The Ratchet Collection Thread

[twertsy]

These are a little later than the previous post, but I'm having a problem dating the top 3. They are reversible 1/2" drive Model S ratchets (x3). The bottom ratchet is a 3/4" drive Model H-51 which I believe dates from 35-46?

 

[twertsy]

Next on top is a 3/8" drive Model B-51 and 4 1/2" drive Model S-51 reversible Superratchets. These likely date between 1935 and 1946.

 

[twertsy]

These are reversible Superratchets, all dating post 1947.

From top to bottom:

- 1/4" drive Model M-51
- 3/8" drive Model B-51
- 1/2" drive Model S-51

 

[twertsy]

This is a 1/2" drive Model S-57 torque wrench which, based on the markings, I date pre-1947.

 

[twertsy]

These are the famous 52 series ratchets, some of my favorites to use.

From top to bottom:
- 3/8" drive Model B-52 -- The lower model is earlier, likely late 1950's
- 1/2" drive Model S-52 -- The bottom ratchet is the earliest dating from '51 to '56 based on the patent, the next one up is just after patent award - probably 56 - 60, and the last 3 are slightly later. Notice the bottom 2 have forged in markings while the rest are stamped on the handles.

 

[twertsy]

Except the bottom ratchet, which should have been included in the last post, these ratchets are all more modern versions, likely 70's and 80's.

Top to Bottom

- 1/4" drive Model M-52
- 3/8" drive Model B-52
- 1/2" drive Model S-52 (x5)

 

[chopper1]

I have that S-57 torque wrench with the box. Have never figured out how to use it.

 

[Teenager with old tools]

you have the age on this husky made in USA my brother bought? Half the sockets in the box are husky made in USA. Half inch drive. Need adapter cuz square hole in socket and ratchet


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[twertsy]

I have that S-57 torque wrench with the box. Have never figured out how to use it.

So there are no directions in/on the box?

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[twertsy]

you have the age on this husky made in USA my brother bought? Half the sockets in the box are husky made in USA. Half inch drive. Need adapter cuz square hole in socket and ratchet


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I'd guess 40s on that but it could be as old as 1935.

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[chopper1]

So there are no directions in/on the box?

No written instructions and nothing on the box.

 

[twertsy]

No written instructions and nothing on the box.

I'll see what I can dig up later.

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[Private Lugnutz]

Next on top is a 3/8" drive Model B-51.

If anybody has an extra one, let me know, please.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=346175

 

[Username already in use]

If anybody has an extra one, let me know, please.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=346175

I guess you can't reply to a wanted post... the more you know...
I don't know if the red is original to the ratchet or not, but lemme know if you're interested.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I will email you, Jason. Thanks.

 

[d42jeep]

You two are funny. Of all the people who could have helped you out with that ratchet, it turns out to be your buddy!
Here is a picture of the ratchets I picked up at various sales over the weekend. From top to bottom they are Proto, Thorsen, S-K, Wright, Indestro Super, Proto and Husky.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

You two are funny. Of all the people who could have helped you out with that ratchet, it turns out to be your buddy!

That was my first thought.

My second thought was, "Obviously nobody reads the WANTED ads anymore!"

 

[twertsy]

Today I'll begin moving into Allentown PA and post up some Bonney. I'll start with the earliest examples. I cannot find these 2 styles in any catalog. We have a catalog gap between 1925 and 1932. In the 1932 catalog, this style is already gone. Therefore, I'm dating these in the 1920's, even though they are not shown in 1923 or 1925.

From Bottom to top:

- 1/2" female drive Chrome Vanadium (CV) Model 4093 with 4094 Drive Plug - I believe this to be the earliest, probably 1923 - Date code too worn to read.
- 1/2" female drive Chrome Vanadium (CV) Model 4093 - I don't believe the drive plug to be Bonney, and I date this pre-1925 - date code too worn to read
- 1/2"?? female hex drive - measures flat-to-flat 1/2" but I thought they were 7/16 hex? - Made for Bethlehem Spark Plug Co. - Date code milled out/partial - I date this to early 1920's
- 1/2"?? female hex drive - measures flat-to-flat 1/2" but I thought they were 7/16 hex? - Made for Bethlehem Spark Plug Co. - Date code JO = 10/1923

 

[twertsy]

Here is the next version of the 1/2" female drive Chrome - Vanadium (CV) Model 4093, all with Bonney CV Model 4094 drive plug. These appeared, as evidenced by the top example, by at least 1928. This was Bonney's longest running design, still offered in the 1951 catalog

Top date code ET = May, 1928 OR May, 1942
Middle date code DZ = April, 1934
Bottom date code JV = October, 1930

 

[twertsy]

Along with the 1/2" drive 4093, Bonney also offered the 3/8" female drive Model T-28 with T-29A drive plug. I believe this ratchet existed along the same timeline as the 4093 - late 1920's to at least 1951. This ratchet has date code LR = December, 1940 and is a Bonaloy model.

 

[twertsy]

Between 1934 and about 1938, Bonney also offered a 1/2" female lug reversible ratchet Model 4097. I do not have an example of this ratchet.

 

[Username already in use]

Was wondering when we would make it to Bonney.

Here's a pair of 1/2in drive #4098 ratchets. The ZENEL ratchet has been repaired (not by me). No date codes are apparent on either ratchet.

 

[twertsy]

Was wondering when we would make it to Bonney.

Here's a pair of 1/2in drive #4098 ratchets. The ZENEL ratchet has been repaired (not by me). No date codes are apparent on either ratchet.

Nice, I'll get to those in the next couple days Jason.

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[twertsy]

Next we'll get into the reversible pear head design. These ratchets were made from 1938 or 39, through the early 50's.

From bottom to top:

- 3/8" drive Model T-35 (x2) - made from 38/39 to at least '51 - Bottom has no date code, next up has date code FM = June, 1949
- 3/8" drive Model T-704 - Dates to early 1950's, date code DQ = April, 1953
- 3/8" drive Bon-e-Con Model ZT700 - dates to early 1950's, date code BQ = February, 1953

 

[twertsy]

Next are the 1/2" and 3/4" drive models. These were all made from 1938 or 1939 to about 1951ish.

From Top to Bottom:

- 1/2" drive Model 4098 reversible ratchets - Date codes from top to bottom: HX = August, 1946; AW = January, 1945 (x2); No date code.

- 1/2" drive Model 4097 Zenel reversible ratchet - No date code - This ratchet first appears in the 1937 catalog (I'm missing 1935 and 1936) and is no longer available in 1947.

- 3/4" drive Model 4285 reversible ratchet - No date code - 1939 - 1951ish.

 

[twertsy]

I have been primarily posting ratchets by brand, then earliest to latest by date. Since we are up to about 1950 Bonney ratchets, this post will focus on the Bon-e-Con line, which is thought to have been offered from 1951 through about 1974.

From top to bottom:

- 1/2" drive Model ZA-702K Circa 1967ish - 1974
- 1/2" drive Model ZA-707 "Patent Pending" - Based on Patent #2957377 filed 9/57 and awarded 10/60
- 3/8" drive Model ZT-707 "Patent Pending" - Based on Patent #2957377 filed 9/57 and awarded 10/60
- 1/4" drive Model ZV-701 - Possible "Y" year code visible under the chrome plating, dating this ratchet to 1961
- 3/8" drive Model ZT-700 - Date code BQ = February, 1953.

AA has another example dated earlier than my earliest, and one I've never been fortunate enough to see. That 1/2" drive ZA-700 with the round direction selector and dated to 1951 can be found here.

 

[twertsy]

In the early 1950's, Bonney ventured into the round head ratchet domain. The first 2 ratchets begin appearing in at least 1957 (possibly earlier), and disappear by the 1963 catalog.

Pics 1 & 2: 3/8" drive Model T701 and 1/2" drive Model A701 - circa 1950's

Next we're going to step into the Terrence G. Hare era of Bonney Ratchets. Mr. Hare was a prolific inventor. His inventions consisted of valve mechanisms (no wonder Bonney was interested!), motorcycles, vehicle suspension components, tools, and a host of other items. Here is a quick list of 52 of his inventions.

Pics 3 & 4: Based on the lack of detent ball underneath the selector, I believe these are examples of Hare's first patent #2957377, filed in 9/57 and awarded 10/1960.

- top: 3/8" drive Model ZT707 Patent Pending - circa 57-60
- bottom: 1/2" drive Model ZA707 Patent Pending - circa 57-60

Pics 5 & 6: These "should" be representative of the next Hare patent, which includes the detent ball under the selector. All of these ratchets are also stamped Patent Pending. Patent #3019682 was filed in 4/1960 and awarded 2/1962.

- Top 3: 3/8" drive Model T707 Patent Pending - circa 1960 - 1962 **Note that the top ratchet has a September, 1960 date code, and while the other 2 have remnants of codes underneath the chrome, I cannot read them.

- Bottom: 1/2" drive Model A707 Patent Pending - circa 1960 - 1962

 

[gungatim]

Here's some of mine. Yeah there's hf in there but some good ones as well

 

[r_olson_06]

In the early 1950's, Bonney ventured into the round head ratchet domain. The first 2 ratchets begin appearing in at least 1957 (possibly earlier), and disappear by the 1963 catalog.

Pics 1 & 2: 3/8" drive Model T701 and 1/2" drive Model A701 - circa 1950's

Next we're going to step into the Terrence G. Hare era of Bonney Ratchets. Mr. Hare was a prolific inventor. His inventions consisted of valve mechanisms (no wonder Bonney was interested!), motorcycles, vehicle suspension components, tools, and a host of other items. Here is a quick list of 52 of his inventions.

Pics 3 & 4: Based on the lack of detent ball underneath the selector, I believe these are examples of Hare's first patent #2957377, filed in 9/57 and awarded 10/1960.

- top: 3/8" drive Model ZT707 Patent Pending - circa 57-60
- bottom: 1/2" drive Model ZA707 Patent Pending - circa 57-60

Pics 5 & 6: These "should" be representative of the next Hare patent, which includes the detent ball under the selector. All of these ratchets are also stamped Patent Pending. Patent #3019682 was filed in 4/1960 and awarded 2/1962.

- Top 3: 3/8" drive Model T707 Patent Pending - circa 1960 - 1962 **Note that the top ratchet has a September, 1960 date code, and while the other 2 have remnants of codes underneath the chrome, I cannot read them.

- Bottom: 1/2" drive Model A707 Patent Pending - circa 1960 - 1962

I always loved them B shield ratchets. I have had to eBay source mine. Bonney is about as rare as it gets in these parts.

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[four.cycle]

That A701 and T702 are nice pieces!

Hey somebody in another thread asked about the "B" inside the shield and somebody else responded telling them it was the logo for "Bon-E-Con".
So... clarify for me please: "B" inside the shield (from your photos above) is clearly "Bonney", but does it also include "Bon-E-Con"?

 

[twertsy]

That A701 and T702 are nice pieces!

Hey somebody in another thread asked about the "B" inside the shield and somebody else responded telling them it was the logo for "Bon-E-Con".
So... clarify for me please: "B" inside the shield (from your photos above) is clearly "Bonney", but does it also include "Bon-E-Con"?

B shield was another cheap Bonney line.

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[bonneyman]

Amazing collection Twertsy!!!

Lastly is most of my SK vintage ratchets. The 6 on the top are users the rest are ones I can't seem to part with, but don't see much use. The 1/4 on the bottom, was in my desk drawer, but it is going back into circulation as of today.....may take it to work with me this week.

Nice S-K collection, Sam! Digging the TUFF 1's.

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

Nice S-K collection, Sam! Digging the TUFF 1's.

Thanks! They are hands down my favorite ratchets even over the snappy dual 80s and my New Britain round heads. I sold my standard length 3/8" and immediately regretted it.

 

[Username already in use]

This thread needs a bump. I know you guys are still finding some sweet old ratchets. Lets see them!

I recently picked up a Bonney 3/4" drive ratchet. It was in working shape, but barely. After a dip in the electrolysis tank and some Super Lube, it's good as new. Still missing a screw though.

Here's a family shot.

And a fun shot of the 1/4" drive V25 next to the 3/4" drive 4285.

 

[twertsy]

This thread needs a bump. I know you guys are still finding some sweet old ratchets. Lets see them!

I recently picked up a Bonney 3/4" drive ratchet. It was in working shape, but barely. After a dip in the electrolysis tank and some Super Lube, it's good as new. Still missing a screw though.

Here's a family shot.

And a fun shot of the 1/4" drive V25 next to the 3/4" drive 4285.

I have a thing for the beasts!

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[davethorik]

Here is my Bonney R701 3/4 ratchet, actually the only Bonney ratchet I own. It's kinda weird because it looks like an SK on steroids and has a detachable handle.

 

[d42jeep]

I picked up a couple of Duro Chrome 3/8" ratchets off of eBay just because I already had 1/4" and 1/2" ratchets and hadn't seen any 3/8" drive. Here are some pictures. The ratchets are the same size as the 1/4" ones with different drive parts. Since I had the other pieces, I put together a set that Duro might have made. I also am including a shot of two with removable drives.
-Don

 

[four.cycle]

^ defying all explanation, both Duro and Indestro used the same part number on different models of ratchets. you've got two 4487 Duro Chrome ratchets in the fourth photo, one is 1/4" drive and one is 3/8" drive.

(Indestro did the same with the 2888 and 2889 models - looks like you've got a couple of them in the sixth photo - with the oval handles. Are those fixed male or female drives on those two?)

 

[dirt_dobber]

there are some way cool ratchets in this thread.

 

[Username already in use]

I picked up a couple of Duro Chrome 3/8" ratchets off of eBay just because I already had 1/4" and 1/2" ratchets and hadn't seen any 3/8" drive. Here are some pictures.
-Don

That's a great looking collection of Duro ratchets, Don.

Here is my Bonney R701 3/4 ratchet...

Dave, That's a beast! Nice ratchet!