chevy302dz
Well-known member
Just curious if anyone knows anything about Herbrand Tools? They seem to be produced/ or were produced in both the US and Canada, but other than that I can't seem to find much info them.
Herbrand Tools
- Thread starter chevy302dz
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toolcrazy
Member
Herbrand tools are no longer around. Too bad, they are excellent tools. I have some of their swivel impacts in 3/8" and 1/2" drive, single and double swivel extensions, screwdrivers, files, 1/2 ratchet adapter for a breaker bar and etc. I haven't broken any yet. I think the majority of Herbrand tools were made in Canada and some in the US.
eschoendorff
Well-known member
I have one of their old 1/2" beam-type torque wrenches. It reads 5 lbs +, but I take that into account when I use it. Didn't seem to be a noticably high quality tool (better or worse than any other beam-type torque wrench).
wythors
Well-known member
My father in law had a couple of really old (1940's) Herbrand tools in his box, a 1/4 ratchet and a couple of wrenches. The ratchet was stamped "Los Angeles, Calif". We sold them all on eBay and got pretty good money for them.
anyone from the detroit area? There is a pawn shop on Michigan ave, 1 block past tiger stadium, the old one, going north. They have a bunch of Herbrand 1/2 drive socket set's 3/8 set's and maybe 1/4, and also SK tool's. These have been there for years, and the herbrand stuff is cheap!! And no I'm in no way related or anything else with this place, just passing on some possible good deals for G/J member's!!
eschoendorff
Well-known member
Wrenchr... where you at???? I am SW of Ann Arbor...
I bought a 1/2" Herbrand ratchet adapter for use with my breaker bar off eBay and the first time I tried to use it to remove a wheel, it broke ... 
We sometime stop there at lunchtime. I've bought a few things there.
Taylor. Howdy!!
Check out the Alloy artifacts website:
http://alloy-artifacts.home.comcast.net/
Herbrand was made in Fremont, Ohio until the early 60's? They were eventually combined with Bonney and moved to S.C. Herbrand was marketed as the lower priced line and Bonney as the pro line. The early Herbrand stuff from Ohio was marketed as a pro line for mechanics and was good quality stuff for the time.
Wythors either has a very rare Herbrand or he confused Plomb with Herbrand. Plomb tools were marked Los Angeles but Herbrand was never made there.
http://alloy-artifacts.home.comcast.net/
Herbrand was made in Fremont, Ohio until the early 60's? They were eventually combined with Bonney and moved to S.C. Herbrand was marketed as the lower priced line and Bonney as the pro line. The early Herbrand stuff from Ohio was marketed as a pro line for mechanics and was good quality stuff for the time.
Wythors either has a very rare Herbrand or he confused Plomb with Herbrand. Plomb tools were marked Los Angeles but Herbrand was never made there.
These are herbrand tool's, not sure if they are the pro one's or not though.
I have a Herbrand catalog from 1984 and the combination wrenches look very similar to those of MAC, with the 4 sided open end. Is there any connection between the two companies? Where they bought out by Stanley?
They did have a hand tool manufacturing plant in Toronto, Canada,at one time, as did Snap-on and Proto. I have a few Herbrand tools and they seam to be very good quality. The chrome finish on my starter wrench (half moon) is as good or better than Snap-on.
They did have a hand tool manufacturing plant in Toronto, Canada,at one time, as did Snap-on and Proto. I have a few Herbrand tools and they seam to be very good quality. The chrome finish on my starter wrench (half moon) is as good or better than Snap-on.
Uncle Buck
Banned
If it escaped anyones notice, Phil included the link to alloy-artifacts, the last word on wrench history for all the brands that I am familiar with, which is most!
Uncle Buck
Banned
My first set of tools was a combination set of 1/4 & 3/8 Herbrand 1970's vintage. My dad gave them to to work on my bike. The set was absolute ****, many sockets broke under normal use, and finally the ratchet shot craps. I think what did Herbrand under was the undeniable slip in quality, much like Thorsen tools.
Due to the above reason I thought Herbrand were simply junk tools till I began finding old used stuff that had all the earmarks of quality tools, so regarding Herbrand I would offer these words of caution.
If it is not marked USA, or if you are not capable of telling the difference between new vs old tools, or you just do not know; leave Herbrand alone cause unlike Bonney, Herbrand's last years of tool offerings were no better, and possibly worse than today's Harbor Freight offering!
With all that said, I own a good many early USA Herbrand tools bought used of course. The early stuff is great stuff when you can find it.
I'm not sure why you are quoting me I made no comment on the overall quality of Herbrand only the couple of Herbrand tools I own, but that being said one bad experience as a child (presumably) should not condemn the entire line of tools. I'm still not sure how you could break a set of sockets working on a bicycle???
Good tools (Herbrand or not) do not have to be marked USA in order to be of quality, but I don't live there so I have no such prejudice towards non-US tools (I myself think Canadian tools are just as good or better).
Uncle Buck
Banned
I'm not sure why you are quoting me I made no comment on the overall quality of Herbrand only the couple of Herbrand tools I own, but that being said one bad experience as a child (presumably) should not condemn the entire line of tools. I'm still not sure how you could break a set of sockets working on a bicycle???
Good tools (Herbrand or not) do not have to be marked USA in order to be of quality, but I don't live there so I have no such prejudice towards non-US tools (I myself think Canadian tools are just as good or better).
Bro, throttle er back a bit, If you read my post carefully, you will see I am not taking a jab at the brand, I own a few pieces of the old stuff myself. Second, my comment regarding made in USA is not meant to incense anyone regarding country of origin. Virtually all the old quality hand tools that 99% of those working with or own, or are familiar with at least in this county will say USA if you took that as a shot at Canada or any other country I assure you that was the furthest thing from my mind. I was trying to point to the fact that the quality of the tool line tanked in the last few years before they folded; no need to take that personally.
If I gave you the same ****** Herbrand socket set I had as a kid you would quickly figure out how to break many of the sockets in that set. It took no special effort, no cheating etc. In fact that was the gist of my post, their quality went to hell in the final years before they disappeared from the scene.
I was simply trying to share with others that not everything branded Herbrand is necessarily a quality tool score so be careful with those not marked USA as the older quality Herbrand tools were. I really did not think the post was that inflammatory, and certainly did not intend it to be!
One last thought, I really have no experience with Canadian tools so my thoughts had nothing to to with Canada or Canadian tools. As far as I know I have none, and have never used any, so I really have no opinion one way or the other of Canadian tools! PEACE DUDE!
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Bro, throttle er back a bit, If you read my post carefully, you will see I am not taking a jab at the brand, I own a few pieces of the old stuff myself. Second, my comment regarding made in USA is not meant to incense anyone regarding country of origin. Virtually all the old quality hand tools that 99% of those working with or own, or are familiar with at least in this county will say USA if you took that as a shot at Canada or any other country I assure you that was the furthest thing from my mind. I was trying to point to the fact that the quality of the tool line tanked in the last few years before they folded; no need to take that personally.
If I gave you the same ****** Herbrand socket set I had as a kid you would quickly figure out how to break many of the sockets in that set. It took no special effort, no cheating etc. In fact that was the gist of my post, their quality went to hell in the final years before they disappeared from the scene.
I was simply trying to share with others that not everything branded Herbrand is necessarily a quality tool score so be careful with those not marked USA as the older quality Herbrand tools were. I really did not think the post was that inflammatory, and certainly did not intend it to be!
One last thought, I really have no experience with Canadian tools so my thoughts had nothing to to with Canada or Canadian tools. As far as I know I have none, and have never used any, so I really have no opinion one way or the other of Canadian tools! PEACE DUDE!
Sometimes its hard to detect the tone of written text, I was not suggesting what you said was right or wrong just wondering why you chose to counter my posting, in particular, with derogatory comments of Herbrand Tools.
Sometimes if products are made outside the USA they are not marked as to country of origin because the tend towards buying domestically (of which I agree ) may hurt their sales.The Herbrand tools not stamped USA are more than likely made in Canada (due to low exchange rates in the 80's) or elsewhere, but that does not preclude them from being of quality.
Anyway I think we beat this topic to death
Lets please put this one to rest.PEACE DUDE!!!!!
Canadian Herbrand is different from the U.S. stuff. The Canadian stuff I have seen is decent stuff. Like I stated before, the U.S. stuff from the late 60's, 70's and 80's were marketed as a less expensive line. Like hholmberg mentioned and I agree a good comparison would be along the lines of Thorsen.
Even the old stuff which was quality for the time and era it was made would probably compare with regular Craftsman now.
Even the old stuff which was quality for the time and era it was made would probably compare with regular Craftsman now.
295th
New member
Photo of, I guess, Herband 3/8 Drive Flex Head Break Bar Extension Ratchet Socket.
Full shot:
Note: If I got the name of the tool wrong, please correct me. Thanks.
Full shot:
Note: If I got the name of the tool wrong, please correct me. Thanks.
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Pumpman1968
Well-known member
I have had MANY Herbrand tools pass through my hands. The stuff from the 60's and older are a TOTALLY different tool than the ones made in the 80's. I believe someone bought the name and just stamped it on generic stuff...........kind of like Thorsen.
I think mine were 70s era. I remember my family telling me how great Herbrand tools were and wondering what the heck the were talking about. Mine were total junk.
Pumpman1968
Well-known member
Yeah, dledinger......the ones you got were not the Herbrand tools of legend. Same name........totally different animal. like I said.........Thorsen made tools for a LONG time.........nothing special.......just solid, quality hard line ratchets/sockets/wrenches etc. Today, you see cheap imported junk with "Thorsen" on them. Same with the Herbrand stuff you had. I've seen some "NOS" Herbrand stuff on ebay that was the same cheap imported junk.
bentpushrod
Active member
I had a Herbrand roller cabinet, both the bottom and top box, that came out of my grandpa's Ford dealership. Not exactly sure of the age, but think it was from the 40's or 50's. loved that box, lost it when my shop burned down this summer.
Pumpman1968
Well-known member
Man, I would have loved to see pics of that box! Love that stuff!
VerneDye
Member
Have some Herbrand stuff. Older is good. I think some time towards the end, the name was used on Japnese stuff. Some Herbrand later models, do not say Made in USA or Freemont OH. I know they merged with some one else.
Seems like the old stuff was good for the time. Rugged and dependable. The later stuff is pretty cheap. I find the older stuff often. It is usually not functional. Can save broken ones and cobble together a working ratchet, for instance, from the broken ones. I use them. Work and dont break. Rust seems to be the culprit for the bad ones. That and the grease worms got in and ate all the lubricant.
I purchased an 1940's 3/8" drive bullet handle ratchet the other day. Never used. Paid $2.00 for it. Seems thats all most bring. I would like to make up a set of 1/4" stuff. But dont find them much.
Walden-Worchester is another about the same. Made in Mass. Good for the time, just didnt keep up. Lots of them around, smaller sizes seem easier to find.
I dont get on here much, but willing to trade some collectible stuff in larger sizes for 1/4"
Plomb, Wladen, and Herbrand stuff. Maybe Hinsdale.
Seems like the old stuff was good for the time. Rugged and dependable. The later stuff is pretty cheap. I find the older stuff often. It is usually not functional. Can save broken ones and cobble together a working ratchet, for instance, from the broken ones. I use them. Work and dont break. Rust seems to be the culprit for the bad ones. That and the grease worms got in and ate all the lubricant.
I purchased an 1940's 3/8" drive bullet handle ratchet the other day. Never used. Paid $2.00 for it. Seems thats all most bring. I would like to make up a set of 1/4" stuff. But dont find them much.
Walden-Worchester is another about the same. Made in Mass. Good for the time, just didnt keep up. Lots of them around, smaller sizes seem easier to find.
I dont get on here much, but willing to trade some collectible stuff in larger sizes for 1/4"
Plomb, Wladen, and Herbrand stuff. Maybe Hinsdale.
woody 73
Well-known member
I have never heard of that brand before you must have discovered something new!
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=277900
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=277900
vasili
Member
vasili
Member
but are not very professional tools
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3baygarage
Well-known member
Those are some nice examples from the Herbrand Canada era. Is the ratchet in the box a Herbrand?
Empty Pockets
Well-known member
I have a Ward's Powr Kraft socket set made by Herbrand. I bought it new in the early 70s, and it has served me well. Sadly, some time ago, my son bought a set of Powr Kraft sockets made by Wright on eBay, and won't sell them to me.
Derek420
Banned
I got a herbrand ratchet it's a round head and can't say I like they're tools really as i have seen a few and all feel and look cheap to me but I'd say the older ones we're better like thorsen brand started good went to ****.
four.cycle
Well-known member
^ Your Herbrand round-head ratchet is stamped with a little triangle, isn't it?
I have a few of those. At least one GJ member believes they were outsourcing them offshore. I haven't seen anything to indicate that's true, but the quality of the later (Triangle era) product certainly leaves much to be desired.
Do you have a photo of that unit by chance? I'm guessing it's actually Thorsen.
(Stamped with an "H" in the part number?)
Derek, there was nothing wrong with Thorsen's product when they were making it in Oakland or Dallas. When they started outsourcing it from Taiwan the product quality dropped precipitously. The US made stuff was on a par level with most other contemporary mid-priced tool brands.
I have a few of those. At least one GJ member believes they were outsourcing them offshore. I haven't seen anything to indicate that's true, but the quality of the later (Triangle era) product certainly leaves much to be desired.
Empty Pockets said:
Do you have a photo of that unit by chance? I'm guessing it's actually Thorsen.
(Stamped with an "H" in the part number?)
Derek, there was nothing wrong with Thorsen's product when they were making it in Oakland or Dallas. When they started outsourcing it from Taiwan the product quality dropped precipitously. The US made stuff was on a par level with most other contemporary mid-priced tool brands.
Cope
Well-known member
Back in 1965 I got an older Herbrand 18" 1/2" ratchet. The head was like Proto, but the shift lever was a round knob that moved left to right. I gave it to my late cousin many years ago but wish I had it back now. I still have a 3 piece line wrench set I bought in the late 1960s along with a few gear pullers and other odds and ends. They were good tools back in that time.
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maxpower_hd
Well-known member
The only Herbrand tool I have is a 3/8" medium long extension, made in USA. It also happens to be my favorite extension. It is tapered and fits into places some of the other extensions will not. And it flexes a bit but never breaks. Nice extension.
driftpin
Well-known member
Here is a vintage Herbrand valve spring compressor tool, not sure for what engines it would be used, it's pretty-big. I got it at a Miami FL yard sale. The threaded length exposed is 5" & the distance from the revolving cap to the seat of the C is 2-1/2" as-shown. I think it's for a light truck application. An internet search didn't turn up any info on this exact tool.
I started collecting tools in the 1960's as a teenager, I wanted to learn how to work on the VW beetles my parents bought as second cars. My memories of Herbrand are that they were a basic tool brand, not especially robust, just an everyday brand you would buy if you didn't want to spend much $. In the 1960's, my tools sources were Sears Roebuck and Montgomery Wards. I still use a Wards Powr-Kraft 3/8" 6-point socket set I got from my parents one Christmas probably about 1967. The ratchet needs rebuilding, I've broken or lost a couple of sockets, but the majority of the sockets are still put to use when I work on my metric motorcycles. The set came in a nifty hammertone steel box that I cut some cork sheet gasket material to fit in the bottom of the tray, still there, 50 years later!
From reading posts, it appears that Herbrand may have made Powr-Kraft tools at some point. My vintage set of sockets has been 'robust!'
I started collecting tools in the 1960's as a teenager, I wanted to learn how to work on the VW beetles my parents bought as second cars. My memories of Herbrand are that they were a basic tool brand, not especially robust, just an everyday brand you would buy if you didn't want to spend much $. In the 1960's, my tools sources were Sears Roebuck and Montgomery Wards. I still use a Wards Powr-Kraft 3/8" 6-point socket set I got from my parents one Christmas probably about 1967. The ratchet needs rebuilding, I've broken or lost a couple of sockets, but the majority of the sockets are still put to use when I work on my metric motorcycles. The set came in a nifty hammertone steel box that I cut some cork sheet gasket material to fit in the bottom of the tray, still there, 50 years later!
From reading posts, it appears that Herbrand may have made Powr-Kraft tools at some point. My vintage set of sockets has been 'robust!'
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Empty Pockets
Well-known member
I don't have a photo, but it has an H in the part number.... Thorsen, I guess.Another lesson learned
WittHay
Well-known member
Another tool name that i totally forgot about
The green Robertson Canadian screwdriver in the picture has been sold by every department and hardware store in Canada with there name on it. i have seen Woodwards, Canadian Tire and Gray screwdrivers that look identical
This thread mentions that Herbrand disappeared in the 80's after there quality declined. Those first imported tools from China and India regardless of brand, got to be some of the worst tools ever made
The green Robertson Canadian screwdriver in the picture has been sold by every department and hardware store in Canada with there name on it. i have seen Woodwards, Canadian Tire and Gray screwdrivers that look identical
This thread mentions that Herbrand disappeared in the 80's after there quality declined. Those first imported tools from China and India regardless of brand, got to be some of the worst tools ever made
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ganymede
Well-known member
Here's a 1/4" and a 3/8" pear head Herbrand ratchet next to a 3/4" drive Billings.
They all have the same selector but the innards are slightly different. Both dual pawl but the Billings selector slides up n down not back n forth like the Herbrands.
View media item 68933
They all have the same selector but the innards are slightly different. Both dual pawl but the Billings selector slides up n down not back n forth like the Herbrands.
View media item 68933