Auction buy - 27 old ratchets, $25

[Hellcat6]

Spotted a single box with a pile of old looking ratchets while at a recent auction. Didn't have time to really check them all out so I figured I would go for it and ended up winning all for $25. All appear to be pretty old and there are some unusual (to me anyway) pieces in the mix. Lots of old Craftsman BE and circle H series, Billings, Armstrong, a nice Bonney A701, old SnapOn 71M, Thorsen, Mac, Walden Worcester, Lane Unique, New Britian, None Better. All work and all are well used but an interesting lot. Probably keep a few but most will be posted here for sale in a few days if anyone is interested, need cash to help fund some work on my 70 Mach I. More pics to follow in this thread if anyone wants to see something in particular.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

What's that long silver one in the top of the picture with the socket on it?

And, oh yeah, you ****!

 

[Bull]

Here is what I am interested in:

Center column, top...the flexible one. Looks like something that would cost more than I want to spend, but what is it?
Center column, 2nd one down. The Thorsen without the dust cap. Size?
Center column, bottom. The Bonney.

 

[wreckercologist]

You, my good man, are offically "ratchet poor"!

 

[jwitt]

Not even a buck each, yea you ****!

 

[lbgradwell]

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s39/cowmoos/emoticons/speech-bubble/you-****.gif

I'm interested in the two circled:

What models are these?

Also, please point out the Lane Unique model.

 

[krusty the clown]

What's that long silver one in the top of the picture with the socket on it?

And, oh yeah, you ****!

it's an alignment ratchet

 

[1320stang]

Man, time to get the benchgrinder out with the wire brush and have at it.

 

[Hellcat6]

What's that long silver one in the top of the picture with the socket on it?

And, oh yeah, you ****!

Not sure what that one is, Krusty says it's an alignment wrench. As you can see in the pic it says MAC VRF on the insert and also on the tool itself. Believe that is called a female drive? Note the shape of the insert and that is not a typical socket. Surface has some pitting.

 

[Hellcat6]

it's an alignment ratchet

Thanks Krusty, as stated I don't know what some of this stuff is but I knew you guys would help identify everything!

 

[Hellcat6]

Here is what I am interested in:

Center column, top...the flexible one. Looks like something that would cost more than I want to spend, but what is it?
Center column, 2nd one down. The Thorsen without the dust cap. Size?
Center column, bottom. The Bonney.

Bull,
See the pics above for the center column top piece.
Center column, 2nd one down says Thorsen 77 MFD USA, it is 1/2 inch.

The Bonney A701 is 1/2 inch. Cleaned that one up after these pics and it looks very nice.

 

[bgott]

That push- through roto head at the top left looks interesting.

 

[Hellcat6]

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s39/cowmoos/emoticons/speech-bubble/you-****.gif

I'm interested in the two circled:

What models are these?

Also, please point out the Lane Unique model.

The small one at the top is an Armstrong M51. It looks like 1/4 inch but in fact is some other size, believe it is 9/32. Read about that someplace but don't remember where.

The other one is one of two female drive Billings, both 1/2 inch.. This one has the insert and it and the wrench are nicely marked Billings. The wrench is also marked S-158.

The Uniques (bottom right in pic) are, well, unique! Both were cleaned up after theses pictures, only the small one is marked but they are clearly from the same company. There are no sockets for these and I don't know what you would call the sizes, 1/2 and 3/8 perhaps? Anyone know? Note the wire, you have to lift it up and place it on the other side of the small stud to reverse direction. Pretty cool.

 

[Hellcat6]

That push- through roto head at the top left looks interesting.

Yes, that is the ratchet marked Bay State Autokit. Did some digging and it was part of a kit sold by Tudor MFG from Tauton, Mass in 1909.

 

[caper]

Man how come I never hit deals like that?You **** just doesn't seem to cover it.

 

[Bull]

Thanks for the specific pics, Hellcat. I have 1/2 ratchets up the wang, but I'd be interested in that Thorsen even without the dust cover. If the gears don't look worn out, that is.

 

[toolnut]

YOUreally ****!!

 

[Hellcat6]

Thanks for the specific pics, Hellcat. I have 1/2 ratchets up the wang, but I'd be interested in that Thorsen even without the dust cover. If the gears don't look worn out, that is.

Bull, PM sent.

 

[caper]

If Bull is passing on the bonney I'd be interested.

 

[fatfillup]

Yes hellcat YOU ****!!!! Probably no other GJ members at that auction or it would of went higher. Quite a history or ratchets in that lot. Congrats!!

 

[Bull]

If Bull is passing on the bonney I'd be interested.

Yessir, I passed on that one, only because I can't buy everything I see that I want!

 

[PowderKeg]

pm sent. What are the brands of the four ratchets sitting vertically in the right column? My guesses would be Craftsman, New Britain, Husky, or None Better for the three similar ones, and likely Armstrong for the one on the far right?

Oh, and almost forgot - You ****!! - that's a good ratchet haul there.

 

[Hellcat6]

pm sent. What are the brands of the four ratchets sitting vertically in the right column? My guesses would be Craftsman, New Britain, Husky, or None Better for the three similar ones, and likely Armstrong for the one on the far right?

Oh, and almost forgot - You ****!! - that's a good ratchet haul there.

PM sent. Yes, 2 CMan, 1 New Britian and 1 Armstrong.

 

[Hellcat6]

If Bull is passing on the bonney I'd be interested.

Caper, PM sent.

 

[caper]

Hey Hellcat,got my ratchets today,very happy with them and good job on the packaging.Guys this was a great transaction and a good guy to deal with if anybody else is looking to buy from him.

 

[superautobacs]

This thread deserves another loyal "YOU ****" achievement award!
I have no doubt in my mind that the sales will provide you with some new parts for your project.

 

[pirana]

If only those old ratchets could talk! I bet they'd have some interesting stories.

 

[T56 Impala]

See, this is what I get for being sick....

I missed this one completely! It does indeed get a GIANT "YOU ****". I would have loved the Bonney and that M51.

Oh well. You did very well.

 

[Bull]

What is so appealing about that style Bonney? Is it the feel of the handle, the smoothness of the action, what?

 

[T56 Impala]

Without doing research on it, I would say it is part of the "Streamline" style from the mid to late 50's. Possibly from the "Outline" style just after that maybe. I collect the streamline style and would love to have one in my small collection.

I use my Bonney's. I like the feel of them. They hold good memories for me too. I could really care less about the tooth count or action of a ratchet. It means very little to me in the work that I do with them. I will say that the action feels strong in old Bonney ratchets. What does that mean? Not sure I can really explain it.

 

[Bull]

See, I like collecting ratchets, but I use all of the ones I buy. Some of them just don't feel very good, and that makes me reach for one of the others instead. And those unreached-for ratchets end up collecting dust, so they get sold off to make way for more of the pleasing varieties.

 

[caper]

Without doing research on it, I would say it is part of the "Streamline" style from the mid to late 50's. Possibly from the "Outline" style just after that maybe. I collect the streamline style and would love to have one in my small collection.

That handle style is similar to the handles on Gray ratchets.Probably designed back when Gray-Bonney were together.

 

[superautobacs]

That handle style is similar to the handles on Gray ratchets.Probably designed back when Gray-Bonney were together.

Heh, I thought there was a similarity between the Bonney and the Gray handle style, but didn't say anything about it. Reading your comment gave me the reminder of the Gray/Bonney connection.