Post up your Thorsen tools!

[drivesitfar]

Jeep: maybe taking apart the ratchet inside a big box might be better than trying to find a spring after it shoots across any of our garages?

love all your cool tools!!

Youngin: take a few pics and let us know how you do. ok? good luck!

 

[d42jeep]

Jeep: maybe taking apart the ratchet inside a big box might be better than trying to find a spring after it shoots across any of our garages?

love all your cool tools!!

Youngin: take a few pics and let us know how you do. ok? good luck!

What’s the fun in that?
-Don

 

[bmwrd0]

(nods while spending another hour searching for that danged Vlchek ratchet spring in the dark recesses of his shop)

 

[Flathead Youngin']

It came out. I had hit it pretty hard when it was frozen but I took a torch and turned just the pin cherry, let it cool, sprayed with penetrating oil and let it set for a couple of days...it came out is some moderate taps and a drift. Now I just need a spring for it- the one in it just doesn't have enough ump. I may try stretching it or maybe one out of a pen. Now the detent for the socket, it's pretty soft. I've tried working back and forth with oils, but it's not getting any stronger. I have a donor ratchet but it would about ruin the ratchet to spread them out enough to remove the large gear......I'll keep messing with it! If I get it going, I'll post pics....

If you just want to replace the ball and spring, the pin that holds the reversing lever is a fairly light press fit. I picked up a 1/2” drive rat at an estate sale that was totally frozen with rust so I didn’t mind experimenting on it. After shooting it with some penetrating oil, the pin drove out fairly easily with a punch. As soon as the pin comes out, however, the spring will shoot the ball out across the floor so you’ll want to keep your eye on it. After cleaning up all of the parts, reassembly is just a matter of positioning the spring, ball and lever while you tap the pin back in. That part is a little difficult because they really don’t want to stay in position but it can be done. I’ve now done a few of them and it gets easier each time.
-Don

 

[bmwrd0]

This thread could use Action!

I picked this set up a bit ago, after finding the ratchet out in the shop and the rest in the house at an estate sale. If you notice, the shrink wrap that originally held the tools is still in there. Also this on the end of the box:

Half the sockets look unused. But, if you want to see unused:

I think only the 1/2" socket had been used.

 

[Flathead Youngin']

Very nice! The red box set: So, in the smaller sizes 6pt and 12pt in larger sizes, huh?

This thread could use Action!

I picked this set up a bit ago, after finding the ratchet out in the shop and the rest in the house at an estate sale. If you notice, the shrink wrap that originally held the tools is still in there. Also this on the end of the box:

Half the sockets look unused. But, if you want to see unused:

I think only the 1/2" socket had been used.

 

[bmwrd0]

Yeah, its pretty common with a lot of companies.

 

[d42jeep]

This thread could use Action!

I picked this set up a bit ago, after finding the ratchet out in the shop and the rest in the house at an estate sale. If you notice, the shrink wrap that originally held the tools is still in there. Also this on the end of the box:

Half the sockets look unused. But, if you want to see unused:

I think only the 1/2" socket had been used.

What are you doing with my sets? You must know your way around Albany!
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

Today’s Thorsen project is trying to figure out what tools go in the empty military socket set box Username sent me. After figuring out that the set was 3/8” drive I’ve started gathering up the tools. I’m probably about 50% of the way there. The upper set is 1/2” drive deep sockets.
-Don

 

[Ss95003]

I have some Thorsen (usa made) wrenches I don't need and a socket.

wrenches
15/16 2030
5/8 2020
9/16 2018
1/2 2016

socket
3/4" drive 1 1/16 1234

All look new very little use

 

[Flathead Youngin']

Alright, after lot's of patience, heat, PB Blaster, etc. I got this Thorsen back up and running. I've been wanting to post it here. Grandpa really liked Thorsens. He believed they were tougher than most other ratchets. So, he took a couple and welded handle extensions on them. That's why I asked about the shadow board a page or so back that showed a factory longer handled ratchet. I stretched out the spring in the reversing mechanism to give it a little more tension. The detent for the socket still won't do what it's supposed to. This ratchet went through the garage fire. I was glad to have saved it...at least 90% functional. It felt good to lay the 'ole boy back in the tool drawer!

 

[d42jeep]

I finished adding the tools I had on hand to the military 3/8” drive set. I came pretty close to completing it, only missing a couple of sockets. The tools on the upper right of the lid are some extras I’m going to add to the set. I put the deep 1/2” drive set in the picture to show how similar they are in appearance.
-Don

 

[Username already in use]

That NSN Throrsen box cleaned up really nice, Don. The set is looking great! I'd offer you my Thorsen spares to help fill it, but you already have them all!

 

[drivesitfar]

Jeep: if you wouldn't mind would you maybe post up a few pics of how you store all your wonderful socket sets and tools in my ORGANIZING THREAD. I'm usually amazed at all the cool tools you have and while i've got a few myself I always have tried to find a better way to store them so one that I can find them and two maybe see them just sitting around.

nice looking stuff as per usual!!

Youngin: congrats on saving Gramp's old ratchet!! just an FYI even though I used my old ratchets more like BREAKER BARS until I became a member of GJ and learned more it might extend the life of your ratchets if you use them after you try the breaker bar on especially rusty nuts.

well done and glad the spring issue was sorted out (and it didn't shoot across the shop either)

 

[d42jeep]

That NSN Throrsen box cleaned up really nice, Don. The set is looking great! I'd offer you my Thorsen spares to help fill it, but you already have them all!

And I really appreciate it! This leads into my answer for Drives.

Jeep: if you wouldn't mind would you maybe post up a few pics of how you store all your wonderful socket sets and tools in my ORGANIZING THREAD. I'm usually amazed at all the cool tools you have and while i've got a few myself I always have tried to find a better way to store them so one that I can find them and two maybe see them just sitting around.

nice looking stuff as per usual!!

Drives,
It may seem organized to you but I am probably one of the least organized people around. Just walking into my garage is an obstacle course and I have to pull out several carry boxes to get in between the two vehicles in my garage that are taking up valuable tool space. My main organizational skill is keeping track of my photos and taking plenty of pictures.
-Don

 

[bonneyman]

....It may seem organized to you but I am probably one of the least organized people around. Just walking into my garage is an obstacle course and I have to pull out several carry boxes to get in between the two vehicles in my garage that are taking up valuable tool space. My main organizational skill is keeping track of my photos and taking plenty of pictures.
-Don

Well, I think the solution to that is clear: open up your shop and throw a GJ party! I'm sure any number of us could you help reduce your "clutter"!

 

[d42jeep]

After picking up the last two missing sockets on eBay, this set is completed to my satisfaction. I added a couple of smaller deep sockets, a short extension and spark plug sockets that should have been included in the set but weren’t.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

I cleaned up yesterday’s Thorsen finds. It was really surprising to find the tools with the TT logo. The original owner was a gentleman who worked as a mechanic in Berkeley for many years and he had quite a bit of Thorsen. It was definitely a local favorite.
-Don

 

[bonneyman]

Nice little set!
Especially liking the flex sockets. Don't see many of those Thorsens in my neck of the woods.

 

[Old Radar]

Picked up an eight piece set of Metric Vee combos last weekend. (7-14mm) They appear virtually unused. And the plastic case is in great shape, too.

 

[d42jeep]

Nice!
-Don

 

[JoCoSawdust]

I was up in WV a couple weeks ago and hit a flea that turned out to be a complete dud. There were 3 brick and mortar joints across the road that were permanent extensions of the flea. The two that were open were also duds but one was locked up tight. Peering through the window I saw a fairly sizable group of Thorsen tools still in original packaging. I know squat about Thorsen but the packaging looked late 60s-70s to me. I asked around, was told that place has been locked up tight for at least 2 years. Got a phone number that had been disconnected. Going up again this coming weekend and do some more sleuthing. Even though I'm not into Thorsen, that's too intriguing to let slide. Besides, it's hard to tell what else is in that place.

 

[RTM]

I... was told that place has been locked up tight for at least 2 years. ....Going up again this coming weekend and do some more sleuthing.

Packing a lock pick, flashlight, gloves, dark clothes and a knit cap?

 

[d42jeep]

Even though I'm not into Thorsen, that's too intriguing to let slide.

It’s never too late to start!

-Don

 

[JoCoSawdust]

Packing a lock pick, flashlight, gloves, dark clothes and a knit cap?

Ha! Might be the only way I ever get into that place!

Don: I'm trying to contain my affliction!

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Sounds like a b&e about to happen

 

[four.cycle]

OldTuleGuy - so it was you who outbid me on that old 1/4" drive set, eh?
I kind of wondered who it was who was willing to pay more than I was for that set.

Don, looks like you've made some nice acquisitions since I last poked my head in here. Very nice.

That catalog arrived last week. No date anywhere, but I think it's reasonable to assume that "catalog 3334" corresponds to 1933-1934. I could, of course, be completely off the mark there.
I haven't spent a great deal of time poking through it item by item, but a couple things I noticed were:
a 1/4" drive 13/32" socket
and all kinds of stuff in the back pages outsourced from other manufacturers like Diamond, Old Forge, Wilde, and others.

Need to figure out how to get this scanned and converted to *.pdf format for you guys. Not sure if TW is still doing this or not. (?)

BK




( the 1/4" drive 13/32" socket is a 13M, so you know what to look for )

 

[four.cycle]

I think there's still a 77JNR listed on Ebay at a reasonable price. I just dropped it off my watch list because I've blown my budget this month on Christmas stuff.

Don, that 88JNR quick-release ratchet really isn't all that rare, it's just hard to find them in pristine shape at a reasonable price. I think I have three or four of them here - one is in a big blow-mold "kit" set with screwdrivers and pliers and stuff.

Does the guy who's trying to collect every brand of that "Vee-Groove" wrench know that they also made some stamped "Troy-Bilt" ?

Still puzzled by that "Rockford Illinois" address on that combo wrench set I shot you guys the photos of last week. What was all that about? (Other than the orgiastic 1970s-1980s corporate merger-acquisition era?)

I have determined that I have WAY too many Thorsen 1/4" drive socket sets and have resolved to NOT acquire any more.

Unless they're cheap.

Or clean.

Or they come in green boxes.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

4.C! So what, have you decided to appear once per year here bearing gifts like jolly old St Nick? Good to see you.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Tough to quit the 1/4" habit

 

[d42jeep]

I know the feeling!
-Don

 

[four.cycle]

4.C! So what, have you decided to appear once per year here bearing gifts like jolly old St Nick? Good to see you.

a little bird told me that I needed to log in here last night and place a vote for one of the members here, so I had to log in.
figured I may as well click "New Posts" and do a bit of slumming.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

'Tis the season for voting apparently! You should check out your midget set thread while you're at it!

 

[d42jeep]

I found a really oily partial Thorsen set yesterday. The original paper was in place but totally illegible. A combined treatment of Formula 409 and Brake cleaner helped quite a bit. Now to try to fill it up out of my spares.
-Don

 

[RTM]

Wow, that went from illegible to decent quite well. Nice recovery.

 

[d42jeep]

Thanks. I just added some spares and it’s filling up nicely. Just needs a few more pieces which I may have.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

By a strange coincidence, I found Thorsen tools today that added to or upgraded the ones in the set I found last week.
-Don

 

[Oldtuleguy]

A happy coincidence

 

[four.cycle]

A question raised in the P&C thread and addressed by GJ member Private Lutnutz HERE as well as by GJ member MR.X in this thread in posts #500 and #501 prompts me to provide these images from the 1934 Thorsen catalog No. 3334 to hopefully clear up any confusion about who made the open-gear ratchet first:

 

[MR.X]

A question raised in the P&C thread and addressed by GJ member Private Lutnutz HERE as well as by GJ member MR.X in this thread in posts #500 and #501 prompts me to provide these images from the 1934 Thorsen catalog No. 3334 to hopefully clear up any confusion about who made the open-gear ratchet first:

Although Thorsen did manufacture an open gear ratchet in 34, years before P&C put out theirs. I'm not seeing an open head ratchet in your pics which might be more of a 33 line catalog.