Challenger Tools

[ndoran]

I vaguely remember reading on the old Tooltime board that Challenger had a cheaper plating process than used on the Proto sockets which enabled them to be sold cheaper. if my memory is not playing games

 

[four.cycle]

1950 - 1951 Challenger Tool advertisements:

1950 Woodbury Hardware Catalog Challenger Tools pp 145 by four.cycle, on Flickr

1951 Stratton Warren Catalog Challenger Tools pp 69 by four.cycle, on Flickr

1951 Stratton Warren Catalog Challenger Tools pp 70 by four.cycle, on Flickr

 

[shoggoth80]

Challenger by Proto.
I've got juuuust a little bit of Challenger in my work box. Seems like solid vintage entry level stuff to me. I have some Challenger wrenches. Satin chrome. Work like I need them to. Good, basic, no frills, get it done wrenches. They are older than I am, and still do the job. Hard to complain about that.

 

[rodsnratfinks]

I've had a few Challenger tools over the years. I have a full set of 1/2" 12 point for example. I was under the impression that they were inferior to Proto Professional. Is there any credence to that notion?


Sent via homing pigeon using methamphetamines

 

[RM209]

I've got quite a few Challenger tools, and I like them a lot. The satin finish on the wrenches makes them easier to hold when my hands are greasy, and I'm working on my car. Price-wise, they are one step below the Proto Professional line of tools, but I like them, and have been very satisfied with their quality.

RM209

 

[Macduf]

So that would make my set a 1960's set ? When did they start marking them "challenger by proto"?

 

[davethorik]

Challenger 12" adjustable- JP Danielson design. Another of Proto's brands.

 

[four.cycle]

Macduf - could be. I'm no expert on Challenger but I do remember the gladiator helmet on the Challenger tool boards when I was a kid.
I think I have a pair of Challenger 8" slip-joint pliers here somewhere.

 

[carcajou]

Challenger was quite readily available in Canada too in the 70's and 80's. One thing i have come to see is a lot of variations in their stamping and design. Here are a few pics for comparison. Here are 3 different length, different stamped 11/16 wrenches.

 

[carcajou]

Also these 3/4 combo wrenches are the same with different stamping

 

[carcajou]

These 15/16" combo's are the same wrench, one made here, one in the US.

 

[carcajou]

And lastly these two 9/16" wrenches are quite different. Top one has a size stamp on the head also and is much shorter than the more common bottom variation. Notice the poor finish around the head, not ground well? Not vary common to see that. Reminds me more of Grays Maple Leaf wrenches.

If you are planning on completing any sets, you may want to ask for detailed pics first.

 

[Isaiah6113]

Here's my modest contribution: a Challenger 1260 made in Canada.

A local listing had a 1/2-Proto 5449 and a 3/8-Challenger together for $10. It was a poor quality shot, but I wanted a couple of user ratchets for my carry bag.

Got them both home and each had been engraved, no big deal, but a wee bit disappointing. Neither worked well. Disassembly showed why, both had ancient grease that had turned to wax. Disassembled and flushed all clean.

Also had a go with my scotchbrite wheel on the engravings. Good progress on the Proto. The Challenger was deep, but it did make a difference.

Cleaned out both, added judicious amounts of Super Lube/(PTFE) and now both work beautifully. It's nice ratchet, compact, light, but sturdy.

Matthew

 

[lardy1]

I put together these Challenger metric wrenches over time. The markings vary on them, also.




This set of Blackhawks come from the same Proto lineage I'm told. The model numbering and the stamping varies widely on these too.

 

[Cgw1984]

Local tool store still has new challenger 1/2 flex head ratchets for sale lol

 

[nadogail]

Thanks for posting. I recall seeing Armstrong, Pennens, Vilckek, Fairmont, Blackhawk, and other brands no longer seen.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I have found quite a few at the pawn shops along with other brands mentioned on this thread as a professional mechanic I use some of them a lot the rest I have at home and work great anything USA made will work nicely I have no idea when they seized operations with Proto I also found 2 identical ratchets too at the pawn shops I go to I just fill up a box for $15 so I always get good deals on them

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

I have set of 3/8 metric deeps bought new in '79 . These are the Canadian made by the IR owned Proto. They are pretty crude, on par with Gray Maple Leafs of that era. I bought a set of open ended wrenches in the late '80s. Except for the Challenger stamp, you would swear they were first line Proto. That fine satin finish of the Protos. I collect Canadian made tools, and Carcajou is right about the combinations being all over the place in quality and style. Some the same as Protos, others with heavy chrome plating but lacking a high level pre plating finishing . Though they did a better job than Gray did with their Maple Leafs.

 

[Isaiah6113]

Here's a very tiny contribution.

A Challenger Canada 1049 1/4-drive ratchet.

Picked it up the other day from a splendid fellow. We had a good chat and he showed me about his shop. Great time.

Took it apart and cleaned everything, gave it an evaporust bath, lubed with SuperLube, plus a bit of autosol for some bling, and it works beautifully.

Everything inside the head is tiny, of Lilliputian dimensions. Inside and out it's identical to my Proto 5449 1/2-drive, except for the finish of course. I've included a shot beside his big brother for scale.

Matthew

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

Thinking back. I had a 1/2 Challenger Canada breaker Bar. I needed one working on my first car back in the late '60s. It was a hardware store level of a brand. 10 or 15 years later at work, I broke the handle about 2/3s the way up. I carefully welded it up. Another 10 or 15 years later,I broke it at the flex head working on a car again. I got the nut off by hitting Canadian Tire for a sliding T-handle. That should be an embarrassment for Proto.

 

[3baygarage]

Nice ratchets. It’s cool seeing the Canadian models of Proto family stuff.

Here’s a little P-10 1/4” ratchet. A bit older, kind of neat how it has the brass selector.

 

[egdede]

Challenger was quite readily available in Canada too in the 70's and 80's. One thing i have come to see is a lot of variations in their stamping and design. Here are a few pics for comparison. Here are 3 different length, different stamped 11/16 wrenches.

As with Proto during the same era. Triple chevron, double chevron, no chevron.

 

[AsiaRider]

Very interesting! Glad to read so many posts by experts.
I bought my set new in '69, used it on outboards, vehicles, motorbikes and earthmovers, and only the ratchet handle has seen better days.
Great product! Thanks for the info.

 

[four.cycle]

1963 Challenger Tool Catalog now available for download at ITCL

 

[lardy1]

Thanks for that. I have slowly put together a set of metric combo's and this should answer some questions about the sizes they offered.

 

[corn chip]

found these old wrenches in a inherited box. ive never heard of any of them. looks like challenger and plomb was associated with proto ?

 

[Lesserstore]

Plomb was what we now call Proto, and they used the name of the Plomb on the tools from 1907 to 1948 I believe, then they got sued several times by Plumb (of hammer fame) so they had to change to Proto on their tools. That particular wrench is of the pebble style from 1945-8.
Giller was associated with Thorsen, and fulfilled government contracts.
Challenger was a brand that was priced lower than Proto. And that wrench was made in the Vlchek factory after Pendleton Tool Industries (that's what Plomb and their associated brands became in 1956 or 1957) purchased them.
Riverside was a Montgomery Ward brand. That particular wrench was made in the 1930s-41 by Duro Chrome.
P&C was a Pendleton brand. That wrench was made for them by Lang tools.
I haven't heard of Handy Hex though.

 

[four.cycle]

Handy-Hex / "Handy-Hex" marked wrenches manufactured by Duro Chrome / http://alloy-artifacts.org/duro-indestro-p4.html#handy-02052 /

the Riverside unit appears to have seen some slight modification by a previous owner.

 

[GaryM909]

I bought a full set of Challenger by Proto Canada wrenches back in the late 70’s. The only difference I found is the finish. The same with the ratchets. I did pick up a full set of 3/8 metric sockets a while back with a chrome finish. My ½” sockets both have chrome finishes and I never noticed any difference in quality. I also have Proto Canada wrenches with a satin finish. View attachment 1599555

 

[Wally Higgins]

Challenger was around through at least the early 1970s, I still have a set of Challenger combination wrenches I got for Christmas in about 1971. They don't have as nice a finish as some other brands but they're good quality tools.

I have some tools b