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

[Catfishdan]

Here's a later SK set. I like the price tags inside.



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[Catfishdan]

My lone plomb 1/4" set. I have a bunch of ratchets and sockets, but no more boxes. I'll consider this one done when I find a 4710 six point socket.





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[Catfishdan]

Lastly for now is my bastards and orphan department. This is where I keep tools waiting for boxes and boxes waiting for tools. If anyone needs something specific, lemme know.






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[four.cycle]

d42jeep -

In post #53 you show a "None Better" set in a black wrinkle-finish box. The sockets are chromed an polished and similar to those in a "New Britain" set i posted previously that are marked with a "C" in the part number.
Any idea on the date ranges of those two sets?

I've seen lots of Giller 1/4" sets with gray spinner handles. I've seen lots of them with clear yellow plastic handles (like mine above.) I do not believe I've seen a Giller spinner with a blue handle.

You certainly have acquired a far more comprehensive assortment of Walden and S-K than I believe I've managed to accomplish with Indestro.

Speaking of which, on that little Indestro cad-plated set you've got there - that box is in fabulous condition!

==

WarrenJ -

On that old Craftsman "circle H" set, as near as I can make out from the photo the socket size range is: 7/32, 1/4, 9/32, 5/16, 11/32, 3/8, and 7/16.
That is an old photo and I have no idea where that particular set is right now.

==

Catfishdan -

You've got a mess of Craftsman sets there!
On that one where you mentioned you had a decal and were thinking of repainting the box: how would you go about cleaning up the part under the socket tray?

==

Private Lugnutz -

The back-and-forth we had over the course of the last week was the catalyst for this.
I'm sorry I was unable to get better and more clear images on some of those - a lot of detail is lost there. I may try to re-shoot those images and re-post them later.
As I mentioned, what I've posted above is just what was within easy reach on the tops of the piles here in the back bedroom and the kitchen and one small box I rooted through a few nights ago. I haven't gotten out into the garage yet or torn into these other boxes in here. I know there's some other real screwballs in this mess somewhere.

I have a good idea of where the Walden Worcester 9/32" drive set is, so I may know which box to open next. I think that's the same box where the 9/32" (or 1/4" ??) drive VIM set is located as well.

==

And why were S-K's early cross-bars so big? How much torque needs to be applied to a tiny little bolt?

Carry on, gentlemen. I can tell already this thread is going to be great.

 

[Catfishdan]

Catfishdan -

You've got a mess of Craftsman sets there!
On that one where you mentioned you had a decal and were thinking of repainting the box: how would you go about cleaning up the part under the socket tray?

==

And why were S-K's early cross-bars so big? How much torque needs to be applied to a tiny little bolt?

Carry on, gentlemen. I can tell already this thread is going to be great.

Hmmm. I hadn't really thought about that. . That does pose a problem. Maybe soak in evaporust and use a small bottle brush in there.

And I don't know why sk cross bars are so big, but I'm glad they are. Along with the knurling, they're one of the few that are easily identifiable.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Nice thread! Here is an old oxwall set. Snagged it for the flex driver.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

An indestro set. Missing ratchet plug unfortunately...

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Penneys set previously posted in its own thread

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Early sk set

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Late 30s snap on. No paint under the green, so a bit of a mystery as to the color. ...

 

[COL911]

Is there any logic to paint color for these two SO 1/4" drive boxes? Obviously different eras, seems to be original paint on each. Is green military?

Old tule guy, your set is much more complete than mine....

 

[COL911]

Contents of mine, lots of variety in vintage of the sockets. Williams driver is just neat!

 

[Oldtuleguy]

The red is common after 48. Before that drab dark green, sometimes gray, early ones black. Your green one has a late 40s logo.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Nice Re-entry Four.Cycle!

There is already so much awesome here all I can do at this point is hang my head in socket collecting shame.

And make an effort to reshoot my prewar Plomb box.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Some various shades of gray, black green red.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Penens plomb associated stuff.

 

[d42jeep]

d42jeep -

In post #53 you show a "None Better" set in a black wrinkle-finish box. The sockets are chromed an polished and similar to those in a "New Britain" set i posted previously that are marked with a "C" in the part number.
Any idea on the date ranges of those two sets?

I've seen lots of Giller 1/4" sets with gray spinner handles. I've seen lots of them with clear yellow plastic handles (like mine above.) I do not believe I've seen a Giller spinner with a blue handle.

You certainly have acquired a far more comprehensive assortment of Walden and S-K than I believe I've managed to accomplish with Indestro.

Speaking of which, on that little Indestro cad-plated set you've got there - that box is in fabulous condition!



And why were S-K's early cross-bars so big? How much torque needs to be applied to a tiny little bolt?

Carry on, gentlemen. I can tell already this thread is going to be great.

BK,
The NB sockets were gifted to me by GJ member PaulM12 to fill a hole in a set. When they arrived I saw they were too nice to break up so I threw them in the box with some drive tools. I’m sure that others know way more about NB than I do.
The reason that the early S-K crossbars are 5/16” is because they drilled big holes in the flex handles. Just kidding!
-Don

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Some hex drive stuff. Husky, quickway...

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Remains of gambles set, decal outline barely there

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Mixed williams stuff

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Couple of blackhawk variations

 

[CRTDI]

Some hex drive stuff. Husky, quickway...

That Husky set is a first for me.....awesome!

 

[four.cycle]

Oldtuleguy -
Nice Oxwall set! Their 1/4" flex driver (with the stubby handle) is worth the price of the set. I have one of those somewhere in that same green box.

On the little Indestro set in the blue box missing the drive adapter for the ratchet:
You can get those drive plugs from KC Tool, Kansas City, Missouri in "Wiha" (Heyco):
1/4" drive = 60141
3/8" drive = 60261
1/2" drive = 60366
They are also available in "Hazet" from a distributor out of Florida (cannot recall the name of the company right now.) As I recall, the Hazet units had to be special-ordered, which is why I went with the Wiha from KC Tool, who had them in stock.





The JC Penney set is fabulous! I do not believe I've seen a "Penney" brand set in 1/4" drive.

The Husky hex-drive set is awesome. That dates from the .... 1920s ?

 

[four.cycle]

In order to preserve continuity here, I'm not going to delete those previous posts.
I am taking the liberty of re-posting the same set again because the previous photos lacked any definition on the detail. This set of photos more clearly shows the detail, in particular the part number stamped on the ratchet.

This is a repeat of post # 41, but with new photos:

Indestro model 7602 1/4" drive SAE set

(* The red box, as I noted somewhere else, dates back to the mid-late 1950s. Prior to that the 1/4" drive sets were packed in a blue box (as shown in the 1948 catalog No. 16.)

(* This set contains the "unobtainium" 2889 reversible 1/4" male drive pressed-flange chromed ratchet with knurled round handle - a miniature version of the 1/2" drive 3201 (both built under patent number 1902878.) The set is missing the spinner (which in this case would have been the early clear yellow-handled model 2873.)

(* Note that the 3/16" chromed socket is stamped "D I", belying the myth that all Duro / Indestro product stamped "D I" was wartime vintage. *)

(* I had previously thought this set contained the wrong ratchet, but after finding a copy of a 1958 Shapleigh Hardware Co. catalog listing for the 7602 set containing this style ratchet, I believe the ratchet is actually original to the set. There does exist, however, the question as to why it would not have contained the later 2875 round-head-fine-tooth model, which was shown in an early 1950s catalog (Indestro catalog No. 20) being touted as "new", having been patented August 17, 1954. *)

(* Note that (what is believed to be) the 1959 Indestro catalog No. 22 shows the model 7602 set containing the 2875 RHFT ratchet (patent 2686582 *)

Indestro 7602 1/4" drive SAE socket set 02 01 by four.cycle, on Flickr

Indestro 7602 1/4" drive SAE socket set 02 02 by four.cycle, on Flickr

Indestro 2889 1/4" drive reversible pressed flange ratchet (pat 1902878)(late) 01 by four.cycle, on Flickr

Indestro 2889 1/4" drive reversible pressed flange ratchet (pat 1902878)(late) 02 by four.cycle, on Flickr

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Husky set is mid 20s. Thanks for info on ratchet plug!

 

[four.cycle]

Another Indestro model 350 "Vest Pocket" 8-pc 1/4" hex drive SAE socket set with metal holder (patent 2065340)

(* This is another copy of the earliest version of this set, in which the "ell" handle is stamped "Pat. Pend." While it does contain the correct assortment of sockets, it appears the previous owner needed a bit more clearance on an 11/32" nut. See also posts #3, #4, and #5 for visual comparisons to later 350 sets. * )

Indestro 350 'Vest Pocket' 8-piece 1/4" drive SAE socket set (early Pat Pend)(pat 2065340) 01 by four.cycle, on Flickr

Indestro 350 'Vest Pocket' 8-pc 1/4" drive SAE socket set (early Pat Pend)(pat 2065340) 02 by four.cycle, on Flickr

 

[four.cycle]

U.S. made No-Name 1/4" hex drive SAE socket set with driver handle

(* The sockets are stamped only with size and "Made in U.S.A.". There are no markings on the driver handle. This appears to be a knock-off of the Indestro model 360 "Slip-on" 6-pc 1/4" hex drive set (pat 111026) as shown in the catalog snips below, but the small tang on the end of the driver handle prevents being able to slip all of the sockets onto the handle for storage, as is the case with the Indestro 360 set.
The sockets do not resemble anything I've seen made by Oxwall, or G.M. Mfg. Co., or any other low-end U.S. tool manufacturer, so the origin of this set remains a mystery. *)

No Name U.S. made 1/4" hex drive SAE socket set (Indestro 360 knock-off) 01 by four.cycle, on Flickr

No Name U.S. made 1/4" hex drive SAE socket set (Indestro 360 knock-off) 02 by four.cycle, on Flickr

 

[Jim C.]

Here’s my Craftsman set from the 1950s. It has those unique egg shaped sockets.

 

[four.cycle]

Thanks for info on ratchet plug!

RE: The Wiha (Heyco) drive adapters for female drive ratchets from KC Tool.

When I ordered those, they only had one of each size in stock. I believe my first order was for about half a dozen - not sure what the mix was now. I figured that would save a bit on shipping costs, which it did. Those items that they did not have in stock were put on back order, and they shipped them (freight prepaid) when they got their next stock order in.

Rough ballpark number - you can figure about $10 bucks a pop when you add in the shipping. Buying them in quantity brought the total price down just a bit.

==

JimC - those tapered wall sockets are nice to work with.

 

[Jim C.]

It’s a nice set. I think it’s correct and complete. I do occasionally use it, but I’m careful to some extent. Those egg shaped sockets have really thin walls, and they seem to be a little less common than other sockets. If I cracked one, it could be trouble trying to replace it.

Jim C.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I have a similar set but regular sockets. Looks like Moore drop forge stuff.

 

[d42jeep]

Here is my large and unusual Walden set.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

Here is a 1/4” drive partial Kraeuter set. Probably half the tools were missing so I filled in with other brands.
-Don

 

[four.cycle]

Okay.... where are you finding these spinners? I've seen the Walden spinner in black and yellow, clear yellow, clear blue, clear red, and clear green, but never clear orange!

 

[Toothaker]

Welcome back four.cycle!

My SK knurled 1/4" drive six and eight point sockets.

My Proto 1/4" drive set that I bought new in 1978 when I worked for Cessna.

The spinner isn't original.

 

[d42jeep]

Okay.... where are you finding these spinners? I've seen the Walden spinner in black and yellow, clear yellow, clear blue, clear red, and clear green, but never clear orange!

My job is to keep you guessing.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Yikes. This "My Small but Growing 1/4" drive Socket Set Collection" thread is growing too quickly for me to keep up... 6 pages, 116 posts in only a few days!

I tried to read it post by post from the very beginning so as not to be redundant, and to see if there was any questions I could answer, or if there were any answers to any of my questions. If I missed someone or something as I went, my apologies.

I'll start off with my own meager collection.

As some of you know, I’ve had a few wartime Duro sets, a wartime Stevens-Walden set, a memorable black oxide wartime SK set (that was nevertheless slightly outmatched and outblacked by Unaiu's!), and a wartime Snap-on set – all “E” or “G” code except the ratchet, which was a rare “3” code, all safely ensconced in GMTK’s that I have collected and then moved on to other collectors.

But these are the sets I have on hand right now.

- On the left is a pair of partial SK sets – Brazil, and Carb-O-Mang, then a Duro CHROMIUM-VANADIUM I just picked up, and a Bonney (in the babysh*t brown crinkle).

- Down the middle is the New Britain Precision-Bilt that 4.c kindly mentioned, a New Britain I just picked up, my R.T.E.C. set, and an early PENENS.

- On the right, a GILLER, a DAYTON (which looks like my only FOAK entry here so far…), a wartime 41-W-2615 SW, and an empty case for a cool but so far unidentified SW set, label intact.

I’ve shown just about all of these in other threads, but I will post some open-case shots again and pepper my replies with some others.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

This set (and the sets in the Ebay photos just below) should answer the question of who made the strange 1/4" drive "Frankenstein" ratchet.

I’ve been giving you credit for cracking that code for a long time, 4.c.

RTEC - Randolph Tool Equipment Company 1/4" drive SAE socket set

Here's my RTEC set. Sockets are branded RTEC and I think I'm missing one, but I'm unsure which. Came with a Bonney ratchet and unbranded sliding T. The typical RTEC unbranded nut spinner was gifted to me and did not come with the set when purchased.

My spinner, shown in this pic here...

...was a Donlap payback, as I recall.

4.c – I have seen you express some doubts about the color of yours. These faded in time and environmental exposure. I have seen them in many shades. Mine, Unaiu’s and yours are all different shades.

Here is a link to the R.T.E.C. thread again. Lots of pics and lots of significant details and history on company provided. For those who don’t follow links, the quickie summary is that R.T.E.C. was a brief WWII contractor for the Philly-based US Army Signal Corps. They bought everything from other suppliers and integrated it into boxes. Very typical for the Signal Corps which had other contractors doing the same thing with bigger tool-sets (e.g., Fleck Brothers in Jenkintown, PA). All the pieces in my set are caked in cosmo, the sockets are all Walden-Worcester, the electrical wrenches and pliers are marked R.T.E.C.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Giller 1/4" drive SAE socket set with original steel box
(* note design of box with hinge at end similar to Stevens Walden's design *)

Speaking of Thorsen, how about Giller? Gotta love that blue spinner!

I've seen lots of Giller 1/4" sets with gray spinner handles. I've seen lots of them with clear yellow plastic handles (like mine above.) I do not believe I've seen a Giller spinner with a blue handle.

Me neither. My Giller set, shown here...

...which is suddenly and depressingly far less extraordinary than I initially thought (HAHA!), looks an awful lot like 4.c’s.

Whence last seen by anyone here on GJ, it was missing the ratchet, now present compliments of GJ'er Macduf, a shrewd collector who rarely ventures out of the Garage Sale thread.

Set details such as contents, markings, etc, can be seen with more photos on the Thorsen thread, here.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Keeping it in the Thorsen family for a bit longer, here is my DAYTON set. This is easily the cleanest midget set I own!

Details on contents, markings, etc and many more photos can be seen in a post on the Thorsen thread, linked here.