Post up your Thorsen tools!

[four.cycle]

Action 53JA 5 inch Extension (NOS)

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

 

[four.cycle]

Thorsen 77JCT 3/8" drive RHFT Reversible Ratchet

This unit varies from the standard Thorsen 77JC ratchet by quite a bit: it's a Kilness-patent model, most likely manufactured by National Tool in Dallas.
I'm fairly confident about the Dallas origin, because I also own a 1/2" drive Giller model that is a Kilness design.
I believe this unit to be somewhat uncommon. I count 45 clicks.
No, your eyes are not playing tricks on you - there's some sort of a "Thorsen Green" tinge on the knurling when held in the right light.
NOS, of course.

 

[four.cycle]

Hey Don, look what I found:


Thorsen 1438RBS 20-pc "Red Box Special" box only w/label

After sorting through all of the Thorsen and getting "sets" cobbled together and into boxes, I ended up with this.
I suppose I could put all the pieces in there, but then I'd end up with more orphans, and I doubt I would be able to pull "period correct" stuff out of various sets to make it complete. I somehow ended up with two #90 adapters, but I honestly don't think either of them are "period correct" for this box.
I will have to defer to you in respect to the disposition of this item.

It will be more advantageous for both of us if I hold off until I've gotten all the way through the rest of the Walden, Craftsman, and S-K before sending this down to you.

In the meantime, I believe I have an old "D-I" Duro Chrome set that is in want of a 4550 breaker. The box looks to have all the sockets (I think... it's been a while since I looked.. all I remember for sure is the breaker.)

BK

* label is just a loose piece - not glued to the inside of the lid. amazing that it's survived. go figure!

* note the patented divider strip is painted the same color as the box here.

 

[d42jeep]

I probably have most of the correct pieces to populate that set. I find quite a bit of Thorsen at sales around here.
-Don

 

[four.cycle]

^ Since I posted that I came across another bag labeled "Thorsen 1/4 orphans".

 

[four.cycle]

Thorsen 15 piece SAE "V groove" Combination Wrench Set 1/4" - 1" (new NOS)

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

this set includes:

1 ea 1/4" 14008
1 ea 5/16" 2010 - 14010 (* dual marked *)
1 ea 3/8" 2012
2 ea 7/16" 2014
1 ea 1/2" 2016
2 ea 9/16" 2018
1 ea 5/8" 2020
1 ea 11/16" 2022
1 ea 3/4" 2024
1 ea 13/16" 2026 (* chrome issues on open end *)
1 ea 7/8" 2028
1 ea 15/16" 2030
1 ea 1" 14032

* This is new old stock (NOS)
* Thorsen changed their part numbering system at some point in the 1980s. Consequently the part numbers may look a bit strange.
* The 13/16" wrench has some chrome issues at the open end.
* The 1/4" wrench didn't show up in time for the group photo shoot. It turned up in another box.

 

[four.cycle]

Thorsen 7 piece SAE 15 degree Offset Double-End Box Wrench Set B

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

this set includes:

1 ea 15212 - 2212 3/8" x 7/16"
1 ea 2214 7/16" x 1/2"
1 ea 2216 1/2" x 9/16"
1 ea 15218 9/16" x 5/8"
1 ea 15220 5/8" x 11/16"
1 ea 2224 3/4" x 7//8"
1 ea 15226 13/16" x 7/8"

* Most of the pieces are new old stock. Only the 2214 and 2216 show any evidence of use.
* These were manufactured in the 1980s during a time when Thorsen changed their part numbering system - that is the reason for the part numbers being all different.

Set B

 

[four.cycle]

Thorsen 6 piece SAE 45 degree Offset Double-End Box Wrench Set 7/16" - 1" C

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

this set includes:

1 ea 2212 7/16" x 1/2"
1 ea 2216 1/2" x 9/16"
1 ea 2220 5/8" x 11/16"
1 ea 2224 3/4" x 7/8"
1 ea 2226 13/16" x 7/8"
1 ea 2230 15/16" x 1"

* All of the pieces except the 2230 are new old stock.
* This model PB5 Thorsen 6-piece set originally came in the vinyl pouch shown. The set is NOS.
* The 2230 is an add-on. It will not fit into the pouch - it's too long.
* The vinyl pouch has a nice neat slit down the front where somebody in shipping and receiving got loose with a box cutter.
* These were manufactured in the 1980s during a time when Thorsen changed their part numbering system - that is the reason for the part numbers being all different.
* Gotta love the $7.29 suggested retail price, eh? Ahh... nostalgia!

Set C

 

[four.cycle]

Thorsen 6 piece SAE Open-End Wrench Set w/vinyl pouch (New NOS) Set D

manufactured by Thorsen Tool Co., Dallas, Texas, U.S.A. (late production product)

this set includes:

1 ea 14608 - 3008 1/4" x 5/16"
1 ea 14612 - 3012 3/8" x 7/16"
1 ea 14616 - 3016 1/2" x 9/16"
1 ea 14619 - 3019 19/32" x 11/16"
1 ea 14620 - 3020 5/8" x 3/4"
1 ea 14625 - 3025 25/32" x 13/16"

* All of the pieces are new old stock.
* These Manufactured in the 1980s during a time when Thorsen changed their part numbering system - that is the reason for the dual part number markings.
* The set is in mint condition.

Set D

 

[four.cycle]

Thorsen 3 piece SAE Short Box-End Wrench Set w/vinyl pouch (New NOS) Set E

manufactured by Thorsen Tool Co., Dallas, Texas, U.S.A. (late production product)

this set includes:

1 ea 15112 3/8" x 7/16"
1 ea 15116 1/2" x 9/16"
1 ea 15120 5/8" x 3/4"

* All of the pieces are new old stock.
* These Manufactured in the 1980s during a time when Thorsen changed their part numbering system - that is the reason for the dual part number markings.
* The set is in mint condition.

Set E

 

[four.cycle]

Thorsen 3 piece SAE Short 45 degree Offset Double-End Box Wrench Set 3/8" - 11/16" F

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

this set includes:

1 ea 2112 3/8" x 7/16"
1 ea 2116 1/2" x 9/16"
1 ea 2120 5/8" x 3/4"

Set F

 

[four.cycle]

Thorsen 2 piece METRIC "V Groove" Open-End Wrench Set (New NOS) G

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

this set includes:

1 ea 1108 8mm x 9mm
1 ea 1110 10mm x 11mm

* Both pieces are new old stock

Set G

 

[four.cycle]

Thorsen 5/16" "V-Groove" Combination Wrench (New NOS)

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

New old stock. NOS.

* Manufactured in the 1980s during a time when Thorsen changed their part numbering system - that is the reason for the dual part number markings.

A and B

 

[four.cycle]

GAH! found MORE Thorsen in the GILLER box!

 

[d42jeep]

That can happen.
-Don

 

[four.cycle]

^ I poked my head into the Giller box and pulled out full sets with no boxes. Now I have to do the "rob Peter pay Paul" thing if I want them in boxes.
I know I still have a boatload of empty socket set boxes somewhere in the living room.

Some lucky ebay buyer is going to get one hell of a buy on a 1/4" socket set here in the near future.

After shipping out a few items the other day, I'm a bit more than reticent about trying to peddle onesie-twosies when it looks like my minimum shipping cost is going to be about $5 bucks on a single item. ($5.60 to ship four 1/4" drive sockets)

I think I understand now why I see so many "package deals" listed by sellers who are trying to unload a mess of oddball onesie-twosies.

I may try that myself with the detritus left over after sorting the Thorsen and Giller.... really not interested in trying to peddle single wrenches and sockets.

 

[four.cycle]

"...it looks like my minimum shipping cost is going to be about $5 bucks on a single item..."

I suppose I will need to invest in a postal scale. 4.6 ounces = $6.15 on a teeny-tiny widget this morning.

 

[555]

The V groove combo wrenches are my favorite.

 

[bonneyman]

Thorsen 3 piece SAE Short 45 degree Offset Double-End Box Wrench Set 3/8" - 11/16" F

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

this set includes:

1 ea 2112 3/8" x 7/16"
1 ea 2116 1/2" x 9/16"
1 ea 2120 5/8" x 3/4"

Set F

I have a mutt set of shorty DBE's like these and dang are they handy!

 

[four.cycle]

^ I have a set of those made by Giller that go up to 3/4" (but omit the 11/16")

... these were all I had time to get to today:


GILLER 17 piece 1/4" drive SAE Socket Wrench Set w/Original Steel Box A

manufactured by Giller Tool Co., Dallas, Texas, U.S.A.

this set includes:

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

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

33M Universal Joint
42M Sliding "T" Handle
51M 2 inch extension
77MC RHFT Reversible Ratchet
80M 6 inch Spinner Handle

Steel Box

* I think all three of these Giller sets have seen losses and additions over the years.

 

[four.cycle]

Giller 17 piece 1/4" drive SAE Socket Wrench Set w/Original Steel Box B

manufactured by Giller Tool Co., Dallas, Texas, U.S.A.

this set includes:

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

8MS 1/4" 8-pt std socket (* THORSEN brand socket substituted *)
10MS 5/16" 8-pt std socket
12MS 3/8" 8-pt std socket (* THORSEN brand socket substituted *)

33M Universal Joint
51M 2 inch extension
53M 6 inch extension
77MC RHFT Reversible Ratchet
80M 6 inch Spinner Handle

Steel Box

Set B

 

[four.cycle]

Giller 20 piece 1/4" drive SAE Socket Wrench Set w/Original Steel Box C

manufactured by Giller Tool Co., Dallas, Texas, U.S.A.

this set includes:

6M 3/16" 6-pt std socket
7M 7/32" 6-pt std socket
8M 1/4" 6-pt std socket
9M 9/32" 6-pt std socket
10T 5/16" 12-pt std socket
11T 11/32" 12-pt std socket
12T 3/8" 12-pt std socket
14T 7/16" 12-pt std socket
16T 1/2" 12-pt st socket

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

18M 6 inch Flex Handle (breaker bar)
33M Universal Joint
51M 2 inch extension
53M 6 inch extension
77MC RHFT Reversible Ratchet
80M 6 inch Spinner Handle with Bolster (* chrome issues. see photos. *)

Steel Box

 

[Chrome Vanadium Cody]

I have a mutt set of shorty DBE's like these and dang are they handy!

Agreed, I spent some time piecing together a set of these recently, for me the offset has made them useful more often than standard style stubby combo wrenches

 

[d42jeep]

Hey Don, look what I found:


Thorsen 1438RBS 20-pc "Red Box Special" box only w/label

After sorting through all of the Thorsen and getting "sets" cobbled together and into boxes, I ended up with this.
I suppose I could put all the pieces in there, but then I'd end up with more orphans, and I doubt I would be able to pull "period correct" stuff out of various sets to make it complete. I somehow ended up with two #90 adapters, but I honestly don't think either of them are "period correct" for this box.
I will have to defer to you in respect to the disposition of this item.

It will be more advantageous for both of us if I hold off until I've gotten all the way through the rest of the Walden, Craftsman, and S-K before sending this down to you.

In the meantime, I believe I have an old "D-I" Duro Chrome set that is in want of a 4550 breaker. The box looks to have all the sockets (I think... it's been a while since I looked.. all I remember for sure is the breaker.)

BK

* label is just a loose piece - not glued to the inside of the lid. amazing that it's survived. go figure!

* note the patented divider strip is painted the same color as the box here.

I pulled together some tools that might go in that box.
-Don

 

[four.cycle]

^ There's a zip-lock labeled "1/4" orphans" that's going along with it.

I didn't get a chance to get to the rest of the wrenches or the Giller yet. Maybe tomorrow if it doesn't rain.

 

[d42jeep]

I started a project yesterday to add all of my recent Thorsen finds to the general collection. I’ll start with some wrenches.
Short metric combos
Regular length metric combos
Fractional Vee DOE wrenches
Fractional Vee combos from 1-1/4” to 1/4”
Metric Vee combos
Metric V DOE wrenches
l guess I need some smaller ratcheting combo wrenches.
-Don

 

[four.cycle]

this should fill a hole in one of those sets:


Thorsen 2016 1/2" combination wrench

it's in your box.
as I mentioned, it's got some chrome issues.

funny thing: sorting through these sets, I found an NOS set of Thorsen "V-groove" combos, one of which has some serious chrome peel going on around the gullet of the open end. here's yet another NOS Thorsen with chrome issues.

I pulled all the Giller out yesterday and laid them all out on the kitchen floor. no chrome peeling issues. nowhere.

then I noticed somebody had placed a bid on one of the sets I have listed - NOS Thorsen - so I looked at the photos again real closely.
chrome looks beautiful. flawless. (see below). label says "Dallas Texas".
makes me wonder if maybe they didn't experience the same issues with the chrome at the Dallas facility.

all wild-*** speculation and conjecture, of course.

PS: I don't see any chrome peeling issues in any of the Giller socket sets I have listed either. Chrome is beautiful. Thorsen 1/4" sets have chrome peel issues all over the place. Go figure.

 

[four.cycle]

Giller 15 piece 1/4" drive SAE Socket Wrench Set w/Giller box

 

[d42jeep]

this should fill a hole in one of those sets:


Thorsen 2016 1/2" combination wrench

it's in your box.
as I mentioned, it's got some chrome issues.

funny thing: sorting through these sets, I found an NOS set of Thorsen "V-groove" combos, one of which has some serious chrome peel going on around the gullet of the open end. here's yet another NOS Thorsen with chrome issues.

I pulled all the Giller out yesterday and laid them all out on the kitchen floor. no chrome peeling issues. nowhere.

then I noticed somebody had placed a bid on one of the sets I have listed - NOS Thorsen - so I looked at the photos again real closely.
chrome looks beautiful. flawless. (see below). label says "Dallas Texas".
makes me wonder if maybe they didn't experience the same issues with the chrome at the Dallas facility.

all wild-*** speculation and conjecture, of course.

PS: I don't see any chrome peeling issues in any of the Giller socket sets I have listed either. Chrome is beautiful. Thorsen 1/4" sets have chrome peel issues all over the place. Go figure.

That wrench is the one I’m missing in the shorty combo set. I double checked today when I finished the Thorsen project.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

I finished going through the Thorsen storage box and eliminating duplicates.
Flat shank combos.
DOE roll
DOE wrenches with a tappet wrench on the right.
DBE wrenches
Chisels and punches
Adjustable wrenches
Screwdrivers
Brake spoon
More to follow
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

Sockets on racks.
Tools going back in the box
The ever popular 31/32” socket.
-Don

 

[Old Radar]

Impressive. Most impressive.

 

[four.cycle]

Thorsen short 45° offset double end box wrench

Thorsen short 45° offset double end box wrench

 

[four.cycle]

Thorsen 5 piece 1/2" drive Universal Joint Sockets
416 1/2" 12-point Universal Joint Socket
418 9/16" "
420 5/8" "
422 11/16" "
424 3/4" "

 

[four.cycle]

Thorsen 77 1/2" drive Open-Gear Ratchet

Thorsen 77NR 1/2" drive Open-Gear Ratchet

 

[four.cycle]

Thosen 2028 7/8" Combination Wrench (modified) - currently on its way south.

 

[four.cycle]

Thorsen 20255 5.5mm and 20206 6mm 1/4" drive 6-point metric sockets

 

[four.cycle]

Thosen Giller 7 piece SAE 45° offset double end box wrench set

2212 - 3/8" x 7/16" Thorsen

2214 - 1/2" x 9/16" Giller

2216 - 1/2" x 9/16" Thorsen

2220 - 5/8" x 11/16" Thorsen

2224 - 3/4" x 7/8" Thorsen

2226 - 3/4" x 7/8" Giller

2230 - 15/16" x 1" Giller

While most Thorsen and Giller part numbers are the same on like items, that's not the case 100% of the time.

 

[four.cycle]

Giller 3 piece SAE 45° offset Short Double-End Box Wrench Set

2112 - 3/8" x 7/16"

2116 - 1/2" x 9/16"

2120S - 5/8" x 3/4"

* Note that Thorsen did not make a short 45° offset with a 3/4" opening - the Thorsen model 2120 is 5/8" x 11/16". Giller did not make a short 45° offset with an 11/16" opening - the Giller model 2120S is 5/8" x 3/4". (see post #1513 above)

 

[four.cycle]

Giller 8 piece SAE 45° offset Double End Box Wrench Set w/original pouch

2212 Giller 3/8" x 7/16

2216 Giller 1/2" x 9/16"

2218 Giller 9/16" x 5/8"

2220 Giller 5/8" x 11/16"

2224 Giller 3/4" x 7/8" (two each)

2230 Giller 15/16" x 1"

vinyl pouch

* this set is all NOS except for the extra 2224 and the 2230 *

** and YES, Thorsen manufactured a model 2225 with a 25/32" opening. (can't recall what the other end was.) **