The Vintage New Britain and Associated Thread!

[RTM]

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

And no Mod. A...

I only have one 21/32", a Husky 12 pt 1/2" Drive #H2704.

IF someone needs it.

 

[Outlawmws]

I only have one 21/32", a Husky 12 pt 1/2" Drive #H2704.

IF someone needs it.

Sounds like Four.cycle may?

 

[four.cycle]

^ no way. I thought I got rid of all those screwy /32nds sockets when I sold that guy all the 1/2" drive Craftsman.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I thought I got rid of all those screwy /32nds sockets

Whaddaya mean "screwy"? Most of them were for standard nuts-and-boltage in the U.S.S. system and the others were special applications but on very popular and common vehicles. Not just Model A and B. V8 mains.

I actually ran a Google search.

Why didn't you consult the Sticky!? Or any good late 30s catalog. Herbrand, for example.

 

[Ricky Joe]

To address the Buick head bolts: in 1937 they were 5/8”. Buick did not make a six in 1937. I think the last year was 1930. I’d have to refresh my memory.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

That's been awhile!

 

[d42jeep]

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



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

Been there, done that.
21/32” sockets
-Don

 

[Provincial]

None Better TD22 extra deep 11/16 socket:

 

[d42jeep]

This New Britain NM64 spinner arrived in the mail recently.
-Don

 

[genog]

Grabbed these New Britain battery terminal pliers out of the drawer today



A bit corroded, but they still work and I find them useful

 

[Oldtuleguy]

sae and a whitworth early none better sets.

 

[Steven 33]

Weird one just marked "chrome vanadium" "made In usa" and "c-47" I strongly suspect it's new Britain and went to a set that I have yet to see any record of besides a few pieces here and there across the collector community. There's the c-41 ratchet and chrome vanadium NB marked sockets that are C series.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Weird one just marked "chrome vanadium" "made In usa" and "c-47" I strongly suspect it's new Britain

"Strongly suspect" is not nearly a strong enough affirmation in this case. It is assuredly New Britain. It looks in every respect (shape, dimensions, construction, marking, and finish) exactly like a C-series C-47 universal joint with the sole exception of not having the NB logo. I don't recall if you have one or not, but if not, and for those readers who don't and are following along, I posted one in my C-series set here.

...went to a set that I have yet to see any record of besides a few pieces here and there across the collector community.

If you're suggesting that it was made, marketed, offered in catalogs, and sold as an in-house set, with its own name and number, by NB, but separate from the C-series sets, and not marked with the NB logo, I would be inclined to disagree. Precedence and practice across the industry suggests to me that it was made for a 3rd party retailer who then slapped their branding on the marketing and packaging. Companies who made, marketed, offered in catalogs, and sold an economy or value line that was in almost every respect like their quality line except for finish (e.g., no chrome) or perhaps a different composition (e.g., not alloy) even put their name on it.

If you're referring to an unknown set marketed by an unknown 3rd party source, agreed.

 

[Patrick Eubanks]

sae and a whitworth early none better sets.

I would love to find one of those socket adapters

 

[four.cycle]

^ the 1/2" hex drive couplers? does KC Tool (Kansas City) have them in Heyco or Wiha?

 

[Patrick Eubanks]

^ the 1/2" hex drive couplers? does KC Tool (Kansas City) have them in Heyco or Wiha?

No im talking about the very early ratchet adapter on OTG,s sets

 

[four.cycle]

ahh... that is an early New Britain unicorn, if I'm not mistaken.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I would love to find one of those socket adapters

No im talking about the very early ratchet adapter on OTG,s sets

ahh... that is an early New Britain unicorn, if I'm not mistaken.

Well, I don't know about unicorn. If I'm reading @Patrick Eubanks' comment correctly, at least four (4) Hurley patent ratchets exist. We know that AA has one, that @Oldtuleguy has two (of course!), and that Patrick apparently also has one - without the adaptor to make it work. So, more like the final confirmed sightings of the last family of dodos, one already lame, on the coast of Mauritius in 1661!

There could be more out there. Heck, there could be more here. I don't recall seeing one posted before, but none are showing up in a search of this thread or this forum on the word "Hurley".

Then again, many years from now, after we've all been hit by busses, heart attacks, dementia, or some other natural malady, OTG's ratchets won't show up on some lucky finder's search, either, and he will go away from GJ unrequited in his quest to locate other examples of the rare bird he just found, because OTG, in classic anti-Audubon/anti-Dr. Livingstone/anti-P.T. Barnum all Show little to no Tell fashion - acquiring and posting photos of near extinct creatures with as few words as possible and a casualness and an ensuing lack of exuberant fanfare that belies their near-extinction - did NOT include the word "Hurley" or the patent info (1386708 / August 8, 1921) in his post!

Note to Future Finder of #Hurley ratchet: see post #1531.

Self-cueing the belated exuberant fanfare... AWESOME acquisitions, OTG!

 

[Outlawmws]

because OTG, NOT include the word "Hurley" or the patent info (1386708 / August 8, 1921) in his post!

This is what "Edit" is for! Easily fixed by OTG.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Yeah, I was just having some fun with the understated way OTG likes to drop FOAKs and OOAKs on us!

In all seriousness, I saw his post, but I have to admit that I actually missed that they were special. And probably wouldn't have realized it without Patrick qualifying his comment for 4.c. "Early" just doesn't do it (and my eyes tend to gloss over all lowercase anyway). But between NB, Indestro, and others there are so many of these kinds of early socket sets, in similar cases, with ratchets or Ell handles, that they all start to blur, the eyes glaze over in a you've-seen-one-you've-seen-them-all kind of way.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I cast a bit of a wide net. Sometimes these old sets are more unusual than others.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I cast a bit of a wide net.

Me too, but I've never seen a Hurley ratchet or adapter in the wild. It's an ingenious idea, but I suspect the two-parts design shortened its production lifespan. Lose that adapter, it was useless.

Sometimes these old sets are more unusual than others.

For sure. I have (and posted) an old original Handle Lock, branded Handle Lock, which NB was licensing for the holder, before NB bought them out, for example. I also have an early Husky. But the Hurley ratchets are more than just early or just unusual. They are unique.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Well I'm glad I got them. Seem to be a significant early design.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

There's nothing like them! I mean, they operate just like early clutches when the two parts - ratchet handle and adaptor - are put together on a socket. But again, those ratchets didn't come apart! I can imagine how it works, grabbing one way, and then sliding back on the backswing given the shape of the teeth. But I bet it's fun to play with.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

They work fine, just bump up and down a bit when ratcheting

 

[Etchase]

My NB 50 is in rough shape. I would like to disassemble it for cleaning. Any hints on not breaking it? I was going to start with punching out the pin, but I can’t find anything on what’s inside. It’s my only one, so I’m trying to be cautious.

 

[Beerhippie]

I'd just drench it in light oil, let it soak for a while, then work it around until it frees up. I've done this with ratchet end wrenches that were frozen solid and revived them. Just keep pumping more oil through as you wipe off the filthy stuff that come out.

 

[Etchase]

^I’m curious about the mechanism. It functions as is, but I’m sure a good soak would help it. I probably will never use it.

 

[four.cycle]

got KROIL?

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Maybe check the patent drawing

 

[Outlawmws]

Maybe check the patent drawing

Man, that is one weird ratchet design - I'd have expected that to be sometime from the 20's not 1957! I can tell why it didn't catch on! Besides the kludgy/clumsy reversing, not exactly "fine tooth"! not even for '57 at 16 teeth!

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I don't think I would take it apart unless I had to. Maybe soak it in some atf.

 

[four.cycle]

I can tell why it didn't catch on!

During an era when most American tool manufacturers were introducing a new generation of "fine tooth" ratchets, that thing would have looked very Dinosaur-ish.

I don't think I would take it apart unless I had to. Maybe soak it in some atf.

Same here. I'd hose it with some Kroil and let it sit for a few days and see if it behaves better.

 

[Outlawmws]

It's only redeeming feature is that you can angle the handle a bit, but go too far and the teeth disengage...

 

[Etchase]

Looking at the patent, I’m thinking you might have to pull the pins out to get it apart. I’m thinking there are two roll pins pushed into blind holes. That would explain the odd choice of having the pins protrude. Pulling 60 year old pins out can be problematic. Soaking is a good start no matter the path forward. Thanks gentlemen.

 

[RTM]

Man, that is one weird ratchet design - I'd have expected that to be sometime from the 20's not 1957! I can tell why it didn't catch on! Besides the kludgy/clumsy reversing, not exactly "fine tooth"! not even for '57 at 16 teeth!

I had my Grampa's for a few years in the late 70s to mid 80s, and it was a little scary to use. I would always be afraid of it slipping, so didn't use it much, preferred the Champion (in another thread). Didn't know it's vintage at the time, but definitely surprised it was only 1957 vintage. Couldn't find pic of it after Dad sold it with his bike shop.

 

[ararat]

This New Britain NM64 spinner arrived in the mail recently.
-Don

Another version of the 3/8" NB64 spinner.
Nice and compact.

 

[four.cycle]

^ "NB"

 

[d42jeep]

A few years ago I was “gifted“ this black oxide NM42 1/4” drive ratchet handle. I figured no problem, I’ll just find a donor ratchet and complete it. Possibly put it into a NB black oxide set. I have been searching for the donor ratchet for years and finally this one showed up available on eBay. I wasn’t going to let it get away but fortunately the bids didn’t get out of hand.
Cleaned it up a little.
I proceeded to take it apart and moved the works to the black oxide handle. If any of you ever have occasion to disassemble one of these, be careful as there is a tiny ball bearing and spring that are likely to disappear when the control handle is removed. I was fortunate that I actually didn’t lose the tiny ball.
-Don

 

[Oldtuleguy]

New Britain's first fancy round head ratchet, replaced by kilness ratchet. Black oxide may be a very early one.