Thorsen 89J ratchet

[OneEyedMan]

I found this ratchet in a wonder box last week. The socket ejector setup was a new one to me. There isn't a release for the detent ball but there are two pins, one on each side of the drive that push a socket off. The Google is almost completely silent on this particular unit. I'd be interested to know a little history on this ratchet and also if it has any special value as I have close to 50 other ratchets in front of this one as "go to".


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[four.cycle]

a search for patent 3815451 says it's a fairly recent design (in the context of Thorsen ratchets). the *.pdf file has some illustrations that show the mechanism inside:
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...27i9GRw_i3VGG14d0UicOw&bvm=bv.121070826,d.cGc

as for "special value" - anybody's guess.

 

[Plombob]

Wow. Never seen one. I like it! I'll keep my eyes open for that ratchet.

 

[four.cycle]

^ not if I find one first.

 

[woody 73]

Hold on to that ratchet it is a keeper for sure!

 

[bonneyman]

Nice feature if your hands are greasy.

 

[bighorn6942]

I found this ratchet in a wonder box last week. The socket ejector setup was a new one to me. There isn't a release for the detent ball but there are two pins, one on each side of the drive that push a socket off. The Google is almost completely silent on this particular unit. I'd be interested to know a little history on this ratchet and also if it has any special value as I have close to 50 other ratchets in front of this one as "go to".


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Hello I have one, as a gift I bought it from Builder Emporium for my father on Fathers day. I use it every day it was a big seller. A set just sold off e-bay for under $20.00 in the original red case. Mine is the model 88j fine tooth pat. 3815461

 

[four.cycle]

^ yeah... it's sitting on the dry sink in my kitchen. I need to get it out and take some photos and post them. only the ratchet and sockets in that set are US-made Thorsen - the wrenches, pliers, and screwdrivers are all offshore cheapo **** - "TAT" (Thorsen Allied Tool) - Taiwan, Korea, India.
but hey, I figured $30 and change (incl. shipping) for the ratchet and sockets was fairly reasonable, considering it was all virtually new stuff.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/221990482772?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

That is a cool set for sure Four.cycle, not a bad price for the case and sockets. Looks like a hand kit to have around the house, I suppose the pliers and screwdriver could be swapped out for better stuff, the TAT wrenches are probably marginal. I have a set of TAT sockets I bought about 1992 that are still going strong, even the import ratchet works (although I haven't used it in years) .

 

[four.cycle]

^ actually I think it may have been out in the barn... or maybe behind the seat of the work truck... had pieces of hay/straw inside the box when I opened it up.
as I recall, "TAT" (Thorsen Allied Tool / Taiwan) sockets and ratchets weren't all that bad - kinda-sorta about par with a Japan-made Truecraft of the same era: low budget, and generally reliable (to a point.) (that said, I've yet to have any problems with a Taiwan-made Truecraft 1/2" drive set that belonged to my step-father, and it's still my go-to "greasy" set for disassembly work.)

the screwdrivers in that set might make good paint-can openers, but I don't think I can speak as highly of the wrenches or pliers.

and yeah, it's the quintessential "handyman around the house" low-budget promotional kit - okay in a pinch provided you're working on something small and not too ancient/frozen/rusted together. probably retailed originally for about $25 out the door.