Opinions on the Thorsen Wrenches

[traction]

I just bought two sets of these thorsen wrenches at an estate sale. I looked on alloy-artifacts but can't find a mention of these 1000 series mfg in usa wrenches. Usually when they are not on alloy-artifacts it is because they are newer.

Any ideas on age? These are brand new never used....this particular set is longer than the other but the wrenches have the same part number as the other set.

These feel pretty good, I will probably keep one of the sets.

 

[Fedwrench]

I would guess late 60's early 70's.

 

[goodfellow]

I would guess late 60's early 70's.

I agree with Fedwrench -- but most like they're early '70's. That pattern was also rebadged as the Montomery Ward "PowrKraft" line of wrenches. They are superior wrenches and had wider jaws than their competitor's offerings (Craftsman and Penncraft).

I have a PowrKraft SAE set that was purchased in 1973 -- same wrenches

 

[cruiser808]

I just bought two sets of these thorsen wrenches at an estate sale. I looked on alloy-artifacts but can't find a mention of these 1000 series mfg in usa wrenches. Usually when they are not on alloy-artifacts it is because they are newer.

Any ideas on age? These are brand new never used....this particular set is longer than the other but the wrenches have the same part number as the other set.

These feel pretty good, I will probably one of the sets.

From the logo presented by the OP, it could be as early as 1/1/58 as shown in my price list.
By the way, Thorsen USA was never considered a top tool brand, but at least equal to the period Craftsman and sold in selected hardware stores. My personal experience with the USA verisons is that they are **** ugly, but tough as hell.

 

[goodfellow]

From the logo presented by the OP, it could be as early as 1/1/58 as shown in my price list.

Interesting -- I was under the impression that Thorsen's of that vintage had a slight "raised panel" or "ribbed" design and larger script. Does the price list come with pics?

 

[cruiser808]

Interesting -- I was under the impression that Thorsen's of that vintage had a slight "raised panel" or "ribbed" design. Does the price list come with pics?

No, that would have come later. I have a full compliment of Thorsen USA tools from the OP era as well as those catalogs/price lists from the late 50's to the 70's. I have some USA Action tools as well as Giller from the 70's, all sourced from Thorsen. I'm surprised, I never thought anyone would care about Thorsen USA. It's a well kept secret.

 

[traction]

So they could be as early as 58...that makes sense considering all the other items at the estate sale.

The wrenches feel pretty good and I are brand new...kinda neat. In my opinion they are better than my craftsman from the same era.

 

[cruiser808]

Interesting -- I was under the impression that Thorsen's of that vintage had a slight "raised panel" or "ribbed" design and larger script. Does the price list come with pics?

Hi Goodfellow - no pics other than the old set I have and in the 1958 list were the wrenches look flat on the list. The price list is a pocket pamhplet and letter sent by Farmers Tool and Equipment Co. out of Oakland Ca to its distributors. at the time. To give you a taste for the retailers, a full service combination set was $110.76. Note that "metric" was not even brought up. Think 57' Chevy, Crown Victoria, and New Yorker. Detroit was king.

 

[goodfellow]

No, that would have come later. I have a full compliment of Thorsen USA tools from the OP era as well as those catalogs/price lists from the late 50's to the 70's. I have some USA Action tools as well as Giller from the 70's, all sourced from Thorsen. I'm surprised, I never thought anyone would care about Thorsen USA. It's a well kept secret.

Good to know!!! Thanks --

BTW -- if it's not a big bother, please post some pics of the "Giller" versions. I've only seen a few of those wrenches over the years and never really paid much attention to them.

 

[cruiser808]

Good to know!!! Thanks --

BTW -- if it's not a big bother, please post some pics of the "Giller" versions. I've only seen a few of those wrenches over the years and never really paid much attention to them.

Goodfellow, will do, but be assured they are identical to the USA Thorsens for the govt during the Vietnam war. I'm guessing GSA procurement contracts.
The popular USA Actions available to the public are like nasty seconds without the chrome and specs that are needed for pros. I have some blister packs of these wierd sales of Action tools.

 

[Uncle Buck]

I have a few Thorsen wrenches I got from the hdw stores I worked in years ago. I never really came to develop much of a liking for Thorsen tools, including those I bought new. The wrenches I bought had shinier plating big flat sides, and overall a look and feel I came to regard as a bit over sized and clunky the older and more tool wise I got.

The wrenches you displayed are not nearly as clunky looking as those I bought. In fact, I suspect I could see myself easily adapting to and using the set you showed quite easily.

 

[cruiser808]

I have a few Thorsen wrenches I got from the hdw stores I worked in years ago. I never really came to develop much of a liking for Thorsen tools, including those I bought new. The wrenches I bought had shinier plating big flat sides, and overall a look and feel I came to regard as a bit over sized and clunky the older and more tool wise I got.

The wrenches you displayed are not nearly as clunky looking as those I bought. In fact, I suspect I could see myself easily adapting to and using the set you showed quite easily.

UB - the Thorsen's you describe are the newer versions. No raised panel for the older stuff, but in the 60's Cman and Thorsen were about equal as far as the target buyers were concerned.

 

[Uncle Buck]

UB - the Thorsen's you describe are the newer versions. No raised panel for the older stuff, but in the 60's Cman and Thorsen were about equal as far as the target buyers were concerned.

I am sure they were the same target audience, but the old Craftys always seemed to age better to me. Just a personal preference of course.