Show your vintage Bridgeport tools!

[Stillgottimefor1]

Cleaned up a bit

. I really like the background you chose and the light is very good. I need to work on both those things myself with pics I post. Very Pretty screwdriver, and nicely preserved and presented!

 

[Jr5]

. I really like the background you chose and the light is very good. I need to work on both those things myself with pics I post. Very Pretty screwdriver, and nicely preserved and presented!

Thank you! My wife got me that cutting mat for my bench last year, I added a cheap ikea desk lamp. Used my iPhone to take the pic.

And thanks- the screwdriver is one of the few tools I have from my dad. It cleaned up nicely

 

[Private Lugnutz]

My one and only. It’s the only screwdriver I have from my dad

A "Rhino" Amberlite if I am not mistaken, as is Mintgrun's just above yours. LesserSon kicked off this thread with an envy-inducing collection of them.

Bridgeport sure loved to give names to everything, including types of screwdrivers. For me, it was an almost overabundance of names, almost self-defeating in marketing strategy there are so many to remember. Rhino, Tiger (no black cap), Hippo, Matchless, Non-Skid, Reliance, Silver Tip, Red Spot, Yellow Crown, Little Wonder, Hercules, Navy, Little Navy, Trojan, Service, etc. - and that's in a single catalog from a single year (1940)!

Ironically, I can't find one in the 1940 or the 1953 catalog, but I believe they branded the screw-starter/holder on yours a "Sure-Grip". I don't have one, but there are a few on the 'Screw Starters/Holders' thread identified like that. Unless that's the name of the outfit they were using to provide the mechanism.

 

[Jr5]

A "Rhino" Amberlite if I am not mistaken, as is Mintgrun's just above yours. LesserSon kicked off this thread with an envy-inducing collection of them.

Bridgeport sure loved to give names to everything, including types of screwdrivers. For me, it was an almost overabundance of names, almost self-defeating in marketing strategy there are so many to remember. Rhino, Tiger (no black cap), Hippo, Matchless, Non-Skid, Reliance, Silver Tip, Red Spot, Yellow Crown, Little Wonder, Hercules, Navy, Little Navy, Trojan, Service, etc. - and that's in a single catalog from a single year (1940)!

Ironically, I can't find one in the 1940 or the 1953 catalog, but I believe they branded the screw-starter/holder on yours a "Sure-Grip". I don't have one, but there are a few on the 'Screw Starters/Holders' thread identified like that. Unless that's the name of the outfit they were using to provide the mechanism.

Amazing. I had no idea there were even names for these!

 

[Jr5]

A "Rhino" Amberlite if I am not mistaken, as is Mintgrun's just above yours. LesserSon kicked off this thread with an envy-inducing collection of them.

Bridgeport sure loved to give names to everything, including types of screwdrivers. For me, it was an almost overabundance of names, almost self-defeating in marketing strategy there are so many to remember. Rhino, Tiger (no black cap), Hippo, Matchless, Non-Skid, Reliance, Silver Tip, Red Spot, Yellow Crown, Little Wonder, Hercules, Navy, Little Navy, Trojan, Service, etc. - and that's in a single catalog from a single year (1940)!

Ironically, I can't find one in the 1940 or the 1953 catalog, but I believe they branded the screw-starter/holder on yours a "Sure-Grip". I don't have one, but there are a few on the 'Screw Starters/Holders' thread identified like that. Unless that's the name of the outfit they were using to provide the mechanism.

You are spot on. It does indeed say “261 Suregrip”

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Maybe I'm wrong on that. It could refer to the handle. I collect Bridgeport tools, but the only screwdrivers I have are Matchless XHD machinists. But every time I see one here identifued as a Sure-Grip, it has the spring loaded starter/holder. I defer to LS or someone who has dug into it deeper than me.

 

[Jr5]

Maybe I'm wrong on that. It could refer to the handle. I collect Bridgeport tools, but the only screwdrivers I have are Matchless XHD machinists. But every time I see one here identifued as a Sure-Grip, it has the spring loaded starter/holder. I defer to LS or someone who has dug into it deeper than me.

Well, you guys know more than me lol. This is how it sat for decades. Either way I like it and I’ve used it so many times- I just never had an appreciation for it until lately

 

[GalaxyRat]

I bought this 343-8 on eBay for $15, including shipping. The handle is orange/dark amber. Overall length is 12-3/4". I found the 1940 and 1953 catalogs and realized they didn't really change much about the "Rhino" model between that period and the amberlite is definitely more yellow. Anyone have a clue about dating these? I also noticed in the 1940 & 1953 catalogs, the shank says "CHROME-VAN-ALLOY" instead of just "CHROME-VAN" like mine. Of course the illustrations don't always reflect the actual product, but maybe they updated them for the 1940 and later models? Plus it doesn't seem like they really updated the catalog illustrations at all in that time frame.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Not much help, but it could not have been produced between 1942 and 1945 with that composition. It's either earlier or later.

 

[MisterEd]

As a child playing with my father's nail puller I learned, on many occasions, the meaning of "blood blister".

 

[d42jeep]

I went through my Bridgeport tools today, took some pictures and moved them into their new box. I noticed a partial label on the box but couldn’t figure it out.
-Don

 

[LesserSon]

CRESCENT [followed by symbol]
Crescent Niagara Corporation.

 

[d42jeep]

Thanks!
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I've had one of these Nickel-Moly wrenches (the 9/16" x 1/2") forever, so I was glad to find a big brother this morning at the flea. One more and it's a serious collection.

 

[d42jeep]

It seems appropriate that I’m storing my Bridgeport tools in a Crescent Niagara box since they ended up buying Bridgeport. I went to visit an old friend today and he had bought a box of NOS Bridgeport screwdrivers. He was nice enough to pass one along to me.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

For many, many years I had only one lonely example (9/16" x 1/2") of these Nickel-Moly dwarfies. Two weeks ago I found a second (3/4" x 5/8"). See post #174 just above the last one. This morning I found a third (7/16" x 3/8"). Now it's a collection and a partial set! Good things come to those who wait.

 

[d42jeep]

I don’t know where my two shorty DBE wrenches have got to but I did pick up another DOE on Sunday.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

Here is the Bridgeport DOE I picked up at a Berkeley estate sale today. I like this style with the X.
-Don

 

[JjKk40]

Same here I like that design wrench although I actually have not a 1 at all! Yet!

 

[four.cycle]

^ that's the one they were issued the design patent on. D97325

I think I have a 3/8" x 7/16" DOE laying around here somewhere like that. No idea where.

 

[LesserSon]

You guys put me through the wringer to find all but the smallest DOE here (which I picked up recently).
Haven’t really pursued them, though I see them occasionally. Since I didn’t have them on a list, I’m always uncertain whether I “need” a particular size, hence the dupes. I’ve probably missed expanding the range, too.

 

[four.cycle]

^ nice collection there!

 

[d42jeep]

LS, I have a similar situation albeit on a smaller scale. The wrench I picked up on Sunday was a duplicate and it appears to be one you don’t have. My 5/8” and ? was ground down on one end. I would be happy to take any duplicates off your hands and send you my duplicate that you seem to be missing.
-Don

 

[LesserSon]

Don, natural and medical disasters may have gotten in the way, but I have not forgotten that I still owe you for some Utica items you sent my way. Anything not set aside for someone else that fits a flat rate box is yours (Bridgeport, Barcalo, Indestro, Plomb, etc) no swap required. This week is a little busy, but I will try to send some new pics via email.

 

[d42jeep]

Thanks.
-Don

 

[MisterEd]

Some recently acquire Bridgeport stuff; Two 97325 Box End Wrenches and 248 SUREGRIP Screwdriver

 

[MisterEd]

And . . .

 

[d42jeep]

I picked up this Bridgeport screwdriver on Friday and dressed up the tip today. I couldn’t find this exact one in the catalogs I checked.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

I received a nice box of tools from LesserSon yesterday evening and these nice X wrenches were included. The last picture shows my few wrenches added to the new arrivals. Thanks, LS!
-Don

 

[LesserSon]

Recently cleaned up these two sizes of crate tools.

 

[d42jeep]

Nice! Here is a catalog image I posted upthread with my examples.
-Don

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Added a radiolectric spinner to my bridgeport radiolectric stuff

 

[Mintgrun]

For many, many years I had only one lonely example (9/16" x 1/2") of these Nickel-Moly dwarfies. Two weeks ago I found a second (3/4" x 5/8"). See post #174 just above the last one. This morning I found a third (7/16" x 3/8"). Now it's a collection and a partial set! Good things come to those who wait.

I'm finding mine in the same order as you, so far; except the one I bought yesterday does not say NICKEL MOLYBDENUM on it, just forged steel. Do you suppose that makes it older, or newer? It appears to be nickel plated, based on the yellowish color.





Tom

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Do you suppose that makes it older, or newer?

Almost certainly later/newer. This has come up here before, but several years ago. Prompted by alloy restrictions, BHM made a similar adjustment around the same time (late 1941/early 1942) with the Master Quality wrenches they were making for themselves and Ward's. They went from 'Nickel-Molybdenum' (early) to 'Molybdenum-Alloy' (pre-war) to 'Forged Steel' (wartime and after). Otherwise they are identical. The only reason I ever tracked this is because the brand is popular with Jeep guys due to the marking convention on the DOEs, with quote marks on either side of the ISN, as if they were quoting the wrench spec, which literally called for the ISN. And there were always the inevitable questions about which were wartime and which weren't.

It appears to be nickel plated, based on the yellowish color.

That would be counter-intuitive to the alloy, but I'm not going to argue with you. Could be immediate pre- or post-war, I suppose. Or it could be cadmium that has yellowed.

 

[LesserSon]

Without really meaning to, I have started a collection of Model 478 Amberlite-handled nutdrivers. The 1953 catalog lists nine sizes, from 3/16 to 9/16. My three skip the 11/32. On the quest for that, plus the two smaller and three larger…

 

[Oldtuleguy]

That's how it starts! Now you need the set...

 

[MisterEd]

A couple of Vintage Wrenches.

 

[RTM]

Here are a couple of Bridgeport wrenches that others identified for me in the DOE thread. The lower wrench in these two pix is supposedly a Bridgeport. While looking through the pix, I saw the second DBE wrench in other's pix.

IF anyone can use either of these to complete a set, holler at me.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Here's a little multitool

 

[LesserSon]

Without really meaning to, I have started a collection of Model 478 Amberlite-handled nutdrivers. The 1953 catalog lists nine sizes, from 3/16 to 9/16. My three skip the 11/32. On the quest for that, plus the two smaller and three larger…

Ah-ha! Sunday, I picked up two nutdrivers that match the Bridgeport ones. Because of the nonconducting shaft cover on the larger, I guessed before finding the stamped logos that they would be Snap-on (actually Blue Point), but look how well they match: not just the handle geometry, material & color, but even the sheen of the metal. Maybe Bridgeport was OEM for these before SO tooled up to make their own?