The Ratchet Collection Thread

[twertsy]

Sure thing, Todd. Yesterday's flea trip was a bounty of ratchets. I usually don't find as many as I did. So, hopefully I'll have more to share as this thread progresses.
Here's an odd duck that I found yesterday. So unusual, I just couldn't leave it behind. Marked 'Harper-Wyman Company Hinsdale, Illinois'. Obviously built for a specific use. What got me was that it's reversible.

Sweet ratchet! Looks like they made Gas burners and controls so that should tell you the special purpose. I find them as far back as 1929, probably earlier.

 

[woody 73]

Oh dear me that Harper-wyman would make for a killer story, please username already in use do a write story.

 

[twertsy]

I think we've pretty much covered Chicago and all the manufacturers that have been driven out of there, let's now move east a bit and start on Ohio, specifically Mogadore and Cornwell. I guess Kemmerline Quality Tools didn't quite roll off the tongue.

Here are two early "Gearless" examples, both stamped Pat. Applied For. I WILL (and may have) find the patent for this but it isn't easy to track down. These were thought to have been produced in the mid thirties.

From Top to Bottom:

- 1/2" drive Model No. 55 - Notice the forge mark, which represents the Harris-Thomas Drop Forge - Mid 30's
- 3/4" drive, no Model number - Mid 30's

 

[d42jeep]

As a strange coincidence, I picked up this early non-reversing 3/8" drive Cornwell ratchet at an Estate liquidator yesterday. I was happy to see the drive plug in place.
-Don

 

[twertsy]

As a strange coincidence, I picked up this early non-reversing 3/8" drive Cornwell ratchet at an Estate liquidator yesterday. I was happy to see the drive plug in place.
-Don

Nice! Very fine tooth/"Gearless?" they do feel like they have teeth but are called Gearless.

Edit: What's the "W"???? Another forger??

Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk

 

[LesserSon]

I don't have the number, nor the patience to post these by brand. So, by size...
¼ square drive:
Proto professional, Plomb pebble, Bonney refrigeration, Walden, Berylco, Oxwall.

 

[LesserSon]

⅜ square drive:
Indestro, Indestro, Bonney, Husky, Husky, Snap-on, Proto professional.

 

[twertsy]

I don't have the number, nor the patience to post these by brand. So, by size...
¼ square drive:
Proto professional, Plomb pebble, Bonney refrigeration, Walden, Berylco, Oxwall.

I'm not sure I do either LS! But I'll push on. By size or any other categorization, post away!

Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk

 

[LesserSon]

½ square drive:
Sherman-Klove, Firestone pebble, Herbrand, Herbrand, Husky, Husky Wrench Co, Bonney, Snap-on, New Britain, Hinsdale.

 

[LesserSon]

Hex drive:
Unmarked, Sherman-Klove, Unmarked (Duro/Indestro?), Unmarked, Indestro, Mossberg, Hinsdale.

 

[twertsy]

Some pretty cool examples there LS!

Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk

 

[Private Lugnutz]

UNAIU,

That is the funkiest ratchet I have ever seen.

I'll go back and see if I have anything that HASN'T been posted yet. In the meantime, here's a quick drive-by...

Lowell No. 11 (5/8-inch drive)

 

[Username already in use]

That Lowell wrench is massive!

Here's an Armstrong NMA-51 1/4in drive ratchet to add to the mix. I have no idea on vintage, but I'm going to guess 50s

View media item 65011

 

[twertsy]

That Lowell wrench is massive!

Here's an Armstrong NMA-51 1/4in drive ratchet to add to the mix. I have no idea on vintage, but I'm going to guess 50s

View media item 65011

That'd be my guess.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

The head is massive, Jason. But it's only about 6 inches long, believe it or not.

I have older Armstrongs, 1/2 and 3/8. If nobody has already posted any, I'll post some pics in a few days. I'm TDY this week.

 

[woody 73]

Sadly I am missing the plug, but this bad boy is almost the length of my washing machine; please lord forbid my wife ever finds me using it for tool pictures...

 

[twertsy]

Sadly I am missing the plug, but this bad boy is almost the length of my washing machine; please lord forbid my wife ever finds me using it for tool pictures...

Is there a # - # code stamped on the shank after the "Pat Applied For?" mine is 3 - 6. I'm thinking date code. Mine also has the tiny USA stamp.

Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk

 

[3baygarage]

I know guys, I know.

I accept that it's both sickening and sad........

View media item 65201

but that is all the Williams I can fit on this coffee table!

View media item 65205

View media item 65202

View media item 65203

View media item 65204


Great stuff so far guys! Twertsy, fine job gathering all these great tools and info!

 

[3baygarage]

A few thumbnail close ups while they are out here.

 

[Username already in use]

I know guys, I know.

I accept that it's both sickening and sad........

The worst part, as far as I'm concerned, is that you couldn't find a bigger table!
That's an epic shot, 3Bay! If ratchets were women, I'd say that you've got a 'type'...

Apparently, I'm behind in Williams, but I did find this BS-71 hiding in the drawer.

 

[d42jeep]

After seeing all of those, I kind of feel bad that I traded the one I had away.
-Don

 

[r_olson_06]

A few thumbnail close ups while they are out here.

Nice volume ratchet that is a hard to find one. I have been looking for a S52 ratchet for a while and I can see why I can't any.

Sent from my XT1030 using Tapatalk

 

[twertsy]

A few thumbnail close ups while they are out here.

That's a lot of Williams 3bay! Sweet collection! Mine doesn't really rival that but in a few weeks we'll get to the east and Buffalo.

 

[twertsy]

I'll continue here with some Cornwell, then move on to Barberton and Wright Tools today.

The bottom two ratchets are the next design subsequent to the gearless ratchets I posted earlier. These show up in the 1940 catalog where they appear to be stamped "Pat'd." I date these to the late 1930's.

The top two are more modern ratchets, the top being a JR-30 and the black oxide ratchet has no model number. The JR-30 is stamped USA 28 on the lower part of the handle.

 

[twertsy]

Now we move on to Barberton, OH and Wright Tool & Forge Co. I don't have a ton of Wright ratchets but here are some examples.

The bottom 6 ratchets are commonly referred to as the Tootsie Roll ratchets, obviously due to the appearance of the handles. The 1/2" drive are model 4400 and the 3/8" drive are 3400. The bottom ratchet is stamped patent pending while the rest have patent D199149 stamped on the handles. This patent was applied for in June of 1962 and awarded in September of 1964, dating the bottom ratchet between that timeframe. Interestingly, it has a "60" stamped into the handle, presumably representing a date code.

The top ratchet is a model N-50 with a date stamp of "40+" It's also stamped with patent 2201705, applied for in July of 1938, and awarded in May of 1940. Here is the link to this ratchet on my site which shows the interesting "Piston" design of the pawls.

It's also interesting to note the variance in length of the Tootsie Roll ratchets.

 

[twertsy]

Now I'm going to head over the MAC Tools, or Mechanics Tool & Forge. I really only collect early MAC wrenches but I do have two MAC branded ratchets. The top you'll recognize from earlier posts being made by S-K and pretty much known as the "Artisan Style." The bottom ratchet is an example of what I believe to be MACs earliest style. It's marked V-2-R and Patent Pending. I have yet to find that patent but we think it may have been made by Wright Tool & Forge.

 

[twertsy]

Ok, let's move over to Cleveland, OH. Vlchek ratchets are not easy to come by but I've managed to gather up a few.

From Top to Bottom:

- 3/8" drive Model WSLR6, dates to the early 1930's and made by New Britain Machine Co.
- 3/8" drive Model 2800-1, dates to the 1950s-60s, made by Wright
- 3/8" drive Model 2800, dates to the 1950s-60s, made by Wright (x2)
- 1/2" drive Model WSLR10, dates to the early 1930's and made by New Britain Machine Co.
- 1/2" drive Model 3800, dates likely to the 60's - 70's, and probably made by Duro Metal Products
- 1/2" drive Model 3800, dates likely to the 1960's and made by Wright Tool & Forge.

 

[Username already in use]

Here's another MAC X2R. Possibly made by Wright, possibly Bonney, Possibly Herbrand...
PowderKeg makes a strong case for this one being made by Wright in THIS thread.

 

[twertsy]

PK has more ratchets than likely all of us combined. After re-reading that thread, I agree, Wright made.

 

[3baygarage]

The worst part, as far as I'm concerned, is that you couldn't find a bigger table!
That's an epic shot, 3Bay! If ratchets were women, I'd say that you've got a 'type'...

That's just one type I like, there are others! I estimate I have another 40 or so old Williams ratchets though.

Nice BS71, I like the tri-wing models. Hope to collect more of those as they came in a few brand names.

You take some awesome pictures by the way.

After seeing all of those, I kind of feel bad that I traded the one I had away.
-Don

Good pictures compared to my mess. I bet you run across more. They are out there for sure.

Nice volume ratchet that is a hard to find one. I have been looking for a S52 ratchet for a while and I can see why I can't any.

Sent from my XT1030 using Tapatalk

Thanks I would like to find a 3/8 to match.

The S52 and B52 very common around here. I'm surprised,usually many online too, you must be holding out like me with some things.

That's a lot of Williams 3bay! Sweet collection! Mine doesn't really rival that but in a few weeks we'll get to the east and Buffalo.

Thanks.
I'm enjoying your brand grouping posts. I probably should have broke these down a little with some description.

 

[bsg1]

a great thread that is well worth attending. thanks.

 

[chopper1]

Todd when did Vlchek move from Cleveland to Cinncy?

 

[twertsy]

Todd when did Vlchek move from Cleveland to Cinncy?

Lol.......oops! I'll fix that. Long day Mike.

Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk

 

[chopper1]

Lol.......oops! I'll fix that. Long day Mike.

Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk

I hear ya.

 

[Benryanuk]

I really like my old Snap On ratchet... I'm guessing 1970/80's?



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[henry29]

I really like my old Snap On ratchet... I'm guessing 1970/80's?
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Looks like 1942

 

[LesserSon]

Looks like 1942

If that dark squiggle in the dark shadow is what it looks like, you're right.

 

[Benryanuk]

If that dark squiggle in the dark shadow is what it looks like, you're right.

Ah ok.. much older than I thought. This thing is in great condition for its age.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Username already in use]

Here's another example of a Duro ratchet. I was surprised to see DURO on the selector when I picked it up. The Torx bit is non removable. I believe these ratchets are made to remove the targa top from the Corvette.

 

[twertsy]

Here's another example of a Duro ratchet. I was surprised to see DURO on the selector when I picked it up. The Torx bit is non removable. I believe these ratchets are made to remove the targa top from the Corvette.

That's interesting.......I feel like I have a MAC ratchet that looks like that......

Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk