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

[redtop]

In a more general sense of the word, ratchets and handles and extensions for socket sets ARE “wrenches,” which is what you sometimes see in the catalogs and advertisements. I think that’s all they meant by ”Ferret Wrenches.”

I agree with you. I believe that SO was encouraging the purchase of additional 3/8 sockets and other 3/8 ratchet-related tools "to build up a "Matched Unit.""

 

[Oldtuleguy]

We have all heard them referred to as socket wrenches.

 

[redtop]

I believe that the pics and info presented in this thread regarding the Ferret Sets and tools would make an interesting chapter in a vintage Snap On tools book. Are any of you GJ members up to the challenge of writing one? Are any GJ members aware of an existing book on the subject of vintage SO tools? I did a cursory search on ebay and could not find one for sale on the topic of vintage SO tools.

 

[d42jeep]

Here is an early pair of 6 point 3/8” drive sockets with the same part number. PF-140s, one date marked 1931
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

They were wrenches when they were one uniform piece, with the sockets permanently fixed (welded, pinned, or forged) onto the ends of the various handles (Ell, Double-Ell, T-Handle, Speeder, etc), and they were still wrenches when the sockets were removeable and interchangeable with the handles.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

For the man or woman who has everything, SO made a gold-plated 3/8 ratchet set. It is listed for sale on ebay right now. The seller indicates that the set was a dealer promotional item in the 1990's.

The 1/4" version

 

[redtop]

Thank you for posting pics of your 50th Anniversary Commemorative Midget Tool Set, OTG, and the other pics of your collection and comments.

I would like to see more pics of the vintage (1940's and before) ratchet sets.

Here are a few pics of a 70th Anniversary ratchet set that is currently for sale on ebay.

 

[redtop]

This "minty" 3/4 drive General Service Set currently is listed for sale on ebay, as well. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Snap-on-3-8-Dr-12pt-SAE-General-Service-Ratchet-Socket-Set-Look-Very-Nice/254353838550?hash=item3b38ab91d6:g:15QAAOSwEG5ddTVX

 

[redtop]

The seller of this 1/2 drive SO ratchet set indicates that it (1) is barely used, (2) could use a cleaning, and (3) has been in grandma's garage for years. I believe that's a 1949 date code on the breaker bar. https://www.ebay.com/itm/snap-on-socket-set/202888588946?hash=item2f3d1a2e92:g:kFoAAOSw1XleLdw9

 

[snapmom]

Between the collectors here, we would have maybe 80 % of the sets, pre 1945. So what would like to see.

 

[redtop]

Switching to the subject of breaker bars: this one is currently listed for sale on ebay. The logo has an interesting font. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Rare-Snap-On-1-2-Drive-Angle-Breaker-Bar-USA/124065512290?hash=item1ce2e17b62:g:69AAAOSwrsFeMkDD

 

[redtop]

Between the collectors here, we would have maybe 80 % of the sets, pre 1945. So what would like to see.

Actually, what I would like to see and to learn more about are SO items in your collection that you prize the most and to know the reasons why you are so fond of them. I'm just a newbie collector of SO, snapmom. I have a lot to learn about SO, the company and its tools.

I am fond of the early SO tools from the 1920's through the 1930's. I enjoy seeing pics of the earlier boxes, sets, and tools. The pics and information posted in this thread by you and the others has been very helpful to me. I am grateful to you and the others for posting pics of your collections and sharing your knowledge about them. I am in awe of the collections of sockets I have seen posted in this thread.

If you are aware of a book that has been published that includes pics and information of early SO tools that you would recommend, please let me know.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Switching to the subject of breaker bars: this one is currently listed for sale on ebay.

Mid 20s. 500 seems pretty high.

 

[snapmom]

some history
http://collectingsnapon.com/catalogs/curiosities.php?loggedin=0&curiosities=9

 

[redtop]

Thank you for sharing.

 

[Shelbylex]

This is my haul from today

Snap On 1/2" drive Set from 1944
1 1/4 SW-400-1/2 code is possibly E
1 1/8 SW-360-1/2 code E
1 SW-320-1/2 code was in size of hole for retainer
15/16 SW-300-1/2 code E
… interesting how they added -1/2, did not see it before, but did not have vintage SO in these sizes
7/8 SW-280
13/16 SW-2 (big scratch on this one blocking the rest), code E (I have the same codeG
25/32 SW-250 Code E
5/8 SW-200, code E
9/16 SW180, code G
1/2 SW160 code E
7/16 SW 140 code E quite worn
7/16 SW 140 code for 1933 (not sure how to make this image)

"fillers" for missing SO sockets:
Long C Craftsman 13/16 code BE
New Britain 25/32 very corroded, can put the model in, but will see how it cleans up
Craftsma =V= 14 mm unfortunately worn out badly

Please let me know what sizes I am missing (3 more...)

 

[snapmom]

1-1/16, 29/32,3/4, 11/16, 19/32, 3/8

 

[Shelbylex]

Thank you, Snapmom!

 

[d42jeep]

This isn’t super old but I was glad to find it at a Berkeley estate sale on Friday. It is so long that it has to be at a slight angle in my screwdriver drawer. Before and after shots below.
-Don

 

[snapmom]

I do not think that model is made anymore. do you use a buffer to clean the handle?
I am not a collector of S/O screwdrivers, but do collect the BP rubber handle ones.
The pic. Sdd520 11/16 SDD418 1/2

 

[d42jeep]

I just sprayed some brake cleaner on a paper towel and did some really quick wipes. It takes off the paint traces and dirt but evaporates before the plastic is really impacted. I have to be careful or the plastic starts to melt.
-Don

 

[snapmom]

yes it will melt, you can buff them on a low speed using blue.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

That looks great. Thanks for the tip!

 

[RyanTN]

What did I find here? I am normally a Craftsman collector, but in a recent lot I found at my honey hole, there is this early Snap-on “No. 420” 1/2 drive single 5/8” square. It’s the one in the middle on the close up. The logo appears very early to me, and there were some 1920’s Hinsdale pieces in the lot as well.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Mid 20s or so. Looks like it's on nice shape.

 

[Joe Zuz]

This set was my father's and is at least 50 yrs old.

 

[snapmom]

nice set, yes at least 50 years old, maybe older. They should have date codes on them.
you can match it to this date code sheet
http://collectingsnapon.com/index.php?page=Data_Chart/Date%20Chart

 

[Oldtuleguy]

The font on that box is the older style

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Picked up this 1931 Boxocket 1618 yesterday at a used tools store.

 

[3baygarage]

Went back to the Flywheelers. Had a couple neat socket finds in the bargain bins.

- 1/2” drive 11/16 flex socket, date stamped 1929

- 1/2” drive USN spark plug socket 1-NAF-1110-13

 

[d42jeep]

Nice! I have one of those sockets in my NAF box. We found this little guy at a tool sale yesterday.
-Don

 

[3baygarage]

I have that rotating socket as well Don. One of the more strange items they made.

 

[d42jeep]

It is odd. Maybe the design is to accurately center the socket to prevent breakage of a fragile item, maybe a spark plug, located down a hole. Perhaps one of the aircraft mechanics will know for sure.
-Don

 

[snapmom]

I am about sure it is sparkplug.
Somemore S/O aircraft.

 

[3baygarage]

Quite a nice collection.

 

[trents99]

Picked up this GM-70-M during a clean out as a freebie. Hard to tell by the number other than it's a 7. Going by the chart I'm guessing '57 based on the top of the 7 appears to be a little convex.

Sent from my SM-G955U using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[snapmom]

looks 57 to me also.

 

[LesserSon]

Picked up a somewhat worse-for-wear (one end ground a bit), 1922-Blackmar-patent Blue-Point S-9562A (5/8x3/4) with a 1933 date stamp today.

 

[Jack84]

Didn’t know I had this one, found it in my junk toolbox.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[snapmom]

A FC-5 speeder. Date code 1937. Has a fixed head. These are quite hard to find.



ps: who needed a rat wrench, like a No. 77 ?