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Precision-Bilt, Filson & Dayton

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lbgradwell

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Does anyone know anything about these 3 companies?

I know PowderKeg has examples of ratchets from all 3, but were they real tools brands or store lines? For whom? When did they disappear? (And so forth..!)

Can't seem to find info for any of them...
 
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krusty the clown

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of the three i have only seen dayton and it has been a long time since i have seen them. i'm guessing here but i think they were relabeled house brands.
 
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MAD

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I believe that Precision-Bilt was the brand name used on tools sold from the Spiegel catalog back when they sold general merchandise. I have a Precision-Bilt ratchet that was clearly made by New Britain. I saw some Precision-Bilt combination wrenches on eBay a while back that resembled some New Britain wrenches I own.
 

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L

lbgradwell

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MAD said:
I believe that Precision-Bilt was the brand name used on tools sold from the Spiegel catalog back when they sold general merchandise.
Click to expand...

I think you're right, MAD; after I posted I found something on Google indicating the same thing but I don't know Spiegel's and even the History section of their website leads one to believe they've always been a "women's fashions" type of place. Didn't know they ever sold general merchandise...
 
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MAD

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Here is a 1942 Spiegel catalog page with some Precision-Bilt tools.

A 1972 catalog picture I found, featured a Husky brand mechanics tool set which would have also been made by New Britain at that time.
 

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lbgradwell

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Thanks!

MAD said:
A 1972 catalog picture I found, featured a Husky brand mechanics tool set which would have also been made by New Britain at that time.
Click to expand...

Is it just me or does it appear that the ratchet pictured in the Husky display has a built-in speeder like the RHFT Craftsman?! The body of the ratchet looks like the typical RH NB product of the day.

Has anyone ever seen such a ratchet?
 
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PowderKeg

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lbgradwell said:
Is it just me or does it appear that the ratchet pictured in the Husky display has a built-in speeder like the RHFT Craftsman?! The body of the ratchet looks like the typical RH NB product of the day.

Has anyone ever seen such a ratchet?
Click to expand...

Looks to me to be a flat speeder disk that snaps over the drive square - have seen those before.

Dayton is the house brand for W.W. Grainger, although the brand is used mostly on electric/heat/ac products today (Dayton Electric, a Grainger company). The Dayton ratchets I have are Thorsen sourced. The Speigel connection for Precision-Bilt is one I've also heard, but don't have a clue about Filson - both of those ratchets are New Britain sourced as MAD noted.
 
6

6PTsocket

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PowderKeg said:
Looks to me to be a flat speeder disk that snaps over the drive square - have seen those before.

Dayton is the house brand for W.W. Grainger, although the brand is used mostly on electric/heat/ac products today (Dayton Electric, a Grainger company). The Dayton ratchets I have are Thorsen sourced. The Speigel connection for Precision-Bilt is one I've also heard, but don't have a clue about Filson - both of those ratchets are New Britain sourced as MAD noted.
Click to expand...
I have a Dayton tool cabinet pair, made by Waterloo that is similar to the Craftsman red and gray stuff. I have a Craftsman, too. The drawers will interchange. You are right about what most of what the Dayton name is on but on occasion they have slapped it on a few other things.

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Finky198

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I have a plastic speeder disc that fits 3/8 drive its junk, but the idea in theory could come in handy. Although I have yet to find a real need for it, It doesn't take up space and was free...


Filson work wear...

Yup I have a vintage filson jacket. It's known as a Tin Cloth loggers jacket. They also offer tin pants probably the toughest pair of pants made anywhere... They are much more popular on the west coast with all the loggers...While they are pricey, its a once in a lifetime purchase. I'd equate them to buying a good leather jacket. But they are work wear.... well not all of it is, but at least it's what their know for...

Their about us page
https://www.filson.com/filson/our-company/history

.
 
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MShaw

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York, Pa.
New Britain used a flat plastic speeder in the early 70's. The QC manager could not figure out why so many were returned under warranty broken. I pointed out that it was probably from using the side of the ratchet head as a hammer. Shortly thereafter they went to the stamped steel speeder.
 
6

6PTsocket

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6PTsocket said:
I have a Dayton tool cabinet pair, made by Waterloo that is similar to the Craftsman red and gray stuff. I have a Craftsman, too. The drawers will interchange. You are right about what most of what the Dayton name is on but on occasion they have slapped it on a few other things.

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Click to expand...
There are currently belt sanders and bench grinders under the Dayton brand, as well.

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