Old looking MAC 3/8" socket set

[B Halverson]

An old set of MAC 3/8" socket tools that belonged to a really old guy several city blocks from me. There does not seem to be nearly as much MAC info out there as there is for other popular tool manufacturers, I was surprised at how few photos Alloy Artifacts has of MAC tools. I was also surprised at the finish on this set of MAC socket tools, it is very drab compared to most other socket sets sold since WWII. If anyone can make a good guess as to the year of this set that would be great. Sorry these are the only photos I have right now, but I could drag it out of storage and get some bretter photos and info off the tools if anyone is interested. The bottle opener is funny isn't it? Thanks......

 

[john.k]

Its probably meant to open quart cans of oil.....or .more correctly pierce the top ...........back in the day ,youd pull into a service station and the uniformed pump guy would say 'check your oil sir' and youd say .'fill 'er up and a quart of oil '......and he'd grab a can of oil ,pierce the top with the tool shown,and pour it into the motor . There was always a rack of oil cans beside the pump.

 

[Ricky Joe]

An old set of MAC 3/8" socket tools that belonged to a really old guy several city blocks from me. There does not seem to be nearly as much MAC info out there as there is for other popular tool manufacturers, I was surprised at how few photos Alloy Artifacts has of MAC tools. I was also surprised at the finish on this set of MAC socket tools, it is very drab compared to most other socket sets sold since WWII. If anyone can make a good guess as to the year of this set that would be great. Sorry these are the only photos I have right now, but I could drag it out of storage and get some bretter photos and info off the tools if anyone is interested. The bottle opener is funny isn't it? Thanks......

Made when tools were used, not displayed! Built to go, not show.

 

[Ricky Joe]

Its probably meant to open quart cans of oil.....or .more correctly pierce the top ...........back in the day ,youd pull into a service station and the uniformed pump guy would say 'check your oil sir' and youd say .'fill 'er up and a quart of oil '......and he'd grab a can of oil ,pierce the top with the tool shown,and pour it into the motor . There was always a rack of oil cans beside the pump.

Actually, at the Texaco I worked at, ask how much, start the gas, pop the hood, check oil and belts, wipe the windshield and check wipers, and have it all done in time to stop the pump. Believe it or not, those pumps did not have automatic shutoff. Gas was 35 cents. Also sold cigarettes. I worked at 342 Island Ave, McKees Rocks, Penn. in the 1970s.

 

[B Halverson]

I dragged this toolbox out of hibernation a few days ago and took more photos of it and it's tools. The owner ground three notches on a lot of the tools in the box to ID them as his. Also he sure had a lot of extensions to work with. Looking at the MAC wrenches etc. again the finish on them is poor compared to a lot of other similar tool sets, but they are all intact and usable so they have what counts. All the socket tools are marked with an "X", which I think is an odd letter to choose to designate something, did MAC use the X to mark all it's socket tools? Or specifically it's 3/8" socket tools?

 

[four.cycle]

wow! nice stuff there. sorry, I don't know a thing about MAC.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

They did have an x

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Here it is in catalog 47

 

[B Halverson]

That double-end flex handle is neat. I have one of those speed-wrench handles in storage, but don't think it will fit in the box these tools are in, and it seems to have a brighter more conventional finish than these tools.
In my area, despite being close to Cleveland, I see less old MAC stuff than any other major brand of socket and wrench tools. And I do not even see a lot of newer MAC stuff from the last 40 or 50 years.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Nice find!

 

[bmwrd0]

That speeder looks Herbrand shaped. And the ratchet has a certain Herbrand look to it, with the sliding selector.

Did they make this for MAC?

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Actually made by wright

Post in thread 'Mechanics Tool & Forge Company' https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/mechanics-tool-forge-company.278029/post-5850264

 

[Private Lugnutz]

If anyone can make a good guess as to the year of this set that would be great.

Mid 40s. A few years ago I posted some info and dating analysis along with a set of seven (7) sockets in a NOS cardboard box and the same ratchet in the MAC thread here. Found a swivel joint to go with the set later. Not nearly as many pieces as that set you have, obviously, but exact same production era.

Or specifically it's 3/8" socket tools?

It's the prefix for the 3/8-inch drive service in MAC's early P/N system. 1/2-inch drive was "V". 3/4-inch drive was "Z". Consult the MAC thread for more. Several catalogs on IA/ITCL too.

 

[Ricky Joe]

Slider selector was used by Herbrand, Billings, Wright, Mac, and Bonney, that I know of. Some were longitudinal and some transverse. I know Herbrand made it both ways.