Thorsen Open Frame Ratchets

[bowmard]

40+ years ago I bought a 3/8 drive Thorsen open frame ratchet. If I remember correctly it is a model 77.. I liked it because it is a tad longer than the Craftsman 3/8 drive ratchet I had at the time. I still frequently use the old Thorsen. It feelss good with no objectionable slop in the mechanism. I believe the exposed open frame is the reason since it allowed easy oiling. Recently I landed a 1/2" drive Thorsen open frame ratchet off Ebay. It too feels good and works well. It is a supplement ratchet to my '65 vintage Craftsman V series. Now I'm looking for a 1/4" drive open frame Thorsen........

 

[GoodoleBoy]

I have one I bought, I was going to sell it..But after using it a few times I like it enough to keep it around.It is also a model 77..

 

[wrenchr]

Toss up a wanted thread in the wanted section for that 1/4, you never know!!

 

[wrenchr]

If you strike out on the thorsen then wright makes a nice open gear ratchet and they still make them.

 

[Soon2AdjustYou]

I have a 1/2" as well. Very smooth and comfy in the hand. I love it.

 

[KEH]

I was given a Thorsen 1/2 drive set as a graduation present in 1961. Used itfor a long time until I gave it to daughter and SIL since it had sentimental value. Smooth, easy to reverse direction with just a flip of the thumb. Later I got the 1/4 and 3/8 drive which are equally good.

KEH

 

[Davefr]

Open frame Thorsens are great. They're so compact they can get into spots where others can't.

(example):

 

[MoToys]

Great ratchets. I sent a 3/8 with some other stuff to my ss recipient.

 

[woody 73]

I have used open frames in the past but somehow I always managed to get dirt inside the ratchet and that is not fun; I ended up giving it away just tired of dealing with dirt.

 

[kc-steve]

I have used open frames in the past but somehow I always managed to get dirt inside the ratchet and that is not fun; I ended up giving it away just tired of dealing with dirt.

I could be wrong, but I think the whole point of the open frame is for easy oiling and cleaning. I have one too.

Steve

 

[bowmard]

Last week I spotted a 1/4" Thorsen 77 up for bid on Ebay so I jumped on it. My luck held to the end of the auction with nobody bidding against me. Today I received it in the mail. It is a nice one that now completes my set of Thorsen open frame ratchets.

 

[Gort the giant robot]

I have a open gear 1/4 inch ACTION ratchet made by THORSEN. I have used it at work for many years with no problems.

Gort.

 

[SCscoutguy]

I have never seen a long handle Thorsen ratchet but I guess this proves they did make one.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-Nice-V...938?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item231a710572

 

[Outlawmws]

Last week I spotted a 1/4" Thorsen 77 up for bid on Ebay so I jumped on it. My luck held to the end of the auction with nobody bidding against me. Today I received it in the mail. It is a nice one that now completes my set of Thorsen open frame ratchets.

Not quite "complete" ; do you have it in 3/4" drive?

I have a P&C open frame in 3/4. It's a brute.

 

[plinker]

If you strike out on the thorsen then wright makes a nice open gear ratchet and they still make them.

The Wright's are very nice, I had ordered a 1/2 & 3/8 for a co-worker who like's that style ratchet. 30 tooth and repair kits are available.

 

[lbgradwell]

Not quite "complete" ; do you have it in 3/4" drive?

I don't think there was a 3/4"-drive open-head model...

 

[jayrush13]

Not quite "complete" ; do you have it in 3/4" drive?

I have a P&C open frame in 3/4. It's a brute.

Would it be possible to post a pic of the beast

 

[Outlawmws]

Would it be possible to post a pic of the beast

Sure, Here it is next to a 16" long handled 1/2" drive Proto, which is next to a "std" 1/2 " Proto. (The long handed Proto has a heavier walled head than the std.) The 3/4 P&C is 20" long:

 

[Outlawmws]

I don't think there was a 3/4"-drive open-head model...

I wonder if they had it in the past?

 

[Outlawmws]

I went surfing Eprey for 3/4" ratchets to see if there were any open frame ratchets that size. Only found a P&C 3/4 (Similar to mine but plated) in open frame...

 

[lbgradwell]

I wonder if they had it in the past?

No idea; that list is from 1975.

 

[bowmard]

Say, that is a nice one. The first one I've seen too.

 

[bowmard]

"""Not quite "complete" ; do you have it in 3/4" drive?

I have a P&C open frame in 3/4. It's a brute."""

There were a couple of Thorsen 79Cs and a single early model 79 on Ebay yesterdsay. The 79s are closed head. The seller said the early 79 dated to the 1930s but from what I understand that is too early.

I have a nice, like new Wright 3/4" drive socket set I bought at a pawn shop 18 or so years ago. In a red case, I think the pawn shop owner didn't know what he had for I picked it up for paltry $65. Just a short while before then I paid $35 for a Chinese made 3/4" drive set that gave good service when I restored a John Deere G tractor. The Chinese 3/4" ratchet's metallurgy is suspect but have since replaced it with a Craftsman 44804. I've seen some one of those ratchets that bent when used with a cheater bar (not mine).