Vintage sockets

[Scimonetti]

I'm starting to build a collection of hand tools from various garage sale lots of tools. I have nothing even close to a complete set.

I was thinking about getting this set http://www.craftsman.com/250-pc-mec...0P?prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2#reviewsWrap to have a complete one, and slowly building up my collection of better tools.
Should I try to stick with chromed ones like my craftsman V and Fleet stuff?

 

[Steinmetz]

Chrome plating was not generally used on tools manufactured in the WW2 era. Chromium was regarded as a strategic material.

 

[espyking83]

SK Waynes will look and perform great for another 100 years . I have A 1/2" indestro set That are still hard to beat, great shape and have knurling. wright sockeTs hold up extremely well also.

 

[orca8589]

I'd say keep doing what you're doing - I'm a big believer in putting the good old useful tools back to work. However, if you want a handy, organized set of sockets for when you're on the road, the Craftsman set would be a good option, IMHO.

I've got a pretty good setup as far as tools go. I've got all the sockets I need in 1/4", 3/8" & 1/2" drive, all used and in very-good-to-new condition. Same for wrenches and everything else. The deals on good used tools are out there. I bookmarked the "Classifieds" forum here, and if I need something, I check there first before I do anything else.

~Chris

 

[ken w.]

I built quite a bit of my tool set from Ebay,garage sales, estate sales and flea markets. I'd rather have older better tools than newer imported tools.

 

[wornoutoldman]

These are the brands I'm looking at. I am far from a professional and want tools that will not as expensive as new snap-on but I won't need to upgrade Craftsman V, Indestro, SK, Proto, Armstrong, Williams, Easco (spell checked), Hinsdale, Black Hawk, Billings, Duro, Thorsen.

All great brands ^^^ I'd toss in Herbrand, Bonney, Walden, Giller and many more. You can pick up complete sets of these considered to be oddball (by the uniformed) brands for cheap on ebay all day long with little to no competition.

 

[2oolhound]

I agree with staying vintage. Specially the sae stuff that it sounds like what you need mostly. I passed up a real nice set of German made metric tools, wrenches and sockets in box for $15 a while back simply because I have too much already. Take your time and wait for the choice stuff that comes up cheap. Most of the tool resellers I know have way too much sae and don't even touch it anymore so there isn't much competition for it.

 

[gol4]

Just stay away from the plomb stuff.


I don't need the competition when bidding.

 

[Tripn88]

Have you tried pawn stores? The one I go to has thousands of tools. I take in my little bucket fill it with what I want and get a great deal.

 

[_tomato_]

I'd kill for that snap on ratchet!! You should definitely got that set because it is beautiful.

 

[bonneyman]

I built quite a bit of my tool set from Ebay,garage sales, estate sales and flea markets. I'd rather have older better tools than newer imported tools.

10-4

You've got some real nice stuff in that photo. I'd say just keep doing what you've been doing and you'll be set in no time.

 

[nicksnothereman]

SK Waynes will look and perform great for another 100 years . I have A 1/2" indestro set That are still hard to beat, great shape and have knurling. wright sockeTs hold up extremely well also.

Yep.

OP, you don't need to buy vintage. A lot of those companies still make make good stuff us made (armstrong, sk, proto). Vintage might be slightly cheaper with those brands but can't say it's worth it.

Indestro (super) would get my "cheap enough and good enough" recommendation but...a lot of 12 point on the used market (I'm more of a 6 point guy).

There are probably more good tools out there than bad tools nowadays even new. With vintage just look at the craftsmanship, you can tell the difference between the cheap stuff and well made stuff.

 

[Josey Wales]

With vintage just look at the craftsmanship, you can tell the difference between the cheap stuff and well made stuff.

On the other hand, years ago the finish, or things like the stampings on sockets didn't matter so much.
I have a New Britain ratchet with half the word Britain missing...but it's a quality ratchet.
And for the record, Litton Industries can burn in hell for closing down NB.
Sorry off topic.

 

[Scimonetti]

I'd kill for that snap on ratchet!! You should definitely got that set because it is beautiful.

It's an fv-71. I bought a huge lot of random woodworking tools and some wrenches and sockets(including a 78 milwaukee magnum drill with pipe handle) for 20 bucks. That was the first ratchet I bought and had no idea what I had!

 

[woody 73]

Funny how things work in different parts of the Country, around central Ohio the name snap-on and Craftsman go for top dollar, while other names go for next to nothing.

Just this week I was looking at a small tool box filled with craftsman and Chinese tools and they wanted 200.00 dollars while right next to the box they had a large set of thorsen tools for 20.00 dollars go figure that one out.

 

[msgtsmithret]

I also use the old tools I collect, but its true that there is a ton of SAE tools. Most automotive work is done with metric tools now. Nevertheless, they are fun to collect and I share my collection with anyone who even pretends to be interested. Some of them have even brought me their old unused tools and I use them or add them to my display case in the shop. One customer brought me his dads old 1950' s SK 1/2" drive socket set and gave it to me. Said he wanted to see it in use again, that would make his dad happy. So, I obliged him! Old tools are often high quality as long as you stick with names you recognize. It can be hard to complete a set though. If that's your goal collect Craftsman because its everywhere and inexpensive.

 

[wornoutoldman]

Funny how things work in different parts of the Country, around central Ohio the name snap-on and Craftsman go for top dollar, while other names go for next to nothing.

Just this week I was looking at a small tool box filled with craftsman and Chinese tools and they wanted 200.00 dollars while right next to the box they had a large set of thorsen tools for 20.00 dollars go figure that one out.

Please tell me you picked up that Thorsen set Woody.

OP, forgot to mention New Britain. Very nice pro quality stuff as well.

 

[RM209]

I'd kill for that snap on ratchet!! You should definitely got that set because it is beautiful.

Yup, very nice. Looks like it's one of their military versions.

RM209

 

[Lbcwanabe]

Nice set

 

[Cope]

I was looking at 3/4" drive sockets on eBay this morning and came across an old SK set in a metal box with an unusual decal on the lid. Also saw a Hinsdale set in the box.

 

[lbgradwell]

Has anybody heard of sockets with the brand "M F -- MFD" according to the seller?

I'm willing to bet $100 sight unseen they were made by Proto.

 

[lbgradwell]

What do you think of this?

I think the photographer is very unskilled.

 

[lbgradwell]

I think you are right.

They were made by Proto and branded for Millers Falls.

 

[bonneyman]

Yes, and stay away from the Bonney, too!.....

That's right - Bonney stinks!
Leave all of it for me....I'm a glutton for punishment.

 

[Danglerb]

Only catch with the old stuff is no metric, OTOH they should stay nice from not being used.

 

[MAD]

They were made by Proto and branded for Millers Falls.

tis true

 

[drivesitfar]

Scionmetti: even if you had to pay shipping the full old set of sockets with the original metal case looks like an awesome deal. nice find.

All: i'm wondering if the old sets that include the 32nd sizing in their full sets would be an option to having a set of both standard and metric sizing? anybody know for sure if a metric size can be a 19/32 just for an example?

 

[AndrewV]

Coworkers, that was his grandfather's socket, he's still using it daily.

 

[humber2]

I picked up this set on ebay. The buy it now was 40 and the bidding was at $30 with no bids, but 6 people watching and 20 hours left. Once somebody bid the buy it now would go away, so I bought it for $40
Mine has another stubby speeder included.

From alloy artifacts "The Durobilt sets are quite significant, as these are among the earliest known examples of 1/2-drive socket tools sold by Sears Roebuck, at least for which a reasonable estimate of the manufacturing date can be made. The 1930-1931 origin of the sets predates the Craftsman C-Series and Craftsman "BE" Series socket sets by several years." I thought I overpaid until I saw how much other sets were going for.

Any chance a close-up image of that ratchet please?

 

[humber2]

Thanks for detailing.

Mine must have been made on the day the imprint stamper was inoperable.

Totally anonymous, also no hang-up hole in the handle.

Were these stamped for other brands?

Sorry no images from me from this PC.


From AA, but no Patent on mine so another style.

http://home.comcast.net/~alloy-artifacts/Photos/tools/duro_672_patents_cropped_bright.jpg

 

[jockeylot]

You'll hit a honey hole every now and then. Keep up the good work and you'll get there. I will be putting some extras that I have in the near future.