Par-X Tools

[oldnslo]

That stubby slotted driver was in my hands a few weeks ago at the dirt market. It was a decent specimen. I'll snag it on my next hunt there.

[J.A.F.E.]

I think you'll like it.

[Snaparxon]

Is there any  knowledge or speculation who actually made Par-X tools?  Did Snap on make them in house or were the contracted through another company? I have seen some Fairmount combo's that look very similar to the Par-X combo's.

[J.A.F.E.]

The line wrenches were likely Fairmount - they showed up in the main Snap-on line and Blue Point as well. Most of the rest seem to have been in house Snap-on made and almost all either were retired patterns (like the Octo handles) or then current offerings with a lower level of fit and finish (like the 3/4 ratchet head). Certainly the ratchets, extensions and sockets were taken from the Snap-on line. The 3/4 drive handle I have is identical to a short 3/4 Snap-on handle save for the stampings. Same for the 3/4 breaker bar head.

Not sure about the boxes though they are different enough I'm not sure.

[Snaparxon]

The combo and open end wrenches don't seem to be made in house either. I always thought the line wrenches looked Fairmount too, would make sense that Fairmount produced the combo's and the open-end wrenches..
I agree on the ratchets being made in house but the sockets I'm not sure of.

Do you know why the name change from Par-V to Par-X was made? Are there any Par-V tools other than screwdrivers?

[Snaparxon]

Here is a UR70 3/8" ratchet with a metal selector

[oldnslo]

Found, and purchased.

It now sits quietly with the other 'pending Lauver grip restore" specimens in my retirement project corner (one of a many corners) of the OnS neverland garage.

[J.A.F.E.]

OnS that screwdriver is very nice - I favor those handles I think you'll like it.

Snaparxon that's the only selector like that I've seen on Par-X.

Par-V was a 50's line for screwdrivers and they did show in the catalogs of the time. I'm not sure if they were called Par Vee or Par five.

The Par-X name I always speculated about but the tools were more or less 70's era. The name may be a shortened form of the expression par excellence, at least my theory is it is. I have heard the name referred to as Par Eks by Snap-on dealers who sold it never as Par ten. They did not show up in the catalogs. The tools came in a red and box very similar to the red and white boxes for Snap-on tools of the same time so the branding was intended to show the connection to Snap-on.

Snap-on has used so many vendors over the years it's quite possible the wrenches were made by someone else. In theory anything branded Blue Point was made by an OEM and anything branded Snap-on was made in house but there have been so many exceptions just no easy way to know.