I got a Thorsen 77 3/8 drive ratchet in a collection of tools I bought recently. I bought the tools for the SO 24" breaker bar, SO extensions, and Cornwell ratchets, so this was just a nice addition. I didn't think much of it until I started playing with it. It is a pretty neat ratchet. Very smooth and appears to be very strong as well. Can you guys give me any other info on it? I can get pics of it tomorrow.
Thorsen 77 Ratchet
- Thread starter Stanger
- Start date
billymade
Well-known member
Doe it look similar to this one?
Nope. The ratcheting mechanism is open, but has a slip on cover for the head. The direction is changed by flipping the selector on the side of the head. The head looks very similar to this old Indestro...Doe it look similar to this one?
paramudduck
Well-known member
eschoendorff
Well-known member
Can you post some pics of the Thorsen 77???? I'd like to see this one...
(BTW... as of right now, it IS tomorrow
)
(BTW... as of right now, it IS tomorrow
)Oops. I obviously didn't look at this ratchet very close. It is a 1/2" drive. I saw the name and the unique head design and put it in my box. It is 10" long, maybe that is why I was thinking it was a 3/8. Anyway, here are the pics. I know they aren't the best, the lighting was poor.
84TurboBuick
Well-known member
I have a very small 1/4" drive ratchet that looks exactly like the one you pictured. It was my grandfathers so I have no idea how old it is.
I'll post a pic if anyone wants to see it.
I'll post a pic if anyone wants to see it.
Yes please post!!!
eschoendorff
Well-known member
Neat old ratchet! It does look similar to that Indestro....
Anyone want to post the cliff notes version of the Thorsen story from Alloy Artifacts?
Anyone want to post the cliff notes version of the Thorsen story from Alloy Artifacts?
senlow
Well-known member
I have the 1/4" drive version of that ratchet. I have never cared for heavily knurled handles, so I installed an early 80s era square Snap-On handle over the knurled section. I removed the Snap-On name from the handle so that my ratchet would not develop a split personality.
84TurboBuick
Well-known member
84TurboBuick
Well-known member
Ok I got the pics....
The quarter is for scale...these things are really small...even the breaker bar is small...
Anyhow...here they are...
Enjoy!
The quarter is for scale...these things are really small...even the breaker bar is small...
Anyhow...here they are...
Enjoy!
eschoendorff
Well-known member
Ok I got the pics....
The quarter is for scale...these things are really small...even the breaker bar is small...
Anyhow...here they are...
Enjoy!
Wow, that is a tiny little guy!
Delray
Well-known member
I have a set of Thorsens in 1/2 inch I got in the late 50's. They are very strong tools. The only imported stuff at the time was from Japan which was very low quality like the worst from China now.
eschoendorff
Well-known member
Delray
Well-known member
More and more great old brand names are being sold and trashed. The name of the game is quantity not quality.
lbgradwell
Well-known member
Can you post photos, Delray?
Delray
Well-known member
I think same as above. I'll dig them out this afternoon. I remember putting plugs in granny's 55. Thats the Delray
I just found one in my collection too.Nope. The ratcheting mechanism is open, but has a slip on cover for the head. The direction is changed by flipping the selector on the side of the head. The head looks very similar to this old Indestro...
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d42jeep
Well-known member
There is quite an active thread on Thorsen in the vintage forum.
www.garagejournal.com
I have a decent collection.
-Don
Post up your Thorsen tools!
I've had a Thorsen 3/8" drive 77 ratchet for years, never had a problem with it. Was told somewhere by somebody that they were the AK-47's of the ratchet world. And I believe it. Figured I should start a Thorsen thread, as I can't remember seeing one on the forum anywhere. So, if you've got...
www.garagejournal.com
-Don
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four.cycle
Well-known member
gah! another zombie thread brought back from the dead.....
Thorsen / Thorsen Tool Co., Oakland, CA / later Dallas, TX / patent 3096877 Jul 9 1963 Norman E. Skarsten & 3815451 Jun 11 1974 John Penner & 4261233 Apr 14 1981 James W. Konecny / http://alloy-artifacts.org/thorsen-manufacturing.html / http://alloy-artifacts.org/thorsen-manufacturing.html#history / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/post-up-your-thorsen-tools.328024/ /
^ Current thread is the last link in the string.
Thorsen / Thorsen Tool Co., Oakland, CA / later Dallas, TX / patent 3096877 Jul 9 1963 Norman E. Skarsten & 3815451 Jun 11 1974 John Penner & 4261233 Apr 14 1981 James W. Konecny / http://alloy-artifacts.org/thorsen-manufacturing.html / http://alloy-artifacts.org/thorsen-manufacturing.html#history / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/post-up-your-thorsen-tools.328024/ /
^ Current thread is the last link in the string.
