Must have been a collection?

[damon18]

I've been cleaning up the tools from the Kennedy box so I could read the brand names and sizes. Most of them were super dirty and the unplated ones were rusty. Just used degreaser, Evapo-Rust, and WD40.

I initially posted pictures of the haul in the garage sale thread.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=7072962#post7072962

As I was going through first the sockets and then the wrenches I was surprised that every single one seemed to be dated from 1930's to late 40's. It's been fun reading about all the brands, many I've never heard of.

The strange thing is that there were so many different brands in this one toolbox, most brands only had one or two pieces. About 17 brands of sockets and 16 brands of wrenches! I'm thinking this wasn't someones working toolbox but a collection.

What do you think? This seems like a crazy amount of different brands in one place. Here is a list of the sockets and wrenches I've identified so far, there are some others I can't find enough marks to ID, picture attached.

Let me know if anything is particularly interesting and I can take specific pictures.

Sockets

Unplated or Cadmium

PLOMB
9/16 5419 MADE IN USA
13/16 WF-49

PROTO
1 Inch PROTO LOS ANGELES 5432 MGF USA

BONNEY
13/16 T26 MADE IN USA

S-K
11/16 40122

GM (IMPACT STYLE)
1/2 GME824667

GM
5/8 GM5824669

TRUTH
7/16

WILLIAMS
9/16 ST-1218

WRIGHT
1 1/16 BARBERTON.O.USA S164 AC

SNAP ON
7/8 E SW-280 MADE IN USA

WRIGHT
7/8 9B 800060 ARMSTRONG MADE IN USA

D-I
11/16
15/16
1 1/8

Chrome Plated

SK
1/2 40816
5/8 45120
1/2 40716
16MM 316 USA

WIZARD
7/16 H2605 D USA
7/16 H2630 D USA
9/16 H2609 D USA
5/8 H2633 D USA
11/16 H2664 D USA

CORNWELL
7/16 T2214 L
9/16 T2218 L
3/4 T2224 L

CHALLENGER
9/16 1218 MFG USA ALLOY

CHALLENGER BY PROTO
7/8 1728 USA (LOOKS LIKE SPARK PLUG SOCKET)

NEW BRITAIN
7/16 USA NT 1214
13/16 USA NBD 626S FOR SPARK PLUGS ONLY

WILLIAMS USA
11/16 SD-1222

CRESCENT
7/16 CS1214 JAMESTOWN NY USA
1/2 CS1216 JAMESTOWN NY USA
9/16 CS1218 JAMESTOWN NY USA

INDESTRO
19/32 -SUPER- USA

PROTO
5/8 5420 MFG USA
11/16 5422 MFG USA
15/16 5430 MFG USA

BONNEY
1/2 AI6 MADE IN USA

CRAFTSMAN
3/8 V
1/2 V
9/16 V
1 1/4 V

CRAFTSMAN PHILLIPS DRIVER 3/8

SPARK PLUG SOCKET 13/16 WITH SYMBOL LIKE =13/16=

TWO SOCKETS WITH BRAND GROUND OFF, THESE NUMBERS REMAIN
3/4 ALLOY 84W4_42
7/8 ALLOY 84W4847

Wrenches

Double Box End Wrenches

INDESTRO
1/2 - 9/16 ChromeXQuality (8 inches long)

BARCALO
1/2 - 7/16 BARCALO USA (offset ends)

THORSEN
1/2 - 9/16 2216 E MFD USA

Double Open End Wrenches

UNKNOWN
13/32 - 5/16 1021 ON ONE END AND ROUND SYMBOL ON OTHER - FORGED IN USA

VLCHEK
9/16 - 1/2 29 DROP FORGED MADE IN U.S.A.
3/4 - 5/8 34 DROP FORGED MADE IN U.S.A.

INDESTRO
11/16 - 19/32 DROP FORGED SELECT STEEL
9/16 - 5/8 T2A INDESTRO SUPER FORGED IN U.S.A

WESTLINE
3/4 - 5/8 3 DROP FORGED U.S.A.

UPLAND FORGE
9/16 - 1/2 U.S.A.

NEW BRITAIN
9/16 - 1/2 NOF - 82 MADE IN U.S.A. (THIN 10 INCHES LONG)

Combination Wrenches

BARCALO
3/8 BARCALO BUFFALO USA - CHROME VANADIUM STEEL
1/2 BARCALO BUFFALO USA - FORGED Barcaloy STEEL

BONNEY
1 INCH - 1 INCH 1170 BANALOY MADE IN U.S.A.(13 INCHES LONG)

CRESCENT
7/16 CRESCENT LC 14 - FORGED USA

HAZET
14MM CHROM Hazet 605 VANDIUM GERMANY

INDESTRO
1/4 1069 SELECT STEEL - FORGED IN U.S.A.
5/16 1070 SELECT STEEL - FORGED IN U.S.A.
7/16 1072 SELECT STEEL - FORGED IN U.S.A.
1/2 1073 SELECT STEEL - FORGED IN U.S.A.

MAC
9/16 - 9/16 MAC - PAT PEND CL 18 USA (8 INCHES BRIGHT CHROME)

METCO
7/16 C301 METCO10 - FORGED IN U.S.A.

PLOMB
7/16 MFD. 1214 USA.
1/2 1216 MADE IN U-S-A

SNAP ON
1/2 OEX-16 MADE IN USA (HOURGLASS SHAPED STAMP 1948)

TRU-FIT
7/16 - 7/16 .05 CHR.TRU-FIT .05 VAN. - LECTROLITE 2716 MADE IN U.S.A.
9/16 .05 CHR.TRU-FIT .05 VAN. - LECTROLITE 2916 MADE IN U.S.A.

ZENITH (JAPAN)
SET OF 8 FLAT PROFILE, DULL FINISH.
SIZES (13/64 - 7/32) (7/32 - 15/64) 1/4 - 9/32) (9/32 - 5/16) (5/16 - 11/32) (5/16 - 11/32) (11-32 - 3/8) (7-16 - 3/8)

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Amazing variety

 

[ssdave]

That sounds about like my working tools when I was a young mechanic. Bought them in auction and garage sale lots, and sorted them out into sets to use. Not a proud set, but functional. I saw it as an improvement when I bought sets of Craftsman to go with it. The Craftsman seemed an expensive luxury, the larger sets seemed to be the ultimate acquisition that I couldn't afford. Then, big improvement when I got matched SK wrenches, and eventually Proto wrenches and sockets. I had Wright, Indestro, P&C, Bonney, Vlcheck, Lectrolite, Aigo, Williams, Barcalo, Crescent, and Thorsen wrenches. Similar assortment of sockets, but even more obscure and old stuff, some Snap-on, Proto, Craftsman, Williams, P&C, Giller, Mustang, Vulcan, Wizard, Thorsen, SK and some unmarked. Screwdrives and pliers were a motley assortment of junk, had to shop around in the box for a phillips that would actually work, and occasionally touched them up with a triangular file. Everybody cussed phillips screws when they were encountered.

It seems that back then, there were a lot of guys that just had whatever tools they could assemble into a semblence of a set and went to work. Farm mechanics and service stations and tire/muffler places didn't judge you much by your tool brands and how matched the sets were, just on whether they could do the job. A lot of work was done by service stations at that time. The older techs would queitly guide the newer guys towards Williams, Proto, SK, and Wright, but didn't seem to be the big push towards prestige sets. The prestige tools and huge snap-on displays seemed to start at the dealerships, and then spread more toward the independent shops as the service stations got out of repair and just sold gas. The impressive tools became a sign of a good shop and professionalism, and the greasy, unorganized shelves and bins of tools of the old service stations faded away. I think a lot of them went home and ended up in boxes like these to work on personal cars.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I'm thinking this wasn't someones working toolbox but a collection.

I'm thinking just the opposite, damon. Collections are more commonly typified by fewer and matching brands, more complete size sequences, or, lots and lots of one kind of tool in many brands. If this guy was a collector, he was terrible at it. Seriously, I run into at least one box and set of tools like that every week. Not an exaggeration. Either some snivelly-looking punk with his equally punk looking girlfriend selling his grandpop's stuff or a house clean-out vendor. In my opinion, the diversity of brands and the age range are very typical of a guy, probably in his 60's, who built up a bunch of tools over time, inherited some, bought some, lost some, broke some, replaced some, forgot he already had some, and he probably moved them into a new box or two at one point, with the more modern box you found these in being the final resting place of all of them over many years.

Or, what ssdave said.

 

[shanny19]

I’ll provide a dissenting opinion to lugz and ssdave, haha.

From my collecting travels, I think that tool set IS too eclectic for one mans working set.
Not that one man wouldn’t own tools from all those brands, more that he’d own at least one or two of those brands in higher quantity, something resembling a full set of something. (the wizard sockets and Indestro wrenches do come close, but not enough)

What it’s NOT too eclectic for is an institutional tool set that started long ago, went through losses, facility consolidations and moves, regular employee turnover, multiple generations of people, etc. I’ve seen the clone of that tool set in the basement shop of a fourth generation HVAC outfit that started as a coal and ice service, in a Forest Ranger Station lube bay that was built in the 30’s, in a School Bus garage that was built in the 40’s.

 

[shanny19]

It seems that back then, there were a lot of guys that just had whatever tools they could assemble into a semblence of a set and went to work. Farm mechanics and service stations and tire/muffler places didn't judge you much by your tool brands and how matched the sets were, just on whether they could do the job. A lot of work was done by service stations at that time. The older techs would queitly guide the newer guys towards Williams, Proto, SK, and Wright, but didn't seem to be the big push towards prestige sets. The prestige tools and huge snap-on displays seemed to start at the dealerships, and then spread more toward the independent shops as the service stations got out of repair and just sold gas. The impressive tools became a sign of a good shop and professionalism, and the greasy, unorganized shelves and bins of tools of the old service stations faded away. I think a lot of them went home and ended up in boxes like these to work on personal cars.

That is a spot on description of my grandpas career tool path, as a school bus mechanic from 1948 to 1976 in Idaho. In his case, in order of preference, it was Proto, SK, Williams, and Craftsman, the first three bought at local welding stores. There are three pieces of SO in his box, which I will inherit from my dad, and I’d bet a paycheck they were salesman samples or found tools.

 

[bsg1]

I remember the days of the 1950s and the wrenches that lived in their cars, repaired their cars and treasured the tools that were used to fix them. some of these guys never worked a regular job in their lives, but had mechanical skills that kept them going at a marginal level repairing cars for those that lived within the neighborhood. they made enough to supply themselves with the much needed greasy spoon cheeseburgers/fries and always seemed to find enough money for beer. these were not typical fellows, but in my life's journey I remember some of them well.

their working tools was their collection and their collection was almost always comprised of working tools. these tools did amount to a collection and sometimes they would trade with one another the way kids would trade baseball cards. I believe that added some excitement to otherwise all too predictable days. at the end of the day these guys would look at their tools as if to look upon a shrine. they would occasionally swap out the cardboard liners for whatever semblance of a toolbox that was their constant companion. they made some of their own tools out of every day ordinary items such as coat hangers and such. to replace the homemade tool with a store-bought tool was a frequently long delayed event that was welcomed when the day arrived. they'd trade work for tools. adding any name brand tool was an event, even a socket. to have a complete set of anything was celebrated upon it's completion. it didn't matter if the brands were the same, a set was deemed complete when the wanted/needed sizes were all there.

regarding this set, who knows? my world wisdom doesn't give me a clue. so much for my world wisdom. I remember you, Ricky.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I think terminology is getting in the way, because I don't disagree with either shanny or bsg1. Those tools were clearly 'collected' over time (that is, bought, borrowed and never returned, traded, found, etc), not assembled like that in the box they were found in at one time. No argument there. Whether "institutional" (belonging to a shop, service station, etc) or personal, when I say that the box and tools are not a "collection" - I mean those tools were not bought, borrowed, traded, found, etc for their value as collectibles. There's not a lot of duplication across sizes, by type of tools, and nobody sets out to collect a few of each brand in different sizes as the object of collecting. Just my $.02, and for clarification. It's nothing to argue about, for sure.

 

[Bob P1]

Nice mix, variety of unusual brands.

 

[shanny19]

I think terminology is getting in the way, because I don't disagree with either shanny or bsg1. Those tools were clearly 'collected' over time (that is, bought, borrowed and never returned, traded, found, etc), not assembled like that in the box they were found in at one time. No argument there. Whether "institutional" (belonging to a shop, service station, etc) or personal, when I say that the box and tools are not a "collection" - I mean those tools were not bought, borrowed, traded, found, etc for their value as collectibles. There's not a lot of duplication across sizes, by type of tools, and nobody sets out to collect a few of each brand in different sizes as the object of collecting. Just my $.02, and for clarification. It's nothing to argue about, for sure.

100% agree that it's a working tool set!

 

[bsg1]

I think terminology is getting in the way, because I don't disagree with either shanny or bsg1. Those tools were clearly 'collected' over time (that is, bought, borrowed and never returned, traded, found, etc), not assembled like that in the box they were found in at one time. No argument there. Whether "institutional" (belonging to a shop, service station, etc) or personal, when I say that the box and tools are not a "collection" - I mean those tools were not bought, borrowed, traded, found, etc for their value as collectibles. There's not a lot of duplication across sizes, by type of tools, and nobody sets out to collect a few of each brand in different sizes as the object of collecting. Just my $.02, and for clarification. It's nothing to argue about, for sure.

well said.

 

[damon18]

It seems that back then, there were a lot of guys that just had whatever tools they could assemble into a semblence of a set and went to work. Farm mechanics and service stations...

I understand and agree what you said about working tools back in the day. I'm 62 and my grandfather was an auto mechanic in a small rural town in Kentucky back in the 30's and 40's. When I was a kid I didn't know that tools could be shiny! My limited personal tools include a few pieces from him and they are etched "stolen from JT".

If this guy was a collector, he was terrible at it.

HaHa, well I didn't say it was a good collection.

One thing that seemed odd was the many size repeats across the brands. So many of the brands had one or more of 7/16 - 1/2 - 9/16 rather than filling in all the sizes to make a set. That's what made me think it might have been someone trying to get one of each brand. Of course the tools in this box could have been the leftovers after a bigger group of tools were picked over. The guy I got the box from was exactly as you describe, pushing 60 and said these tools belonged to his father.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

When I was a kid I didn't know that tools could be shiny! My limited personal tools include a few pieces from him and they are etched "stolen from JT".

Haha. That's rich. As for unplated tools, that's all I remember, too (my dad was a WWII vet), and even though I have some plated users, most of my tools are natural steel finish due to a predilection for them from when I was a kid that survives today.

One thing that seemed odd was the many size repeats across the brands. So many of the brands had one or more of 7/16 - 1/2 - 9/16 rather than filling in all the sizes to make a set.

I didn't notice too many. I saw a few 1/2 x 9/16, which is not uncommon. That was a very popular combination. One thing to keep in mind is that many mfgrs repeated sizes (especially those sizes!) in combination with other sizes on DOE and DBE wrenches in the early eras, typically 5/16 x 3/8, 3/8 x 7/16, 7/16 x 1/2, and 1/2 x 9/16. When they made a DOE/DBE wrench set with no duplicate ends, they advertised it as special.

 

[ssdave]

When you were working on older machinery and cars, the first thing you did was put a 1/2x9/16 dbe in your pocket. That would cover 90% of the bolts you would encounter on the job. My favorite was a short Williams DBE, which has now been displaced by a similar Proto one.

It doesn't surprise me to see multiples of 1/2 and 9/16.

 

[Provincial]

I'm 68 and my first set of tools (not counting the ones I used on the farm that belonged to my Grandfather) was given to me on my 14th birthday by a family friend that pieced it together from second-hand stores and pawn shops. It had 1/2" drive tools, wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers, and a few other items. Most were Plomb, SK, Crescent, and P&C. All mixed in brand and sizes.

I still have those tools, and use them often. They will pass to my son, who is starting to build up his own set of tools.

 

[Toolmaker65]

Could also be a catch all box of tools that were kept around because they were too good to get rid of or spares kept in case one broke. My boxes both at home and work are a collection of all different brands (Proto, S-K, Snap On, Mac, Cornwell, Bonney, Barcalo, Craftsman, etc.). I have a propensity to pick up good tools at flea markets, garage sales, as well as keeping duplicates from sets that I buy from people leaving the wrenching life. I put all of them in a few spare tool boxes I have around just in case I need a replacement quickly. Every now and then, one of these boxes will find it to my own garage sale simply because I find out that I have too many of them taking up space. This could be one of those type boxes.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Reminds me of the "usa tools" box at the pawn shop