Proto 1/4 ratcheting adapter... Rare find?

[Moe_Hushlin]

This Proto number 4747 quarter inch Drive ratcheting adapter. I have yet to find one to compare it to has anyone seen one of these before? Any idea on it's value? It is in working condition. Thank you in advance!

 

[Richard Cranium]

I have them in 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2
look on ebay. Under sold units not what they are asking for them, what they sold for.

 

[Moe_Hushlin]

Quite familiar with the e of bay, during my initial research I was only able to find 3/8, 1/2, & 3/4 examples searching ACTIVE COMPLETED & SOLD listings. I still do not have an answer, hence me creating a new thread AND registering here specifically to use the search function.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Seems really bulky and not that useful given the wide availability of 1/4 ratchets.
Not that the necessarily holds a value down.
Good for overrun protection using a drill to start gas RC motors maybe?

 

[twertsy]

You don't see many of them, and while that would be defined as rare, probably not all that desirable for the reasons noted. If older, I and other collectors would probably want it.

 

[Moe_Hushlin]

I found it hidden away in this beauty. A quarter inch ratchet, T handle, extensions, several shallow and deep well sockets and a few quarter inch to 9/32 adapters.

 

[twertsy]

I found it hidden away in this beauty. A quarter inch ratchet, T handle, extensions, several shallow and deep well sockets and a few quarter inch to 9/32 adapters.

Nice. You sure it's 1/4"? Not that I've seen a 9/32" drive example but that'd be cool.......

 

[RM209]

Very cool. Not sure how useful it is, considering its’ bulk, but a nice find.
RM209

 

[Moe_Hushlin]

Nice. You sure it's 1/4"? Not that I've seen a 9/32" drive example but that'd be cool.......

Yeah it's 1/4" drive. The first time I ran across anything 9/32 drive was several years back and lemme tell you, my mind was blown lol.

 

[ganymede]

I bet the op's photos are making it look bigger than it actually is.

 

[four.cycle]

Moe, from what I see on Ebay the 1/4" drive models appear less frequently than the 3/8" and 1/2" drive models across a range of different brands, they don't seem to command much as far as price. I believe I paid about $12 bucks for a 1/4" Walden.
There was a seller who had a couple dozen NOS Walden 1/4" units and it took several months for them all to sell at about $18 each.
Most of those I see listed are Walden or Herbrand. Asking prices are nutty for the most part.
So while yours is probably the first Proto (1/4") I've seen in quite a while, the applications for those are pretty limited - they probably have more appeal as a novelty item than anything else.

I'm not so sure that Ebay "sold" listings are really much of an accurate gauge of anything because the older listings are purged after about 90 days. That's not allowing much of a window for any real analysis.

Welcome to the site.

 

[shanny19]

I’m a big Proto fanboy, but I have the Snap On version and it makes that Proto look like a gallon jug. You’d have to work pretty hard to get 20 for it IMO

 

[davethorik]

I know everyone's needs are different, but I would have absolutely zero use for one. I have a Herbrand in 1/2, and I never use it now that I got some extra long 1/2 ratchets (used it prior with a 24" breaker bar).
Seems like Snap-on adapters have a following, but not so much other brands. If you're considering flipping for a profit, I'd probably just hang on to it.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

There is an NSN matching the part number, but all I can find is its a 'specialty tool'

 

[2oolhound]

how many teeth?

 

[Moe_Hushlin]

how many teeth?

I will check later when I locate it, lol. It is a tad bulky for 1/4 drive but not unnecessarily massive as the pictures might make it look. As far as I'm concerned there is not much practical use (for me anyhow) for this piece.

 

[Roberts210]

Start it at 99 cents and maybe 2 or 3 collectors will end up bidding against each other.

 

[bsg1]

I’m a big Proto fanboy, but I have the Snap On version and it makes that Proto look like a gallon jug. You’d have to work pretty hard to get 20 for it IMO

a bit off-topic, but I'll throw it in; my Plomb 1/2" drive adapter is larger than my Snap-on 1/2" drive adapter, but not by much.

 

[four.cycle]

"Start it at 99 cents..."

Just my two cents:

I would advise against listing it with a starting bid of 99 cents unless you're willing to let it go for 99 cents.
To say that sales of used hand tools on Ebay lately are "a little flat' would be a gross understatement. I am seeing all kinds of nice stuff going for a single bid, or timing out with no bids.

Example:
The #250 Keystone socket set I posted here in another thread the other day cost me eighteen cents + $5.00 shipping.



There was a seller who had 20 (twenty) Stevens Walden 1/4" ratchet adapters listed for right about $20 bucks a pop. They dropped them to $12 bucks and sold about half a dozen, then bumped the price back up to $20. Took them several months before they were all gone.

That yours is Proto might net a higher selling price, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

Again, just my lousy two cents.

 

[davethorik]

Agree, four.cycle! I think starting an auction at 99 cents is the right way to go for certain things, such as a Prentiss nickel plated jewelers vise (just an example). You know there will be a lot of watchers, and a lot of bidders, and a lot of bidders with deep pockets.

You've got me beat at 18 cents. I won a beautiful vintage nos Lufkin Ni-Clad 50' tape measure in original box with paperwork for 99 cents once, and was pretty pleased with that.