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Lets make an all vintage Snap-on tool picture thread!

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Steven 33

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Oct 13, 2022
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665
I was reminded again of my theory that at the very least some of the early Ratchets from snap on came painted like this no7 (on ebay) and the f7 from factory. The look of the paint I have seen on others is always very consistent. Also the f7 is from a ferret set I have that is somewhat of an anomaly being that only a few tools look like they have ever been used at all and it's the only f7 i have seen that still has the writings on the plug.
Anyone got a take on this? Would seem weird if someone bought an expensive set like this in the 20s or 30s and went right to painting the Ratchet and using a couple sockets just to put it away for 80 years
 

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MattVette89

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Nov 27, 2014
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2,265
Location
SW Chicago
Got this 1965 catalog awhile back from an auction, if anyone wants a picture of any specific page let me know.

I've got a small thread going specifically for Snap-on catalogs if you'd like to add to it:

 

Ricky Joe

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Sep 15, 2013
Messages
2,452
Location
Roanoke, Va.
This is for Humber. Looks like they made these from ‘41 to ‘65 for Chevy oil pan screws.
-DonIMG_9773.jpeg
There were two sizes. Plomb also made one that was a little better designed. They had a screwdriver tip that engaged the fastener, and the inevitable buildup of grease was pushed out through the sides of the socket. Front and rear crankshaft seals weren’t very good, and the oil leak combined with dust and dirt on the road created a buildup of gunk that made it hard to even find the screws, much less remove them. Regular sockets would pack full of gunk and have to be cleaned every couple of screws. A judicious use of scraper was necessary to save time. This socket was nice to use and a timesaver.
 

Farmer J.

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Sep 18, 2016
Messages
1,995
Location
UK, Cornwall/Hertfordshire.
There were two sizes. Plomb also made one that was a little better designed. They had a screwdriver tip that engaged the fastener, and the inevitable buildup of grease was pushed out through the sides of the socket. Front and rear crankshaft seals weren’t very good, and the oil leak combined with dust and dirt on the road created a buildup of gunk that made it hard to even find the screws, much less remove them. Regular sockets would pack full of gunk and have to be cleaned every couple of screws. A judicious use of scraper was necessary to save time. This socket was nice to use and a timesaver.
Here speaks the voice of experience.... Thanks for sharing it, I was wondering what is inside those sockets.
 

Oldtuleguy

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Nov 4, 2017
Messages
10,459
Here is one with the sleeve removed. It is older but same principle

20230724_061600.jpg
 

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Oldtuleguy

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Yup Plomb had an exposed spring , the herbrand was pinched in there. Maybe all the different designs were to avoid patent infringement?

20230724_083624.jpg
 

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outofbounds

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Oct 23, 2019
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Location
Michigan
Not SuperDuper vintage but old enough to qualify I hope. 74 pcs 1/4 Socket Set with all the trimmings…..Christmas in July!
 

Steven 33

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Joined
Oct 13, 2022
Messages
665
Okay bear with me folks I haven't posted here for a bit so this is a long one.
I have officially been collecting vintage snap on for 1 full year as of today. I have sold or traded at least 10 times what I currently have as I have a tendency to go a little overboard and struggle to find a reasonable stopping point ha so sometimes I need to rein it in a little which is why (as some of you have seen I'm sure) that I am trying to confine it to just getting one of each tool specifically all of the soclet sets made in the 20s and early 30s although I keep learning about or getting stuff that I previously didn't know about which are these newer style 5/8 drive 6pt sockets dated 1929-1931 and one weird thing is that the finish on the 1-5/8 socket is like a mix between the usual finish on this style socket and the different kind they briefly used I think officially starting in 1930.

Okay so One of my favorite things about collecting snap on (besides the super nice and kick a$$ people in this small community) is all of the little anomalies or undocumented and/or subtle variations that shows the progression of snap on while they were trying to perfect the manufacturing process. Or whatever reasons they had for some of them which I'll probably never know. One of which is the painted Ratchet theory that has no documentation that I know of but there's pretty credible evidence that it is the case, but seemingly not all got this paint job. And also some of the little things I have here in these pictures. There's the 1930 and 1931 (I believe) brief change in either metal composition or just the finish. But on some 1929 sockets plus some triple date stamp sockets 29,30,31 and some 5/8 drive 6pt sockets with the newer style broaching method dated from 1929-1932 with what looks like 3 different finish types. One or two of them being the same as the midget tools from the same period which I previously didn't know was a thing. I also have pictured a few oddball sizes in 5/8 drive besides the 1-5/8 theres a couple
1-5/16 and a 1-3/16 which im not exactly sure how rare those ones are but I have only seen 2 of each ever and i own all 4 but im sure most of you veterans have come across a lot more
i could go on and on with the description I'm sure but I'll let the picture speak for itself. These are a mix of mtf snapon and husky and Williams to show some of the different styles and overall looks from that time period and how even sockets made the same year can look totally different and at least for the most part they were all made in the same city which is pretty cool IMO.
 

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Steven 33

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 13, 2022
Messages
665
Okay bear with me folks I haven't posted here for a bit so this is a long one.
I have officially been collecting vintage snap on for 1 full year as of today. I have sold or traded at least 10 times what I currently have as I have a tendency to go a little overboard and struggle to find a reasonable stopping point ha so sometimes I need to rein it in a little which is why (as some of you have seen I'm sure) that I am trying to confine it to just getting one of each tool specifically all of the soclet sets made in the 20s and early 30s although I keep learning about or getting stuff that I previously didn't know about which are these newer style 5/8 drive 6pt sockets dated 1929-1931 and one weird thing is that the finish on the 1-5/8 socket is like a mix between the usual finish on this style socket and the different kind they briefly used I think officially starting in 1930.

Okay so One of my favorite things about collecting snap on (besides the super nice and kick a$$ people in this small community) is all of the little anomalies or undocumented and/or subtle variations that shows the progression of snap on while they were trying to perfect the manufacturing process. Or whatever reasons they had for some of them which I'll probably never know. One of which is the painted Ratchet theory that has no documentation that I know of but there's pretty credible evidence that it is the case, but seemingly not all got this paint job. And also some of the little things I have here in these pictures. There's the 1930 and 1931 (I believe) brief change in either metal composition or just the finish. But on some 1929 sockets plus some triple date stamp sockets 29,30,31 and some 5/8 drive 6pt sockets with the newer style broaching method dated from 1929-1932 with what looks like 3 different finish types. One or two of them being the same as the midget tools from the same period which I previously didn't know was a thing. I also have pictured a few oddball sizes in 5/8 drive besides the 1-5/8 theres a couple
1-5/16 and a 1-3/16 which im not exactly sure how rare those ones are but I have only seen 2 of each ever and i own all 4 but im sure most of you veterans have come across a lot more
i could go on and on with the description I'm sure but I'll let the picture speak for itself. These are a mix of mtf snapon and husky and Williams to show some of the different styles and overall looks from that time period and how even sockets made the same year can look totally different and at least for the most part they were all made in the same city which is pretty cool IMO.
 

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Steven 33

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Oct 13, 2022
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665
I have had way more snap on and mtf sockets than husky but from the ones I do have im sort of thinking that either I just got lucky or more than likely the husky sockets are a better made tool than snap on or mtf at least as far as the finish or plating goes because I don't think I have ever really had one that was in bad shape even with a few different styles as shown in pictures. The snap on ones are in pretty good condition but I've had to get a lot to get ones as nice as these VS it just appearing standard for the husky ones being this nice and this also shows some more little variations that I'm not quite sure of with the "post S/O, pre date code" sockets having one that has a darker tint to it and the other being very clear and shiny. The 1/2 is near perfect but the 3/8 one isn't too too far behind 20230730_024756.jpg20230730_024803.jpg20230730_025654.jpg
 

Ratchet.

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Joined
Jul 30, 2011
Messages
521
Location
Northwich England
Somehow i had overlooked the facrt that the older countour grip handle snap on screwdrivers came in colours other than red or black until a few months back. and the green is pretty much my favorite shade (kawasaki green...) so another bunch of things i need to assemble a set of! So far got the two stubby ones and one #3 flathead .. these two fresh out of the mail today, need to give them a bit of a clean up, on the lookout for the rest of the set now
 

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Smokeshow69

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Dec 7, 2012
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Location
Pacific Northwest
I picked up this sweet cantilever style box this weekend. I think it’s 40’s? It’s been spray painted but the inside is the gray color. How old is this?
 

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Private Lugnutz

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Mar 30, 2012
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30,610
Location
The Authentic Jersey Shore
Not later than 1948. They were "battleship duco grey enamel" before and after the war, when they were OD green. I have the exact same box. Also spraybombed red with traces of grey. If you search this thread on "Duplex" (that's the OEM, which, ironically, Plomb would later buy out...) you'll find my posts summarizing everything you want to know, with catalog references.
 

Smokeshow69

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Dec 7, 2012
Messages
8,383
Location
Pacific Northwest
Not later than 1948. They were "battleship duco grey enamel" before and after the war, when they were OD green. I have the exact same box. Also spraybombed red with traces of grey. If you search this thread on "Duplex" (that's the OEM, which, ironically, Plomb would later buy out...) you'll find my posts summarizing everything you want to know, with catalog references.
Stop that plomb talk, you are making me want to keep it :). But seriously I had no clue Duplex made them although I'm aware that duplex did offer a box similar to this. I'll research this thread. Thanks for the head up.

linkage to some real handikit beauties that lugz mentioned. Very nice examples. My mind is already swirling with ideas of a "barn find restoration" :)
 
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Oldtuleguy

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Nov 4, 2017
Messages
10,459
Duplex made alot of stuff for snap on thru the late 50s when they started making their own boxes.
 

Oldtuleguy

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Nov 4, 2017
Messages
10,459
Here's a 40s snapon box made by duplex. They made this box later for plomb, who bought them out. We have all seen the mbc boxes, produced simultaneously (rollabench etc..). Up until snapon made their own boxes, any supplier was fair game.20220531_183137.jpg
 

S-K Tool Fanatic!

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Nov 28, 2022
Messages
776
Location
NE Ohio
Got this M-4431-A yesterday for less than a dollar.
IMG_1897.jpeg
I know its a Railroad brake service tool, but how is it used? I’ll post more pics once its cleaned up.
 

Ricky Joe

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Sep 15, 2013
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2,452
Location
Roanoke, Va.
Got this M-4431-A yesterday for less than a dollar.
IMG_1897.jpeg
I know its a Railroad brake service tool, but how is it used? I’ll post more pics once its cleaned up.
Later models had four socket heads. Train inspector would try random bolts and nuts for looseness. He would tighten loose ones and then report them to the shop. The shop would then go over the car to make sure it was within specifications. Can you tell that I am from a railroad town?
 

Mike'smeatshop

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Joined
Apr 1, 2023
Messages
1,273
Later models had four socket heads. Train inspector would try random bolts and nuts for looseness. He would tighten loose ones and then report them to the shop. The shop would then go over the car to make sure it was within specifications. Can you tell that I am from a railroad town?
Nooooo. But good information. Now I have something to tell about mine. I am going to make up how I saved the town with mine.
 
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