Charles M.& Frederick E. Walden

[woody 73]

Two men that were way out in front of the pack to produce early automotive hand tools for the growing car industry. Founded in 1906, 14 years before snap-on got their start Walden was in the race early to the game of automotive tool design.

For unknown reasons they sold the company very early to Warren S. Bellows, (see my old post under his name in the tool discussion dated 12/04/14). Note here that under Bellows a noted inventor in his own right; that he would bring enough needed new product developement to keep the company going.

The Company name became Walden Worcester,Inc. in 1914 (start of WW l). Walden had to file a lawsuit against American Grinder in 1921 and in the end this caused a outpouring of cash and the company started a downhill battle. In order to survive five years later in 1926 Walden needing help turned to the Stevens Co. and this merger formed the Stevens Walden-Worcester, Inc.; The end came in the early 1990's.

Special Notes:

I do not wish to break my 50/100 year policy therefore as a side note I am showing a set made in the early 1990's be sure and notice a lack of a USA stamp, although some GJ members would consider this set a "VINTAGE" set because it is no longer made they would have a valid point. I am only showing this set for you to see the WW in a circle ID Stamp logo in case you ever see any in your tool hunts you will be able to ID them as coming from the above company.

Also note that the early wrenches you are looking at will soon be 100 years old making them antique (using my 50/100 formula). Be sure and see the few links and enjoy the pictures.

http://home.comcast.net/~alloy-artifacts/walden-worcester.html

http://www.datamp.org/patents/displayPatent.php?id=22751

http://www.datamp.org/patents/displayPatent.php?number=890111&typeCode=0

http://home.comcast.net/~alloy-artifacts/Photos/tools/walden_ww_circle_logo.jpg

 

[woody 73]

More pictures:

 

[woody 73]

Still a few more pictures:

 

[woody 73]

Before I forget a very special thanks to GJ member kevin54 for letting me use him to buy that socket set on Ebay as I do not have the means to buy tools because I do not have the pay-pal account. He made a special trip to hand deliver them to me and I got the chance to show him my small Man cave.

 

[pauls_workshop]

Before I forget a very special thanks to GJ member kevin54 for letting me use him to buy that socket set on Ebay as I do not have the means to buy tools because I do not have the pay-pal account. He made a special trip to hand deliver them to me and I got the chance to show him my small Man cave.

Good info once again Woody. I was also the one who posted that Walden set as a deal on Hot Buys! Glad to see someone appreciative of the Walden quality got a set! - Paul

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

Great post as always woody, thanks for taking time to share[emoji106]

 

[ganymede]

Here's the insert to a 1/2 inch drive socket set box. Unfortunately I don't have the tools to fill it but the graphics are interesting. By the woman's fashions and the styling of the car I'm going to guess this is late 60s to early 70's.

 

[Pumpman1968]

Great stuff, Woody....as always!

 

[four.cycle]

Stevens Walden 1/4" drive SAE socket set
Essentially new NOS. The red spinner at bottom is out in the garage somewhere but I couldn't find it this afternoon.

It seemed appropriate to post it here as well.

Stevens Walden 1/4" drive SAE socket set 01 by four.cycle, on Flickr

Stevens Walden 1/4" drive SAE socket set 02 by four.cycle, on Flickr

Stevens Walden model 3150 1/4" drive 20-tooth pear-head ratchet:

Stevens Walden 3150 1/4" drive ratchet 01 by four.cycle, on Flickr

Stevens Walden 3150 1/4" drive ratchet 02 by four.cycle, on Flickr

Stevens Walden 3150 1/4" drive ratchet 03 by four.cycle, on Flickr

Stevens Walden 3150 1/4" drive ratchet 04 by four.cycle, on Flickr

above: Thickness of drive head 23/64"
below: open oil hole in end of drive head

Stevens Walden 3150 1/4" ratchet ratchet 05 by four.cycle, on Flickr

Stevens Walden 3118 1/4" drive spinner (photo Ebay) by four.cycle, on Flickr

 

[Oldtuleguy]

More stevens walden. I have a full 1/4 3/8 set and another partial 3/8s

 

[four.cycle]

Early catalog listings for Walden Worcester products

Oldtuleguy those are a couple pretty snazzy ratchets you've got there in that PM21 set!
I have a couple of the PM21's here somewhere, but they don't contain that style - I think mine have the 4051 model ratchets in them.
Here's the label that came inside the lid of that thing - still never figured out why a 5/16" hex key was included in that set:



An imaginative Ebay seller came up with this possibility:

 

[Oldtuleguy]

These are both 4051 ratchets, just different years. One sure has a pointy handle and a fat head! I think it's a 59 vintage.

 

[four.cycle]

OH! I didn't see the back on that one! I don't have the pointy-handle George Jetson special - mine have the one with the round button on the back and the knurled thumbwheel, as I recall. They're buried around here somewhere.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Here is a 59 ad that shows some pointy ratchet handles

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Walden 4054 "Starwheel' 3/8 palm ratchet. No idea on age.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Just got a 1/4 set in a swap with don. I like the lids on these with the hinge on the end. Reminds me of the mythical 1925 snap on version no one can find.

 

[d42jeep]

Here is a dark finish late WW2 1/4” drive set with all 6 or 8 point sockets.
-Don

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Sparkplug set with funny cog ratchet handle