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

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four.cycle

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Scurati 10 pc 1.4 dr Metric socket set 113023 01.jpg
Siro Scurati & C. 12 piece Metric Socket Wrench Set in Original Box

manufactured by Siro Scurati & C., No. 33 Via A. Manzoni, Milan, Italy

this set contains:

4 mm 6-point socket
4.5 mm 6-point "
5 mm 6-point "
5.5 mm 6-point "
6 mm 6-point "
7 mm 6-point "
8 mm 6-point "
9 mm 6-point "
10 mm 6-point "

3 mm slotted screwdriver bit
5 mm slotted screwdriver bit


- Drive Handle

- The tools use a unique type of drive system. The sockets lock into the drive handle with a detent ball.
- These tools are not compatible for use with other standard drive systems.
 

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Firestone 13 pc 1.4 dr SAE socket set 112923 01.jpg

Firestone 13 piece 1/4" drive SAE Socket Wrench Set in Original Box

manufactured for the Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. by the Plomb Tool Company, Los Angeles, California

this set contains:

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


- 6-inch extension
- 5-inch flex handle (breaker bar)
- 5/32" x 3-inch crossbar
- Oval-Head Ratchet
- Steel Box

- The set is complete per the illustration from the 1948 Firestone catalog (page 44)
- All of the pieces are marked "Firestone" and "USA" with the exception of the unmarked cross bar.
- There are no part numbers on any of the pieces.
 

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Old Radar

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- The tools use a unique type of drive system. The sockets lock into the drive handle with a detent ball.
- These tools are not compatible for use with other standard drive systems.
Depending on the shaft diameter, looks like some may fit into the various Yankee and Stanley spiral/ratcheting screwdrivers.
 

shanny19

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Firestone set is ridiculously cool.

Does any of that JS set have exact match-for-match part numbers with the SK counterpart?
I can see the ratchet doesn’t, of course.
 

d42jeep

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Firestone set is ridiculously cool.

Does any of that JS set have exact match-for-match part numbers with the SK counterpart?
I can see the ratchet doesn’t, of course.
That JS set looks very late model Thorsen to me, with different markings of course. The spinner particularly.
-Don



IMG_4895.jpeg
IMG_6939.jpegIMG_3064.jpeg
 
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four.cycle

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shanny19 said:
Does any of that JS set have exact match-for-match part numbers with the SK counterpart?
I can see the ratchet doesn’t, of course.

That is one of two JS Technology sets I have here. Those were made for a military contract. There were a number of vendors who supplied them to the U.S. government, among them: ProAmerica, KAL, JS Technology, S-K, and ... ?? :headscrat
If you plug that NSN number into Google and do some poking around you can find the other manufacturers names who filled the contract as well.

I was going to mention something about that in the ebay listing, but chose to edit it out:

I own and have had in my hand several different model 40970 1/4" drive RHFT ratchets, as well as those two JS Technology ratchets, and 1049 KAL (also used to fill the contract) and the ProAmerica equivalent. Of them, that JS model has the smoothest action and the nicest fit and finish - hands down. The S-K model doesn't even come close.

All speculation about the JS pieces having been made y S-K notwithstanding, I don't believe for a second those are re-branded S-K units.
I lean more toward Emporium Forging or even possibly National Tool, both of which make far more sense than S-K supplying JS nicer stuff than they were capable or willing to crank out themselves.

If by "match-for-match" part numbers you mean numbers stamped on the sockets - no. S-K used a 5-digit part numbering system, e.g., 40906, 40907, etc. The JS Technology sockets use a different part numbering system. (see next post)
 
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JS Technology 13 pc 1.4 dr SAE socket set 113023 B 01.jpg
JS Technology Inc. 13 piece 1/4" drive SAE Socket Wrench Set in Original Box (NSN 5120-00-081-2305) (one of two see also post #1841)

manufactured for JS Technology Inc., 1000 Mcfarland 400 Boulevard, Alpharetta Georgia

this set contains:

11500-06 3/16" 6-point
11500-07 7/32" 6-point
11500-08 1/4" 6-point
11500-09 9/32" 6-point
11700-10 5/16" 12-point
11700-11 11/32" 12-point
11700-12 3/8" 12-point
11700-14 7/16" 12-point
11700-16 1/2" 12-point

11300 Universal Joint
11200-02 2-inch Extension
11130 6-inch spinner with bolster
11000 RHFT Ratchet


- This set was manufactured for the United States Armed Forces as a "Small Arms Repair Kit".
- All of the piece are marked "JS" and "USA"
 

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shanny19

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All speculation about the JS pieces having been made y S-K notwithstanding, I don't believe for a second those are re-branded S-K units.
I lean more toward Emporium Forging or even possibly National Tool, both of which make far more sense than S-K supplying JS nicer stuff than they were capable or willing to crank out themselves.

If by "match-for-match" part numbers you mean numbers stamped on the sockets - no. S-K used a 5-digit part numbering system, e.g., 40906, 40907, etc. The JS Technology sockets use a different part numbering system. (see next post)

Thanks for the reply.
My experience with the JS/SK connection consists of GMTKs with Feb 1993 vintage.
The only socketry component of said kits was 1/2 drive SAE stuff.
The sockets were SK. The drive tools and extensions were marked JS but were clearly SK and even had the expected 5 digit SK part numbers, exact SK equivalents.

Unrelated, what is your take on KAL/ProAmerica connection? I’ve come to believe that ProAmerica was just a BS name invented by KAL to be more attractive/palatable to government contacting officers, and that the companies are one and the same. Thoughts?
 
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American / American KAL Enterprises Inc., 4265 Puente Ave., Baldwin Park, CA 91706 / est. 1966, incorporated 1990 / military and government contract supplier / parent company of Pro America Premium Tools / see also Pro America Premium Tools / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...terprises-inc-emporium-forging-co-inc.491165/ /

KAL / see American KAL Enterprises Inc., see also Pro America Premium Tools / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...terprises-inc-emporium-forging-co-inc.491165/ /

KAL / Kal-Cameron Mfg. Corp., 221 E 2nd St., Emporium, PA 15834 / also DBA Pro America Premium Tools / see also: Pro America Premium Tools, Emporium Forging Co. Inc. / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...terprises-inc-emporium-forging-co-inc.491165/ /

KAL / KAL-Equip / KAL-Equip Co., Otsego, MI / automotive tune-up equipment (not hand tools) / NOT affiliated with American KAL Enterprises or Kal-Cameron Mfg. Corp. /

Proamerica / see Pro America Premium Tools /

Pro America / Pro America Premium Tools, 4265 Puente Ave., Baldwin Park, CA 91706 / Emporium Forging Co. Inc., 221 E 2nd St Emporium, PA 15834 / https://proamericatools.com/ / est. 1954 (?) / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/proamerica-tools.21675/ / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...terprises-inc-emporium-forging-co-inc.491165/

List of brand and manufacturers of mechanics hand tools <-- CLICK HERE
 

shanny19

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Thanks for that, and all the work you do here! And for tolerating off topic hijacks, sorry.
That prettymuch confirms my suspicions. “American KAL” bwahahaha.
At one point I had 8” KAL adjustables from each of the four following Asian countries/republics:
Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam.
At some point contracting for Uncle must have become more lucrative than Mom n Pop auto parts stores, imagine that.
 
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four.cycle

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^ It's always been "American KAL Enterprises". They were a contract supplier for the United States Armed Forces using the "American KAL" name. (I have an "American KAL" 1/4" socket set box here that was obviously made for a military contract - exact same dimensions as those found on like Giller and Muckle boxes.

"American KAL Enterprises" outsourced items from Japan. I don't know of any KAL products from those other countries you've mentioned - do you have photos?

"KAL" tools made a short-lived appearance in retail auto parts stores in the 1960s, but I don't believe that lasted long. The display boards were red with white graphics.

Selling tools in "mom and pop" auto parts stores was never "lucrative" - it was a loser. Shoplifting killed any potential profit margin that might have been made, and hand tools traditionally have been a low-margin item: 20% markup between Warehouse Distributor and Jobber, and a net 40% markup between Jobber Net and Suggested Retail doesn't leave the retailer a lot of wiggle room.
I have no idea what the percentage is at the manufacturer's level, but it would most certainly wouldn't be any more than the W.D. was making.

I'm not really sure where you're trying to go with your statements, but there's nothing nefarious about any of the activities of "American KAL Enterprises". That they've managed to "fly under the radar" for as long as they have is actually quite admirable: they've managed to keep a business operating for almost half a century - they're obviously doing something right.

I have no doubt their choice to cater to government contracts was strictly a business decision. The fact that they've outsourced products from offshore is certainly nothing out of the ordinary - all kinds of "American" tool manufacturers have been doing it for years. They should be different because they have "American" in the brand name? Have you looked at my list and counted the entries under "American" lately? (And those are just the ones I have listed thus far.)

People tend to look askance at things they don't understand, and this particular company managed to remain something of a mystery until I was finally able to put the pieces together and document the connections between KAL and Emporium (see thread linked above), so very few people know much about the company. That's not necessarily an indicator there exists some evil plot or that they're trying to "fool" anyone. To my knowledge, all of their outsourced products have the country of origin clearly stamped on the tools.

If you still have questions about product quality, I have some ratchets you might want to try out. $25 bucks a pop shipped to you. ;)

KAL 1049 1.4 dr ratchets 120223 01.jpgKAL 1049 1.4 dr ratchets 120223 02.jpg
1049 KAL 1/4" drive RHFT ratchets 12/02/23
 
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four.cycle

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addendum to above post (out of edits and it's not even daylight yet.)

The percentage markups I cited above are from the 1990s, when businesses in this country were still using the "traditional" channels of distribution: manufacturer to warehouse distributor to jobber to end consumer.
That distribution chain no longer exists, at least not in the same form in the automotive industry, and I very much doubt in the tool industry.
 
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Wizard H2926 14 pc 1.4 dr SAE socket set 120223 01.jpg
Wizard H2926 14 piece 1/4" drive SAE Socket Wrench Set in Original Box

manufactured by Indestro Mfg. Co. of Chicago for Western Auto Stores

this set contains:

H2580 3/16" 6-point socket
H2581 7/32" 6-point "
H2582 1/4" 6-point
H2583 9/32" 6-point
H2584 5/16" 6-point
H2585 11/32" 6-point
H2586 3/8" 6-point
H2587 7/16" 6-point
H2589 1/2" 6-point

H2590 1/4" 8-point
H2591 5/16" 8-point
H2592 3/8" 8-point

H2745 2-inch extension
H2750 Oval-head 24-tooth Ratchet

- Steel Box

- the set is missing the H2749 6-inch spinner handle
- all of the pieces are marked "WIZARD" and "D" and "U.S.A." with the exception of the H2590 1/4" 8-point socket, which is NOT marked "U.S.A."

- this is another example of Indestro's whacky "upside-down-label-in-the socket box" thing.)
 

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EASCO 16 pc 1.4 dr SAE socket set 120223 01.jpg
EASCO 16 piece 1/4" drive SAE Socket Wrench Set in Original Box

manufactured by Easco Hand Tools, Hunt Valley, Maryland

this set contains:

51-1106 3/16" 6-point socket marked EASCO USA
51-1107 7/32" "
51-1108 1/4" "
51-1109 9/32" "
51-1110 5/16" "
51/1111 11/32" "
51-1112 3/8" 6-point socket marked EASCO U.S.A.
51-1114 7/16" "
51-1116 1/2" "

51-1212 3/8" 6-point Deep-Well socket marked EASCO U.S.A.
51-1114 7/16" "

71-1203 3-inch extension marked EASCO U.S.A. 1/4
71-1206 6-inch extension marked EASCO U.S.A. 1/4 (* new NOS)
71-1708 Universal Joint marked EASCO USA 1/4

71-1107 6-inch Spinner Handle marked EASCO MADE IN U.S.A.
71-1105 RHFT Ratchet with Thumbwheel marked EASCO FORGED U.S.A. (*NOT quick-release)

- Plastic Box with broken latch

- the 71-1206 6-inch extension is an add-on to the set. it is new (NOS)
;)
 

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Armstrong 14 pc 1.4 dr SAE socket set 120323 01.jpg
ARMSTRONG 14 piece 1/4" drive SAE Socket Wrench Set with Box

manufactured by Armstrong Bros., Chicago, Illinois *

this set contains:

NM606 3/16" 6-point marked ARMSTRONG
NM607 7/32" "
NM608 1/4" "
NM1210 5/16" 12-point marked ARMSTRONG MADE IN USA
NM1211 11/32" 12-point marked ARMSTRONG
NM1212 3/8" "
NM1214 7/6" "
NM1216 1/2" 12-point marked ARMSTRONG MADE IN USA ARMALOY
NM1218 9/16" 12-point marked ARMSTRONG MADE IN USA ARMALOY (with logo)

10-919A 1-inch extension marked ARMSTRONG 1/4
10-922A 3-inch extension marked ARMSTRONG USA 1/4

NM42 6-inch flex handle (breaker bar) marked ARMSTRONG U.S.A. ARMALOY
NM91 Oval-Head Ratchet marked ARMSTRONG U.S.A.

6723 3/8" 12-pt box wrench x 5/16" 12-pt flare nut wrench marked ARMSTRONG MADE IN USA SPECIAL

* the 10-919A one-inch extension and the 10-922A three-inch extension are not original to the set, and are of later production than the other (original) pieces in the set - presumably manufactured after the acquisition of Armstrong by the Apex group. they are both add-ons to the set and are NOS.

- The box, as odd as it is, came with the set. I have no idea if it's original. Works fine. Latch is very cool.
- I have no clue on the wrench. 5/16" flare nut? Marked "Special".
 

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CHINA 46pc 01.jpg
CHINA 46 pieces 1/4" drive Metric Socket Set with bits

made in China

this is as low-end as low-end gets in the current era.

all NOS.
 

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four.cycle

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that's right.. it's so cheap you get blurry photos too!

Rosewill 01.jpg
ROSEWILL 36+ piece 1/4" drive SAE socket set with bits

- made in China

* 36+ pieces (several small hex keys taped together there at left - too tiny for me to count.
* the box is very nice - very cool James Bond horizontally-sliding latches on each side that must be released simultaneously to open or close the box. spongie insert thingie makes it absolutely silent no matter how much you shake it.
* why aren't all tool boxes designed this nicely? too bad the tools are ****.
* made of 100% finest quality imported cheese
 

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shanny19

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"American KAL Enterprises" outsourced items from Japan. I don't know of any KAL products from those other countries you've mentioned - do you have photos?

"KAL" tools made a short-lived appearance in retail auto parts stores in the 1960s, but I don't believe that lasted long. The display boards were red with white graphics.

I'm not really sure where you're trying to go with your statements, but there's nothing nefarious about any of the activities

No, not trying to start anything at all, I'm just way better at face to face tool talk than typing, especially when it comes to attempts at humor and sarcasm.

My first ever bought with my own money socket set was a KAL 3/8" set, Japan, in a red metal box, with the red/white graphics that you speak of, from a retail independent auto parts store, in the 80's. I believe it to be contemporary with the 80's and not NOS. It's very special to me. Some of the KAL DBE's that I've picked over the years, also Japan, are really nice. I have no animosity towards the brand.

The KAL 8" adjustables that i've encountered from other parts of Asia have been gifted to nephews. Maybe some of them are still around, I'll look.

Now as to nefarious.......cheesy is the word i'd use. My opinion. Brand names are chosen, in part, to sway the potential customer. In this case, the contracting officers of the federal government. I hold that it was cheesy to call oneself "American KAL" and "ProAmerica" in this endeavour. At least as cheesy, if not more so, as say, "Pittsburgh" or "Chicago Electric" to sway the individual consumer. Again, my opinion. Cheers, and again, THANK YOU for the work you do on this site.
 
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four.cycle

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^ Company names are chosen for all sorts of reasons. My old man chose "AA" because he wanted to be the first one in the phone book.
How do we know some of those companies with "American" in their name weren't named by first-generation immigrants from other countries who were started up businesses and were proud to be Americans?
May or may not have any thing to do with cultured dairy products.
 

shanny19

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So wait, American Cheese is neither American nor Cheese? Kinda like the Holy Roman Empire being none of the three? I might have to rethink my life. 😉
 
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four.cycle

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I think if you're going to attempt to determine the motivating factors involved in choosing a name for a business you're in for a lifetime of work.
 

Raineman

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central Maryland
manufactured by Easco Hand Tools, Hunt Valley, Maryland

;)
This little piece of information, which I never knew, puts a piece of a puzzle together that I never knew was missing. I also see "Glen Burnie" on the extension bag.

I never knew Easco was a Maryland manufacturer, and may just have never noticed, but it sure explains a lot about why Easco tools are so easy to find in my area and why they seemed to be available everywhere back in the day. For some reason I always had figured they were a derivative of New Britain tools, so I never really paid attention to them. From where I sit right now I'm directly between Glen Burnie and Hunt Valley which are each about 1/2 hour drive away.

Had I known this fact, I may have kept many an Easco that I have cut loose. Great info four.cycle, thanks. More stuff to look for now.
 
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four.cycle

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For some reason I always had figured they were a derivative of New Britain tools.
EASCO was the outfit that was stamping out "CRAFTSMAN" and Sears dropped them as a supplier and they made an attempt to go it alone, at a moment in time when American tool manufacturers were dropping like flies.
New Britain ... as near as I can figure ... got sucked up into the "Litton Industries" machine and morphed into "American Forge" ... at least that's the way it appears to me.
Good product. They were just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Interesting that you caught that "Glen Burnie" - I special-ordered that extension, not realizing that one could not put it into the kit and be able to close the lid on that crappy plastic box. (That's why the ebay listing for that set includes a decent steel box.)

Easco / Easco Hand Tools, Hunt Valley, MD (1901-1990) / acquired by Danaher Corp., merged with Cooper to form Apex Tool Group 2010 / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/easco-tools.421269/ /
 
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four.cycle

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Herbrand 25 pc 1.4 dr Metric socket set 01.jpg
HERBRAND 25 piece 1/4" drive 6-point METRIC Socket Wrench Set with Holders (sockets only)

manufactured for the Herbrand Company, by Seco Tools of Toronto, Ontario, Canada

this set contains:

standard shallow sockets:

MM604 4mm 6-point marked Herbrand
MM605 5mm 6-point "
MM605 6mm 6-point "
MM607 7mm 6-point "
MM608 8mm 6-point "
MM609 9mm 6-point "
MM610 10mm 6-point "
MM611 11mm 6-point "
MM612 12mm 6-point "
MM613 13mm 6-point "
MM614 14mm 6-point "
MM615 15mm 6-point "
MM616 16mm 6-point "

deep-well sockets:

MM804 4mm 6-point marked Herbrand
MM804.5 4.5mm 6-point "
MM805 5mm 6-point "
MM805.5 5.5mm 6-point "
MM806 6mm 6-point "
MM808 7mm 6-point marked Herbrand CANADA
MM808 8mm 6-point marked Herbrand
MM809 9mm 6-point marked Herbrand CANADA
MM810 10mm 6-point marked Herbrand
MM811 11mm 6-point "
MM812 12mm 6-point "
MM813 13mm 6-point "

Herbrand / Herbrand Co., 109-25 E. State St., Fremont, OH (1881-1961) / Orangeburg, SC (1962-1967) (Kelsey-Hayes) / 1967-? Triangle Corp. / Triangle acquired by Cooper Industries 1993 / "Vi-Chrome" / http://www.yesterdaystractors.com/cgi-bin/viewit.cgi?bd=toolt&th=4960 / http://alloy-artifacts.org/herbrand-van-chrome.html / http://alloy-artifacts.org/herbrand-van-chrome.html#history / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/lets-see-your-herbrand.390421/ /

Seco / Seco Tool Co., 340 Dufferin St., Toronto, Ontario, Canada / contract supplier for several U.S. based tool companies / http://progress-is-fine.blogspot.com/2013/04/we-used-to-make-things-in-this-country_13.html /

see also:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...nney-affliction.273680/page-134#post-10435136
and the following three or four posts
 

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d42jeep

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Oct 22, 2014
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Northern California
For some reason I always had figured they were a derivative of New Britain tools.
EASCO was the outfit that was stamping out "CRAFTSMAN" and Sears dropped them as a supplier and they made an attempt to go it alone, at a moment in time when American tool manufacturers were dropping like flies.
New Britain ... as near as I can figure ... got sucked up into the "Litton Industries" machine and morphed into "American Forge" ... at least that's the way it appears to me.
Good product. They were just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Interesting that you caught that "Glen Burnie" - I special-ordered that extension, not realizing that one could not put it into the kit and be able to close the lid on that crappy plastic box. (That's why the ebay listing for that set includes a decent steel box.)

Easco / Easco Hand Tools, Hunt Valley, MD (1901-1990) / acquired by Danaher Corp., merged with Cooper to form Apex Tool Group 2010 / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/easco-tools.421269/ /
American Forge? I had no clue. Anyone need it?
-DonIMG_1603.jpeg
 
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four.cycle

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^ I have two copies of that widget. One is rusted solid with no sockets. The other is like NOS. There was another one made - kind of a knock-off of that design - equally as silly and useless.
Really kind of sad when you think that the same company used to be "New Britain Machine Co." and they made some fabulous tools.
One of our GJ members bought one of those wall-hanging "Shop Organizers" right after I posted it in "hot deals" and he said he loved it.
They certainly weren't bad tools - I think they were coming out of National Tool in Dallas - but they were - like so many others - caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.
 

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d42jeep

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Firestone 13 pc 1.4 dr SAE socket set 112923 01.jpg

Firestone 13 piece 1/4" drive SAE Socket Wrench Set in Original Box

manufactured for the Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. by the Plomb Tool Company, Los Angeles, California

this set contains:

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


- 6-inch extension
- 5-inch flex handle (breaker bar)
- 5/32" x 3-inch crossbar
- Oval-Head Ratchet
- Steel Box

- The set is complete per the illustration from the 1948 Firestone catalog (page 44)
- All of the pieces are marked "Firestone" and "USA" with the exception of the unmarked cross bar.
- There are no part numbers on any of the pieces.
I‘ve wanted a Firestone set for quite a while and BK was nice enough to let me buy this one. It’s a nice addition to my 1/4” drive set collection. The crossbar is a nice match to my rare Plomb 1/4” drive one. Thanks, BK!IMG_1613.jpegIMG_1614.jpegIMG_1615.jpeg
-Don
 
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four.cycle

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Tacoma, Washington
Western Forge 14 pc 1.4 dr SAE socket set 120823 01.jpg

Western Forge 14 piece 1/4" drive SAE Socket Wrench Set

manufactured by Western Forge, Colorado Springs, Colorado U.S.A. *

this set contains:

5801 3/16" 6-point marked WESTERN FORGE USA
5802 7/32" 6-point "
5803 1/4" 6-point "
5804 9/32" 6-point "
5805 5/16" 6-point "
5806 11/32" 6-point "
5807 3/8" 6-point "
5807 7/16" 6-point "
5808 1/2" 6-point "

5810 1/4" 8-point marked WESTERN FORGE USA
5811 5/16" 8-point "

5813 2-inch extension marked WESTERN FORGE USA
5814 6-inch extension "
5815 RHFT ratchet marked WESTERN FORGE USA

- All of the pieces are marked with "WESTERN FORGE" and "USA" (or U.S.A.)

* or were they? comparison photos in next post. awaiting confirmation from Wright Tool 12/08/23 BK
 

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Stubby1743

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Jul 16, 2023
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Location
UK
I bought this Kamasa 1/4" drive six point set in about 1980 from a short lived shop that sold liquidated and fire damaged stock.

It's had a lot of (non-professional) use on bikes, motorbikes, cars and boats and has stood up very well.

The ratchet is marked "Kamasa Tools" on one side and "Japan" on the other. The extension is just marked "Japan". The nicely made sockets have no markings except for the size.

The moulded insert in the box is very good quality and shows no signs of splitting.

I would love to know which manufacturer actually made it.

DSCF9759R.jpg

DSCF9761R.jpg

DSCF9760R.jpg
 

Stubby1743

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Location
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In this other thread, it seems to have been agreed that Kamasa did not actually make any tools themselves.

 
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