Par X Wrench Question

[haneyrm]

I was recently given a full set of Par X wrenches. The guy that gave them to me mumbled something about the Snap On man pushing them in the 70’s or 80’s. I couldn’t really hear what he was saying but was very thankful for the gesture.

Made in USA and they look pretty nice given their age.

Anybody got a quick history on these things? Wondering who made them or if Par X was manufacturing them themselves.

Thanks.

 

[J.A.F.E.]

Par-X was a line of budget tools Snap-on offered. They were made by Snap-on but didn't show up in the catalogs, at least any cats I've seen. Not all dealers sold them.

There were sockets, ratchets, wrenches, screwdrivers and some tool boxes. Snap-on discontinued the name in the early to mid 80's keeping the tools and part numbers renamed as Blue Point. Most of the tools used tooling from discontinued main line Snap-on for instance the ratchet guts were interchangeable.

 

[four.cycle]

nice stuff. highly collectible. we need photos

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

Par-X was a line of budget tools Snap-on offered. They were made by Snap-on but didn't show up in the catalogs, at least any cats I've seen. Not all dealers sold them.

Jafe, weren't they Snap on's original line of wrenches as well, depending on year and finish? I only have the one, but the finish was the older Cadmium I believe. Soaked in evaporust some time back to clean off two tiny spots, let it get black, and the size, leave it in the lawn mower shed for blade change.

 

[Snaparxon]

Jafe, weren't they Snap on's original line of wrenches as well, depending on year and finish? I only have the one, but the finish was the older Cadmium I believe. Soaked in evaporust some time back to clean off two tiny spots, let it get black, and the size, leave it in the lawn mower shed for blade change.

Blue Point was the original wrench, then Snap on branded wrenches. Par-X came later as a budget line and then changed to Blue Point when Par-X name was dropped.

Haneyrm, if you want the Par-X catalog I have it in PDF form and can email it to you. PM me you email if interested.

if you search Par-X on the GJ you should be able to find some old threads

 

[J.A.F.E.]

Jafe, weren't they Snap on's original line of wrenches as well, depending on year and finish? I only have the one, but the finish was the older Cadmium I believe. Soaked in evaporust some time back to clean off two tiny spots, let it get black, and the size, leave it in the lawn mower shed for blade change.

Snaparxon beat me to it.

 

[Snaparxon]

Snaparxon beat me to it.

Hey J.A.F.E, I had a good teacher. I still have that Par-X tool chest by the way...

 

[KnurledNut]

The boxes were the gems of the line IMO. I have a four drawer top chest.
I got into collecting Par-X but that fizzled out as the tools really weren’t that impressive. I still come across these occasionally in the wild, but unless its something really unique, I typically pass.
I found the wrenches to be finished crudely, no flank drive, pattern too short, uncomfortable, and chrome plating did not hold up well.
The sockets and drive tools seemed to be a little better, but I have seen several cracked. No flank drive on these either. The little 1/4 drive ratchets had knurled handles unlike the other drive sizes, and Snap-on didn’t offer that.
The line did include metric tools which was beneficial.
Although Par-X screwdrivers existed, Snap-on also had a line of them called Par-V.

 

[J.A.F.E.]

Hey J.A.F.E, I had a good teacher. I still have that Par-X tool chest.

You teasing me with the box? I ended up selling the top chest I was going to trade.

<snip>
Although Par-X screwdrivers existed, Snap-on also had a line of them called Par-V.

Par-V screwdrivers were earlier - from the 50's.

 

[Snaparxon]

The boxes were the gems of the line IMO. I have a four drawer top chest.
I got into collecting Par-X but that fizzled out as the tools really weren’t that impressive. I still come across these occasionally in the wild, but unless its something really unique, I typically pass.
I found the wrenches to be finished crudely, no flank drive, pattern too short, uncomfortable, and chrome plating did not hold up well.
The sockets and drive tools seemed to be a little better, but I have seen several cracked. No flank drive on these either. The little 1/4 drive ratchets had knurled handles unlike the other drive sizes, and Snap-on didn’t offer that.
The line did include metric tools which was beneficial.
Although Par-X screwdrivers existed, Snap-on also had a line of them called Par-V.

My experience also word for word, including the 4 drawer chest (PX-1B). I think I have a few random wrenches and maybe an extension left over.
The sockets were brittle and poorly marked. Hard to have a wrench set where one of the wrenches wasn't stamped crooked or have a sharp seam on the beam. Sometimes the open-end were to thick to work on hydraulic fittings. Wrenches were shorter length also, in between Snap on's OEX offerings, as an example, between OEX18 and OEX180

You teasing me with the box? I ended up selling the top chest I was going to trade.



Par-V screwdrivers were earlier - from the 50's.

The box is being used at home, I have had other boxes come in to take it's place but it just keeps beating them out.

As far as our trade talk from a decade ago, remember what the freight was going to be to ship the boxes Greyhound? Chump change compared to today's outladish shipping costs

 

[J.A.F.E.]

Greyhound package express is no more.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

So I was working in the garage for a bit today and checked, it was a Bluepoint, not a Par x. Trying to figure out how did I screw that one up, did they share part numbers or something at one point?
TIA

 

[Stubby1743]

Par-X were also made in Canada at the time when Snap-on had a manufacturing facility there.

 

[cherrybomb]

That was an interesting history lesson,I enjoyed it

 

[Snaparxon]

So I was working in the garage for a bit today and checked, it was a Bluepoint, not a Par x. Trying to figure out how did I screw that one up, did they share part numbers or something at one point?
TIA

As far as I know old Blue Point combination wrenches with cad finish had OEX prefix, the later Blue Point after Par-X combination wrenches shared the same BO (standard) or BOM (metric) prefix until they moved prodution overseas and the prefix changed to BLPCWS and BLPCWSM

Par-X were available from 3/8" to 1", and 8mm to 19mm

Blue Point after Par-X were available from 3/8" to 1" until Blue Point change the wrench style to a longer Snap on OEX copy then they added 1-1/8", 1-1/4", no 1-1/16", metric was still available from 8mm to 19mm. The finish didn't hold up well and flaked off in my experience

Caterpillar had combination wrenches fron Par-X with a 8H85xx prefix

Par-X were also made in Canada at the time when Snap-on had a manufacturing facility there.

Your pic is a good example of how Par-X wrenches can differ in finish. The BO20 also appears to have the Flank Drive box end, which I do not recall ever seeing on a Par-X wrench

 

[J.A.F.E.]

So I was working in the garage for a bit today and checked, it was a Bluepoint, not a Par x. Trying to figure out how did I screw that one up, did they share part numbers or something at one point?
TIA

When they dropped the Par-X name and rebranded with Blue Point the part numbers remained the same. I have some examples I'll photograph and post after I get back home.

 

[woody 73]

Very interesting indeed, I had no idea they were made in Canada, I do hope are GJ members up north are still talking to us.

 

[Snaparxon]

When they dropped the Par-X name and rebranded with Blue Point the part numbers remained the same. I have some examples I'll photograph and post after I get back home.

Have you ever seen a Blue Point wrench like the Par-X style with Flank Drive? When the Blue Point wrenches changed to the longer Snap on OEX copy they had the Flank Drive.

Did Snap on make the Par-X or was it farmed out? The only wrench I have ever seen that looks like a Par-X was made by Fairmount, and it appears that over the years Fairmount changed their wrench style. I have only seen pics of a Fairmount wrench that looked like Par-X, never actually found one to compare to a Par-X wrench. Fairmount was bought out by Martin Gear and Sprocket.

 

[J.A.F.E.]

Here are a couple examples of Blue Point and Par-X using the same part numbers. The 3/4 ratchet head in both cases is UR72. The Snap-on L-72 was basically the same and uses the same guts.




The 1/4 in UR7 in Blue Point and Par-X and they also use the same ratchet parts as Snap-on.



And just because the subject came up a couple Par-V screwdrivers. The name Snap-on and Par-V can just be made out on the top driver.

 

[J.A.F.E.]

Have you ever seen a Blue Point wrench like the Par-X style with Flank Drive? When the Blue Point wrenches changed to the longer Snap on OEX copy they had the Flank Drive.

Did Snap on make the Par-X or was it farmed out? The only wrench I have ever seen that looks like a Par-X was made by Fairmount, and it appears that over the years Fairmount changed their wrench style. I have only seen pics of a Fairmount wrench that looked like Par-X, never actually found one to compare to a Par-X wrench. Fairmount was bought out by Martin Gear and Sprocket.

No Jake I have not seen Par-X with Flank Drive. I am not aware of Fairmont making them but it's possible. I believe the Blue Point Flank Drive were the same forgings as the Snap-on main line.

 

[Snaparxon]

This Fairmount wrench happens to be on Ebay right now,not mine, pretty similar but without having in my hands its hard to say.

 

[haneyrm]

Thanks for the incredible history lesson. Here’s a pic of the set he gave me.

 

[J.A.F.E.]

haneyrm thanks for posting your very nice set. The metric are hard to find so you have a treasure. Plus you've opened up an interesting discussion.

I do use mine so while they are mostly drawer queens they do get used. I actually rather like them.

Snaparexon I do see the similarity but I'm not convinced totally.

I don't have a 25/32 but I do have the two surrounding sizes. While the finish was variable I don't have any quite as course as the example but I also don't have one as polished. I only have one 13/16 but have two 3/4 and the difference between them is noticeable.

 

[Snaparxon]

Snaparxon I do see the similarity but I'm not convinced totally.

I'm not convinced either, but that Fairmount style of wrench is the closest I have seen. The open end is similar in shape, the beam and the box end and finish. The one I posted is rougher finish than others I have seen in pics. I don't know the years that specific style of Fairmount was made. Could be Snap on bought their tooling when Fairmount sold to Houdaille Industries. Could have nothing to do with Fairmount at all. Maybe the other way around, Par-X branded wrenches for Fairmount. Maybe nothing to do with nothing

 

[Zimbo]

I have a few Cat wrenches which are Par-X I’m sure.

 

[J.A.F.E.]

Zimbo can you post some pix?

 

[Snaparxon]

I have a few Cat wrenches which are Par-X I’m sure.

Yes, Caterpillar did have Par-X combination wrenches (start with 8Hxxxx), not sure how long though as Proto (start with 1Uxxxx) and Snap on (also 8Hxxxx) made them too and now Williams (start with 4Cxxxx) makes them.
Part numbers are 8H8505 8H8506 and so on, I don't believe the 8H8502 (1/4") or 8H8503 (5/16") were Par-X or wrenches larger than the 8H8515 (1") since those sizes don't show in the Par-X catalog.

Par-x also made some of the 1/4" drive socket set and screwdrivers

 

[Snaparxon]

I found this photo on ACMOC's site. I believe the marked wrenches are Par-X, but hard to tell, perhaps Zimbo can post pics of his.

 

[haneyrm]

What year is that catalog from? Any idea on what pricing was like back then?

 

[Snaparxon]

What year is that catalog from? Any idea on what pricing was like back then?

Late 70's and I do not have a price list

 

[Snaparxon]

I found a April,4 1977 Snap on price list I didn't know I had. I believe the BO and BOM wrenches are Par-X, I don't think they were branded Blue Point till the 80's. Perhaps J.A.F.E. can confirm?

 

[bob from indiana]

I had a Par-X three drawer portable box. It had an external bar to lock the drawers. It was about 20” and comparable to the Craftsman 3 drawer.
I used it a few years then sold it to a young neighbor who was getting started.

 

[J.A.F.E.]

I found a April,4 1977 Snap on price list I didn't know I had. I believe the BO and BOM wrenches are Par-X, I don't think they were branded Blue Point till the 80's. Perhaps J.A.F.E. can confirm?

Par-X and later Blue Point combination wrenches using the same pattern were BO-** numbers. Metric combination were BOM-**. The ** in standard wrenches were the size in 32nd and metric in millimeters.

I believe Par-X transitioned to Blue Point in about the 82-84 era.

Snaparxon thanks for the pix of the Cat wrenches. They do bear a strong resemblance.

The catalog pix of the tool set most of them look Par-X or Snap-on. The screwdriver handles look like the old Snap-on amber handles (they were later used in Par-X drivers) and the ratchets look like Snap-on/Par-X. The 1/4 set looks like the Par-X set and the 3/4 really looks like Snap-on Par-X. I will post some pix.

 

[Snaparxon]

Here are some picks of the Caterpillar ratchets I used to own a few years back, 1/4" 3/8" and 1/2" drive.

 

[J.A.F.E.]

The 1/4 drive set in the Cat catalog looks like this 113U set. This is the original cardboard box the sets came in although this set and the box were put together. The Snap-on boxes of this era looked almost the same except for the name.




The original screwdrivers used the old Snap-on Octo Grip handles. Snap-on usually used black Octo Grips but towards the end of production they sometimes used grey - not sure when or why. When they discontinued the Octo Grips they were recycled in the Par-X line. They were used in early Par-X production. Later production switched to the square amber handle.

In the photo the top three drivers are Snap-on and the two bottom ones are Par-X. I have never seen a Blue Point with the Octo Grip handle.



Later Par-X and Blue Point used the square amber handle. These look a lot like the ones in the CAT catalog. Snap-on did use the handle on some screwdrivers and on nut drivers.

The two drivers are both marked UDS 102. The top one is Blue Point and the bottom Par-X





The top bit driver is market Snap-on while the rest are Par-X and Blue Point.

 

[J.A.F.E.]

Par-X and Blue Point 3/8 ratchets.

The Par-X ratchets changed slightly over the years. The earliest one is the bottom and the middle is later production. The top ratchet is Blue point.

1/2 was similar but I only have Par-X no Blue Point in 1/2.

I don't believe I have ever seen any Par-X with a date code but that's not to say they were never marked.

 

[Fixr]

I wonder if I still have the only Par-X combination wrench I ever bought. It was distinctly underwhelming considering what I paid the SO dealer for it.

 

[Zimbo]

Zimbo can you post some pix?

 

[Snaparxon]

In my opinion those are without question, Par-X. Very nice

 

[Zimbo]

I found this photo on ACMOC's site. I believe the marked wrenches are Par-X, but hard to tell, perhaps Zimbo can post pics of his.

Those

I found this photo on ACMOC's site. I believe the marked wrenches are Par-X, but hard to tell, perhaps Zimbo can post pics of his.

I will , working away at the moment, those have got a polished Finnish to them, I think I may have a 5/16 too, will have a look.