Not so new eh?

[kams1973]

Speed-Hed 7800 5/8 combination wrench with a ratcheting-action open end, stamped "Pat. Appl'd For" on the front, with "Thorsen Tools" and "Oakland - Calif" stamped on the reverse.

The overall length is 8.1 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.

The patent pending status refers to patent #2,652,735, filed by G.W. Wilder in 1949 and issued in 1951.

 

[Scout Driver]

Cool wrench! Thorsen made great tools back in the day.

Scott

 

[Tool Pants]

That is a AA picture, but it is in the Vlchek section because it is claimed Vlchek made it for Thorsen.

I bought one a few months ago at the flea. I do not remember seeing Thorsen tools stamped Oakland. I am not far away from Oakland.

 

[Jbullfrog]

As with most of the "special" fad tools, they have been around for along time and come back when somebody in purchasing doesn't remember why they went away. I saw a new Metwrench add the other day.

 

[kams1973]

I thought the "ratcheting" open end wrench was a relatively new concept...until I read that last night.

 

[snapmom]

There are some Simplex ratcheting end wrenches listed in the late 20s Snap on cats.

 

[cheap bastard]

They have a use in industry, but at home, you're not going to see many needs for "ratcheting" open end wrenches. I picked up a set of the Craftsman metric versions an while back as part of a larger deal. I have not needed them yet.