Walden 511 wire handled ratchet

[firstyearchevelle]

I couldn’t find any posts on here about this old ratchet. Picked it up at a garage sale. Too bad there were not any sockets. Easily the oldest tool that I own. Alloy artifacts says it was made until about 1918. Would like to see pictures of a complete set.

 

[four.cycle]

^ They didn't come with sockets. Originally they were marketed as "wheel nut ratchets" and came in a number of different sizes.
Welcome to the site!

Walden Worcester thread (#1)
Walden Worcester thread (#2)


1906 Hardware Dealers Magazine pp 1092 Walden Worcester wire ratchet (patent 928719)

1908 Hardware pp 23 Walden Worcester wire ratchet

1908 Automobile Trade Directory pp 285 Walden Worcester wire ratchet

1922 Botswick-Braun Co. catalog pp 108 Walden Worcester wire ratchet

 

[freudianfloyd]

I just watched a video on Youtube of a guy remaking this exact ratchet. Nice find.

 

[genog]

Oh that is one coooool vintage tool!
Very clever

 

[2oolhound]

Humph, how many teeth does it have and how much back drag?




LOL, kidding of coarse, that is cool and probably the simplest form of ratchet ever invented.
Just 3 parts:
ratchet wheel,
handle/paul,
and the wire binding.

Sweet! Nice find!

 

[4lug39]

I've been watching Hand Tool Rescue for years. He made a version of this style wrench a few years ago.

 

[firstyearchevelle]

Looking on AA this morning I found this. This type of ratchet did come in a socket set.