My Small But Growing 1/4" drive Socket Set Collection

[d42jeep]

Thanks. I’m watching too.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

It is made by New Britain . Note the close resemblance to husky and long c craftsman . Here is a picture, posted before of my craftsman long c set... mostly made by new Britain ( there are a few hinsdale made pieces in here).



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I was just admiring your set. Mine is missing the 3/8” BE socket, BE extension and that flex spinner. I imagine that those spinners are pretty hard to find.
-Don

 

[Smokeshow69]

I was just admiring your set. Mine is missing the 3/8” BE socket, BE extension and that flex spinner. I imagine that those spinners are pretty hard to find.

-Don

The spinner is not actually craftsman marked [emoji23] it is marked sylvania... not sure if they were the oe for that spinner or if another vendor made them? It is physically identical to the craftsman one just different markings. I was excited to find one not off gassing and crumbling so I put it in there !


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[Oldtuleguy]

Have one marked new britain in tiny tiny letters

 

[d42jeep]

Nice. I rarely see flex spinners other than Oxwall. None of my NB sourced sets have ratchets other than the Craftsman.
-Don

 

[twertsy]

I thought I should add the new find.

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[twertsy]

And catching back up with Greg's Mustangs. No signs this set was ever used.

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[twertsy]

And I don't believe I've posted these in this thread. Slightly different Nuggies sets, left box is slightly cracked, right has no signs of use.

Left set extension date code 3, flex and bar are 5, and rat is 0. Flex extension is unbranded, Made in USA.

Right set all date codes are 0.

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[Private Lugnutz]

The spinner is not actually craftsman marked [emoji23] it is marked sylvania... not sure if they were the oe for that spinner or if another vendor made them? It is physically identical to the craftsman one just different markings.

Hi Smoke - My money would be on NB making it for Sylvania. (What is that anyway? Was there a Sylvania tool maker? Guessing the old radio/lighting division? Please post a photo of the marking.)

Have one marked new britain in tiny tiny letters

I have a NB-made Craftsman BE and the same NB NM-38. As you guys may recall from several posts last year, I replaced the handle on the NB (see Pic 2), which was just a few stubborn shards of desiccated butyl-acetate clinging desperately to the shank insert (see Pic 1.) The donor was a tad longer than the original, and a tad yellower (see Pic 3) but I actually have an NB NM-6 (fixed composite handle) spinner in the same box now that is more yellow than amber, so they look good together.

I rarely see flex spinners other than Oxwall.

Same. I have several 1/4- or 9/32-inch drive flex extensions, and a few 3/8-inch drive flex spinners, but I am pretty sure the NB-made Crafty and the NB spinners are only two 1/4-inch drive flex spinners I have ever found.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Otg

Please take another photo of the NB decal on your box in post #1125 that is more directly squared-up to the camera. If reflection of light is an issue, less light would be preferred to an angle. I am going to use the photo to replace the decals on two of my NB boxes that need a new decal. And if it's too much of a hassle, never mind - I can probably make do with what you posted. Thanks.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

And catching back up with Greg's Mustangs.

If I had a classic powder blue Mustang, I would park that set in the glovebox! Couldn't be more perfect.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Decal pic lugz

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Thanks! Awesome decal. EDIT: About to be two more in the world with the exact same authentic-looking cracks and wear!

 

[d42jeep]

What year do we think that logo is from?
-Don

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Some leon miller sets with flex handles

 

[Oldtuleguy]

What year do we think that logo is from?
-Don

Most of the tools in mine are chrome, so probably late 30s?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Agreed. Late 30's into 1940's, or maybe even immediate postwar. It's hard to tell from the photos of the boxes I posted, but it's the exact same decal that was on mine. If you look at the one on the left you can tell.

 

[CRTDI]

Some leon miller sets with flex handles

Very cool sets... I've never seen one of these before. Any info on the manufacturer? Do you know if this is the only set configuration offered?

 

[Smokeshow69]

Hi Smoke - My money would be on NB making it for Sylvania. (What is that anyway? Was there a Sylvania tool maker? Guessing the old radio/lighting division? Please post a photo of the marking.)


I have a NB-made Craftsman BE and the same NB NM-38. As you guys may recall from several posts last year, I replaced the handle on the NB (see Pic 2), which was just a few stubborn shards of desiccated butyl-acetate clinging desperately to the shank insert (see Pic 1.) The donor was a tad longer than the original, and a tad yellower (see Pic 3) but I actually have an NB NM-6 (fixed composite handle) spinner in the same box now that is more yellow than amber, so they look good together.


Same. I have several 1/4- or 9/32-inch drive flex extensions, and a few 3/8-inch drive flex spinners, but I am pretty sure the NB-made Crafty and the NB spinners are only two 1/4-inch drive flex spinners I have ever found.

As requested, handle picture. It says sylvania electric. The tip says made in USA. Looks like it is made by New Britain?
View attachment 1



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[Oldtuleguy]

Very cool sets... I've never seen one of these before. Any info on the manufacturer? Do you know if this is the only set configuration offered?

That sounds like a research project for lugz!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Honestly, I already looked it up, because I was curious about the Long Island coincidence (I believe that's where Oxwall moved from Brooklyn in later years) - but I'm really too busy to dive too deep or document what I already found. In 1933 Leon B. Miller TM'd the word "FleXible" for wrenches, screwdrivers, and other tools where the "X" is formed by two flex handles. Hunch on something like that (someone adept at clever TM'ing vs. patenting) is someone exploiting not inventing, which is not necessarily a bad thing. Just making a distinction that could be pertinent. I was going to try to see if I could make a connection between Miller and Oxwall. But that's as far as I got. What is the quality like, Otg? Like Oxwall? Or a notch above? Hard to tell from the photos.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Probably similar to oxwall. Sockets do say made in usa. Decent quality for older hex drive stuff.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

As requested, handle picture. It says sylvania electric. The tip says made in USA. Looks like it is made by New Britain? l

Yes, for Sylvania Electric. Very cool, actually, and certainly unique.

Probably similar to oxwall. Sockets do say made in usa. Decent quality for older hex drive stuff.

Thanks.

 

[Smokeshow69]

Yes, for Sylvania Electric. Very cool, actually, and certainly unique.





Thanks.

I think I got it at habitat for humanity for less than $2...


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[Private Lugnutz]

Not as vivid as the aged original, but suitably convincing, in my own opinion. This is the first one I've put on a box I didn't refinish.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Looks good!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Thanks. Can't thank you enough for the decal photos. Going back to Don's question, I believe this decal was used throughout WWII as well. The second set I used it on is the partial set I found in a WWII mechanic's stuff with other WWII tools and original training manuals and notes from his training on Halftracks and Scout Cars at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD. The box and the pieces are coated in cosmolene, and the box had the remains of the same exact decal on the lid, now enhanced with your help.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

You have become quite the master of the "barn find" restoration

 

[d42jeep]

Thanks. Can't thank you enough for the decal photos. Going back to Don's question, I believe this decal was used throughout WWII as well. The second set I used it on is the partial set I found in a WWII mechanic's stuff with other WWII tools and original training manuals and notes from his training on Halftracks and Scout Cars at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD. The box and the pieces are coated in cosmolene, and the box had the remains of the same exact decal on the lid, now enhanced with your help.

Looks great. I should have asked you to make me a couple.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Looks great. I should have asked you to make me a couple.

Thanks, Don. One of the great things about this method is that anyone can do it, and the result is a paper decal, like the original decals of that era, not vinyl. The rest of the method is just 'reproducing' the water transfer glue and aging process with layers of clear gloss finish instead.

1. Save the image Otg posted, Copy or Print Screen it into PowerPoint or Photoshop or something that allows you to size it (2" x 1-1/2"), and print it on a high-resolution printer.
2. Make creases, holes, and slices in the paper exactly where there are creases, holes, and slices in the image of the decal on the paper.
3. Cut the decal out of the sheet of paper.
4. Spray a conservative coat of clear glossy polyurethane on the lid.
5. Let dry until tacky.
6. Place the decal on the lid and carefully smooth it out with the pad of a finger.
7. Let dry fully.
8. Spray a 2nd conservative coat of clear polyurethane on the lid, right over the top of the decal, too.
9. Let dry fully.
10. Using a pad of 0000 steel wool, rub the finish lightly, moving in small clockwise and counterclockwise circles at different angles, to include the decal. This will take some of the shine off and rough up the decal, giving it age.
11. Wax the entire lid and wipe with a cloth to bring the finish back up.

EDIT: But if you really want to send me your NB boxes, I would do it for future tool finds to be named later or a small fee.

 

[d42jeep]

I received this partial S-K made Kraeuter socket set today from an eBay seller. I can’t decide whether to use the tools in the smaller or larger set boxes. Either way I need a rare Kraeuter spinner and a couple of hard to find sockets along with a u-joint.
-Don

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Nice sets don. I have a few of the small sets in different brands.

 

[Username already in use]

I’ve got a few spare Kraeuter pieces. I think there’s a 1/4” drive spinner in there as well. I’ll shoot you a message when I find it.

 

[d42jeep]

Thanks!
-Don

 

[bmwrd0]

Funny that your Kraeuter set has a blue box, while mine is black.

My flex is SK and I think I need a socket or two, but I will check what spare Kraeuter sockets I have for you Don.

 

[d42jeep]

Thanks. It looks like Username and Tin Medic have spare spinners.
-Don

 

[CRTDI]

Cornwell carburetor set. Looks like I'm missing four sockets, but there's still a lot of stuff packed in here..

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Sweet set

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Very cool, CRTDI. Do you think that wood block is original?

 

[CRTDI]

Indestro set with a quite roomy box.