The Ratchet Collection Thread

[twertsy]

and here's an article on the wrench from 1865.

 

[don long]

I knew it was an early ratchet and I'd never seen one before.
My friend collects ratchets and said it was a first generation wrench

 

[Private Lugnutz]

My friend collects ratchets and said it was a first generation wrench

Don, if you're interested in seeing where it falls in sequence and innovation, Google "DATAMP ratcheting wrenches". It will take you to a list of 550+ patents for ratchets, between 1847 and 2005. The Richardson is on the first page. Easy links to handy one-page overviews of the earlier and later patents, just like the Richardson page 3bay linked above for you, will let you quickly explore that early period of design with respect to teeth, pawls, pins, and ways of keeping the various mechanisms in the head of a wrench.

 

[r_olson_06]

Here are my modest finds.
SK 1/2 in flawless shape
P&C 100 3/8 (first for me)
Craftsman -v- 3/8 with ejectable release
Walden 3/8 bullet handle.

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[Oldtuleguy]

I saw one of those wood handle ratchets on ebay for 1699.00. May still be there

 

[Private Lugnutz]

As you may or may not recall, I posted this 'WANTED! Poster' upthread:

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Here is a link to the post if anyone wants to read more details about these ratchets. The summary is they were in a 7/16-inch hex drive set made by Bethlehem Spark Plug Company in the 1920's. I am happy to report that "the Accomplice" has been brought to justice. Here is a link to a post about the set the ratchet came in on the Bethlehem Spark Plug Company thread. Note how the "brindled" copper/black finish even matches the artist's rendering of the finish! The crazy cousin with the unknown tool folded up in the sheath concealed in the end of the handle is still on the lam.

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[Oldtuleguy]

One might speculate the folded up thing is a feeler gauge or a points file. Great find!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

One might speculate the folded up thing is a feeler gauge or a points file. Great find!

I like that speculation, and it does have that look of a blade/leaf/file shank, although the ratchet and the sockets are big for electrical/ignition work.

Can you or anyone else think of any ratchet from any Mfgr that had any kind of tool paired with it?

The only thing I can think of is perhaps something to help seat or unseat a socket.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Not really, but seems like a good idea. Multi use tools were big back then. Surprising there was not more tools like it. It was the Bethlehem spark plug company, so a gapper or a file makes sense.

 

[tym]

Here are my modest finds.
SK 1/2 in flawless shape
P&C 100 3/8 (first for me)
Craftsman -v- 3/8 with ejectable release
Walden 3/8 bullet handle.

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Ooh, love that bullet handle!

 

[RagTopTA]

Heres a few ratchets I got this week. a couple from the flea and one from the bay.

Unmarked Hex drive, with around handle and Knurling at the bottom. No makers mark but work well.

Built on socket type ratchet with a bent round stock handle. Diamond with M inside it and 624 marking

Peerless roto head hex drive works good.

 

[four.cycle]

The "unmarked hex drive" looks kinda-sorta like my 657 Indestro, except for being hex drive. Unless I'm mistaken, though, Hinsdale also made a unit that looked very similar.



That model 624 with the "M" inside the diamond is a Mossberg "Connecting Rod Ratcheting Wrench for Ford".



The patents on that "Peerless" roto-head were issued to one Anthony Cunha (Patent 1,307,485 and 1,370,194)

Where on earth do you find this stuff?

 

[RagTopTA]

The "unmarked hex drive" looks kinda-sorta like my 657 Indestro, except for being hex drive. Unless I'm mistaken, though, Hinsdale also made a unit that looked very similar.



That model 624 with the "M" inside the diamond is a Mossberg "Connecting Rod Ratcheting Wrench for Ford".



The patents on that "Peerless" roto-head were issued to one Anthony Cunha (Patent 1,307,485 and 1,370,194)

Where on earth do you find this stuff?

Thanks four cycle! I usually find the old stuff at the little flea market here in town. I find the old stuff in old tool boxes full of junk. I take my gloves and dig through the stuff no one else does. and I happen t have 2 model A's and a Model T, so all the old tools for them are great score to us!

I do love the oddball stuff. did you see the Viking wrench thing inmy garage sale post ?

 

[four.cycle]

^ I just looked.... I've never looked at the "Garage Sale" thread before. That "Viking" is one weird wrench... for some kind of pump? sprinkler system?

Don't let my photo (or mention) of the Indestro 657 flippy-floppy ratchet throw you off course - like I said, Hinsdale made one that's almost identical, and (unless I'm mistaken) there were other makers of ratchets like that... I see them pop up on Ebay not infrequently... and always with no numbers, no identification.

 

[RagTopTA]

It is, when see something strange for a buck I usually grab it. Im thinking Hinsdale on the round hex ratchet... I have an old hinsdale ratchet set I need to dig out and compare the ratchets! forgot about it...

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I've never looked at the "Garage Sale" thread before.

Because it preceded 'the Classifieds War' and then 'the Great Divide' and it was left on the General Discussion Board, I've always felt that a lot of guys down here on the Vintage Board don't know it's there or forget it's there. Especially new guys. (Not that you're "new," four.cycle.) It was my entrée to GJ in 2012 and it's still my first stop. It's where a lot of good collectors (Outlaw, 3bay, jakemac, BlueBomber, Craptain, LesserSon, to name only a few off the top of my head) post their weekly finds in lots. And for some collectors (duddly, dittle fart around, toppop101, bmwrd0, Corndogeeh, alinc100, mike_paxton, again, just to name a few off the top of my head) it may be the only place. In my opinion, it's also where some of the most valuable expertise shows up, to include some of the guys named above, as well as modestly encyclopedic guys such as ttpete.

I use the Garage Sale thread to report everything I find, as a lot, and I only post certain pieces (rare or special, or just pertinent - complementary or supplementary, to an on-going discussion) on other threads here on the Vintage Board, either one of the "type" threads (e.g., DBEs, DOEs, ratchets, etc) or one of the "brand" threads (e.g., Plomb, Blackhawk, etc).

The Garage Sale thread and the 'Bonney Affliction' thread are the only threads in the General Discussion Board I am subscribed to. I'll never win the argument to move the Garage Sale thread here (because there is a good deal of contemporary stuff to wade through on there...), but I am not sure why the 'Bonney Affliction' thread is still in the General Discussion section. Unless I am mistaken, and it's still being made by someone, which would be in name only, technically, every Bonney tool is a vintage tool.

Im thinking Hinsdale on the round hex ratchet...

Someone found the same ratchet a couple months back. I thought it was Hinsdale, although the 1931 catalog shows a fully knurled handle, not two bands of knurling. (That could be a later feature.) I'd link the thread but it was a tangent in another thread, Craftsman related as I recall.

 

[twertsy]

Heres a few ratchets I got this week. a couple from the flea and one from the bay.

Unmarked Hex drive, with around handle and Knurling at the bottom. No makers mark but work well.

Built on socket type ratchet with a bent round stock handle. Diamond with M inside it and 624 marking

Peerless roto head hex drive works good.

I'm lovin' that Peerless!

 

[twertsy]

Because it preceded 'the Classifieds War' and then 'the Great Divide' and it was left on the General Discussion Board, I've always felt that a lot of guys down here on the Vintage Board don't know it's there or forget it's there. Especially new guys. (Not that you're "new," four.cycle.) It was my entrée to GJ in 2012 and it's still my first stop. It's where a lot of good collectors (Outlaw, 3bay, jakemac, BlueBomber, Craptain, LesserSon, to name only a few off the top of my head) post their weekly finds in lots. And for some collectors (duddly, dittle fart around, toppop101, bmwrd0, Corndogeeh, alinc100, mike_paxton, again, just to name a few off the top of my head) it may be the only place. In my opinion, it's also where some of the most valuable expertise shows up, to include some of the guys named above, as well as modestly encyclopedic guys such as ttpete.

I use the Garage Sale thread to report everything I find, as a lot, and I only post certain pieces (rare or special, or just pertinent - complementary or supplementary, to an on-going discussion) on other threads here on the Vintage Board, either one of the "type" threads (e.g., DBEs, DOEs, ratchets, etc) or one of the "brand" threads (e.g., Plomb, Blackhawk, etc).

The Garage Sale thread and the 'Bonney Affliction' thread are the only threads in the General Discussion Board I am subscribed to. I'll never win the argument to move the Garage Sale thread here (because there is a good deal of contemporary stuff to wade through on there...), but I am not sure why the 'Bonney Affliction' thread is still in the General Discussion section. Unless I am mistaken, and it's still being made by someone, which would be in name only, technically, every Bonney tool is a vintage tool.


Someone found the same ratchet a couple months back. I thought it was Hinsdale, although the 1931 catalog shows a fully knurled handle, not two bands of knurling. (That could be a later feature.) I'd link the thread but it was a tangent in another thread, Craftsman related as I recall.

The knurled handle rat is exactly like several of my early S-K and Brazil ratchet handles.

 

[RagTopTA]

I'm lovin' that Peerless!

I really like it... its sure neat for its age! I had no idea anyone made a roto head that early that looked so modern. and If the other is SK Id be excited! I saw someone had found an old Peerless bench vise in the FB group other day.

 

[r_olson_06]

I really like it... its sure neat for its age! I had no idea anyone made a roto head that early that looked so modern. and If the other is SK Id be excited! I saw someone had found an old Peerless bench vise in the FB group other day.

Is it made in the USA? I had some older peerless screwdrivers but I think they were German.

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[Private Lugnutz]

Old Slewfoot found a Peerless back in September, posted on page 24 of this thread here. I commented on it a page and a few posts later, here, because it was 1/2-inch square drive, which I had never seen before.

 

[twertsy]

Is it made in the USA? I had some older peerless screwdrivers but I think they were German.

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Yes, Peerless Wrench Company. 1919-1923ish

http://toolarchives.com/node/4243

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[four.cycle]

The knurled handle rat is exactly like several of my early S-K and Brazil ratchet handles.

^ I knew somebody else made a unit that looked like that. Question is: how do you distinguish one from the other?

 

[Bigwheels]

Heres my snapon collection ill dig out the other brands this weekend and post them.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

That's a whole lotta' Snappy goodness, Bigwheels! Welcome to the Ratchet (Addiction) Thread. If you want to look thru this thread, take note that Twertsy went in more or less geographical order, which was shrewd - easier to find stuff later. (Although having said that I'm not sure off the top of my head where the Wisconsin makers fall in terms of page number...)

 

[twertsy]

I have a bit of an affinity toward the "Big Dog" 3/4" drive ratchets. This morning, since I'm a very early riser, I dug some out and thought I'd post a Christmas Eve pic of the party.

Top of the wheel, moving clockwise alphabetically:

Blackhawk x4
Bonney x2
Challenger
Cornwell
Craftsman
Duro
Herbrand
Proto/Plomb x5
S-K x2
Truth
Walden x2
Williams x2

 

[d42jeep]

Very cool, Todd. I might be able to do something similar in 1/4" drive but my 3/4" drive wouldn't even get to 1:00. Here are two different Craftsman BE 1/4" ratchets.
-Don

 

[twertsy]

Very cool, Todd. I might be able to do something similar in 1/4" drive but my 3/4" drive wouldn't even get to 1:00. Here are two different Craftsman BE 1/4" ratchets.
-Don

Nice Don. I don't think I have a 1/4"er in that style, only open gear. I have NB in that style, but not Cman.

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[Private Lugnutz]

Very clever, Todd!

Staying with that theme, I'll put it this way: the Three Kings never would've made it to Bethlehem if they were following my 3/4-inch drive ratchet collection!

 

[Rileysan]

I have a bit of an affinity toward the "Big Dog" 3/4" drive ratchets. This morning, since I'm a very early riser, I dug some out and thought I'd post a Christmas Eve pic of the party.

Top of the wheel, moving clockwise alphabetically:

Blackhawk x4
Bonney x2
Challenger
Cornwell
Craftsman
Duro
Herbrand
Proto/Plomb x5
S-K x2
Truth
Walden x2
Williams x2

Awesome collection, Todd! I think I'm up to 10 3/4" drive ratchets, but they're not all in the same place.

Very cool, Todd. I might be able to do something similar in 1/4" drive but my 3/4" drive wouldn't even get to 1:00. Here are two different Craftsman BE 1/4" ratchets.
-Don

Until the BE thread came along, I didn't know Craftsman BE ratchets existed that weren't open gear. Beautiful!

Brian

 

[RagTopTA]

I dont have any 3/4 drive ratchets... YET. Its the only thing missing in my PLOMB 3/4 box set. ill get one soon though! I did get these ratchets today though! Also heres a group shot of most of the ratchets I have gotten the last several months I'm not sure if they all got posted in here or not. i REALLY need to find a better way to store my ratchets...

New Britain 1/2
Billings&Sterling female 1/2
Bog female 1/2

 

[r_olson_06]

I dont have any 3/4 drive ratchets... YET. Its the only thing missing in my PLOMB 3/4 box set. ill get one soon though! I did get these ratchets today though! Also heres a group shot of most of the ratchets I have gotten the last several months I'm not sure if they all got posted in here or not. i REALLY need to find a better way to store my ratchets...

New Britain 1/2
Billings&Sterling female 1/2
Bog female 1/2

Nice group shot. Here the way I store mine. Still not ideal. Lay them on their side head to tail. Maximizes the space.


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[Rileysan]

I acquired these two S-K made, model 4270 1/2" drive ratchets over the past few weeks. I purchased them from two different pawn shops for less than $10 each!

I'm curious why the patent numbers are different? I thought the patents numbers would be identical.

- Artisan 4270 (patent 2232477)
- Western Giant 4270 (patent 1981526)

Brian

 

[RagTopTA]

Nice group shot. Here the way I store mine. Still not ideal. Lay them on their side head to tail. Maximizes the space.


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Im going to need some heavy duty cabinet like that I think. MY drawer in my old Snappy roll around will hardly budge lol...

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

I'm curious why the patent numbers are different? I thought the patents numbers would be identical.

- Artisan 4270 (patent 2232477)
- Western Giant 4270 (patent 1981526)

Brian

Probably production date, the two aren't very different, and I think they swap between handles.
http://www.datamp.org/patents/displayPatent.php?id=28469 <has link to the earlier one.

 

[twertsy]

The difference is the mechanism.

 

[kool_BOY8323]

Nice group shot. Here the way I store mine. Still not ideal. Lay them on their side head to tail. Maximizes the space.


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I thought i had some ratchets. Dayum.

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[r_olson_06]

I thought i had some ratchets. Dayum.

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This should be called the "Ratchet Addiction Thread"

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[r_olson_06]

This weekend ratchet finds including a 1/2 Blackhawk X series ratchet for my QD set. I have been looking for a while for one. Others include quite a few Craftsman tri-wings including a 3/8 stubby flex. I couldn't pass up for the price.

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[Private Lugnutz]

Last year, on page 29 and 30, we had a brief spree on "ratchet adapters" (sometimes called ratcheting adapters, barrel ratchets, cogs, and even ratchets in very early period catalogs), starting with twertsy, and then r_olson_6, d42jeep, and senlow contributing examples of Snap-On, Blackhawk, Plomb, New Britain/NONE BETTER, and Craftsman =V=, collectively. Linked here for convenience.

I said I didn't have any, but I was mistaken.

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