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

[four.cycle]

mish-mash 11 pc 1/4" dr SAE Socket Wrench "Set" w/Steel Box

manufactured in U.S.A.

this "set" includes:

3/16" 6 pt shallow socket
7/32" 6 pt shallow socket
1/4" 6 pt shallow socket
9/32" 6 pt shallow socket
5/16" 6 pt shallow socket
11/32 6 pt shallow socket
3/8" 6 pt shallow socket
7/16" 6 pt shallow socket
1/2" 6 pt shallow socket

50M 2 inch Extension (Thorsen U.S.A.)
308107 HWI RHFT Ratchet (HWI)

- Steel box

* The SOCKETS were all manufactured in U.S.A., most likely either by National Tool of Dallas, Texas, or Emporium Forging of Emporium, Pennsylvania
* The 50M 2-inch EXTENSION was manufactured by Thorsen Tool Co., Oakland, California and has been marked by a previous owner. (see photos)
* The 308107 "HWI" (Hardware Wholesalers Inc./aka "Do It Best") RATCHET was manufactured by Thorsen Tool Co., Oakland California (rebranded model 77MC)
* HWI / Hardware Wholesalers Inc. / Do it Best Corp. (after 1998), Ft. Wayne, IN / some manufactured by Thorsen /
* The BOX is a repurposed "Forge Master" box (Upland Industries Inc., 115 Sixth St., Upland, PA 19015 / acquired by Emerson Electric 1976 / "ForgeMaster" tools)

* This is yet another example of the "no name" generic U.S. made sockets with the = marks on each side of the size stamping. *

Upland Forge tools at Progress-is-Fine

 

[four.cycle]

International Forge Co. 18 piece 1/4" drive SAE Socket Wrench Set w/Original Box

manufactured by International Forge Co., Chicago, Illinois U.S.A.

this "set" includes:

3/16" 6 pt shallow socket black finish marked "I.F.C."
7/32" 6 pt shallow socket black finish marked "I.F.C."
1/4" 6 pt shallow socket black finish marked "I.F.C."
9/32" 6 pt shallow socket black finish marked "I.F.C." (* hairline crack on side *)
5/16" 6 pt shallow socket black finish marked "I.F.C."
11/32" 6 pt shallow socket black finish marked "I.F.C."
3/8" 6 pt shallow socket black finish marked "I.F.C."
7/16" 6 pt shallow socket black finish marked "I.F.C."

1/4" 6 pt shallow socket plain steel finish marked "I.F.C."
5/16" 12 pt shallow socket plain steel finish marked "I.F.C."
5/16" 12 pt shallow socket plain steel finish marked "U.S.A." (two plain single bands)
11/32" 12 pt shallow socket plain steel finish marked "MADE IN U.S.A." (two plain single bands)
9/32" 12 pt shallow socket plain steel finish marked "I.F.C."

1/4" 8 pt shallow socket plain steel finish (two plain single bands)
5/16" 8 pt shallow socket plain steel finish (two plain single bands)

2 inch Extension (no marks)(two plain single bands)
4-1/2" Sliding "T" handle marked "INTERNATIONAL FORGE CO."
6 inch Extension marked "INTERNATIONAL FORGE CO." (might be cad finish)
6 inch Extension marked "INTERNATIONAL FORGE CO. - plain steel finish - has been vandalized on wire wheel.
5 inch pear-head raised panel Ratchet (manufactured by Moore Drop Forge) chrome or nickel finish
5 inch pear-head raised panel Ratchet (manufactured by Moore Drop Forge) copper plated finish
6 inch Spinner Handle marked "INTERNATIONAL FORGE CO"
Steel Box

* I do not recognize the maker of the orphans here, so I am leaving them in situ. The bands evoke Walden, but the size stamping is all wrong.

International Forge Co. thread at GarageJournal.com

 

[four.cycle]

Keystone 250 8 piece 1/4" Hex Drive SAE Socket Wrench Set w/Holder

manufactured by Keystone Mfg. Co., Buffalo, New York, U.S.A.

this set includes:

3/16" 6 pt shallow socket
1/4" 6 pt shallow socket
1/4 4 pt shallow socket
5/16" 6 pt shallow socket
3/8" 6 pt shallow socket
7/16" 6 pt shallow socket
1/2" 6 pt shallow socket

"Ell" Handle (w/ detent ball at each end)

Steel Holder

Keystone Mfg. Co. at Alloy-Artifacts.org

 

[four.cycle]

Litton 7 piece "Pocket Socket" 1/4" drive SAE Socket Wrench Set

manufactured by Litton Industries, New Britain, Connecticut U.S.A.

this set includes:

3/16" 6 pt shallow socket
7/32" 6 pt shallow socket
1/4" 6 pt shallow socket
9/32" 6 pt shallow socket
5/16" 6 pt shallow socket

45-tooth Ratchet with Red Plastic Socket Holder

* The Litton "Pocket Socket" was marketed ca. 1980 (see ad in photo string)

Litton Industries thread at GarageJournal.com

 

[four.cycle]

NAPA 15 piece 1/4" drive SAE Socket Wrench Set

manufactured in U.S.A. for NAPA Auto Parts

this set includes:

NM605 5/32" 6 pt shallow socket
NM606 3/16" 6 pt shallow socket
NM607 7/32" 6 pt shallow socket
NM608 1/4" 6 pt shallow socket
NM609 9/32" 6 pt shallow socket
NM610 5/16" 6 pt shallow socket
NM611 11/32" 6 pt shallow socket
NM612 3/8" 6 pt shallow socket
NM614 7/16" 6 pt shallow socket
NM616 1/2" 6 pt shallow socket

NB80 3/8" F x 1/4" M Drive Adapter
NM21B 3 inch Extension
NM64 6 inch Spinner Handle w/Bolster
NM40 Teardrop Head Ratchet (30-tooth)
NM46 Teardrop Head Ratchet w/Quick Release (36-tooth)

 

[four.cycle]

New Britain / None Better 21 piece 1/4" Hex Drive SAE Socket Wrench Sets

manufactured by the New Britain Machine Co., New Britain, Connecticut U.S.A.

I believe what is here are pieces of the various iterations of New Britain / None Better's model 77, with the obligatory additions and subtractions that come with the passing of time.

You may recognize the dark-finish set at the bottom from the first post in this thread. I had previously believed this to have been a Sedgley set, but after comparisons with others (and poring through catalogs) I've come to the belief that it was made by New Britain.

The patent date of December 31 1918 refers to Reginald F. Sedgley's patent 1289558, and applies to the detent ball in the end of the "Ell" handle. New Britain was manufacturing these under license until Sedgley's patent expired, indicating those marked with the patent date were manufactured prior to 1935.

Early catalog listings show similar sets containing:

1/4" 6 pt socket
5/16" 6 pt socket
11/32 6 pt socket
3/8" 6 pt socket
7/16" 6 pt socket
1/2" 6 pt socket
--- a knurled socket for knurled nuts and knobs

"Ell" handle

* These are all partial sets and may or may not be complete

New Britain Machine Co. thread at GarageJournal.com

 

[four.cycle]

9 piece 1/4" drive SAE Socket Wrench Set w/Original Box

manufactured in Japan

this set includes:

1/4" 6 pt shallow socket (x 2)
5/16" 6 pt shallow socket
11/32" 6 pt shallow socket
3/8" 6 pt shallow socket
7/16" 6 pt shallow socket

#1 Phillips Screwdriver Bit
1/4" Square Drive Bit
3 inch Yellow Handle w/Chuck

-- Red Plastic Box

* The sockets, drive handle, and box are marked "JAPAN". The bits are unmarked.

 

[four.cycle]

Unknown 7 piece 1/4" Hex Drive SAE Socket Wrench Set w/ Holder

manufactured in U.S.A.

this set includes:

3/16" 6 pt 1/4" hex drive shallow socket
1/4" 6 pt 1/4" hex drive shallow socket
5/16" 6 pt 1/4" hex drive shallow socket
3/8" 6 pt 1/4" hex drive shallow socket
7/16" 6 pt 1/4" hex drive shallow socket
1/2" 6 pt 1/4" hex drive shallow socket

1/4" "Ell" Handle

-- Steel Holder

* There are no markings anywhere on the tools or the holder that identify manufacturer.
* The sockets are all clearly stamped "U.S.A."

 

[four.cycle]

8 piece 1/4" Hex Drive SAE Socket Wrench Set

manufactured in U.S.A.

this set includes:

1/4" 6 pt shallow socket
5/16" 6 pt shallow socket (* some sort of goo on this one - gasket cement?)
11/32" 6 pt shallow socket
3/8" 6 pt shallow socket
7/16" 6 pt shallow socket
1/2" 6 pt shallow socket

1/4" 8 pt shallow socket

6 inch 1/4" Hex Driver Handle

* manufactured in U.S.A. (maker unknown)
* unlike the Indestro model 360 "Slip-on" set (patent 111026) that this unit tries to copy, the sockets do not all slip down onto the driver shaft to keep them all in one place.

 

[Etchase]

^wow! Thanks for documenting your amazing collection.

 

[d42jeep]

I was happy to find this partial set at a Nevada estate sale on Saturday. The plastic tray was intact under the sockets but had a hole in one end, probably from the ratchet banging on it.
I added a flex handle, ratchet and sliding tee as well as the missing socket from my spares, all =v= marked. I probably have the missing extensions in the Bay Area.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

I’ve found enough Craftsman 1/4” drive US made sockets at sales to put together a 6 point set ranging from 5/32” to 9/16”
-Don

 

[four.cycle]

^ I have a whole BAG full of =V= 1/4" Craftsman, Don. LOTS of 7/16" and 1/2". I don't think this photo shows all of them. For that matter, after finding the photo, I know for sure this isn't all of them. Also a few other "mish-mash" ziplocks.

I don't believe I have any of them on ebay currently as I was robbing from them to complete sets and pulled the listings.

(* LAST image (just taken): L to R top: 1/4" CM SAE orphans (mostly =V=), 1/4" CM Metric orphans, 3/8" CM Metric orphans, L to R bottom: CM 3/8" Metric orphans (SP sockets), a partial set of 1/4" "Mastercraft", and a couple 3/8" CM SAE orphans.)

 

[d42jeep]

I have a lot of =v= Craftsman as well, probably too much. I prefer the early Moore Drop Forge supplied tools to any Craftsman that came later.
-Don

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Here's an eldi set I picked up. Tools seem to match this mystery champion set, leading me to suspect eldi supplied the tools for champion.

 

[four.cycle]

Duro Chrome 17 piece 1/4" drive SAE Socket Wrench Set w/Original Box

this set includes:

4506 3/16" 6 pt shallow socket
4507 7/32" 6 pt shallow socket
4508 1/4" 6 pt shallow socket
4509 9/32 6 pt shallow socket
4510 5/16" 6 pt shallow socket
4511 11/32" 12 pt shallow socket
4512 3/8" 12 pt shallow socket
4514 7/16" 12 pt shallow socket

4508S 1/4" 8 pt shallow socket
4512S 3/8" 8 pt shallow socket

4550 6 inch Flex Handle (Breaker Bar)
4533 6 inch Extension
4535 Sliding "T" Handle
4487 Pressed-Flange Ratchet (patent 1902878)
---- 5/32" x 4 inch cross bar (no detents)
---- 1/4" square x 4 inch driver shaft with good detent. (assume original Tennite handle disintegrated.)

---- Steel Box

 

[four.cycle]

Duro Chrome 17 piece 1/4" drive SAE Socket Wrench Set

this set includes:

4506 3/16" 6 pt shallow socket
4507 7/32" 6 pt shallow socket
4508 1/4" 6 pt shallow socket
4509 9/32 6 pt shallow socket
4510 5/16" 6 pt shallow socket
4511 11/32" 6 pt shallow socket
4512 3/8" 6 pt shallow socket
4514 7/16" 6 pt shallow socket

4508S 1/4" 8 pt shallow socket
4510S 5/16" 8 pt shallow socket
4512S 3/8" 8 pt shallow socket

481 1/4" F x 3/8" M adapter
4536 Universal Joint
4533 6 inch Extension
4550 6 inch Flex Handle (Breaker Bar)
4582 Pear-Head Reversible Ratchet

 

[four.cycle]

METEOR 10 piece 1/4" drive SAE Socket Wrench Set w/Original Box

manufactured by Meteor Mfg. Co., Buffalo, New York U.S.A.

this set includes:

3/16" 6 pt shallow socket
7/32" 6 pt shallow socket
1/4" 6 pt shallow socket
9/32 6 pt shallow socket
5/16 12 pt shallow socket
11/32" 12 pt shallow socket
3/8" 12 pt shallow socket
7/16" 12 pt shallow socket

4 inch Extension
4 inch Reversible Ratchet

Plastic Box

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Some cornwell stuff

 

[d42jeep]

Duro Chrome 17 piece 1/4" drive SAE Socket Wrench Set w/Original Box

this set includes:

4506 3/16" 6 pt shallow socket
4507 7/32" 6 pt shallow socket
4508 1/4" 6 pt shallow socket
4509 9/32 6 pt shallow socket
4510 5/16" 6 pt shallow socket
4511 11/32" 12 pt shallow socket
4512 3/8" 12 pt shallow socket
4514 7/16" 12 pt shallow socket

4508S 1/4" 8 pt shallow socket
4512S 3/8" 8 pt shallow socket

4550 6 inch Flex Handle (Breaker Bar)
4533 6 inch Extension
4535 Sliding "T" Handle
4487 Pressed-Flange Ratchet (patent 1902878)
---- 5/32" x 4 inch cross bar (no detents)
---- 1/4" square x 4 inch driver shaft with good detent. (assume original Tennite handle disintegrated.)

---- Steel Box

Here is a similar set that arrived last night with D-I sockets rather than Duro. I added a Duro spinner with replacement handle, a ratchet, a sliding Tee and a D-I 11/32” socket replacing a Duro.
As received with Plomb ratchet and 9/32” drive WF Plomb socket.
With additional correct tools.
-Don

 

[Catfishdan]

I revisited most of this awesome thread last night. You all have some beautiful midget sets. Looks like I haven’t posted any of mine since way back when, so here goes with some I missed.

I’ll start with some proto. Here’s a Los Angeles era set with the remnants of a 50 years of Pendleton tools decal. All the pieces are marked Los Angeles except the spinner

 

[Catfishdan]

Here’s a mfd. era proto set In the big box. There’s still a few pieces I’d like to find for this one, but it’s pretty full as is.

 

[Catfishdan]

Here are my favorites. Plomb sets including my giant midget set. It’s all of the 47xx pieces, plus some extras that an old timey carb or radio guy would find useful. This one will likely never be finished!

 

[Catfishdan]

Next are some non 1/4 inch sets. A recently acquired Williams 286 hex drive set, a complete craftsman c series set, and a mishmash 9/32” snap on set.

 

[Catfishdan]

Lastly, a few ratchets and drive tools waiting for the right boxes to come along. I’m especially on the hunt for some p&c and Firestone stuff. It’s criminal that these ratchets don’t have a home.

 

[Smokeshow69]

Here’s a mfd. era proto set In the big box. There’s still a few pieces I’d like to find for this one, but it’s pretty full as is.

What Proto pieces are you missing? I can check my spares and send them to you if I have them !

Here are my favorites. Plomb sets including my giant midget set. It’s all of the 47xx pieces, plus some extras that an old timey carb or radio guy would find useful. This one will likely never be finished!

That 1/4 master set is so cool! One day I’ll get my set together! Nice job on putting that together!

 

[Targa68]

A nice 1/4 Duro-Chrome set.
I believe it has been a No. 4504 or a No. 4502, but unfortunately from the decal is not possible to read.
There is a mix of 6, 8 and 12 points sockets, all seem to be chromed.
Am I right assuming this to be from the -30's?

7/16 - 12 points
3/8 - 12 points and 8 points
11/32 - 12 points
5/16 - 8 points and 6 points
9/32 - 12 points
1/4 - 8 points and 6 points
A 4533 6" extension
A 4550 hinge handle
A 4535 sliding T-bar

From an add posted by four.cycle I found my set to be a Duro-Chrome No. 4504, 14pcs Midget Set and that I am missing the reversible ratchet, the crossbar and the 3" DuroLite screwdriver.

I recently found a ratched, but it is not chromed.... It is plain steel so maybe war time? I will use this until the correct show up, maybe someone wants to trade?

 

[d42jeep]

Here is my set 4502 that will likely never have a screwdriver since probably none have survived. Fortunately this set wouldn’t have come with one. I will check to see if I have an extra Chrome plated ratchet. My 4502 has extra pieces since it would only have come with a flex handle and crossbar (and the sockets, of course).
The 4504 was available in 1940.


-Don

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Here's I think an odd set, has a nice set of walden cad sockets and a spinner. Maybe rtec?

 

[d42jeep]

Looks RTEC to me. They are commonly found with Walden sockets and their spinner is distinctive.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Definitely R.T.E.C. Everything matches R.T.E.C. The shape and color of the box. The place where the decal was. The unique spinner. And the Walden sockets.

HAHA. Usually I am squeezing in just ahead of Don in x-posts, but he beat me to that one.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Yup it looks pretty similar to some other rtec stuff I have

 

[Catfishdan]

Here’s a recently acquired Williams 1285p electrical set in 1/4” drive. Looks like all the original pieces are there, together since day one. I like the nm-110 spinning extension. I have another one, but it’s frozen solid.

 

[d42jeep]

Nice. Lugz found a NOS stash of those in 2019 and was nice enough to pass some along to a lucky few.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

I hate to break my own arm patting myself on the back, but in this case, I am prepared for the pain, the cast, the sling... and a friggin' hospital bed and traction, if it comes down to it...

...because I had a score this morning.

Had to drive 1.5 hours into the teeth of the snowstorm to get it this morning, then I raced it home!

What you are looking at is a total of twenty (20) WWII electrical kits. Ten (10) of them are Williams 1285P's, and ten (10) of them are Williams 1285P knockoffs assembled by Randolph Tool Equipment Corporation (R.T.E.C.) with pieces from various mfgrs, including Plomb, Walden, Wilde and who knows who else. All of them are re-packs. Most of them are NOS, as far as I can tell so far. All of the pieces are caked in cosmo. Some of them have wax paper over that.

I will be posting more in the Williams and R.T.E.C. threads, with links to those threads posted here and 4.c's 'Show me your 1/4-inch drive sets' later this week.

Here is where he posted his amazing find in the 2019 Garage Sale thread.
-Don

 

[Catfishdan]

Nice. Lugz found a NOS stash of those in 2019 and was nice enough to pass some along to a lucky few.
-Don

I remember that! I thought this might be one of them, but if it was packed in cosmoline, it would be even cleaner.

 

[misterbill]

Anybody know of a rattle can that matches that color. I have at least one of thos boxes that needs to be repainted.

Bill

 

[d42jeep]

I don’t think I have any, Bill.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Here’s a recently acquired Williams 1285p electrical set in 1/4” drive.

That's a sweet set, Dan. Complete, good condition, box in good condition, with a very nice nearly unblemished decal. Can't ask for much more than that.

Lugz found a NOS stash of those in 2019

Gun to my head Top 5 scores, ever.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Anybody know of a rattle can that matches that color. I have at least one of thos boxes that needs to be repainted.

No, but I'm not sure you can go wrong with something in the slate blue category, Billiam. It's one of those colors where the light can make it look more blue just as easily as more gray. Just look at some of the photos above and there is probably seven or eight different shades just between Dan's, Don's, which is IN the original lot, and the original lot.