Montgomery Ward Powr Kraft tools

[3baygarage]

Nice stuff guys.

Eclipse wrenches were made by Barcalo.

 

[jwsia]

Picked up this box at a family run estate sale last year. The kind of sale I should have just made an offer on the whole place but my common sense got the best of me. Thought about using this but it will be on the popular auction site this next week, as it has never been used. 3/4 drive set with 2 extensions SAE sockets. Do you guys think that this toolbox came with the set or something the owner bought to store the set in?

 

[jd_1138]

99% of my tools are Wright although some of my 3/4" drive, larger than 1-1/4" sockets are mixed brand with a couple Power-Kraft sockets included. They're impressive in finish, wall thickness and interior smoothness although I'm not sure of the manufacture. They don't really appear to be Wright, perhaps Indestro or Thorsen. Years ago when we had a MW store in town, I used to go in there occasionally although surprisingly enough, the tool department wasn't that impressive, much smaller than Sears. I did have a 1/2 sheet sander which was MW and performed well.

I wonder if a lot of their tools were sold via catalog? As in, store selection was low, but you could order it in-store or from your house? I think Penny's was similar -- not too large of a tool section in store.

 

[stage20]

Picked up this box at a family run estate sale last year. The kind of sale I should have just made an offer on the whole place but my common sense got the best of me. Thought about using this but it will be on the popular auction site this next week, as it has never been used. 3/4 drive set with 2 extensions SAE sockets. Do you guys think that this toolbox came with the set or something the owner bought to store the set in?

i have a box just like that(minus the handle...doh!) not sure if it was a carry box for sale or came as a set.
nice set though!

 

[driftpin]

A Wright 3/8" ratchet rebuild kit (model 3400, what's called on here, the 'Tootsie-Roll' ratchet) was listed at $63 at my local Wright factory distributor listed store. That seems like a lot of money. Isn't the rebuild kit just the pawl mechanism & cylinder that installs into the body of the ratchet? Here's a listing for a new complete ratchet for $37.38:
https://www.ohiopowertool.com/p-104...et-nitrile-comfort-grip-double-pawl-3400.aspx

I may buy the rebuild kit to refurbish the original one I have, because it's something my long-deceased father and mother bought me. I'd be way-ahead to just buy a new one though, price-wise. Guess I could buy a new one and swap the guts.

 

[Derek420]

Some of them the best ones we're rebranded wright tools as we're IH internationa , Klein and local to me older blue grass tools. Anything made by wright are great tools and will last forever I sure love mine.

 

[four.cycle]

A Wright 3/8" ratchet rebuild kit (model 3400, what's called on here, the 'Tootsie-Roll' ratchet) was listed at $63 at my local Wright factory distributor listed store.

^ That's insane.
You can find a nice used Wright brand 3400 on Ebay for anywhere from about $10 - $20 (plus shipping.)
The Powr-Kraft branded model (Wright 3400) can go as low as $8.00 + shipping on Ebay.

You'd be better off to just wait until a good one pops up on Ebay and get another ratchet - $63 for a kit is ridiculous.

 

[stage20]

^ That's insane.
You can find a nice used Wright brand 3400 on Ebay for anywhere from about $10 - $20 (plus shipping.)
The Powr-Kraft branded model (Wright 3400) can go as low as $8.00 + shipping on Ebay.

You'd be better off to just wait until a good one pops up on Ebay and get another ratchet - $63 for a kit is ridiculous.

ill 2nd this. i collect powrkraft and ive picked up several of them at sales for $1-2 dollars 5 bucks at most.

 

[SteveH-CO]

The Wards combination wrenches:

 

[BFBOB]

I've bought and sold a few Powr-Kraft tools, but here's one I'm keeping - a
Thorsen-made example, part of my collection of all 8 (that I know of) brands thorsen made this style of wrenches in.

 

[four.cycle]

^ BFBOB: there was a set of Powr-Kraft branded METRIC combination wrenches in that style just listed:

POWR KRAFT 8-pc METRIC combination wrench set (Thorsen made)
10,11,12,13,14,15,17,19MM
used (see photos)
$20.00 + $9.50 shipping OBO "buy now"
http://www.ebay.com/itm/8-Piece-Pow...092325?hash=item21237998e5:g:3NwAAOSwhQhY2qwh

 

[driftpin]

I replaced my ratchet mechanism to get my 3/8" Wright-Powr-Kraft ratchet rebuilt. I could have bought a new one for far-less than I paid for this rebuild kit, but this has a lot of sentimental value, as it's probably 50 years old, and I'm the original owner.

Pic 1: the ratchet, new guts
Pic 2: the teeth of the ratchet, (the old one)
Pic 3: the split ring, spring steel retaining band for the ratchet mechanism

I couldn't see the split ring end, and didn't know it was a split ring. The guy who repairs tools where I bought the Wright rebuild kit took my old ratchet apart in about two minutes, I took the old pieces home and used solvent to free the mechanism, it was gummed-up, and the teeth no-longer were capable of moving. They do now! But I don't care about the cost, I have my 'tootsie-roll' ratchet working again.

I used spray carb cleaner and a thin flat-blade screwdriver to free-up the teeth, and then PB Blaster to lubricate it. So now this mechanism will sit in my toolbox, probably until I die. Maybe I'll run across another Wright ratchet that needs a rebuild, and I can use it.

 

[trainer]

I picked these up at an auction a few years ago

 

[trekgod3]

Given to me by my father in law

 

[starquestMM]

Picked up a bench grinder with "accessory drive".

View media item 71323

 

[stage20]

wow! never knew those accessory drives existed!

 

[EOC_Jason]

I need to photograph my Powr Kraft stuff... I like to collect them at sales when the price is right... I do remember Montgomery Wards back in the day, and I remember when they closed down...

I went to one estate sale a while back, guy was a big user of Powr Kraft / Wards stuff, which was kind of odd as 99% of the sales it's always old Craftsman... Unfortunately the prices were way too high so most I had to pass on.

 

[starquestMM]

I couldn't find any other pictures or info searching for the part number. The label says it was made about an hour from here in Booneville MO.

The gear reduction in it turns about 78rpm.

 

[Moe_Hushlin]

Found these two Powr-Kraft 1/4 Ratchets earlier in the week. I am a huge fan of Wright tools (like most quality brands they don't get near enough credit for their products) and spotted the obvious Wright made ratchet immediately. But sitting next to it was the other little guy who I had to have since he was Powr-Kraft also. I haven't seen the rotating selector version before, any info?

 

[four.cycle]

One of Montgomery Ward's contract suppliers for "Powr Kraft" was Thorsen, and Thorsen did make a ratchet like that with that funny serrated-edge selector wheel.
I have seen them listed on Ebay in 3/8" drive, but I have never seen one listed that was 1/4" drive.

Does the unit have a part number stamped on it?
If there is a "W" in the part number it was made by Wright Tool.
If there is an "H" in the part number it was made by Thorsen.
I have not figured out what the secret code is for the Duro-Indestro made stuff.

 

[stage20]

that font looks like wright, but its hard to tell with the angle of the photos. i havent seen any like that were the handle is the same thickness as the beam. nice!

 

[Jim c]

Great story. Makes me feel good just to hear it and think about it,

 

[four.cycle]

"...the handle is the same thickness as the beam..."

^ that's the Wright 2400 - has a beefy handle in the Powr Kraft version.

re-badged for Montgomery Ward in that example above.

same animal, different branding:

 

[stage20]

^ that's the Wright 2400 - has a beefy handle in the Powr Kraft version.

re-badged for Montgomery Ward in that example above.

same animal, different branding:

is that a 1/4 inch set or a 3/8 set?

 

[four.cycle]

the Powr-Kraft set above in the photo? it's a 1956 vintage 1/4" drive set. made by Wright Tool - re-badged "Powr Kraft".

the 2400 Wright ratchet in the photo on the right is a 1/4" drive also.

 

[Moe_Hushlin]

Does the unit have a part number stamped on it?
If there is a "W" in the part number it was made by Wright Tool.
If there is an "H" in the part number it was made by Thorsen.
I have not figured out what the secret code is for the Duro-Indestro made stuff.

Part number of the ratchet in question is 48W4758.

On another note, yesterday I learned the GJ identity of a regular customer of mine at THE flea market in South Carolina.

 

[neitzel]

Here's a Powr Kraft 3/8 ratchet that was in my dads CM box that he turned over to me 15 or so years ago.
Ratchet is pretty nice, with solid smooth clicks on the detents, and overall seems to be a pretty stout piece. The large head would be the only minor down side i can see.
You all would know better than I, but likely Thorsen built?

 

[3baygarage]

Thorsen, yes. They had the same branded in their name. Nice to have received that.

 

[four.cycle]

Yes, Thorsen. re-branded model 89-J, to be exact. very unusual quick-release mechanism:

 

[Mick56]

Picked this up at a sale.

 

[M635_Guy]

To resurrect a thread, my dad gave me his father's old tool box a few months ago, and while most of it was garbage, I did find a couple things that were interesting today as I was cleaning out the garage. My grandfather, who died in 1971 when I was a toddler, lived in Norfolk, VA, where Montgomery Ward was a fixture.

One of the tools was a Powr Kraft ratchet that has a geared flex head.

As you can see, it's a bit crusty, and the 19mm socket isn't coming off, so I decided to soak it in ATF overnight and see how it fares in the morning.

I belatedly realized I have a jug of rust remover and probably should have tried that first, but oh well. If it comes free, I'll plan to put it in my box and use it whenever. I never really knew the man, but it still feels cool to use something of his that is probably 50+ years old.

(there was also a manual-reel measuring tape with a leather cover - need to pay some attention to that too)

 

[lardy1]

I'm pretty sure that flex ratchet is Wright.

 

[MJO]

I'm pretty sure that flex ratchet is Wright.

Looks more like a Thorsen to me.

 

[lardy1]

Could very well be. I'm no expert.

 

[M635_Guy]

Their sockets and ratchets were made by Wright, so it certainly isn't your run of the mill department store stuff.

I have a collection of Powr-Kraft tools. The ratchets and sockets were made by Wright for a long time, but I believe switched to Thorsen at some point. I have a number of wrenches that are identical to the Barcalo 'scoop' style.

Based on early posts in this thread, it seems like it could be either, but there was suspicion that the stuff made by Wright had the italicized font present on the one I have.

Will be out in the garage in a bit and will see how the ATF treatment worked out (first time I've done anything like that to a tool)

 

[sberry]

Sears competitor. Was the economical solution. Local stores could be vicious. Now stores are so much bigger they stock 15 at 1/4 the price.
I got a few Wards peices I think the air comp was from there.

 

[sberry]

Earlier Sears was SK I believe. The lobster wrenches are tuff, the sockets from 80 are ****. The early ones were really good. I got a couple old ones. The wrenches were good, a lot finer than the new ones.

 

[Wyoming09]

I think this is the only Powr Kraft tool I have left. Still runs great considering its age. From mid 70s to very early 80s I think.

 

[M635_Guy]

The ATF seems to have worked - the 19mm socket popped of with a minimum of encouragement...

I'm not sure how much use it will get since I'm a huge fan of swivel heads vs. this style, but I'll definitely kick it around here and there...

 

[bubinga]

Brought this home yesterday for all of $20.00
Model 36-A