Recent content by lauver

Kestas, If I'm not mistaken, the wrench you posted is an ignition wrench, and that funny angle was designed to work around and inside old school distributers with mechanical points. I don't use my ignition wrenches for distributor maintenance anymore, but they do come in handy for other...

It looks like the jaws are missing on this vise. Just saying...

Back in the 1960's, my local NAPA store carried the following brands of tools: 1) New Britain, 2) Duro/Indestro, and 3) Some NAPA branded specialty tools. In the 1970's, NAPA offered some additional House branded tools made by MDF/Easco (i.e. ratchets, socketry, and flat wrenches). I did...

Fedwrench & others, Just a heads-up: Stanley sells the same long pattern ASD polished chrome wrenches under their Bostitch brand. Can be ordered online from Wal-Mart website. The 10-piece metric set (BTMT72266) is roughly $25 shipped. I bought a set in late 2017 and have been using them as...

That is a good little ratchet and fairly durable design. Most have a lot of end play in the ratchet core. I have had good luck making shims that fit between the ratchet core and the flat retainer spring. Aluminum beer cans are a good source for shim stock (about the right thickness and easy...

ssdave, What you have there is a portable tool box; specifically a cantilever chest. These are designed to transport tools between two or more locations. It's a good design that lends itself to good tool organization and easy transport. The biggest complaints about this design are that it is...

Just as a point of reference, Sears/Craftsman 1st offered metric tools in their 1959 catalog. My 1st set of tools in 1965 were all metric. I didn't buy any SAE tools until the 1980's when I got interested in vintage American iron.

65K10, I have a bunch of the Stanley 100-Plus drivers and they are great old-school drivers, but not as **** as some of the other high end drivers. I've bought mine used over the years and they hold up well; great tips, great shanks, great handles, and some have the hex bolsters that help in...

Rileysan, Nice 3/4 drive set. A real piece of history. But, are you sure about that date? It looks like April 2, 1954 to me. And, the 1954 date would make sense given the box head ratchet in your set. Just saying...

CTy, Moore Drop Forge was a major tool supplier to Sears under the Craftsman brand. If the tools were stamped with a V, -V-, or =V=, they were made by MDF. I also suspect that Craftsman tools stamped with a VV or ^^ (upside down V's) were made by MDF/Easco. MDF began making Sears Craftsman...

Have you considered downsizing your tool inventory? Most of us have way more tools than we really need. Just saying...

fowldar, Those Proto boxes are IR era... ~ 1964-1984. The original pricing definitely screams 1960's though; so call it 1964-1969 :thumbup::thumbup:

Motorman, Just out of curiosity, what was your FIL's occupation? My advise to you is dip that knife blade into Evapo-Rust for as long as it takes to remove the oxidation on the blade. Just so you know, Evapo-Rust will not damage the chrome.

Gang, The OP's screwdriver has a "BC" series code stamped on the handle. This code is associated with Vlchek between 1935 and 1941. Most of the Crafty tools found with this code were striking tools (i.e. chisels, punches, awls, & hammers) but a few screwdrivers have also shown up with this...

Fedwrench, Have you ever tried a Stanley 100 Plus screwdriver? They have old school Yellow/Black fluted plastic handles but are comfortable in the hand and the shanks and tips are really tuff. Stanley has made the 100 Plus line of drivers since the 1940's and has pretty much kept them the...