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

[Oldtuleguy]

Yup, 3/16 to 7/16 sockets, ratchet, thandle, spinner, breaker, 12 pieces + the box makes 13!

 

[RTM]

GJ has an excellent search feature. It's the magnifying glass icon, found in the upper right. Lots of options, including just a thread

Of course, that assumes the words were typed out, not just a pic, or a link to catalog.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Yours looks like it might be a new britain supplied set. Here is a partial m12 set

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Of course, that assumes the words were typed out, not just a pic, or a link to catalog.

Of course. A prerequisite that any search function would have, hence my constant hectoring on guys who just post photos. We need a new emoji that is the exact opposite of the famous one...

THIS POST IS WORTHLESS WITHOUT TEXT! INCLUDE MAKE, BRAND, AND MODEL NUMBERS!

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

Yup, 3/16 to 7/16 sockets, ratchet, thandle, spinner, breaker, 12 pieces + the box makes 13!

Of course. A prerequisite that any search function would have, hence my constant hectoring on guys who just post photos. We need a new emoji that is the exact opposite of the famous one...

THIS POST IS WORTHLESS WITHOUT TEXT! INCLUDE MAKE, BRAND, AND MODEL NUMBERS!

Whoa...see post #2036 and #2037 if you're referring to me. My inquiry was originally about a search query. The picture was a follow-thru to show what I was searching for. But I do understand what your saying...

 

[Smokeshow69]

Of course. A prerequisite that any search function would have, hence my constant hectoring on guys who just post photos. We need a new emoji that is the exact opposite of the famous one...

THIS POST IS WORTHLESS WITHOUT TEXT! INCLUDE MAKE, BRAND, AND MODEL NUMBERS!

Well said. The database is only as good as the info input into it. You get out what you put in.

 

[Old Radar]

My Rule #3 didn't have much impact in 2022, either...

3. Give us the backstory. Posting photos alone is as worthless as describing a great score alone, without photos. If you don’t have the time to do both as soon as you get home, we can wait. Compose your epic saga when you have quality time to devote to it and once your editor has corrected your formatting, grammatical errors and spelling—and you’ve arranged and properly oriented your photos—then post it. At that point, you can sit back and let the accolades, envious comments and claims of your superior suckage wash over you.

 

[four.cycle]

^ I was only able to find that original post by @Oldtuleguy because I also had that same set on my "watch list" when he bought it. I had been vacillating about it for a few weeks. Still remember the selling price.

I believe, Mr. Aycock, that what @Private Lugnutz is trying to point out is that lacking a descriptive text, a photo image becomes almost impossible to find at a later date. There is a reason why all my photo images have below them a very wordy description, sometimes including the page number of the catalog they came from.
Nothing at all wrong with your posts #2036 and #2037. That funny "search" feature which allows you to search in that thread comes in real handy at times

 

[RTM]

THIS POST IS WORTHLESS WITHOUT TEXT! INCLUDE MAKE, BRAND, AND MODEL NUMBERS

hoa...see post #2036 and #2037 if you're referring to me. My inquiry was originally about a search query. The picture was a follow-thru to show what I was searching for. But I do understand what your saying...

Well said. The database is only as good as the info input into it. You get out what you put in.

I’m just doing the public service message that the more people put into this, the more we all can get out of it. I know I’m guilty of just dropping a link, when I should include an image, and some text, to make these searches easier.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Whoa...see post #2036 and #2037 if you're referring to me.

I wasn't referring to you. I wasn't referring to anyone in particular, or even this thread in particular. It is a widespread and rampant problem.

Many users - including some of our most frequent users, do not like to type any information about the tools they are posting. Some of this is laziness, some of it is modern instantaneous culture, and some of it just preference. People just have different approaches to what GJ is and how to use it. To many, it's just show, with little motivation to tell, let alone tell in detail, and they move on. The problem is, so does the site! Very quickly!

Because of the structure (chronological forum) it can feel like Groundhog Day around here sometimes where you're seeing the same tools and having the same conversation over and over again, because the discussions with research and references and resolutions are buried. That is not conducive for using the site like a knowledge base. Efforts to slow it down and provide some structure that resists the constant renewal (such as the Sticky) have had some impact, but being able to find data inside older content on threads with the Search function absolutely depends on text.

That's why posts like, "Here are some screwdrivers," or "These wrenches just arrived in the mail," are worthless! They have little value to begin with - even if they're on a brand specific thread, they have no value after a day or two, and after a month or two, those great photos of those great tools that someone thought worth posting may as well have not existed at all. They will be nearly impossible to find later without blowing a synapse.

And by the way - the Search function will not find text marked up in photos or photo filenames. It only works on text inside the post.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I made myself an emoji to rival the popular one...

 

[Smokeshow69]

I wasn't referring to you. I wasn't referring to anyone in particular, or even this thread in particular. It is a widespread and rampant problem.

Many users - including some of our most frequent users, do not like to type any information about the tools they are posting. Some of this is laziness, some of it is modern instantaneous culture, and some of it just preference. People just have different approaches to what GJ is and how to use it. To many, it's just show, with little motivation to tell, let alone tell in detail, and they move on. The problem is, so does the site! Very quickly!

Because of the structure (chronological forum) it can feel like Groundhog Day around here sometimes where you're seeing the same tools and having the same conversation over and over again, because the discussions with research and references and resolutions are buried. That is not conducive for using the site like a knowledge base. Efforts to slow it down and provide some structure that resists the constant renewal (such as the Sticky) have had some impact, but being able to find data inside older content on threads with the Search function absolutely depends on text.

That's why posts like, "Here are some screwdrivers," or "These wrenches just arrived in the mail," are worthless! They have little value to begin with - even if they're on a brand specific thread, they have no value after a day or two, and after a month or two, those great photos of those great tools that someone thought worth posting may as well have not existed at all. They will be nearly impossible to find later without blowing a synapse.

And by the way - the Search function will not find text marked up in photos or photo filenames. It only works on text inside the post.

Well said! This is why I loathe many face book enthusiast groups. While they may be good for fun quick posts or showing off photos, they are worthless when it comes to research or search functions in general. Forums like this are much better suited for collecting and research if we all put the time in to make it a worthwhile resource for everyone involved.

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

OK...here we go guys, a complete post with as much info as I can provide and a question on this set. Sorry if I messed up by breaking my original post up separate from the picture...

Here we have the Billings Vitalloy No. M-13 1/4" drive socket set. My research through the ITCL, Ebay and Google search yielded only that this set is after 1949 and prior to 1960.

Included within my set is the 5 1/4" M116 flex handle and sockets M607 7/32, M608 1/4, M609 9/32, M610 5/16, M612 3/8. The box itself is a medium blue color, single hasp closed and two rear hinged connected. Dimensions are 6 9/16" wide, 2 13/16" deep and 1 3/32" tall.

Without a catalog for reference, I'm not sure what all is missing to turn this into a complete set. I do see OTG's reply (thread post #2042) and that looks damn close as far as the box appearance. I'll PM him for those tool part #'s.

I do appreciate this site, the immense amount of details within and the brotherhood from all the members that have, and continue to, support my collecting!

 

[four.cycle]

"...the Search function will not find text marked up in photos or photo filenames. It only works on text inside the post."

I'm going to further pummel this horse and add:

The "Search" function will not find text within a quote either, which screws me up far more often than I care to remember.

 

[four.cycle]

@Tom "Python" Aycock --

Generally speaking.... most American-made 1/4" socket sets from the post WWII era up to about 1960-1964 included sockets from 3/16" - 7/16". NOT all, however!
There are outliers that start at 7/32".
There are outliers that go up to 1/2".

Many of them included 1/4", 5/16", and 3/8" 8-point sockets. NOT all, however!
There are outliers that include only 1/4" and 5/16" 8-points.
There are outliers that include NO 8-points.

Ratchets, extensions, spinners, adapters, sliding "T" handles, flex handles (breaker bars) - all depends upon how much the consumer wanted to pay and how many options the manufacturer wanted to offer. Anything from the "bare bones" sets which included sockets, flex handle, and cross-bar, like that Husky set you just got from me (or the early 2802 Indestro), clear up to full-blown, everything-but-the-kitchen-sink sets like the 44-piece Craftsman set (pictured below.)

==

The "M-13" part number tells me "13 pieces".
But... is that 13 pieces including the box? Or excluding the box?

Thorsen 1416 = 16 pieces (if you count the box)
S-K 4913 = 13 pieces (PLUS the box)

Indestro, Husky, Craftsman = no help at all from the part number

 

[Private Lugnutz]

pummel this horse

testing

Hmm. Nope. You're right. I have never noticed that, 4.c. I guess I'm trying to understand why you would want to see replies quoting the original term rather than re-using it. Best discussed in test or somewhere else, though.

 

[four.cycle]

^ Because of the way I remember things. I'll remember the question someone asked (in the quoted text) but not the answer (in the main body of the text.)(Some conversations jump from one thread to another.)
Fortunately it's not a frequent issue. My memory comes back in bits and pieces sometimes - with some things it may take me a couple days to put it back together in my head well enough to be able to find it here with the "search" function.

 

[bmwrd0]

Of course. A prerequisite that any search function would have, hence my constant hectoring on guys who just post photos. We need a new emoji that is the exact opposite of the famous one...

THIS POST IS WORTHLESS WITHOUT TEXT! INCLUDE MAKE, BRAND, AND MODEL NUMBERS!

Sorry Lugz, I just can't picture this...

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Sorry Lugz, I just can't picture this...

I was referring to this popular emoji...



...typically used by some when there are no photos accompanying a query about a tool or toolset..., or when some users think a thread has too much talk in it and not enough photos..., which I appropriated and turned (sans the GIF-like motion) into this...

 

[four.cycle]

@Tom "Python" Aycock -

further expounding on "content":

Funny I find myself typing this out again for the second time in the last couple weeks:

If you go back prior to WWII, the earliest 1/4" drive sets were (at least in part) marketed as "radio" sets, and many of them only went up to 3/8".

At some point in the mid-1960's, the 8-points fell out of favor and showed up in fewer sets. The 3/8" 8-point was the first of the three to disappear in the world of 1/4" drive sets.
By about 1970, most American-made 1/4" sets had sockets from 3/16" - 1/2". There were a few oddballs that included 5/32", and even 1/8" 6-points (Wright being one.)

In the very recent past, the size range was expanded to include 9/16" sockets in some SAE sets, and metric sets went up to 14mm. (Metric size ranges in 1/4" sets is a completely different and very screwy can of worms.)
Currently, the "trend" seems to be leaning toward expanded sets containing sockets and "bits", pushing the content count north of 40 pieces. Toss in a handful of cheap hex keys and you're almost up to 50 pieces now.

(* no, I have absolutely no idea why they'd decide to include a 15/32" socket in a late-production kit. might have been issues translating the purchase order into Mandarin. go figure. )
(* figured I should also post the "sold" screenshots to show just exactly how worthless this Chinese stuff really is. *)

 

[MR.X]

I was referring to this popular emoji...



...typically used by some when there are no photos accompanying a query about a tool or toolset..., or when some users think a thread has too much talk in it and not enough photos..., which I appropriated and turned (sans the GIF-like motion) into this...

Pretty sure he was joking.

 

[Old Radar]

Pretty sure he was joking.

Pretty sure when Lugz gets the bit in his teeth, he sometimes misses the subtleties (or the subtle tease!).

 

[four.cycle]

^ I just try to operate on the assumption that I will be gone tomorrow, and the next person who asks a question about something I've posted will have just arrived on the planet.

updated list uploaded 05/06/24 BK

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Here's a small hinsdale set

 

[bmwrd0]

I thought it would be you out bidding me on that Hinsdale set.

 

[esben57]

Found this PROTO yesterday. Professional 4780 USA

 

[esben57]

This set also



Gordon tools ratchet with military broad arrow 1987
The box I think is King **** due to the black crackle finish, flex is King ****.
The sockets are all New Britain

 

[Mintgrun]

That could be a New Britain box.
Here's one like it from Alloy Artifacts (a Husky example)

 

[esben57]

That could be a New Britain box.
Here's one like it from Alloy Artifacts (a Husky example)

Makes sense, King **** box would have evidence of an oval logo on the lid.

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

Makes sense, KD box would have evidence of an oval logo on the lid.

Have you actually ever seen a K-D box? I reviewed their catalogs and only have seen loose sockets. I have an original stock 1/4" NAPA set with a K-D spinner here but it's from that whole K-D/ Easco conglomerate period and the box (unmarked) was likely imported

 

[esben57]

Have you actually ever seen a K-D box? I reviewed their catalogs and only have seen loose sockets. I have an original stock 1/4" NAPA set with a K-D spinner here but it's from that whole K-D/ Easco conglomerate period and the box (unmarked) was likely imported

K D I'm referring to is King ****. Have edited my post.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

A 60s snapon military set

 

[four.cycle]

@esben57 's box definitely looks New Britain-ish. (Divider is rather unique.)

I have ONE "K-D" socket set box. It is plastic. It does not have any "oval" on it.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Here's am "E" code set, with the exception of the breaker which is a G code

 

[d42jeep]

Nice. I haven’t seen one of those smaller sets before. Even though I know I won’t ever find one, I still watch for an E marked breaker.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Yeah that's a skinnyassed box! Has it been blasted, powdercoated, repainted, or what? Hard to tell.

 

[Smokeshow69]

Yeah that's a skinnyassed box! Has it been blasted, powdercoated, repainted, or what? Hard to tell.

Looks to be only slightly wider than the plomb challenger box. Pretty skinny for sure!

 

[Oldtuleguy]

It's a little guy. I painted it gray as it was pretty rough

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Nice save.

 

[four.cycle]

RE: "skinny box"
I recently sold a Thorsen set to @Tom "Python" Aycock that seemed to be in an awfully narrow box - not like any other "Thorsen" box I'd ever seen.
Tom is you see this post, can you measure that box?