Help me ID this tool CAT / Husky Flex Extension

[DOlsen]

This is a 1/2" drive flex extension, 10-1/4" long. The flex joint only pivots in one direction, unlike a universal joint.

I got this item with a group of Husky tools. It looks like a vintage Husky item, but the only marking is "CAT".

Does anyone have any information about this tool?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

DOlsen,

No information, but I'll throw some ideas out there...

In the era this flex head looks like it comes from, Husky was a New Britain subsidiary and brand. New Britain, None Better, Husky and Craftsman BE 1/2-drive tools all looked alike. And this doesn't look like a New Britain designed tool. NB flex head extensions/breaker bars in every drive size all had the fork on the shank. The fork on this tool is on the flex head itself. They were not know for broaching a square drive socket on the end, either.

I have a few Cornwell breaker bars from this era, and they all had the fork on a helmet-like flex head, just like this one. And the ends were broached with a square drive socket so it could double as an extension, just like this one.

I'm not saying it's a Cornwell. And I'm not saying it's not a Husky, perhaps from an earlier era I am not familiar with. Just making observations that might help.

 

[DOlsen]

The other tools were early Husky items, probably 1930's vintage.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I understand that you are thinking it might be a Husky tool because it was included with other Husky tools. But I have never seen a Husky breaker bar with the fork on the flex head. This is a major construction feature difference used by only a handful of toolmakers, including, as I mentioned, Cornwell.

Husky 1/2-drive socket set pieces were made by New Britain in the 1930's and 40's. All the breaker bars had the fork on the shank, not the flex head. If you can find a photograph of a Husky breaker bar in any drive size with a forked flex head, it would help your cause. If not, I recommend you consider the possibility that this breaker bar was not made by Husky.

 

[DOlsen]

Thanks for the information, Lug. I agree that the flex end looks similar to Cornwell items. However, the female drive end is not forged as part of the shaft. It is a separate piece, which has been pressed on.

In fact, none of the three major components of this extension are forgings. They are all machined from bar stock.

This extension appears to be nickel plated.