The Ratchet Collection Thread

[Ricky Joe]

Don’t judge a socket set by its case is an old saying that comes to mind.

How old is that saying?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

How old is that saying?

I'm guessing yesterday at 7:13pm. But I'm definitely stealing it. Clever riff on the book/cover adage.

 

[Stillgottimefor1]

I took this battle scarred veteran apart and cleaned it up some. Both the cover screws were wrong. The only ones I could source locally have the right threads but the heads are too small. Is this something I need to get from Mcmaster-Carr or what? Also if anyone has a selector to sell or trade that would be great. Otherwise I don’t mind it being repaired like that, gives it character.! Not a bad job they did.

 

[four.cycle]

^ I'd call Wright and ask them if they might have one laying about in the shop somewhere.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Looks good! If it works don't fix it.

 

[Stillgottimefor1]

Looks good! If it works don't fix it.

I’m OCD so I may have to put it where I don’t see it

 

[Maureenbme]

Now we move on to Barberton, OH and Wright Tool & Forge Co. I don't have a ton of Wright ratchets but here are some examples.

The bottom 6 ratchets are commonly referred to as the Tootsie Roll ratchets, obviously due to the appearance of the handles. The 1/2" drive are model 4400 and the 3/8" drive are 3400. The bottom ratchet is stamped patent pending while the rest have patent D199149 stamped on the handles. This patent was applied for in June of 1962 and awarded in September of 1964, dating the bottom ratchet between that timeframe. Interestingly, it has a "60" stamped into the handle, presumably representing a date code.

The top ratchet is a model N-50 with a date stamp of "40+" It's also stamped with patent 2201705, applied for in July of 1938, and awarded in May of 1940. Here is the link to this ratchet on my site which shows the interesting "Piston" design of the pawls.

It's also interesting to note the variance in length of the Tootsie Roll ratchets.

I just acquired a weight 2400 60 pat.Pend. Wrench. We’re you ever able to get more information on its age and when it became patented? Does this tool have any value? The one I have is honestly in almost new condition with just a few wear marks on the connection points.

 

[Username already in use]

I just can't pass up a nice USA made ratchet at the flea. These were reasonably priced and followed me home.
Duro 4436 flex head - 3/8"
Indestro 2775A -3/8"
Pennens 1660 - 1/2"
Bonney T-702K - 3/8"
And Bonney 1/2" and 3/8" sealed head ratchets.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I haven't figured out who made this ratcheting tool or what it is, exactly, yet. Just found it yesterday. Some kind of winder/wrapper? You can see the crude gear (9 teeth) in pic 5 and the pawl in Pic 6 when the opening hits the bottom position. No patent in DATAMP. I may have to do this the hard way by scrolling through the gazette and reviewing all the April 30, 1907 patents.

 

[Username already in use]

I recently picked up this Crescent 1/2" drive ratchet. When I opened it up to clean it, I was surprised by how simple the mechanism was inside. Essentially a V shaped piece of spring steel between the two pawl is all it takes to change the position.

US patent 2982161 awarded in 1961 to the Crescent Niagra corp can be viewed on the USPTO site HERE.

 

[davethorik]

my buddy found this Craftsman speeder ratchet at an estate sale after I had showed him my Herbrands. we did a trade and it came home with me.

truthfully i am not into vintage Craftsman however i will make an exception for this super clean example.

 

[Fred Knox]

I found this old ratchet a couple of years ago when I was back in the NJ/Philly area. I intended to post it to GJ, but I could never find any information on the manufacturer, so I put it off. Last night, I happened by AA and saw their February update on early ratchets, which included a description of this one, although only via advertisements. Kolb and Sedgley (K & S) filed for a patent April 24, 1914, which was eventually granted in May 1915. By 1916, Kolb had retired and Sedgley had created the “Hexall” brand ratchet and sockets via a new patent, although the ratchets do look similar. This one is “patent pending” so likely 1914 vintage. It looks like one from the other early competitor, Will B. Lane, who was granted a similar looking wrench patent in 1914, and was likely an employee of Kolb at the time too.

 

[four.cycle]

^ That's an incredibly interesting find and answers the question of "who is K&S?" shown in a 1920 Baker Hamilton & Pacific catalog page:

1920 Baker Hamilton & Pacific Co. catalog pp 4149 K&S ratchet and socket wrench set
Kolb / Henry M. Kolb, 2311 North Sixteenth Street, Philadelphia, PA / ratchet / patent 1140167 Mar 18 1915 Henry M. Kolb and Reginald F. Sedgley / see also Sedgley, see also Will B. Lane / http://alloy-artifacts.org/rf-sedgley-incorporated.html /

 

[AntiqueBen]

Curious if anyone is familiar with this logo on my Craftsman circle H 1/2" ratchet?? It's an "S" with what looks like a "D" & "F" inside of it. Any thoughts??

 

[3baygarage]

Curious if anyone is familiar with this logo on my Craftsman circle H 1/2" ratchet?? It's an "S" with what looks like a "D" & "F" inside of it. Any thoughts??

It might be Storms Drop Forging, but that’s just a guess. Neat mark though.

 

[AntiqueBen]

Looks like Page Storms Drop Forge was acquired by Moore Drop Forge around 1919. This ratchet is from the '40's I believe, so probably not Storms... I'm guessing too. Good guess though. I still can't figure this Logo out.

 

[four.cycle]

^ I'm finding a completely different logo for Page Storms:

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I'm not aware of Storms operating independently of Page. I don't think it was a merger. I think they started it together. Having said that, I do think 3bay's guess is on the right track. I'd bet it's a foundry, that the "D" and "F" are Drop Forged, and the "S" is the name. I just blew my morning searching my folders, G503, and GJ for the answer, because I swear I have seen this before, a long time ago, but not on a ratchet, on a screwdriver shank. But I can't find it. It's driving me nuts.

 

[3baygarage]

^ I'm finding a completely different logo for Page Storms:

Yes, that’s the logo commonly seen on open end wrenches.

Maybe MShaw can shed some light on this. His old post from the NB thread. So was it Page -Storms or a different Storms?:

 

[four.cycle]

 

[Mintgrun]

This is my collection, for the most part. It's a tough choice trying to decide which one to reach for. I get a kick out of finding matching ratchets in multiple sizes. The SK Wayne were the only two that were found together.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Yes, that’s the logo commonly seen on open end wrenches.

Maybe MShaw can shed some light on this. His old post from the NB thread. So was it Page -Storms or a different Storms?:

@MShaw In case you don't see this post, I tagged you.

 

[MShaw]

Per AA Page Storms was bought by Moore who became a captive of Craftsman. Moore was also located in the Springfield Mass area.

 

[Fred Knox]

I thought I would post some photos of this ratchet that I picked this weekend. The only marking is a Circle E (see photo).

four.cycle and Woody have posted that the logo is probably tied to Eberhart Manufacturing, but in the small amount of information/ads available on the company, I have not seen a ratchet like it.

The Eberhard MFG. CO. | The Garage Journal

Old logo ID markings guide | Page 6 | The Garage Journal

It is a 5/8”-drive (no drive plug found) and has a marking of 20FPF. Any thoughts? Thanks.

 

[four.cycle]

^ it definitely looks like Eberhard's logo - the "E in a circle".

Might be a ratchet for a pump of some sort.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Concur. Lots of female ratchets of that type in that era were made with various opening sizes for engaging all kinds of corresponding fasteners and mechanisms directly, not for a drive plug and detachable sockets. Lowell was huge supplier primarily for industrial and heavy construction applications.

 

[RTM]

I saw a similar shaped one this weekend, did not measure the hole, but it was noted with Raise and Lower, so maybe scaffolding or similar applications. Now I can't even remember who made it, sad.

 

[LesserSon]

I swear I have seen this before, a long time ago, but not on a ratchet, on a screwdriver shank. But I can't find it. It's driving me nuts.

I think it was a PH-type screwdriver, from which a wood scale was removed, exposing the S-in-a-circle, with the D and F, making Starrett not correct, nor Southington MC.
Best guess; it’s one of the previous GS threads, 4 or 5 years ago?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I think it was a PH-type screwdriver, from which a wood scale was removed,

Yes! I'm sure you're right. That helps finding it.

 

[Fred Knox]

Thanks four.cycle, Lugz and RTM.

 

[Simmslumber66]

So I've used GJ for several years for its fabulous amount of knowledge. I've never posted on this thread though. Reading through the 40 ish pages on ratchets is definitely the highlight of my GJ journey. I'm absolutely fascinated by the different ratchets that were made over the years. I have a very small collection, but, it's growing. Anyway, thought I might post a few pics of some of my favorites. Any insight or opinions are welcome. I've learned a lot by researching all that I can, but, there's always more to learn. Cheers!

 

[PowderKeg]

Oh man, even though I don't include 3/4" rats as part of the ratchet obsess.... er, collection, that Proto-lite is one I REALLY hope to stumble on someday in the wild at a reasonable (as in cheap @ss) price. It's P&C cousin would fill the bill nicely too. Nice one there!

 

[Username already in use]

It's P&C cousin would fill the bill nicely too.

I’ve been looking…
Let me know if you find 2 of them!

 

[Simmslumber66]

Oh man, even though I don't include 3/4" rats as part of the ratchet obsess.... er, collection, that Proto-lite is one I REALLY hope to stumble on someday in the wild at a reasonable (as in cheap @ss) price. It's P&C cousin would fill the bill nicely too. Nice one there!

I found the Proto-lite at an estate sale around 4 years ago for $20. I really thought I overpaid then. My thought was "an aluminum ratchet? Thats ridiculous". I do know there are a couple of the P&C version on Ebay right now, but, the asking price is outrageous. 10+ times what I paid. I realize I probably did ok.

 

[PowderKeg]

I found the Proto-lite at an estate sale around 4 years ago for $20. I really thought I overpaid then. My thought was "an aluminum ratchet? Thats ridiculous". I do know there are a couple of the P&C version on Ebay right now, but, the asking price is outrageous. 10+ times what I paid. I realize I probably did ok.

Well I'll give you a big 'ol hearty "YOU ****!" for getting such a great buy back then, that's the only way I'll ever end up with one as well. I've had those couple of P&C Space-Lite rats on my watchlist for awhile just for sh!ts 'n giggles - 3 figures for a ratchet is farrrrr beyond my cheap @ss range. And one of them - the "cheaper" one - looks to be pretty beat.

And with that said, you can also for certain bet I'm never in the running for any 4 figure Craftsman rats either...

 

[MR.X]

I found the Proto-lite at an estate sale around 4 years ago for $20. I really thought I overpaid then. My thought was "an aluminum ratchet? Thats ridiculous". I do know there are a couple of the P&C version on Ebay right now, but, the asking price is outrageous. 10+ times what I paid. I realize I probably did ok.

So about a month ago on the Plomb Enthusiasts facebook page ( I'm not on facebook but anyone can see the posts) some dude showed one of these Proto-Lite 3/4" drive aluminum ratchets and then some other guy chimed in about sometimes you have applications for non magnetic tools and then another guy gave the example of working on a "mine with magnetic fuze".....and of course my jaw dropped and I thought surely someone will chime in and point out that the drive piece and gear assembly are not aluminum and then there would be the issue of the sockets....Anyway, I never saw anyone point it out. I don't think Proto and P&C hi-lited anything other than the lightweight advantage when they marketed those. Nice find.

 

[LesserSon]

vPLVMBv Plomb 3/8dr rat, Fairchild Ranger AT175. Acquired yesterday.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

then another guy gave the example of working on a "mine with magnetic fuze".....and of course my jaw dropped and I thought surely someone will chime in and point out that the drive piece and gear assembly are not aluminum and then there would be the issue of the sockets....

Nature abhors a vacuum - and some people just need to make stuff up when an explanation does not present itself, or when it seems too simple. In fact, aluminum is paramagnetic. Generally non-magnetic in most environments, but not all, and ALBR tools are not rated for all non-sparking zones the way BECU tools are. Your memory of the advertising is correct. They extolled its composition as the perfect combination of light weight and durability, referring to aptly as "space age."

 

[LesserSon]

Lugz, Ben
Searched again for that prior S / DF logo, and found it.

 

[LesserSon]

Curious if anyone is familiar with this logo on my Craftsman circle H 1/2" ratchet?? It's an "S" with what looks like a "D" & "F" inside of it. Any thoughts??

Losing memory cells. It wasn’t so very long ago we were discussing this; April 2021. Post167 on the wood handled screwdriver thread.

Let's show our wood (screwdrivers)

I just heard of this thread. Here are some. My current favorites are the Disston “Electrical” ones with the beehive handles. I also like the Stanley/Bonney and Bridgeport. A couple pre-Stanley North Bros, couple Vlchek, and a couple made in England (E.Atkins, J.Buck, Eclipse). ... Very nice...

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