The Ratchet Collection Thread

[Private Lugnutz]

Very cool looking, 3bay!

The only "Deco" tool I have is one of those 9/32-inch drive spinners with the bulbous, whole palm-fitting handles. They are still a mystery in terms of source as far as I know, so I was kind of hoping the branding would be the same, but it's not.

 

[bonneyman]

Heck, I think the Deco ratchet would look good with that pebbled coating on your display stand. What is that?

And I once had a Deco stubby driver like that (never seen one before) but got rid of it because I thought the line at the narrow section was a crack and the end would eventually work it's way off. Now I see that's normal.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Here it is in 62 walden catalog

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Snerk. "Jumbo Stubby" sounds like a contradiction in terms, but somehow it works.

This is getting further and further off topic from the thread and 3bay's "Deco" handle, but has anyone ever seen the SW 1/4-drive version?

 

[Beerhippie]

Snerk. "Jumbo Stubby" sounds like a contradiction in terms, but somehow it works.

This is getting further and further off topic from the thread and 3bay's "Deco" handle, but has anyone ever seen the SW 1/4-drive version?

That was my college nickname.

 

[Mintgrun]

This is getting further and further off topic from the thread and 3bay's "Deco" handle, but has anyone ever seen the SW 1/4-drive version?

The one I have is marked STW, along with 44B8809, the same number as the DECO drivers have.



I was hoping it had the SW catalog number.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

That's interesting, Tom. Definitely nails the connection between Deco and STW, but might raise more questions than answers. If it had a 3189 on it, I would expect it to be 1/4-inch drive, though. It is 9/32-inch drive, right?

 

[Mintgrun]

If it had a 3189 on it, I would expect it to be 1/4-inch drive, though. It is 9/32-inch drive, right?

Nope, it's 1/4" drive.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Mine is 1/4"

 

[Private Lugnutz]

WTAF?! I know more than a few of us, including me, @d42jeep, and @bmwrd0 have the 9/32-inch drive versions. I guess they didn't bother changing the mold for the handle with the P/N on it and machined the drive stud down to 1/4 at the factory.

One more observation. The Deco models have a round shank. Tom's STW model has a square shank, which is what is shown in the catalog.

We should probably move this conversation.

 

[RTM]

They are still a mystery in terms of source as far as I know,

Did this help anything? Never saw any replies, and kinda forgot about it. There is a 2nd post right below it.

My Small But Growing 1/4" drive Socket Set Collection

I remember the shape. I didn't remember the name. There is a Deco Tools (since 1955) and a Deco Tool Supply (since 1945). It's gotta be one of them. Jumping in really late here. Buddy of mine linked to one that showed Southgate down in the flutes. Can’t find the FB link now. Don’t know if...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[Private Lugnutz]

We moved the convo to the Midget thread, RTM. I will reply there.

 

[Levaughn]

These are ratchets I've collected from Swap Meets, Flea Markets, Estate Sales and Yard Sales. I didn't pay more than $5 for any of them. I don't use them. There are just stored in a tool box.

First group left to right
Craftsman, Williams, Cornwell, Kal, Husky, Craftsman, Indestro, SK Wayne, Plomb, Indestro, Craftsman, Chicago Patent # 1902878, Craftsman, Craftsman, Craftsman, Bonney, Mac, SK, Craftsman, Blackhawk, J H Williams, Snap On, Bonney, Stanley, Taiwan, New Britian, Craftsman, Thorsen

Second group left to right
Armstrong, ???, J H Williams, Chicago Patent # 1798481, Craftsman, ???, Duro Chrome, J H Williams, Plomb, Proto, ???, Thorsen, Thorsen, Duro Chrome, SK, Mac, Snap On, Craftsman, ???, Meteor, SK, Fleet, Husky, Walden Worshster, Armstrong, SK, Plomb, ???, Proto, Proto, Husky

The large one in the rear is a Truth.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Here's some metcoids

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Some Frankensteins, crescent, wright, wardmastr, powrkraft. I think their was a speedmaster as well.

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

I picked up this Frank Mossberg con rod connecting nut 624 ratchet at a swap meet yesterday. It's in pretty good shape and should clean up nice. Fixed 5/8 socket probably specific to Ford models. Ed.

 

[four.cycle]

@Oregon rock crusher -

#624 Mossberg at lower left:

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

Thanks four.cycle . I think I've found at least three variations on the 624 handle. The one in that 1918 cut you posted looks to be a closed loop. I think most were the bent wire, open loop like mine. I also saw a 624 with a solid bar handle on one site. On edit- although looking at this pic again it may just be the angle of the shot. Ed.

 

[four.cycle]

Mossberg model 624

 

[genog]

A few years ago I bought a Mossberg stamped socket set from a seller at the Flea Market
There must have been 30 or so sockets, along with an interesting U-joint and extension(s)....
...in a most greasy, dirty, awful wood box

I ask myself, why did I buy something like that.....

By comparing my Set to pics of Mossberg sets belonging to GJ members here, I see I was missing a ratchet...
I kind of lost interest in the set and gave it away

Fast forward three or so years.....I buy this ratchet and once again ask myself, why?

It is kinda cool.....made from stamped parts
Reminds me of ole vintage Mossberg .22's (O.F. Mossberg)....that had stamped bolt handles

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

A few years ago I bought a Mossberg stamped socket set from a seller at the Flea Market
There must have been 30 or so sockets, along with an interesting U-joint and extension(s)....
...in a most greasy, dirty, awful wood box

I ask myself, why did I buy something like that.....

By comparing my Set to pics of Mossberg sets belonging to GJ members here, I see I was missing a ratchet...
I kind of lost interest in the set and gave it away

Fast forward three or so years.....I buy this ratchet and once again ask myself, why?

It is kinda cool.....made from stamped parts
Reminds me of ole vintage Mossberg .22's (O.F. Mossberg)....that had stamped bolt handles

! am in the same boat. The other day I spotted this old long speed wrench without knowing who made it. I asked the guy if I buy it can I bring it back after finding out the history of it. I have one of those that you have so this will go with my new collection. I have been down every hole I could find without success. Twenty-five-inch-long number 57.

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

! am in the same boat. The other day I spotted this old long speed wrench without knowing who made it. I asked the guy if I buy it can I bring it back after finding out the history of it. I have one of those that you have so this will go with my new collection. I have been down every hole I could find without success. Twenty-five-inch-long number 57.

oops

 

[genog]

Hi Mike,
If you want this Mossberg ratchet, I'll mail it to you.
It's yours

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

Hi Mike,
If you want this Mossberg ratchet, I'll mail it to you.
It's yours

Thanks Genog. But I have that one.

 

[TheRealBastard]

Some of my Craftsman ratchets in a USA made Samsonite.

 

[59Sled]

Came across these recently.
Top one is a 1/2” drive Western Giant
Bottom one is a 3/8” drive Armstrong. Not entirely sure how old the Armstrong ratchet is.



The 3/8 Armstrong



The 1/2“ drive Western Giant

 

[Snaparxon]

The 3/8 Armstrong

Have always thought the head looked very Snapon-ish. Is that a date code between the on-off ?

 

[3baygarage]

Have always thought the head looked very Snapon-ish. Is that a date code between the on-off ?

I agree with you but pretty sure that's a dash in between.

 

[59Sled]

I agree with you but pretty sure that's a dash in between.

Yeah, definitely a dash mark. I didn't see any date code on it. So that's why I didn't think it was that old.

 

[Snaparxon]

Some of my Craftsman ratchets in a USA made Samsonite.

Very nice!

Do you a list of what manufacturer code is on each ratchet? I picked up several over the last few monthes and every one I have has a different code on it. I haven't sat down yet to study each one to see what the differences are.

 

[TheRealBastard]

Very nice!

Do you a list of what manufacturer code is on each ratchet? I picked up several over the last few monthes and every one I have has a different code on it. I haven't sat down yet to study each one to see what the differences are.

I haven’t. I just see old tools at the flea market and buy if they are cheap enough… then clean them up and stash them.

 

[genog]

Remember Hannibal Smith's famous quote?


Well......my Plan went Belly Up on me

I bought this.....


....expecting to use this Craftsman ratchet rebuild kit in which I've had kicking around in my ratchet drawer for decades now


But.....upon inspection the early 2000's (maybe late 90's??) ratchet rebuild kit is incompatible with that -V- ratchet
Ooops....
After looking at TheRealBastard's pics of his C-man ratchet collection, 6 or so posts above, I see the issue...

 

[Orangina]

Hello everyone,




have now all 3 early versions of Hazet hex drive ratchets from the 1920s to 1930s. Two are my winter restoration projects.
On the first two, the mechanism was still open on the side.



The last version with encapsulated mechanics was replaced in 1933 by a 1/2" square drive in the same case.
This was similar to the "Blackhawk 49977" (USA from 1919) - or the even earlier "Mossberg 350" (USA from 1913).
Hazet produced them in different surfaces and markings from 1933 to 1951 (I have 4 of them, the photo include only 3)



regards,

 

[bmwrd0]

Came across these recently.
Top one is a 1/2” drive Western Giant
Bottom one is a 3/8” drive Armstrong. Not entirely sure how old the Armstrong ratchet is.



The 3/8 Armstrong



The 1/2“ drive Western Giant

The Armstrong ratchet is post '77. They changed their parts numbering system from a four digit sequence to the five digit you see there that year.

 

[59Sled]

The Armstrong ratchet is post '77. They changed their parts numbering system from a four digit sequence to the five digit you see there that year.

Thanks. It was given to me. I assumed it was from the 90’s but wasn't quite sure.

 

[z28lsc]

These are some of my ratchets.
1/4" and 3/8
1/2"

 

[Glemon]

Tonight I am reaching in blind to change some coolant tubes that are tucked between the the firewall and dash of my old Jaguar. I feel something unattached and metal and pull this out.

Figured it was older, looked it up, many of you probably know this but Flying V ratchet made from '59 through the mid sixties. Didn't think it merited its own topic, but this worth a mention, this seemed like an appropriate place. Well used, plenty of life left. Fun find and a keeper for me.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Old billings ratchet. US Patent: 2,138,332 - Wrench https://share.google/VmnK0vF2e89JdnojX

 

[four.cycle]

34997 Blackhawk 3/8" drive swivel-head ratchet (patent 2554990 2981389 Luther Kilness)

Has a hopelessly loose head. Previous owner attempted to effect repairs, evidenced by innumerable hammer marks on both sides of yoke.
Ratchet works fine. Head flops around like a fish out of water.
Listing in classifieds HERE

 

[d42jeep]

I had occasion today to go through some Craftsman US made ratchets. Here are the 3/8” and 1/4” drives.
Some 1/2” drive ratchets.
-Don