Decent vintage ratchets

[fras]

Hi gents, as title suggests I'm after some advice older ratchets. I use dual-80 snap-on ratchets, but I was interested in picking up some older ratchets... Just because, but I'd like to pick up some stuff that is still reasonable to use.

Im not concerned about collectibility or rarity, more just something that's a good quality vintage unit! Interested in proto as its something I haven't seen in Australia myself...

Cheers!

 

[spongerich]

The old Plombs are great. They're incredibly smooth despite what would today be considered a pretty low tooth count. I have a few Proto's as well... the earlier ones are identical to the Plomb ones. The later ones are somehow not quite as smooth.

 

[woody 73]

Not sure if it is possible for you to pick them up in your part of the World but any craftsman ratchets from the 1960's, the ones with the V-code will fulfill your wishes.

 

[Bruce Lancaster]

What kind of older American hardware do you find down there? I do know that lots of USA and Canadian vehicles and airplanes flowed through Australia during WWII, and all of those would have been accompanied by tools with a lot of Snap-on and Plomb in the kits.
I would say that all the WWII government tools were very strong stuff, some of it too clumsy and heavy to be very appealing, other stuff Like Plomb and So wrenches and socket tools very nice stuff to use.

 

[Outlawmws]

Proto and Plvmb with the "pebble" panels are nice as are the RHFT (round head fine tooth) Craftsman from the early 70's or so. (My first real ratchet an one reason I never understood the mania for the 80 + tooth ratchets, as I never realized it's tooth count was 90!)

SK's are also well thought of, and I have no complaints on mine.

 

[dandan111]

My grandfathers old Proto has a very smooth action. I have/use SK RHFT 3/8 and 1/4 ratchets,not old but have a vintage look.

 

[Brad54]

I just restored a 3/8-drive Snap-on pear-head fine tooth ratchet from 1953. It's a real nice little piece. I have it, another recently-acquired 3/8 drive quick-release Snap-on ratchet in my tool box, and those are what I use now. (along with a hard-handle Craftsman long flex-head ratchet, which is my go-to ratchet for almost everything)

The Craftsman professional 3/8 ratchet that was in my box went into the junkyard/road trip kit, the raised-panel C-man that was there went to the swap meet.

So, to make a short answer long, look for some vintage Snap-on ratchets, from the late '40s to '60s. Internals are still available, and they fit well in the hand.

-Brad

 

[sumner52000]

The designs of the Proto and SK ratchets have changed little over the years. To keep things simple i just buy all of them i find.

 

[fras]

Thanks for the replies guys

To answer your question Bruce, down here I don't see much of anything to be honest... Sidchrome is about the only vintage tool I recognise (being Australian history). Everything else I chase is shipped over from the US, typically via ebay. So unfortunately I miss out on garage sales, but I still seem to pick up the occasional bargain!

I have bought a few older Snap-On ratchets and a Proto something or other. I am finding it hard however, to determine dates/age of these things. Any tips in that regard guys?

 

[KEH]

MOST Snap On tools have a date code stamped on them. Google collecting Snap On and click on the date chart.

Proto pear head ratchets have been in production so long I don't know how to date them. Someone else can probably tell. I think they have been made since before World WarII.

KEH

 

[TDLMOMOWERS]

If I was looking to buy some vintage ratchets, I would look around for anything made by New Britain or Sparta. I have several New Britain ratchets from the late 60s or early 70s that have served me very well, as I have worked as a Industrial Truck Mechanic since 1977. I have not even had to have even one warrantied in all those years. I regularly take the mechanism apart and clean and relube it.

 

[biscuit141]

I picked up one of these older JH Williams 1/2 ratchets at a garage sale, it has a nice long handle (maybe 11.5") and is fairly light. Smooth movement too, feels pretty bad ***.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-J-H-WILLIAMS-CO-USA-S-52-SUPER-RATCHET-1-2-DRIVE-TOOL-/170862854191#ht_500wt_1156

 

[shampoop]

The old Plombs are great. They're incredibly smooth despite what would today be considered a pretty low tooth count. I have a few Proto's as well... the earlier ones are identical to the Plomb ones. The later ones are somehow not quite as smooth.

Proto and Plvmb with the "pebble" panels are nice as are the RHFT (round head fine tooth) Craftsman from the early 70's or so. (My first real ratchet an one reason I never understood the mania for the 80 + tooth ratchets, as I never realized it's tooth count was 90!)

My grandfathers old Proto has a very smooth action. I have/use SK RHFT 3/8 and 1/4 ratchets,not old but have a vintage look.

The designs of the Proto and SK ratchets have changed little over the years. To keep things simple i just buy all of them i find.

+1 to all of this.

My suggestion however is to simply buy new proto stuff. I relatively recently bought a 3/8" long handle pear head ratchet and a standard length 1/4" pear head ratchet with a 3/8" drive. I love them both! They look just like ones from 40 years ago, but are in perfect condition. They compliment my snap on dual 80's very well and are actually better in some respects. Often times I've found vintage proto stuff for very nearly the same price as brand new equipment in perfect condition! And although they look the same, I know every once in a while they made little changes that made them better over the past half century.

I have a SO dual 80 locking flex 3/8" ratchet, but more often reach for the proto now. It has less drag so you don't have to hold the socket, and if you do have to hold the socket, it has the back side of the 3/8" drive exposed on the back so you can just put your finger on that! Plus it's actually thinner than my dual 80 as well. The knurled grip is excellent too.

Now I only use my SO ratchet when I NEED 80 teeth, or NEED the flex head. Things like changing spark plugs is where it really shines.

 

[beerdog]

I picked up one of these older JH Williams 1/2 ratchets at a garage sale, it has a nice long handle (maybe 11.5") and is fairly light. Smooth movement too, feels pretty bad ***.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-J-H-WILLIAMS-CO-USA-S-52-SUPER-RATCHET-1-2-DRIVE-TOOL-/170862854191#ht_500wt_1156

I just got one of these todat at an estate sale for $2. It is very nice. I read on another site that theseJH Williams ratchets have a special design that creates the effect of 80 teeth.