Post up your Thorsen tools!

[d42jeep]

This thread has me picking up all the Thorsen I run across, in a futile effort to regain my youth. Here are some from the weekend.
-Don

 

[bonneyman]

This thread has me picking up all the Thorsen I run across, in a futile effort to regain my youth. Here are some from the weekend.
-Don

Nice!

The top two wrenches are Middle Period (1950 to 1970). Trying to complete a set of those in metric. Missing the 15 and 16mm. The SAE seem to be more available - the metrics are kinda rare.

 

[PowderKeg]

How about some more Thorsen ratchets?

Here's a crappy cell phone pic of the 10 USA 3/8" drive ratchets I've picked up so far:

One for certain wasn't made by Thorsen - the second from top was sourced from New Britain. Story as I was told was that Thorsen ran into problems getting a new plant up and running so they had to sub out some production to meet contract obligations, in particular the .gov contract.

 

[four.cycle]

The fifth one down from the top certainly has an interesting handle. Is that Thorsen branded?

Second one from the bottom: is that the whacky quick-release job with the two prongs that eject the socket?
That is one screwy ratchet... I got one of those in a kit not too long ago.

 

[Mintgrun]

I have one like the bottom one and like that mechanism.

 

[bonneyman]

I have one like the bottom one and like that mechanism.

Open gear style. Very tough.

 

[four.cycle]

okay so now that we have at least a few Thorsen fans paying attention, let me toss this out there:

recently on Ebay I have seen a couple oddballs pop up:

77JC3
77JC4

I think I have at least 3 or 4 of the 77JC models, but other than those recently listed on Ebay have never seen (or heard of) the "3" or "4".
They appear (from the photos on Ebay) to be exactly the same unit other than the part number stamped on the shank.

Any ideas?

 

[PowderKeg]

The fifth one down from the top certainly has an interesting handle. Is that Thorsen branded?

Second one from the bottom: is that the whacky quick-release job with the two prongs that eject the socket?
That is one screwy ratchet... I got one of those in a kit not too long ago.

All of them are Thorsen branded, and yes the "whacky" one is the quick release socket ejector design. I think it's kinda neat actually, but it's a YUGE head comparatively speaking and definitely not for tight quarters.

...recently on Ebay I have seen a couple oddballs pop up:

77JC3
77JC4

I think I have at least 3 or 4 of the 77JC models, but other than those recently listed on Ebay have never seen (or heard of) the "3" or "4".
They appear (from the photos on Ebay) to be exactly the same unit other than the part number stamped on the shank.

Any ideas?

Not a clue, first time I've seen that variation of numbering on a Thorsen. Proto/Pendleton liked to use a -1, -2, etc. on some Challenger, Fleet, and a few others, but usually the difference is at least somewhat obvious.

My 3/8" Thorsens above are mostly 77JC, with a 77J (open head), two 77JCT (the NB-sourced being one), and the "whacky" one is a 33J.

 

[Jamie in wv]

Looks like a 1/2 drive box I picked up vEry solid and works as well as it was new

 

[four.cycle]

^ Thorsen and Giller cranked out some damn good boxes. Say all you want about the tools - the boxes are pretty hard to beat.

the "whacky" one is a 33J

errr.... a #33 should be a universal joint, unless I'm mistaken.....

 

[Jamie in wv]

I have a few old proto box and some new ones and a few other brands and for sheer sturdy and heavy they are just as they were when they were new, other then paint scrapes

 

[Know Wosad]

I picked these up a while back at a garage sale. Still in a pouch.5/16-1 1/16.
Prolly never use them. Heavy as hell and have a XV Snappy style. Different

 

[four.cycle]

^ I'm still trying to complete a set of those. Thorsen stamped those out for a number of private label accounts, among them Dayton (Grainger) and BlueBonnet.

 

[toolmiser]

Here is my "collection" or accumulation. Just got the 3/4" set on Friday, the box is rusty on the outside but usable. A little rust on the ratchet, not bad.

 

[PowderKeg]

^ Thorsen and Giller cranked out some damn good boxes. Say all you want about the tools - the boxes are pretty hard to beat.



errr.... a #33 should be a universal joint, unless I'm mistaken.....

Well my eyes sure aren't what they used to be - whadd'ya think the model # is, 39J? I'll correct my inventory list if my crapped out eyes are deceiving me...

I picked these up a while back at a garage sale. Still in a pouch.5/16-1 1/16.
Prolly never use them. Heavy as hell and have a XV Snappy style. Different

Those are my (only) favorite Thorsen wrenches - passed on a complete set of Dayton branded ones in a roll years back 'cause the guy just wanted way too much. Occasionally still kick myself though...

 

[bluebolt]

^ I'm still trying to complete a set of those. Thorsen stamped those out for a number of private label accounts, among them Dayton (Grainger) and BlueBonnet.

What do you need?

 

[four.cycle]

whadd'ya think the model # is, 39J?

3/8" drive RHFT quick-release w/thumbwheel in photo above: model 89J

33 is a universal joint.
33 = 1/2" drive
33J = 3/8" drive
33M = 1/4" drive

interesting feature of Thorsen was the part numbering system. same number for the same item, different alpha suffix for different drive size, i.e.,
77 = 1/2" drive ratchet
77J, later 77JC = 3/8" drive ratchet
77M, later 77MC = 1/4" drive ratchet

What do you need?

Thorsen

SAE combination wrench with raised center panel:

2020 - 5/8"

2022 - 11/16"

2026 - 13/16"

2028 - 7/8"

have all the rest. PM me.

 

[M.E. DAVE]

I got these from my Papa when he passed a few years ago.

View media item 52303

 

[Know Wosad]

I have all three of those. Surprisingly good ratchet and could sneak up against something tight access, if needed.I remember them as a kid and that was a LOOOOONG time ago.
Just used the 3/8 yesterday. just because.

 

[Al Bundy]

My pathetic Thorsen holdings:

3/8" 12 point deep 11/16" USA
3/8" 12 point deep 5/8" ?
3/8" 6 point 13mm Taiwan
3/8" 6 point 12mm Taiwan
1/2" 12 point 7/16" USA
13/16" combo 2026 ?

PM me if you have any interest, I'm trying to pare down my holdings.

 

[bonneyman]

Nice tools, guys!

 

[d42jeep]

I gathered up my recent Thorsen, added it to what I already had at home and took a picture.
-Don

 

[Joes89yj]

Picked this up a while ago and was NOS... I've done used it a bit but in great shape either way. All is still there, too.

Edit: it was all there... Looking at the picture I'm missing the universal joint, the hunt is on...




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[RedVise]

Socket set I picked up, had to rattle can the box .
And a P&C that is... different.

Brian

 

[bonneyman]

Picked this up a while ago and was NOS... I've done used it a bit but in great shape either way. All is still there, too.

Edit: it was all there... Looking at the picture I'm missing the universal joint, the hunt is on...




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Keep an eye out for that universal and you'll probably find one. Being Thorsen isn't a well-known name like S-O or Craftsman folks turn them in to pawnshops unwittingly and then the shops sell them for cheap in the bin tools.

 

[Joes89yj]

Keep an eye out for that universal and you'll probably find one. Being Thorsen isn't a well-known name like S-O or Craftsman folks turn them in to pawnshops unwittingly and then the shops sell them for cheap in the bin tools.

I believe I have it laying around somewhere on my bench... Just have to dig through all my stuff.


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[four.cycle]

^ that kit did not originally include the universal joint. I believe a few of mine were shy the u-joint when I got them (and it's not listed on the sheet inside the lid.)

Thorsen set # 1416 - 1975 Thorsen catalog page S-1 - download catalog at ToolArchives.com

you're looking for a # 33M Thorsen (same part number in Giller, btw.)

might be easier to keep your eye open for a partial kit (or a mish-mash box) on Ebay that includes a u-joint.... I picked up one about a month ago for about $25 incl. shipping.... had about 20 pieces in the box... lot of Taiwan-made Thorsen, but I did get a US-made 33M in the mix (and a nice 77MC ratchet!)

 

[d42jeep]

I picked up a nice 9mm combo at the flea yesterday. I thought the 6 point end was a little unusual.
-Don

 

[Cf mtn]

i posted a thorsen set the other day. the lady running the sale got ahold of me and mentioned she had found some more stuff. the matching pcs are thorsen 50's? an old craftsman, snap on and a plomb. also took a 1/2 dr. plomb speed bar.

 

[four.cycle]

^ Thorsen changed designs/symbols/font styles on their sockets several times over the years.
I believe if you pore through the information at Alloy-Artifacts it will shed some light on approximate vintage. As I recall, the " = " symbol on each side of the part number/size should give you an approximate date range.

 

[Cf mtn]

thanks four cycle. i stand corrected

 

[four.cycle]

huh?

I didn't see anything wrong in your post above.
Looking at those again, it looks like they might well be impact sockets.
Go to ToolArchives.com and download the Thorsen catalogs that are available there and take a look at the part numbers stamped on your sockets and compare them to what's in the catalog.
Not sure what year catalogs are available at the moment... I think I've got a 1975 edition... I would not be surprised if those pieces there in your photos were of 1960s - 1970s vintage.
Pretty difficult to ascertain exact vintage - best you can generally do is narrow it down to a range of years.

 

[four.cycle]

1930's Thorsen Tool Catalog - sold a few days ago on Ebay.
I am hoping that twertsy was the winning bidder. In the meantime, here's the shots lifted from Ebay:

Thorsen Tool 1930s catalog cover 00 by four.cycle, on Flickr

Thorsen Tool 1930s catalog back cover by four.cycle, on Flickr

Thorsen Tool 1930s catalog pp 1-2 by four.cycle, on Flickr

Thorsen Tool 1930s catalog pp 2-3 by four.cycle, on Flickr

Thorsen Tool 1930s catalog pp 8-9 by four.cycle, on Flickr

Thorsen Tool 1930s catalog pp 24-25 by four.cycle, on Flickr

Thorsen Tool 1930s catalog pp 38-39 by four.cycle, on Flickr

 

[four.cycle]

I picked this up off Ebay for the unique ratchet. Kind of an odd mix, most likely made in Thorsen's later days.

Thorsen Tool Kit containing US-made model 88JNR ratchet, US-made SAE sockets and extension, Korean-made "TAT" (Thorsen Allied Tool) Pliers and Adjustable Wrench, Taiwan-made "TAT" Screwdrivers, and India-made "TAT" combination wrenches.

The kit is missing two of the combination wrenches.

Thorsen kit by four.cycle, on Flickr

 

[four.cycle]

forgot to note:
in the catalog pictures just above, note that the models 77 and 77J ratchets were available at the time of printing.
if that is indeed a 1930's vintage catalog (yet to be confirmed, as there is no date of publication visible) that would make the Thorsen 77 and 77J ratchets a wee bit ahead of the curve as far as reversible ratchets of the day went.
it would also make them models which saw long production run times - they were producing them well into the late 1950s (as near as I have been able to ferret out.)

again, I'm hoping twertsy was the high bidder on that catalog and will be able to shed a bit more light on it.

(I didn't bid on that one, but I did snag the 1982 Indestro catalog, which is on the way.)

 

[Dean64]

would anybody care to get me a good clear picture of the thorsen logo? i refurbed a couple toolboxes and would like to put a logo back on it. i have a friend that would make them for me. All the pictures that i found are a bit too blurry to get a good read off of. thanks

 

[notlob]

Is this the style you need?

 

[Dean64]

yes thank you

 

[d42jeep]

I picked up a few more Thorsen items at a garage sale in Zephyr Heights, NV yesterday.
-Don

 

[twertsy]

1930's Thorsen Tool Catalog - sold a few days ago on Ebay.
I am hoping that twertsy was the winning bidder. In the meantime, here's the shots lifted from Ebay:

I didn't win that one, sorry.

I did notice a couple posts above about the 1/4" drive set and picked this up at the flea last week, along with a 1/2" set. Here's the set and label for reference.