Know anything about "O-Ratchet"?

[tall_will]

here is the pictures of mine ..... and one picture of how the selector is held on

That sure looks like the front and back of a Cornwell ratchet, no?

Edit: did not see Franzdom's post before I posted this reply.

 

[dimwittedmoose51]

I, too, was seeking info on this strange O ratchet tool set as a friend of mine picked up both a US and Metric set of them and a spare set of metric sockets for me at an auction a couple weeks ago. All three were pretty much NIB.

Here's a youtube 2 minute infomercial about the set also saying they're available at Sears. Wonder if any of you have that mysterious 3" extension offered as a "bonus"........

DM&FS

 

[retDAC]

Group O Notes

1. O-Ratchet uses a hollow hex drive lug/post which you slide the drive end of the socket over in the same manner as putting a regular square drive socket onto a regular ratchet. HOWEVER instead of a check/security ball, there is some kind of sheet steel? plastic? flanged collar you have to slide over the hex drive lug BEFORE you put the socket on it. If you don't have the collar, the socket falls off.
2. In all the prior systems, about half or more of the length of the socket is contained inside the head of the ratchet. Which means you can get the socket into smaller areas. Not so with O-Ratchet; it's completely outside the ratchet just like a regular socket/ratchet setup.
3. Another disadvantage is the 'through hole' is smaller than the better designs.
4. If you lose your ratchet, Group O sockets can be used with a hex (L style) wrench IF you have one big enough.
5. This design is long obsolete so if you lose something, good luck finding a replacement.

 

[DaveIRL]

it kinda resembles a plumbers rad socket
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TODAYS-TO...446473?hash=item43e9b02ec9:g:L2cAAOSwv-NWXyUH
http://thumbs2.ebaystatic.com/d/l225/m/mxBHurch_Tnzl2gx_3PIyXw.jpg

 

[mikebaker1129]

A Cornwell ratchet repair kit will get the broken selector repaired.
I use mine often as a standard socket set and it works well. Occasionally I will find some loose "0" sockets at pawn shops,but still looking for a 10mm that is missing in my set.

 

[Raymond R]

Maybe u could help me I have the same set u do it also has conventual sockets the prob I'm having is the big sockets fit tight.Now when I try to connect 13mm and smaller they sockets just fall out also the adapters also don't stay tight and fall out. I can't figure out why.

 

[mikebaker1129]

Sounds like your clip is broken .See the posts above about the clips that break or fall off.

 

[Richard Cranium]

I too purchased one of the O-ratchets at sears. I got it very cheap as I remember, It had a broken socket in the set and been returned under their warranty. After I purchased it, I called the number in the box and they sent me out a new replacement socket.
So a couple of weeks ago, I saw a O-ratchet ratchet at a pawn shop for a buck and purchased it as a back up incase I break my ratchet.

 

[Firefighter1406]

I know this is an old thread. Anybody have any of these they want to part with? I need a couple things to make my set complete.

 

[Farmall450]

Wow, crazy reading through these zombies and seeing all the old names. I wonder what happened to Tampag...posted everyday then flipped a switch.

 

[Firefighter1406]

Went back and found the extension today. I was shocked. Looking for a 7/16” socket. That’s all that’s missing.

 

[mikebaker1129]

Went back and found the extension today. I was shocked. Looking for a 7/16” socket. That’s all that’s missing.

I have a few spares at work,I will see if I have a 7/16.

 

[Firefighter1406]

That would be awesome. I appreciate it.

 

[dimwittedmoose51]

I have two sets of the O ratchet in the plastic case and a set of their metric sockets in a cardboard box. HAve yet to use them,but vagueloy remember having about $10 ******* in them at an estate sale here in town some years ago.

As to the original through bolt design"first in the nation" status, I would like to toss in the double flex Snap on Ratchets from the early 60's. I picked up an 18mm open tooth unit with an 18mm through socket and a 7/8" double flex open tooth that hat had 5 or 6 through sockets with it. Found them inside a Waterloo 10 drawer top chest at an estate sale very close to my house a few years ago. I think the doh-dohs running the sale forgot to check all the drawers for tools, as I bought the top and bottom Waterloos for a steal at $80 and the top chest had like 15 pieces of Snap On in there. They also had a set of SO 1/2" SAE impact sockets with the red storage tray for $10, so I picked them up as well. But I digress....

Research finally led me to the fact that the SAE double jointer was designed specifically for working on early 60's AMC front suspensions. Not sure about the metric sibling however. Might explain why they were in like new condition....lol. No date codes on either ratchet, just a patent number. They sit proudly in my Snap on collection along with a lot of other weird Snap On tools.

DM&FS

 

[Firefighter1406]

Sounds like some great deals and a nice collection. I hope to complete my set. My search continues. Someday down the road if you feel like getting rid of your O-Ratchet collection look me up.

 

[dimwittedmoose51]

I'd trade the whole 3 piece set for one of the M-5 Herbrand 1/4" bullet end ratchets if it were in good to exc. condition....


DM&FS

 

[totheright]

I was told the O ratchet was invented in Ada Oklahoma and the company sold out to the Chickasaw Nation. I have a set produced by Craftsman.