c.1923-1926 Packer Auto "RAY" Socket Set

[Stillgottimefor1]

This isn’t much better. Lots of pitting right on the RAY…rest is pretty good.

 

[scottybk]

I just picked up a set of forged Ray sockets on marketplace in a box with a bunch of other random tools for $15 total, not in original box and might be missing a few sockets, or might be complete, I didn't really check. Have them soaking in evaporust overnight tonight.

I have the L handle too but no ratchet.

I thought "Ray" was an owner's mark until checking in on GJ, you guys know it all ! No idea these were this old, I thought probably very late 30s to WW2 era. Really cool sockets, will post pics tmrw when they come out of the juice.

I also thought they might be cad plated so they went right in the e-juice without a spin first on the wire wheel.

Scotty

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

This set includes a whopping twenty-four (24) sockets. Sixteen (16) hex sockets, ranging from 7/16” to 1-1/4”, and eight (8) square sockets, ranging from 3/8” to 15/16”. They have a unique interesting bell shape with all but the smallest sizes having a pronounced lip at the base. The walls are almost all knurled, except for a thin band of smooth steel finish, where each socket is marked with the “RAY” brand and its fractional size.

The sockets do no have model numbers. Neither do the long extension or the drive plug. The handles do, including a speeder (410), a short brace type speeder (510), and a Tee spinner (710).

The ratchet is not numbered and never had a model number as far as I can tell. If there was a handle with the model number 610, I’m not sure what it would be. Perhaps a hinge handle.

All the tools are nickel-plated.

The clasps on the handle-less attache style case are marked LANGENAU / CLEVELAND, a manufacturing outfit that is, ironically, still in operation today.

Found my first Ray socket yesterday. I know I have a couple more tools marked Ray (just gotta find them). Didn't know to search Packer Auto so thanks to y'all again!

 

[four.cycle]

Packer / Packer Auto Specialty Co., 1420 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL (1770 Old Colony Bldg., Chicago, IL 1912) / "Ray" / patent 1057495 Apr 1 1913 Eben R. Packer / http://alloy-artifacts.org/packer-auto-specialty.html
/

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

Here's my Ray set #39 circa 1910-mid 1920s. Missing all drive tools. Shown are square sockets (3 of original 11)- 21/32, 23/32, 1 9/32 and Hex sockets(11 of original 27)- 9/32, 17/32, 19/32x2, 23/32, 25/32, 13/16, 29/32, 31/32x2, 1"x2, 1 3/32x2 (with one erroneously marked 31/32), 1 5/32x2. Looks like there's some drive tools and such on sleezebay but I'd rather buy from y'all if ya have some spares...

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Plucked a couple Ford transmission band ratcheting wrenches out of a toolbox this morning at the flea market, one of them a RAY (and the other a Mossberg).

 

[Leviton]

I found a set of 15 Ray sockets. They seem to be a less common type of RAY socket because the sides are smooth; they don’t have any knurling and they don’t have the annular ring around the service end that some of their broached sockets have.

They are all marked “RAY” along with the size, except that the largest one (1-1/4”) says “X” instead of RAY. There is no continuity in the direction they are marked; RAY goes inline with the socket on some and transverse on others. The up and down direction of the sizes is also not consistent. (See photo of the sides.)

I’ve looked here, and on Alloy Artifacts, and eBay, and all photos of Ray sockets show either the annular ring or knurling or both. Low resolution newspaper scans from 1927 and 1929 might show the annual ring, but it is hard to say conclusively. The only places I can find a completely smooth-sided socket are an illustration in a 1925 American Importer advertisement and in one WorthPoint ad.
Maybe the smooth-sided socket was Packer Auto Specialty’s first attempt at broached sockets and then they quickly evolved to add the knurling/ring?










These are 1/2” square drive and my guess is that they are nickel plated.
Sizes range from 1/2” to 1-1/4”. They all have 6-point hex service ends.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Maybe the smooth-sided socket was Packer Auto Specialty’s first attempt at broached sockets and then they quickly evolved to add the knurling/ring?

I don't have a strong opinion one way or another, but early/initial makes sense and would track with the haphazard application of markings, too. They reveal the machining process, that's for sure. Very cool find.