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

[d42jeep]

Keep in mind that until 1931, when Forged Steel Products was formally merged with Snap-on, they were still selling their own pliers under their own brand name (Vacuum-Grip) in addition to supplying Snap-on with pliers that Snap-on sold with the same brand name. Those pliers look like straight up FSP Vacuum-Grips to me.

I assume that is the situation with my dykes. I checked them out carefully and there wasn’t any indication of an association with Snap-on.
-Don

 

[davethorik]

Just picked up this Snap-on body hammer BF608, date code 1977. Looks like it has a newer Snap-on replacement handle.

 

[d42jeep]

Double stamp date code on this socket from last weekend. 41 and 45.

Here is another one with those same dates.
-Don

 

[snapmom]

I wonder if -G- is something other than a date code, were as it usually is just a G
I doubt if we ever find out.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

That is a funny g

 

[d42jeep]

I thought it might have something to do with being late ‘45 and the tools being chrome plated but here is my chrome plated drag link bit and it has the conventional G. Maybe it was just a stamp they had around when they dual date stamped earlier dated tools?
-Don

 

[gpw_42]

Here's a 41 date code with the -G- on an M-11 (9/32" dr.). Just received it yesterday from an auction site purchase, due to the -G-...I missed the 1 pictured in the auction. It'll go in my (mostly) 45 coded 9/32" set.

SnapMom's conclusion about the -G- was instructive, thanks!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I wonder if -G- is something other than a date code...

You and I have talked about that on the Collecting Snap-on forum before, snapmom. I believe the origins (perhaps "Emergency" and "Government", as has been theorized) could be in the names the War Production Board used during different periods of the war. I have noted before that Duro-Chrome also used "E" and "G" as model numbers on ignition wrenches, which was unusual for them, and completely different than their normal prewar model numbering scheme, and their use happens to correlate, generally, with the chronological sequence of how Snap-on used them in place of date codes. It also jibes with our theory, snapmom, about some "E" production actually occurring in 1943, explaining the relative paucity of "3" date coded Snap-on tools. I think it may have started out as a way for them distinguish "Emergency" and then later period production, and they somewhat loosely attributed all "E" to 1944 and "G" to 1945.

 

[Provincial]

Or "E" to 1943, "F" to 1944, and "G" to 1945?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Picked up this Bluepoint Boxocket with one of those full date stamps...

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Very nice. Love those single offset wrenches.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Ran into a guy selling his gramps' tools at the flea today. Worked for a crane outfit in NE Philly and favored Snap-on, Cornwell, and Proto.

The big socket box is empty (it was full of 3/4-inch drive handles and sockets, misc brands, all postwar), and a mess of rust, but I am going to restore it.

The midget set is 9/32-inch drive, near-complete, with a mix of "E" or no date codes. It, too, was roached inside and out. I may have used a little bit too much force on the box itself, but I can't stand rust or stubborn grime, and it needs to be restored anyway.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Also snagged a few Blue-Point wrenches I don't have, a "G" dated Ferret socket (not pictured), and a 1947 dated Ferret palm ratchet.

 

[d42jeep]

Ran into a guy selling his gramps' tools at the flea today. Worked for a crane outfit in NE Philly and favored Snap-on, Cornwell, and Proto.

The big socket box is empty (it was full of 3/4-inch drive handles and sockets, misc brands, all postwar), and a mess of rust, but I am going to restore it.

The midget set is 9/32-inch drive, near-complete, with a mix of "E" or no date codes. It, too, was roached inside and out. I may have used a little bit too much force on the box itself, but I can't stand rust or stubborn grime, and it needs to be restored anyway.

That’s great that it has the rare screwdriver bit. I have some spare flex handles and cross bars I got from Cliff and I’ll send you one of each. The sockets are easy to find.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Thanks.

 

[MShaw]

"1947 dated Ferret palm ratchet."
If that has a female 3/8" opening in the top it is a ratchet adapter that was usually used with a torque wrench to eliminate removing and re-positioning the socket as you tightened the fastener.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Yup. F-67. Ratchet adapter. Barrell ratchet. Cog. Etc. I have a very early 1/2-inch drive, too. And a Mossberg that was still attached to a Mossberg torker.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Last night I poured some Metal Rescue inside the Snap-on No. 24-B box, and I also soaked a beach towel in it and wrapped it around the outside. I let it sit all night. This morning I hit it with some WD-40, a wire brush, and some steel wool, just to make a final assessment. Frankly, if what remains of the finish was wartime OD green instead of prewar "smooth grey enamel", I would probably leave it as is in a preserved state. But the box did not change through the war, only the color of the finish. So I think I am going to strip it and this is either going to be my next 'wartime barn find look' box, or, I may try to do a straight up factory prewar finish. Maybe someone with an L-225 3/4-inch drive set is looking for a home.

EDIT: Now that I think about it, the midget boxes were grey enamel throughout the war. I've seen bigger Snap-on toolboxes painted OD green (such as the Handikits), but maybe the 3/4-inch boxes were grey enamel too.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Re-Painted one for a laugh. Nice sturdy box.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Haha. That's not a bad idea!

 

[snapmom]

A 752 one inch drive socket. date code 1937 I have been trying for years to finish a one inch dr set from the 30s. I doubt if I ever find them all. This is a rare eight point. I have never seen a 1-1/2 dr SO tool from the 30s

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Very hard to find sockets. I have collected alot of 30s 3/4 and never even see 1" or 1 1/2".

 

[ShadowBoxer]

Hi,
I just got a few new/old tools last week.

First I want to show you and ask about this set I got.
I haven't cleaned it or the box yet.
Would you clean it or restore the box. I was really looking for something I could use. How far would you take cleaning and restoring with something like these.

Most of these seem to be the same year but there is a mix. Is this common?

Now for some reason, maybe not enough sleep, too much bourbon, I don't know, but I ended up buying two sets. Maybe I thought one was metric, which is what I'm looking for in this time frame. Instead they are both SAE. The second set did not come with a box.

Considering that both have a mixture of years, would it be heresy to mix them to create a best of the bunch and more complete set? This brings me back to restoring the box or not.
I don't know.

Here are both sets. I cleaned up the one that did not come with a box (on the right. It's just set up in the lid to make it easier to see what's there) with some Simple Green, water and some brass brushing. Ironically it was both in the better condition and dirtier. The sockets were mostly black with grease and dirt. The speeder handle was frozen but I managed to get some Simple Green in there and worked it loose. It was jammed with old dried grease and metal flakes. The boxed set that has more worn-out chrome and exposed steel has very clean sockets and the speeder handle worked fine.

Some close-ups of the nicer set that did not come in the box.

I don't know if this is how they are supposed to lay in the box, it's just how it came to me. If anyone has a picture or two of a completed set arranged properly that might help.
And thanks for any cleaning or restoring tips.
Or should I just give the rest the same basic cleaning and use them as is?
What would you do with the box?
Cheers.

 

[snapmom]

Nice set. I would just clean it.

 

[ShadowBoxer]

Thanks SnapMom.
That means a lot coming from you.

I know that some of you take restoration to a whole other level. However I was really thinking of using these tools (I assume there is not reason they are less functional than new), and I will probably just use the box as storage and ease of transportation to and from the main tool chest. Probably what it was meant for in the first place.

I’ve almost finished cleaning off most of the rust from the box.
After that what options are there? Leaving it raw just seems to invite a never ending job of cleaning off new rust. I’m not sure waxing would be tough enough, maybe it’s fine, I don’t know. I’m not sure of putting some kind of clear coat on it though. That seems like overkill and I’m worried about what’s left of the decal. Honestly I’m surprised it cleaned up and hung on so well. I did not loose any pieces that I can tell.

So what would/do some of you do to keep the boxes nice(ish) and still practical besides a complete strip and respray?

 

[Farmer J.]

Nice sets. I don't recall seeing that colour of box before, is it original or just faded red?
I would probably put some Boiled Linseed Oil on the box to preserve it, but I that gets put on a lot of my stuff anyway because I like the smell of it!

 

[Username already in use]

I don't usually end up bringing too many SnapOn sockets home from the flea because vendors tend to think they're made of gold... But I ended up grabbing a nice handful for a reasonable sum at the flea yesterday.

The 15/16" and 13/32" deep are 9/32" drive and 1931 dated *
The 3/4" deep is 3/8" drive and 1945
The 1/2" is 1944 and the 13/16 and 1" are 1945 and look new(ish).

 

[Tylermorris]

Not too sure if any of these are vintage, paid $100 for the air tools and 100 more for the wrenches

 

[Bockscar]

Picked this up Saturday....doesn't seem complete....what am I missing

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[Bockscar]

And also this....I gather it is a carb adjustment socket

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[snapmom]

It is a mid 40s set. should be 1/4 drive.
https://www.collectingsnapon.com/catalogs/catalogs.php?loggedin=0&catalogPage=870

 

[d42jeep]

Here is my complete set, mostly dated 1944. I’m looking for a 1944 dated flex handle if anyone has a spare. I have a 1945 one to trade.
-Don

 

[Bockscar]

Here is my complete set, mostly dated 1944. I’m looking for a 1944 dated flex handle if anyone has a spare. I have a 1945 one to trade.
-Don

Are you referring to the breaker bar?

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[Bockscar]

It is a mid 40s set. should be 1/4 drive.
https://www.collectingsnapon.com/catalogs/catalogs.php?loggedin=0&catalogPage=870

It is 1/4 drive....and I thought my eyes were foolin me....it does say midget on the ratchet

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[d42jeep]

Are you referring to the breaker bar?

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Various manufacturers referred to them in various ways. I’ve settled on flex handle because it’s hard to think of anything in 1/4” drive doing much breaking. Snap-on refers to them as nut spinners.
-Don

 

[Bockscar]

Various manufacturers referred to them in various ways. I’ve settled on flex handle because it’s hard to think of anything in 1/4” drive doing much breaking. Snap-on refers to them as nut spinners.

-Don

I have one but do not know how to date it

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[d42jeep]

Here is a Snap-on date chart. In this picture of my set you can make out the E date code on many of the tools. Thanks again to Snapmom for the short extension!
-Don

 

[Bockscar]

Here is a Snap-on date chart. In this picture of my set you can make out the E date code on many of the tools. Thanks again to Snapmom for the short extension!
-Don

I looked this morning and the breaker bar I have is 9/32

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[d42jeep]

Since the 9/32” and 1/4” drive tools look pretty similar, a quick check of the part numbers is sometimes necessary. The 9/32” drive tools all start with M and the 1/4” drive tools start with TM. That’s especially important when checking eBay listings because sellers rarely know the difference.
-Don

 

[ShadowBoxer]

Well I cleaned up my set and the box some.
Not a restoration by any means. More of a refurbishment of what's there. Maybe that's just an extensive cleaning really.

Before:

After:

Yes I lost some paint, but that paint was coming off anyway. I did my best to protect and preserve the decal.
What stayed is clean and I ended up using a car polish called NuFinish. Never tried it before; we'll see how it goes.

I don't know how things are supposed to be arranged in the box so I just made it up to what seemed reasonable to me.

Some of the sockets. I did mix and match for the best overall assembly. Since both sets were very close in age, I didn't think it mattered too much.

For some reason 3/8 and 9/16 were missing. Neither set had replacements so I used the ones that came with one of them: a newer Snap-on and a Craftsman. I would prefer a matching period set, but the nuts & bolts probably don't care.

The two ratchets are the same model (F-71-B) and year. One is looser and quieter but it's body is less beat up. Does Snap-on still offer parts for these? Could I use the internals of the beat up one to fix the nicer one?

Also the box was bent in a way where the corners were bent up, like someone stepped on it. So it would not close right and would hit stuff inside since it was sort of collapsed and crushed. Now it's a lot better.

Not sure if you guys really care, but I know very few people outside this forum care.
I'm positive that everyone I know in real life does not care!