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

[four.cycle]

^ Yes - definitely New Britain made - I have a couple of those Mustang sets in that same "matchbox" type box (see post #32).

Definitely an oddball. For reasons which defy explanation they command nutty prices on Ebay.

I don't think the cad plating on either of mine is that shiny - that set of yours looks like it's brand new.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

- that set of yours looks like it's brand new.

AS USUAL! I think I've counted two sets that looked used. I am tempted to ask his source..., unless he's buying them used and having them all re-conditioned (bead-blasted, re-finished)!

 

[twertsy]

AS USUAL! I think I've counted two sets that looked used. I am tempted to ask his source..., unless he's buying them used and having them all re-conditioned (bead-blasted, re-finished)!

You haven't seen anything yet..........he ain't near done.....

 

[Private Lugnutz]

It actually finally hit me that I remembered seeing them or some of them anyway from GG v1.0 now. (Yeah, I am slow that way. ). But I wasn't commenting on the number so much as the condition.

CRTDI - are you acquiring these NOS or refinishing them?

 

[CRTDI]

99% of the stuff I collect is used. I'm super picky about overall condition.
On items I perceive as being rare, I'm more apt to accept condition issues. I do not refinish, but do try my best to preserve original surfaces on the tools and boxes I collect.

I hate to see decent salvageable finishes get totally ruined by a grinder mounted wire wheel brush.....(pet peeve)

I have a slow process for socket sets:

1) Tools get a WD-40 bath, and individually cleaned with a either one or a combination of the following hand held tools depending on finish type and condition of the item being cleaned: stainless steel brush, toothbrush, scribe.

2) After the above process, light motor oil is applied, sits for a day or two and then gets a paper towel wipe down.

(Really rusty stuff gets an Evapo-rust bath and a hand held stainless steel brushing before the above steps. Not really expecting any preservation of original finish at this point unless it was unfinished steel to begin with)

3) Painted boxes: Crinkle finishes get a soft toothbrush cleaning with WD-40 and a soft cloth wipe down. Smooth painted finishes get a soft toothbrush cleaning with Simple Green and water while trying to avoid damaging any decals.

4) Smooth painted surfaces get an application of automotive grade wax.

5) Perform the above while enjoying an adult beverage and music of your liking....

 

[Private Lugnutz]

That's pretty much what I do. So you are obviously buying tools in waaaaaay better condition than I am!

 

[CRTDI]

A small Cornwell socket box with some deep well sockets. My guess is that this dates from the late 50s.

 

[RubiconJK]

99% of the stuff I collect is used. I'm super picky about overall condition.
On items I perceive as being rare, I'm more apt to accept condition issues. I do not refinish, but do try my best to preserve original surfaces on the tools and boxes I collect.

I hate to see decent salvageable finishes get totally ruined by a grinder mounted wire wheel brush.....(pet peeve)

I have a slow process for socket sets:

1) Tools get a WD-40 bath, and individually cleaned with a either one or a combination of the following hand held tools depending on finish type and condition of the item being cleaned: stainless steel brush, toothbrush, scribe.

2) After the above process, light motor oil is applied, sits for a day or two and then gets a paper towel wipe down.

(Really rusty stuff gets an Evapo-rust bath and a hand held stainless steel brushing before the above steps. Not really expecting any preservation of original finish at this point unless it was unfinished steel to begin with)

3) Painted boxes: Crinkle finishes get a soft toothbrush cleaning with WD-40 and a soft cloth wipe down. Smooth painted finishes get a soft toothbrush cleaning with Simple Green and water while trying to avoid damaging any decals.

4) Smooth painted surfaces get an application of automotive grade wax.

5) Perform the above while enjoying an adult beverage and music of your liking....

Its obvious your process works nicely. I use similar techniques but also include a initial soak step in my parts cleaner using a solution of Simple Green and water. I do admit to using a fine wire wheel on occasion but never apply enough pressure to mare the finish. I also use a buffer wheel to polish on some finishes. BTW, I also agree with your step 5!

 

[Username already in use]

A small Cornwell socket box with some deep well sockets. My guess is that this dates from the late 50s.

That's a great looking little Cornwell set. It would look real nice in my 50's era Cornwell stack, just sayin'.

 

[CRTDI]

That's a great looking little Cornwell set. It would look real nice in my 50's era Cornwell stack, just sayin'.

Thanks! If you can wait a while, I'm fairly confident that family members will be selling off "The Old Guy's Stuff" for a pittance of what it might be worth at the time of my demise...

 

[CRTDI]

BTW, I also agree with your step 5!

Full compliance of step 5 today....




Which means I've been busy.

P&C set.

P&C tools are pretty much non-existent in my area, so this one took a loooong time to piece together.

 

[Catfishdan]

Full compliance of step 5 today....



Which means I've been busy.

P&C set.

P&C tools are pretty much non-existent in my area, so this one took a loooong time to piece together.

Holy cow. That is beauteous! Does the lid even close with all that goodness?!?

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I like it. I too rarely come across p&c.

 

[four.cycle]

Oddly for a company that was based out of Portland it seem to be non-existent here.
That's a really nice set there, CRTDI.

 

[Catfishdan]

Here's my wartime Duro-Chrome set. All the sockets are marked D-I. I think the ratchet and the two square sockets are add ons, but they fit nicely. Needs a cross bar to be complete. I really like how the double ended breaker bar can be used as an extension in the female side of the ratchet. I'm surprised more manufacturers didn't do this.

 

[Catfishdan]

And here's a work in progress. Yet another =v= era set, but this one is metric. Needs a 6" extension, a cross bar, a 10mm =v= socket and the correct ratchet before it's complete. Owning Japanese cars, I find it quite lame that older craftsman sets stop at 11mm.

 

[four.cycle]

Nice sets.
I have one of those 4550 Duro Chrome breakers and wondered what was the intended purpose of having a male drive connection on the **** end of the handle. Using it as an extension makes sense.

I have some older metric sets that stop at 12mm. I have one EASCO set that stops at 11mm (go figure).
No matter how you try to come up with a reason, it doesn't make a lot of sense.
But then, most US tool manufacturers seemed to be a bit slow in getting on the bandwagon when it came to metric tools.

 

[d42jeep]

Here's my wartime Duro-Chrome set. All the sockets are marked D-I. I think the ratchet and the two square sockets are add ons, but they fit nicely. Needs a cross bar to be complete. I really like how the double ended breaker bar can be used as an extension in the female side of the ratchet. I'm surprised more manufacturers didn't do this.

Nice set, Dan. I have a similar D-I set except your box is nicer.
-Don

 

[3baygarage]

Very nice guys. Forgot about this one.


Challenger By Proto

 

[CRTDI]

Holy cow. That is beauteous! Does the lid even close with all that goodness?!?

Just barely...

Here's my wartime Duro-Chrome set.

Super nice Duro set...

 

[Stuart in MN]

I have a set of -V- series Craftsman deep sockets I picked up at the ReStore a few years back. They came in a little tin box with no identifiable marks on it that isn't wide enough to hold them except if they're at an angle, but I still like it.

 

[CRTDI]

A Mac set with an oddly partitioned box.

 

[four.cycle]

nice set! that looks New Britain-ish.

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

Gorgeous set!

The ratchets are in fact NB sourced. I have a couple of NB made MAC ratchets myself. Some styles are actually easier to find branded MAC then any of the other NB brands. I suppose it is due to it being a more recognizable brand so they are more likely to be saved.

 

[four.cycle]

I had no idea NB supplied MAC. I have one of those flex-heads - mine's branded New Britain.

 

[CRTDI]

And the New Britain theme just keeps going...

 

[d42jeep]

That’s a great looking set! If I send this empty box to you, can you send it back looking like yours and full of tools? Please?
-Don

 

[CRTDI]

Sure, why not? Just send me your amazing Plomb collection...

 

[d42jeep]

Well, I guess I’ll just keep it and someday fill it with correct pieces. I’m pretty sure that it’ll never look as good as yours though!
-Don

 

[Username already in use]

Well, I don't think I have a single midget set that looks as good as any that CRDTI has posted. Man, those are nice to look at!

I did find this display piece for a couple of Walden 'Tomahawk' hex drive socket sets over the weekend. Unfortunately, I don't have any of the sets to put on there so I'll show it with the ad originally posted by Notlob.

Looks like it will hold the NO. 7 set and either the NO. 15 or 16 set.

 

[twertsy]

Well, I don't think I have a single midget set that looks as good as any that CRDTI has posted. Man, those are nice to look at!

I did find this display piece for a couple of Walden 'Tomahawk' hex drive socket sets over the weekend. Unfortunately, I don't have any of the sets to put on there so I'll show it with the ad originally posted by Notlob.

Looks like it will hold the NO. 7 set and either the NO. 15 or 16 set.

I've got a 10"x10"x8" box full of those little sets and pieces. I'll see what I can dig up...…..yours if I got'm.

 

[four.cycle]

here you go: Tomahawk Socket Set



(no idea what the drive size is on that one, though.... )

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Tomahawk! Cool stuff, love the decal....

 

[CRTDI]

I've seen the Tomahawk labeled tools before, just wasn't aware they were a Walden Worcester product.

Here's something a little different. A couple of German manufactured Belzer sets. I believe these are from the late '50s.

I got to give a shout out to GJ member Catfishdan for gifting me the larger box with the hex sockets. Thanks again!...

 

[four.cycle]

^ very cool and interesting Belzer sets there. those magneto wrenches are rather unique.

I've seen the Tomahawk labeled tools before, just wasn't aware they were a Walden Worcester product.

Yes, unfortunately I have only found scant information on the "Tomahawk" brand:

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Walden sued blackhawk because their name was similar to tomahawk, among other things.....

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I got to give a shout out to GJ member Catfishdan for gifting me the larger box with the hex sockets.

I have two things to say about this...

(1) Busted! For lurking in my 2018 Garage Sale thread! … and,

(2) If I would've known that YOU were the quick confidential snagger on Dan's box, I would've thrown my Belzer Ingenieur ("Engineer") wrench into the box with the SPARTA spinner!

 

[twertsy]

Walden sued blackhawk because their name was similar to tomahawk, among other things.....

And Bonney trademarked Tomahawk for Wrenches as well.........1900's if I recall.....DAMN, I wish my site was back up, I know it's on there.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

If memory serves, which it might not, I believe Bonney's Tomahawk was a warehouse crate multi-tool (hammer hatchet punch tack claw thingie), similar to Bridgeport's. But I could be totally off there.

 

[Catfishdan]

I've seen the Tomahawk labeled tools before, just wasn't aware they were a Walden Worcester product.

Here's something a little different. A couple of German manufactured Belzer sets. I believe these are from the late '50s.
]

It looks great sitting there next to its little brother. You'll turn out to be a Belzer guy yet!