My Small But Growing 1/4" drive Socket Set Collection

[RTM]

I remember the shape. I didn't remember the name. There is a Deco Tools (since 1955) and a Deco Tool Supply (since 1945). It's gotta be one of them.

Jumping in really late here.

Buddy of mine linked to one that showed Southgate down in the flutes. Can’t find the FB link now.

Don’t know if your two were in South Gate?


There is also another Deco Machine co, in South Gate, Ca. Maybe these guys? Or maybe they were successors to one of your two? This is from 1974, but Maybe Lugz can track them back,

Nongovernment Organization Codes for Military Standard Contract Administration Procedures (MILSCAP), United States and Canada, Code to Name

books.google.com

Edit: fixed some horrible post structure.

 

[RTM]

Here is the post

Here is a request for further information. The mushroom!
There are a few known but not many. Its marked Deco.

Its not 1/4" its 9/32 drive, which was something they tried mostly around WW11 thinking it would keep guys from taking tools home from work.

The ratchet attachment on it is not readable as to manufacturer. But it does read Pat Applied For, Southgate California

If anyone has more information do tell!!

PS Man this was tough to polish out!! But it just shows to go ya anything is possible with time and patience

 

[whiplash]

New Britain "None Better" model 177 8-pc 1/4" hex drive SAE socket set with stamped steel holder.

The "ell" handle is stamped "Made in U.S.A." on one side. The other side is stamped "Pat. Dec 31, 1918" - the patent referred to on the "ell" handle is Reginald F. Sedgley's patent 1289558 (see post #1 above for an example of Sedgley's "Hexall" hex-drive set.)
The holder is stamped "Patented Dec. 12, 1922" - this refers to patent 1438900 issued to one H.H. Chase, and was used by New Britain Machine Company on a variety of different socket holders for a number of decades.

(* As I was not able to get clear images of all the details described above, I have posted a few of the photos from the Ebay listing from which this set was purchased as well. *)







(* There is a detailed description of this particular model at Alloy-Artifacts.org HERE: http://alloy-artifacts.org/newbritain-nonebetter.html *)

Cool stuff was looking and organizing my tools. I have some old tools. I have that pocket set somewhere. There is some Walden in the pic too. American tools

 

[d42jeep]

Here is the post

Here is a request for further information. The mushroom!
There are a few known but not many. Its marked Deco.

Its not 1/4" its 9/32 drive, which was something they tried mostly around WW11 thinking it would keep guys from taking tools home from work.

The ratchet attachment on it is not readable as to manufacturer. But it does read Pat Applied For, Southgate California

If anyone has more information do tell!!

PS Man this was tough to polish out!! But it just shows to go ya anything is possible with time and patience

I’ve had a couple of the Deco 9/32” spinners. The first I sold on eBay. The second had been badly filed down close to 1/4”. It ended up pretty much unusable. 9/32” drive was specified mostly by aviation government military agencies during WW2.
-Don

 

[3baygarage]

RTM- I think the adapter is JO Mfg. aka Jo-Line

 

[Smokeshow69]

RTM- I think the adapter is JO Mfg. aka Jo-Line

Which is related to plomb

 

[d42jeep]

If I recall correctly, there was no relationship between Jo and Plomb. My Jo made torque wrench has a New Britain ratchet mechanism. Here is a quote from the owner’s grandson. “Dad said that neither J O nor Jo-Line ever bought anything from Plomb Tool, nor sold anything to them. Instead, Plomb Tool was a vigorous competitor of J O Mfg. and Jo-Line. Dad said that there were only two major distributors of hand tools in the US during the relevant time period to which he was never able to sell private-label torque wrenches manufactured by J O or Jo-Line. One was Sears Roebuck, and the other was Plomb Tool. Dad called Plomb his "bitter enemies" and said that J O on the one hand and Plomb on the other "didn't like each other very much." I have never in my life - 64 years now and going strong - heard my Dad ever refer to anyone as his "enemy," bitter or otherwise. Until earlier today. Thus, I am taking him at his word on the relationship between him and Morris.”
-Don

 

[3baygarage]

They did use Proto ratchet heads on some torque wrenches. There had to be some relationship.

 

[bmwrd0]

I have a couple of those DECO palm drivers.

 

[Raineman]

I recently added this set to my 1/4” collection

 

[bmwrd0]

I found this scattered about a hoarders garage:

Some parts were in the original socket box, some parts were in a junked socket box in another part of the garage. The wrenches came out of my stash. Serendipity.

 

[Username already in use]

@bmwrd0 nice find! There is a dedicated thread for those RTEC sets HERE.

 

[d42jeep]

I found this scattered about a hoarders garage:

Some parts were in the original socket box, some parts were in a junked socket box in another part of the garage. The wrenches came out of my stash. Serendipity.

Here is my recently completed set posted on the other thread that Username linked. It took quite a while to lay my hands on the pliers.
-Don

 

[RTM]

RTM- I think the adapter is JO Mfg. aka Jo-Line

Which is related to plomb

Thanks guys, once he knew the words, he was able to confirm that the random letters were probably JO mfg

 

[Oldtuleguy]

The current state of my rtec collection

 

[Username already in use]

The current state of my rtec collection

Is that hinge handle Cornwell?

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Unmarked but it does look similar to my cornwell

 

[Etchase]

Pointy A =v= series craftsman 1/4” driveView attachment 19149

 

[d42jeep]

Looks like I need a sliding T for my set. At least we both have the elusive crossbars.
-Don

 

[Targa68]

A very clean midget set from Bahco. BAHCO 369109

The case, in hard plastic, state "MADE IN SWEDEN", but only the sockets are actually made in Sweden....
The ratchet 712, T-bar 732 and extension 762 are all marked "INDUSTRIA ARGENTINA".
Unfortunately it only came with the 11/32, 3/8, and 7/16 socket so the hunt is on for the rest; 5/32, 3/16, 1/4, 5/16 and 1/2

 

[Stubby1743]

UK military surplus King **** 1/4 drive socket set from 1981. Never used. Sockets are 3/16, 7/32, 15/64, 1/4, 17/64, 9/32, 5/16, 11/32, 3/8 &7/16. No space for a ratchet.

 

[Stubby1743]

Here are my 9/32 drive pieces.



Two King **** aluminium body ratchets, Plomb breaker bar, King **** and Britool extensions, 1/4 female to 9/32 female Britool adaptor and 9/32 female to 1/4 male King **** adaptor.

All the pieces are British military surplus.

The female to female adaptor must be quite rare. I have seen quite a few of the ratchets over the years but only bought two of them.

 

[Stubby1743]

My 9/32" drive Sturtevant bendy-bar torque wrench. 40-200 inch pounds. Unfortunately, some surface rust.

 

[four.cycle]

Plomb Tool Company
equivalent to model 4700 set - 1/4" drive SAE socket set with "anchor" stamp inside lid - U.S.N. contract.
sockets and drive tools appear to be cad plated. ratchet is plain steel and not original to set. ratchet is stamped "VC"

The contents are as follows:

4706 - 3/16" 6-point
4707 - 7/32" 6-point
4708 - 1/4" 6-point
4709 - 9/32" 6-point
4710 - 5/16" 6-point
4711 - 11/32" 6-point
4712 - 3/8" 6-point
4714 - 7/16" 6-point

4710S - 5/16" 8-point

4749 - 1/4" drive ratchet (plain steel finish, stamped VC)
4761 - 1/4" drive 6-inch extension

4769 - 1/4" drive spinner handle
4785 - 1/4" drive sliding "T" handle

 

[four.cycle]

FLEET 2303A 15-piece 1/4" drive SAE socket set

The set is similar to that shown in the 1964 Fleet catalog (No. FL64-370), with the exception of this set being in a steel box (as opposed to the poly box shown in the catalog illustration.)

It is clear from the photographs that the sockets are from at least three different production runs. I would posit, however, that the odds are more likely than not they are all original to the set (with the exception of the extra 5/16" socket and cross bar.)

All pieces are chrome plated and polished, with the exception of the cross bar, which is most likely not original to the set.

The contents are as follows:

1006 - 3/16" 6-point
1007 - 7/32" 6-point
1008 - 1/4" 6-point
1009 - 9/32" 6-point
1010 - 5/16" 6-point
1011 - 11/32" 6-point
1012 - 3/8" 6-point
1014 - 7/16" 6-point
1016 - 1/2" 12-point

1008S - 1/4" 8-point
1010S - 5/16" 8-point
1012S - 3/8" 8-point

1060 RHFT ratchet
1065 - 3-inch extension
1070 - flex handle (breaker bar)

 

[four.cycle]

Craftsman 9/32" square drive SAE socket set

"C" series - manufactured by Snap-on, ca. 1932-1936

the set contains:

C7 - 7/32" 12-point
C8 - 1/4" 12-point
C10 5/16" 12-point
C11 11/32" 12-point
C12 3/8" 12-point
CM14 7/16" 12-point
C08 1/4" 8-point
C010 5/16" 8-point
V94 - sliding "T" handle
C95 - 6-inch extension

there is no 9/32" socket in this set. I do not know if the box is original to the set.

 

[four.cycle]

Williams M310 Midget 9/32" drive SAE socket set

... as shown in the 1936 H. Channel Hardware Co. catalog!

The set contains:

M606 3/16" 6-point
M607 7/32" 6-point
M608 1/4" 6-point
M609 9/32" 6-point
*
M1211 11/32" 12-point
M1212 3/8" 12-point
M1214 7/16" 12-point

M42 flex-handle (breaker bar) with detent ball in handle end
- 1/4" diameter x 4.5 inch chomed cross-bar (tommy bar)

* set is missing the M1210 5/16" 12-point socket *

 

[four.cycle]

Powr-Kraft 15-piece 1/4" drive SAE socket set w/ original box

Manufactured for Montgomery Ward by Wright Tool, Barberton, Ohio.

the set contains:

3/16" - 6-point
7/32" - 6 point
1/4" - 6 point ** (note this one has some issues with chrome peeling - see photos)
9/32" - 6 point
5.16" - 6 point
11/32" - 6 point
3/8" - 6 point (** two each **)
7/16" - 6 point

1/4" - 8 point
5/16" - 8 point

2-inch extension
6-inch extension
6-inch spinner handle
5-inch flex handle (breaker bar)
RHFT ratchet (equivalent to Wright model 2400)

 

[four.cycle]

Indestro 10-piece 1/4" drive SAE socket set w/box ("D-I")

This set contains:

1/4" 6-point
9/32" 6-point
5/16" 12-point
11/32" 12-point
3/8" 12-point
7/16" 12-point

1/4" 8-point
5/16" 8-point
3/8" 8-point

6-inch flex handle (breaker bar)

None of the piece are marked with manufacturer's name or part number. All of the sockets are stamped only with size and " D-I ".
The sockets and breaker bar appear to be plated - possibly with a cad finish. No attempt has been made to "clean" the tools or the box.

* this would be roughly the equivalent to the model 2800 set as shown in the 1948 catalog (see photo string) but the "D-I" stamping dates the tools to the first half of the 1940s (ca. 1942-1945) the plating defies explanation, but not the first example of plated "D-I" stuff I've seen.

 

[four.cycle]

Duro Chrome 12-piece 1/4" drive SAE socket set "D -I" in original box

The set contains:

3/16" 6-point

1/4" 6-point
9/32" 12-point
5/16" 12-point
11/32" 12-point
3/8" 12-point
7/16" 12-point

1/4" 8-point
5/16" 8-point
3/8" 8-point

6-inch flex handle (breaker bar)
5/32" x 3-inch cross bar (tommy bar)

** There is no 7/32" socket included in THIS set.
** The 7/16" 12-point socket has a different knurling pattern than the other sockets included in the set **

None of the pieces are marked with manufacturer's name or part number. All sockets are stamped only with size and " D I "
All sockets are plain black finish, with the exception of the 3/8" 8-point, which is shiny bare steel (but certainly doesn't appear to me to have been plated.)
The breaker bar has no markings at all and has a somewhat different handle than your run-of-the-mill 4550 (or 2850 Indestro.)

 

[four.cycle]

KAL (US) 13-piece 1/4" drive SAE socket set

Manufactured in the U.S. by the KAL/Proamerica/Emporium Forging empire.

The set contains:

3/16, 7/32, 1/4, 9/32, 5/16, 11/32, 3/8, 7/16, and 1/2 inch 6-point sockets

1060 - 3-inch extension
1061 - 6-inch extension
1067 - 6-inch spinner handle

1049 - RHFT ratchet

plastic socket retainer
steel box

The sockets are stamped only with the size - they are not marked with manufacturer's name or part number.

 

[four.cycle]

Indestro Select 1/4" drive SAE socket set w/ original box (partial set only)

The set contains:

6006 3/16" 6-point
6007 7/32" 6-point
6008 1/4" 6-point

6010 5/16" 6-point
6011 11/32" 6-point
6012 3/8" 6-point
6014 7/16" 6-point

6008S 1/4" 8-point
6010S 5/16" 8-point
6012S 3/8" 8-point

6032 2-inch extension
6033 6-inch extension

2839 "open gear" ratchet - which works flawlessly and still has the original dust band.

The model 2839 made its last appearance in the 1959 Indestro catalog No. 22, and is shown as discontinued in the 1961 Indestro catalog No. 22A. It does not appear in the 1961 Indestro Select catalog No.2 (having been replaced by the model 6070.)

** the set is missing the 6009 9/32" 6-point socket

** all of the pieces in the set have grinder marks on them from a previous owner **

 

[four.cycle]

New Britain Machine Co., New Britain, Connecticut

model 600 11-piece 1/4" drive SAE socket set w/original box

the set contains:

C1 1/4" 12-point
C2 9/32" 12-point
C3 5/16" 12-point
C4 11/32" 12-point
C5 3/8" 12-point
C6 7/16" 12-point

C10 1/4" 8-point
C11 5/16" 8-point
C12 3/8" 8-point

C9 6-inch flex handle (breaker bar)
C8 5/32" x 3-inch cross bar (tommy bar)

 

[Mintgrun]

Craftsman 9/32" square drive SAE socket set

Yeah, but, but, but, this is the 1/4" drive thread! (welcome back!)

The box looks original to me.

 

[four.cycle]

Walden Worcester 14-piece 5/16" hex drive SAE socket set

This rather unusual set, as near as I am able to determine, is similar to the model 68 set shown in the 1932 Walden catalog on page 10, with the exception of this set being 5/16" hex drive (about which the catalog description makes no mention) and the sockets are 12-points in the set (as opposed to the "hex sockets" shown in the catalog description, from which one might assume they were talking about 6-points.)

There are no markings on the sockets, six of which are 12-points and two of which are square 4-points.
The screwdriver attachments are stamped "Walden Worcester Made in USA" and are also stamped with part numbers 3803 and 3804, respectively. The "Spin-Tite" driver handle is stamped "Walden Worcester 3801" and still has 99% of its original black paint on the handle. None of the other pieces show any markings.

Based on the description from the 1932 catalog, I would posit the set is complete, although I believe it to be of earlier vintage than 1932.
I have no empirical evidence of such other than visual comparisons with other like sets. (see OTG's similar set here on GJ.)

 

[four.cycle]

thank you, Mintgrun.
and yes, it is the 1/4" drive thread, but I think we discussed 5/16" and 9/32" drives early on. I think a few others have crept in as well ... those hex drive sets are persistently pervasive pests.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Yeah, but, but, but, this is the 1/4" drive thread!

I think we discussed 5/16" and 9/32" drives early on.

Definitely 9/32-drive tools, and good discussion throughout, including reasons, history, and evolution from 5/16-drive, as well as its persistence - and if I must say so myself - an excellent deep dive tracing the advent of 9/32-drive hinge handles with spring-loaded detent balls for crossbars to USAAF specs (see pages 37-42).

And note that I call it the 'Midget Drive' thread in the stickie index for that reason.

(welcome back!)

Kotter!
I was scrolling and scrolling and scrolling with a big I-crack-myself-up grin on my face. 4.c, known for prolonged sabbaticals, has been gone for a few months, right? 4.c comes back and immediately posts a dozen midget drive sets. Can anyone fault us for picturing 4.c rummaging around his house and garage - for a couple months! - looking for midget drive sets?!!!

 

[four.cycle]

Craftsman 22-piece 1/4" drive SAE socket set -V-

Well-loved and clearly well-used set from the MDF era. All of the pieces in the set are -V- with the exception of the 43573 1/4" deep-well, which is a -VV- (I'm guessing Grandpa had to go back down to Sears at some point for a replacement.)

Both of the 1/2" sockets appear to have a bit of surface rust/schmutz on them. Some of it came off with an old worn-out piece of "Scotchbrite" and water, so I don't think it's that big a deal - probably clean up fine with some #0000 steel wool, but I don't "clean" tools as a matter of policy.

This set contains:

47491 -V- 3/16" 6-point
47492 -V- 7/32" 6-point
47493 -V- 1/4" 6-point
47494 -V- 9/32" 6-point
47495 -V- 5/16" 6-point
47496 -V- 11/32" 6-point
47497 -V- 3/8" 6-point
47498 -V- 7/16" 6-point
47499 -V- 1/2" 6-point

43571 -V- 3/16" 6-point deep-well
43572 -V- 7/32" 6-point deep-well
43573 -VV- 1/4" 6-point deep-well
43574 -V- 9/32" 6-point deep-well
43575 -V- 5/16" 6-point deep-well
43576 -V- 11/32" 6-point deep-well
43577 -V- 3/8" 6-point deep-well
43578 -V- 7/16" 6-point deep-well
43589 -V- 1/2" 6-point deep-well

43538 -V- 1-inch extension
43531 -V- 6-inch extension
4280 -V- universal joint

43175 -V- raised-panel teardrop head ratchet w/ quick release

 

[four.cycle]

Husky 2276 11-piece 1/4" drive SAE socket set w/ original box

Manufactured by New Britain Machine Co., New Britain, Connecticut

the set contains:

H3600 1/4" 6-point
H3601 9/32" 6-point
H3602 5/16" 6-point
H3603 11/32" 6-point
H3604 3/8" 6-point
H3605 7/16" 6-point

H3606 1/4" 8-point
H3607 5/16" 8-point
H3608 3/8" 8-point

H4598 6-inch flex handle (breaker bar)
- 3/16" x 3-inch cross-bar (tommy bar)

(* the box changes color depending upon what kind of light is on it *)

 

[MisterEd]

Acquired these today. Anyone know anything about the push-button model?