Mystery spark plug sockets

[eurokid]

I recently found these spark plug sockets at of all places, a thrift store. I've searched on the internet and haven't been able to find a single word on who the manufacturer is, or what they were originally intended for (other than removing/installing spark plugs). Were they made for a specific application? I have no idea. Maybe someone here can help. They're both very well made and have a mechanical retention spring clip to hold the spark plug. Here are a few pictures.


They're both stamped with "JJCO" which I believe is the manufacturer? "USA Patent Pending". The 5/8" socket is part number EG2, and the 13/16" socket is part number EG1. They both have some engraving that says "STRIL DW 514J5" which I'm assuming may be some kind of inventory markings or something. I also found a old 5/8" Champion Plug-Mate II spark plug socket with the same engraving. It's a total mystery at this point. Any thoughts?

 

[Jure]

sorry,have no idea who makes them,but they look cool

 

[Caman]

Looks similar to these

http://francismachine.com/shr-lock-watson-retainer/

 

[ttpete]

I have a pair of those. Bought them back when we were racing at Bonneville from a vendor. They are really excellent sockets because there's no rubber insert that's difficult to get off the plug and sometimes breaks an insulator.

Ko-Ken makes similar sockets with the same type of retainer.

 

[ex-x-fire]

They look high quality.

 

[eurokid]

I have a pair of those. Bought them back when we were racing at Bonneville from a vendor. They are really excellent sockets because there's no rubber insert that's difficult to get off the plug and sometimes breaks an insulator.
Ko-Ken makes similar sockets with the same type of retainer.

Do you recall who the vendor was? How much did you pay for them? What was the year? I'm very curious to find more info on these sockets. They're very high quality I'm just surprised I can't find a single shred of info about them. There's a company called Lockit Socket who only makes spark plug sockets. They look very similar but I don't think they manufactured these particular sockets.

 

[JBradley500]

Cool find!

 

[ttpete]

Do you recall who the vendor was? How much did you pay for them? What was the year? I'm very curious to find more info on these sockets. They're very high quality I'm just surprised I can't find a single shred of info about them. There's a company called Lockit Socket who only makes spark plug sockets. They look very similar but I don't think they manufactured these particular sockets.

Lockit isn't the original company, but I believe that they acquired the tooling from the original firm. They are essentially the same thing.

 

[eurokid]

Lockit isn't the original company, but I believe that they acquired the tooling from the original firm. They are essentially the same thing.

Interesting. I'm going to give them a call on Monday and see if they can give me more information. I love using these sockets. I have the 5/8" and 13/16" Snap-On magnetic spark plug sockets as well and I find myself using these mystery sockets more than the SO mag sockets.

 

[joecon]

I have had two sets of these sockets one was MAC one was Matco I had a
similar one from snap on but it was chrome. I think that they are German
maybe Hazet.

 

[Ratchet.]

Interesting looking sockets, look very well made.

The clip style is almost identical to my Koken ones, far better than either the rubber insert or magnetic type, didn't realize anyone else made them like that.

I guess these predate the koken ones a bit though.

 

[Jure]

I have had two sets of these sockets one was MAC one was Matco I had a
similar one from snap on but it was chrome. I think that they are German
maybe Hazet.

negative

 

[eurokid]

I called Lockit Tools today, and it indeed turns out they bought JJCO some time in the 90's. JJCO was the predecessor company to Lockit Tools. When the company was purchased by the current owner they redesigned the sockets and have been making them ever since. Apparently the previous owner (when it was JJCO) passed away some time ago and that's the reason I wasn't able to find any info on the old company. I assume this was done out of respect for the family. I actually have a Lockit 11/16" HD Screamin' Eagle spark plug socket and it's quite the piece. Mystery sockets no more!

 

[Historyworker]

GJ comes through once again! This was the only place I found any info on this socket. 11 years since the thread started and there's still nothing online about JJCO, aside from Garage Journal of course. I really can't express how much I appreciate this site

 

[dnschmidt]

The spring loaded holding feature is very common on 14mm sockets which have possibly become the largest selling spark plug socket on modern vehicles. TOPTUL and others make these: https://www.toptul.com/en/product-325209/3-8-DR-Spark-Plug-Socket-Leaf-Spring.html. They are almost all 12 point as I believe Mercedes and possibly BMW uses 12 point spark plugs.