Snap-On 120A-TM-B 1/4" Socket Set 1979

[RubiconJK]

If this isn't "vintage" enough perhaps it will get moved to the general forum, but here are a couple pics of my 120A-TM-B 1/4" drive set from 1979. It is complete with all the original pieces except the driver(TM-4A) which is missing. I've had the old Williams driver in this set for many years as a substitute. I was given this set in the mid 80's and it didn't have the driver in it then and until recently I had not done any research to see if the set was complete. I have an Octo-Grip TM-4-S from 1960 I could put in there, but want to get the correct part and period piece.

Question: My 1960 TM-4-S is date code stamped, but none of the pieces from this 1979 set are date code stamped as far as I can tell, other than the box. Was this normal of this time period? Thanks.

 

[DadsTools]

Sorry, can't answer your question for that, but I know there's SO collectors in here that can, and probably will. But still wanted to comment on how nice your set is. 6-pt sockets too!!!

As for what constitutes 'vintage', that can vary from person to person or type of item. For me, tool companies that have a long history of production but are no longer there anymore are 'vintage'. For example, to me, all Duro/Indestro is 'vintage' even though the brand was still being made to about 1990. Original pre-Klein Vaco stuff is vintage, that's 80s or before. Given just a few years, I'd say all Armstrong marked tools are going to be 'vintage' also. "Things that aren't there anymore" are all vintage to me.

1970s is definitely vintage. I think 80s would be too. Your 'back in the day' question about date codes is a vintage consideration. How would this fit into the "General" tool discussion?

You posted it in the right place! Nice SO ****. Vintage.

 

[RubiconJK]

Sorry, can't answer your question for that, but I know there's SO collectors in here that can, and probably will. But still wanted to comment on how nice your set is. 6-pt sockets too!!!

As for what constitutes 'vintage', that can vary from person to person or type of item. For me, tool companies that have a long history of production but are no longer there anymore are 'vintage'. For example, to me, all Duro/Indestro is 'vintage' even though the brand was still being made to about 1990. Original pre-Klein Vaco stuff is vintage, that's 80s or before. Given just a few years, I'd say all Armstrong marked tools are going to be 'vintage' also. "Things that aren't there anymore" are all vintage to me.

1970s is definitely vintage. I think 80s would be too. Your 'back in the day' question about date codes is a vintage consideration. How would this fit into the "General" tool discussion?

You posted it in the right place! Nice SO ****. Vintage.

Appreciate it! I've watched this forum for almost two years, but just recently decided to start posting, so still a bit of a forum newbie I guess! I might mention that I have used this set a bunch and gone through at least one ratchet rebuild kit with it, but I try to take care of what I have. Thanks again.

 

[DadsTools]

Appreciate it! I've watched this forum for almost two years, but just recently decided to start posting, so still a bit of a forum newbie I guess! I might mention that I have used this set a bunch and gone through at least one ratchet rebuild kit with it, but I try to take care of what I have. Thanks again.

Well, welcome to the melee! It gets a little crazy at times as you well know, but the wealth of knowledge in here and the new finds being introduced all the time make for a very wonderful place indeed!

Me Like!

BTW, got your friend request. Me Like Bass Too!

 

[MShaw]

I a similar same box that I bought around 1959 but my contents are a league of nations, Snap on, SK, New Britain, and Proto. Some components much newer than others. A pure SO set is really neat.

 

[RubiconJK]

Well, welcome to the melee! It gets a little crazy at times as you well know, but the wealth of knowledge in here and the new finds being introduced all the time make for a very wonderful place indeed!

Me Like!

BTW, got your friend request. Me Like Bass Too!

I'm out there pitchin' and flippin' every chance I get! Caught 3 bass today all around 2 to 3 lbs. Finally found some 50 degree water here in Oklahoma. Fish will start moving up soon now!!

 

[RubiconJK]

I a similar same box that I bought around 1959 but my contents are a league of nations, Snap on, SK, New Britain, and Proto. Some components much newer than others. A pure SO set is really neat.

Thank you! Just have to get that driver now!

 

[RubiconJK]

My 1979 set doesn't seem to have date codes on any of the tools other than just on the box. Other SO tools I have from the early 60's do have obvious date codes. Is it typical of my '79 set to not have the codes? I've owned it since the mid-80's and all the pieces are original to the box. Did tools sold as sets perhaps not get individual date codes? Thanks for any advice.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I think (and correct me if I am wrong), in tool terms 30 years is vintage, and 100 is antique

 

[shanny19]

It can be a controversial topic on here, but Snap On without date codes has been sold to fulfill federal government contracts at various times. I have many, many examples in my collection from the late 70s and early 80s with no date codes, my picking grounds are home to a major AFB.

Did you buy yours new in the 80s? Original owner? edited to add, just saw where you were gifted the set.

 

[RubiconJK]

It can be a controversial topic on here, but Snap On without date codes has been sold to fulfill federal government contracts at various times. I have many, many examples in my collection from the late 70s and early 80s with no date codes, my picking grounds are home to a major AFB.

Did you buy yours new in the 80s? Original owner? edited to add, just saw where you were gifted the set.

Thanks Shanny. Yes, they were given to me by the original owner. He got them new in '79(don't remember him telling me where) and gave to me in the mid 80's. I've used them a bunch, have rebuilt the ratchet at least once that I can remember, but have managed to keep all the original pieces together. I also think I have found a missing driver to complete the set.

 

[SKI1019]

I also believe that sockets sold in a set were not date coded, only the ones sold individually. I may be wrong but it sure made sense to me. Nice set of tools BTW. Steve

 

[RubiconJK]

I also believe that sockets sold in a set were not date coded, only the ones sold individually. I may be wrong but it sure made sense to me. Nice set of tools BTW. Steve

Thank you Steve, that makes sense to me too. I've looked over the ratchet, extensions and all with a magnifying glass and can't find any date code marks on them.

All these years of using them and I've never even checked until just a few days ago to see if the set was complete! Low and behold I find out the set should have also had a TM-4A driver. I guess I started wondering about the date codes in an effort to find a driver of about the same date.

Appreciate your input.

 

[davethorik]

I have a Snappy KB-4 1/2 speeder, black oxide, knurled grip, and no date code. I believe it is from the 70s as well.

 

[Dave455]

The TM 4 from 1979 would have had the old 'Tenite' handle.

I have Tenite handles that I bought new in the mid 80's and have had no issues, but... some only slightly older ones seem to have had 'bad batches' of Tenite which has started degrading. I wonder if this happened to your TM4?

I have a Canadian made Tenite handled driver thst my Dad owned, and it leaks vile smelling fluid like you wouldn't believe!

 

[RubiconJK]

The TM 4 from 1979 would have had the old 'Tenite' handle.

I have Tenite handles that I bought new in the mid 80's and have had no issues, but... some only slightly older ones seem to have had 'bad batches' of Tenite which has started degrading. I wonder if this happened to your TM4?

I have a Canadian made Tenite handled driver thst my Dad owned, and it leaks vile smelling fluid like you wouldn't believe!

Hi Dave,
I got the set in the mid 80's and since it was a 1979 set I don't know that the handle on the TM4 would have had time to break down by that time. It wasn't with the set when it was given to me and the person who gave it to me has now passed on, so we'll never know!

Is the Tenite you mentioned the same material that was used on the Snap-On SD numbered Octo-Grip screwdrivers? I have several old Octo-Grips from 1960 that wreak! They had been stored in a tool box for many years and I have read before that this happens. None of them leak any fluid though like yours!

 

[RubiconJK]

I have a Snappy KB-4 1/2 speeder, black oxide, knurled grip, and no date code. I believe it is from the 70s as well.

Dave, do you know if yours might have come out of a set? Wondering if there is any consistency to the date codes being missing from set tools. Thanks.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

According to wikipedia, tenite is a cellulosic thermoplastic

 

[davethorik]

Dave, do you know if yours might have come out of a set? Wondering if there is any consistency to the date codes being missing from set tools. Thanks.

Sorry I have no idea. I bought it at an estate sale, and it was the only Snap-on tool of any type there.

 

[RubiconJK]

The answer to your date code question is as follows:

In 1927 Snap-On started putting date codes on tools because they warranteed them for a one year period. Often you will find some of the early tools with more than one code. That was frequently because the dealer sold the tool after the initial warranty period. The warranty would go by the later date. So the dealer himself put a code on the tool. At some point, I am not sure when, Snap-On converted to a lifetime guarantee. At that point the date code became redundant. About 1978 or so they decided to no longer use the code, and for about three or four years they seldom if ever did. I have seen '79 codes, but not '80, '81', or '82. By 1983, for whatever reason, they resumed the codes.

That 1979 set, by the way, was my first Snap-On purchase, and I still have it, though the driver is marked with an "E", which was for "exchange".

Thank you Ricky, that is good to know. I had seen the codes for '79 - '82 included on a chart, but per your post I guess they just didn't use them. Thanks again.