vintage Proto/Vogel "double duty" ratchet!

[billymade]

Hey, guys.... found a interesting ratchet at the pawn shop today for $4.50 that I thought would be of interest. It is a "Double Duty" 1/2" x 3/8" ratchet "Made in USA by Proto for Vogel Tool Co. Double Duty" . I found a patent for this oddity and looks to be of 50s vintage: http://www.google.com/patents?id=ynhpAAAAEBAJ

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff18/billymade/IMG_6695.jpg This ratchet body looks like a typical Proto pear head ratchet, what this this thing sticking out the wrong side? LOL!
http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff18/billymade/IMG_6697.jpg
http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff18/billymade/IMG_6702.jpg
http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff18/billymade/IMG_6699.jpg
http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff18/billymade/IMG_6703.jpg Anyone know anything about the VOGEL TOOL CO.?
http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff18/billymade/IMG_6694.jpg
http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff18/billymade/IMG_6688.jpg Oops! I put the spring in backwards (small part facing away from the body right?, I fixed it! Unfortunately, some of the teeth broke off of the drive (they fell out when I cleaned the head; I doubt they have replacement parts for this puppy!
http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff18/billymade/IMG_6684.jpg The head design is classic Proto and the only difference I can see is the addition of the extra drive.

[64merc]

Wow, I really didn't know that they made those back then. I've seen newer versions being sold but they are usually the cheaper imported ones. I'm always amused when I see an old version of something that is being marketed by someone else as being a newer innovation.

[cruiser808]

Outstanding find, Billymade! I bought one of those ratchets on Ebay a couple of years ago. I can't remember exactly what I paid for it, but it was a whole lot more than $4.50. Ya did good my friend. :thumbup:

[64merc]

If the main gear is broken, maybe you can get a rebuild kit and convert it to one drive size only. You may not want to do this, but I'm curious to see if it would fit perfectly.

[billymade]

I was thinking the same thing; everything looks so typical Proto inside I would be surprised if they went through the trouble of changing all the tooling. I suspect it would convert to a "normal" ratchet easily! Anyone see any differences in the the machining of the head? I don't have another one to compare it to but looks similar to other Proto pics I have seen. Believe it or not it ratchet pretty well, it just "skips" a little bit when it comes to the broken teeth but I am just turning by hand not using it under load at this point.

[cruiser808]

I was thinking the same thing; everything looks so typical Proto inside I would be surprised if they went through the trouble of changing all the tooling. I suspect it would convert to a "normal" ratchet easily! Anyone see any differences in the the machining of the head? I don't have another one to compare it to but looks similar to other Proto pics I have seen. Believe it or not it ratchet pretty well, it just "skips" a little bit when it comes to the broken teeth but I am just turning by hand not using it under load at this point.

The internals, including a "normal" gear from a Proto 5249 3/8" ratchet will fit perfectly. Basically, you'll have a 3/8" long ratchet if you decide to convert it.

[DaytonFan]

:thumbup:Wow awesome find,