NAPA Sockets

[Kirk T]

I was wondering if anyone knew who made these sockets for NAPA and about what time frame they were made?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

New Britain.

 

[3baygarage]

Aren’t those early Easco production?

 

[Kirk T]

New Britain.

The part numbers are like NBD12 thru 28. That made me think of New Britain but I don’t know. You and 3baygarage have a better idea than I do.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I defer to 3bay. Not my era. I thought they were earlier. Funny how similar they are.

 

[Kirk T]

Aren’t those early Easco production?

I would guess 70s? Am I way off?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

The part numbers are like NBD12 thru 28. That made me think of New Britain but I don’t know.

I didn't even see the part numbers. I was looking at the shape and that single band of knurling. Reminded me of late 40's NB, and NB was an early and long-standing NAPA supplier. But I don't recognize those model numbers, at least not up through 1955, and they went to two bands of knurling in the 50's, one up higher on the wall, anyway. It sure does seem like it might be NB and D for Deep though, doesn't it? But again, I defer to 3bay. Maybe just a coincidence.

 

[woody 73]

In truth I only know 1/10 of 1% about hand tools and I have been at it for many years as they say. So this leads me too the following discussion several years ago with another GJ member, Sorry I forgot his name but the story is as follows:


I was a bit confused in my thinking that NB was making sockets for Napa (of course they were many years ago); because in my confusion I said something like oh the napa tools have the NB part numbers and (always an and) the other GJ member said wait woody Napa kept the numbering system going long after their relationship with NB.

So indeed they could be Easco produced sockets; again this is a flashback from my conversation with that other GJ member from a long time ago; Wish I could help you more but even I get lost sometimes.

 

[shanny19]

I have also heard that NAPA co-opted New Britain part numbers after leaving them in the dust.

In any event, I've found all generations of NAPA USA hardline to be rock solid tools, whether made by NB, Easco, Danaher, or whomever. In many small towns in the 70s through 90s they were THE premium over the counter tool available locally.

 

[3baygarage]

I defer to 3bay. Not my era. I thought they were earlier. Funny how similar they are.

Yes, I see what you mean with the knurl ring, but not recessed like all the old New Britain and their rebrands. This is much later.

I would guess 70s? Am I way off?

I don’t know exactly. I thought all the actual Napa branded USA drive tools were Easco and then Danaher/Easco. Your sockets should be equivalent to Craftsman, just as the Napa ratchets were. Part of the Easco/Craftsman/Napa/Allen/K-D etc etc. circle.

In truth I only know 1/10 of 1% about hand tools and I have been at for many years as they say. So this leads me too the following discussion several years ago with another GJ member, Sorry I forgot his name but the story is as follows:


I was a bit confused in my thinking that NB was making sockets for Napa (of course they were many years ago); because in my confusion I said something like oh the napa tools have the NB part numbers and (always an and) the other GJ member said wait woody Napa kept the numbering system going long after their relationship with NB.

So indeed they could be Easco produced sockets; again this is a flashback from my conversation with that other GJ member from a long time ago; Wish I could help you more but even I get lost sometimes.

I have also heard that NAPA co-opted New Britain part numbers after leaving them in the dust.

In any event, I've found all generations of NAPA USA hardline to be rock solid tools, whether made by NB, Easco, Danaher, or whomever. In many small towns in the 70s through 90s they were THE premium over the counter tool available locally.

I seem to remember something like that coming up about the numbers as well.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

That looks like easco. Here is an 11/16 easco deep socket, seems to match...

 

[Kirk T]

Thank you for your help fellas. Much appreciated!

 

[Kirk T]

Found the sockets in a pawn shop in Clarksville AR. Then a couple weeks later found the ratchet to match in a junk shop in Enid, OK. Must be more common than I thought.

 

[notlob]

When I worked at NAPA from approx 78-81, their main lines of tools were New Britain and Sparta (NB-made economy line). They changed to NAPA branded tools shortly thereafter. IIRC, at that time, NAPA branded tools were not made by NB, and they were considered of somewhat inferior quality to NB.

 

[Kirk T]

When I worked at NAPA from approx 78-81, their main lines of tools were New Britain and Sparta (NB-made economy line). They changed to NAPA branded tools shortly thereafter. IIRC, at that time, NAPA branded tools were not made by NB, and they were considered of somewhat inferior quality to NB.

Sounds like I may be collecting junk. [emoji12]

 

[Provincial]

I always thought of NAPA tools as in the same range as Craftsman. The New Britian era tools were better than Craftsman, but not as good as premium brands. The later NAPA tools were pretty close to Craftsman, with some a little below.

All NAPA tools were good enough for everyday use, but not as nice as truck brands.

 

[Farmall450]

I have also heard that NAPA co-opted New Britain part numbers after leaving them in the dust.

In any event, I've found all generations of NAPA USA hardline to be rock solid tools, whether made by NB, Easco, Danaher, or whomever. In many small towns in the 70s through 90s they were THE premium over the counter tool available locally.

Wish I was around to see it