That mysterious unknown socket

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

Good evening.

I picked up this socket the other day. No manufacturer name or logo. It is a 3/8 drive and measures as a 3/4" socket. But, while it is a 6 point socket, each "point" is 3/16th wide so obviously this is for some sort of specialty bolt...maybe? It's a heavy, well made socket with a great finish and labeled USA. Would love to determine the maker of this little gem and get it in the proper tool

 

[geneg]

Oil sending unit socket.

 

[micromind]

That's my guess too, especially given that the corners are rounded off.

 

[Skyman]

Yep. What geneg said.

 

[Raineman]

Oil sending unit socket.

X4

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

Check! Oil sending unit socket...so the use is known but the manufacturer is still unknown...oh well, into the box of USA mystery sockets...one day they'll all have a proper home!

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

And now for round two! Here's a doozy. 1 1/2" in length, 1/2" drive, 7/16ths socket. A blunted cone shape design with no markings. It has a look and feel similar to the Plumb WF Era sockets.

This is the first type socket in this shape I've ever seen. Thoughts anyone? She's ****!

 

[Ricky Joe]

Check! Oil sending unit socket...so the use is known but the manufacturer is still unknown...oh well, into the box of USA mystery sockets...one day they'll all have a proper home!

It is an oil sending unit socket, and it is an older one, probably from the 1950s. By the 1960s they had a wrench accessible top. Also, they were usually 1-1/16” openings.

 

[Ricky Joe]

Me and technology have a hard time. This is the fourth time I’ve tried to send a picture.

 

[3baygarage]

First one, idk. There are a lot of misc. auto specialty tool brands. Cal-Van or something like that perhaps.

The second one, could it be two sockets welded together and ground down to fit somewhere?

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

First one, idk. There are a lot of misc. auto specialty tool brands. Cal-Van or something like that perhaps.

The second one, could it be two sockets welded together and ground down to fit somewhere?

The internal machining appears as one solid piece with a lot of intricate design inside. The inside and outside is very symmetrical and not indicative of any welding. It's a really nicely machined socket. Being absent of a makers ID is a shame even if it was labeled Fred's machine works...at least then I'd know it was custom.

 

[Hammer1963]

Easco (KD Tools)

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

Easco (KD Tools)

Hammer, which one?

 

[Hammer1963]

Hammer, which one?

They are (were) the same company. They were famous for selling unlabeled tools. Most were found at auto parts store on the Help display. Help being the company that supplied unique fasteners, window cranks, light switches etc.

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

They are (were) the same company. They were famous for selling unlabeled tools. Most were found at auto parts store on the Help display. Help being the company that supplied unique fasteners, window cranks, light switches etc.

Yes, very familiar with K-D/ Easco but which socket are you referring to, the one marked USA or the unmarked one?

 

[Hammer1963]

Oh hell, I forgot to mention that . . . The USA socket

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

Oh hell, I forgot to mention that . . . The USA socket

Thanks, I'll run it by John Famini on his FB page

 

[Mgdoug3]

SK made a non-warranty 7/16" socket I believe for Ford connecting rods back in the day. The shoulder was smaller than a normal 7/16 socket because it needed clearance to fit the bolt head. Since it was thinner than the regular socket, it had no warranty and considered as a wear item.

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

Oh hell, I forgot to mention that . . . The USA socket

John Famini (worked for the company) said it's not EASCO nor K-D because it would have a part # on it...

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

New one. This one is simply labeled "Alloy" R-1228 Made in USA. It's a 1/2" drive 7/8 socket. You can only imagine what I had to review by searching Alloy on all the sites...anybody have a clue?

 

[Ricky Joe]

New one. This one is simply labeled "Alloy" R-1228 Made in USA. It's a 1/2" drive 7/8 socket. You can only imagine what I had to review by searching Alloy on all the sites...anybody have a clue?

I’ve got its twin. I always thought S-K.

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

I’ve got its twin. I always thought S-K.

The serial # R-1228 leads me down that same S-K path as well

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

Update on the R-1228. Just found an exact match labeled Fleet, same design, same # and wording for Made in USA. Hmmm, did Fleet (FKA Penens) make unbranded sockets for outside distro?

 

[RTM]

Fleet catalog with an R-1228, only one in ITCL.

Fleet Quality Tools : Catalog No. 501 : Penens Corp. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

11 p., illus., 27.9 cm, trade catalog

archive.org

 

[ChevyEFI]

Good question. I cannot answer authoritatively, but there are other PNs (for other sizes) that come up with some basic searches. Both Fleet and nonbranded. Like a 9/16 in the 2018 Garage sale thread on here and another (w/ wrong PN in title) on the 'bay.

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

Just received this 5 1/2" extension marked R-22 and the same Alloy marking. Checked that Fleet #501 catalog and sure enough their 5 1/2" extension has a R-22 model number. Enough proof for me!

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

HELP!!! I purchased this 1/2" Hex drive set the other day. The entire set lacks any maker mark and the sockets don't even have size markings. It's a quality constructed set for sure. The interlocking closure, the Ell handle fits snug up in the top piece, the way everything fits together and even the end handle with its snap closure over the set. Anybody seen a set like this one?

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

The mechanics of the case lead me down the Indestro road...still researching

 

[four.cycle]

^ NOT Indestro or New Britain. It does look somewhat Keystone-ish.
The screwdriver widget is unique - I do NOT recognize that piece.
Keystone sets are stamped on the bottom of the holder "MADE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" (all spelled out.)

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

^ NOT Indestro or New Britain. It does look somewhat Keystone-ish.
The screwdriver widget is unique - I do NOT recognize that piece.
Keystone sets are stamped on the bottom of the holder "MADE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" (all spelled out.)

No branding or origin markings anywhere. But looking at the Keystone 3 page flyer in ITCL, that first page picture looks remarkably similar to my set! Is the set you pictured yours where you could send a Pic of one of the sockets?

 

[four.cycle]

1926 Hardware Retailer Clayton & Lambert Diener Elastic Tip Keystone Master ad pp 187

1928 Hardware Retailer Keystone Mfg. Co. ad pp 40-41

1928 Superior Supply Co. catalog Crescent Keystone Williams ad pp 1151

Keystone No. 333 9-pc 1.2 hex drive SAE socket set (patent 1534537) 1928 Superior Supply Co. catalog pp 1151

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

1926 Hardware Retailer Clayton & Lambert Diener Elastic Tip Keystone Master ad pp 187

1928 Hardware Retailer Keystone Mfg. Co. ad pp 40-41

1928 Superior Supply Co. catalog Crescent Keystone Williams ad pp 1151

Keystone No. 333 9-pc 1.2 hex drive SAE socket set (patent 1534537) 1928 Superior Supply Co. catalog pp 1151

That 1926 ad with the #333 and including the screwdriver socket kind of seals the deal for me! Thanks again for the help 4 Cycle!!!!

 

[four.cycle]

Yes. YOU have a 333. I didn't recognize it because of that squarish-shaped piece along the top.
MINE are 555 sets, and it appears I am missing an "ell" handle! If somebody has a spare let me know.

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

Yes. YOU have a 333. I didn't recognize it because of that squarish-shaped piece along the top.
MINE are 555 sets, and it appears I am missing an "ell" handle! If somebody has a spare let me know.

Good Lord. Apparently the ell handles are unmarked. I've got several I'll look through and compare with my 333 set. Unfamiliar with the 555, what's the length of that ell handle?

 

[larry_g]

The screwdriver like tool is a draglink socket.

drag link socket - Google Search

Used for adjusting the ball and socket ends in the steering linkages of old cars and tractors.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[four.cycle]

@Tom "Python" Aycock -
The "ELL" handle has an overall length of 8-1/8" inches, and the "ELL" is only 1-3/8" tall.

I've been advised by our friend at AA that I have both the early (6-point) set and the later (12-point) set: The 1928 Hardware Retailer advertisement shows the set containing "hexagonal" (6 point) sockets, and a later (early 1930s) Keystone catalog (No. 31) shows the set having "double hex" (12-point) sockets.
I have the early one posted on ebay. I am going to try to find an "ell" handle to complete the other one before listing it on ebay (unless somebody here is interested in it.)
I am trying to get through the rest of the box with the oddball hex drive and oddball 1/4" drive sets in it this weekend.

 

[Tom "Python" Aycock]

OK guys need a little help,

Made out like a bandit today at an estate sale. Amongst the goodies I found a JH Williams 330S socket box. Inside it was quite the drag link collection. Walden, Bonney and a couple New Britain. Then there's these mysterious unknown sockets, they all are 1/2" drive, have some sort of set screw on the side and a weird curved working end. I know you guys know what they are! Some marked with 41-S-3867-155.

 

[ecotec]

OK guys need a little help,

Made out like a bandit today at an estate sale. Amongst the goodies I found a JH Williams 330S socket box. Inside it was quite the drag link collection. Walden, Bonney and a couple New Britain. Then there's these mysterious unknown sockets, they all are 1/2" drive, have some sort of set screw on the side and a weird curved working end. I know you guys know what they are! Some marked with 41-S-3867-155.

I have never seen anything like those (on the left of your picture). Maybe they adjust some kind of machine in a factory.

I have never seen so many drag link sockets in one place. You always think truck and jeep steering linkage… but sometimes they were used to adjust machinery.

Maybe they were from a truck or jeep factory.

 

[RTM]

Dzus type fasteners?

 

[neophyte]

Dzus type fasteners?

This is what I was thinking.
Or an older version of the “Hi-Torque” bit.
The bit tip is made from sheet steel, and can be replaced, allowing for lower cost over time as bit tips wear out, and maybe even more effective hardening and tempering of tip.