Post up your Thorsen tools!
- Thread starter bonneyman
- Start date
twertsy
Well-known member
I might need that drag Greg. I have a set of that style. Put it in the trade pile!
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Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
Okay.
d42jeep
Well-known member
The center of the Great Metric Controversy arrived in sunny California today to be united with it’s relatives. It is now complete. The second picture shows a slightly more recent metric set produced after Thorsen moved from Oakland (Emeryville) to Dallas.
-Don
-Don
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Username already in use
Well-known member
Great looking set, Don! Glad you had the pieces to fill the empty holes. Is it just me, or does everything look better in the California sun?! 
DD T/A
Well-known member
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
DD T/A
Well-known member
Personally I think the Thorsen 77(specifically the 1/2" drive) is one of the most durable "trash-it-and-it-still-works" ratches I've ever had.
I was always looking for a 1/2" drive shop ratchet that was cheap that I could absolutely abuse and not care if I broke it.
I found this guy for only $4 at the swap meet and was surprised because at the time, it was the first Throsen 77 I had ever seen with some kind of cover over the cog! Previously I didn't even know they had them because every T77 I'd seen must have been missing it...
I have been using and abusing it for a year and it is one of my favorite tools. Used regularly.
Thorsen is top notch if you ask me.
I was always looking for a 1/2" drive shop ratchet that was cheap that I could absolutely abuse and not care if I broke it.
I found this guy for only $4 at the swap meet and was surprised because at the time, it was the first Throsen 77 I had ever seen with some kind of cover over the cog! Previously I didn't even know they had them because every T77 I'd seen must have been missing it...
I have been using and abusing it for a year and it is one of my favorite tools. Used regularly.
Thorsen is top notch if you ask me.
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d42jeep
Well-known member
I agree. Those are some tough ratchets. I found a few Thorsen pieces at an estate sale yesterday. The 1/2” drive 3/8” socket is a keeper for sure.
-Don
-Don
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Oh yeah, those open head ratchets are nail eaters!
Here's a pic of my triple threat of those.
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DD T/A
Well-known member
The only reason why I over look 3/8" drive Thorsens is simply because I never use 3/8" drive tools. I have already bought two ratchets(crappy SK, solid Challenger Stanley round head) and I have used them about once each in a couple years.
So I have put an official FREEZE on the purchasing of almost anything 3/8" drive unless it is Plomb, or for someone I think needs a tool. (or if they only want $1 for a perfect quality ratchet)
So I have put an official FREEZE on the purchasing of almost anything 3/8" drive unless it is Plomb, or for someone I think needs a tool. (or if they only want $1 for a perfect quality ratchet)
Ha! I'm exactly the opposite. Never had anything but 3/8" drive, until about 2005 when I added 1/4" drive stuff. I grabbed a 1/2" drive Bonney set about 5-6 years ago, and do use it on occasion. But 3/8" drive tools and sockets I routinely pick up whether I need them or not. I know, it's a disease!
d42jeep
Well-known member
Ha! I'm exactly the opposite. Never had anything but 3/8" drive, until about 2005 when I added 1/4" drive stuff. I grabbed a 1/2" drive Bonney set about 5-6 years ago, and do use it on occasion. But 3/8" drive tools and sockets I routinely pick up whether I need them or not. I know, it's a disease!
I feel the same way, although I've developed a 1/4" drive fetish. Back in the dark ages when I worked on cars for a living, practically all I ever used were 3/8" drive tools. They are the great majority of tools in my "modern" ('70s) toolboxes.
-Don
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My cousin gave me the twin to your ratchet. (right down to the cover.) I've found that it lives up to its reputation. Coarse, ugly but hell-for-stout. I'll be using it again tonight when I work on my daughter's car.
DD T/A
Well-known member
I guess my problem is I tend to work on old vehicles and the fasteners are so seized up that it's break a 3/8" ratchet or bend the other tools.
I just got used to the "overkill" of always and primarily using 1/2" drives instead.
Oh and guess what? I just picked up two 3/8" drive ratchets the next day after making my comment. An Easco for $4 and a Plomb for $5(I've been wanting another plomb for a while--been a bit of a drought lately)
Kent, I really like the fact that you use the thing, good to hear!
I just got used to the "overkill" of always and primarily using 1/2" drives instead.
Oh and guess what? I just picked up two 3/8" drive ratchets the next day after making my comment. An Easco for $4 and a Plomb for $5(I've been wanting another plomb for a while--been a bit of a drought lately)
Kent, I really like the fact that you use the thing, good to hear!
d42jeep
Well-known member
I found some Thorsen tools on Friday and was surprised to find chisels and a center punch. I sharpened the chisels and dressed up the striking ends and added them to the collection. I don’t run across Thorsen chisels very often.
Here are before and after pictures.
-Don
Here are before and after pictures.
-Don
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Didn't know Thorsen made stubby screwdrivers with the mint green caps. Interesting.
d42jeep
Well-known member
I picked up a box of treasures from Username yesterday. He included quite a few Thorsen metric wrenches and some DBE wrenches which will fill in some holes for me.
-Don
-Don
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Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
I saw a complete Thorsen Taiwan 3/8-inch drive set at a flea market over the weekend. It was in a plastic case with blow-molded insert. Every piece was marked THORSEN and TAIWAN with a model number. I have zero interest in owning anything like that, but I'm curious what era something like that would be from. I know NOTHING about modern tools.
bill300d
Well-known member
I think it was the latter part of the 70's or early 80's
I do know that in 74 or 75 that I purchased a couple of pieces that I still have and they are USA.
i
d42jeep
Well-known member
I see the overseas Thorsen frequently and make it a point to ignore them.
I think Bill’s timeline is about right.
-Don
I think Bill’s timeline is about right.
-Don
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
I misremembered. It was a steel box, hard composite insert. (EDIT: And now that I look at the pics I snapped, probably 1/2-inch drive, not 3/8-inch drive.) They aren't bad looking tools and they were made from Chrome Vanadium. My never-leave-a-complete-set-of-anything-behind bone was tingling. But not loud enough.
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d42jeep
Well-known member
I found a 36mm 1/2” drive Thorsen socket today at the Tahoe flea. Judging by the well used look, I imagine that this socket tightened a lot of VW flywheels and axles.
-Don
-Don
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Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
It's funny how things go sometimes. I'm not really a chrome collector, and I'm not really a Thorsen guy, but somehow, quite unintentionally, I own a complete ACTION 1/2-inch drive set and a complete Giller 1/4-inch set. I managed to add to the stable of Thorsen made brands this morning when I picked up this mint-y near-complete Dayton 1/4-inch set at my the flea market. The workmanship is excellent, I admire the fact that all the sockets are 6-point openings, and I love the industrial steel gray finish case. (I don't know anything about their heavy machine (lathes, mills, etc) and machine tools lines, but I am imagining they had the same finish?)
Does anyone have an accurate date for this set? I am guessing 1960's.
CONTENTS:
4X321 - 3/16" socket
4x322 - 7/32"
4X323 - 1/4"
4X324 - 9/32"
4X325 - 5/16"
4X326 - 11/32"
4X327 - 3/8"
4X328 - 7/16"
4X329 - 1/2"
(4X330 - ?)
(4X331 - ?)
4X332 - Hinge Handle
4X333 - Short Extension
4X334 - Long Extension
(4X335 - I am guessing the missing Sliding Tee)
4X336 - Ratchet
Does anyone have an accurate date for this set? I am guessing 1960's.
CONTENTS:
4X321 - 3/16" socket
4x322 - 7/32"
4X323 - 1/4"
4X324 - 9/32"
4X325 - 5/16"
4X326 - 11/32"
4X327 - 3/8"
4X328 - 7/16"
4X329 - 1/2"
(4X330 - ?)
(4X331 - ?)
4X332 - Hinge Handle
4X333 - Short Extension
4X334 - Long Extension
(4X335 - I am guessing the missing Sliding Tee)
4X336 - Ratchet
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Private Lugnutz
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3baygarage
Well-known member
Nice looking set there Lugz.
d42jeep
Well-known member
Since they are hot broached, they were made before 1978. I would guess late 60s to mid 70s. Zip codes started in ‘63 so they had to be made after that.
-Don
-Don
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paulm12
Well-known member
Before I stumbled on this thread, I picked up a couple of the v-groove wrenches (14 and 19mm) in a pawn shop haul because I just really liked them.
I see a lot of folks collecting them, but is anyone USING them? What do you all think? I like the way they look and feel, much better than any of the old USA Craftsman raised panel wrenches. Quality wise, they seem as solid as many of the old industrial brand wrenches I have. I want more so I can use them!
BTW, have one of the 77 3/8 ratchets. $1 at a pawn shop. I find excuses to use it.
I see a lot of folks collecting them, but is anyone USING them? What do you all think? I like the way they look and feel, much better than any of the old USA Craftsman raised panel wrenches. Quality wise, they seem as solid as many of the old industrial brand wrenches I have. I want more so I can use them!
BTW, have one of the 77 3/8 ratchets. $1 at a pawn shop. I find excuses to use it.
Rileysan
Well-known member
At first glance, this socket appears to have the P&C hex around two letters. So it sat with my P&C collection until Mr X paid me a visit and pointed out my error. The letters are "G.T.", which is General Tool, Portland Oregon.
I will butcher the company history if I try to explain the relationship between General Tool, P&C, and the maker of this socket, Thorsen. But I don't mind speculating that the use of the hexagon in their logo was done deliberately by G.T. because of their previous relationship with P&C, and not because a marketing agency came up with it independently.
General Tool 3/4" drive, 1 13/16" socket, made by Thorsen, ca. 1930s.
Thank you Mr X for the education!
Brian
I will butcher the company history if I try to explain the relationship between General Tool, P&C, and the maker of this socket, Thorsen. But I don't mind speculating that the use of the hexagon in their logo was done deliberately by G.T. because of their previous relationship with P&C, and not because a marketing agency came up with it independently.
General Tool 3/4" drive, 1 13/16" socket, made by Thorsen, ca. 1930s.
Thank you Mr X for the education!
Brian
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d42jeep
Well-known member
Here is a well used 1/2” drive #77 ratchet and 11/16” 3/8” drive socket I picked up at a Nevada estate sale this morning.
-Don
-Don
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3baygarage
Well-known member
You guys reminded me of this thread on a General Tool ratchet. Completely forgot about that brand.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=287729
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=287729
Rileysan
Well-known member
Oh that greatly amuses me! That ratchet was identified by the same Mr. X who found the GT socket in my box as well as wrote the GT/Thorsen information on AA. Everyone ought to invite him over to see if he can sniff out GT tools in their garage as well!
Brian
Hi Brian. Just to be clear, as it says in the "references and resources" portion of the P&C Alloy entry I just "passed along" the information from a very interesting conversation I had with the Derville family in the CEO's office of General Tool. Bill H. "wrote" everything that appears on that site.
