bernzomatic hand tools???

[bindernut]

Came across something rather odd this evening. I was cleaning out an old craftsman 2 drawer tool box someone gave me. Had some sockets that worked w/ a big allen wrench, and then there were 4 normal sockets. one was a 1/4" drive SK 5/16, 2 made in japan, and then one that said Bernzomatic on it, just like the torches we all have. I had never heard of them making hand tools before. Does anyone have any info on these? It's not USA made, it's from Japan.

 

[fordmw]

i saw a set on ebay once, 5 or 6 sockets and an L handle in a plastic box. that's all i got.

 

[Trainman]

I have an almost complete set from the late-70's that was a Christmas gift from my future in-laws. Just your basic 3/8 and 1/4 inch set in a metal case, made in Taiwan. It never saw any heavy wrenching, but with the exception of one socket I stripped out trying to drive lag bolts with a power drill and the long extension I lost somewhere, it's still complete and usable.

 

[BFBOB]

Yes, I have a set of 3/8 drive Bernzomatic sockets that I've had since about 1970. They've seen quite a bit of use and work well, well made. I'm missing a few, in fact never had a "complete" set, whatever that is. Like to sell 13, 14, 16, 17 and 18mm?

 

[jeffmoss26]

There's a set of Berzomatic combination wrenches in the back room of the hardware store I worked at in HS. Never seen any others!

 

[dodge610]

I have a complete set of 3/8 sockets and ratchet with one extension. Think I got them as said back in the 70s from my now deceased Mom and Pop in law. Dont use them much just keep them in my box more for sentimental reasons than anything.

 

[jeffmoss26]

From their website
"In the 1960-70s, product line expansions included fire extinguishers, charcoal fire starters, heat and smoke detectors, Bernz cutters, tire inflators, refrigerators, charcoal grills, insect foggers and hand tools including wrenches, pliers, drivers, socket sets and adjustable wrenches. BernzOmatic purchased the Birds-Eye plant in Medina, NY in 1969. A new 128,000 square foot manufacturing addition was added to the Medina plant in 1973. All manufacturing and offices were relocated to Medina, NY between 1976 and 1979."

 

[four.cycle]

BernzOmatic, Chilton, WI / https://www.bernzomatic.com/ / est. 1876 Newark, NJ relocated to Rochester NY 1940 acquired by Newell-Rubbermaid 1982, Worthingon Cylinders 2011 / https://orleanshub.com/former-bernz...ght-and-will-be-modernized-for-manufacturing/ / gas torches and accessories, marketed offshore-outsourced socket sets during 1970s / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/old-blow-torches-how-many-different-shapes.494212/ / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/bernzomatic-hand-tools.42542/


1911 Cycle and Automobile Journal Bernz C.M.B. Wrench Convertible Ratchet Wrench H.D. Smith ad pp 391

1914 Hardware World catalog Armstrong Clayton & Lambert Crescent Otto Bernz ad pp 127

1952 Hardware Age BernzOMatic ad pp 78

1960s Bernzomatic Torch Christmas ad pp

1973 BernzOMatic ad pp

HERE is a BernzOmatic socket set posted by @DHS


BernzOMatic (Taiwan) 40-pc socket set (photo: ebay)

 

[four.cycle]

BernzOmatic (Japan) 8-inch slip-joint pliers

 

[mikey03]

I remember seeing an old propane benzomatic torch in my grandpas garage. Are they not still in business?

 

[four.cycle]

They are very much still in business. The "hand tool" thing was a short-lived affair that only ran from about 1976-1979.