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

[d42jeep]

That spinner is in unusually nice condition. The set is quite similar to the one in my MVMTS.


-Don
.

 

[esben57]

A Britool set from a car boot sale 2-3 years ago. £5 GBP, yes FIVE quid!!!
Virtually unused.

 

[esben57]

 

[esben57]

Britool 9/32" - 1/4" up and down plus 1/4" drive bit socket wedge type.

 

[four.cycle]

^ hey, if you feel like making scans of those catalogs and emailing them off to International Tool Catalog Library, let me know I'll find an email addy for you!

 

[esben57]

^ hey, if you feel like making scans of those catalogs and emailing them off to International Tool Catalog Library, let me know I'll find an email addy for you!

Sold on to supplement leisurely lifestyle.
Big mistake.

 

[BombShelter]

A guy showed up at our local flea market a couple years ago and had hundreds of vintage 1/4" sets for sale, most were $8/ea. I bought a few and a $10 Craftsman Bench Grinder, he wasn't forthcoming on where he got all the cool stuff. Never saw him again, he pretty much wanted it all gone.

 

[d42jeep]

I received a matching breaker bar in the mail today to complete this set to my liking.

-Don

 

[esben57]

I received a matching breaker bar in the mail today to complete this set to my liking.

-Don

Right-ho. 1/4" drive ratchet head. Could this be Stevens Walden? Another find I couldn't resist, and for no money - couple of quid if that.
Will post my Bitsa go to 1/4" set later.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Sure looks like a later era Stevens Walden logo to me. That's a cool piece. Ratchet adaptors for midget drive tools are pretty rare, as a type, in general, in my experience. That one looks easy to use with the knurled twist switch.

 

[d42jeep]

As Lugz says, that’s a later Walden piece. Here is mine.
-Don

 

[esben57]

Torque driver, may be Britool. Set at a value of ???

 

[esben57]

My Bitsa. Use it a lot

 

[alinc100]

Since Easco was mentioned a bit ago it triggered the memory that I have this partial set.
7/32"-1/2" shallow, 1/4",9/32, 11/32"-1/2" deep metric 4-11mm shallow.

 

[four.cycle]

@esben57 - yes, that 3155 1/4" drive ratchet adapter was made by Stevens Walden I have one here in the "Walden" box.
@alinc100 - interesting assortment of late Easco. I have that same tiny metric set, but mine is brown, not blue - obviously they were experimenting with different colors on their holders.

 

[StillTooManyHobbies]

That Kamasa ratchet looks like my made in Japan KAL 1049.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Here is an early sk set, sockets only marked chrome vanadium steel

 

[alinc100]

@alinc100 - interesting assortment of late Easco. I have that same tiny metric set, but mine is brown, not blue - obviously they were experimenting with different colors on their holders.

I don't know if it shows in my photos but the permatex case is brown,which caught my eye as unusual and when I opened it and found it 90% complete I opted to purchase it.

 

[four.cycle]

@alinc100 - the "Easco" set I posted above came in a brown blow-mold box as well. Unfortunately it has a broken latch.

 

[four.cycle]

KAL 13 piece 1/4" drive SAE Socket Wrench Set in a blow-mold plastic "Kipper" box (NSN 5120 000 8123 05)

manufactured by American KAL Enterprises, Emporium, Pennsylvania

this set contains:

1006 3/6" 6-point marked KAL USA
1007 7/32" " "
1008 1/4" " "
1009 9/32" " "
1010T 5/16" 12-point "
1011T 11/32" " "
1012T 3/8" 12-point marked KAL USA (two each)
1014T 7/16" " "

1059 2-inch extension marked KAL USA
1067 6-inch spinner marked KAL TOOL USA
1069 RHFT ratchet marked KAL USA
1070 Universal Joint marked KAL USA

- this set does not include a 1/2" socket

- this set includes two 3/8" sockets

- ProAmerica is manufactured by American KAL Enterprises, Emporium, Pennsylvania.

- this set was manufactured for the United States armed forces as a "small arms repair kit".

- set A (one of four)

American KAL, KAL, Cam-Ron, and ProAmerica = all one and the same. Primarily military and contract supplier, the company originally started as Cameron Manufacturing in Emporium, Pennsylvania, making "CAM-RON" pliers for Uncle Sam.

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 /

KAL / see American KAL Enterprises Inc., see also Pro America Premium Tools /

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. /

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 (?) /

 

[four.cycle]

KAL 13 pc 1/4" drive SAE socket set with box (NSN 5120 000 8123 05)

manufactured by American KAL Enterprises, Emporium, Pennsylvania

this set contains:

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

1067 6 inch spinner marked KAL TOOL
1070 universal joint marked KAL USA
1069 RHFT ratchet marked KAL USA
4102 2 inch extension marked Proamerica USA *

- ProAmerica is manufactured by American KAL Enterprises, Emporium, Pennsylvania.

- this set was manufactured for the United States armed forces as a "small arms repair kit".

- SET B (one of four)

 

[four.cycle]

KAL 13 piece 1/4" drive SAE Socket Wrench Set w/Original Plastic Box (NSN 5120 000 8123 05)

manufactured by American KAL Enterprises, Emporium, Pennsylvania

this set contains:

3/16" 6-point marked KAL USA
7/32 6-point "
1/4" 6-point "
9/32" 6-point "
5/16" 12-point "
11/32" 12-point "
3/8" 12-point "
7/16" 12-point "
1/2" 12-point "

4102 2 inch extension marked PROAMERICA USA
4150 RHFT Ratchet marked PROAMERICA USA
4180 6-inch spinner with bolster marked PROAMERICA USA
- Universal Joint marked KAL USA

- there are no part numbers marked on any of the sockets or the universal joint.

- the 4102 extension, 4150 ratchet, and 4180 spinner were manufactured by American KAL Enterprises, Emporium, Pennsylvania

- there are issues with the plating on the 4180 spinner. see photos. not rusted - just ugly. (factory flaw - had another exactly like it.)

- this set was manufactured for the United States armed forces as a "small arms repair kit".

- set C (one of four)

 

[four.cycle]

KAL 501 14 pc 1/4" dr SAE Socket Wrench Set w/ original Metal Box

manufactured by American KAL Enterprises, Emporium, Pennsylvania

this set contains:

4206 3/16" 6-point marked PROAMERICA USA
1007 7/32" 6-point marked KAL USA
1008 1/4" " "
1009 9/32" " "
1010 5/16" " "
1011 11/32" " "
1012 3/8" " "
1014 7/16" " "
1016 1/2" " "

1049 RHFT Ratchet marked KAL USA
1059 2 inch Extension "
1060 3 inch Extension "
1061 6 inch Extension "
1067 6 inch Spinner marked KAL TOOL

- plastic socket holder
- red steel box

- the 4206 3/16" socket was manufactured by American KAL Enterprises, Emporium, Pennsylvania

 

[Targa68]

I have this small socket set I would like to know more about.
I assume it is British as all seven sockets are marked Banks British, and sizes from 0 BA to 6 BA. The ell is unmarked.
The box is 5" and made of copper. I particularly like the way the holes are punched asymmetrical in order to accommodate the ell.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Wow, Targa! Everything about that set is unusual and appealing to own. Not only the copper box and the socket arrangement squeezing the Ell in, but the Ell itself. Not too many are made from a bent square stock as far as I know.

As for the maker, Grace's Guide is showing several leads for you to explore...

 

[Targa68]

Thank you for the feedback Private, I have done some searching on the Grace's Guide but no luck....
What about the sizing, 0 BA, 1 BA up to 6 BA, is this familiar?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

What about the sizing, 0 BA, 1 BA up to 6 BA, is this familiar?

Yes. Very common. Still today, in fact. You could Google 'British Association standard'. Or just read @Dave455 's post, here.

 

[Mintgrun]

The box is 5" and made of copper.

Made of copper, or copper plated steel? It's beautiful either way.

(A magnet would be one way to answer the question).

 

[Targa68]

Made of copper, or copper plated steel? It's beautiful either way.

(A magnet would be one way to answer the question).

That was actually a very good question. I went to check with a magnet and yes, the box is copper plated steel, while the inlay is copper.
Thank you you

 

[esben57]

I have this small socket set I would like to know more about.
I assume it is British as all seven sockets are marked Banks British, and sizes from 0 BA to 6 BA. The ell is unmarked.
The box is 5" and made of copper. I particularly like the way the holes are punched asymmetrical in order to accommodate the ell.

BA British Association usually found on electrical applications. Small in size
What size square is the 90 deg. drive handle please Targa68 ?
I have one that is 5/16inch sq and has the ball fittings. Anybody any ideas?

 

[Targa68]

BA British Association usually found on electrical applications. Small in size
What size square is the 90 deg. drive handle please Targa68 ?
I have one that is 5/16inch sq and has the ball fittings. Anybody any ideas?

The handle is only 7mm square, so a little bit smaller than 5/16 inch.
It has ball fittings in both ends.

 

[esben57]

The handle is only 7mm square, so a little bit smaller than 5/16 inch.
It has ball fittings in both ends.

It may be 9/32inch which is 7.14mm.
British and U.S firms made these drive sets during WW2 up to the 1950's.
Do any of the pieces have a arrow marking? This was military/war department property.

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

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"

So, I picked up this military general mechanics tool kit at an auction recently. I thought the box design looked familiar and after seeing the included packing list it donned on me. I had this kit issued to me as an Army electronics repairman back in 1984. It's mostly complete but still missing some items...started researching the NSN and found the content list of the missing 1/4" drive set but couldn't determine who provided the contract item. And, whammo, here you are posting this set! Nicely done sir!

 

[d42jeep]

Here is my Thorsen set with that NSN.
-Don
With u-joint, missing extension.

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

Here is my Thorsen set with that NSN.
-Don
With u-joint, missing extension.

I'll go look through my Thorsen stuff for that extension...is there a specific part # associated with it?

 

[d42jeep]

Thanks. I’ve added the extension since the picture was taken. I appreciate the offer. I noticed that the 1/2” socket is missing so I ordered one.
-Don

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

Anybody know what tool manufacturer this is? Additionally marked USA alongside the socket size. I have three, all are 1/4" drive

 

[four.cycle]

^ Litton Industries, just after they bought New Britain Machine.
Litton / Litton Industries, PO Box 1320, New Britain, CT 06050 / marketed as "Litton American Forge" / see also American Forge & Foundry / hand tools manufactured by New Britain Machine / acquired by Northrop Grumman 2001 / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=6935120#post6935120 /


Litton Industries LOGO

* if you are looking to add to your "Litton" collection, WhatChaMaCallItTools in Oklahoma City has a lot of NOS inventory

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

Aah, I thought it was the same mark as my American Forge Combination wrench I found a few months ago but when I searched on Google it didn't turn up this mark and God only knows where I put that wrench...my shop is a mess. Thanks for the clarification and the link!

 

[Old Radar]

God only knows where I put that wrench...my shop is a mess.