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

[d42jeep]

Litton pocket socket. Check the markings on the sockets.
-Don

 

[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

My new 1/2” socket arrived today and I added it to the set. It is now officially complete.
-Don

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

Hey guys...you're all so much help. Take a look over at a new thread I started "that mysterious unknown socket" and see if you can help me identify some of this. It's 1/2 and 3/8 drive stuff

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Picked up this armaloy nm51 to add to my armstrong 1/4" stash

 

[four.cycle]

It's raining to hard to get any decent photos right now. This will have to do for the moment:

S-K 13-piece "Carb-O-Mang" 1/4" drive socket wrench set

 

[four.cycle]

ACTION 1415A 15 piece 1/4" drive SAE Socket Wrench Set in original box

manufactured by Thorsen Tool Company, Oakland, California

this set contains:

6MA 3/16" 6 point
7MA 7/32" "
8MA 1/4" "
9MA 9/32" "
10MA 5/6" "
11MA 11/32" "
12MA 3/8" "
14MA 7/16" "

8MSA 1/4" 8 point
10MSA 5/16" 8 point
12MSA 3/8" 8 point

18MA 6 inch flex handle (breaker)
53MA 6 inch extension
77MA open-gear ratchet

- metal box

* not sure what patent 3096877 applies to - I think it's the packaging *

 

[four.cycle]

ACTION 1/4" drive miscellaneous:

7MA 7/32" 6-point std. socket
8MA 1/4" "
80MA 6-inch Spinner Handle (yellow handle) *
80MA 6-inch Spinner Handle (orange handle w/purple cap) *

* the 80MA spinner handle was not included in the 1415A set (pictured above.) the yellow handled model predates the later model with the orange and purple handle.

 

[four.cycle]

Boeing (China PRC) 14-pc 1/4" hex drive bit and metric socket set with reversible ratcheting driver handle

Boeing (China PRC) 14-pc 1/4" hex drive bit and metric socket set with reversible ratcheting driver handle (5,6,7,8,9,10mm)

"DIY" (China PRC) 40-piece 1/4" hex drive Metric & SAE bit & socket set with reversible ratcheting driver

"DIY" (China PRC) 40-piece 1/4" hex drive Metric & SAE bit & socket set with reversible ratcheting driver

* No idea what factory these came out of. There are different variants of the lower one in the second-hand market, some of which have a driver handle on which the head pivots 180°.

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

Hey guys, I found this 1/4" driver in a miscellaneous bin the other day. I usually disregard anything with the thinner plastic handles as they're usually Taiwan or China made. But, this one caught my eye and upon closer review there's some nice even crimp and tooling on the holders of the flex part. It seems I recently saw a similar flex driver in one of the catalogs on ITCL but I was going through so many S-K, Herbrand, SW, Thorsen and a few others I can't recall where I saw it. There is a makers panel on the handle but it must have been painted on because there's no remnant left. I wanna say perhaps an S-K 1/4" driver...maybe. if ya got one similar give me a hollar...

 

[d42jeep]

I have this mystery unmarked flex spinner as well.
-Don

 

[RTM]

Well heck, while we are playing this game. Here is mine looking for an ID as well. Skinny handle, with an ID panel. Just started a pile of stuff I need IDing, so will jump on this opportunity.

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

Well heck, while we are playing this game. Here is mine looking for an ID as well. Skinny handle, with an ID panel. Just started a pile of stuff I need IDing, so will jump on this opportunity.

A cleaner version of mine! Somebody has got to know who produced these. And the quality of the steel and the overall feel...it ain't an import from Taiwan

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Not to disagree with your assessment of the example you have there, but the unbranded examples I have found are of noticeably lesser quality than the branded examples I own and I do suspect them all to be Oxwall, G.M. Co., or imports.

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

Not to disagree with your assessment of the example you have there, but the unbranded examples I have found are of noticeably lesser quality than the branded examples I own and I do suspect them all to be Oxwall, G.M. Co., or imports.

I know what you're saying and I get it...as stated, most of them I've found are just ****. Please post pics of your branded ones when ya get a chance. I don't have any of the flex type drivers in any of my 1/4" branded sets.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I don't know how this will help, but here ya go. NB and Crafty BE, both made by New Britain. There are several others on this thread. I thought I had a Williams, but I may be mistaken. If you search the forum on "flex spinners" you will also see a couple Plomb, but they're ever rarer than the NB/Crafty. JoCo posted a flex spinner here (post #524 / pg 15) that has that single band of knurling like yours around the bottom that he also compares favorably to the NB.

 

[d42jeep]

Here is my Craftsman BE flex spinner.
-Don

 

[3baygarage]

OTC set M-81A

Ratchet made for OTC by Proto. The rest might be Wright made by the look. Not 100% sure but they made a lot of OTC.

Pretty darn close to NOS. Lightly used at best.


Found it in the 1959 catalog at archive.org.


Since it’s complete, thought I’d have some fun. I think my 1 yr old is easier to keep still.

 

[Old Radar]

Sweet!!

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Here's a little flex driver set

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Such a fair weather fan, jumping on that bandwagon!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Good time to re-post this oldie...

Leon B. Miller Flexible Tools

I recently found a Leon B. Miller flexible screwdriver and after doing some looking on GJ and elsewhere I don't find much about this company. OTG and Lugz had a brief conversation last year in the "My Small But Growing 1/4" drive socket set collection" thread where OTG showed his Miller...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Yup, Miller manufacturing. Here is another set labeled mf co. miller falls?

 

[RTM]

Yup, Miller manufacturing. Here is another set labeled mf co. miller falls?

I have not found the Millers Falls sockets in a catalog yet, but know they are out there from the other thread here. Will link it shortly.

Edit added link

Millers Falls 6247 1/4" Breaker Bar

ID'd as Millers Falls - Thanks! - Picked this up in a lot of tools yesterday. Been looking around and can't seem to figure out the manufacturer. I looked on Alloy Artifacts for the MF logo but didn't find anything. Any help is much appreciated.

www.garagejournal.com

But, if your set came in a nice leatherette covered case, that seems to early for the Millers Falls set, which was right before their disappearance.

And I've never seen them marking stuff w CO, but that could just be inattentiveness on my part

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Yup that's an odd one

 

[Private Lugnutz]

My opinion is that those earlier "[M.F.]" marked drive tools belong in the Plomb Universe, akin to "[S.R.]". Goodell-Pratt made a funky detachable wrench set, very early on, with an Ell handle and four (4) sockets, and if I hadn't found them (I still own them) I wouldn't have believed it! But even though Millers Falls acquired G-P, there is no indication Millers Falls ever produced them or anything like it. Having said that, the logo seemed too crude and strange to signify Sears Roebuck, too, so anything is possible, and I wouldn't rule out Millers Falls, either, without more documentation.

Interesting that OTG's set is a hex key set. For hex head fasteners, not nuts and bolts. What is the drive size, OTG?

 

[Oldtuleguy]

1/4" square

 

[RTM]

Yup, Miller manufacturing. Here is another set labeled mf co. miller falls?

Any chance it's E.M.F. co? That's in 4.C's list as a Studebaker supplier.

List of Manufacturers and Brands of Mechanics Hand Tools

List of Manufacturers and Brands of Mechanics Hand Tools * For the most up-to-date version of this list, Please click HERE revised four.cycle Sat Jan 01 23:00:22 2022 Pacific Time (GMT - 8hrs) U.S. Manufacturers and Brands are listed first. Brands and Manufacturers outside the U.S. are...

www.garagejournal.com

Studebaker Brothers - wrenchwiki

Five Studebaker brothers built the largest wagon factory in the world that would go on to make the highest quality automobiles and airplane engines.

wrenchwiki.com

E-M-F Homepage - E-M-F History

E-M-F, Horseless carriage, EMF, pre-16, Demi Tonneau, antique cars, classic cars, pre-16, custom car parts, antique, classic cars, horseless carriage photo, Brass Car Photos, collector cars, old cars, pre-16, antiques, automobile photographs, classic auto, antique automobile pictures

emfauto.org

 

[Oldtuleguy]

No every piece is stamped mf co.

 

[RTM]

No every piece is stamped mf co.

Hmm

Found a Manufacturer's Foundry Company, but seems a bit early.

The Northwestern Reporter

books.google.com

I did find several Millers Falls pieces referred to as M.F. Co, so guess I just missed those.

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

Here's a new one to my collection and first encounter for me. Appears to be a J.H. Williams socket but in a stubby form, less than 1/2" tall. No size info on the socket only the W diamond and the word "Special". It is a 1/4" drive 12 point socket and 7/16" working end.

 

[3baygarage]

That's a special find indeed Tom. I've seen a lot of Williams specials, but not that short socket.

Should you get tired of looking at it please keep me in mind. That's an exciting find, thanks for posting it.

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

That's a special find indeed Tom. I've seen a lot of Williams specials, but not that short socket.

Should you get tired of looking at it please keep me in mind. That's an exciting find, thanks for posting it.

Antique store in a little country town. Drove down because their Habitat Restore was donating excess to ours (I volunteer doing donor pickups). I normally prefer thrift stores but they weren't open. Ziplock bag full of 1/4" drive sockets. Lots of FM, Craftsman, S-K, P&C, Armstrong, Blackhawk, Bonney, that single Williams and a few Japan. Initially was gonna pass because the top layer was a few China sockets, glad I dug deeper. $11 for apx 50 sockets. The tool gods were generous as three of the sockets fit into some sets I am restocking. Little basket on the floor of the booth marked all for $7 had some crappy screwdrivers on top but several nice Westline wrenches, almost a complete set of 3/8 drive PAR-X sockets, a PAR-X extension and flex handle underneath. Apparently good deeds are rewarded!

 

[d42jeep]

This wartime S-K 1/4” drive partial set arrived yesterday. Not much decal left but included the crossbar.
I added the missing items.
-Don

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

This wartime S-K 1/4” drive partial set arrived yesterday. Not much decal left but included the crossbar.
I added the missing items.
-Don

I'm currently searching for a knurled base #40916 1/4" drive 1/2" to complete my #6322 Fall Special set. But that set is from early 1961/62. I love those wartime sets, that finish is just the creamy best! I think all I have from that Era in that finish is Plomb.

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

Any ideas on these two 1/4" drive sockets. Unbranded but the 9/32 is labeled S5 and the 7/32 is labeled S7. The finish is high polish and the build feels really solid. Would love to know the manufacturer...

 

[four.cycle]

^ Meteor Manufacturing.
Meteor / Meteor Mfg. Co., 1441 Main St., Buffalo, NY / moved to Emporium, PA 1958 / see patent D167868 Sep 30 1952 William Selikoff and William B. McBride / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/meteor-ignition-wrenches.461528/ / https://kirschnerskorner.com/2015/12/19/an-interview-with-my-105-year-old-grandfather/ /

 

[d42jeep]

^ Meteor Manufacturing.
Meteor / Meteor Mfg. Co., 1441 Main St., Buffalo, NY / moved to Emporium, PA 1958 / see patent D167868 Sep 30 1952 William Selikoff and William B. McBride / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/meteor-ignition-wrenches.461528/ / https://kirschnerskorner.com/2015/12/19/an-interview-with-my-105-year-old-grandfather/ /

There was some of those in the batch of oddball sockets I sent you.
-Don

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

There was some of those in the batch of oddball sockets I sent you.
-Don

I knew that design looked familiar, weird these aren't marked meteor. Thanks!

 

[four.cycle]

Some of the sockets are NOT marked "Meteor". Some of the sockets ARE marked "Meteor".
I have extras on S1, S2, S5, and S6. MY S1, S2, and S5 are marked "Meteor". The S6 is not marked "Meteor".
The sockets in the two SETS I have appear to be marked "Meteor" on the larger sizes. I didn't dump them all out to check.
The 3-inch extension has no markings other than the knurling. (I am short one 3-inch extension.)
The ratchets are marked "Meteor Mfg. Corp. Buffalo, NY" on one side, and "METEOR" on the other side.

@d42jeep -

Yes, there were several "Meteor" pieces in that lot, as well as some Oxwall. There were also some METRIC sockets that I believe might be G.M. Mfg. Co., but I have nothing with which to make any comparisons. Curiously, among those are a 5.5 mm socket.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Meteor was sometimes sold under other brand names, so not always marked