Hornet Tools USA

[curbnaround]

This may clarify or add more confusion to the question about Hornet tools back in 2009.

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=43274&highlight=hornet+williams


I bought this set at a antique mall this weekend. It's complete so no need to explain the content except that the brass looking one slipped in there some how.

All the pieces are stamped Hornet USA. No where on the tools does it say Williams but the box clearly does.

<a href="http://s220.photobucket.com/albums/dd28/eddingsnathan/?action=view&current=DSC02190.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd28/eddingsnathan/DSC02190.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s220.photobucket.com/albums/dd28/eddingsnathan/?action=view&current=DSC02191.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd28/eddingsnathan/DSC02191.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>


Also bought these.

<a href="http://s220.photobucket.com/albums/dd28/eddingsnathan/?action=view&current=DSC02187.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd28/eddingsnathan/DSC02187.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>


Indestro Super 3202R 1/2-Drive Reversible Pressed-Flange Ratchet

1/2" P&C

 

[Lump]

Wow, never heard of Hornet.

 

[mrholeshot]

Is it my imagination or has someone put the pipe to that ratchet? Nice score

 

[philw]

Good find on the Hornet stuff! I have never seen anything marked Hornet and from the previous thread you linked it seems to be rare.

I would guess that Hornet is an economy brand from Williams that didn't pan out and only lasted a short time.

I found Hornet in the Trademark data base and it is listed as registered to TRW Inc. corp Ohio, doing business as J.H. Williams.
Registration date was July 76 and cancellation date was December of 83. It was for socket wrenches and sockets sold as a set.

The database didn't have a pic of the drawing as far as I could see but this was the only match I found up to the late 70's

Also, nice find on the Indestro ratchet. Many times they are missing the drive plugs.

 

[woody 73]

Good find on the Hornet stuff! I have never seen anything marked Hornet and from the previous thread you linked it seems to be rare.

I would guess that Hornet is an economy brand from Williams that didn't pan out and only lasted a short time.

I found Hornet in the Trademark data base and it is listed as registered to TRW Inc. corp Ohio, doing business as J.H. Williams.
Registration date was July 76 and cancellation date was December of 83. It was for socket wrenches and sockets sold as a set.

The database didn't have a pic of the drawing as far as I could see but this was the only match I found up to the late 70's

Also, nice find on the Indestro ratchet. Many times they are missing the drive plugs.

Thanks for the information,I am not familiar with the Hornet name,I bet Mickey might have run across these at some time.You are right on about the missing drive plugs I have yet to find one.

 

[MOPARHOUND!]

Wow, what a cool find. Not much info out there on Hornet. philw had some great input.

There is a 1/2" Hornet round head in the collection (on the far left in the pic).

Thought is was made by Bonney at first, but the more I look at it, I can now see the JH Williams connection. (A 1/2" drive Bonney round head is 3rd from the left.)

 

[arkangel06]

I have only even seen 1 hornet socket It looked to be regular williams quality nothing special.

 

[old salvage]

Damn, thats in near perfect condition.
I wonder what the survival rate is for those tools. Are they so rare because most end up getting used into oblivion or because production run was small ?

 

[Blacknwhitepit]

Finally, an answer about Hornet.

Thanks!


-BWP

 

[curbnaround]

Thanks for the information. I didn't see much under a google search. It's in great condition and one of those items you don't come across that often.

I like the indestro ratchet also.

 

[mrpooman]

I bought some Hornet socket last weekend and they look like they were manufactured by Stanley, look inside a socket and compare to a Stanley! Even a Blackhawk looks the same. I was thinking maybe Stanley was the mfg. and Williams the marketing firm? I could be wrong, but look for yourself.

 

[repella42]

To revive an old thread lol. I found these in a estate sale in Everett, WA. Not the greatest condition but for $1 cant beat it. Mine seams to have a lower model number. Also, it says it has a flex handle but it had a S-K rusty old flex handle.

I was going to resrpay just for looks but then I saw yours and got super jealous

 

[Kaervak]

Huh, I had no idea Hornet stuff was so rare. I have an old 1/2" drive Hornet ratchet. It's not in perfect shape, but incredibly usable. No idea where my dad got it from however.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Crossposting from Williams thread. I think it says 81421, not sure if thats a big 3/8 set or a small 1/2 set.

 

[OilyRascal]

It all started with me finding the nasty looking ratchet and spark plug socket (up front in pics) in my granfathers shop about 12 years ago. I have since found a few better examples. Here are sets 81481, 81389, 81380,and 81391

 

[four.cycle]

so... safe to say you're a fan of Hornet socket sets?

 

[OilyRascal]

I am intrigued by the fact little is known of them. I have not specifically sought after them, but they do show up from time to time. I have been blessed to find some with documentation/marketing in-tact. I have learned more from those than any other source.

I would characterize a complete set in great condition as uncommon, not rare.

 

[four.cycle]

I'd speculate that like "Action" - Thorsen's "second" line (which was actually the same tool, just different branding) - the "Hornet" didn't get the same promotional effort from the factory (to reduce overall costs) and (again, like "Action") there may have been little documentation available in the way of catalogs. Probably marketed strictly with promotional fly sheets - like those Thorsen "Red Box Special" flyers.
Just a wild guess, but it makes sense.