Stevens Walden Socket Set found stashed away at a sale

[3baygarage]

Today I went to a few sales. The first this morning had some decent tools (will post more in the Garage Sale thread).

I had looked in the left cupboard of the work bench and basically empty unless you count the old grass seed mouse hotel hideaway.

Well, after making my purchases I was not quite satisfied with my search.

Realizing I had not looked in the right door because all the things in front of it, I just had to now. The door wouldn't fully open but boy was I shocked to see a mini workbench size tool chest tucked away in there.

Two thoughts crossed my mind.

What could be in it???

And

This thing was such a perfectly tight fit, I think they built the bench around it!

Now I cleared most of the stuff out of the corner, and the door still wouldn't open all the way due to the high concrete ground in front!

I got it open enough to peek in the cab bottom and nothing good but a Craftsman 4 way lug wrench.

All in all, about 5-10 minutes monkeying with everything I was able to wrestle the door open (may have strained the wood just a little bit ).

Next problem, wood sticking out on the inside of the door preventing the chest from rolling out. (see pictures)

Well, I was able to remove the two drawers from the top chest. One had some scrappy tools, the other some beat up and soon to be overpriced wrenches that I did not buy.

I was able to slightly lift the top chest lid and get my hand in there. Hmmmm, feels like a breaker bar.

Okay, so the whole time this regular picker is waiting patiently behind me to look on the top shelf. He started getting angry and suggested I try to tip the tool chest back, so I did this sort of tip and turn thing within the workbench to get the top chest out. What a production.

Check out the pictures to see what I mean. Note- these were taken after I wedged it back in there.

 

[3baygarage]

This is what was in the top of the red chest after all that. Sorry about the pics, getting dark. A few extra pieces and the 3/4 is Proto. 1-1/4 is Husky.

More pics to come.

 

[thehorse13]

You caused a picker traffic jam at a garage sale? Outstanding work. lol.

 

[jakemac]

Nice find. That ratchet is **** !

 

[LXCam]

So let me get this straight. You broke into the hidden safe only to find tools that nobody knew or had forgotten about only to have "the man" over price some wrenches they knew nothing about? Makes me wonder how much ya paid for that socket set

Had it been me and after going thru all that for those wrenches I'd have but it all back in just the way I found it, hell maybe even add a few extra nails to the wood for good measure

 

[davethorik]

Nice score! That ratchet looks like one of the older Blackhawk round heads, never seen a Walden like that

 

[CRTDI]

Sometimes you just gotta work a little harder to find the cool stuff. That set looks to be in really nice shape. Congrats...

 

[thehorse13]

Nice score! That ratchet looks like one of the older Blackhawk round heads, never seen a Walden like that

That's exactly what I thought he found when I first glanced at the picture.

 

[Rileysan]

More pix! This is a very unusual set, indeed! Is there a 31/32" socket in there?

Please tell us what you paid. Anything under $40 and you ****, imo!

Brian

 

[bonneyman]

I think he ***** like a black hole on this one!

 

[3baygarage]

You caused a picker traffic jam at a garage sale? Outstanding work. lol.

Certainly did, and wouldn't be the first time Horse. I have no problem taking some time when its my turn to look at an area. Especially if you get there early, wait in line, fight the crowd, blah blah blah. I just like to see everything. Don't want to miss something .

All I had racing through my mind was I'm not leaving here without seeing what's in this top box. I'll admit I was thinking what if I don't get this thing open, because for a minute I thought the top/bottom were bolted together.

Nice find. That ratchet is **** !

It sure is.

So let me get this straight. You broke into the hidden safe only to find tools that nobody knew or had forgotten about only to have "the man" over price some wrenches they knew nothing about? Makes me wonder how much ya paid for that socket set

Had it been me and after going thru all that for those wrenches I'd have but it all back in just the way I found it, hell maybe even add a few extra nails to the wood for good measure

Well, didn't buy those wrenches. The chick pricing wanted 5 apiece and some of the jaws were broken or too worn out. A couple were okay but didn't want them that bad.

Nice score! That ratchet looks like one of the older Blackhawk round heads, never seen a Walden like that

Yep, similar handle.

More pix! This is a very unusual set, indeed! Is there a 31/32" socket in there?


Please tell us what you paid. Anything under $40 and you ****, imo!

Brian

Yep, it has 31/32", 25/32", 21/32".

I paid $15 with an additional few tools tossed in that I missed the first time around.

I think he ***** like a black hole on this one!

 

[3baygarage]

The rest of the pics:

 

[four.cycle]

really quite a nice set.
what is the part number on that ratchet? 11?? ??

 

[3baygarage]

It's an 1151

 

[bluebolt]

$15!!! You suck1!

 

[bill300d]

I consider this cruel and unusual punishment to have to look at this thread.

 

[PowderKeg]

$15!!! You suck1!

Nah, it should be

$15?!? YOU ****!!!!!!!

That a fantastic find!! The extra effort REALLY paid off!

Congrats!

 

[3baygarage]

Thanks guys!

It's always way more fun when its a hidden gem (and reasonable), rather than something sitting on the table with an untouchable price.

I consider this cruel and unusual punishment to have to look at this thread.

LOL!




I took the ratchet apart last night because it only worked in reverse.

Strange mechanism, thought I bit off more than I could chew at first because it fell apart, but I got it going. There was a tiny sliver in there.

I found a thread with some similar Walden teardowns after. I think the round heads are all about the same.

 

[LXCam]

Ohhhh you totally ****. I'm was thinking maybe they want oh I don't know, 20 a piece or more for those badass wall art wrenches. But 15 for the socket set, oh ya you got a 2" hose for a mouth...gezzis.

 

[four.cycle]

It's an 1151

Interesting. I have a set that includes a model 1160 pear-head, and now I have to wonder if that's the correct model for the set I have.
Any idea of vintage on that?

 

[woody 73]

I am working on another story but since my last story only got 100 views and 0 replies and seeing how your post is hot, hot, hot...Maybe I better wait a few days till I post that story.

Anyway good job that is a great set and for $15.00 dollars you get a you **** award.

 

[Empty Pockets]

For $15.00, I would be wrong not to add my voice to the chorus of YOU ****.

 

[3baygarage]

Interesting. I have a set that includes a model 1160 pear-head, and now I have to wonder if that's the correct model for the set I have.
Any idea of vintage on that?

Not sure but there's a Walden ad on eBay from 1958 with another round head. Looks a little different though.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1958-PAPER-AD-2-Sided-SW-Stevens-Walden-Inc-Tools-Socket-ratchet-Sets-Wrench-/152336147687?hash=item2377f124e7:g:vX8AAOSwB09YPLvk

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I'm tacking this SW 450S16 (16-piece) set on to the end of 3bay's SW 450S21 (21-piece) set thread for lack of a better place to put it. I've had it for several years, just wanted to show Otg, who posted a 1/4- and 3/8-inch drive combo set in the 1/4-inch thread with identical features. RH 1151 ratchet, but not a "Baldie" like the one in 3bay's set. Missing a few sockets, maybe a short extension.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Very nice. Walden made some stylish stuff for a few years. Lmk if you would like to trade it for something. I am sure I have some old stuff you would like.

 

[3baygarage]

Who wrote that first post? What a mess.






The way that tool the chest was blocked in and the door was also blocked by the floor still rank near the top for strangest things I’ve encountered at a sale.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Yes you had to work for that one!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Lmk if you would like to trade it for something. I am sure I have some old stuff you would like.

I think it would look better at your place with the midget/junior combo set! I'll PM you.

 

[coolford]

That ratchet is at least a $50.00 item.

 

[r_olson_06]

I'm tacking this SW 450S16 (16-piece) set on to the end of 3bay's SW 450S21 (21-piece) set thread for lack of a better place to put it. I've had it for several years, just wanted to show Otg, who posted a 1/4- and 3/8-inch drive combo set in the 1/4-inch thread with identical features. RH 1151 ratchet, but not a "Baldie" like the one in 3bay's set. Missing a few sockets, maybe a short extension.

What sizes are you missing?

Looking for the following Plomb Pebbles Wrenches 3061, 3070,

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Not a socket or a socket drive tool, obviously, but I didn't want to put this Stevens Walden Inc. machinists' ball-pein hammer on the Walden-Worcester threads. Cool shorty. These were toolbox hammers, provisioned especially with extremely shorter than normal handles for stowage in portable boxes. Williams, Vlchek, and others did the same. In fact, this looks Williamsy to me. This hammer weighs 1 lb. 7.2 ozs. (1 lb. head without a doubt), and the original handle is 9-1/2" OAL.

 

[supertooljunkie]

To bump an older thread. I just purchased one of these ratchets from a pawn shop it Pittsburgh, PA about 45 minutes ago and went looking for info on it online. Should have know I would find something here.

Mine works well, but I always take "new to me" ratchets apart and clean, and lube them just "because." I am curious though, how did you get yours apart? didn't see a snap ring anywhere unless it is a small spiralock type snap ring around the round cap in center of direction ring. A reply would be appreciated.

Thanks....

 

[Oldtuleguy]

There are a couple versions. Can you post a pic?

 

[supertooljunkie]

I have to figure out how to post from my phone. I am getting ready to run errands right this minute. I will send one a bit later.

Thank you for reply so quick. Once again, I forget how many tool junkies are on forum. Will get this shortly.

 

[3baygarage]

This is either a major coincidence, or you’re psychic. I just cleaned out a corner and found this set a hour before reading your post.

There are two different size retaining rings, one on each end.

I didn’t take photos of the mechanism, but seem to remember it being unique, with some sliding block pawls or something. It may have been quite hard to get back together. Just be careful and go slow opening it up as with any ratchet having small pieces.

 

[txlonghorn1989]

3bay, you deserve some BIG SUCKAGE for the perseverance and the find! That set looks almost minty fresh!

 

[3baygarage]

Thanks Tex, this may be a record for oldest suckage ever awarded!

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I have not taken that type apart. Post some pics if you do!

 

[d42jeep]

I haven’t taken mine apart either. I’ll be interested to see one apart.
-Don

 

[supertooljunkie]

Let me see if I can figure out how to add pictures.