Who made it

[Plastikosmd]

Right angle ratcheting, reversible screwdriver. Picked it up at the scrapyard for $.50. Only says “patent applied for” on it
Cool little piece and seems well-made

 

[Private Lugnutz]

J.C. McCarty. Will B. Lane patent 969,379 / Sep 6, 1910. Nice find!

 

[Plastikosmd]

Wow!
Quick, thank u

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Wow!
Quick, thank u

No problem. The only reason I recognized it so readily and quickly is because I own a complete Will B. Lane Super Unique Socket Wrench set, and I just happened to have done some deep research on a question that has vexed the community for some time regarding the original patent.

I won't bore you with all the details, but all of Lane's patents (four total between 1910 and 1915) were improvements on a 1908 design that, while not his patent, was found on ratchets he manufactured. In his series of four patents, he got rid of the baling wire tensioner and direction switch you see on the handle there, and made some other changes to the way a screwdriver bit or a socket were mounted to the drive.

 

[Plastikosmd]

Wild!
Thank you

 

[Ricky Joe]

Delete

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Not sure ricky joe. Any pics? Here is one with the 1908 patent

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Wow your scrapyard sells stuff. At mine I picked up a socket off the ground and offered to pay for it and the guy freaked out and made me give it back or he was calling the police and I’m like gosh I was going to give you money for it he is like yeah but we aren’t allowed to sell anything once it’s in the pile and he chucked it back into the pile. So that’s an awesome find at a scrapyard.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I have a “Lane” wrench. Would that be the same company?

If you mean an end wrench, I don't know, RJ, but I have never seen anything but drive tools.

Here is one with the 1908 patent

Smaller version of the set I posted in post #4. Unique is 1/2-inch drive. Super Unique is 5/8-inch drive.

We have a pretty good Will B. Lane thread going here.

 

[Jmellc]

No problem. The only reason I recognized it so readily and quickly is because I own a complete Will B. Lane Super Unique Socket Wrench set, and I just happened to have done some deep research on a question that has vexed the community for some time regarding the original patent.

I won't bore you with all the details, but all of Lane's patents (four total between 1910 and 1915) were improvements on a 1908 design that, while not his patent, was found on ratchets he manufactured. In his series of four patents, he got rid of the baling wire tensioner and direction switch you see on the handle there, and made some other changes to the way a screwdriver bit or a socket were mounted to the drive.

I like the the box that set is in. Compact is good. Too many things these days are space wasters