Tool brands & geography

[shanny19]

Watching this forum, and the annual Garage Sale threads over the years, I've become fascinated with the regional differences in brand "density".

I collect vintage tools in Idaho.
Based on what I see on the forum:

I think I see WAY more Thorsen and P&C than average.
I think I see more Plomb/Vintage Proto, Barcalo, and KAL than average.

I think I see less Indestro/Duro and Herbrand than average.
I think I see WAY less Cornwell than average.

I'd love to hear where you are and what you perceive to be the operating environment where YOU collect vintage tools!

 

[michaelwolson]

I'm in California. Between the Northern and Southern sides of the state we seem to get all the vintage tool brands at fairly high density.

However, everything is also priced way higher than most other places in the country.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

shanny19,

I am in central NJ, on the shore, and I pretty much see everything in terms of vintage brands. Some of that is due to it being a Northeast/Atlantic state with a very long industrial history, including tool manufacturing, and some of that is due to the location of my flea markets in particular, which are in close proximity to former Ft Monmouth (closed), former Ft Dix, McGuire AFB, and Lakehurst Naval Air Engineering Station (now Joint Base MDL).

I do see some (mainly East Coast/Midwest brands) in much greater frequency and volume than others (West Coast brands), with the exception of Plomb. I see very little of the smaller, more regional brands, such as Truth, OTC, P&C, and Thorsen. I never see extremely regional stuff like Bluegrass.

I had some fun with vintage tools, geography, and football fans last year. You might like this thread.

 

[woody 73]

Living in the great state of "AHIA" I am very lucky to have some great tool companies that call Ohio their home...Companies like Cornwell, Wright, Mac, Herbrand and a few others, so as you might have guessed I find many of their vintage tools.

AS you also can guess west coast old vintage plomb ,otc, thorsen, p&c, truth, not so much.

Woody

 

[elidas]

Living in the great state of "AHIA" I am very lucky to have some great tool companies that call Ohio their home...Companies like Cornwell, Wright, Mac, Herbrand and a few others, so as you might have guessed I find many of their vintage tools.

AS you also can guess west coast old vintage plomb ,otc, thorsen, p&c, truth, not so much.

Woody

Same thing here in Connecticut. I have tons of New Britain stuff and all its derivatives. Many without markings. New Britain is only 15-20 miles from Waterbury. I think a lot went out the back door. Lots of Billings stuff also. The other brands aren't rare either.

 

[MShaw]

I worked for New Britain in the 1970's and, yes, a lot went out the back door. The engineer that sat next to me ordered a 3/4" drive set for a rigging subcontractor. They shipped five sets from the warehouse before a set made it to him. I have a large amount of "engineering samples" myself.

 

[northwoods]

Don't forget Lectrolite Defiance!

 

[jgromada]

I'm in Maryland and at yard sales etc i find a lot of Utica

who did they merge into?

 

[davethorik]

Living in the great state of "AHIA" I am very lucky to have some great tool companies that call Ohio their home...Companies like Cornwell, Wright, Mac, Herbrand and a few others, so as you might have guessed I find many of their vintage tools.

AS you also can guess west coast old vintage plomb ,otc, thorsen, p&c, truth, not so much.

Woody

I agree with Woody, except I have never seen a Herbrand tool in the wild, and I have found quite a few Plomb. And Cornwell is less common than others.

 

[shanny19]

which are in close proximity to former Ft Monmouth (closed), former Ft Dix, McGuire AFB, and Lakehurst Naval Air Engineering Station (now Joint Base MDL).

I also have close proximity to a major AFB, and I see two influences, one is plenty of "contract" brands like Giller, JS, KAL/Proamerica, and the other is a boatload of non-date-coded Snap On. Easily 50% of my Snap On has no date code. Do you see the same???

And Cornwell is less common than others.

I've found exactly one Cornwell tool in the wild. Up until then, i thought they were a myth!!

 

[elidas]

I worked for New Britain in the 1970's and, yes, a lot went out the back door. The engineer that sat next to me ordered a 3/4" drive set for a rigging subcontractor. They shipped five sets from the warehouse before a set made it to him. I have a large amount of "engineering samples" myself.

When I was just starting in the car biz I got an offer to buy a large box of mixed new tools. Mid seventies. This turned out to be New Britain stuff. I quickly realized that although the ratchets and wrenches had different names they were all the same. I still use an American Forge and a unnamed short 3/8
ratchet.

 

[elidas]

I agree with Woody, except I have never seen a Herbrand tool in the wild, and I have found quite a few Plomb. And Cornwell is less common than others.

I see quite a bit of Herbrand. I've even bought some new old stock at local swop meets. In later years the quality seems to gone into the toilet. I have a 3/8 swivel socket that is the crudest thing I've ever seen.