The Vintage New Britain and Associated Thread!

[RubiconJK]

I just looked in my 1940 New Britain catalog and didn’t see that box. They show a 1/2” set with a hip top box, but it looks like it had a removable tray.

Thanks Sam. I've sure hit a wall as far as finding any additional period info for this box. The New Britain None Better catalog on Tool Archives is from 1948 and I don't see a reference to my box or set number on 3/8 or 1/2 drive sets. From the size of the socket tray I tend to think this is for a 1/2 set. I had even begun to wonder if my box had just been custom made by a jobber or something but then I received a PM today from zrxrunner saying he had also just found the same box and was also struggling to find any info about it. Its a mystery!

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

Thanks Sam. I've sure hit a wall as far as finding any additional period info for this box. The New Britain None Better catalog on Tool Archives is from 1948 and I don't see a reference to my box or set number on 3/8 or 1/2 drive sets. From the size of the socket tray I tend to think this is for a 1/2 set. I had even begun to wonder if my box had just been custom made by a jobber or something but then I received a PM today from zrxrunner saying he had also just found the same box and was also struggling to find any info about it. Its a mystery!

Just had a thought, I seem to remember a Craftsman box that was similar. Maybe take a look at some 1930s Craftsman catalogs, I bet there is a set that would mirror your box and what it originally included. NBM was a supplier for sears at the time and it would not surprise if they where makings identical sets and just changing the brand.

 

[RubiconJK]

Just had a thought, I seem to remember a Craftsman box that was similar. Maybe take a look at some 1930s Craftsman catalogs, I bet there is a set that would mirror your box and what it originally included. NBM was a supplier for sears at the time and it would not surprise if they where makings identical sets and just changing the brand.

I'll check that out. Thanks!

 

[RubiconJK]

Just had a thought, I seem to remember a Craftsman box that was similar. Maybe take a look at some 1930s Craftsman catalogs, I bet there is a set that would mirror your box and what it originally included. NBM was a supplier for sears at the time and it would not surprise if they where makings identical sets and just changing the brand.

A quick update on my search for info on this box. I looked on Tool Archives at the oldest Craftsman catalog (1940) available and didn't find any matches. I also looked at a 1938 Husky catalog on the same site since it was available and NB purchased Husky earlier in the 30's. Also no match there. I'll look through additional catalogs as I can find them. Coincidentally, I wound up with another box of the same size dimensions and design yesterday from a pick. This one unfortunately was completely unbranded and had an assortment of tools in it.

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

I think I will take a look and see if I have pictures of the Craftsman box I had some time back. I’m pretty sure it was the same configuration, it had a decal and was grey IIRC. Can’t recall the era though, possibly heritage logo.

 

[RubiconJK]

I think I will take a look and see if I have pictures of the Craftsman box I had some time back. I’m pretty sure it was the same configuration, it had a decal and was grey IIRC. Can’t recall the era though, possibly heritage logo.

Thanks Sam.

 

[RubiconJK]

Today I found a start to a 1/2" drive socket set to possibly go with my box. The sockets are a NT1214 7/16", 2 ea NT1218 9/16", a NT1220 5/8" and a NT1224 3/4". Then randomly in the bottom of the same box of tools among a few Plomb WF 9/32 sockets I also picked was this New Britain 9/32"M X 1/4"F adapter.

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

Here is the Craftsman box I had, I bought and sold it empty. Not sure what year it's from, but it looks similar but different from your box.

 

[RubiconJK]

Here is the Craftsman box I had, I bought and sold it empty. Not sure what year it's from, but it looks similar but different from your box.

Agree, similar but different. I appreciate you taking the time to look for the picture.

 

[3baygarage]

That 9/32 is an oddball for NB.


Found these twins separated at birth.

Craftsman and Husky 1/4”.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

That 9/32 is an oddball for NB.

Indeed! Especially because NB didn't even make 9/32-inch drive as far as I know, for themselves or Craftsman (H)/BE. My hunch is someone contracted them during the war. That's a wartime marking, it's black oxide, and that's when it would've been needed. Snap-on made 1/4- to 9/32-inch adaptors (A-6, A-8). I don't think there was one in the Plomb WF- series. Very interesting. Thanks for posting, because I missed that.

Then randomly in the bottom of the same box of tools among a few Plomb WF 9/32 sockets I also picked was this New Britain 9/32"M X 1/4"F adapter.

Does it have a part number on it?

 

[RubiconJK]

Indeed! Especially because NB didn't even make 9/32-inch drive as far as I know, for themselves or Craftsman (H)/BE. My hunch is someone contracted them during the war. That's a wartime marking, it's black oxide, and that's when it would've been needed. Snap-on made 1/4- to 9/32-inch adaptors (A-6, A-8). I don't think there was one in the Plomb WF- series. Very interesting. Thanks for posting, because I missed that.


Does it have a part number on it?

Lugz,

There is no number or markings other than the New Britain & Made in USA. I also have a Proto 4748 which is the opposite (1/4"M X 9/32"F).

On your WF point, I'm guessing they didn't include an adapter since there were no 1/4" drive tools in the set. WF-3 was previously unidentified, but I know another collector who found one and it is a 9/32 X 3/8 adapter.

 

[d42jeep]

That 9/32 is an oddball for NB.


Found these twins separated at birth.

Craftsman and Husky 1/4”.

Here is another pair of close relatives.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

On your WF point, I'm guessing they didn't include an adapter since there were no 1/4" drive tools in the set.

There was a ratchet (WF-8-S), but that's an oddball to begin with. If the US Army Air Corps wanted it to turn 1/4-inch drive sockets, why didn't they order them, and why have two different midget sizes? If they wanted a ratchet to turn 9/32-inch drive sockets, for some reason, they would need an adapter. But I get your point. I was just running through the other mfgrs making 9/32-inch drive tools at the same time. I'd have to go to the cats to see if Hinsdale and Williams were making 9/32-1/4 adaptors.

 

[RubiconJK]

There was a ratchet (WF-8-S), but that's an oddball to begin with. If the US Army Air Corps wanted it to turn 1/4-inch drive sockets, why didn't they order them, and why have two different midget sizes? If they wanted a ratchet to turn 9/32-inch drive sockets, for some reason, they would need an adapter. But I get your point. I was just running through the other mfgrs making 9/32-inch drive tools at the same time. I'd have to go to the cats to see if Hinsdale and Williams were making 9/32-1/4 adaptors.

I agree, 8S is an oddball and has always been a mystery to me and I wonder if it was introduced post war? I had seen in another thread where you guys were discussing the continuation of the WF line post war and just wonder if this was a simple addition that didn't require much in the way of tooling changes? Sorry to chase this rabbit in the wrong thread!

 

[d42jeep]

Today I found a start to a 1/2" drive socket set to possibly go with my box. The sockets are a NT1214 7/16", 2 ea NT1218 9/16", a NT1220 5/8" and a NT1224 3/4". Then randomly in the bottom of the same box of tools among a few Plomb WF 9/32 sockets I also picked was this New Britain 9/32"M X 1/4"F adapter.

I have two extra 11/16” New Britain sockets that might fill your gap. They are slightly different styles but both have the same part number
-Don

 

[RubiconJK]

I have two extra 11/16” New Britain sockets that might fill your gap. They are slightly different styles but both have the same part number
-Don

Hey Don, thanks. Does the one on the left in your pic look like it matches those in my picture?

 

[d42jeep]

Hey Don, thanks. Does the one on the left in your pic look like it matches those in my picture?

I think they both match some of your sockets. One has a slightly higher logo with the Made in USA underneath. It looks like you have both styles. You are welcome to both of them. I have no need for them as the only New Britain I’m keeping is 1/4” drive.
-Don

 

[RubiconJK]

I think they both match some of your sockets. One has a slightly higher logo with the Made in USA underneath. It looks like you have both styles. You are welcome to both of them. I have no need for them as the only New Britain I’m keeping is 1/4” drive.
-Don

Thanks Don, let me know what I owe you for shipping. One of these days I've got to come up with something to help you fill a spot!

 

[northwoods]

Now, that's what I'm talking about!

 

[northwoods]

Look for the old C-man BE and H circle stuff. Built by NB.

 

[northwoods]

Oh, great! You use it with a female rat. And then you lose the plug.

 

[paulm12]

found some New Britain 1/4" drive sockets helping a neighbor clean out his garage. Anyone need these?
.

 

[d42jeep]

found some New Britain 1/4" drive sockets helping a neighbor clean out his garage. Anyone need these?
.

I need the 7/16” missing from my New Britain 1/4” drive set shown in post 426. I’ll send you a PM.
-Don

 

[RubiconJK]

Seems as if the last two weeks have been socket find weeks for me. Here is a random None Better 1/2" drive 1 1/8" 12 pt found yesterday in the bottom of a box at a sale. Will have to find more as this isn't going to take up very much space in my None Better box shown earlier!!

 

[Mgdoug3]

Here's some None Better sockets and strong arm I acquired.

 

[RubiconJK]

Quick update on the NB None Better box I found several weeks ago. Still haven't found a correct era catalog that has any note of the model No 1041 to determine original contents, but pretty sure it was 1/2" drive. So....I have found the box a few friends and begun yet another search to complete yet another set of sockets! So far I have a S40 ratchet, a 5"(S24) and 10"(S25) ext and 5 sockets. 1 1/8, 1 1/16, 31/32, 15/16 and 7/8. In the process of looking thru numerous buckets/boxes of sockets at sales, I've begun picking up every knurled New Britain looking socket I can find, so needless to say this has also created partial sets of Craftsman BE & Circle H, Husky and standard New Britain....so far.
EDIT: Forgot that I also found this little New Britain #NDF-200, 3/8 X 7/16 DBE today. Cleaned up really nice. AA has an example of this very wrench and is ca 1930's.

 

[RubiconJK]

As a result of the last several weeks of my New Britain knurled socket search, I have pieced together bits of Craftsman and Husky socket sets. After yesterday's trip to the flea market and adding a few more pieces, I thought I'd show the status of my 1/2", 3/8" and 1/4" Husky sets. I picked the 1/4" CM40 ratchet yesterday (for $0.50!) but it wasn't working. After an overnight soak and disassembly, it now works and looks good except it skips teeth very infrequently just in one direction. The teeth in the ratchet body and the pawl are all fine but it seems like the pawl isn't always quite holding up where it should. Anyone have any experience with these and tips on what I might try to prevent the skipping? I did check the little spring and it seems to be fine.

 

[RubiconJK]

Found this 1/2" drive deep 13/16" 12 pt socket in yesterday's picks. Admittedly I'm not all that experienced with NB until recently, but this socket differs from the other's I've found thus far in that it has no part number marking. In looking at the 1940 NB catalog on Tool Archives, it appears they were being numbered at that time. Would this socket be earlier than 1940?

 

[RubiconJK]

My month long New Britain love fest continues! Today at a sale along with a few Husky 1/4" knurled and Cman BE 3/8" knurled NB sockets I found a 1/2" drive BE ratchet and this unusual None Better thingamajig. You'll notice that my BE ratchet has an issue with a broken shifter, but otherwise cleaned up well and the internals are good. If anyone has had experience repairing or replacing one of these shifters please share.

The None Better thingamajig took some research, but eventually I found a similar New Britain version which referenced a patent 2731864 for a Torque Release Wrench. It seems the application according to the patent was for Fordomatic and Mercomatic transmission front servo band adjustment. The similar New Britain version I found also came with a feeler gauge of sorts. I'll have to play around with this, but from what I have read in the patent document, there is an internal clutch apparatus in the tool that will slip once proper torque is reached. Anyone else seen one of these or used one?

 

[RubiconJK]

Lol....I think everyone but me must have got the memo that NB is yesterday's news! Well for the sake or posterity here is a bit more from today's picks. Found a NB Husky CS 41, 1/2" drive ratchet to go along with my CS 43 fine tooth ratchet that I found a while back. AA shows a similar Mustang MS 41 and says it is likely from the 50's, which may be a bit later than the knurled Husky socket sets are that I'm putting together.

This came along with yet another batch of knurled various mfg sockets (including a Cman C series Snap-On made socket), a pair of Bonney B25 needle nose, a 8" Diamond Calk adjustable and a Plomb 5468 breaker that I needed for my 1/2" set.....but I digress.

 

[DadsTools]

I have a question about NB Husky I posted elsewhere with little luck. I know this is not about the really older stuff, but I'd still like to know.

Does anyone have an idea about what year NB dropped the underline in the Husky trademark on the tools?

 

[RubiconJK]

I have a question about NB Husky I posted elsewhere with little luck. I know this is not about the really older stuff, but I'd still like to know.

Does anyone have an idea about what year NB dropped the underline in the Husky trademark on the tools?

I don't know for sure, but AA shows a DOE wrench on their site without the underline that they date to the early/mid 70's.

 

[d42jeep]

I bought this partial New Britain 1/4” drive set on eBay to help fill out one I’m putting together. The box is very similar to the long C Craftsman box I found at the Tahoe flea on Saturday.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

Here is the 1/4” drive set I’m trying to fill out. I still need a 7/16” 12 Point socket in this style if anyone has an extra.
-Don

 

[DadsTools]

I don't know for sure, but AA shows a DOE wrench on their site without the underline that they date to the early/mid 70's.

Thanks. I suspected it was sometime in the 1960s, but any kind of web info is very scarce on this later stuff.

Wonder if it corresponded to the Litton acquisition?

 

[Username already in use]

My month long New Britain love fest continues!

You're finding some great New Britain stuff lately. I'm missing a couple of wartime New Britain sockets for my 1/2" drive set but I've got the places held with some None Better sockets. They're identical except for the branding.

I went through a pile of orphan sockets and came away with some None Better and some Husky. Let me know if any of them will help you out.

Husky are chrome and 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16, 3/4, 7/8, 15/16.
None Better (NB) are plain steel and 9/16, 11/16, 13/16

 

[RubiconJK]

You're finding some great New Britain stuff lately. I'm missing a couple of wartime New Britain sockets for my 1/2" drive set but I've got the places held with some None Better sockets. They're identical except for the branding.

I went through a pile of orphan sockets and came away with some None Better and some Husky. Let me know if any of them will help you out.

Husky are chrome and 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16, 3/4, 7/8, 15/16.
None Better (NB) are plain steel and 9/16, 11/16, 13/16

Thanks! I'll send you a PM.

 

[MShaw]

I have quite a few Husky metric wrenches I got when I worked for them in 1973 / 1974 era. I spot checked doe, dbe and combo wrenches. None have the Husky name underlined.

 

[DadsTools]

I have quite a few Husky metric wrenches I got when I worked for them in 1973 / 1974 era. I spot checked doe, dbe and combo wrenches. None have the Husky name underlined.

Thanks for the info. Things keep pointing to sometime in the 1960s when they eliminated the underline.