it come that way?
Fairly sure it came that way.
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I'm liking the compact 3/8s. Those look pretty handy.
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did someone say classic round head sk? 1/4 - 3/4 with some long, hard handle, roto and thumb wheel thrown in.
SK, did you put that dark green hard handle on that 3/8"er, or did it come that way?
Fairly sure it came that way.
I thought it might be factory, as it's dark green like the driver handles were on SK tools during the FACOM era. But it looked kinda rough, hence, thought it might be home-modded.
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that is a factory model. here is a few pics from a 1997 catalog. the 3/8 was a 45177 and 1/2 was a 42177. there was not a 1/4 with a hard handle
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that is a factory model. here is a few pics from a 1997 catalog. the 3/8 was a 45177 and 1/2 was a 42177. there was not a 1/4 with a hard handle
So, it was during the FACOM era (1985-2005). ;D
And too bad they didn't do it in 1/4". I love S-K roundheads, but the 1/4" is way too small for me if my hands are greasy. A hard-handle like that would have made all the difference.
Now it's too late - I've graduated to Harbor Freight! (And it rhymes!) :D
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Armstrong 51 set
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Jabber you outdid yourself in that set. That is an eye popping set for sure.
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X2....that set is pretty sweet. That particular handle style for the 3/8” and above ratchets I never quite liked for the vintage (military issue?) Snap-On ratchets.....but for some reason I’m OK with it on the Armstrongs. Maybe the Armstrong style is contoured a bit differently?
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Here are some of mine.
-Don
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And a few more.
-Don
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Very nice d42.
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Armstrong 51 set
Yo! That is one heck of a set of ratchets! 8)
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I really like those Plumb pebbles.
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Thanks, Guys. I think all three drive sizes are covered in this Thorsen picture even if the sets are incomplete.
-Don
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That is amazing. I like the Thorsen stuff.
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Thanks. I found these in my old pictures.
-Don
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Thanks. I found these in my old pictures.
-Don
Diggin it! 8)
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Interesting the 1/4 and 3/8 use the same body. Those can not be easy to find.
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They aren’t really that rare, especially the 1/2” drive version. They’re built like tanks and just as smooth. They were very popular during WW2 but personally I would rather have had a contemporary S-K which was a much more modern and sophisticated design.
-Don
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No shortage of SK goodness there.
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After looking for WW2 vintage S-K tools for quite a while, now if I see any I tend to pick them up. Maybe it’s time to slow down a little.
-Don
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Why slow down? They will always have value and you can always sell them or give to someone who will appreciate what they are and use them.
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Interesting the 1/4 and 3/8 use the same body. Those can not be easy to find.
IIRC the patent number embossed on them is the same. The only difference I see is in the female drive gear.
Kinda smart - two rat sizes share the same handle. Cuts costs. ;D
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Yeah, just like the 1/2” drive models (reversing and non-reversing or with removable plugs) there were variations on the small handle models. Here are a few more 3/8” and 1/4” ratchets.
-Don
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Any idea on era and how long they made for?
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The patent is from 1933 and they were used throughout WW2, as far as I know. I’m not exactly sure when they changed but they were working on a new dual pawl design at the end of the war. According to AA they were making some model until the early ‘60s.
-Don
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The patent is from 1933 and they were used throughout WW2, as far as I know. I’m not exactly sure when they changed but they were working on a new dual pawl design at the end of the war.
-Don
Simple, bullet-proof design. Always liked their look. ;D
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They had a good run then. Like Bonneyman says simple bulletproof design.
d42 thanks for the info especially the patent drawing.
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My pleasure on the patent info. Here are some examples of Indestro versions with the same heads. I’ve only seen these in 1/4” and 3/8” drive.
-Don
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Interesting the variations on these. One of the things that always interests me is the variations. The other thing I find interesting is the way they are assembled. No opening them and as long as they've lasted is a testament to the quality.
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Had some time to grab a few pics. ;D
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a few more.
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slip have you used the MDF Craftsman? How do you like them?
I had a 1/4 but ended up selling it before I had a chance to use it.
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Nice MDF's!
I have a 3/8"er I got at a a pawn shop and after cleaning and lubing it works fine and it's in my rotation. ;D
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slip have you used the MDF Craftsman? How do you like them?
I had a 1/4 but ended up selling it before I had a chance to use it.
Its ok. low tooth count and pretty rugged. Not much different than the pear heads. I don't use them much anymore.
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Its ok. low tooth count and pretty rugged. ...
Kinda like me. :))
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I imagine that this Indestro 1/2” drive ratchet was one of the last of this design.
-Don
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Its ok. low tooth count and pretty rugged. ...
Kinda like me. :))
:)) :))
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Even though the ratchets aren’t at the same location and I haven’t finished fixing up the rusty 3/8” drive I think these still should count as a triple play.
-Don
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Finally got a few pictures.
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Picked these up today .....(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190129/ba544619119b5ea938c893c4b934b4a6.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190129/7e087afac307c063d5d3f67e976e617a.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190129/72d145bb15db07d09e892952e3a1aaad.jpg)
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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I think my well used Corny's should count. ;D
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Matco
Now that I have the 1/4" this triple play is looking enviable! ;D
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They aren’t all at the same location or even the same brands but here are all three sizes of the S-K made beaver tail ratchets.
-Don