Post up your Thorsen tools!

[d42jeep]

As usual, Mr X nailed it. Here is my similar P&C open gear ratchet. There is quite a resemblance between Thorsen and P&C open gear ratchets.

Stratco-Liner cousin.
-Don

 

[Mintgrun]

Here's a slightly different 6211 and a partial COMPANION relative. My 6211 must be newer, with the little registered trademark (R). Apparently, COMPANION was a Sears offering.


Might WF indicate the maker? It's missing the drive plug, but I brought it home anyway. I just did some searching online and a 3/8" drive version came up, showing the odd way they retained the plug. Plus, a little 1/4" set that showed up on worthpoint.



It's like a little family reunion.

Tom

 

[Mintgrun]

Taking it back to Thorsen Tools, here's an old (TT) #308 3/8" drive 1/4" socket. (It came mixed in with a '35 Craftsman 1/2" socket set).


Or, maybe it's 1/4" drive for 3/8" square fasteners. ; )

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Wf western forge

 

[Jerrysends]

These (Taiwan made) Thorsen Professional 3/8 12 point socket sets are on Fleabay for $23. I could use some 12 Points....
This seller also has some sets with a ratchet for cheap.

Are they very good?

Thorsen 14 Piece 3/8" Drive 12 point Metric Socket Set | eBay

11MM,12MM,13MM,14MM. 7MM,8MM,9MM,10MM.

www.ebay.com

 

[four.cycle]

@Jerrysends -

NO. Steer clear of the Taiwan/PRC "Thorsen" branded product. There are other options available.

==

@Mintgrun -

"Companion" was made for Sears by Western Forge.

 

[four.cycle]

file under: "Things that make you say "HUH?"

That's right: The Thorsen Company had a trademark on the brand name "Kenmore".

 

[S-K Tool Fanatic!]

Thorsen Metric doe wrenches 8-19mm, roughly about $4 for the set, probably 3-4 sets still there.

 

[d42jeep]

Are you planning on returning to the sale? I am missing a couple of those sizes and wouldn’t mind having a NOS set.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Put me down for set! Here's a 3/8 set

 

[S-K Tool Fanatic!]

Are you planning on returning to the sale? I am missing a couple of those sizes and wouldn’t mind having a NOS set.

I will try and go back soon.

 

[four.cycle]

Thorsen 1416 16 piece 1/4" drive SAE Socket Wrench Set w/Original Box A

manufactured by Thorsen Tool Co., Oakland, California U.S.A.

this set contains:

6M 3/16" 6-pt chrome socket
7M 7/32" "
8M 1/4" "
9M 9/32" "
10M 5/16" "
11M 11/32" "
12M 3/8" "
14M 7/16" " *

8MS 1/4" 8-pt chrome socket
10MS 5/16" "
12MS 3/8" "

50M 2 inch Extension
53M 6 inch Extension
80M 6 inch Spinner Handle
77MC RHFT Reversible Ratchet

Steel Box with plastic insert

Set A

 

[four.cycle]

* Most of the rest of these 1/4" drive sets started as 1416 sets and some of them acquired additional pieces over the years. As the entire range of Thorsen's 1/4" drive lineup was pretty limited, I will forego posting the details of each set. The catalog page shows the various drive attachments Thorsen offered in 1/4" drive:


1958 Thorsen Tool Co. 1/4" drive sockets and drive tools

 

[four.cycle]

Thorsen 1416 16 pc 1/4" drive SAE Socket Wrench Set w/Original Box B

 

[four.cycle]

Thorsen 1416 16 piece 1/4" drive SAE Socket Wrench Set w/Original Box C

 

[four.cycle]

Thorsen 17 piece 1/4" drive SAE Socket Wrench Set w/Original Box D

 

[four.cycle]

Thorsen 1416 16 piece 1/4" drive SAE Socket Wrench Set w/Original Box E

 

[four.cycle]

Thorsen 19 piece 1/4" drive SAE Socket Wrench Set w/Original Box F

 

[four.cycle]

Thorsen 19 piece 1/4" drive SAE Socket Wrench Set w/Original Box G

 

[four.cycle]

Thorsen 17 piece 1/4" drive SAE Socket Wrench Set w/Original Box H

 

[four.cycle]

Thorsen 18 piece 1/4" drive SAE Socket Wrench Set w/Giller Box J

 

[four.cycle]

Thorsen 13 piece 1/4" drive SAE Socket Wrench Set w/Giller Box K

 

[four.cycle]

Thorsen 13 piece 1/4" drive SAE Socket Wrench Set w/Giller Box L

 

[four.cycle]

Thorsen 16 piece 1/4" drive SAE Socket Wrench Set w/KAL Box M

* the ratchet included in this set is a 77MAL RHFT Thorsen "Allied" model manufactured in Spain *

 

[four.cycle]

Thorsen 11 piece 1/4" drive SAE Socket Wrench Set N

 

[four.cycle]

Thorsen 10 piece 1/4" drive SAE Socket Wrench Set w/KAL Box P

 

[four.cycle]

Thorsen 8311RBS "Red Box Special" 11 piece 3/8" drive SAE Socket Wrench Set w/Original Box A

manufactured by Thorsen Tool Co., Oakland, California U.S.A.

this set contains:

312X 3/8" 6-pt socket
314X 7/16" 6-pt socket
316 1/2" 12-pt socket
318 9/16" 12-pt socket
320 5/8" 12-pt socket
322 11/16" 12-pt socket
324 3/4" 12-pt socket

626JR 13/16" 6-pt Spark Plug Socket w/neoprene insert

53J 5 inch Extension
77JC 3/8" drive RHFT Reversible Ratchet

Steel Box

Set A

 

[four.cycle]

Thorsen 12 piece 3/8" drive SAE Socket Wrench Set w/Original Box B

manufactured by Thorsen Tool Co., Oakland, California U.S.A.

this set contains:

312X 3/8" 6-pt socket
314X 7/16" 6-pt socket
316X 1/2" 6-pt socket
318 9/16" 12-pt socket
320 5/8" 12-pt socket
322 11/16" 12-pt socket
324 3/4" 12-pt socket

626J 13/16" 12-pt Spark Plug Socket w/neoprene insert

33J Universal Joint
53J 5 inch Extension
77J 3/8" drive Open-Gear Reversible Ratchet

Steel Box

* No owner marks.

Set B

 

[four.cycle]

Thorsen 12 piece 3/8" drive SAE Socket Wrench Set w/Original Box C

manufactured by Thorsen Tool Co., Oakland, California U.S.A.

this set contains:

312X 3/8" 6-pt socket
314X 7/16" 6-pt socket
316X 1/2" 6-pt socket
318X 9/16" 6-pt socket
320X 5/8" 6-pt socket
322X 11/16" 6-pt socket
324X 3/4" 6-pt socket

626JR 13/16" 6-pt Spark Plug Socket w/neoprene insert


53JA 5 inch Extension (ACTION brand)
77JC 3/8" drive RHFT Reversible Ratchet w/thumbwheel selector knob

Steel Box

* The 5-inch extension has been replaced with a 53JA ACTION brand 5-inch extension, which was manufactured by Thorsen Tool Co., Oakland, California.

Set C

<edit> after I took all the photos, I found another box full of 3/8" drive Thorsen and dug out a 53J and put it in this kit. the buyer will be getting two extensions - I got rid of all my "Action" over a month ago. -BK 03/31/24 19:45 PDT

 

[four.cycle]

Thorsen 12 piece 3/8" drive SAE Socket Wrench Set w/Original Box D

manufactured by Thorsen Tool Co., Oakland, California U.S.A.

this set contains:

312X 3/8" 6-pt socket
314X 7/16" 6-pt socket
316 1/2" 12-pt socket
318 9/16" 12-pt socket
320 5/8" 12-pt socket
322 11/16" 12-pt socket
324 3/4" 12-pt socket

426JR 13/16" 6-pt Universal Joint Spark Plug Socket w/neoprene insert

18J 8 inch Flex Handle (breaker bar)
53JA 5 inch Extension
77JC 3/8" drive RHFT Reversible Ratchet

Steel Box

Set D

 

[four.cycle]

Thorsen 22 piece 3/8" drive 6-point METRIC Socket Wrench Set w/Steel Box and BONUS PACK E

manufactured by Thorsen Tool Co., Oakland, California, U.S.A.

this set contains:

1 ea 7MM 7 mm 6-pt socket
1 ea 8MM 8mm 6-pt socket
2 ea 9MM 9mm 6-pt socket
2 ea 10MM 10mm 6-pt socket
2 ea 11MM 11mm 6-pt socket
1 ea 12MM 12mm 6-pt socket
1 ea 13MM 13mm 6-pt socket
2 ea 14MM 14mm 6-pt socket
1 ea 15MM 15mm 6-pt socket
1 ea 16MM 16mm 6-pt socket
1 ea 17MM 17mm 6-pt socket
1 ea 18MM 18mm 6-pt socket
1 ea 19MM 19mm 6-pt socket

1 ea 626JR 6-pt Spark Plug Socket w/neoprene insert

1 ea 33J Universal Joint
1 ea 53J 5 inch Extension
1 ea 77JC RHFT Reversible Ratchet

Steel Box

Set E

....to be continued....

 

[d42jeep]

Wow, I didn’t know that you had so much Thorsen. Very impressive.
I found a few pieces at a Richmond tool sale today. I particularly liked the long 1/2” drive ratchet.
-Don

 

[four.cycle]

@d42jeep -

^ I have one of those 77NR units and I'm wondering if I'm making a mistake putting it up for sale.

Only after I had taken all the photographs and edited and tagged them did I realize I'd overlooked another box full of 3/8" drive Thorsen, so there's still some more, although it looks like it's mostly mish-mash. I still haven't gotten to the wrenches yet, and there's a box full of Giller.

Do you recall a brief discussion about the divider in the early 1416 sets? The one with the patent on the funny little divider strip inside the box? (patent 3096877)
If you look at those first few 1/4" drive sets above, you'll notice they are not painted red, but match the box color.

This is but one more example of Thorsen's complete lack of any consistency. It's not just limited to font styles and "dashes or no dashes".
One of the things that really stood out sorting through all these is the manner in which the sockets are stamped: is it right side up, or upside down? If you look closely at the photos above, you'll see there's no consistency at all - it's like they just couldn't make up their minds. As with the Walden, I added this line to all of the ebay listings I just posted: "As is common on Thorsen U.S.A. products, markings may be faint and are often inconsistent among pieces in the same set. (Knurling patterns and other markings may vary from socket to socket.)

(* after another look at your photo above: I have a NOS 62J speeder here if somebody's looking for one cheap. Wonder if it will fit into a flat-rate box?)

Thorsen / Thorsen Tool Co., Oakland, CA / later Dallas, TX / http://alloy-artifacts.org/thorsen-manufacturing.html / http://alloy-artifacts.org/thorsen-manufacturing.html#history / patent 3096877 Jul 9 1963 Norman E. Skarsten & 3815451 Jun 11 1974 John Penner & 4261233 Apr 14 1981 James W. Konecny /

 

[wmb67]

@d42jeep -

^ I have one of those 77NR units and I'm wondering if I'm making a mistake putting it up for sale.

Only after I had taken all the photographs and edited and tagged them did I realize I'd overlooked another box full of 3/8" drive Thorsen, so there's still some more, although it looks like it's mostly mish-mash. I still haven't gotten to the wrenches yet, and there's a box full of Giller.

Do you recall a brief discussion about the divider in the early 1416 sets? The one with the patent on the funny little divider strip inside the box? (patent 3096877)
If you look at those first few 1/4" drive sets above, you'll notice they are not painted red, but match the box color.

This is but one more example of Thorsen's complete lack of any consistency. It's not just limited to font styles and "dashes or no dashes".
One of the things that really stood out sorting through all these is the manner in which the sockets are stamped: is it right side up, or upside down? If you look closely at the photos above, you'll see there's no consistency at all - it's like they just couldn't make up their minds. As with the Walden, I added this line to all of the ebay listings I just posted: "As is common on Thorsen U.S.A. products, markings may be faint and are often inconsistent among pieces in the same set. (Knurling patterns and other markings may vary from socket to socket.)

(* after another look at your photo above: I have a NOS 62J speeder here if somebody's looking for one cheap. Wonder if it will fit into a flat-rate box?)

Thorsen / Thorsen Tool Co., Oakland, CA / later Dallas, TX / http://alloy-artifacts.org/thorsen-manufacturing.html / http://alloy-artifacts.org/thorsen-manufacturing.html#history / patent 3096877 Jul 9 1963 Norman E. Skarsten & 3815451 Jun 11 1974 John Penner & 4261233 Apr 14 1981 James W. Konecny /

Fantastic collection, Four.cycle!

 

[RTM]

Small pickup from Saturday's estate sale. A Thorsen circle TT logo 3/4" swivel socket, 3/8" drive. Should be a 422J based on this catalog cut.

 

[four.cycle]

Thorsen 32 piece 3/8" drive SAE Socket Wrench Set w/Steel Box F

manufactured by Thorsen Tool Co., Oakland, California, U.S.A.

this set contains:

310X 5/16" 6-pt std. socket
312X 3/8" 6-pt std. socket
314X 7/16" 6-pt std. socket
316X 1/2" 6-pt std. socket
318 9/16" 12-pt std socket
320 5/8" 6-pt std. socket
322 11/16" 6-pt std. socket
324 3/4" 6-pt std. socket
328 7/8" 12-pt std. socket

612J 3/8" 6-pt deep-well socket
614J 7/16" 6-pt deep-well socket
616J 1/2" 12-pt deep-well socket
11518 9/16" 12-pt deep-well socket (* produced after Thorsen changed to all-numeric part numbering system in the mid 1980s)
620J 5/8" 12-pt deep-well socket
622J 11/16" 12-pt deep-well socket
624J 3/4" 12-pt deep-well socket

11521 5/8" 6-pt Spark Plug Socket w/neoprene insert
626JR 13/16" 6-pt Spark Plug Socket w/neoprene insert

412JX 3/8" 6-pt Universal Joint socket
414JX 7/16" 6-pt Universal Joint socket
414J 7/16" 12-pt Universal Joint socket
418J 9/16" 12-pt Universal Joint socket

33J 3/8" drive Universal Joint
98 3/8" female x 1/2" male Drive Adapter
18375 3/8" drive 1/4" Slotted Screwdriver Bit (* produced after Thorsen changed to all-numeric part numbering system in the mid 1980s)

52J 3 inch Extension
53J 5 inch Extension
54J 6 inch Extension
58J 12 inch Extension

18J 8 inch Flex Handle (breaker bar)
77JC RHFT Reversible Ratchet

Steel Box

Set F

 

[four.cycle]

Thorsen 16 piece 3/8" drive SAE Socket Wrench Set w/Bell System Box G

manufactured by Thorsen Tool Co., Oakland, California, U.S.A.

this set contains:

310X 5/16" 6-pt std. socket
312 3/8" 12-pt std. socket
314 7/16" 12-pt std. socket
316 1/2" 12-pt std. socket
318 9/16" 12-pt std. socket
320 5/8" 12-pt std. socket
322X 11/16" 6-pt std. socket
324X 3/4" 6-pt std. socket

614JX 7/16" 6-pt deep-well socket
616J 1/2" 6-pt deep-well socket
11518 9/16" 6-pt deep-well socket (* produced after Thorsen changed to all-numeric part numbering system in the mid 1980s)

18J 8 inch Flex Handle (breaker bar)
33J Universal Joint
52J 5-inch Extension
77JC RHFT Reversible Ratchet

Steel "Bell System" 8-inch box manufactured for Bell by Thorsen.

Set G

 

[four.cycle]

Thorsen 7 piece 3/8" drive 6-point SAE Socket Wrench Set * New NOS * H

manufactured by Thorsen Tool Co., Oakland, California, U.S.A.

this set includes:

11220 5/8" 6-pt std socket
11222 11/16" "
11224 3/4" "
11226 13/16" "
11228 7/8" "
11230 15/16" "
11232 1" "

* The pieces are all new old stock. Manufactured in the 1980s after Thorsen changed to an all-numeric part numbering system.

Set H

 

[four.cycle]

Thorsen 10 piece 3/8" drive SAE Socket Wrench Set K

manufactured by Thorsen Tool Co., Oakland, California, U.S.A.

this set includes:

2 ea. 322 11/16" 12-pt std. socket (* one of these has chrome issues, the other is NOS *)
1 ea 322X 11/16" 6-pt std. socket (* NOS *)
1 ea 324 3/4" 12-pt std. socket (* NOS *)

1 ea 614JX 7/16" 6-pt deep-well socket
1 ea 616J 1/2 12-pt deep-well socket

1 ea 33J Universal Joint

2 ea 53J 5 inch Extension (* chrome issues on both. one sketchy. *)

1 ea 77JC RHFT Reversible Ratchet

Set K

 

[four.cycle]

Thorsen 12J 8 inch Flex Handle (breaker bar) NOS

Thorsen 77J Open-Gear Reversible Ratchet A

Thorsen 77J Open-Gear Reversible Ratchet B

Thorsen 77JNR 3/8" drive Flex-Head Reversible Ratchet

Thorsen 89J 3/8" drive Quick-Release Reversible Ratchet w/thumbwheel (patent 3815451) (NOS) A

Thorsen 89J 3/8" drive Quick-Release Reversible Ratchet w/thumbwheel (patent 3815451) B

all pieces manufactured by Thorsen Tool Co., Oakland, California, U.S.A.