Montgomery Ward Powr Kraft tools

[stage20]

I have PK 1/2" drive deep sockets and 3/4" drive sockets from the early 70s. The 3/4" drive look exactly like Bonney.

most were made by new Britain, and later some sockets by wright. there were others, but i dont know if bonney ever made powrkraft. if they did it would be a treat.

 

[Empty Pockets]

I have some PowrKraft sockets and wrenches, made by Wright. I bought them new in the 70's.
These are all world class tools

Great story. Enjoy the time you have left with him, and cherish the memories.

My family will keep you and yours in our prayers

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

 

[southalabama]

Dad has a few wrenches around. Doesn't appear to be a set. He acquired them over the years.

 

[four.cycle]

stage20 - see post #21 in this thread.

Montgomery Ward outsourced "Powr-Kraft" hand tools from New Britain, Wright, and Thorsen (among others, apparently.) They went through three different suppliers in a span of ten years at one point.

They also apparently marketed a "WARDS" brand of offshore-sourced product:

WARDS (Japan) 5-pc SAE open-end wrench set w/pouch
1/4" - 3/4"
used. excellent.
$9.49 + $3.80 shipping OBO "buy now"
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wards-Open-...:g:zUoAAOSwc1FXcBlm&item=272368625099&vxp=mtr

 

[stage20]

stage20 - see post #21 in this thread.

Montgomery Ward outsourced "Powr-Kraft" hand tools from New Britain, Wright, and Thorsen (among others, apparently.) They went through three different suppliers in a span of ten years at one point.

They also apparently marketed a "WARDS" brand of offshore-sourced product:

WARDS (Japan) 5-pc SAE open-end wrench set w/pouch
1/4" - 3/4"
used. excellent.
$9.49 + $3.80 shipping OBO "buy now"
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wards-Open-...:g:zUoAAOSwc1FXcBlm&item=272368625099&vxp=mtr

thorsen was a major supplier.
i thought you might could have answered the question about bonney making powrkraft tools, but i dont think they ever did ?

 

[four.cycle]

I'm not a Powr-Kraft expert by any means.

Might check and see if there's more information on it at:
toolarchives.com
thegaragegazette.com
papawswrench.com
alloy-artifacts.com

The "Powr-Kraft" stuff I've seen listed on Ebay appears to be premium stuff.
They had another label called "Wardmaster" but I don't know anything about it.

And apparently they offered a "Wards" brand like that little wrench set I posted above.

Kinda-sorta mimics what Sears was doing:
Top-shelf stuff was "Craftsman"
"Second" like was "Dunlap" and then later "Companion"
And the low-end offshore stuff was branded "Sears".

 

[MShaw]

The first picture is my Power Kraft 1/2" drive sae deep sockets from 1968. The second picture is mt Power Kraft 3/4" drive sae socket set. The third and fourth pictures show a 1 5/8 power kraft socket beside a 1 11/16 Bonney from the same era. That led to my suspicion that the Power Kraft 3/4" drive sockets were made by Bonney.

 

[four.cycle]

can't recall where I read it - probably here on this site somewhere - the "W" in the part number indicates it was manufactured by Wright Tool Co.

 

[four.cycle]

one of my recent acquisitions:

Powr-Kraft 1.4 dr socket set 01 by four.cycle, on Flickr

Powr-Kraft 1.4 dr socket set 02 by four.cycle, on Flickr

Powr-Kraft 1/4" dr socket set

6-pt sockets 3/16", 7/32", 1/4", 9/32", 5/16", 11/32", 3/8", 7/16"
8-pt sockets 1/4", 5/16"
2-inch and 6-inch extension
breaker bar
ratchet

manufactured for Montgomery Ward by Wright Tool Co.

from the appearance of the ratchet there's no question this was made by Wright; the ratchet is an exact match to my 2400 Wright 1/4" RHFT.

 

[stage20]

The first picture is my Power Kraft 1/2" drive sae deep sockets from 1968. The second picture is mt Power Kraft 3/4" drive sae socket set. The third and fourth pictures show a 1 5/8 power kraft socket beside a 1 11/16 Bonney from the same era. That led to my suspicion that the Power Kraft 3/4" drive sockets were made by Bonney.

very similar indeed. these are the types of sockets i was thinking about when reading about being made by bonney.

the powrkraft socket on the left is made by wright tool.

 

[four.cycle]

only fair to give you guys a heads up on this one:

POWR-KRAFT 12-pc 1/2" drive 12-point SAE socket set w/box (Indestro manufactured - sockets stamped with "D")
7/16" - 1" (* MISSING 5/8" socket *) (see photos and ad text for details)
listed as used. most looks new.
$35.00 + $8.30 shipping now. 0 bids now. ends Sun. 09/18
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-POW...Drive-Socket-Set-in-Metal-Case-/222245333277?

 

[stage20]

only fair to give you guys a heads up on this one:

POWR-KRAFT 12-pc 1/2" drive 12-point SAE socket set w/box (Indestro manufactured - sockets stamped with "D")
7/16" - 1" (* MISSING 5/8" socket *) (see photos and ad text for details)
listed as used. most looks new.
$35.00 + $8.30 shipping now. 0 bids now. ends Sun. 09/18
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-POW...Drive-Socket-Set-in-Metal-Case-/222245333277?

bout as nice as it gets.
showing 24 bucks to ship to me. makes it not worth it.

 

[four.cycle]

I have noticed shipping charges can vary significantly depending upon where you're at. I see a lot of great prices on Ebay stuff, and then click on the item and am shocked at the shipping charges.

Figured I'd better give you guys a heads up on this one:

WARD MASTER 13-pc 1/4" drive SAE socket set w/original plastic box (Indestro manufactured)
(see ad text and photos for content)
well used. plastic box has broken hinge (what a surprise!)
$9.99 + $14.10 shipping now. 0 bids now. ends Mon. 09/19
http://www.ebay.com/itm/13-VTG-WARD...684395?hash=item28203ee42b:g:S~sAAOSwGtRX1r~p

 

[SchwansManDan]

Nice. I have quite a few tools that once belonged to my father and a few that were my grandfather's. Each brings its own happy flashback every time I use one of them.

Enjoy the time you have left with your step-dad & enjoy the memories that come later on.

 

[RedVise]

Help! looking for a 9/16 POWR KRAFT 100 to complete a set I purchased.

I didnt need the wrench set, but my 1/2" sockets and ratchet are all SPEED MASTER with the MW logo. I actually use a Wright and a long handle Proto with the socket, but it's neat to have the matching MW ratchet.

Check out the MW vise, has no COO markings that I can find so far, trying to free up the swivel lock and the hardy. Decent 4" vise.

Brian

 

[stage20]

Help! looking for a 9/16 POWR KRAFT 100 to complete a set I purchased.

I didnt need the wrench set, but my 1/2" sockets and ratchet are all SPEED MASTER with the MW logo. I actually use a Wright and a long handle Proto with the socket, but it's neat to have the matching MW ratchet.

Check out the MW vise, has no COO markings that I can find so far, trying to free up the swivel lock and the hardy. Decent 4" vise.

Brian

those wrenches are in excellent shape!

 

[jd_1138]

I used some Powr-Kraft tools just yesterday to do a plumbing repair on the bathtub drain. I grabbed a PK 1/4" socket driver and stuck a PK socket on it and used it to tighten up some nuts on a hose clamp. I keep the Powr-Kraft set I inherited in the basement. It's a beautiful tool -- that nice shade of blue with alternating clear.

 

[jshillin]

Bumping up an old thread... I picked up a Powr Kraft cantilever box today for $15. It just needs cleaned up good and some lube on the moving parts.

 

[trx125]

This was my grandfather's 1/2" Powr Kraft drill. It still worked until the cord was burnt up in a house fire in 2008. It still works, but I just put it in a closet in the garage and forgot about it until I was cleaning up a week ago. I need to either find time to replace the cord or pass it on to someone that will give it a new lease on life. I called it the Knee Breaker, when we used it for boring holes with auger bits for pipes and wiring while building houses. If it ever hung up, you learned real quick to let go of it and jump out of the way. If you tried to man handle it, the dam thing would break your wrist and bust you knee caps and shins. It has so much that you would think that the thing had gear reduction and worm drive in one package.

 

[stage20]

that cantilever box is sweet. it should clean up nice. a little lube and adjusting those bars it should open and close nice and easy

 

[jshillin]

that cantilever box is sweet. it should clean up nice. a little lube and adjusting those bars it should open and close nice and easy

Thanks. Never had one before, but for $15, I didn't think I could go wrong.

 

[stage20]

Thanks. Never had one before, but for $15, I didn't think I could go wrong.

the problem with that box is when you really load it down, it can hold more than youll want to carry. i have an old craftsman version and its slammed with vintage craftsman. just about need a dolley to move it in the shop. lol

 

[Grandpa's tools]

I have a couple to add to this list. (This is the first time I have tried posting pictures... I hope it works.) This is a pair of Ward's Powr Kraft 100 no. 4801 socket sets. These "ten point" sockets fit both hex and square heads. The set on the right belonged to my uncle, my grandfather'set is on the left. Grandpa is missing the 3/8 socket. I find it interesting that there are very slight differences in the ratchets as well as the boxes.

 

[four.cycle]

^ very cool. those look like Wright made. is there a " W " in the part numbers stamped on the pieces?

 

[davethorik]

^ very cool. those look like Wright made. is there a " W " in the part numbers stamped on the pieces?

Weird, the heads kinda look like Crescent branded Wright ratchets, but those grips look like SK.

 

[zktk01]

I have picked up a few tootsie roll ratchets. I may get some wrenches off ebay.
I wish I had known they had such good quality tools while they were still in business.

 

[stage20]

Weird, the heads kinda look like Crescent branded Wright ratchets, but those grips look like SK.

the selector looks off to the wright made versions i have, but the handle, the beam and logo scream wright.

never seen an SK with a rubber grip???

 

[davethorik]

the selector looks off to the wright made versions i have, but the handle, the beam and logo scream wright.

never seen an SK with a rubber grip???

Idk if SK made ratchets with the rubber grip, I've only ever seen it on breaker bars, like the pic I attached. Wright tootsie roll handles don't have the radiused sides.

 

[Grandpa's tools]

^ very cool. those look like Wright made. is there a " W " in the part numbers stamped on the pieces?

I will have to double check in the morning, but I believe all the sockets have the part # "84-4801" stamped on them. I will check for numbers on the ratchets, as well.

 

[four.cycle]

I wish I had known they had such good quality tools while they were still in business.

Montgomery Wards (and JC Penney, with their "Penncraft" line) was trying to go toe-to-toe with Sears Craftsman at the time, and were outsourcing their product from top-shelf US tool makers, Wright being among them.
As near as I have been able to figure, the "W" in the part number indicates Wright manufacture, an "H" indicates Thorsen. No idea what the code was for New Britain.

 

[Grandpa's tools]

Yep, seems kind of weird to me, but every socket is stamped with the number "84-4801". There are no markings on either ratchet except "POWR-KRAFT 100".

 

[SteveH-CO]

My fathers Monkey Wards set that I used to fix our '73 Beetle, '79 Dodge Omni, etc. They were that funny Metric stuff back then. The smaller sockets never fit the metal case correctly, unless you turned them upside down and jammed them in there.

 

[four.cycle]

Steve, what are those wrenches in the foreground? Who made those?

 

[SteveH-CO]

They are Montgomery Wards 'Eclipse' wrenches - perhaps also made by Indestro, based on something I saw on another site. I have the complete SAE set from 3/8s -7/8s"

 

[Moose97]

I'd sure like to see the tools inside that box and find out how the OP's dad is doing?

Montgomery Ward was a mainstay for me as a kid (1970's). My family were Sears people when it came to appliances but "Monkey-Wards" (no idea why)for dang near everything else.

 

[four.cycle]

They are Montgomery Wards 'Eclipse' wrenches - perhaps also made by Indestro, based on something I saw on another site. I have the complete SAE set from 3/8s -7/8s"

There's a thread on those "Auto Kit" type wrenches HERE:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=354478

If you can post a couple photos where the entire wrench can be seen it would be easier to identify them.

The sockets in that kit with the " W " stamped in the part number were made by Wright Tool.

 

[driftpin]

I am the original owner of this Monkey Wards Powr-Kraft 3/8" 6-point socket set. As best as I can recall, I got them around Christmas 1967, I asked my parents for a set of metric sockets and open-end wrenches so I could work on the 1962 VW Cabriolet my parents had bought new (it cost $2225, when you could buy a VW bug sedan for $1700).

This set looks to be identical to SteveH-CO's post. I also have a set of double-open end wrenches from the same tool line. I still use the socket set to work on my motorcycles and my late-model GMC truck, or any other metric item. The ratchet has stopped functioning, but I still have it squirreled-away in a tool chest, I had to dig it out for the pic. The ratchet doesn't appear to have any snap ring to remove to be able to disassemble the head. I'd rebuild it if I knew how it came-apart, or where to get innards.

Over the years, pieces have failed, the 8 mm & 12 mm sockets failed, replaced by Craftsman pieces. I also have a vintage Proto deep socket for narrow spark plugs on motorcycles, it's in the box. The set didn't include a 16 mm or 18 mm socket, but went from 7-19 mm. I bought the 16 and 18 mm sockets separately. So, the set is about 50 years old, and for the most part, is still going strong.

When I first got the set, I got some sheet cork gasket material, and cut pieces to fit in the bottom of the steel tray. They are still there, after 5 decades.

 

[four.cycle]

^ That's a Wright 3400 "Tootsie Roll" ratchet re-branded as "Powr Kraft". I would think you should be able to get a kit from Wright?

 

[driftpin]

Thanks, I found this resource, I've been to this tool store before:

NATIONAL TOOL
Abdool Karim
5725 W. Hollandale Beach Blvd.
Hollywood, FL 33023
USA
Phone: 954-963-7222
Fax: 954-987-1204
Email: [email protected]

Looks like I should be able to repair the set's ratchet.

Update:
I ordered a repair kit today for my Wright 3400 3/8" ratchet, here's the page from the Wright catalog:

3/8" Drive Ratchet Repair Kits
Part Number Description Size

3432 Renewal Kit for 3430

3434 Replacement Ratchet Kit for 3433

3481 Renewal Kit for 3480

3483 Renewal Kit for 3482

3491 Renewal Kit for 3400, 3425, 3426, 3427, 3428, 3429, 3490

http://www.wrighttool.com/pub/defau...ts&oid={D9BD84CE-FF1F-11D3-8B5D-00A0C942294E}

Thanks to the GJ forum.

 

[vettex2]

It is nice to have memories.
Cherish every moment you have with your father. They will even mean more when he is gone.

I agree. I have my fathers and some of my grandfathers tools.
PRICELESS to me. Most would think they are just old stuff though.