Help w/info about this hex tool

[ihrescue]

Hi Folks:

I have had this for quite awhile and want to find out more about it and I would appreciate any comments.

The tool is steel, formed like an allen wrench and has a 3/8" hex like shape. There is one barely visible stamp that says Pat. Dec. 1918. Both ends of the tool look like they have a work purpose because they have the small spring backed ball that normally would hold something in place or together possibly with a sleeve or some other piece of a tool like a socket. The short "L" end has two formed ears about 1/2 inch from the end possibly as a stop.

Any ideas?

Thanks
Mike Love

 

[Milton Shaw]

Probably it's a handle for a set of sockets that would be able to be stored on the long part of the handle. The ears on the "L" shaped part of that would back this up they would keep the socket from sliding up the shank.

 

[ihrescue]

That does make sense Milton. Thanks. I'll have to do some research on that.

Mike Love

 

[jakemac]

It's an ell-driver for a set of hex drive sockets. Kind of like a short breaker bar that doesn't swivel.

 

[ihrescue]

Yes thanks Jake - just did a search and found the Indestro 3/8 hex drive socket sets. It resembles that.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/201821871410?lpid=82&chn=ps&ul_noapp=true

I think we've got it solved. Now I just need to find a set that's missing its breaker bar.

Mike

 

[COL911]

I have some extras, not in great shape, that you can have for the cost of postage. I'll dig them out and post pix tomorrow.

Here's what I've been able to piece together from bits I found.

 

[SweetD]

Cool piece - have you got it lubed up so the detent balls work?

 

[four.cycle]

R.F. Sedgley, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.

US Patent: 1,289,558 issued Dec. 31, 1918
See the full set in the schematic drawing HERE:
http://www.datamp.org/patents/displayPatent.php?id=28364

See also: http://alloy-artifacts.org/other-makers-p3.html#sedgley

Not Indestro - they get confused a lot - I see these sets on Ebay frequently.
They also get confused with New Britain / None Better. Also made by G.M Mfg. Co., Long Island City, NY and other makers.

==

Japan-made knock off similar to what your Sedgley set looked like:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Soc...315645?hash=item3adbc665bd:g:FGwAAOSwopRYldqB

==

very similar no-name US-made set:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-1-2...763875?hash=item3f76203ce3:g:0FIAAOSw9GhYaEAJ

==

another similar no-name US-made set:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-HEX...951414?hash=item1a25f4d2b6:g:JqgAAOSwA3dYfSSR

==

another similar no-name US-made set, but in 1/4" drive:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Mec...969321?hash=item1a252ebb69:g:q2UAAOSwM4xXb0cM

==

another similar version with a stepped socket:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-All...028768?hash=item41aaf490a0:g:oGIAAOSwG-1WukEG

==

and the New Britain "None Better" / "Handle Lock" set I mentioned above that uses essentially exactly the same "ELL" handle, but incorporates a ratchet, drive adapter, and the handy-dandy tote tray:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vtg-Pat-Dec...557277?hash=item282d6924dd:g:U4MAAOSw44BYS4ke

 

[ihrescue]

COL911 - I am interested in the bits you have. If you can let me know USPS Priority Postage and your pay pal email by personal message I will send you postage funds. By the way do you know who the manufacturer is? Thanks

 

[ihrescue]

Hi SweetD - The day before I started the thread I began putting some Kroil on the detent balls. Some light taps with a small ball-pean hammer gives the feel that the detent balls give and spring back so I will keep working them.

Mike

 

[ihrescue]

Four.cycle - thanks for the many notes and links and the time it took. My guess is that it is a Sedgely since it has the December 31, 1918. It looks like the design idea had some followers and thanks for clearing me up on the difference between the Hexall tool and others.

Mike

 

[Bdgjr215]

R.F. Sedgley also customized guns at their factory.There is a street named after him near
Where his factory was located in Philadelphia.

 

[ihrescue]

Well if there's a street named after him he must have been a valued contributor to the community. I'll have to look into that. Thanks for that info Bdgjr215

 

[COL911]

Mike,
Here are the extra sockets I have. No marking, kinda rough, but it's a start. Look this pic over and confirm. I can do PayPal or if you prefer you can just send funds covering postage after you get them. I'll even be in Hagerstown/Frederick/Woodbridge area for work week after next if that's an option. Whatever is easier.....

 

[COL911]

Close up of the knurling pattern, identical on the ones I offered up and the ones I'm keeping

 

[four.cycle]

My guess is that it is a Sedgely since it has the December 31, 1918.

Yes. Just chase the patent number (or patent date or makers name) on Google and you'll find it.
Google search "patent by date" - click the link to the DATAMP site
enter patent number (or date) up at the top - hit "search"
pick through the list on the next page until you find a match. sometimes you'll have to check two or three different patents before you find a match - simple process of elimination.

easy peasy.

 

[ihrescue]

Yes Four.cycle your process confirms it. Thanks for the comments as that helps me in finding some other unique soccer wrenches I have that I need to track down.

Mike Love