Period accurate C-man Ratchets for Long "C" Toolbox

[AdrianBoomer]

I posted a few pics of my Long C box a while back....I have the tray and want to build a ratchet, socket and wrench kit that is period appropriate, essentially the mechanics collection of the time. I understand there are probably a few options but I would like some help from the good folks of GJ. Would it be Circle H or BE?? Also, if this was 1937 I would love to know what this box would have possible included from the catalog. FYI, I am partially inspired by the mechanics catalog that was posted I like walking back in time. My shop is a time capsule

Here it is again for reference:


Also if anyone is looking to thin their herds and may have something interesting to discuss with me, I am open to that conversation as well

 

[nine4gmc]

Nice box, I don't have any older stuff but always keeping an eye out for it.

 

[Jim C.]

You're kind of going down a path that I can understand. I love old cars and machinery. At some point about ten years ago, I got this idea that it would be fun tinkering with those things using vintage correct/appropriate tools. As a result, I started buying Craftsman tools with the =V= manufacturer's mark on them. Maybe it's just me, but there's something cool about using vintage tools on vintage stuff. This type of thinking also gave me another reason to buy more tools.

Jim C.

 

[Ponchoguy]

You're kind of going down a path that I can understand. I love old cars and machinery. At some point about ten years ago, I got this idea that it would be fun tinkering with these things using vintage correct/appropriate tools. As a result, I started buying Craftsman tools with the =V= manufacturer's mark on them. Maybe it's just me, but there's something cool about using vintage tools on vintage stuff. This type of thinking also gave me another reason to buy more tools.

Jim C.

Yes, I have "period correct" tools in my 1960 and 1968 Craftsman tool storage. Are they mostly Craftsman? You bet.

 

[ganymede]

Hmm, didn't the be and h code ratchets run at the same time ??
If not then I would think the h code was first.
View media item 54883

 

[jakemac]

Here are pages 4 and 5 from the 1942 Sears Mechanics Catalog.

 

[AdrianBoomer]

Nice work Jakemac! What ratchets are those. Teardrop Circle H or old school "V"s??

Jim C, totally.....I am very much down that path. Been building boats for years and now getting into older tools that I can work on. Love it!

 

[four.cycle]

links to download vintage Craftsman tool catalogs HERE:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=4482579&postcount=3657

 

[AdrianBoomer]

Im trying to download a 1942 catalog but am not finding it. I see a link was posted to the pages that were relevant to my tool box and I would love to print these if anyone can help. I dont see the PDF on Blackburns website. thanks

 

[jakemac]

Blackburn only has the Power Tool catalog for 1942, no Hand Tool catalog.

http://www.blackburntools.com/articles/rose-tools-catalog-archives/sears/index.html

The images I posted earlier were directly from a digital copy I have on CD. Unfortunately, my computer crapped out on me in February and I don't have access to the files right now. I'm stuck with an iPad that won't let me get to any of my old files for the foreseeable future.

I believe that you're looking for a circle-H socket set.

EDIT - Found it. Google is your friend.

http://www.mediafire.com/?wb9a9za447ysrxd

 

[AdrianBoomer]

Thanks Jake, Yes, I appreciate it, I also found that file this afternoon. I now have all the Circle H ratchets and a complete 1/4" set. And a forum meber is sending me a complete set of 1/2" BE sockets and drive tools and mostly complete 3/8" set so I am finally getting my tray completed!!! I will post some pics soon!

 

[bill300d]

Here are the 39' pages if they help, Pic 1 is the smaller box Pic 2 is the larger. I couldn't quite tell which box you have.

 

[bonneyman]

Hmm, didn't the be and h code ratchets run at the same time ??
If not then I would think the h code was first.
View media item 54883

Nice group of old rats!

 

[Cruzan80]

I have 1/4", 9/32", 5/16", 11/32" and 3/8" all in BE, 12pt 1/4" drive. Willing to sell/swap if you need them.

 

[ganymede]

Nice group of old rats!

Thanks Bonneyman.!

 

[Zeeman]

Oh, I'm liking this thread. Good information posted, and good luck with your quest. I am trying to do sort of the same thing only a later period. I'm going a little more broad with 50's and 60's. I throw in some 70's too because that's when I really did the beginnings of my wrenching on my own stuff/motorcycles and cars. I am also attempting to get woodworking tools from this time period. I like the Craftsman stuff!

 

[AdrianBoomer]

Here is where I am at with with my box as of today. Complete BE 1/2 set, and a nearly complete BE 3/8 deep socket, are good amount of regular 3/8 sockets and a beautiful and complete 1/4 set. Now it is time to get into wrenches as I fill in the last couple sockets I need. This is a fun low pressure project for me

 

[Cruzan80]

I thought the t slider came after the breaker with the rod for BE. Or was that only in the Mini's not the boxes? Either way, looking good. Now you got me looking to complete the 1/4" mini set I have over half of.

 

[Mooreag47]

Curious what that box might be worth I might know where one is for $20

 

[7th Kahuna]

Curious what that box might be worth I might know where one is for $20

Definitely worth more than $20. Never seen one before. I'd have picked it up. I'll be keeping my eyes open.

 

[LesserSon]

I paid $2 last Saturday for this box. Cleaning the goo off it, I'm thinking the blue is a flat color, and the wrinkle is a clear lacquer applied over it, which turns amber, dulling the blue. The wrinkle seems slightly vulnerable to solvent alcohol.
Might be a step toward a better alternative to the rattlecan hammertone being used by some to restore.

 

[Cruzan80]

If you see it again, I would happily pay $20 plus shipping, and something for your trouble.

 

[Mooreag47]

I got it set up to pick 2 of them up this weekend one has been painted but if I can get them for 30 I guess I'll be to the good on the deal

 

[Mooreag47]

Forgot to post a picture of what I picked up

 

[twertsy]

Blackburn only has the Power Tool catalog for 1942, no Hand Tool catalog.

http://www.blackburntools.com/articles/rose-tools-catalog-archives/sears/index.html

The images I posted earlier were directly from a digital copy I have on CD. Unfortunately, my computer crapped out on me in February and I don't have access to the files right now. I'm stuck with an iPad that won't let me get to any of my old files for the foreseeable future.

I believe that you're looking for a circle-H socket set.

EDIT - Found it. Google is your friend.

http://www.mediafire.com/?wb9a9za447ysrxd

Based on the pics, those should be BE coded rats/sockets/drive tools. Probably Bonney DOE (C-####), and Long C DBEs.

 

[AdrianBoomer]

Forgot to post a picture of what I picked up

Nice box! I am now starting to think about working on wrenchs. I have a complete 1/2 and 3/8 in ratchet set, the deep socket set for the 3/8" and a sweet 1/4 set in it's own box.

Any help with direction to go with wrenchs would be great as I am not an expert here. They are so many styles. What should I do to keep my search targeted?!

 

[twertsy]

Nice box! I am now starting to think about working on wrenchs. I have a complete 1/2 and 3/8 in ratchet set, the deep socket set for the 3/8" and a sweet 1/4 set in it's own box.

Any help with direction to go with wrenchs would be great as I am not an expert here. They are so many styles. What should I do to keep my search targeted?!

Based on the pics, those should be BE coded rats/sockets/drive tools. Probably Bonney DOE (C-####), and Long C DBEs with no code.

 

[northwoods]

Work your way through the Alloy Artifacts articles on the BT, BE Circle H, and NB rats in 1/2" male reversible and you will learn much.

 

[twertsy]

Circle H and BE Craftsman stuff is contemporaneous. New Britain (BE) bought Husky (Circle H) and kept the plant operating. The difference is in the plant that produced the tool. Husky never made Craftsman tools until New Britain bought them, I believe.

Husky was bought by Olsen Manufacturing in 1929. In 1934, the factory was closed and all contents were auctioned off. I haven't yet discovered when NB took over, nor whether the plant ever opened again or simply moved to CT. The attached classified appears in October of 1934 in local papers and continues to run daily up to the auction day.

 

[twertsy]

Craftsman, like S-K, did not exist as a brand before the early 1930s, but unlike S-K, Craftsman was and is made by other manufacturers, one of which is S-K. New Britain made the BE tools in the Connecticut plant. The Husky plant was operated by New Britain in Chicago, I thought. Those are the circle H tools. Perhaps Husky had two locations? There would have been no reason for NB to have a separate code for Husky, as Husky was out of business before Craftsman existed, if there weren't a separate manufacturing facility.

I've never heard of, nor found any evidence of Husky being in Chicago. There is also no evidence (although quite plausible) that the Husky plant in Kenosha ever got spun back up after the auction in '34.

 

[lazer50]

You fellas amaze me with your knowledge of tool companies in those eras.

 

[AdrianBoomer]

Everyone here has been great. I had taken a break with selling a house and moving etc.....but am now re-inspired. A posted a wanted ad and have been able to fill in some gaps but there are more to fill. I just wanted to share my progress in this little project and bump this thread as I have met some killer people here i the past. I have really enjoyed the research, downloading the catalogs and figuring out how I want to populate this box. I would love some input, enthusiasm and direction. I have the tappet wrenches coming and some missing sockets. The 1/2 BE universal joint is a tough one LOL. locating some of the smaller wrenches is difficult but there have been some great folks come out of the wood work. Would love some input regardless of content

 

[Rileysan]

Great work! Can you post some close-ups of your collection?

Brian

 

[AdrianBoomer]

Here are a few close ups of what I have!

 

[AdrianBoomer]

Wrenches are a little grim but that will improve this week, I have been working on this aspect. But there are gaps

 

[Stuart in MN]

Can you make your photos a little larger? Even when I click on them they're still postage stamp size.

 

[AdrianBoomer]

sure, i will see what I can do!

Can you make your photos a little larger? Even when I click on them they're still postage stamp size.

 

[AdrianBoomer]

I think I enlarged a few images. I can take some better ones.
I'd love to know more about the wrenches. It also seems that 3/8 drive bits are harder to come by, I have found a flex handle. I also wonder in Hindsdale stuff would have been an appropriate addition as I know they did some Craftsman stuff. Im having fun source Circle H and BE stuff, learning a lot.

 

[AdrianBoomer]

Ill figure this out someday. I saved the pics at actual size, I have enlarged them manually, but they still appear to be thumbnails here. Not sure where I am going wrong, but I am trying! Sorry

 

[AdrianBoomer]

I am moving forward in a few areas and just wanted to share. I know I am not the most knowledgeable guy when it comes to this stuff but I am really into this project. I have met some great folks and a few guys have helped me out a great deal, I look forward to anybody's thoughts on where I am at, what I should be pursuing etc