Tecomaster Professional 3/8" Socket Set

[RyanE]

Hiya folks. I've had this set in a cabinet for years.

Story - back in the 1960s or early 70's, the neighbour noticed my dad (a kid) could use some tools for fixing up a bike or something so he gifted this set. My granddad wasn't big on sharing his tools with his kids I guess?

Anyway, it's Tecomaster "Professional" which would have come from the Canadian department store Eatons.

Any idea on maker or COO? No COO listed on the tools, I'm wondering if they are Japanese? The sockets and several of the extensions proudly proclaim "chrome vanadium" which screams import to me usually, but maybe not with something this vintage?

Very nice chrome and broaching on the sockets. Some of the sockets appear to never have been used. The ratchet has a rubber handle, triangle cross section.

What say the knowledgeable? I plan on keeping them, not worried about value but curious about their origins.

Cheers!

 

[d42jeep]

These ratchets were made by Wright for Montgomery Wards Powr-Kraft tools. I suspect that your set was sourced from Wright.
-Don

 

[davethorik]

I'm going to guess import Wright clone.

 

[RyanE]

I'm going to guess import Wright clone.

I thought import too, but would the 1960's not be a bit early for that?

 

[RyanE]

These ratchets were made by Wright for Montgomery Wards Powr-Kraft tools. I suspect that your set was sourced from Wright.
-Don

Yes, thanks for pointing that out. They definitely look like the Wright ratchets. I will have to do some more looking for 1960's Eatons catalogues and see if there is anything in the description that might indicate COO. Will also do some comparisons to Powr-Kraft tool sets and see if something is similar.

 

[snapmom]

A Tecomaster 3/8 drive ratchet and socket made by Snap on Canada, sometimes in the 60s

 

[RyanE]

A Tecomaster 3/8 drive ratchet and socket made by Snap on Canada, sometimes in the 60s

Hi snapmom,

That's a great ratchet - wish mine was a Canadian Snap On but it appears that Eaton's changed suppliers in the late 1960's.

I did some perusing of online Eaton's Catalogues (See here: https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/postal-heritage-philately/canadian-mail-order-catalogues/Pages/search.aspx )

They have a 1965 catalogue that shows the Snap On ratchets, while the next catalogue is from 1975 (unfortunately nothing in between, unless you can read/write in French - I'm not proficient) and it shows the rubber gripped ratchet (like mine) along with what appears to be another style of ratchet with knurled handles (Thorsen?).

Nothing in either catalogue gives any indication of the COO, even for the obviously Snap On produced tools, so perhaps my set is from N. America after all.

I will keep looking for a late 60's/early 70's catalogue that shows the exact kit that I have. If nothing else, it's kind of an enjoyable winter activity that doesn't involve going outside in -28*C weather!

 

[Rangie]

Great reference catalogue!

Alec.

 

[MacNoob]

Cleaning out at mom's place - found the Tecomaster Clinton-powered generator from 1965 (item 1):

https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/postal-heritage-philately/canadian-mail-order-catalogues/Pages/item.aspx?PageId=12177&

 

[four.cycle]

@RyanE -

excellent. thank you.