The Ratchet Collection Thread

[Odes]

Got this guy with a lot ratchet off eBay stamped Allen universal wrench and patent pending on the other side any know anything about it it?
It looks like it had a bit of a hard life but still ratchets smooth


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[Private Lugnutz]

Looks like a Billings & Spencer I have.

EDIT:
Yup, it is the same as my B&S.

According to AA, Billings & Spencer was a contract manufacturer of an earlier Allen ratchet for Allen, which Allen called a "Friction Wrench", Patented (1,000,878) by Fred R. Allen on August 15, 1911. B&S also made the ratchet in their own name and with their own branding. AA doesn't say whether B&S bought Allen out or Allen allowed B&S to make the ratchet for themselves as part of the manufacturing contract.

AA doesn't say anything about the Allen "Universal Ratchet", patented (1,261,092) by Fred R. Allen on April 2, 1918, also being manufactured by B&S, but I can demonstrate that this was the case (See pic).

Your ratchet has to be earlier than 1917, but no earlier than 1912.

USPTO link here.

 

[Rileysan]

Tru-Test #T1261, 3/8" drive ratchet I got for a couple bucks today.

Brian

 

[Jaydb07]

I've searched the vintage area (as best as can be done on here) but I don't find a thread dedicated to vintage ratchets. So, here it is. I'm going to try posting in brand groupings, at the rate of a brand per day. Comment and/or post up your ratchet collections!



Today, I'll start off with the most beautiful and innovative tools ever made. I'm speaking of course of Blackhawk.



First, the 49977 and 911X Series Pressed Steel ratchets. The 49977 are reversible while the 911X series carries a drive plug. These ratchets were made throughout the 1930's and perhaps even in the early 1940s. I have recently seen a WWII toolkit inspection layout photo containing a 49977.

You might like to see this complete set in original box I got yesterday. I paid $40.

 

[Capt. Spaulding]

You might like to see this complete set in original box I got yesterday. I paid $40.

Where did you get that?!!! If you say at that sale from yesterday I’m going to flip out!

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Sweet. Those are hard to come by.

 

[Jaydb07]

Where did you get that?!!! If you say at that sale from yesterday I’m going to flip out!

Sunday Turlock car swap

 

[Private Lugnutz]

That's a nice snag, Jay. I have the exact same No. 18-A set, but mine was missing the offset handle. You should post it in the Blackhawk thread.

 

[Capt. Spaulding]

Sunday Turlock car swap

I was thinking about going too!

Nice snag. If you want to part with it or trade let me know.

 

[Jaydb07]

That's a nice snag, Jay. I have the exact same No. 18-A set, but mine was missing the offset handle. You should post it in the Blackhawk thread.

[emoji1303]

 

[Jaydb07]

I was thinking about going too!



Nice snag. If you want to part with it or trade let me know.

[emoji736]

 

[twertsy]

Looks like a Billings & Spencer I have.

EDIT:
Yup, it is the same as my B&S.

According to AA, Billings & Spencer was a contract manufacturer of an earlier Allen ratchet for Allen, which Allen called a "Friction Wrench", Patented (1,000,878) by Fred R. Allen on August 15, 1911. B&S also made the ratchet in their own name and with their own branding. AA doesn't say whether B&S bought Allen out or Allen allowed B&S to make the ratchet for themselves as part of the manufacturing contract.

AA doesn't say anything about the Allen "Universal Ratchet", patented (1,261,092) by Fred R. Allen on April 2, 1918, also being manufactured by B&S, but I can demonstrate that this was the case (See pic).

Your ratchet has to be earlier than 1917, but no earlier than 1912.

USPTO link here.

Those aren't the same rats Greg. On his ratchet the drive head actually moves inside its enclosure, kinda like a gimbal, making it technically a "swivel head" rat. I have one and an entire write-up on the history on TA when it comes back up someday.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Those aren't the same rats Greg. On his ratchet the drive head actually moves inside its enclosure, kinda like a gimbal, making it technically a "swivel head" rat. I have one and an entire write-up on the history on TA when it comes back up someday.

Thanks. I was wondering about the bowled looking head. Something to look forward to!

You see what I mean about the stem, the way the name is branded on the stem, and the slightly wider handle though? And since B&S was known to make the other one, I wonder if they got those features from Allen or vice versa?

 

[WagonHo!]

There’s this Yoda fellow here that sells freshly-painted Taiwan tools along with a few treasures. I was looking over his lot not really finding anything “good”.
He comes up to me and says “you no like shiny?”. Me - “no I no like shiny.” He - you sure you no like shiny? Had the p & c speeder in his hands.He “oh you like strap-on.” Me - whaat? Mr Miyagi had me going.
He -heh heh heh, then shows me the good stuff.
Ratchets Bonney, Plvmb 1/2 and 3/8, P&C, Wizard, Walden, Snap-on, macTools, Kal, Williams super, my old trustyThorsen.
Breaker bars , two - 3/8’s (one with original blue paint?) , one 1/2 Plvmbs, 1 old gorgeous 3/8 snap on, Penncraft, Fleet ext welded on a spinner, and the “shiny” P&C speeder.

 

[WagonHo!]

Flip side of the ratchets

 

[Odes]

Just my first received my first 2 proto big dawg ratchets in the mail a 1/4 and a 3/8. I like the 3/8 it fits my hand and feels good but I didn't realize how small the 1/4 is but I think I will still be reaching for my round head indestro it just so smooth

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[WagonHo!]

I am discombobulated by all these ratchets, really liking the Baldies in Twertsy’s collection.
Must find one or two or...

 

[davethorik]

Just my first received my first 2 proto big dawg ratchets in the mail a 1/4 and a 3/8. I like the 3/8 it fits my hand and feels good but I didn't realize how small the 1/4 is but I think I will still be reaching for my round head indestro it just so smooth

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I have grabbed those a couple times, and it's sad proto no longer supports them. I heard there were issues with faceplate screws, like Snap-on had with the first S80 production. And why now all Snap-on 1/2 Dr rats have an A at end of model #, and proto went with a snap ring on their XL rats vs screws. I forget what the new 90t are.

 

[Odes]

Just picked these up this morning $4 for the pair a p&c open gear and a high Williams H-50


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[3baygarage]

Nice deal.

Nice lot Wagon, instant Plomb breaker collection there.

 

[WagonHo!]

Nice deal.

Nice lot Wagon, instant Plomb breaker collection there.

Thanks. Didn’t realize the you could put extensions on the breaker ends they were so dirty and grease filled couldn’t see the ends.

 

[WarrenJ]

Nice price on the Williams. Saw a similar one in Winchester Va last week. Asking either 14.99 or 19.99.

 

[WagonHo!]

Unicorn: acquired
Herbrand Van-Chrome J-9A 3/8 spinner ratchet
Overall good shape

Dave, on that Herbrand spinner ratchet, is the spinner handle green translucent plastic? The hold handle is wood? Never seen one before.
Thanks

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Both aqua blue composite. 1950 patent. They made a similar but different style Speedratchet in the 40's. There are a couple shown on the Herbrand thread, accompanied by some discussion.

 

[davethorik]

Dave, on that Herbrand spinner ratchet, is the spinner handle green translucent plastic? The hold handle is wood? Never seen one before.
Thanks

Lugz pretty much nailed it. Mine is hard to tell it's aqua, as it has been used and is dirty. You can remove the larger of the 2 handles, small one peened in place. They are not very common in either style (J-9 & J-9A), I'd never seen either one til I came to GJ.

Craftsman made something similar, although theirs doesn't have the permanently attached extension. Seems like the Craftsman version is more common, but both go for decent coin on ebay.

 

[Jaydb07]

From local flea today top to bottom:

Thorsen 77C 1/2”
P&C 6211 1/2”
S-K 42470 1/2”
Plvmb 5249 3/8”
Fleet 1260 3/8”
Thorsen 77MC 1/4”

 

[Capt. Spaulding]

From local flea today top to bottom:

Thorsen 77C 1/2”
P&C 6211 1/2”
S-K 42470 1/2”
Plvmb 5249 3/8”
Fleet 1260 3/8”
Thorsen 77MC 1/4”

Awesome brand assortment you got!

 

[Username already in use]

I managed to net a few ratchets this weekend to add to the horde.
1/2" drive Herbrand S-7
3/8" Duro Chrome
Kraeuter
S-K Tools
Indexing MAC XR11F
tootsie roll Wright
1/4" drive Mustang

 

[r_olson_06]

Beaver Fever has struck. Have about 6 more buried but as some may know it is hard shifting through piles of ratchets with out having the proper storage.[emoji1]

Looking for the following Plomb Pebbles Wrenches 3060, 3061, 3070

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

I think those are the ones the selector on the DT mechanisms is supposed to match.

 

[davethorik]

From October 2017...update!

Here's my newest contribution to this thread. Truth ratchets are not very common. The ones I do see are usually model R6 pear head with pin selector.

However today got this IR22. Googling turns up nothing. It is in very good shape, chrome is beautiful. It has the same basic configuration as the R6 pear heads, however the selector is stamped and the head is designed differently.

The ratchet is right at 11" OAL, the head is 2" wide and 5/8" thick. There is an oil hole on top of the head. 48 teeth.

Thanks for checking. Figured that's how it worked. Can't imagine flipping direction during use and the gear pops out. Easy to clean and lube. Still a cool one.

3bay had mentioned something about there being separate broached pieces to make this the original pass through ratchet. I couldn't find the quote of yours 3 bay, but...you were right!

...i don't usually get this kind of luck, but I was browsing at a local used tool store and noticed these 5 broached rings with teeth around the circumference in a baggie. Owner had no clue. Normally I think I'd pass these over, but I remember what 3bay said. Took a gamble they'd fit my IR22 and...they do!!!

5 rings, 3-4 thru 1" by 16ths. Size stamped on OD of rings, using a '-' symbol instead of a '/' for fractions. No other markings. Finish looks to match that of ratchet head.

 

[3baygarage]

Awesome save Dave. I saw the set in a green pouch I think. Way to reunite the parts.

 

[davethorik]

Awesome save Dave. I saw the set in a green pouch I think. Way to reunite the parts.

I wish I knew more. The teeth on these looked identical, that was the giveaway to me. Cool it is larger sizes. They probably did come from same source.

 

[Odinru]

Good day!
This is my first post here, though I've been visiting the site on a regular basis, for it's really great and brings forth a lot of informaton!
My interest, in general, is hand tools that people make and people that make hand tools. And, in particular, I need a good piece of good (preferably) advice on a ratchet & sockets set (see photos.., well if they're uploaded correctly).

The set has been so far identified as a Snap-on's production, mainly because of the ratchet. Neither the ratchet, nor the sockets bear any signs or markings, apart from digits. The attachment square size is 9,85 mm, so the ratchet takes on sockets from the set only. As to the set sockets, they can be attached to any modern 3/8"dr. ratchet.

The set was accompanied with a narrative that it came to the USSR as a part of a Bell P-39 Airacobra maintenance equipment. That is possible, but the question is to what an extent? On one hand, the similiar ratchets are well seen on Snap-on's WW II posters, together with Airacobra images.

On another hand, Allison V-1710 engine handbooks mention 1/2" dr. ratchets only.
So, can this set be identified as a Snap-on's war time production? And will it be possible to draw any certain connection between this set and tools used for Lend-Lease aircraft maintenance?

 

[3baygarage]

Very interesting set. I’ve not seen anything like it. The ratchet looks like Snap On but the sockets don’t.

No date marking at all under the direction lever?

 

[r_olson_06]

Very interesting set. I’ve not seen anything like it. The ratchet looks like Snap On but the sockets don’t.

No date marking at all under the direction lever?

Sockets look more Plomb than anything. I agree the ratchet appears to be snap on.

Looking for the following Plomb Pebbles Wrenches 3061, 3070,

 

[3baygarage]

Sockets look more Plomb than anything. I agree the ratchet appears to be snap on.

Looking for the following Plomb Pebbles Wrenches 3061, 3070,

That’s what I was thinking too. Does their broaching look rather shallow?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Odinru,

Your description is a little confusing. You say that the "attachment square" (which I am reading as "drive plug drive stud") is 9.85 mm, and that it "takes on sockets from the set only." But then you go on to say that the sockets "can be attached to any modern 3/8"dr. ratchet." 9.85mm is roughly .387 inches, which is roughly 3/8" drive. If the sockets in the set can be driven by the ratchet, and they have 3/8-inch drive female openings, then the plug in that ratchet must have a 3/8-inch drive male drive stud. Would you confirm that it is a 3/8-inch drive set? Or clarify what you mean when you are implying that the ratchet is somehow unique but the sockets are not?

What size are the 12-point service openings on the sockets?

What is part 107? It looks like the drive head from a sliding tee that is absent its bar. Is there a hole cross drilled in it? Hard to tell from the photo, but I think I see a glimpse of an opening. That's were the sliding tee bar would go. Does it have a 3/8-inch drive stud on it?

Also what is the number on the side of the ratchet? And what are the numbers on the sockets? It looks like they each have two numbers - one on the base, and one on the wall of the service opening.

Very cool find, by the way. The mottled finish on the pieces is almost assuredly either cadmium or some kind of zinc phosphate. Wartime.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

That’s what I was thinking too. Does their broaching look rather shallow?

VERY shallow. The whole set is strange. It would be useful for Odinru to inventory the contents and provide a list by part number, but it looks like the ratchet is 94 and the sliding tee head is 107. (I am guessing if the sliding tee head was really designed to be removed from the bar and stored in that slot, that the bar was stored with the ratchet? Normally I would think an 11th socket went in there, but the number on it does suggest it's part of the set!) I can't figure the sockets out. It looks like 81/19, 84/14, and 86/?, with a duplicate 81/19?

 

[crankshaftdan II]

Maybe these could have been produced by MTF before the buyout? Milwaukee Tool & Forge Co.? Some closer ups on the pics would be of extreme help!