The Vintage New Britain and Associated Thread!

Sam'sAutoParts · Oct 14, 2019

lbgradwell said:
As well as...

None Better
Mustang
Sparta
Husky
Craftsman
Penncraft
Precision-Bilt
Champion
Filson
Bluegrass
Fairmount
Billings
Matco

...and probably others I can't think of right now!

Here is a partial list

Mac also used NB for there ratchets for a few years as did OTC, and American Forge

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Sam'sAutoParts · Oct 14, 2019

PowderKeg said:
You can add to the brand list:

Crescent

Litton

NBM

OTC

SP 45

Thorsen

"unbranded" (marked "USA" only)

Also, taking a SWAG that a limited number of Kilness design ratchets were produced either by National Hand Tool when they acquired the remnants of New Britain after the liquidation, or by Stanley briefly after acquiring NHT:

Master Mechanic

JS

Proto Challenger

Finally, I also think that the early Vlchek ratchets were made by New Britain - the design/construction just screams New Britain to me, although the only other ratchets I've seen/have just like them are early Craftsman, probably just prior to the more common NB-sourced Craftsman "club" that's identical to New Britain, Husky, and None Better ones (the ratchets that got me started on this obsessive road to ruin ). That's just my opinion though.

That would be 29 brands...

A little more...

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Sam'sAutoParts · Oct 14, 2019

drivesitfar said:
LUG: thanks for the start of the list!!!

I'm sure I have more than a few of those in a drawer, bucket or box around here that I can post when I GET ORGANIZED (those words might be put on my headstone if I die before my wife does).

New Britain made tools do have a good luck and feel and i've got a few new old stock Husky sets somewhere that I really liked.

for years I had a small Kennedy 2 drawer top box with Craftsman VV in it until I started to like OLD BETTER QUALITY TOOLS BETTER. although the VV's were a good tool and still are they are almost too shiney for me to use now.

ALL: so I think we can add to Lug's list with:

1) Napa

2) JC PENNY

3) TBD?

any help is much appreciated!!

I believe JCPenny is SK, Penncraft is NB

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Oregon rock crusher · Oct 14, 2019

I don't usually pick up New Britain outside of the Long C Craftsman stuff. I did buy this little fine tooth flex head 1/4" ratchet the other day with some other tools though. I thought it was neat. Ed.

drivesitfar · Oct 14, 2019

Re: The Vintage New Britain and Associated Thread

ORC: yep that is cool. nice find :bowdown:

Lug: I'm sorry but I had been switching between all the tool threads and not nearly as good as this as you and the others are and I thought I was asking about SK when you gave me the LIST in this thread of New Britian making Craftsman sockets and tools. SORRY!!!

ALL: in case some of you also like SK I started a thread that is asking for companies that SK made tools for that should be a good index once I get my rear in gear and start documenting all the good information the members are sharing.

Sam'sAutoParts · Oct 15, 2019

Oregon rock crusher said:
I don't usually pick up New Britain outside of the Long C Craftsman stuff. I did buy this little fine tooth flex head 1/4" ratchet the other day with some other tools though. I thought it was neat. Ed.

Very nice

Private Lugnutz · Oct 15, 2019

Re: The Vintage New Britain and Associated Thread

drivesitfar said:
SORRY!!!

No apologies necessary. I figured that's what happened, which is why I tried to tell you that the partial pre-1950 list you were thinking of that I had created was NB on the NB thread, not SK on the SK thread. All's well that ends well!

Provincial · Oct 15, 2019

Ed, I've picked up a couple of NB ratchets lately, too. Hard to resist the smooth action of the ratchet head! Nice pick!

Oregon rock crusher · Oct 15, 2019

Smooth is definitely a good word for describing the NB ratchet Jock. Now there's a few more tools to keep an eye out for. Ed.

d42jeep · Oct 20, 2019

I found this reversing valve adjusting tool on Friday. I’m sure I’ve seen another on this forum but I haven’t been able to find it.
-Don

Provincial · Oct 20, 2019

Don, several have been posted. I started a ZIM thread using mine.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=429142

d42jeep · Oct 20, 2019

Thanks, I thought I had seen one. Probably just one company was making them for multiple manufacturers.
-Don

d42jeep · Nov 10, 2019

I added a garage sale spinner I found recently to my New Britain 1/4” drive sets.
-Don

Rileysan · Nov 10, 2019

Has anyone here come across a similar 2d top chest with hip-roof lid? Looking for more information.

As seen, it's being used along with my 1942 Craftsman roller for my long-c collection.

Brian

Private Lugnutz · Nov 11, 2019

Rileysan said:
Has anyone here come across a similar 2d top chest with hip-roof lid?

Um, no!

Large New Britain labeled carry boxes or chests are probably the rarest commodities around here in my opinion. Plenty of socket set boxes, but not many (if any!) chests that I have seen. When I found that High Speed Drill Bits cabinet a few years ago, linked here, it was the first large New Britain labeled chest of any kind I had remembered seeing, and searches (granted, not too trustworthy here) didn't turn up anything.

I don't troll the Toolboxes thread with regularity, using my Subscription to play catch-up every once in awhile, but this is the first New Britain top box that I remember seeing on this thread, Brian. That is an awesome box and maybe a FOAK here.

It makes me want to find a suitable Craftsman top box so we can trade!

What are the dimensions? 24" x 11-5/8" x 9-3/8"?

NB made a couple hip-roof style chests that they advertised as Master and Junior top boxes for rollers. Yours looks like this one from the 1940 catalog to me...

Private Lugnutz · Nov 11, 2019

Same box in 1955...

Private Lugnutz · Nov 11, 2019

I would love to see a good, clear close-up of that decal, Brian. Just for my own pleasure and some curiosity. And, if you want, I may be able to help date it. There are some nuanced but discernible differences between the New Britain logo in 1940 and 1955.

Private Lugnutz · Dec 14, 2019

I picked up this midget spinner yesterday (See Pic 1). It's kind of cool how they took the time and effort (and expense) to echo the parallelogram shape panels from their double groove wrenches in this era on the spinner handle (See Pics 2 & 3). The overall tapering shape of the handle is cool, too. NB doesn't get enough design credit. This would be from the late 40's and early 50's. A little late for this set (See Pic 5), but that's where it's going to go for now.

lardy1 · Dec 15, 2019

Pawing through old ratchets this morning, I picked this Husky up and fondled it. Almost positive it's New Britain.

In my vintage 1/2" ratchet drawer, this is the smoothest action of the bunch. Nice roundhead ratchet in its' time.

Oldtuleguy · Dec 15, 2019

It is new britain.

Private Lugnutz · Dec 15, 2019

All Husky made after 1934 was made by New Britain.

lardy1 · Dec 15, 2019

Thanks, guys. I had researched it back when I bought it and cleaned it up. I thought I read that the patent was NB. It was one dirty mofo when I bought it. Wouldn't engage it was so gummed up.

Private Lugnutz · Jan 24, 2020

As first reported in the Garage Sale thread, I picked up this partial NB 1/2-inch drive set at the flea market today. It was in a toolbox with a Heritage badge on it. The style, markings, toolbox (which I did not buy), and that now worn dried yellow BLO (or whatever NB was using as a preservative - it is commonly seen on their own drive tools as well as Craftsman BE and Circle-H sets) all point to late 40's production. And, true to form (of the inadvertently mixed brandings one sometimes sees with these sets...), the hinge handle is a Husky and the Drag Link Bit is a Craftsman BE (See Pic 5). Everything else is NB.

Oldtuleguy · Jan 24, 2020

lardy1 said:
Pawing through old ratchets this morning, I picked this Husky up and fondled it. Almost positive it's New Britain.

In my vintage 1/2" ratchet drawer, this is the smoothest action of the bunch. Nice roundhead ratchet in its' time.

Love those ratchets. So smooth. Wore my user's out.

GalaxyRat · Jan 24, 2020

lardy1 said:
Pawing through old ratchets this morning, I picked this Husky up and fondled it. Almost positive it's New Britain.

In my vintage 1/2" ratchet drawer, this is the smoothest action of the bunch. Nice roundhead ratchet in its' time.

Edit: This is a 3/8" drive

Here's one of mine, check the patent! Mine is a Kilness patent from New Britain.

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Oldtuleguy · Jan 24, 2020

That selector is telltale new britain

lardy1 · Jan 25, 2020

Interesting. I have a ratchet with a similar selector (reminds me of Chevy "bowtie"). I was leaning towards Thorsen.

RubiconJK · Jan 25, 2020

Private Lugnutz said:
As first reported in the Garage Sale thread, I picked up this partial NB 1/2-inch drive set at the flea market today. It was in a toolbox with a Heritage badge on it. The style, markings, toolbox (which I did not buy), and that now worn dried yellow BLO (or whatever NB was using as a preservative - it is commonly seen on their own drive tools as well as Craftsman BE and Circle-H sets) all point to late 40's production. And, true to form (of the inadvertently mixed brandings one sometimes sees with these sets...), the hinge handle is a Husky and the Drag Link Bit is a Craftsman BE (See Pic 5). Everything else is NB.

Nice find Lugz. I always am drawn toward picking up the NB knurled stuff including the Craftsman BE items. For some reason, I don't buy the circle H marked Craftsman tools. Just a quirky thing in my mind that I think they are sub-par to the BE marked pieces, when in fact I suppose they are identical. I don't remember ever having a bad experience with anything circle H, just one of a host of weird things between my ears related to my tool obsession!! :lol_hitti

Private Lugnutz · Jan 25, 2020

They are identical.

I'm trying to think of a similar quirk so that I can empathize with you, but I can't. You outquirked me on this one.
:lol_hitti

But yeah, it's a fairly automatic grab for me whatever the brand. One would be hard-pressed to prove to me how any tools from any mfgr, including Snap-on, Williams, and Plomb, exceeded the tools that New Britain made (NB, None Better, Husky, Craftsman, Precision-Bilt, etc) in looks, quality, craftsmanship, and durability during that era. Whatever they used as a preservative at the factory was brilliant, because their numbers in the hands of collectors would barrel roll a battleship and they are hardly ever rusted.

RubiconJK · Jan 25, 2020

Private Lugnutz said:
They are identical.

I'm trying to think of a similar quirk so that I can empathize with you, but I can't. You outquirked me on this one.

But yeah, it's a fairly automatic grab for me whatever the brand. One would be hard-pressed to prove to me how any tools from any mfgr, including Snap-on, Williams, and Plomb, exceeded the tools that New Britain made (NB, None Better, Husky, Craftsman, Precision-Bilt, etc) in looks, quality, craftsmanship, and durability during that era. Whatever they used as a preservative at the factory was brilliant, because their numbers in the hands of collectors would barrel roll a battleship and they are hardly ever rusted.

Lol, as my wife would say...its just one of many quirky things about me, and I'm sure she won't be surprised that I "outquirked" someone!! I agree with you on the quality of all the NB stuff. The finish, feel, look and performance are all there. My NB made Husky set is pretty much my go to 1/2" drive set.

r_olson_06 · Jan 25, 2020

RubiconJK said:
Nice find Lugz. I always am drawn toward picking up the NB knurled stuff including the Craftsman BE items. For some reason, I don't buy the circle H marked Craftsman tools. Just a quirky thing in my mind that I think they are sub-par to the BE marked pieces, when in fact I suppose they are identical. I don't remember ever having a bad experience with anything circle H, just one of a host of weird things between my ears related to my tool obsession!![emoji38]_hitti

That is funny. If I had the choice I would buy the BE and not sure why. I do leave behind circle H more than other series up until =V=. Maybe there is some sort of psychology this going on with the look of the circle H stamp vs BE.

Looking for the following Plomb Pebbles Wrench 3061

Private Lugnutz · Jan 25, 2020

Two P's in a pod.

RubiconJK · Jan 26, 2020

r_olson_06 said:
That is funny. If I had the choice I would buy the BE and not sure why. I do leave behind circle H more than other series up until =V=. Maybe there is some sort of psychology this going on with the look of the circle H stamp vs BE.

Private Lugnutz said:
Two P's in a pod.

Lol!

Mintgrun · Jan 26, 2020

I picked this one up yesterday. It was caked with hard old oil and someone had apparently spilled white paint on it. It took a lot of work to get it this clean.

It is missing the guide piece, but that'd be easy enough to make. What does the BH signify? I did not see it in the list of makers' marks on the AA site.

Private Lugnutz · Jan 26, 2020

Did you mean to post that in the Craftsman Long C era thread, Mintgrun? You might also try the Tap and Die thread. See the Index in the Sticky for those links. I will reverse my comments for those threads.

Zrxrunner · Jan 26, 2020

Always forget about this set I got about the time I started collecting vintage tools. Rough box, missing handle, but can kinds see the none better label. Tools are all in pretty good shape for their age tho.

Private Lugnutz · Jan 27, 2020

Ricky Joe said:
Am I wrong to think New Britain was no longer Craftsman’s supplier for socket sets after 1944, when Plumb took over?

New Britain continued supplying Craftsman (H) and BE tools a few more years, up through 1947/8 or so, and that period was in overlapping production with Plomb's Craftsman Circle-U tools and SK's Circle-K tools (3/4-inch drive). When Sears, Roebuck & Co went with Moore Drop Forge in 1947/48, they dropped all their former suppliers except SK, which they dropped a few years later.

Zrxrunner said:
Always forget about this set.

Very nice.

leg17 · Jan 27, 2020

My NB DBE Double Groove shorties.
Are these three the only ones made?

four.cycle · Jan 27, 2020

leg17 said:
Are these three the only ones made?

New Britain Short 45 offset double-end box wrench 1940 New Britain catalog 56M pp 23.jpg

None Better Short 45 offset double-end box wrench 1948 None Better catalog A48 pp 26.jpg

New Britain Short 45 offset double-end box wrench 1953 New Britain catalog 58M pp 32.jpg

New Britain Short 45 offset double-end box wrench 1959 New Britain catalog 59M pp 32.jpg

It would appear that early on those were the only three sizes available, but as time went on they broadened the size range on that type of wrench.

leg17 · Jan 28, 2020

four.cycle said:
It would appear that early on those were the only three sizes available, but as time went on they broadened the size range on that type of wrench.

Thanks 4-C

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