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Outlawmws

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It's not the right tool for a tight situation. It's the right tool for tedious situations... Like synching 48 nuts to secure the heads on a flathead ford before you torque them.

Exactly: it performed as well as a speeder. (used by every Pre- impact mech for speedy removal/rundown) but unlike the usual speeder, can be short, or long depending on the extension used. It WAS better for "tight" situations where a 16-18" long speeder didn't fit well. I still use speeders when its quicker than dragging out everything needed for an impact, or where I don't want to wake the neighbors, or I just want to. Sometimes Just WORKING with the tools is therapeutic...

Why not just use a t handle? Just as fast as the spinner handle and more torque than the stub of a handle.
I guess I will join the minority and put this in the Christmas useless novelty category of tools....but somehow got a cult following and now everyone loves it! I could see using Robogrips more than that thing!

I'll go hide now.....:evil::lol:

A T-handle? VERY slow, unless you meant a Speeder.. :dunno:
 
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CRTDI

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I always thought this was a pretty cool looking ratchet. A neat collector's piece for sure. I believe this type of ratchet was also available from different makers. Herbrand comes to mind as one of them.
 

jpickar

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I have one but I never use it. I probably wouldn't have bought it but for this forum making me aware of it. I will probably sell it as I have no use for it. I have only seen two!

John
 

rmalkow2

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My first time ever seeing one. Did not know they existed and have not seen one in a garage sale, yet. But I will be looking closely from now on. Thanks for sharing this unique tool.
 
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Ryan

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The interesting thing here is just how many people see a use for a ratchet like this and how many don't. I think it's prolly due to the fact that people here do so many different types of work.

I mostly just work on early Fords... And to me, it's painfully obvious just how usable this little ratchet is. However, I could see why a guy that just works on late model stuff or other things might not.

Kind of cool when you think about it.
 

jpickar

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The interesting thing here is just how many people see a use for a ratchet like this and how many don't. I think it's prolly due to the fact that people here do so many different types of work.

I mostly just work on early Fords... And to me, it's painfully obvious just how usable this little ratchet is. However, I could see why a guy that just works on late model stuff or other things might not.

Kind of cool when you think about it.

+1

John
 

Buckgnarly

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Exactly: it performed as well as a speeder. (used by every Pre- impact mech for speedy removal/rundown) but unlike the usual speeder, can be short, or long depending on the extension used. It WAS better for "tight" situations where a 16-18" long speeder didn't fit well. I still use speeders when its quicker than dragging out everything needed for an impact, or where I don't want to wake the neighbors, or I just want to. Sometimes Just WORKING with the tools is therapeutic...



A T-handle? VERY slow, unless you meant a Speeder.. :dunno:



No, I mean T handle.... With two hands and split fingers I can spin a t handle pretty quick, then finish torque with the full length pulled out.
But you bring up another tool, the speeder, that would also be way faster...;)
 

chicane

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Why not just use a t handle? Just as fast as the spinner handle and more torque than the stub of a handle.
I guess I will join the minority and put this in the Christmas useless novelty category of tools....but somehow got a cult following and now everyone loves it! I could see using Robogrips more than that thing!

I'll go hide now.....:evil::lol:

BINGO! I couldn't have put it better....
 

Tim_in_NC

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Hey ... you guys that own this tool ... maybe you can help me with this problem. I have one of these cool little guys as well. However, a couple teeth are broken inside and others are worn which leaves reverse inoperable.

Can someone help me with a rebuild kit that I could use to get this guy up and running again. It's a 3/8" drive ...

Thanks,
Tim
 

Tim_in_NC

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I'd bet that kit is NLA, so a diner 3/8 "Star Trek" era rat is probably your best option.

So I should be able to pick up a "Flying V" or "Star Trek" 3/8" ratchet and swap over some parts ... that would be great ...
 

jpickar

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So I should be able to pick up a "Flying V" or "Star Trek" 3/8" ratchet and swap over some parts ... that would be great ...

I don't know why you couldn't do that. The non quick release 3/8 kit has all the right guts and if your selector is OK you are ready to go. I thought they made the non quick realease kit yet?

John
 

jakemac

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They no longer make the non-QR kits for those ratchets. Even if you could find one (rare), you would still need to use the selector and pawl from your speeder ratchet. The kits don't include the "butterfly" (the proper designation) selector. The pawls in the kit don't always have the same indent as the butterfly selector because they are made for the long lever that replaced the butterfly after 1963. The kit number is #4478.

You would have better luck finding a donor ratchet at a yard sale or flea market, and swap the parts.
 
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jpickar

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They no longer make the non-QR kits for those ratchets. Even if you could find one (rare), you would still need to use the selector and pawl from your speeder ratchet. The kits don't include the "butterfly" (the proper designation) selector. The pawls in the kit don't always have the same indent as the butterfly selector because they are made for the long lever that replaced the butterfly after 1963. The kit number is #4478.

You would have better luck finding a donor ratchet at a yard sale or flea market, and swap the parts.

You the man!!!:thumbup:

John
 

Outlawmws

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It should be: I don't have that one but its on page 7 of the 1960:

attachment.php
 

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Tim_in_NC

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What that looks like is a Herbrand No. J-9 3/8" drive Speedratchet without the extension. Moore Drop Forge probably made the Craftsman version under contract.

See also: http://home.comcast.net/~alloy-artifacts/herbrand-van-chrome-p3.html

"The overall length is 12.0 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.

The ratchet mechanism has a 20-tooth drive gear, and the slide shifter moves along the axis of the handle to alternately deactivate one of the contoured pawls."

The inventor in his patent called it a COMBINED BRACE, WRENCH, T-WRENCH, AND RATCHET.

Check out the "Tool of the Month" 1949.

Very cool ... thanks for sharing!
 
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Ryan

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What that looks like is a Herbrand No. J-9 3/8" drive Speedratchet without the extension. Moore Drop Forge probably made the Craftsman version under contract.

See also: http://home.comcast.net/~alloy-artifacts/herbrand-van-chrome-p3.html

"The overall length is 12.0 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.

The ratchet mechanism has a 20-tooth drive gear, and the slide shifter moves along the axis of the handle to alternately deactivate one of the contoured pawls."

The inventor in his patent called it a COMBINED BRACE, WRENCH, T-WRENCH, AND RATCHET.

Check out the "Tool of the Month" 1949.

Good god. I want.
 

oldldh

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Outlaw---

How do you move around amongst the "World's Largest Collection of Craftsman Catalogs"???

Without breaking something vital???

Thanks for posting...
 

Outlawmws

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Outlaw---

How do you move around amongst the "World's Largest Collection of Craftsman Catalogs"???

Without breaking something vital???

Thanks for posting...

Cause they are all just a mouse click away! :evil:

And only the 2nd largest at best...
 

Outlawmws

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That's what I was looking for, too. No luck.

If you look at the Herbrand version, posted above, it should be self evident how they work. the Craftsman (and my Proto) need an extension and you rip that and hold it steady while cranking on the handle. Same as a speeder, only your "steady rest" hand is under the ratchet instead of on top on a knob,
 

drivesitfar

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Found it!....:lol_hitti:thumbup::evil:


of course i know how they could work. i was wonder how a pro might use one and why it would be a needed tool. i guess that's why they only made them for a few years and now they are one of those "cool" tools.

of course i watched the mythbuster boys to see if they put one in their "mouse trap" type you tube video. (made me look!!!)

now since i was on You Tube i had to watch one of my favorite videos and it's not tool related, but might make you smile so when you skin another knuckle removing a nut some engineer thought would never need to be replaced you can think of this poor guy.


cheers and have a great weekend
 

Outlawmws

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What's this Proto of yours look like? Can you post a pic so we can gaze upon it in reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder?

So what you are saying is you haven't been paying attention... It's been posted fairly recently... :evil:

Let me see if I can find it fairly fast... :willy_nil
 

Outlawmws

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OK it's actually been posted twice, once in another hand crank thread and again in the recent oddball ratchets thread. This is from the latter:

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Outlawmws

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Found the conversion pics:

As found (Bought from Eprey...):

attachment.php


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The Donor:
attachment.php



And the finished product:

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stock z/28

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Hello,

I really like those ratchets, I haven't seen any around here in a while. I "used" to have four of them but I can only find three now.

It seemed like one had a black handle?


I never knew other tool companies made similar models.

Thanks

Jeff
 
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