Champion Spark Plug Rachet

[niss]

Thanks guys! I was thinking about the peening option. I will see how it goes and if it starts to slide i will take care oft that.

I wonder if anyone has any history on this tool. I cant find any information on Champion tools. I understand these were made by New Brittain but there is little info I have been able to find on them as well.

Again thanks for everyones help!

 

[caper]

I think I looked at Champions website when I bought mine a couple years ago and they still listed ratchets for sale,though I think it was only a straight handle flex not bent.

 

[vssjim]

They had stuff listed on the Champion Aviation web site, I do have a head kit for this style of ratchet

 

[niss]

The one issue I have is that I left it in Evaporust and so part of it is tinted darker. Is there anyway to get rid of it?

Thanks!

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

I took Bulls advice and let her soak in some ATF for a while, then took a hammer & a pin punch and loosened her up.

The rocker was all wonky because the selector was not turning. Once I freed it up everything worked great.

I also picked up a replacement spring at Brafasco, everything is awesome!

My only concern is that the pin holding the head on the neck will slide out. Any recommendations?

Thanks guys!

That ratchet looks like my Indestro ratchet, 2775a

 

[JackOfAllTradesRuss]

I have a Champion Plug Master CT-405 flex handle ratchet, also came with Champion Plug Mate CT-407 13/16" plug socket with a magnet insert to hold plug in,I bought this used for about $5 almost 40 years ago, has been used a lot and still looks like new, it has a very fine tooth ratchet gear.
Russ

 

[Elroy]

Something like this:

 

[SCscoutguy]

I found one of these the other day in a old Cornwell tool box that I bought. At first I glanced at it and thought it was some cheap import throw away being that it said Champion on it but upon further investigation it is actually a very nice ratchet. I think the previous statements are right on that it was made by New Britain as the handle is exactly like other New Britain and Blackhawk tools I have. The guy who owned the tool boxes I bought stopped working in 1965 so it has to be at least that old.

 

[regguy1]

I have one of those, it was given to me as an Xmas gift from a parts store, in about 1968 I believe. I'll have to look at it and post a photo

 

[Bull]

I've never seen a NB sourced ratchet with that style of cover, though. Can we confirm it as a NB? Where is Dieseldodge? He'll know.

I found one of these the other day in a old Cornwell tool box that I bought. At first I glanced at it and thought it was some cheap import throw away being that it said Champion on it but upon further investigation it is actually a very nice ratchet. I think the previous statements are right on that it was made by New Britain as the handle is exactly like other New Britain and Blackhawk tools I have. The guy who owned the tool boxes I bought stopped working in 1965 so it has to be at least that old.

 

[Tool Pants]

I thought NB used a snap ring to hold the ratchet core in, and that one has a spiral ring.

The one in posts 35 and 37 look like a Duro. Duro used a spiral ring. Here is my normal 3/8" Duro.

 

[SCscoutguy]

I thought NB used a snap ring to hold the ratchet core in, and that one has a spiral ring.

The one in posts 35 and 37 look like a Duro. Duro used a spiral ring. Here is my normal 3/8" Duro.

They used both. I have blackhawk and mustang ratchets built by New Britain that have spiral rings keeping the ratchet parts in.

 

[regguy1]

A real nostalga trip.....I have one of those, it was given to me as an Xmas gift from a parts store, in about 1968 I believe. I'll have to look at it and post a photos:

 

[SCscoutguy]

I've never seen a NB sourced ratchet with that style of cover, though. Can we confirm it as a NB? Where is Dieseldodge? He'll know.

I think I found proof today that it is a New Britain sourced ratchet today. I bought this Blackhawk version of the ratchet that is exactly the same as the champion one at a pawn shop for $1 since it was bent up at the head (I hope I can straighten it with the press). It is the EXACT same ratchet part for part it just says Blackhawk instead of Champion on it and has the Pat number on the other side. Here is the google patent search on it.
http://www.google.com/patents/about?id=HXlpAAAAEBAJ&dq=2554990

 

[caper]

Straightening it in the press shouldn't be much trouble,I've done a few worse looking ones.Main thing is to take your time.I usually try to keep a rag or something between the press ram and the ratchet to protect the chrome as much as I can.

 

[mrchuck]

Something like this:

Elroy, I just "acquired" this same old ratchet at a flea market in Tool, Texas.
It has been thru the "wars" but I will put it back in use this afternoon changing the plugs in my pick-up truck.
I'm glad to have found it, and given it a chance to get back to work again and earn it's keep.

 

[SCscoutguy]

I picked up another one of these today at the flea market. I find myself using my other one allot and it will be good to have a spare. These are really well made ratchets.

 

[SCscoutguy]

This one looks to be a nice example if anyone wants to get one cheap.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/champion-pl...127?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ab3cbd1f7
Here is a NOS one.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Champio..._Automotive_Tools&vxp=mtr&hash=item416236f595

 

[Astro 350]

After 4 years, here are the pix of ratchets. Great...How do you post photos from computer? Hey.... I'm old.

 

[Astro 350]

OK, Once more with feeling.

Where is the photo????

 

[Outlander]

OK, Once more with feeling.

Where is the photo????

There are here.

View media item 32680
(I went and grabbed the URL from your album)


BTW - thanks guys for 1) saving an old ratchet. I will always have ****** fluid here in case. 2) pointing out a useful tool I don't have...and ...um...need.

 

[Kamp]

I love this site. I know this is an old thread, but I looked up "Champion CT-405" to see how old this was... and not only found some info, but the patent. Awesome. As an engineer, I find it fascinating. Mine is patent pending, so it has to be pre-1951.... and I have it hooked to a 1946 Snap-On SF-200 for use on my '31 A coupe.

Anyway, thanks! Now I know!

 

[Kamp]

We all like pictures.....

Here is the ratchet and socket I mentioned above

And this is my coupe

 

[bluebolt]

Kamp, LOVE the Model A. What valve covers are on your 289?

 

[Kamp]

Thanks!
Those are Keystone valve covers... most people have heard of Keystone wheels, but didn't know they made valve covers.

 

[Smokeshow69]

Reviving an old thread... what are the tooth counts on these ratchet? I thought I read somewhere that the 45t means it is a 45 tooth count ? Any one know ?


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[RX-KING]

My champion ratchet looks ugly cause chrome is peeling off, but it's my favorite ratchet.

Sent from my LG-US998 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Ducky]

Reviving an old thread... what are the tooth counts on these ratchet? I thought I read somewhere that the 45t means it is a 45 tooth count ? Any one know ?


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

I was messing with some of my 3/8 drive ratchets today randomly checking the tooth count I have a couple 20, several 30 and this one is indeed 45 tooth. I was looking up this ratchet # and found this thread.

 

[four.cycle]

Champion / Champion Spark Plug Co., Toledo, OH / "Plug Master" ratchet manufactured by New Britain Machine / "Miloset" spark plug gapper / patent 2439363 Apr 6 1948 Louis A Habicht and Howard H. Vogel / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/champion-spark-plug-rachet.24974 /

45 tooth sounds about right. It's the Luther Kilness patent design with a bent handle and a swivel head.

 

[RTM]

So, late to the party here. I have the privilege of owning my Grampa’s Champion Plug-Master since 1977 or so. Got his toolbox when he went into VA housing. Dragged it around in the trunk of my ‘69 Impala for years, fixing my car, friends cars etc. Mine is the CT-405, straight handle, but with a Pat Pend mark, so pre 1961 then? I also got the accompanying 13/16 CT-407 Spark Plug socket, also Pat Pend. His was set up with a black finger spinner, about 1/2” thick, and a 3” extension. That combo never let me down back then.

I used that ratchet for everything, even with the floppy flex head, never bothered me. One day in the past, 15ish years ago, it started slipping, so I demoted it from main use, and saved it for critical tasks where I wanted the flex. After joining GJ, I realized it might not be broken, just dirty, so cleaned it up, and no more slippage. Back into regular service again. Oh yeah, spiral ring holding the guts together

Bonus, back in March, I was at an estate sale, found another one, got it cheap. Now one resides with SAE, the other in the metric set.





Here is the new addition, also a spiral retaining ring

 

[four.cycle]

Mine is the CT-405, straight handle, but with a Pat Pend mark, so pre 1961 then?

The Kilness patent I cited above was for the NB type ratchet.
Your "Pat Pend" causes me to wonder if there was another patent they were using on that one?
(I was assuming it would have been the Kilness 1951 patent because the advertisements I posted above are both from 1958.
Kilness was issued another patent for a very similar design in 1961.
Somehow I just can't see Champion Spark Plug Company applying for or receiving a patent for a ratchet they outsourced.

 

[RTM]

Somehow I just can't see Champion Spark Plug Company applying for or receiving a patent for a ratchet they outsourced

Even tho outsourced, it can still carry the Pat Pend from NB, can it not? NB still has to protect their interest.

The ….973 patent from 1963 does not look like mine, but the earlier three Kilness patents might be close to mine. Never taken the center piece apart.

Google Patents

Search and read the full text of patents from around the world with Google Patents, and find prior art in our index of non-patent literature.

patents.google.com

 

[four.cycle]

^ oh yeah for sure... it's NB's patent... Champion was in a completely different business. Again, I was just assuming that the earlier (1951) patent would be the one applicable on that unit because they were introduced so early - late 1950s.
I guess the only way to know for sure would be to try to find one with the patent number stamped on it.

 

[Steve_P]

I have a Blackhawk version, straight handle, 3/8 drive, and my notes say that it's 60 teeth; the very similar SK is 40 teeth. The Blackhawk was my go-to ratchet for 20 years; long handle flex head ratchets weren't very common 20+ years ago unless you had a Mac or SO dealer stopping by. Anyone that saw this ratchet years ago loved it because of the flex head and longer length.

 

[Gunslinger24]

Just found a CT-451 with some broken ratchets that my late father had collected. I've got the head and handle so I'm missing a pin and I assume a ball bearing and spring. The head turns so I'll disassemble and grease that, but need to source a new pin, bearing, and spring. Any suggestions to source those? The spring and ball should be easy but no clue how to find a useable pin.

 

[four.cycle]

^ Should be a Kilness patent ratchet - and any ol' Kilness will do for cannibalizing parts.
If you're referring to the "pin" at the swivel, I would imagine that a conventional "straight pin" or "roll pin" would work fine - just make sure it's an interference fit when installing so it doesn't fall out.

Welcome to the site, btw.

keep this link handy at all times

and this one too.

 

[Gunslinger24]

^ Should be a Kilness patent ratchet - and any ol' Kilness will do for cannibalizing parts.
If you're referring to the "pin" at the swivel, I would imagine that a conventional "straight pin" or "roll pin" would work fine - just make sure it's an interference fit when installing so it doesn't fall out.

Welcome to the site, btw.

keep this link handy at all times

and this one too.

Yes I was referring to the swivel pin. I'll have to keep those in mind when I start hunting for parts.
Thanks,

 

[four.cycle]

^ You should be able to find a straight pin (or roll pin) at any ACE Hardware store in their "Hillman" bins. Take the ratchet with you to make sure you get one that fits properly.

Should be a 3/8" drive conventional Kilness patent ratchet.
They were manufactured under various brand names: New Britain, None Better, Sparta, Blackhawk (when they were owned by Stanley), and a couple others, if I'm not mistaken.
I'd look for a used one on ebay - search by "Lowest price", since you're just using it for parts. Should be able to score something for $15-$20 bucks easy.