The Vintage New Britain and Associated Thread!

[four.cycle]

^ mold. it's organic matter.

 

[RTM]

I'm a long time user of BLO and it is great for a lot of things, but one thing I can not recommend it for is on outside wood tables/chairs, it looks great at first but over time it will turn a deep black color, I researched why my table set did that and apparently something is living on the BLO and that thing (bacteria? fungus? ) is what makes it black. great for wood handles and metal though, just wouldn't keep it outdoors for long periods.

I have the same thing happen with polyurethane, so I blame the local environment, not the BLO.

 

[Outlawmws]

It'd the wood guys.. its far more "organic" than poly or Blo..

 

[LNKMK8]

I picked up this unique looking New Britain Tool Chest last month at an estate sale. There were still some of what I expect were the original tools with it (some had been picked through and sold individually the day before). Cleaned up pretty nicely.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Awesome condition!

 

[ararat]

Body hammer set. Missing the dollies. I haven't cleaned the box yet. The hammers are in great shape. I like the natural finish on the handles. Hickory or ash I guess.

The hammers are only marked with a sticker on the handle.

 

[Outlawmws]

Body hammer set. Missing the dollies.

This gave me an idea. I'm constantly running into metal straightening jobs, and I routinely use the same tols for that, and generally do;t need/use others except occasionally, AND the ladies of the house are sorting through the "art room" and at least one wood art box is going away. I'm going to snag that sucker and see if it fit these tools.

 

[Airmedic1]

I graduated from high school in 1976 without any idea what I wanted to do with my life and went to work for the local mechanic that I had worked for in HS. In 1977 the local NAPA sales rep stopped and announced that he had some deals on New Britain tools. It was a certain percentage I think, 10-15% off maybe, I don't remember for sure but I bought the 254 piece master mechanic set along with a bottom box. I don't remember the exact cost but I think all of it was just over $1000.
I still have most of those tools and used them until I quit turning wrenches in 1991. I found this website a few months ago so I cleaned out my tool box and started to put things in order.
The set was actually pretty complete and included 1/4", 3/8", 1/2" and 3/4" sockets including 3/8" flex sockets, and other drive accessories. 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" ratchets but only a 3/4" breaker bar. There were open end, long and short box end, obstruction and combination wrenches up to 1", and tappet wrenches which I never used on a tappet. There were brake tools, ballpein hammers, a rubber mallet, punches and chisels, pry bars, a chain wrench, snap ring pliers, combination pliers, a pretty complete set of screwdrivers including two clutch head screw drivers and a couple of feeler gauges.
Many of the 3/8" deep sockets are wore out but the rest are in pretty good shape considering they were used almost daily for over a decade. The tool boxes are long gone, they didn't hold up well and I replaced them with Snap On.
I broke a few things over the years including the long handle 1/2" breaker bar and the 3/8" straight flex handle ratchet and those were replaced with NAPA tools that have NB numbering but are stamped NAPA.
I been looking for a few of the missing pieces and found some on eBay but I'm still missing a few.
Early on, I had some Snap On envy but looking back those were damn fine tools and they served me well especially when you consider the cost.

When my dad died and we cleaned out his garage I found a Champion spark plug tool set and it was still shrink wrapped onto a cardboard backing. The socket was marked Champion but the ratchet was a NB 57 bent flex head and included a 3" NB extension. I wish I had left it still in the package.

 

[Steven 33]

Body hammer set. Missing the dollies. I haven't cleaned the box yet. The hammers are in great shape. I like the natural finish on the handles. Hickory or ash I guess.

The hammers are only marked with a sticker on the handle.

I do have one or 2 dollys one I know for sure because it's marked the other I can't find marking but they came together so who knows. I have no use for it (if I still have I'll have to check)

 

[Private Lugnutz]

As first reported on the 13th annual Garage Sale thread here, and discussed further in CC#11 on the Lugzsonian thread here, I found a rusty box full of several rusty knockout type wheel removers yesterday in a lot of old garage stuff. One of them was a badly 'shroomed and split Husky-branded 3/4" x 16 NB family product. I already had one in much better condition, an actual NB 5/8" x 18, posted upthread here.

Here they are together.

 

[d42jeep]

I found this 1/2” drive ratchet at a Carson City, NV estate sale yesterday.
-Don

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

Good morning all! Grabbed this set off Ebayz a few days ago. Couple of questions: Reviewing the ITCL the oldest catalog I can find is the 1938 (No. 38). The ratchet (B40) appears to pre-date 1938 due to the reversing latch and the number itself. The kit, with its seven socket retainer area, leads me to believe it's a 0611 set but the box in the catalog has tapered corners and mine are straight. The catalog Pic also shows the socket retainer area on the left side where mine is on the right. This set has two 11/16 sockets and missing the 9/16. Also missing appears to be the 6" extension and the 10" flex handle.

Let me know if y'all have a catalog reference earlier than the 1938 and I'll be searching for the missing pieces.

 

[d42jeep]

One of the problems with collecting New Britain made tools is the infuriating lack of catalog documentation. I couldn’t find a catalog showing this early Husky 3/8” drive ratchet I found recently. It was rusty and I didn’t know what brand it was until it came out of the evaporust. It’s a H5125.
-Don

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

One of the problems with collecting New Britain made tools is the infuriating lack of catalog documentation. I couldn’t find a catalog showing this early Husky 3/8” drive ratchet I found recently. It was rusty and I didn’t know what brand it was until it came out of the evaporust. It’s a H5125.
-Don

I'd give my left arm for a Husky catalog pre-dating the 1957 on ITCL! Especially anything listing the H-series stuff. It seems 1929-1956 will continue to be a mystery until somebody's Uncle Bert dies and Aunt Myrtle gets his complete collection of Husky and New Britain catalogs listed on Ebay!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

The ratchet (B40) appears to pre-date 1938 due to the reversing latch and the number itself.

I don't understand your thinking here. That switch is shown in the 1939 NB catalog, whereas the ratchet in the 1938 NB catalog shows the older switch. Also, in the 1939 NB catalog, all the numbers are the new numbering system, whereas in the 1938 NB catalog they are still showing the old numbers in a table next to the new numbers, which have just been introduced. I would say your ratchet is from 1939 or so.

I couldn’t find a catalog showing this early Husky 3/8” drive ratchet I found recently.

I'd guesstimate 1939-1941 due to the 'CHROME' marking. Except for that and the Husky part number ('H5125') it looks the same as the Craftsman 'BE' version and the same as the New Britain 'NB40' (with the three-band knurling) from around the same or slightly later production era, no?

I'd give my left arm for a Husky catalog pre-dating the 1957 on ITCL!

There should be a 1938 Husky catalog. I'm looking at it right now on my hard drive and I've had it for many years, from well before the Tools Archive days, but I know it was on Tools Archive, and therefore, should also be on IA/ITCL.

...the infuriating lack of catalog documentation.

It seems 1929-1956 will continue to be a mystery...

Don and I have had this discussion before, but I just don't share this dismal view. I don't think it's that bad. Except for the part numbers, exact contents of sets, and some feature distinctions (knurling), a lot of information with respect to production dating can be gleaned and derived from the catalogs that are available on IA/ITCL, which should include a few Husky Tool Corp trade mag spreads from 1928 to 1934 (before the NB acquisition), a 1938 Husky, a 1938 NB, a 1939 NB, a 1940 New Britain, a 1948 NB, and a 1953 New Britain.

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

I don't understand your thinking here. That switch is shown in the 1939 NB catalog, whereas the ratchet in the 1938 NB catalog shows the older switch. Also, in the 1939 NB catalog, all the numbers are the new numbering system, whereas in the 1938 NB catalog they are still showing the old numbers in a table next to the new numbers, which have just been introduced. I would say your ratchet is from 1939 or so.

I'd guesstimate 1939-1941 due to the 'CHROME' marking. Except for that and the Husky part number ('H5125') it looks the same as the Craftsman 'BE' version and the same as the New Britain 'NB40' (with the three-band knurling) from around the same or slightly later production era, no?

There should be a 1938 Husky catalog. I'm looking at it right now on my hard drive and I've had it for many years, from well before the Tools Archive days, but I know it was on Tools Archive, and therefore, should also be on IA/ITCL.


Don and I have had this discussion before, but I just don't share this dismal view. I don't think it's that bad. Except for the part numbers, exact contents of sets, and some feature distinctions (knurling), a lot of information with respect to production dating can be gleaned and derived from the catalogs that are available on IA/ITCL, which should include a few Husky Tool Corp trade mag spreads from 1928 to 1934 (before the NB acquisition), a 1938 Husky, a 1938 NB, a 1939 NB, a 1940 New Britain, a 1948 NB, and a 1953 New Britain.

I think the search perimeters were whacky when I looked before (first time trying to look over New Britain on ITCL was the other day). Either the 1939 didn't show up or it was lost between all the numerous other catalogs that used the words "none better" or were a company operating out of New Britain, PA and CT. Good catch on my miss. Definitely a 0611 and now know it's from 1939, thanks!

To your point on Husky catalogs, part numbers and exact contents of the sets are exactly what I need. I've reviewed the adds on ITCL and nothing there fit my need for my H series sets.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Good morning all! Grabbed this set off Ebayz a few days ago. Couple of questions: Reviewing the ITCL the oldest catalog I can find is the 1938 (No. 38). The ratchet (B40) appears to pre-date 1938 due to the reversing latch and the number itself. The kit, with its seven socket retainer area, leads me to believe it's a 0611 set but the box in the catalog has tapered corners and mine are straight. The catalog Pic also shows the socket retainer area on the left side where mine is on the right. This set has two 11/16 sockets and missing the 9/16. Also missing appears to be the 6" extension and the 10" flex handle.

Let me know if y'all have a catalog reference earlier than the 1938 and I'll be searching for the missing pieces.

I posted one couple pages back

Post in thread 'The Vintage New Britain and Associated Thread!' https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...in-and-associated-thread.277603/post-10689286

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I've reviewed the adds on ITCL and nothing there fit my need for my H series sets.

If you mean ads for pre-NB (1924-1933) true Husky Wrench Co (i.e., the other thread), they don't show part numbers, but contents are pretty clear. If you mean post-NB but earlier than the 1938 Husky catalog, it's a very slim period (1934-1937) with no catalog coverage and a period of heavy transition. Maybe even no production until NB got the brand up and running again. I've never looked at any ads, but the 1938 Husky catalog is very detailed. For anything after that I would look at comparable NB sets and their numbering schemes in the available NB catalogs, correlate them, and derive most probable contents and part numbers for the Husky versions. That's what I had to do for the Precision-Bilt sets I put together. When it comes to New Britain (native, NB, Husky, Craftsman, P-B, etc), the apples didn't far too far from the same tree. I'd use what's catalogued for the in-house brands and call it goodenuff. You could be off a little. But who would know?

 

[d42jeep]

I don't understand your thinking here. That switch is shown in the 1939 NB catalog, whereas the ratchet in the 1938 NB catalog shows the older switch. Also, in the 1939 NB catalog, all the numbers are the new numbering system, whereas in the 1938 NB catalog they are still showing the old numbers in a table next to the new numbers, which have just been introduced. I would say your ratchet is from 1939 or so.

I'd guesstimate 1939-1941 due to the 'CHROME' marking. Except for that and the Husky part number ('H5125') it looks the same as the Craftsman 'BE' version and the same as the New Britain 'NB40' (with the three-band knurling) from around the same or slightly later production era, no?

There should be a 1938 Husky catalog. I'm looking at it right now on my hard drive and I've had it for many years, from well before the Tools Archive days, but I know it was on Tools Archive, and therefore, should also be on IA/ITCL.


Don and I have had this discussion before, but I just don't share this dismal view. I don't think it's that bad. Except for the part numbers, exact contents of sets, and some feature distinctions (knurling), a lot of information with respect to production dating can be gleaned and derived from the catalogs that are available on IA/ITCL, which should include a few Husky Tool Corp trade mag spreads from 1928 to 1934 (before the NB acquisition), a 1938 Husky, a 1938 NB, a 1939 NB, a 1940 New Britain, a 1948 NB, and a 1953 New Britain.

Is there a link I’ve missed to the 1938 Husky catalog that is on your hard drive? If so, can you provide the link?
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Is there a link I’ve missed to the 1938 Husky catalog that is on your hard drive? If so, can you provide the link?

Okay, I just checked IA/ITCL and I am surprised (but not surprised!) that it's not there, Don. You remember all the cats on TA, right? This is one of them. Todd said he sent them all, but this isn't the first time we have discovered one that didn't make it. Either Todd inadvertently missed some or something happened in between or on Mark's end. This feels like deja vu all over again. I hate to have to do a one by one name by name double inventory of everything on my hard drive against IA/ITCL but I might have to.

I will upload it. EDIT: Done. I don't know how long the process is on ITCL end.

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

Okay, I just checked IA/ITCL and I am surprised (but not surprised!) that it's not there, Don. You remember all the cats on TA, right? This is one of them. Todd said he sent them all, but this isn't the first time we have discovered one that didn't make it. Either Todd inadvertently missed some or something happened in between or on Mark's end. This feels like deja vu all over again. I hate to have to do a one by one name by name double inventory of everything on my hard drive against IA/ITCL but I might have to.

I will upload it.

You guys are my heros! Thanks for the work y'all put in getting that information to public view. I purchased a couple of catalogs off Ebay recently that I didn't see on ITCL. How's the best way to get them uploaded...

 

[d42jeep]

Mail them to GJ member Mark Stansbury. He will scan them and return them to you.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Husky Tool Co. catalog No. 38, with a letter to a garage owner dated 1938, is now on Internet Archive. I screwed up and forgot to change the default to ITCL on the upload, so it's under 'Community texts'. If you search IA on "Husky tools" you will find it. Maybe @Mark Stansbury can move it to ITCL and clean up the header metadata info.

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

Mail them to GJ member Mark Stansbury. He will scan them and return them to you.
-Don

Will do!

 

[fourjeepin]

My mom brought me this pile of rusty tools yesterday. She doesn’t know the history of them but they belonged to her late husband.

After an hour or so, it turned out to be a lot of vintage USA tools. Many New Britain. A few Craftsman, one snap on socket, and an industro breaker bar.

The ratchet was initially seized but after oiling, is smoother than many new ratchets.

Any idea why there is a hole in the handle? It appears to have been drilled. I was thinking about filling it with JB Weld unless the collective has a better suggestion.

 

[Outlawmws]

Nickel rod... you should be able to clean it up and it should be near invisible.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Just weld that hole up

 

[Private Lugnutz]

The ratchet was initially seized but after oiling, is smoother than many new ratchets.

Yessir! I have tried to politely interject in the tiresome 'HF is good enough' vs 'Snap-on is too expensive' arguments that vintage 40's USA hand tools are a very good, very inexpensive alternative, but nobody listens.

Cleaned and sorted nicely, btw. (You know NB made the Craftsman, right, and those couple three pieces would look right at home with the NB in that box if they're not dupes.)

 

[fourjeepin]

Nickel rod... you should be able to clean it up and it should be near invisible.

I have a stick welder but don’t use it often and don’t believe I have any nickel rod.

Just weld that hole up

Would MIG be fine? Or is the nickel rod worth getting?

 

[fourjeepin]

Yessir! I have tried to politely interject in the tiresome 'HF is good enough' vs 'Snap-on is too expensive' arguments that vintage 40's USA hand tools are a very good, very inexpensive alternative, but nobody listens.

Cleaned and sorted nicely, btw. (You know NB made the Craftsman, right, and those couple three pieces would look right at home with the NB in that box if they're not dupes.)

Thanks! I had forgotten that New Britain made Craftsman and that explains the similarities. I am a big fan of these tools, except the incompleteness of the set.

A few really good ratchets are worth spending the money for. I’ve never bought Snap On ratchets, but am stalking one at an estate auction right now. Not that I need another ratchet…

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Mig is fine

 

[RTM]

Yessir! I have tried to politely interject in the tiresome 'HF is good enough' vs 'Snap-on is too expensive' arguments that vintage 40's USA hand tools are a very good, very inexpensive alternative, but nobody listens.

Shhh. Keep that stuff to yourself (and those of us who already know) Don't need everybody trying to grab the good stuff when they can spend hard earned cash, and wear out there typing fingers while those in the know grab the good stuff cheap.

 

[Beerhippie]

Shhh. Keep that stuff to yourself (and those of us who already know) Don't need everybody trying to grab the good stuff when they can spend hard earned cash, and wear out there typing fingers while those in the know grab the good stuff cheap.

Go over to the GTD board and check out the "Most Used Ratchet" thread. Several of us mentioned older tools--the S-K 41750 (?) ratchets and the response was largely something along the lines of "Joint the 21st century, Boomers!"

It's gotta be the newest, shinyest, brightest, 100-tooth+ to be any good. Pointing out that ratchetless "infinity" drives had also been around for a hundred years or more fell largely on deaf ears.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

...except the incompleteness of the set.

What are you judging its completeness against? If that's the original box, not much more will fit. NB, like many other OEM's, sold a range of sets in each drive size, including 3/8-drive. The smaller sets typically had 7 sockets (typically, 12-pt 3/8" to 3/4" openings), a ratchet, an extension, and maybe a hinge handle (i.e., "breaker bar"). A medium size set in a larger box would have a few more sockets, another extension, a sliding tee, maybe a speeder and a uni joint. The largest set would have a full complement of handles and sockets, including swivels. For a small set, whether you want to slap a repro decal on there and treat it like a keepsake or use it, I'd be very happy with what you have there.

 

[d42jeep]

Here is a socket I found at an estate sale on Saturday. At first glance I thought it was a long C Craftsman but after cleaning it turned out to be a lightly marked None Better 21/32” socket.
-Don

 

[four.cycle]

wait.... what? 21/32" ?

lemme guess.....

1937 Buick straight 6 head bolts?

 

[d42jeep]

Maybe the straight 8.
-Don

 

[four.cycle]

^ I actually ran a Google search. Took a few stabs to find it:

21/32 is the nut size on a model A Ford rod.

Now all you need is a Model A to go with it!

 

[Outlawmws]

Yeah, Pretty rare size socket, I only have 4 - NB, Plvmb, P&C, & Duro.

And no Mod. A...

 

[four.cycle]

oh ffs.... so you're telling me there's probably at least three of those in that mess of Indestro in the living room, right?