Husky tools

[Steven 33]

Cool. Have you located a catalog?

I should have access to some scans but no physical ones yet

 

[3baygarage]

While looking through things yesterday I realized I still had not posted this tool and it is time.

The sockets of course came from Steven, whose arm must have been twisted like an over torqued allen wrench! He promptly shipped them out upon payment, however it was a completely different item bundled in the deal that took some 40 days and 40 nights to receive, leaving me to think we have a crisis on our hands and I might have to send the sockets back in order to free that other hostage.

So that said, I owe Steven a big thank you. I was very happy to see these pieces together, like a band reunited once again. I also have to say, man, I don’t know how you focused in on that little 1/6 of a page Husky ad from 1925! I just went and found it myself based off your photo and good grief, there are only a couple tool ads in that Commercial Car Journal publication. What a find that was.

The ratchet arrived a few years back, and if I’m not mistaken, via someone with the first name R, last name Olson. You all may know who that is! Funny how this came together.

So here is the Husky No.55 self-contained wrench set, circa 1925. I’m very happy to have it in the collection guys.


^the better side. Yes, it’s double sided!

Edit: btw I don’t have the original short drive plug.

As seen in Commercial Car Journal (12/15/25) thanks to archive.org.



Mandl Patent 1,724,491 (1929)-Datamp-

 

[Private Lugnutz]

So here is the Husky No.55 self-contained wrench set, circa 1925.

Awesome set.

If I am interpreting that shaggy dog story correctly, and with less ****, you got the ratchet from Roy (last time I "talked" to him was two years ago, about the PLVMB Letter-Letter Code study...) several years ago, sans anything else, and you got the sockets from @Steven 33 more recently. But did you already have the extension? Is that where this whole thing started? You with an extension, but no ratchet or sockets to go with it?

More importantly, though, I am really confused about how the contents stay inside the tube handle! There were a few self-contained sockets-on-a-stick sets like this in that era (e.g., Billmont Master Wrench No. 1), but they have twist off/on caps. I originally assumed that knurled collar was the cap, but that's on the end of the tool in the ad as the contents are being put back inside, and that knurled collar piece is also on the end of the tool in your first photo showing the string of sockets on the extension sticking out of the end of the open tube handle! And, there's no removed cap mentioned or shown in the ad or your photos.

Not sure how the DATAMP steward surmises that "the end closure could either be the largest socket of the set or a separate cap," when DATAMP does not appear to have an example of the tool (the old "Not known to have been produced" note) or a period ad to support that conjecture.

If that's not a cap, what the heck does that knurled collar piece do? And what prevents the contents from slipping out?

 

[four.cycle]

Edit: btw I don’t have the original short drive plug.

What would have been the dimensions on the original drive plug?
1/2" hex x 1/2" hex x how long? or?
detents?

I have a bag of those widgets somewhere. Mix and match stuff.

 

[3baygarage]

What would have been the dimensions on the original drive plug?
1/2" hex x 1/2" hex x how long? or?
detents?

I have a bag of those widgets somewhere. Mix and match stuff.

Thanks, pretty sure I have some drive plugs that are 1/2 hex. But yes, it is 1/2" iirc. Length, not exactly sure.

 

[3baygarage]

Thanks Lugz. The extension and sockets came together and the ratchet was an eBay buy from Roy's liquidating I believe.

The parts do not stay in the handle as far as I can tell. My pinky held them in quite well while messing with it, but they extend outward so no, I don't believe there was a cap unless it went over the end somehow.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

The parts do not stay in the handle as far as I can tell. My pink held them in quite well while messing with it, but they extend outward so no, I don't believe there was a cap unless it went over the end somehow.

Thanks. I got impatient and read the patent front to back, something I don't think the DATAMP steward has done.

There never was a cap. Mandl was very clear that the last socket was also the closure. He explains that the first detent ball on the extension binds the smallest socket to the extension, the last detent ball on the extension binds the largest socket to the extension, and the largest socket is especially beveled to match the bevel in the opening at the end of the tube. The idea is for the entire piece to be forcibly pressed and temporarily "stuck", if you will, into the tube, by the mating of the bevels. That knurled collar helps keep the tube together at the end (it being made of two pieces was part of the patent) and for the overall appearance of the wrench (i.e., cosmetic).

Loves me some old Husky, and I have nothing but mad respect for Mr. Mandl (is there any other major figure in vintage heyday hand tool history who worked for three different 600 lb gorillas such as Snap-on, the original Husky, and Blackhawk!?), but with the advantage of hindsight, I would have to consider no cap a poor decision and a design flaw.

Super coolass kit that anyone would be super proud to own. But that's a little odd. Adding to its unique charm, I would say, of course.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

To save you or anyone else time, the description of the last socket as the closure is on page 4 (of a 9 page patent!), lines 6-37.

On page 3, lines 79-91, Mandlclaims it's the first ratchet with a hollow body for self-storing sockets. Technically, I guess he is correct. The Billmont Master Wrench No. 1 was introduced in 1919, but it's not a ratchet. The tube turns a universal joint positioned inside a hollow elbow. The SPS hollow well "Hallowell" tools were spinners. Off the top of my head and time for a nap, I can't think of another self-contained ratchet-based set. Anyone else?

 

[3baygarage]

Very interesting. Thanks for doing the research. Bog had a storage handle, but again, not a ratchet if I'm remembering that correctly.

 

[four.cycle]

. Off the top of my head and time for a nap, I can't think of another self-contained ratchet-based set. Anyone else?

Litton "Pocket Socket".
You are correct: HallOWell is not a ratchet.
I can't think of any others, either!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Litton "Pocket Socket".

I meant vintage. A contemporary.

 

[four.cycle]

^ none that I know of.
HallOWell would be the closest, if I'm not mistaken.

There were a lot of "sockets that slip on over the drive tool", but not a lot of "sockets that fit inside the drive tool".

 

[Steven 33]

Thanks Lugz. The extension and sockets came together and the ratchet was an eBay buy from Roy's liquidating I believe.

The parts do not stay in the handle as far as I can tell. My pinky held them in quite well while messing with it, but they extend outward so no, I don't believe there was a cap unless it went over the end somehow.

Such a cool tool hopefully I find a complete setup eventually ha. And if I remember correctly one end had a stopper and the other had detent balls. I think the inside is supposed to be set up so that you can keep it together decently stable by pushing it in and have the detent balls sort of secure it inside the extra cavity area.

 

[Steven 33]

Husky is just so interesting also turns out Husky corp is the result of a merger so they weren't actually acquired by Olsen mfg it seems?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

....also turns out Husky corp is the result of a merger so they weren't actually acquired by Olsen mfg it seems?

I remember looking into this for the Husky entry in Tool Archives back in the day and finding it a little inconclusive with slightly contradictory notices.

- Your notice, which for everyone else's benefit I will identify as excerpted from the 'Personals' (personnel related) section of a 1929 Motor, indicates merger.

- A notice in a 1929 El Automovil Americano linked here, also indicated a "consolidando" (merger).

- Ads in various trade mags in 1929 indicated that H.P. Olsen was the president of Husky Corporation. He was formerly the owner and president of Olsen Manufacturing. That could go either way. Example linked here.

- AA claims that "an article in the January 13, 1929 edition of the Chicago Tribune states that the Husky Corporation had been purchased by Olsen Manufacturing of Kenosha, a company founded in 1928 by H.P. Olsen, a Milwaukee businessman and publisher," but they do not provide the clipping. AA takes great pains to cobble that together with the new factory and name change notice in a 1929 Motor Record, linked here, with information in a 1928 Motor Truck linked in snippet-only view here that the factory was previously being operated by Olsen Mfg to conclude acquisition by Olsen, but the newly named Husky Corporation under the formerly Olsen Mfg facility roof could just as plausibly be a merger.

Legally, a merger requires two companies to consolidate into a new entity with a new name, ownership, and management structure. Mergers do not have to include cash, but sometimes do, which can make it look like an acquisition. One key would be to determine if Olsen Manufacturing continued to exist, which is hard to show since there's such a paucity of information on it to begin with. That leaves us with the only tea leaves we have to read.

I lean merger, despite the Tribune article, which could easily be misinformed.

Regardless of the legal definition of the new 40,000 foot facility business, they all went out of business four years later!

Meanwhile, the brains behind the entire original outfit, had already skedaddled for bigger, better things at Blackhawk.

 

[Steven 33]

I remember looking into this for the Husky entry in Tool Archives back in the day and finding it a little inconclusive with slightly contradictory notices.

- Your notice, which for everyone else's benefit I will identify as excerpted from the 'Personals' (personnel related) section of a 1929 Motor, indicates merger.

- A notice in a 1929 El Automovil Americano linked here, also indicated a "consolidando" (merger).

- Ads in various trade mags in 1929 indicated that H.P. Olsen was the president of Husky Corporation. He was formerly the owner and president of Olsen Manufacturing. That could go either way. Example linked here.

- AA claims that "an article in the January 13, 1929 edition of the Chicago Tribune states that the Husky Corporation had been purchased by Olsen Manufacturing of Kenosha, a company founded in 1928 by H.P. Olsen, a Milwaukee businessman and publisher," but they do not provide the clipping. AA takes great pains to cobble that together with the new factory and name change notice in a 1929 Motor Record, linked here, with information in a 1928 Motor Truck linked in snippet-only view here that the factory was previously being operated by Olsen Mfg to conclude acquisition by Olsen, but the newly named Husky Corporation under the formerly Olsen Mfg facility roof could just as plausibly be a merger.

Legally, a merger requires two companies to consolidate into a new entity with a new name, ownership, and management structure. Mergers do not have to include cash, but sometimes do, which can make it look like an acquisition. One key would be to determine if Olsen Manufacturing continued to exist, which is hard to show since there's such a paucity of information on it to begin with. That leaves us with the only tea leaves we have to read.

I lean merger, despite the Tribune article, which could easily be misinformed.

Regardless of the legal definition of the new 40,000 foot facility business, they all went out of business four years later!

Meanwhile, the brains behind the entire original outfit, had already skedaddled for bigger, better things at Blackhawk.

Lots of sketchy stuff happened fast. I was venture to guy the original husky guys helped off some of the stuff they already had which resulted in the "husky wrench corp" ratchets that are identical to the later bulkier versions. And then dipped out. I'm taking a break from this rabbit hole ha but my main goal is to figure out how that Chicago auto tool co seemed to end up with the unfinished husky pieces

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

I've got this older Husky "H" series 3/8 drive set. Sockets H3703, 3704, 3705-9, flex head H3721, 6" extension H3717 and the ever elusive 6" crossbar. Just wondering, cause there ain't no H series catalog, if one of you might have the same set and if there was a ratchet included. I know some earlier sets often didn't have a ratchet but I also know there's a H5125 ratchet from this time period.

 

[Steven 33]

While looking through things yesterday I realized I still had not posted this tool and it is time.

The sockets of course came from Steven, whose arm must have been twisted like an over torqued allen wrench! He promptly shipped them out upon payment, however it was a completely different item bundled in the deal that took some 40 days and 40 nights to receive, leaving me to think we have a crisis on our hands and I might have to send the sockets back in order to free that other hostage.

So that said, I owe Steven a big thank you. I was very happy to see these pieces together, like a band reunited once again. I also have to say, man, I don’t know how you focused in on that little 1/6 of a page Husky ad from 1925! I just went and found it myself based off your photo and good grief, there are only a couple tool ads in that Commercial Car Journal publication. What a find that was.

The ratchet arrived a few years back, and if I’m not mistaken, via someone with the first name R, last name Olson. You all may know who that is! Funny how this came together.

So here is the Husky No.55 self-contained wrench set, circa 1925. I’m very happy to have it in the collection guys.


^the better side. Yes, it’s double sided!

Edit: btw I don’t have the original short drive plug.

As seen in Commercial Car Journal (12/15/25) thanks to archive.org.



Mandl Patent 1,724,491 (1929)-Datamp-

Dug out this old add for the no.55

 

[Private Lugnutz]

...cause there ain't no H series catalog,

The New Britain era Husky catalog No. 38 (1938) on IA/ITCL is chock full of H-series tools and sets.

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

The New Britain era Husky catalog No. 38 (1938) on IA/ITCL is chock full of H-series tools and sets.

Thanks, I'll check it out! Not sure how'd I'd missed that, could've been a "duh" moment!

 

[MR.X]

Checking out some 19th and early 20th century architecture on a home tour in Marshall Michigan yesterday walked thru a little craft show set up and one cool dude was selling old salvage hardware but did have a few tools including this. Not used to seeing the larger size ( 1 1/4, 1 1/8 1 1/16 etc) 9/16 hex drive sockets like these. One of the houses we randomly walked by on our way to one of the featured houses was the literal inspiration for the House from the children's book / movie 'The House with a Clock in it's Walls'.

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

Checking out some 19th and early 20th century architecture on a home tour in Marshall Michigan yesterday walked thru a little craft show set up and one cool dude was selling old salvage hardware but did have a few tools including this. Not used to seeing the larger size ( 1 1/4, 1 1/8 1 1/16 etc) 9/16 hex drive sockets like these. One of the houses we randomly walked by on our way to one of the featured houses was the literal inspiration for the House from the children's book / movie 'The House with a Clock in it's Walls'.

Big drool for that hex sliding T bar; then double drool on that whole set...don't have Husky that old, yet...

 

[Steven 33]

Near perfect condition

 

[Patrick Eubanks]

Near perfect condition

Hey now

 

[3baygarage]

HY now

Fixed it.
Nice looking set

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

I've got this older Husky "H" series 3/8 drive set. Sockets H3703, 3704, 3705-9, flex head H3721, 6" extension H3717 and the ever elusive 6" crossbar. Just wondering, cause there ain't no H series catalog, if one of you might have the same set and if there was a ratchet included. I know some earlier sets often didn't have a ratchet but I also know there's a H5125 ratchet from this time period.

Found it in the No. 38 catalog. Big thanks to whoever uploaded that catalog last year. This set is the #2232 and all I lack is a H3925 reversible ratchet and the H4300 adapter plug!

 

[Patrick Eubanks]

Fixed it.
Nice looking set

Perfect

 

[Steven 33]

Here's a case for the 190 utility set. I don't think I've come across any others. Someone welded in a second rail and the speeder holder is busted. Not really sure how the longer screwdriver bits are meant to be held either. And unfortunately I only have interchangeable ones. And haven't seen any others.
I'll be needing a "speed screwdriver handle" extension as well as a speeder to complete the set if anyone has one to spare. It's basically just like a regular extension but instead it has a bigger end like on the no. 37 nut spinner in the last picture.
Also as it turns out. The no 986 set doesn't even go on the husky display stand. The only two compact sets on it are the no. 190 and the 599 which is one that has eluded me. I would have to see if I have even seen one. It's basically the same set but no screwdriver shenanigans. I have seen a few T599 or T599 1/2 sets that were made later in the square boxes instead.
And then the sockets would be marked "T" and then either 1/2 If it's square drive or hex if it's it's 9/16 drive. But they also added in the part number in some cases. Identifying everything but the maker lol.

 

[Steven 33]

Still lots of work to do but decided to do a little mock-up of the 190 utility set.

 

[Steven 33]

Husky

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Here's my husky toolboard

 

[Steven 33]

Husky made wrench illustration

 

[rust in the eye]

My measly contribution;
a 1/2" sq. dr. 9/16" 12pt. socket, # H2702
If any of you fellows need it pay the postage and it's yours.

 

[Steven 33]

Old husky

 

[Steven 33]

Here's some of my husky ratchets. Still have a ways to go but getting closer to one of each. The black paint is original same as youll find on some snap on ratchets

 

[Steven 33]

Anyone see these pliers?

 

[Mintgrun]

No, but they sure look a lot like the CRAFTSMAN pliers OTG posted in the Long C thread.

Show your "Long C" Craftsman!

That font is certainly the long C era, but Smoke has a good point - is it on the shank? The 8 bits that fit in the box all have Craftsman on the Shaft in the same style as the Blue Cap . There were two similar Bits with the box of 8. One is Craftsman and the other is Irwin. See images.

www.garagejournal.com

Tom

 

[d42jeep]

Here are some Husky locking pliers I found at yesterday’s estate sale. I haven’t used evaporust on them yet in case a possible future owner might prefer the rusty patina.
-Don

 

[Steven 33]

No, but they sure look a lot like the CRAFTSMAN pliers OTG posted in the Long C thread.

Show your "Long C" Craftsman!

That font is certainly the long C era, but Smoke has a good point - is it on the shank? The 8 bits that fit in the box all have Craftsman on the Shaft in the same style as the Blue Cap . There were two similar Bits with the box of 8. One is Craftsman and the other is Irwin. See images.

www.garagejournal.com

Tom

I have a few of the old craftsmans. Here's one and a dunlap pair. The interesting thing is that I've never seen or heard of any original husky branded pliers or wrenches besides in this cat

 

[Steven 33]

Cat pic