Post up your Thorsen tools!

[four.cycle]

it's just a simple line drawing - "artists rendition" - that really doesn't show the detail.
pretty much the same in the 1939 catalog No. 3839.

 

[MR.X]

it's just a simple line drawing - "artists rendition" - that really doesn't show the detail.
pretty much the same in the 1939 catalog No. 3839.

OK, I'm lost now. Of course I understand the concept of an "artist's rendition"
You wrote that you were providing the images "to hopefully clear up any confusion about who made the open gear ratchet first:" Then you posted images that don't show or describe open gear ratchets. Is that correct? or did I miss something? Is there some other way you know those are open gear? Please don't read any attitude into this.

 

[d42jeep]

I think the fact that the part number for the ratchet in the sets is #77 indicates that the open gear ratchet might be included in those sets. I wouldn’t pay too much attention to the illustrations unless someone has seen an early ratchet with the part number 77 that isn’t the open gear ratchet. The really early tools are sometimes different though.
-Don

 

[four.cycle]

^ yeah. this.

all of the model 77, 77J, and 77M Thorsen ratchets that i own are the open-gear type.

the "sealed" models all have a "C" in the part number. (e.g, 77C, 77JC, 77MC)

 

[MR.X]

OK, kinda seems like you moved the goalposts from "clear(ing) up any confusion" to now just making a case that the ratchet in that 3334 catalog is a open gear based on the 77 tool number.
Anyway, earlier catalogs did identify their tear drop shaped 1/2" drive ratchet (which was definitely not an open gear) with a removable drive piece as a #77. I think Stormking might have posted a pic of one of those ratchets awhile back but that might have been on GG not GJ.
I have one too but not with me.
A link to a 31ish Thorsen catalog can be found searching "Early Thorsen Tool catalog Papaws wrench"
I realize evidence of a previous #77 that isn't an open gear does not by itself mean that the round head ratchet pictured in the 3334 catalog is not supposed to represent an open gear, ( it may be) but it doesn't help, although your catalog DOES also mention "reversible" which is significant.
I've seen that 3334 cat before but didn't want to use that picture when I was trying to make my case for Thorsen first. In Post 500 I did use the 34 Calif tool cat. picture(s) which clearly depict open gear ratchets. They also mention that they are "improved" (I think that catalog also shows their previous ratchet line too but I could be misremembering that)and I'd bet they got their images directly from Thorsen.
I really didn't want to use the Calif tool picture either ( or the General Tool pics) because that neccesitates the reader having a background in the relationship between Thorsen & Calif Tool but the pictures were so good I decided to go with it.
It'd be nice if someone had a 3435 Thorsen cat.

 

[bonneyman]

^ yeah. this.

all of the model 77, 77J, and 77M Thorsen ratchets that i own are the open-gear type.

the "sealed" models all have a "C" in the part number. (e.g, 77C, 77JC, 77MC)

Did not know that. You taught me something today.

 

[d42jeep]

Here are my Thorsen finds from this weekend. As BK points out above, the 1/4” drive ratchet is a 77MC.
-Don

 

[3baygarage]

Picked up two swivels. The older TT was a surprise.

 

[d42jeep]

I was surprised to find some TT marked tools recently as well.
Today we found a batch of loose 1/4” drive sockets that turned out to be a full fractional 1/4” drive set and they are mostly unused. Here they are and they haven’t been cleaned.
-Don

 

[Old Radar]

Gotta love that kind of find! Congrats!

 

[d42jeep]

A few more from a tool sale yesterday.
-Don

 

[bonneyman]

A few more from a tool sale yesterday.
-Don

You do seem to keep finding those ratchets!

I notice some drive gears on the Thorsen rats are chrome, while others are just are black steel. Any rhyme or reason to this, guys?

 

[four.cycle]

^ NOT a clue! I've got 77MC, 77JC, and 77C models with both chrome and black selector knobs and drive lugs.
Go figure.

 

[d42jeep]

I only found one Thorsen tool yesterday but it still had the price tag on it.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

With some free time available, I spent the day incorporating all my Thorsen finds over the past several months, upgrading the sets and removing duplicates. Here are some pictures. I’ll start with the sets.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

The next group of pictures will be the fractional wrenches of various configurations.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

Next are the metric wrenches followed by some random Thorsen tool pictures.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

A few more. Had to show the blue handle Giller set again.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

I had been looking for a later 1/2” drive 5/8” deep socket for quite a while to make the 1/2” drive deep military set have all matching sockets. I purchased the socket lot in the first picture just because that socket was included. One of the additional benefits of the lot was that the additional included sockets allowed me to complete my 1/2” drive spark plug socket set with the crossbar holes. The second picture shows the military set with the placeholder 5/8” socket, the third and fourth show the completed set. The next to the last picture is of the 1/2” drive spark plug sockets that now go from 1/2” to 1-1/8”. The last picture is of them back in the set.
-Don

 

[Username already in use]

What, no pictures of the 'Yankee Doodle Special' boxed set?

 

[Oldtuleguy]

looks good!

 

[d42jeep]

What, no pictures of the 'Yankee Doodle Special' boxed set?

looks good!

Thanks, OTG. The red box sets are in a smaller Thorsen collection at my summer home. I’m hoping to be allowed to move back there for the summer soon. At this point they are trying to minimize the influx of people into the Tahoe basin due to their very limited hospital facilities.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=7863346&postcount=653

-Don

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Yes it is a bummer. The virus shenanigans are getting old! Here is a TAT box I picked up for the cool logo

 

[d42jeep]

I received this NSN marked military set box with a few Thorsen sockets as part of a trade. I addded some tools to fill out the set. I’ll need to add a u-joint but I put in an extra extension because I don’t know what length is called for. This is my third military Thorsen set.
-Don

 

[bmwrd0]

Found a couple of these last weekend:

I found them listed in the prewar catalog, but these have no part number, just the size and USN.

 

[MR.X]

 

[11b30b4]

Along with some cool Indestro Super Tools I was gifted by my father from my Uncle’s collection was a almost complete set of Thorsen tools. I may still have some of the missing items like the ratchet but here is what I have currently.

Sockets and extension with a few doubles.





One of the sockets still had the original Ace Hardware price tag on it.



And these are the wrenches. All of them are stamped the same except the 12mm.







Now I need to dig through several tool boxes to see if I have any of the missing items.

 

[d42jeep]

Very nice. They look almost unused. Congratulations. I only found two 1/4” drive sockets at a tool sale on Monday.
-Don

 

[MR.X]

Lucked into this 1/4" hex partial set today. Garage sale sign in North Portland 2 1/2 hours after opening. I have the full set with a better decal somewhere but no way was I going to pass on this one. On a bit of a roll for the smaller drive stuff this past month.

 

[Provincial]

Thorsen San Francisco!

That rates a "you ****" even without a price report.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

+1 on that!

 

[MR.X]

Thanks Jock. So here's some more Thorsen. Homemade box on the left top hinged box on right and bottom no hinge box on right ( the one I just found) are all early 30's Thorsen Hex. The box in the middle is Calif. Tool square drive. Obviously it has the same box style and color and they also have the SAME Thorsen 6 thru 14 numbering system. The sockets in the baggie at top right are also sq. drive Calif Tool but they have the traditional size markings ie. 11/32 rather than just "11" or 7/16 rather than just a "14". A set like the Thorsen's on the right sold not too long ago on the bay, went for decent money I think. Pretty HTF.

 

[MR.X]

+1 on that!

Thanks OTG.

 

[bmwrd0]

Mr. X, looking at the wood handled driver in that set, I would say it is a dead ringer for my Philco drivers


Beautiful set by the way.

 

[MR.X]

Mr. X, looking at the wood handled driver in that set, I would say it is a dead ringer for my Philco drivers

Yes. But mine goes to 11.

 

[r_olson_06]

Nice find X. I have never seen any TTs in the wild.

Looking for a Round Beam Plomb 1068 Double Box End Wrench

 

[MR.X]

Nice find X. I have never seen any TTs in the wild.

yeah Bro, even here and down by the Bay you hardly ever see em. The Thorsen operation in the 30's just wasn't that big.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Mr. X, looking at the wood handled driver in that set, I would say it is a dead ringer for my philco drivers

Indeed they are the same, but the sockets are not.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Lucked into this 1/4" hex partial set today.

Those aren't just hot, they're Technihot! Seriously, love the blued, heat-treated finish.

The box in the middle is Calif. Tool square drive. Obviously it has the same box style and color and they also have the SAME Thorsen 6 thru 14 numbering system.

Makes sense. California Tool was one of the original West Coast distributors, right? I guess that also meant re-branded items. I wonder if Old Forge, their East Coast(ish) distributor had a similar arrangement? If so, probably my best shot at ever seeing any Techniheat TT made sockets in the wild.

Mr. X, looking at the wood handled driver in that set, I would say it is a dead ringer for my Philco drivers.

Indeed they are the same, but the sockets are not.

So what are we to conclude from this?

OTG, you and I already had a brief discussion about it on the midget thread, when Beemer first posted his Philco set. If you recall, you noted that the spinner was the same as your Thorsen spinner, and I agreed, but found it odd (and unlikely) that a giant radio maker located on the East Coast amidst a dozen giant hand tool makers would reach out to a rather small and (it can be politely said) obscure hand tool maker for their repair kits. You noted that perhaps the spinners were outsourced by Thorsen to a third party, mentioning Bog, who made similar (but clearly not the same) spinners for themselves and VIM.

Any other explanations, ideas, or theories?

This is a good puzzler.

 

[MR.X]

Those aren't just hot, they're Technihot! Seriously, love the blued, heat-treated finish.


Makes sense. California Tool was one of the original West Coast distributors, right? I guess that also meant re-branded items. I wonder if Old Forge, their East Coast(ish) distributor had a similar arrangement? If so, probably my best shot at ever seeing any Techniheat TT made sockets in the wild.

Speaking of Old Forge...from an Oldforge catalog with the Thorsen Bush St. San Francisco address on the Front. Check out they include an SK ratchet as an option for the 1/2" drive (that's supposed to be 42470) and a Herbrand ratchet (10J) as an option for the 3/8" drive. They just weren't offered individually, they would actually switch them out in the otherwise Thorsen made sets.