Tool brand "firsts"

[bmwpower]

So anyone know any interesting tool "firsts", ie. who was the first manufacturer of sockets? ratchets?

Who made the first Robogrip? lol...just kidding....you get the idea.

Anyone got any good history info on tools?

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Bahco, actually Johan Petter Johansson, who founded Enköpings Mekaniska Verkstad, which was acquired in 1890 by B A Hjorth & Co, who in 1954 became BAHCO.

Patented the pipe wrench in 1886

First patent in the world for an adjustable wrench, 1891, over 100 million produced by 1998.

http://www.bahco.com/asp/pubs/index.asp?lngMenuID=1255&lngID=1982

http://www.bahco.com/asp/pubs/index.asp?lngMenuID=1255&lngID=1987

Charles

 

[Uncle Buck]

As I recall I think Snap-on did pioneer the ratchet and socket system (I hope I am right, I been gettin stuff wrong lately!) Also. Plomb, now Proto invented the combination wrench as we know it today!

 

[krusty the clown]

not trying to beat on ya but

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socket_wrench

i also believe that the early snap on sockets were made by blackhawk. blackhawk was owned by american grinder, the company johnson and siedeman left to form snap on.

 

[chad s]

As I recall I think Snap-on did pioneer the ratchet and socket system (I hope I am right, I been gettin stuff wrong lately!) Also. Plomb, now Proto invented the combination wrench as we know it today!

They actually didnt, but Snap On has been trying to make people think they did for a long time. There were interchangeable socket and drive sets just after the turn of the century, even ratchets.

This Starett set is pre-Snap On, and was patented in 1916.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...STRK:MEWA:IT&viewitem=&item=270201547789&rd=1

 

[Uncle Buck]

They actually didnt, but Snap On has been trying to make people think they did for a long time. There were interchangeable socket and drive sets just after the turn of the century, even ratchets.

This Starett set is pre-Snap On, and was patented in 1916.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...STRK:MEWA:IT&viewitem=&item=270201547789&rd=1

Funny you should post the link to that set of tools, looks just like a set my pop has!

 

[v8garage]

They actually didnt, but Snap On has been trying to make people think they did for a long time. There were interchangeable socket and drive sets just after the turn of the century, even ratchets.

This Starett set is pre-Snap On, and was patented in 1916.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...STRK:MEWA:IT&viewitem=&item=270201547789&rd=1

The idea that Snap-On invented the ratchet and socket is an almost universally believed myth. They weren't even close.

 

[v8garage]

Here is some info I found on early Plomb combination wrenches: "Among the many innovations and contributions to the mechanics trade made by the Plomb Tool Company, probably the most important and lasting was the development of the modern Combination Wrench. Although combination wrenches were produced by many individuals from the very beginning of the Industrial Revolution, it was not until 1933 that the wrench was refined to such an extent as to warrant the acceptance of one design as THE Combination Wrench, which would became the standard for the industry. Beginning with the "Buggy Wrenches" of the 18th Century combination wrenches were made with various angles and offsets and often with multiple openings to accommodate specific applications. Plomb began experimenting with various designs and finally came up with the 15 degree angle for the open end and a 15 degree offset for the box end. The thought was that the offset on the box end would decrease the likelihood of skinning ones knuckles when applying the pressure needed to break free or tighten a difficult bolt or nut. The angle on the open end was designed to increase the maneuverability of the wrench in restricted spaces."- Ed Boudinot

 

[lbgradwell]

Ed Boudinot

Capt. Ed! RIP...

 

[DavidtheDuke]

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...group_ID=20124&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog Never seen that anywhere else. Not exactly a "new" tool, but great for EGRS

 

[Uncle Buck]

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...group_ID=20124&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog Never seen that anywhere else. Not exactly a "new" tool, but great for EGRS

Certainly interesting, but more of a gimmick than anything else; it would be far too big for many of the applications one generally reaches for a crows foot in the first place. I would not turn one down for say $10.00, if for no other reason than the novelty of the thing, but for more than $40.00.......na i would take a pass.

 

[eschoendorff]

Certainly interesting, but more of a gimmick than anything else; it would be far too big for many of the applications one generally reaches for a crows foot in the first place. I would not turn one down for say $10.00, if for no other reason than the novelty of the thing, but for more than $40.00.......na i would take a pass.

Hey, easy UB! I have that tool, and I have to tell you, it's damn fun to play with! I've never actually turned a bolt with it, but have I mentioned that it's damn fun to play with? It's actually one of the very few tools that I have that I have not used yet. Yet being the operative word...

proof:

 

[jimmycrackcorn]

you'll find a time to use that, and EGR are a perfect example of a time to use one of these even with the shortest wrench of the size more times than none you have room to swing, the way they are building cars, i will have one of those in my tool box soon

 

[Uncle Buck]

Hey, easy UB! I have that tool, and I have to tell you, it's damn fun to play with! I've never actually turned a bolt with it, but have I mentioned that it's damn fun to play with? It's actually one of the very few tools that I have that I have not used yet. Yet being the operative word...

proof:

Sorry esch, I did not mean to step on yer toes man; I do think it is novel and I am sure you will find numerous applications for it!

 

[DavidtheDuke]

Sorry esch, I did not mean to step on yer toes man; I do think it is novel and I am sure you will find numerous applications for it!

I figured it saves alot of room in my cart + covers alot of large crowfoots. It also saves me from having to figure out what the same size is. Just keep adjusting till a tight fit, get the extension, and I'm done. Plus it's really ****, I like to rub it.

It's also good for some tight AC-lines

 

[jimmycrackcorn]

Is there alot of play in the jaw, my dealer showed me one but i didn't bite right away....

 

[eschoendorff]

Sorry esch, I did not mean to step on yer toes man; I do think it is novel and I am sure you will find numerous applications for it!

Oh you didn't step on my toes! I'm just giving you lip!

 

[eschoendorff]

Is there alot of play in the jaw, my dealer showed me one but i didn't bite right away....

Nope... mine has none at all.

 

[ImportTuner]

I figured it saves alot of room in my cart + covers alot of large crowfoots. It also saves me from having to figure out what the same size is. Just keep adjusting till a tight fit, get the extension, and I'm done. Plus it's really ****, I like to rub it.

It's also good for some tight AC-lines

It's **** and you like to rub it ....

 

[DavidtheDuke]

It's **** and you like to rub it ....

haha I was wondering if someone would catch that.