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

[d42jeep]

No urgency, Don I just think it's helpful for everyone and especially to our collective knowledge base to have a record of model numbers, not just photos, for the sets we post. Especially for off-brands, like Giller, where we have little to no catalogs or ads or other documentation and we are building the knowledge base empirically, not in easy look-ups.


My Giller set had one ACTION socket in it, an 8MSA, rather than a Giller 8MS. (I put these anomalies in the same category as mixed BE/(H), etc.)


Not to side-track too far, but it's interesting that it's in a leather or leatherette roll-up, a material typically associated with older production than Giller. I have a Giller ignition set one in OD canvas. (<<<< EDIT: Disregard. After looking at it harder and thinking about it, I am assuming that's a repop.)

Yep, I got the wrenches loose so I used one of my Australian leather repros for storage.
-Don

 

[CRTDI]

Yep, I got the wrenches loose so I used one of my Australian leather repros for storage.
-Don

That's a sharp looking wrench set...

 

[four.cycle]

nice ignition wrench set, d42jeep

(not sure if I have one of those or not)

Thorsen and Giller part numbers are the same across the board on the items that I own in 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" drive sockets and drive accessories. (The exception being an older Giller 3/8" drive 3/4" socket that uses a completely different part number.)

Action used the same part numbers as Thorsen with the exception of having an "A" tacked onto the end of the part number. (i.e., Thorsen 77J ratchet = Action 77JA ratchet, Thorsen 8M socket = Action 8MA socket.)

 

[Catfishdan]

Do you still have this set? Willing to part with it or are you working on filling the gaps? I have an extra=v= 10MM socket and possibly more if you need for the set...

I still have it and I’m keeping this one. I found the 10mm. I just need the Flying V ratchet to complete it. I’d definitely be up for a trade if you have one to spare....

 

[evacovsky]

Let me ask you this... any interest in trading me cases? I have the Crown logo Permanex case that says ‘1/4” Metric Socket Wrench Set’ on it... I’ll attempt to upload a pic (I hope). If you are willing, the 1/4” Flying V is yours!
... looks like I need 2 more posts before I can upload these pics

 

[evacovsky]

I wonder if this post will make 5 for me... if it lets me I’ll post the pics on the very next post

 

[CRTDI]

A couple of different Wright sets.

My first and only Frankenstein ratchet....

I'm thinking that this little Bluegrass ratchet was Wright sourced.

Even has the same model number.....LOL.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I have heard bluegrass was made by wright

 

[CRTDI]

Here's my Bluegrass set. I really don't know what was originally included. The box, sockets and breaker bar appear to be New Britain sourced, but the ratchet looks to be Wright sourced. Perhaps different sources for earlier and later production eras...

 

[d42jeep]

No urgency, Don I just think it's helpful for everyone and especially to our collective knowledge base to have a record of model numbers, not just photos, for the sets we post. Especially for off-brands, like Giller, where we have little to no catalogs or ads or other documentation and we are building the knowledge base empirically, not in easy look-ups.


My Giller set had one ACTION socket in it, an 8MSA, rather than a Giller 8MS. (I put these anomalies in the same category as mixed BE/(H), etc.)


Not to side-track too far, but it's interesting that it's in a leather or leatherette roll-up, a material typically associated with older production than Giller. I have a Giller ignition set one in OD canvas. (<<<< EDIT: Disregard. After looking at it harder and thinking about it, I am assuming that's a repop.)

Here are some shots showing the part numbers on the Giller sockets. They seem to be the same as their Thorsen cousins. The 8 point are 12, 10 and 8MS. 14 through 10 have a T suffix and 9 through 6 have an M suffix. The numbers seem to refer to the sizes in 32nds. The T sockets are 12 point and the M sockets are 6 point.
-Don

 

[four.cycle]

^ Any secret code numbers or letters included in the part numbers stamped on the sockets or other pieces?
It's pretty easy to identify OE manufacturer of contract made "Powr Kraft" by the inclusion of identifying letters in the part numbers stamped on the pieces. The same might have been done with your Blue Grass.

The ratchets in both of those sets look like the Wright 2400 RHFT - with a beefier handle in both cases.

 

[misterbill]

A couple of different Wright sets.

Love me some Wright! Thanks for sharing. Does anyone else think CRTDI has a time machine he's using to go back in time and buy these sets when they were new?

 

[d42jeep]

Love me some Wright! Thanks for sharing. Does anyone else think CRTDI has a time machine he's using to go back in time and buy these sets when they were new?

I think you’re right, Bill. Oldtuleguy mentioned Bluegrass and within minutes there it was.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I picked this set up in a deal with a guy across the pond, primarily because of the dark finish on all the tools, that all-steel spinner, and the fact that it’s military.

As you can see, enough of the decal remains, fortunately, to identify it as "ATHOL", made in "BIRMINGHAM ENGLAND".

All the tools are marked "ATHOL SUPER CHROME" with a C45XX series part number, a Ministry of Defence 'broad arrow' marking, and a date. All the tools are dated 1953 except for four sockets dated 1954. All ten (10) sockets, from 3/16” to 7/16”, are marked “AF” after the imperial fractional size, indicating that the size number is an “Across-the-Flats” diameter size, not a bolt size. All the sockets have contiguous part numbers, so I think the sockets are complete. The handle numbers are contiguous from C4552 to C4557, except for C4555, which, based on inference, is most likely a ratchet. The tools have a dark natural steel finish and are heat treated. That spinner handle is solid steel.

The most interesting aspect may be the drive size – it’s 9/32”!

The military stock sticker reads:

SPANNERS-SOCKETS
MIDGET SET “A”
Cat. No. F.A. 1757?
-> Athol 1953

I don’t know if “F.A 1757[?]” is an Athol or an M.O.D. “Catalog Number”

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Here are some close-ups of the tools and the box...

CONTENTS:

Handles
C4552 1953 4-1/4” Extension
C4553 1953 8” Extension
C4554 1953 6” Flexible Extension
C4556 1953 5” Sliding Tee
C4557 1953 7” Spinner

Sockets
3/16” AF C4571 1954
7/32” AF C4572 1953
15/64” AF C4573 1953
1/4” AF C4574 1953
17/64” AF C4575 1953
9/32” AF C4576 1953
5/16” AF C4577 1954
11/32” AF C4578 1953
3/8” AF C4579 1954
7/16” AF C4580 1954

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I have not had much luck finding out any information on ATHOL in Birmingham, England.

There is an Athol Masonic Building on 60 Severn Street, and “Athol” was cited in a long line of vintage British tool brands (along with names like Tipco, Bedford Vanadium, Spearpoint, etc) on a BritBike forum thread. But I really don’t know if that’s the name of a Mfgr or a brand or what. Which is more than a little disappointing given the fact that Birmingham (known as “The City of 1,000 Trades” and “The Workshop of the World”) has such a rich history in manufacturing, with Abingdon King ****, Rabone, Accles & Pollock, and Britool all located there.

Searches are of course further confounded by the fact that Athol Machine (and L.S. Starrett) were located in Athol, Massachusetts, U.S.A.!

I think this may be a FOAK/OOAK for GJ, but if anyone else has any Athol tools, please post. And if anyone knows anything (mfgr's name? brand name? etc), please chime in.

I left a few queries on the “Tools from the Old World” thread but that thread moves at the speed of light and it is 99.9% concerned with current offerings from current European mfgrs.

 

[twertsy]

I have not had much luck finding out any information on ATHOL in Birmingham, England.

There is an Athol Masonic Building on 60 Severn Street, and “Athol” was cited in a long line of vintage British tool brands (along with names like Tipco, Bedford Vanadium, Spearpoint, etc) on a BritBike forum thread. But I really don’t know if that’s the name of a Mfgr or a brand or what. Which is more than a little disappointing given the fact that Birmingham (known as “The City of 1,000 Trades” and “The Workshop of the World”) has such a rich history in manufacturing, with Abingdon King ****, Rabone, Accles & Pollock, and Britool all located there.

Searches are of course further confounded by the fact that Athol Machine (and L.S. Starrett) were located in Athol, Massachusetts, U.S.A.!

I think this may be a FOAK/OOAK for GJ, but if anyone else has any Athol tools, please post. And if anyone knows anything (mfgr's name? brand name? etc), please chime in.

I left a few queries on the “Tools from the Old World” thread but that thread moves at the speed of light and it is 99.9% concerned with current offerings from current European mfgrs.

Advert is from 1958. You're Welcome.................

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Advert is from 1958. You're Welcome.................

Thanks, Todd! I should've made a few bets! I've been talking to at least four different guys in the UK, two who I know, and one who answered a query on his website. All of them old tools guys and all of them swore it was a mfgr's name, while I had a hunch it was a brand.

Heath & Pond. Great. Now I have a lot more to work with in research. (Gotta love the old British company names. Take "Allways & Onions" for example. Sounds like a tavern. They made motorcycles!)

 

[twertsy]

Thanks, Todd! I should've made a few bets! I've been talking to at least four different guys in the UK, two who I know, and one who answered a query on his website. All of them old tools guys and all of them swore it was a mfgr's name, while I had a hunch it was a brand.

Heath & Pond. Great. Now I have a lot more to work with in research. (Gotta love the old British company names. Take "Allways & Onions" for example. Sounds like a tavern. They made motorcycles!)

When searching for English tool makers (or in this case, brand names) who you know made automotive tools, always include "+ Spanners" in your search. Works like a charm!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I was just about to ask you what search terms you used.

 

[d42jeep]

1947 ad from eBay UK
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Thanks, Don. Confirms the address I found in an old commerce directory. Love the street name: Steelhouse Lane!

Am I the only one bonkers for the all-steel spinner? Has anyone seen a solid steel-handled socket driver or spinner before? Other than the Williams/Armstrong dual spinner/extension jobbie with the rotating grip, I can't think of an American equivalent. Can anyone else? We went from wood to composite.

 

[d42jeep]

Thanks, Don. Confirms the address I found in an old commerce directory. Love the street name: Steelhouse Lane!

Am I the only one bonkers for the all-steel spinner? Has anyone seen a solid steel-handled socket driver or spinner before? Other than the Williams/Armstrong dual spinner/extension jobbie with the rotating grip, I can't think of an American equivalent. Can anyone else? We went from wood to composite.

It’s a cool set. Perfect for working on that BSA. It looks to me like the handle may be aluminum. Don’t forget the Plomb WF6 9/32” spinner/extension as well as my Walden 1/4” one.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

It looks to me like the handle may be aluminum.

I think it's too heavy for aluminum. The finish does give it that appearance. I will put a magnet on it later to confirm or deny.

Don’t forget the Plomb WF6 9/32” spinner/extension as well as my Walden 1/4” one.

Right. Same thing as the Williams, though. Those are rotating grips on a shank, not much different than you would find on an extension. I still can't think of a solid handle on a vintage US socket driver set that wasn't wood or composite.

 

[four.cycle]

very cool set there, Private Lugnutz.

the 9/32" drive gives it a different twist for sure.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

the 9/32" drive gives it a different twist for sure.

Right? In 1953! The guy I got it from did not even realize it, and I was expecting a 1/4-inch drive set. Truth be told, I was elated to discover it was 9/32-inch drive. It gives it even a little something more, in my opinion.

 

[CRTDI]

I picked this set up in a deal with a guy across the pond, primarily because of the dark finish on all the tools, that all-steel spinner, and the fact that it’s military.

This certainly isn't one you see everyday. Super nice find...

 

[CRTDI]

A couple of Companion sets.

 

[Smokeshow69]

A couple of Companion sets.

Is that set thorsen made ?


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[d42jeep]

I had the same question. I saw a tiny WF on one of the ratchets so I assume Western Forge.
-Don

 

[Dutch 1960]

I have just spent about six hours enjoying the tool pr0n. I have attached a photo of my 1935 Craftsman 11 piece "Midget" set. Not particularly rare, I know, but it is in good shape and is part of a 37 piece set, catalog no. 6112 from Fall 1935, which is a 1/2" drive "BE" set in a box, with the Midget set thrown in. This was my grandfather's set.

Alloy Artifacts seems not quite clear on the 1/4" drive (yes, 1/4", not 9/32", and in a box, not a clip). Well, here it is. This is a whole set from new, not assembled. It was missing only the short 1/2" drive extension and the 1/2" drive tee bar.

This particular set was only in the one late 1935 catalog. Before then, the 1/2" sockets were from the "C" line, and after then, the 1/2" and the 1/4" sets were sold separately. As the 1/4" set has only been used once or twice, and the 1/2" set has some minor wear, I am fairly sure they were purchased as a set.

 

[Dutch 1960]

Most of my vintage tools are SK. I have four 1/4" sets, and use the newest one, in the taller, narrower box, for my daily 1/4" needs. These were put together over the years, and I am not sure they are all correct, but I tried to build out each set from its starting point,and paid attention to what each box was capable of holding. Only knurled sockets and diamond logo pieces.

The two older ones are on the left, with the decals for logos. The oldest has a larger hole in the breaker bar handle and the cross bar is larger. The set appears to not be plated. The second set adds pieces, including the ratchet, and the two smallest sockets.

The newer ones on the right have their own differences. The set in the flat box is all six sided, no 12 sided sockets. Also, I came up with a 1/2" six sided socket that doesn't really fit in the set, but I have it in there.

They are nothing special, but it is amazing the variety of small sets SK put out over the years. There are a whole bunch more out there, but these four seemed fairly representative of what they put out back in the day, without getting into the rarities and hard-to-finds.

 

[d42jeep]

I have just spent about six hours enjoying the tool pr0n. I have attached a photo of my 1935 Craftsman 11 piece "Midget" set. Not particularly rare, I know, but it is in good shape and is part of a 37 piece set, catalog no. 6112 from Fall 1935, which is a 1/2" drive "BE" set in a box, with the Midget set thrown in. This was my grandfather's set.

Alloy Artifacts seems not quite clear on the 1/4" drive (yes, 1/4", not 9/32", and in a box, not a clip). Well, here it is. This is a whole set from new, not assembled. It was missing only the short 1/2" drive extension and the 1/2" drive tee bar.

This particular set was only in the one late 1935 catalog. Before then, the 1/2" sockets were from the "C" line, and after then, the 1/2" and the 1/4" sets were sold separately. As the 1/4" set has only been used once or twice, and the 1/2" set has some minor wear, I am fairly sure they were purchased as a set.

With the exception of the rather rudimentary ratchets, I think that the New Britain supplied Craftsman tools were some of the best that Sears ever sold. Here is my set that was assembled from individual pieces.
-Don

 

[Dutch 1960]

With the exception of the rather rudimentary ratchets, I think that the New Britain supplied Craftsman tools were some of the best that Sears ever sold.
-Don

My SK 42470s are the only way to fly with vintage 1/2" ratchets.

The Craftsman set is really nice, but it seems like the big hip-roof box doesn't really match the big set like the little box matches the 1/4" drive Midget set. The tray dividers vs. the sockets, specifically. A "mix and match" from different vendors to Craftsman, maybe? And this one is missing its leather handle, but there is no way I would trust carrying that box by its handle, given the weight of the set and the flimsy little pair of latches with no stronger center latch, the center latch like so many others with leather handles on the lid came with.

 

[bonneyman]

That collection of SK sets you have Dutch is drool worthy for sure!

 

[d42jeep]

Most of my vintage tools are SK. I have four 1/4" sets, and use the newest one, in the taller, narrower box, for my daily 1/4" needs. These were put together over the years, and I am not sure they are all correct, but I tried to build out each set from its starting point,and paid attention to what each box was capable of holding. Only knurled sockets and diamond logo pieces.

The two older ones are on the left, with the decals for logos. The oldest has a larger hole in the breaker bar handle and the cross bar is larger. The set appears to not be plated. The second set adds pieces, including the ratchet, and the two smallest sockets.

The newer ones on the right have their own differences. The set in the flat box is all six sided, no 12 sided sockets. Also, I came up with a 1/2" six sided socket that doesn't really fit in the set, but I have it in there.

They are nothing special, but it is amazing the variety of small sets SK put out over the years. There are a whole bunch more out there, but these four seemed fairly representative of what they put out back in the day, without getting into the rarities and hard-to-finds.

I think that your lower left S-K 1/4” drive set is wartime and made during the metal restrictions. I have a very similar set. Your upper left box is a little earlier than the tools inside, except for possibly the ratchet. Nice group of S-K.
-Don

 

[Dutch 1960]

I think that your lower left S-K 1/4” drive set is wartime and made during the metal restrictions. I have a very similar set. Your upper left box is a little earlier than the tools inside, except for possibly the ratchet. Nice group of S-K.
-Don

Upper left started as an empty box and pretty much got the extras and duplicates of what showed up over time. Call it an SK fruit salad.

 

[CRTDI]

Dutch,

Nice sets...

My one and only Plvmb set.

 

[d42jeep]

That sure looks a lot better than mine. You have some beautiful sets. I can't wait to see the next one.
-Don

 

[troy schuller]

A thread dedicated to the awesomeness of the vintage (and not so vintage) 1/4" drive socket set. Of course, your 9/32" drive set would be perfectly appropriate here as well.

We've got threads for double-end box wrenches and open-end wrenches. We've got threads for ratchets and screwdrivers. We've got threads for Bonney, Plomb, Proto, Craftsman, and S-K. I just noticed somebody recently even started a thread for Wizard!

After some serious in-depth consultations with other more knowledgeable members and careful thought, I feel it's only appropriate that there should be a thread dedicated to the small and oft-underrated 1/4" drive socket set.

This being the "Vintage" forum, I feel it only appropriate to try to start at the beginning:

Sedgley 8-pc 1/4" hex drive "Hexall" SAE socket set

Reginald F. Sedgley pretty much led the pack. His 1918 patent (patent 1289558) was used later by New Britain and others under license. Later Sedgley got out of the tool business and started doing custom work on firearms, for which he's much better known.

R.F. Sedgley hex socket set Nice set I got the same set a year ago but its case is a block of woo with holes drilled to each socket size and a imbeded screw/bolt in middle top that has a clamp/nut that holds the hex driver in place over sockets dont fall out i have not