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Who likes Snap-on history? The early Snap-on tool set thread has begun!

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chad s

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I've been promising some members to post some more pics of my early Snap-on tool sets, so I'll start this page to show every one of them.

We'll start off with a circa 1928 Super Service Set. Unlike my earlier Super Service Set, this one has not had any restoration work, just a good cleaning. This is how it will stay!
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L1030819.jpg

29_fold_out_2.jpg
 
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chad s

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Heres another, this one is very rare, in fact its the only example of this set known. This is a mid 1920's "Jr. Service Set". This set first shows up in the catalogs in 1927, however the remaining spots of original green paint date this to most likely 1926.
page2.jpg

Jr-service-set.jpg
 
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chad s

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eschoendorff said:
Keep the neat old stuff coming! :beer:
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I will add a few more tonight.

I want to work on a better photo setup. I have a nice camera, that when the lighting is just right, the pics come out great. When the lighing is just ok, the pics come out fair.

I think if I make a little "studio" setup with a nice background, some difused lights on stands, and use a tripod for the camera, I can get some much better shots that really "flatter" the tool sets.
 
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wrenchr

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chad s said:
I've been promising some members to post some more pics of my early Snap-on tool sets, so I'll start this page to show every one of them.

We'll start off with a circa 1928 Super Service Set. Unlike my earlier Super Service Set, this one has not had any restoration work, just a good cleaning. This is how it will stay!
page4.jpg

L1030819.jpg

29_fold_out_2.jpg
Click to expand...

I bet that set cost you more the $36.85:)
 
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chad s

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Ok, here is a circa 1927-1928 1/2" Standard Service Set. A past owner added the side handle. Also notice that the extension are incorrect. They should have the spinner on them. These extensions are quite rare, so I'm hunting for a set of them. The non-spinner extensions actually came with the box, and are from the correct era.
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Standard-set-1.jpg

Standard-set-2.jpg


Standard-set-3.jpg
 
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chad s

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wrenchr said:
This is a 1946 3/8 ferret box I got from Chad S.
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Looking good. I would wire wheel the logo area a bit more, and also, that deep scratch, a little metal glaze or whatever topcoat filler you like applied with a razor blade should make it disappear before painting.
 
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wrenchr

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chad s said:
Looking good. I would wire wheel the logo area a bit more, and also, that deep scratch, a little metal glaze or whatever topcoat filler you like applied with a razor blade should make it disappear before painting.
Click to expand...

I'm thinking of painting it and trying to make it look old, Did snap on use a primer?
 
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chad s

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Here is a new addition to my collection. This is a 1928-1929 Master Service Set. This set alone is rare, but this set is unique in that it contained most of the original tools. The only items missing were the 2 extensions and the U-joint. The sockets, which are also original to the set are the full set of extremely rare "PAT PEND FOR" 12 point sockets. Note the old lock still attached to the one handle ring. Too bad the original owner didnt leave me the key!
Page_5.jpg

Master_service_set_1.jpg

Master_service_set_2.jpg

Master_service_set_3.jpg
 
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Fedwrench

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Are these tools unique to the East Coast and Midwest? I've never run across anything this old out west. Great find as always. I always marvel at what they were able to accomplish with a few well made tools.
 
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chad s

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Fedwrench said:
Are these tools unique to the East Coast and Midwest? I've never run across anything this old out west. Great find as always. I always marvel at what they were able to accomplish with a few well made tools.
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No, they were distributed nation wide. I have never actually found a set like this myself just at a flea market or antique shop. Your chances are as good as mine, I guess, and I haven't gotten lucky yet. As rare as they are, without ebay, its unlikely they would ever reach the hands of a collector. I love ebay!
 
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Vinko

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Chad,

In your first post in this thread, the Snap On catalog mentions both SAE and USS sizes. What's the USS size?
 
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v8garage

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Vinko said:
Chad,

In your first post in this thread, the Snap On catalog mentions both SAE and USS sizes. What's the USS size?
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Some early wrenches went by the nominal bolt diameter instead of the opening across the flats. For instance the USS (United States Standard) size for a 1/2" SAE wrench would be 5/16". Confusing isn't it? By the late 20's most wrench manufacturers went to SAE. I have some old open end wrenches that have both USS and SAE size markings.
 
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Nealcrenshaw

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Not me!! Nice Photos!!
What are your plans for them? Are you going to hold on to them and past them down through the family or sell them?
 
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chad s

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Nealcrenshaw said:
Not me!! Nice Photos!!
What are your plans for them? Are you going to hold on to them and past them down through the family or sell them?
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I dont plan on selling any of the sets, In only sell vintage snap on items that I have duplicates or more of. I dont use the vintage tools, so my plans are to just display them, and enjoy looking at them!
 
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lbgradwell

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v8garage said:
Some early wrenches went by the nominal bolt diameter instead of the opening across the flats. For instance the USS (United States Standard) size for a 1/2" SAE wrench would be 5/16". Confusing isn't it? By the late 20's most wrench manufacturers went to SAE. I have some old open end wrenches that have both USS and SAE size markings.
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Yep.

Alloy Artifacts actually has a page devoted to explaining this...

http://alloy-artifacts.com/table_oe_wrench.html

(Nice addition, Chad!)
 
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goodfellow

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Those older sets are almost "Tool Art". I don't blame you for wanting to display them. Do any of the sets come with good "stories"? For example; where they were originally used, purchased, sold, or who owned them.

A co-worker of mine inherited his grandfather's tools. Grand dad was an original Indy 500 mechanic and all the stories that went along with the tools were priceless -- just as interesting as the tools.
 
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MOPARHOUND!

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Curious about what year a Snap-On top/middle/bottom chest might date as?

I bought the top/bottom together several years ago, and then added the middle chest. At the time, I thought somewhere I had seen a listing of Snap-On scripts for tool chests showing this script style as dating between 1945-1948???

Anyone know?

Had been storing this in the lawn shed, until the recent sale/trade of the Matco triple bay top and bottom pressed it back into service. The drawers work great. Noticed the outside handle on the top cover matches the drawer pulls on the bottom chest, whereas the drawer pulls on the middle chest match the pulls on the top chest's drawers.

Have some old Snap-On stuff scattered around the garage and basement, will try to post pic's as I find stuff.
 

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Vinko

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Sure it's old hat for you Chad, but I just got SO Catalog "N" , April 15, 1939. Some good ad copy in there. And I was surprised how at least one of the ratchet has the same style as one I remember my dad buying off the truck in the 90's.
 
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billymade

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Vinko, put up some shots of the catalog pages that you find interesting! We would all love to see that catalog! :)
 
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Vinko

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billymade said:
Vinko, put up some shots of the catalog pages that you find interesting! We would all love to see that catalog! :)
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I'll try to do so this weekend. What I liked was the way S/O would make the claim that customers would trust you more seeing S/O in your shop. I also didn't know that BP open wrenches were offered in chrome, or that black oxided tools were "Black-On" finish.
 
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Easley

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Check this out. Model # PF-87 she's open sided with a cylindrial socket holder instead of a sphere. The switch is located on the side and she's as basic as can be. Still a regular 3/8 square drive ratchet it works great. I can't find any info on this anywhere - not even the slightest idea. I'm guessing late 20's. No date code. Anybody out there know anything about this??

index.cfm
 
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bmwpower

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All the old sets I see look old. Have you ever come across one that looks absolutely mint (no paint chipped, mint chrome, etc)?
 
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snapmom

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I have heard of boxes that are near mint. These tools are like 90 years old. They were kept in shops, garages, were used.
 
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