The Ratchet Collection Thread
- Thread starter twertsy
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I don't think we've ever had a discussion about the unmarked Plomb ratchets. My guess is they missed the final stamping process, or they could be ratchets that were supplied individually/not included in a set. Perhaps they were being made by one of the other divisions (Penens, P&C, etc.)...
Here's a 1/4in drive P&C ratchet with the paddle type handle. Differs from the one that Lugz posted above slightly. 2 screws to secure the plate rather than 1.
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Nice, that P&C doesn't have the Penens oval face either........pretty cool.I don't think we've ever had a discussion about the unmarked Plomb ratchets. My guess is they missed the final stamping process, or they could be ratchets that were supplied individually/not included in a set. Perhaps they were being made by one of the other divisions (Penens, P&C, etc.)...
Here's a 1/4in drive P&C ratchet with the paddle type handle. Differs from the one that Lugz posted above slightly. 2 screws to secure the plate rather than 1.
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d42jeep
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Teenager with old tools
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I have one as well but with two screws on it holding the face
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Teenager with old tools
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Here are a couple examples of a 5449-D. It's specific application is still undiscovered. The OD green example has had the original drive gear replaced. The other example is the original configuration. The bottom ratchet is an example of a Proto Los Angeles WF-21 3/8" drive ratchet.
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In September of 1956, the Los Angeles was removed from all tool markings and only the "MFD U.S.A." remained. This era is identified by the MFD U.S.A., and the absence of a registered trademark stamp. I believe the registered trademark stamp first began appearing very soon after IR purchased the company in February of 1964, thereby dating these examples from late '56 to early '64.
From top to bottom:
- 1/4" drive Model 4749
- 3/8" drive Model 5249
- 1/2" drive Model 5449
- 1/2" drive Model 5450
From top to bottom:
- 1/4" drive Model 4749
- 3/8" drive Model 5249
- 1/2" drive Model 5449
- 1/2" drive Model 5450
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r_olson_06
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Nice find. I have been looking for year for that model. If you are looking to sell it or trade let me know.1060 penems corp. I think it's 32 tooth. Got it in a decent sized lot of tools I'll post Wednesday
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davethorik
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I've never seen that version before. I have a Fleet 1060 and a Challenger 1060, I think the Fleet is a 1060+ and the Challenger a 1060D. All 3 are different.
Teenager with old tools
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r_olson_06
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d42jeep
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I'm not going to go into the modern era Proto ratchets, so I'll end the Plomb Proto marathon with some of my oddballs.
Top to Bottom:
- 1/4" drive Model 4750 Open Gear - circa 1957-1964
- 1/2" & 3/8" drive Vogel Tool Co "Double-Duty" - Based on patent 2803980, filed in 12/1955 and awarded in 8/1957. Circa late 50s to 60s
- 3/4" drive "Proto-Lite" Aluminum ratchet Model 5650. Circa Mid 60's and here's a GJ thread on this model.
Top to Bottom:
- 1/4" drive Model 4750 Open Gear - circa 1957-1964
- 1/2" & 3/8" drive Vogel Tool Co "Double-Duty" - Based on patent 2803980, filed in 12/1955 and awarded in 8/1957. Circa late 50s to 60s
- 3/4" drive "Proto-Lite" Aluminum ratchet Model 5650. Circa Mid 60's and here's a GJ thread on this model.
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Next we'll move up the coast a bit to Oakland and Thorsen Tools. These examples are from the open gear "77" series.
From top to bottom:
- 1/4" drive Model 77k, circa 1960's to perhaps the 70's. Both of these ratchets come from box sets bearing the patent #3096877. (x2)
- 3/8" drive Model 77 I(?) circa 1960's
- 1/2" drive Model 77 circa 1960's to 70's (x2)
From top to bottom:
- 1/4" drive Model 77k, circa 1960's to perhaps the 70's. Both of these ratchets come from box sets bearing the patent #3096877. (x2)
- 3/8" drive Model 77 I(?) circa 1960's
- 1/2" drive Model 77 circa 1960's to 70's (x2)
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Next are some later model Thorsen ratchets, most likely date from the late 1960s to the 1970s, with the exception of the top ratchet which is likely 1980s.
From top to bottom:
- 1/4" drive Model 10177 = 77MCS (equals sign is actually 3 lines on the ratchet, between the two model numbers) circa 1980s -- Notice the "New Britainish" selector.
- 1/4" drive Model 77MC (x2) circa 1970s
- 3/8" drive Model 77JC (x2) circa 1960s - 1970s (top example has a "4" - possible date code)
- 1/2" drive Model 77C circa 1970s
From top to bottom:
- 1/4" drive Model 10177 = 77MCS (equals sign is actually 3 lines on the ratchet, between the two model numbers) circa 1980s -- Notice the "New Britainish" selector.
- 1/4" drive Model 77MC (x2) circa 1970s
- 3/8" drive Model 77JC (x2) circa 1960s - 1970s (top example has a "4" - possible date code)
- 1/2" drive Model 77C circa 1970s
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Nice. I was wondering who had made these PowrKraft ratchets, looks like it was probably Thorsen...
Last post today will be P&C. Hopefully, some of you folks in the great NW (Jabber, Drives, PK, etc.) can help me out. Living in the east I have only dug up 3 examples, all open head design.
Top to Bottom:
- 3/8" drive Model 3209 circa late 60's to 70s
- 1/2" drive Model 6211 - top - probably mid 60's // bottom - early 60's (x2)
Top to Bottom:
- 3/8" drive Model 3209 circa late 60's to 70s
- 1/2" drive Model 6211 - top - probably mid 60's // bottom - early 60's (x2)
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four.cycle
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twertsy said:
I have seen models 77C and 77JC listed on Ebay with both " 3 " and " 4 " behind the part number and wondered what that was about. There did not appear to be any difference in the design or construction of them. (One seller had his model 77JC 4 listed as "Super Rare Edition!")
The selector knobs on the 77MC, 77JC, and 77C seemed to have gone through a series of design changes over the years - I have at least three different types of selector knobs on various models here.
Username: I would say those "Powr-Kraft" units are definitely Thorsen-made. I am starting to think the " H " in the part number might well be the indicator - wouldn't swear to it though - but it does seem to be fairly consistent on "Powr Kraft" stuff I see listed on Ebay.
raiderhillbilly
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Just bought this on ebay. Made by SK in the mid 50's
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Raiderhillbilly, that's a sweet KANE set. I haven't seen one before. 
four.cycle, I saw that you posted some ratchets over in the Montgomery Ward thread. I agree, those POWR KRAFT ratchets do look spot on for Thorsen made.
Here's a couple of 3/8in drive open gear ratchets. The Thorsen and the Action are identical, down to the model number. The Thorsen is a #77J and the Action is a 77JA, both marked MFD. U.S.A.
The P&C is earlier and of a slightly different construction.
four.cycle, I saw that you posted some ratchets over in the Montgomery Ward thread. I agree, those POWR KRAFT ratchets do look spot on for Thorsen made.
Here's a couple of 3/8in drive open gear ratchets. The Thorsen and the Action are identical, down to the model number. The Thorsen is a #77J and the Action is a 77JA, both marked MFD. U.S.A.
The P&C is earlier and of a slightly different construction.
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kwoswalt99
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Never seen a Kane ratchet before. Cool!
3baygarage
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raiderhillbilly- that set is a real time capsule beauty. Sure glad you got it and posted it. I have a ratchet that is not the prettiest.
Private Lugnutz
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raiderhillbilly,
What is the finish on that KANE set? It looks rough-coated (which I really like) or satin or something like that, but not chrome plated. Or is that just the light?
What is the finish on that KANE set? It looks rough-coated (which I really like) or satin or something like that, but not chrome plated. Or is that just the light?
fergus
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I had an open Thorsen ratchet like those above. Bought cheap at a yardsale and was my favorite for a couple years...up until I lost it. Bummer!
chopper1
Member Emeritus
Kane set looks nice. Never seen one before, but will be on the lookout.
four.cycle
Well-known member
^ If my perceptions are accurate, that Kane set is a rarity. I saw it when it was first posted on Ebay and the only reference I could find anywhere on the web was a comment HERE: https://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2011/07/06/sk-making-tools-again/#comments-block (scroll down a bit: comment from "Bryce" on 07/07/11)
Apparently a private-label brand made by S-K in the 1950s. Plated but not polished. Glad to see a GJ member snagged it.
Apparently a private-label brand made by S-K in the 1950s. Plated but not polished. Glad to see a GJ member snagged it.
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raiderhillbilly
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Yes it is rough coated not chromed. It looks just like the picture.
It is a 1954 patent and this ratchet says pat pending. Theo Rueb is the engineer who designed most of SK's successful ratchets. This is the most modern patent that i see from him.
https://www.google.com/patents/US27...ved=0ahUKEwjG2t_Lj8TQAhVMSSYKHTVkAckQ6wEIHjAA
four.cycle
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Am I the only one who thinks Google is doing a dismal job of documenting patents? The schematic drawing is barely legible. 
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Am I the only one who thinks Google is doing a dismal job of documenting patents? The schematic drawing is barely legible.
I use google to find the patent number, but then I go to the 'horses mouth' so to speak. Older patents are only viewable as images.
http://patft.uspto.gov/netahtml/PTO/srchnum.htm
HERE is a link the that same patent image.
four.cycle
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thank you! 
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Now I'm going to move to Buffalo, NY and J. H. Williams. These I believe to be the earliest examples.
From top to bottom:
- 1/2" female drive Model S-50 with S-150A drive plug (x2) circa '31-35
- 3/4" female drive Model H-50 with H-150 drive plug circa '31-35
From top to bottom:
- 1/2" female drive Model S-50 with S-150A drive plug (x2) circa '31-35
- 3/4" female drive Model H-50 with H-150 drive plug circa '31-35
