The vintage Blackhawk Thread

Oregon rock crusher · Aug 22, 2016

That is a pretty cool vintage cart G&B. I'd probably repurpose it into something else like a drink cart if I had it. I'd never seen one before but a search shows Blackhawk made several sizes. Looks like they made a ton of accessories for it too making it a jack of all trades porto-power tool. Doesn't seem all that practical to me but very cool. Ed.

blackhawk%20porto%20power%202_zpstclt91b6.jpg

Garage&Beer · Aug 23, 2016

Bar cart would actually be a great Idea..thanks.

Smokeshow69 · Aug 23, 2016

Garage&Beer said:
Bar cart would actually be a great Idea..thanks.

Is it bad if I have had this idea for years and as soon as I saw he was selling it I checked his location :bounce:

??

thehorse13 · Aug 23, 2016

Smokeshow69 said:
Is it bad if I have had this idea for years and as soon as I saw he was selling it I checked his location ??

Nope. When I saw the post I was already texting my brother who lives in Ohio.

That thing is outstanding and would look great next to my BlackHawk S4 jack.

Garage&Beer · Aug 23, 2016

Sorry fellas, the cart did find another home with a GJ member. My only other Blackhawk tools are this bruiser and it's next little brother. Sorry it's the only pic I got at the moment as they're at work. DBE monsters and a very tough set to put together. AA say there were 12 in this set.

thehorse13 · Aug 23, 2016

Knowing that a GarageJournal member picked the cart up from you makes the pain a little easier to bear. At least there is a chance it will be restored and documented here so the rest of us can see it come back to life.

don long · Sep 20, 2016

I have a blackhawk similar to that one. Mine is white. I am using it to display my vintage jacks at the moment.

Garage&Beer · Sep 20, 2016

Wow..nice stuff!

don long · Sep 20, 2016

I just found another Blackhawk porto power set model SA10 something that I had never seen before. It will need some tlc before I put it on display

The label is almost gone

It looks to be a complete set

This is what caught my eye

The label on the inside is in a little better shape

Private Lugnutz · Sep 20, 2016

don long said:
I have a blackhawk similar to that one. Mine is white. I am using it to display my vintage jacks at the moment.

That looks terrific, Don. The jacks really stand out on the white background. (What's the build in the background?)

don long · Sep 21, 2016

Lugnutz
That is my 1950 ford C.O.E. Here is the build thread.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=221122

Haven't messed with it for a year or so.

Private Lugnutz · Sep 22, 2016

Wow. Looking good so far. Thanks for the link and good luck with it.

don long · Sep 22, 2016

Private Lugnutz said:
Wow. Looking good so far. Thanks for the link and good luck with it.

You are welcome Lugs
I'm afraid it will be a while before I get back to it.

I did dedicate a shadow box to my Blackhawk tools of yesterday

Top and bottom are different porto-power sets from the late 40s and 50s

The center shelf holds my Nugget socket set

3baygarage · Sep 23, 2016

That is a most awesome display of those Blackhawks Don!

Private Lugnutz · Sep 23, 2016

don long said:
You are welcome Lugs
I'm afraid it will be a while before I get back to it.

If they put that statement on my tombstone, Don, it wouldn't be an inaccurate summary of my life with respect to unfinished projects, so, no worries.

don long said:
I did dedicate a shadow box to my Blackhawk tools of yesterday

Stunning, Don. I like you sense of symmetry - smaller, larger, largest top to bottom. Also, bravo for integrating your collection displays with your working garage.

don long said:
Top and bottom are different porto-power sets from the late 40s and 50s

What era do you think these Porto-Power units are from?

Reason I ask is, this page is from a "Blackhawk Idea Book" I have that's missing its cover...

See this thread: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=153041

...and I previously guesstimated 40's or 50's based on some of the contents. But now, after looking at your units, which you are dating to 40's and 50's, and comparing to these above, I am wondering if the book isn’t earlier, say 1930's.

If I had catalogs from every era, I could figure out, but I don't.

twertsy · Sep 23, 2016

don long said:
You are welcome Lugs
I'm afraid it will be a while before I get back to it.

I did dedicate a shadow box to my Blackhawk tools of yesterday

Top and bottom are different porto-power sets from the late 40s and 50s

The center shelf holds my Nugget socket set

Wow Don..........just wow

Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk

bill300d · Sep 23, 2016

That is a sight to behold :eyecrazy:

CRTDI · Sep 23, 2016

Awesome display... :drool:

Might be a tight fit when you get ready to display those Blackhawk floor jacks though... :willy_nil

CRTDI · Sep 24, 2016

I recently acquired this vintage Stromberg carburetor repair kit that came with some rather surprising Blackhawk goodies. I've often wondered why the old Blackhawk catalogs never listed carburetor tools. This set may not solve that mystery completely, but I think it sheds some light.

A couple of times I have seen a Blackhawk styled ratchet or socket driver like the ones in this set stamped as B.P. CO. SERV DIV and it didn't have any meaning to me until now. So at least a little part of a mystery is solved.

Interestingly, the sockets look to be factory stamped as Blackhawk with a T-2XXXX numbering system. Notice too, that the ratchet, driver, and sockets are designed for Blackhawk's early Lock-On system which uses a separate socket release tool.

I believe that this partially Blackhawk sourced set was known as the SER-350 Master Tool Kit. My belief is that it dates from the late 30s to the mid 40s.

If anybody has any other info, please share.

[

[

don long · Sep 24, 2016

CRTDI

Very nice tool set
Those sockets sure look alot like my nugget set in the torpedo tool box

twertsy · Sep 28, 2016

FYI that I uploaded a bunch of new Blackhawk catalogs onto the site. Several advertising brochures for jacks, Hexo, Nuggets, etc. Easy to find them here: http://toolarchives.com/recent-updates-allcontent

CRTDI · Sep 29, 2016

^^^^^This.

If you're truly a fan of vintage Blackhawk tools or jacks you'll want to check out twertsy's site for these catalogs as a reference source. I was able to fill in some knowledge gaps and learn some new stuff too.

Just awesome.... :thumbup:

Thank You!

drivesitfar · Sep 29, 2016

CRT: great looking set in AWESOME condition too. looks like new. WELL DONE

Twertsy: thanks for continuing your search to figure out as many of the old tool brands information that is available. keep up the good work

Username already in use · Oct 10, 2016

I've been looking for one of these ratchets for a while now. Finally found one at the flea this past weekend. Works well and only cost me $4! :rocker:

CRTDI · Oct 10, 2016

Only 4 bucks? Well done.... :thumbup:

Sam'sAutoParts · Oct 10, 2016

Nice!!

tym · Oct 11, 2016

Love the design of that head!

Garage&Beer · Oct 12, 2016

How does that ratchet reverse? Just click the button on top???

twertsy · Oct 12, 2016

Garage&Beer said:
How does that ratchet reverse? Just click the button on top???

It's a clutch mechanism. Depress the button and turn the lug to engage the reverse gear. Pretty cool and I'm actually surprised the design hasn't caught on in the modern era. Smooth as silk and zero backlash.

I'm still looking for the 1/4" version............if it exists.

CRTDI · Oct 12, 2016

twertsy said:
I'm still looking for the 1/4" version............if it exists.

Go back to page 15 of this thread......it does indeed exist.... :drool:

twertsy · Oct 12, 2016

CRTDI said:
Go back to page 15 of this thread......it does indeed exist....

I can't find it but I believe you........the hunt continues.....

Sent from my SM-P905V using Tapatalk

CRTDI · Oct 12, 2016

Post #298, a true 1/4" baldie.

Username already in use · Oct 14, 2016

Here's a torque wrench that I've been holding onto for a while. Looks like the case is made for it. Likely a surplus item. Dated -2, so probably 1952.

CRTDI · Oct 14, 2016

Nice looking Torkflash with a minty decal... :thumbup:

I always see these with that FR-2 stamp below the model number and still don't know what it stands for. Perhaps a contract code?

BlueBomber · Oct 15, 2016

I posted these on my DBE thread, but thought I'd share for posterity with all of you Blackhawk tool lovers this set of grooved deep offset DBEs I recently completed:

And these stubby deep offsets:

Cheers!

Fan Attic · Nov 22, 2016

Hello folks. I just read this entire thread and haven't seen a surviving example of a Porto-Power cart with nearly all it's accessories like my Son-in-law just scored helping clean up an estate yesterday. This stuff is still out there and after reading this thread I think he/we may be doomed to the ranks of Blackhawk addicts. He's got what looks like a complete S-200 like the attached, and an S-4 jack to start.
I will try and post pictures after we finishing cleaning and sorting the pile.

twertsy · Nov 22, 2016

Fan Attic said:
Hello folks. I just read this entire thread and haven't seen a surviving example of a Porto-Power cart with nearly all it's accessories like my Son-in-law just scored helping clean up an estate yesterday. This stuff is still out there and after reading this thread I think he/we may be doomed to the ranks of Blackhawk addicts. He's got what looks like a complete S-200 like the attached, and an S-4 jack to start.
I will try and post pictures after we finishing cleaning and sorting the pile.

Wow! Can't wait to see that!

Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk

don long · Nov 22, 2016

Fan Attic said:
Hello folks. I just read this entire thread and haven't seen a surviving example of a Porto-Power cart with nearly all it's accessories like my Son-in-law just scored helping clean up an estate yesterday. This stuff is still out there and after reading this thread I think he/we may be doomed to the ranks of Blackhawk addicts. He's got what looks like a complete S-200 like the attached, and an S-4 jack to start.
I will try and post pictures after we finishing cleaning and sorting the pile.

I have the bench with the press and pump on it but no porto power parts I keep my mechanical jacks on mine. I'm dieing to see what you found

Empty Pockets · Nov 22, 2016

I've just read the entire thread, nice stuff, lotsa information. thanks

tlowery04 · Nov 22, 2016

any relation to blackhawk industrial equipment? (new holstein, wisconsin)

http://www.ntractorclub.com/forums/manuals/messages/1924.html

The vintage Blackhawk Thread

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