Help with vintage tools

[80sman]

Hope I can get help. A few years ago I bought a 1960s craftsman tool chest with tons of tools in them. For $500. I figured it just would’ve been a good start for my boys collection. Some of the tools in there looks strange so I started looking up the names. It’s Apex brown tool chrome vanadium tons of craftsman some that say Los Angeles on them a few other names are started looking them up and apparently their vintage. Magnetic sockets. I found a few that I have the Internet said 567 grand for one socket that was brown tool. I’m finding it hard to believe. Is this true?

 

[four.cycle]

Hello there 80sman and welcome to the site!

HERE is a link you're going to want to keep handy.

and HERE is another one you'll find useful.

Now, when you get to Craftsman, you're going to want to know all about Craftsman date ranges and production codes

There are currently 17 entries for "Brown" in the LIST, but I don't know of any of them that would command over half a million dollars for one socket. Maybe I'm not understanding your question clearly.

Photo images will help immensely.

 

[80sman]

Hello there 80sman and welcome to the site!

HERE is a link you're going to want to keep handy.

and HERE is another one you'll find useful.

Now, when you get to Craftsman, you're going to want to know all about Craftsman date ranges and production codes

There are currently 17 entries for "Brown" in the LIST, but I don't know of any of them that would command over half a million dollars for one socket. Maybe I'm not understanding your question clearly.

Photo images will help immensely.

 

[80sman]

I

Hello there 80sman and welcome to the site!

HERE is a link you're going to want to keep handy.

and HERE is another one you'll find useful.

Now, when you get to Craftsman, you're going to want to know all about Craftsman date ranges and production codes

There are currently 17 entries for "Brown" in the LIST, but I don't know of any of them that would command over half a million dollars for one socket. Maybe I'm not understanding your question clearly.

Photo images will help immensely.

thank you for the help.

 

[subroc]

I have no clue what your old tools are worth. There is that old adage that rightly says "something is worth what someone is willing to pay for it".

So when someone on the internet helps with estimates that seem extreme, ask if that is an offer?

A place to look is sold listings on eBay. At least there, you have a data point.

As far as the boxes, there is a link here dedicated to those grey boxes and stacks. Some guys share their purchase prices.

Let's Hear it for the Old Gray/Red Sears Craftsman Tool Chests and Cabinets (60s/70s)

Here is one of mine found in 2002-2003 while out for a walk. This is a '68 model six drawer. The logo and tray are wrong and those are copies of the original Sears catalog ads in the top lid.. It sits in my garage with some vintage Craftsman tools my next door neighbor was going to toss. Also...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[four.cycle]

@80sman -

As noted, there is a dedicated thread just for THAT style of Craftsman box. (There are that many of them out there.)

As to "value" - that is determined at point of sale when the buyer lets you know how much he's willing to pay.
Only way to get any sort of idea there is to poke through the "sold" listings on ebay, and that's actually a poor indicator as the market on used Craftsman tools is glutted - far above the gunwales.
Matched SETS consisting of items from the same era (same production code) can command respectable prices (old =V= or -V- is steady, earlier "Circle H" or "BE" stuff commands more money) but most of it is as common as rocks:
I have Craftsman that's been listed on ebay for over a year.
Don (d42jeep) always has Craftsman for sale at bargain-basement prices

 

[theoldwizard1]

I have no clue what your old tools are worth. There is that old adage that rightly says "something is worth what someone is willing to pay for it".

Very true !

If you find the right sucker buyer you might make your money back. Personally, $500 sound VERY high ! (If correct, my boxes with 1970s/1980s Genuine Forged in USA Craftsman should be worth a couple of thousand !)

 

[four.cycle]

I paid $50 last August for the "stack" of three boxes.
$50 for the red top box November 2023 (including the S-K and K-D socket sets and miscellaneous tools.
$50 for the silver and red 6-drawer top box full of tools. (mostly import junk)

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

On the subject of boxes, I have this small 3/8 socket sized box I got from an auction. No identifying marks on it. Had Snap-On, Mac, Wizard and S-K sockets in it. I think it may be Snap-On but unsure. Distinctive closure hasp design on it...

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

On the subject of boxes, I have this small 3/8 socket sized box I got from an auction. No identifying marks on it. Had Snap-On, Mac, Wizard and S-K sockets in it. I think it may be Snap-On but unsure. Distinctive closure hasp design on it...

And just like that, today I find a Thorsen box in my collection with the same hasp design...

 

[d42jeep]

I’m glad you figured it out because it is unlikely that I would have remembered that my Thorsen box had those unusual latches. Here is my box with tools.
-Don

 

[four.cycle]

Curious.
I have that same box: 20" x 6" x 2.5"
NSN 5120-00-322-6231
23 piece 3/8" drive Socket Set

standard conventional latch like most of the other common latches - no tab with hole like Tom's example.
no straps holding the handle down like both of your specimens above.

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

I’m glad you figured it out because it is unlikely that I would have remembered that my Thorsen box had those unusual latches. Here is my box with tools.
-Don

Don, I was just looking through my Thorsen box today (obviously) and had forgotten we share the same box. Thanks for sharing this pic because mine lacks the NSN listing and I was unsure which sockets I am missing! You are the man!

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

Curious.
I have that same box: 20" x 6" x 2.5"
NSN 5120-00-322-6231
23 piece 3/8" drive Socket Set

standard conventional latch like most of the other common latches - no tab with hole like Tom's example.
no straps holding the handle down like both of your specimens above.

4cycle, yours is a set and not just the deep socket box. I had the same set and nearly completed with original stock until it got swept downriver...sigh...

 

[four.cycle]

That's just an empty box, Tom. I have a boatload of boxes. Not sure what I was thinking.
I'm pretty sure I've still got a few dozen sets of Thorsen sockets.

 

[d42jeep]

My 3/8” drive set has conventional latches as well.
-Don

 

[four.cycle]

^ Curious that they'd have different boxes, but my guess would be they were outsourcing the boxes from the lowest bidders.
Stamping and folding operations would be something to farm out to another outfit.

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

^ Curious that they'd have different boxes, but my guess would be they were outsourcing the boxes from the lowest bidders.
Stamping and folding operations would be something to farm out to another outfit.

For sure the Thorsen grey boxes were for military contract and thus would have to be built per military specs and they are definitely heavier gauge steel. I like the design of the hasp over lip as it allows for placement of a small padlock. Now why one Grey box would be constructed using different hasp locks than another must be a difference in dating...

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

And just like that, today I find a Thorsen box in my collection with the same hasp design...

All that known and said, if anyone has a box with that same hasp/ latch and it isn't a Thorsen...let us know!

 

[four.cycle]

^ Yours was the first time I've seen that, and it's a detail I usually focus on because of a discussion here years ago about the manufacturer of the LATCH - that manufacturer not being the maker of the tools themselves.

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

Circling back to the red Thorsen box with the distinctive latch, it's apparently a 1/2" drive set. I thought it might be an earlier version of a #1215 from 1975 but that set has more sockets in it than this box has room for (looks like 10 sockets max with the largest being a 1- 1/16 #534 socket. So if anyone has a Thorsen red 1/2" drive set that resembles this one let me see what ya stocked it with, better yet, if ya have a catalog reference...

 

[d42jeep]

bmwrd0’s new Klein set looks to have one of those unique latches. I didn’t see another on my red box Thorsen set pictures.
-Don

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

bmwrd0’s new Klein set looks to have one of those unique latches. I didn’t see another on my red box Thorsen set pictures.
-Don

Well, lookee there.

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

bmwrd0’s new Klein set looks to have one of those unique latches. I didn’t see another on my red box Thorsen set pictures.
-Don

Don, what thread is this picture from?

I just received two more "Red" what I'm calling "tongue through hasp" mechanism boxes. These don't match any of my Thorsen boxes size wise. And the inside divider basically splits the box equally rather than at the top end for socket placement. I'm starting to second guess my original post as being a Thorsen product as all my branded Thorsen boxes have full squared lower part and these red ones have a sloped front edge lower part. This sloped edge (both sides) is also seen on mid 1970s- 80s JH Williams, Blackhawkand Powr Kraft boxes.

 

[d42jeep]

Hit an estate sale today, run by a company that is short on tool knowledge. This works in my favor, most of the time. Anyway, here are todays finds

Jorgensen 3" clamp, Wakefield bicycle wrench, and a Klein socket set, missing two sockets the ratchet and extension, with junk inserted.
The set was Wright sourced, so I know what to look for, although it doesn't seem to be very common. Anyway, the set has a cool label under the glued on cardboard from the box it came in

I am a bit of a Klein fan, and tracked it down in the catalog, #120.

It’s from the 2025 Garage Sale thread.
-Don

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

It’s from the 2025 Garage Sale thread.
-Don

Thanks, just found it. I wonder if Klein used red boxes, everything I see is grey

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

Bell Systems C box with "tongue through hasp" mechanism. This box has the straight edges (as opposed to the sloping) on the lower box like my Thorsen boxes do.

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

I have a 3/8 drive speed brace. Only marking is "C-40 made in the U.S.A."

Is it and Penens, a Snap-On made Craftsman or some other manufacturer?

 

[d42jeep]

Looks like Penens to me.

Pardon Our Interruption...

-Don

 

[four.cycle]

winner winner chicken dinner!

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

winner winner chicken dinner!

I see whatcha did there!

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

Looks like Penens to me.

Pardon Our Interruption...

-Don

I saw that one on Ebay but the pics didn't show the maker brand...Ebay is full of folks selling NB as Husky and NB as Duro. But yes, it matches with only a slight variation at the handle

 

[d42jeep]

The ratchet in these Wards Speed Master tools looks like a Penens as well and the speeder looks kind of similar.
Penens ratchet assembled backwards.
-Don

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I think those eggheads came many brands

 

[four.cycle]

^ Yes. Penens 1661. Actually a nice unit if lubricated properly. Same as Proto and others, like Don's "SpeedMaster" above.