The vintage Blackhawk Thread

[Smokeshow69]

I saw this one on ebay some months agon and decided to make my own. It was a bit too big and in bad shape...

That sign is perfect the way it is! That’s a good one!

 

[y'sguy]

I have also considered making my own. I used to do that type of thing as a career so it would be easy for me. Actually have two old metal cabinets that I could repaint to match this style that would be pretty cool. Blackhawk had the best graphic designers art directors and artists of the day I think.

 

[joshotto94]

This should not last long

BLACKHAWK 1930s 1/2 Inch Socket Wrench Ratchet | eBay

Here is a nice preowned Blackhawk 1/2 inch drive socket wrench, this style was patented 1933. It is in excellent working order. Please see the photos, thanks for looking.

www.ebay.com

 

[MR.X]

Blackhawk had the best graphic designers art directors and artists of the day I think.

Did this guy make you say that or....?

 

[thehorse13]

This should not last long

BLACKHAWK 1930s 1/2 Inch Socket Wrench Ratchet | eBay

Here is a nice preowned Blackhawk 1/2 inch drive socket wrench, this style was patented 1933. It is in excellent working order. Please see the photos, thanks for looking.

www.ebay.com

Sure looks like an early 50s bald head 1/2 inch ratchet to me. I'm unsure where the seller got 1930s from.

The seller might fall victim to a trend I've noticed with 1955/56 and older Blackhawk stuff. Collectors have become very picky about condition. I'm curious to see what the folks who want a fair condition antique user ratchet will pay for this one.

 

[Smokeshow69]

Sure looks like an early 50s bald head 1/2 inch ratchet to me. I'm unsure where the seller got 1930s from.

The seller might fall victim to a trend I've noticed with 1955/56 and older Blackhawk stuff. Collectors have become very picky about condition. I'm curious to see what the folks who want a fair condition antique user ratchet will pay for this one.

I agree with you about this recent trend. However I think it is mainly due to Don Long and his amazing collection. This folks think shiny chrome tool just fall from the sky and they don’t realize the amount of time/ effort he has put into them to make them nice. So yeah, it’s Dons fault . But seriously to find mint vintage tools is pretty tough to do! Kudos if you do but I don’t mind tools that how their age a bit. I don’t feel bad when I use them!

 

[MisterEd]

My knowledge of Blackhawk was nonexistent so I never got around to looking at this little Wrench. When I did I realized it was almost as old as I!

Blackhawk 15646 3/8 Inch Miniature Combination Wrench

 

[thehorse13]

My knowledge of Blackhawk was nonexistent so I never got around to looking at this little Wrench. When I did I realized it was almost as old as I!

Blackhawk 15646 3/8 Inch Miniature Combination Wrench

That's a hard one to find. I usually see this same exact wrench only it will have the Armstrong branding instead of Blackhawk.

 

[don long]

I just got the decal that finishes off my 50B nugget set



With all the tools in the box

 

[Smokeshow69]

I just got the decal that finishes off my 50B nugget set



With all the tools in the box

This set is pure art! I could look at it all day. Excellent job as always

 

[thehorse13]

I just got the decal that finishes off my 50B nugget set



With all the tools in the box

My eye is immediately drawn to stagger paint on the lid hinge. I've never seen anyone else do that. Is this a decor preference or do you have some obscure document that describes how the factory originally painted the lid hinge? Either way, another masterpiece!

 

[Smokeshow69]

My eye is immediately drawn to stagger paint on the lid hinge. I've never seen anyone else do that. Is this a decor preference or do you have some obscure document that describes how the factory originally painted the lid hinge? Either way, another masterpiece!

To me that looks like primer on the hinge. The exterior of the box was closed when it was painted. I have seen this on other factory paint boxes from other brands. But I can’t speak for Don.

 

[thehorse13]

To me that looks like primer on the hinge. The exterior of the box was closed when it was painted. I have seen this on other factory paint boxes from other brands. But I can’t speak for Don.

Ah, well that makes sense. I always make sure to hit the entire hinge when I do resprays.

 

[don long]

Old Smokeshow is right. So I guess that you are one up on me Horse. Next time I'll try to remember that hinge trick

 

[thehorse13]

Old Smokeshow is right. So I guess that you are one up on me Horse. Next time I'll try to remember that hinge trick

Not that I'm counting but I'm reasonably sure that you're quite a few up on me. lol

 

[Blackhawkfan]

I hopefully never get a chance to see Don Longs collection or some of you other guy's because then I would probably never get my jaws together again...

 

[four.cycle]

1933 Automobile Trade Journal Blackhawk ad pp 81

 

[Patrick Eubanks]

1933 Automobile Trade Journal Blackhawk ad pp 81

What a great ad

 

[kerm]

Hey jabberwoki, this is so awesome of you to offer up hard to find pieces for set builds.

That said I was able to score a Blackhawk Nuggets 30x set in September 2022. My post about it is here: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/the-vintage-blackhawk-thread.127364/page-76#post-9777374



I am now on the hunt for the missing pieces (see below). If that piece you have is 39985 15" Hing. Off (breaker bar) I would love to talk to you about what you would like in return.

I am also interested in the following (yellow highlights):



All Blackhawk 7/16” Drive:

39983 6" Extension
39985 15" Hing. Off (breaker bar)
39986 Handle Bar (9")
39997 Ratchet
35110 5/16” Single Hex Socket
35114 7/16” Double Hex Socket
35124 ¾” Double Hex Socket

Thank you all very much for consideration.

I have the following items:

39983 6" Extension
39985 15" Hing. Off (breaker bar)
39986 Handle Bar (9")
39997 Ratchet

What are you offering?

 

[Madjik Man]

I have the following items:

39983 6" Extension
39985 15" Hing. Off (breaker bar)
39986 Handle Bar (9")
39997 Ratchet

What are you offering?

DM'ing you if that's okay.

 

[don long]

I am thrilled to find this old extension (#9210). it will help fill in my 1935 Big Chief 87WD tool set

 

[don long]

After looking at the pic. of the extension #9210 I thought it needed a little attention so I ran a wire wheel over it to clean up the knurls

 

[Sky Chief]

Hello, These items came with other Blackhawk Porto Power cart items and I'd like to know if they were actually Blackhawk as well. They are made of aluminum other than the thumb screws. I didn't see them in any of the vintage Blackhawk catalogs.

 

[don long]

I believe that those probes are part of a measuring tram. They could be part of a Blackhawk automotive frame measuring system.

 

[NYBODYMAN]

I believe that those probes are part of a measuring tram. They could be part of a Blackhawk automotive frame measuring system.

Agreed. They look like they fit into the holes in frames.

 

[930dreamer]

I spotted this, but the seller has some shakey feedback. $100

 

[Patrick Eubanks]

I need some help from the Blackhawk guys. I’m needing a 1/2” drive 5/8 arrowhead socket. Any help would be appreciated. Trying to complete a set

 

[don long]

I need some help from the Blackhawk guys. I’m needing a 1/2” drive 5/8 arrowhead socket. Any help would be appreciated. Trying to complete a set

I don't have an extra one but I'll keep an eye open for you

 

[Patrick Eubanks]

I don't have an extra one but I'll keep an eye open for you

Thanks Don

 

[Sky Chief]

I picked this cart up a while back.

 

[don long]

looks to be in pretty good shape. Did it come with any tooling?

 

[don long]

I spotted this, but the seller has some shakey feedback. $100

Dreamer
Did you pick up that jack???

 

[thehorse13]

I picked this cart up a while back.

There's one for sale locally for 650 bucks with all of the porto power tooling. Looks to be in about the same shape as yours.

 

[930dreamer]

Dreamer
Did you pick up that jack???

No, his feedback showed- "Paid him and never got the item" and a few others like it. I did ask about condition and he never responded. If I drove five hours and got burned I'd be hot.

 

[thehorse13]

No, his feedback showed- "Paid him and never got the item" and a few others like it. I did ask about condition and he never responded. If I drove five hours and got burned I'd be hot.

This is much more common these days and keeps me from venturing too far from home for junk adventures.

 

[930dreamer]

There's one for sale locally for 650 bucks with all of the porto power tooling. Looks to be in about the same shape as yours.

I just found that ad, no have no practical use but when has that stopped me.

 

[don long]

I'd love to have the tooling to go with mine. I'd clean it all up and display it proudly

 

[don long]

I just picked up another T15 for my stock cabinet

 

[don long]

Here is my baldy ratchet collection. Starting with the elusive 1/4" with a 3/8" next and the two 7/16" ratchets (one is short and the other expands) next is a 1/2" and the monster 3/4"

 

[don long]

Here are the older ratchets starting with the # 9706-S 3/8" next is a rare #9811 1/2" then the old stand by 911X with a later version 49977 and the big guy #916 3/4"