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

[Ricky Joe]

I have a Caterpillar tool kit. I got it in a wooden box, and the D-8 manual that was with it is dated 1952. The manufacturer of the wrenches is Billings.

 

[Provincial]

The 5B-___ series DOE wrenches in the machine kits were made by Billings. You will notice that the wrenches in the Snap-On supplied kit have an 8H-____ number.

By the way, parts with three numbers after the letter are early. They went to four digits after the number in the mid-20th Century.

 

[Ricky Joe]

The large wrench and socket are Armstrong.

 

[Ricky Joe]

The large wrench and socket are Armstrong.

You are correct about the 5B——- numbering.

 

[Ralf11]

are the black ringed sockets 'vintage' yet?

 

[snapmom]

Metric sockets are first listed in the 38 cat, but examples have showed up with late 20s codes. attached is a 1940

 

[snapmom]

So, if I was looking for 1950 Snap on made Cat tools, what would I look for other than the 8H

 

[Provincial]

I haven't been able to figure out if the prefix (8H) is related to a supplier. I'm sure someone deep into Caterpillar history can tell us.

 

[saukit]

Picked up an old Snap on ratchet the other day, kind of a funny story as I got it at an estate sale that initially did not list or picture any tools. I wasn’t going to bother, then a day or two before the sale the ad was amended to say “some tools”. I was in the area so I stopped by and this ratchet was sitting on a table. I got to talking with one of the estate sales folks and he said there was “zero tools or guy stuff in the entire house”. They brought some tools into the house from their stash to widen their audience! Worked out for me though, I got this pretty cheap.

Can anyone decipher whether the date code is ‘42 or ‘52? Looks like ‘42 to me but I’m not positive.

 

[18granite]

Picked up an old Snap on ratchet the other day, kind of a funny story as I got it at an estate sale that initially did not list or picture any tools. I wasn’t going to bother, then a day or two before the sale the ad was amended to say “some tools”. I was in the area so I stopped by and this ratchet was sitting on a table. I got to talking with one of the estate sales folks and he said there was “zero tools or guy stuff in the entire house”. They brought some tools into the house from their stash to widen their audience! Worked out for me though, I got this pretty cheap.

Can anyone decipher whether the date code is ‘42 or ‘52? Looks like ‘42 to me but I’m not positive.

Looks like a 1952 date code.

 

[johnnybentwrench]

5/8 drive 1926 1928

 

[johnnybentwrench]

Snap on K4 speeder no date code

 

[saukit]

I’m pretty sure this is a 1950 144-TMC-B Special Carburetor Service Set as shown in the Collecting Snap-on website (page 33 of 1950 Catalog T).

At least what’s left of it that is. The drive tools and almost all of the sockets are gone. A lot of the rest of the carb tools are still there, along with some additional carb tools made by Kent Moore.

I’m not sure what to do with this, I originally just bought it for the box and was planning to toss the contents until I found out what they were. There don’t seem to be many of these floating around in the wild so I have no idea how rare and/or useful they are.

 

[Ricky Joe]

I can use the contents if you don’t want them.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

If you are rebuilding old carburetors they are handy

 

[handmadeMI]

I am hoping to find a little info on the set I just picked up this week. I apologize for the awful photos. I cannot figure out what year this set is or if it is all even original. The sockets have knurling and are tapered, but there are not marks whatsoever. No year, size, nothing. I understand the early sockets had very minimal markings, but did any have none at all?

 

[Oldtuleguy]

The early 9/32 drive sockets were unmarked

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Very nice find, handmadeMI!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I picked up these Vacuum Grip brake key pliers this morning at the flea. FSP made these for Snap-on for many years, but they also made them for their own sales, even after the "merger" (takeover), and this is an example of that production. Pretty early judging by the primitive markings and the single row of suction cups. This is the de facto place to post FSP tools, but as I have said before, it really doesn't give FSP the credit it deserves.

 

[Ricky Joe]

The early 9/32 drive sockets were unmarked

I have a set marked with 1931 date codes, so unmarked would have to be older, I would think.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I have some 31s as well. Seems like around 1930 and older were likely unmarked.

 

[snapmom]

I am hoping to find a little info on the set I just picked up this week. I apologize for the awful photos. I cannot figure out what year this set is or if it is all even original. The sockets have knurling and are tapered, but there are not marks whatsoever. No year, size, nothing. I understand the early sockets had very minimal markings, but did any have none at all?

Late 20s, nice box

 

[snapmom]

The Ferret 40 tooth rats.
The 1940 cat lists a F71, 40 tooth rat, I think its the only cat at shows one. The 50 cat shows a F71B. 30 tooth.
Pictured from top to bottom PF71 1948 industrial (Ford marked) A F71 1948. A F71 1947. All have 40 teeth.
All these are sort of odd. The 47: I always thought the big change started in 48, but here is a big change 47. It has a different paw that the 48. Has the Scroll logo, which is odd for 47. the paw is the type with the concave cuts out for the ball.
I have never seen the PF71 listed, not even it the parts cats. Also the F71A may have the 40 teeth also (same Kit as F71). So if you have one, let us know.
But why was the 40 t changed to the 30 t. , was Snap on having failures with the 40 t. maybe so.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Saw this for sale. Seemed priced a bit optimistically. Are they going for that much now?

1934 - 1935 Rare Vintage Snap On Midget Set 9/32” Drive With Wood Handle | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 1934 - 1935 Rare Vintage Snap On Midget Set 9/32” Drive With Wood Handle at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[d42jeep]

That seller is the gentleman that goes by SOCKETS on the GJ who has referred to his 80 9/32” Snap-on sets. He prefers to start new threads on various topics rather than post on this thread. His threads rapidly disappear as a result.
-Don

 

[Oldtuleguy]

80 sets! That's commitment. That would explain the high price, he wants to keep them

 

[bmwrd0]

I would say it's optimistic, but you never know and that is a rare one.

 

[Provincial]

If he gets that price for each of his sets, he can afford to buy some more at garage sales.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Hey the worst that can happen is they don't sell

 

[Mikeske]

I have a older S710 ratchet and decided to finally post it. I bought this ratchet off the truck in the early 1980's new when I was vehicle mechanic. I retrained in aircraft in the mid 1980's I just recently I had to replace the guts after almost 40 years of continuous usage. Since I am retired from aviation I had no truck dealer in well over 30 plus years. So I contacted Snap-on and was willing to buy the rebuild kit but decided to see if they would give me the rebuild kit for free. Of course they asked for a receipt and I said that was almost 40 years ago I bought this ratchet and the person there said ok. A few days later I get a email and they were sending me the rebuild kit. I can't complain as I guess they were still willing to do a goodwill.

I was never into Snap-on to much but loved the ratchets and ratcheting screwdrivers. I was always into the cash and carry thing and I was also cheap. I d have a full mechanics set of Bonney tools that I also bought just prior to getting out of the active duty Air Force. I also paid cash for those tools which was about 60 percent of the snap-on prices back then.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

That seller is the gentleman that goes by SOCKETS on the GJ who has referred to his 80 9/32” Snap-on sets.

The exact number was 156. But 1 of them was, according to him, 1/4-inch drive, from the factory, despite the 9/32-inch drive part number. Not sure if that was part of his hand tally or not. It remains to be seen whether or not that will be reduced to 153 shortly.

EDIT: I had to go back and recheck my memory on the number.

 

[d42jeep]

This beautiful 1944 1/4” spinner arrived from four.cycle recently and will replace the user damaged one in the set on the left. Thanks, BK!
-Don

 

[saukit]

Here are a few random older Snap on pieces that I've picked up here and there. The fixed 1/2" socket handle is interesting, seems older than the other pieces but it's pretty worn and I don't see any other marks other than the brand stamp.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Looks like 1926 or so

 

[18granite]

3/4 drive 1927 date code socket with spring pin inside. Does anyone know what this was used for?

 

[Ricky Joe]

Can you show picture of other end? Also, are you sure it is 3/4” drive, not 5/8” or 7/8”?

 

[18granite]

Can you show picture of other end? Also, are you sure it is 3/4” drive, not 5/8” or 7/8”?

It is 3/4. Ive attached a picture of that, and the opening.

 

[Mikeske]

Found this TM 70B 1/4" ratchet in a thrift store today for 75 cents. Of course I grabbed it even though it was really hard to make turn. I get it home take it apart and cleaned it out of the old dried grease with some brake cleaner then reapplied grease to it and it works great.

 

[Provincial]

It is 3/4. Ive attached a picture of that, and the opening.

It looks like a failed attempt to make a positive retention system. I am assuming that if you push in on the exposed small end of the pin, it retracts the larger diameter out of the square drive.

If the spring pin is not removable, the male square drive would have to be slotted for the small diameter of the pin. It would be full square for less than half the length of engagement. That would weaken the square drive, which would be a good reason we don't see this design.

That also would be a good reason for the socket that old to be in such good condition!

 

[3baygarage]

Interesting, I’ve never seen a through pin on a socket of that age, or a non impact for that matter.

I like Provincial’s explanation of hiw it would work with a slotted tool.

My question is could it be factory or machinist made?

Does the pin come out and does it spring back in?