Lets make an all vintage Snap-on tool picture thread!

[Oldtuleguy]

Very nice. Hard to find with decal

 

[Private Lugnutz]

As noted in the 2018 Garage Sale thread, I bought a few vintage catalogs and magazines at the flea market yesterday, including a March 1939 and a February 1948 issue of Automotive Digest. The only major tool manufacturers advertising in these two issues were Blackhawk, Bonney, Plomb, New Britain, and Snap-on. For what it's worth, Blackhawk was clearly out-advertising the others in both issues, running multiple ads.

The Snap-on ads were both interesting. The ad in the March '39 issue was small and way in the back (page 71 of 82 pages). It was focused on the 487 Super Service Set - so our friend misterbill may be interested in seeing it! See Pic 1.

More interesting still, an ad for Vacuum-Grip pliers from Forged Steel Products, also small and also black and white, was placed on the previous page (70)! See Pic 2.

The Snap-on ad in the Feb '48 issue was full page and in color. I could be overanalyzing or reading more into this than reasonable, but its placement and overall tone just seems to smack of more success and a bigger market share to me. See Pic 3.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Whoa! Hard to believe it's been 12 days since anyone posted in this thread, and the last person to post was me!

Well, I am happy to report that I found a complete Blue-Point Tap and Die Set No. TDM-109 at my double early bird flea market this morning. It is metric, as the "SIZE RANGE" on the lid indicates, containing nine (9) taps and nine (9) dies, from 4 to 12mm, a TD-2 Tap Wrench, and a TD-10 Die Stock for a total of twenty (20) pieces in a handsome fitted box. This is very similar to the intermediate imperial sizing Blue-Point sets that Snap-on has sold since 1937.

As to when it dates from, this set appears in slightly different form with slightly different contents, still in a wooden box, in several catalogs in the 1970's and 80's. It looks older than that to me, though, with that logo, so I did some digging and found the TDM-109 listed as early as 1957. Do you guys agree that it looks 50's?

 

[snapmom]

Whitworth

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Cousins!

So what do you reckon on the age, snapmom?

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Those looked like that for a long time. Hard to put exact date on it

 

[snapmom]

Close to 60

 

[Oldtuleguy]

These are some 33 or so snap on 3/4 drive extras

 

[r_olson_06]

These are some 33 or so snap on 3/4 drive extras

Finish on them looks amazing.

Looking for the following Plomb Pebbles Wrenches 3732, 3032, 3055, 3060, 3061, 3062, 3070

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Yes they are half chrome , makes me think sk got the idea from snap on.

 

[r_olson_06]

Yes they are half chrome , makes me think sk got the idea from snap on.

I think the early SO overstrikes were a nickel plated.

Looking for the following Plomb Pebbles Wrenches 3732, 3032, 3055, 3060, 3061, 3062, 3070

 

[Oldtuleguy]

These are from 37. 1 7/16, 1 1/8, 1 1/16

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Not to take anything away from Snap-on (or SK, apparently), but several mfgrs finished their sockets in satin base and polished nickel or chrome walls. Walden and Williams, to name just two other examples.

 

[d42jeep]

After a couple of recent eBay pickups, I now have a complete set of 1941 sockets for my early wartime set ranging from 7/16” to 1”. The 1-1/16” and 1-1/8” are intentionally from 1942 since that’s when they were added to the set.
-Don

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Working on k260 today. Cleaning off 80 years of crud. Would like to keep original paint if it cleans up ok.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

After a couple of recent eBay pickups, I now have a complete set of 1941 sockets for my early wartime set ranging from 7/16” to 1”. The 1-1/16” and 1-1/8” are intentionally from 1942 since that’s when they were added to the set.

Congrats, Don! As you know, I had a Snap-on 1/4-inch drive set and a Snap-on 1/2-inch drive set in my WWII "Take-Home" GMTK (GJ thread on that linked here). Those were all "E" or "G" codes - except for the midget rat which was a rare 1943 code, so I know first-hand that it's no easy task. Frankly, I tend to think finding all 1941 would be even harder - and sticking to the accuracy of the set in expansion in 1942 was especially attentive to detail! Well done!

 

[d42jeep]

Thanks, Lugz. It has taken some time to get it done. I was making do with some 1940 sockets until I found the last two. My 1/4" drive set is mostly 1944 with a couple of '45s except I can't seem to find a wartime TM-2 short extension. I can't recall having a 1943 piece.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I can't recall having a 1943 piece.
-Don

Very rare. snapmom and I share a theory on that, that Snap-on started using the "E" code in 1943 and for convenience and consistency assigned it to only one year of production (1944) for bookkeeping purposes.

 

[snapmom]

This is sort of a odd ball. Model X1616 and it is a six point. 46 code, not in the cats. never seen one.

 

[d42jeep]

Here are my finds today at a sale about 10 minutes from home. The 1/4” flex handle is dated 1959 but this style of 1/4” drive ratchet doesn’t seem to have date codes. Any opinions?
-Don

 

[r_olson_06]

Here are my finds today at a sale about 10 minutes from home. The 1/4” flex handle is dated 1959 but this style of 1/4” drive ratchet doesn’t seem to have date codes. Any opinions?
-Don

Think were a miltiary ratchet IMHO.

Looking for the following Plomb Pebbles Wrenches 3055, 3060, 3061, 3062, 3070

 

[J.A.F.E.]

The ratchet is military as r_olsen mentions. The V in the part number MV71 indicates military. As a general rule if the second character in the part number is a V it's military. There are exceptions both ways of course.

 

[d42jeep]

Thanks, guys. I appreciate the info. I have a similar model in 1/2” drive but was hoping to figure out around what years they were made. I guess I’m spoiled by date codes.
-Don

 

[snapmom]

A USAC rat. date code 42. model M70M. 9/32 dr. Has a rubber coated handle, probably is added on. SO did make some rubber coated handles in the late 30s

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Air Corps. Awesome.

 

[UncleDave]

I recently met a guy who is selling of his huge huge huge tool collection. I picked up all the Snap On tools but I did not take the Tool Display/Control boards. Is that a mistake? I will have a place to display them eventually but not yet. He’s got about 100 of them in Brands like SO,Bonney, Porto,Williams, Cresent, TRW,Vice Grip and many others. They look cool but is there much of a demand?
I joined the group because I found this a great source of info on my growing vintage tool collection.
Thanks

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Vintage tool display boards are a very popular item among vintage collectors. In some instances, they become a practical, much-needed means to store someone's collection, as neat to look at as the actual tools. In other instances, they become the motivation to collect the tools on the board (it's all about the hunt, and sometimes we just need something to identify the prey). And sometimes the boards just sit empty as garage eye candy. As you can imagine they don't ship well, though. They are almost always a local pickup find. Where are these boards located? St Louis area?

 

[r_olson_06]

I recently met a guy who is selling of his huge huge huge tool collection. I picked up all the Snap On tools but I did not take the Tool Display/Control boards. Is that a mistake? I will have a place to display them eventually but not yet. He’s got about 100 of them in Brands like SO,Bonney, Porto,Williams, Cresent, TRW,Vice Grip and many others. They look cool but is there much of a demand?
I joined the group because I found this a great source of info on my growing vintage tool collection.
Thanks

Hi Dave,
Glad you joined this group of addicts. Be careful of slippery slope. You start out just with a wrench here or there next thing you know you are planning your routes to difference places around where you can find tools. I now have tools coming out my ears. I only speak of this from experience.
Post some pics of your findings and welcome to the group.

Looking for the following Plomb Pebbles Wrenches 3055, 3060, 3061, 3062, 3070

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I recently met a guy who is selling of his huge huge huge tool collection. I picked up all the Snap On tools but I did not take the Tool Display/Control boards. Is that a mistake? I will have a place to display them eventually but not yet. He’s got about 100 of them in Brands like SO,Bonney, Porto,Williams, Cresent, TRW,Vice Grip and many others. They look cool but is there much of a demand?
I joined the group because I found this a great source of info on my growing vintage tool collection.
Thanks

Hey where is this guy? I need to go over there and make a new friend!

 

[UncleDave]

Yes it is slippery. I stated my working collection when I was single and had pockets full of cash. I even did some concrete work for a Snap On dealer in trade for tools. Then I got married (26 yrs ago) and the funds dried up but all of a sudden I meet this guy and he’s fired up my interest again. It’s a blast! I’m looking forward to researching the ages.
He is located in The St Louis County area.

 

[LesserSon]

Blah blah blah Bonney blah blah blah

Go back and take some pics to post here

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Yes pics

 

[UncleDave]

Here are a few pics of some Bonney tools. Just a drop in the bucket of his awesome collection. Is this the correct thread to post. Sorry if not, please advise.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Good stuff! I believe there is a bonney thread.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

LesserSon just posted a link to it 2 posts above.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Thanks lugz, I must have missed that. But seriously, how about some pics of that snap on haul!

 

[UncleDave]

It may be a small haul to some but I’m excited.
It’s not 100% Snap On stuff but 90% is. I grabbed a few Indestro ratchets also.
I also got 4 boxes. KRA429B,KR660B,KR550B and one the size of the 660 with drawers on the left side and a door on the back. I can’t move it to get a pic on the model yet. Lots of stuff to move to get it out of the mans garage.

 

[UncleDave]

Some of the Snap On control boards as well as others. Many more board brands pics available if interested.

 

[r_olson_06]

Some of the Snap On control boards as well as others. Many more board brands pics available if interested.

That is insane.

Looking for the following Plomb Pebbles Wrenches 3055, 3060, 3061, 3062, 3070

 

[Private Lugnutz]

UncleDave,

Thanks for the photos. All the boards look like 1960's or later. Are there any older do you know? From the 30's or 40's?

There is a thread here on GJ dedicated to just about every major vintage brand just like this thread dedicated to Snap-on. I am sure that many collectors (including this one - who is thinking it might be time to make a trip to see a buddy of mine in Fort Leonardwood, Missouri! ) would love to see more boards. Probably not a good idea to dilute this thread, though.

Here are some links for you:

Herbrand
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=390421

Bonney
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=273680

New Britain
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=277603

Williams
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=274782

Blackhawk
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=127364

Plomb/Proto/Challenger
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=135342&page=252