Sockets

[WarrenJ]

I was at sale today looking through some sockets, working on filling sets.
I saw some USA marked Blue Grass and Hallowell.
Can't find much info on them.
Is it worth going back tomorrow to "save" them.
Thanks

 

[vintagetoolhoarder]

If I remember correctly Blue Grass was made by Belknap and they seem to be good quality from my limited knowledge as I’ve only had one 3/8 extension but go grab them if they’re a cheap and fair price

 

[Ton ton]

Grab them if you can.

 

[Coach James]

I have a couple Blue Grass screw drivers I inherited from my dad. He used them for years and they are still in good shape. I would go back and get them if I was okay with the price.

 

[WarrenJ]

It was closed down, when i went back. I'll email and see when I can get there.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I’d definitely pick up the Blue Grass ones. I’ve heard of them but never seen any in person must mean they are rare.

 

[MikeinKy]

I’d definitely pick up the Blue Grass ones. I’ve heard of them but never seen any in person must mean they are rare.

I'm pretty sure the bluegrass one's were made in Louisville, Ky by Belknap hardware. I'm not sure, but I think they closed up in the mid 90's, maybe 95 or 96. Belknap was in downtown Louisille, I think about where the minor league baseball field is now.

 

[WarrenJ]

Stopped back this weekend and he was open again. Picked up these Blue Grass "USA" sockets:
7/16 12 point 1/2 inch drive deep
2 of 9/16 12 point 1/2 inch drive deep
11/16 12 point 1/2 inch drive deep
9/16 12 point 1/2 inch drive shallow
1/2 12 point 1/2 inch drive shallow

Some have numbers, but not all.

 

[four.cycle]

^ The "Bluegrass" units were made by Thorsen.
"Hall-O-Well" was made by Standard Pressed Steel Products Co., Jenkintown, PA / SPS Technologies, 301 Highland Ave., Jenkintown, PA. 19046 / https://www.pccfasteners.com/companies/pcc-fasteners/sps-tech-jenkintown.html / http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/sps-technologies-inc-history/

The Hall-O-Well products were fairly unique - a self-contained driver with an assortment of sockets or bits. They made several different models.
Their model 100 is probably the most common: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/interesting-vintage-hallowell-socket-set.340245/
There are a number of catalog pages posted in the thread.

Private Lugnutz's model 25 "bit" set is shown here: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/media/albums/hallowell-socket-set-key-kit-no-25.5960/

 

[WarrenJ]

Thanks four. cycle
Only had few H O W sockets when I went back but I left them.
I'll check on my next trip to his Yard Sale.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Very cool. I have yet to see one in person I’ve got my eyes out for them.