Found this Ratchet for $2 any info?
- Thread starter JohnDeere1
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thehorse13
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Those were produced from the mid 50s up to the early/mid 1960s. I have several of them with the Fleet name instead of Proto. You will come across some with the Penens name as well. They really are great ratchets with butter smooth action.
OP
JohnDeere1
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Yes butter smooth thanks for the info I'm just now getting into the older tools, been hanging pre model A tools up on my wall I love older tools now.
Rileysan
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thehorse13
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lolDonovanSpeed
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I have a "Fleet" branded one. It is my favorite ratchet by far.
davethorik
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From what I've gathered, this style ratchet was made by the Penens Corp. I have a 3/8 example marked Tru-Test from a set that was sold thru True Value hardware stores. Very heavy and low backdrag.
altersaddle
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I picked up a Penens-style Challenger Canada 1261 on the weekend. It needs a selector lever, anyone got brilliant ideas for a replacement? I tried making one out of brass but my skills are lacking.
Pictured here with a 1/2" Challenger Canada 1649 (Proto 5449) and 1/4" Proto USA 4749.
Pictured here with a 1/2" Challenger Canada 1649 (Proto 5449) and 1/4" Proto USA 4749.
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Oldsmobile
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Just sold mine on Ebay. It was a Fleet version, and although it was definitely nice and smooth, it was a little short for my taste...especially for being a 1/2" drive. But if I found one like you did, OP, for two bucks, I'd have it back in my toolbox pending next decision-making time.
They have the same design as the HF pro ratchets. With 70 fewer teeth but the same idea. I have a fleet labeled one, got it for $2 as well, and it feels very nice. Just be careful if you take it apart. The two springs can be tricky to get back in. I lost both of mine and had to spend a bit of time playing with pen springs. Totally worth it though.
Al Borland
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It's also big enough to use as a Ping-Pong paddle.
Yes, Penens. I have an early 1950s ALLENITE 1/2" drive which is a Penens knockoff. built like a battleship, plenty long and fat handle. I have a proto model that's so short and narrow a handle it feels like a 3/8 except for the big head. I've sold a few pear heads like these too. I decided to keep the Proto because it has a lot of finish loss/pitting and the Allenite because it's Japanese--doesn't seem to be much resale value in either one. Had to do some work on both getting them to function correctly, but both are smooth and sweet now.
Believe it or not, my favorite is the Japanese Allenite. The "V" configuration pawls sure do reduce backdrag to almost nothing, but you wonder whether the low tooth count and the dumbbell-weight head is worth it. But for tough jobs, I'd certainly put a pipe on one of these before a RHFT.
Believe it or not, my favorite is the Japanese Allenite. The "V" configuration pawls sure do reduce backdrag to almost nothing, but you wonder whether the low tooth count and the dumbbell-weight head is worth it. But for tough jobs, I'd certainly put a pipe on one of these before a RHFT.
Yes, that would be a little tricky to fabricate because of the two sets of lever stops--the pins on the cover and the recess on the body. Brass or aluminum would be the easiest to work with, but could be too soft depending on the amount of resistance needed to move the shift cam. I'd make it out of steel with a lot of detail file work, shape a slightly smaller hole than the square cam pin, tap it on with a junk 1/4" drive socket, and put a drop of superglue in there to keep it steady (don't think I'd try to peen it back on--too much chance to shift the angles around, wear the hole I made or possibly damage the cam).