Walden flex head..

[ganymede]

I'm guessing this ratchet was made towards the end of Waldens existence .
It's 1/2" drive, model #1152h. Length is 11" and other than the model number the only marking is = WALDEN = .
I'm guessing it's late mfg because the grip part of the handle is the same diameter as the as the neck. On the other hand the knurling isn't bad and the drive assembly is chromed not black.
What do you think ?

Apologies for multiple posts but this phone won't let me put multiple pics in the same post.

 

[ganymede]

... And ....

 

[ganymede]

... finally ...

 

[woody 73]

You don't think someone added that head to a breaker bar by any chance? I have never seen that model but again there are still many models that I have never seen in all these many years of collecting.

 

[ganymede]

Quite possible.
I havnt seen any other rats like this either. I've seen short 1/2" Walden breakers but the grips were black rubber tapered in the middle like 70's green SK breakers.

 

[twertsy]

I'll have to wait til tomorrow but I'm pretty sure I have a Walden flex to compare.

 

[woody 73]

twertsy thanks for looking if you find it be sure and post it up here in the vintage section.

 

[ganymede]

I'll have to wait til tomorrow but I'm pretty sure I have a Walden flex to compare.

Oh Cool ! , thank you. Breaker bars too if you have any.

twertsy thanks for looking if you find it be sure and post it up here in the vintage section.

I thought about posting this in the regular section since Walden didn't close until 1990 or so but what the heck, 25 yrs was kind of a long time ago.

 

[twertsy]

I have at least 2 breakers also. I might stop by the shop here in a few just for y'all.

 

[twertsy]

I don't have a 1/2" flex, but I have a 3/8" drive flex. Here is what I have Walden:

Pic:
1. All
2. 1/2" drive stuff
3. 3/8" drive stuff
4. 1/4" drive stuff

 

[ganymede]

Nice group Twertsy. The ratchets in the center look in almost new shape.
Most of their stuff was so beefy it makes you wonder what they'd be like if they were still in operation.
Thanks for rounding them all up .

 

[twertsy]

Nice group Twertsy. The ratchets in the center look in almost new shape.
Most of their stuff was so beefy it makes you wonder what they'd be like if they were still in operation.
Thanks for rounding them all up .

No problem

 

[PowderKeg]

Nice group Twertsy. The ratchets in the center look in almost new shape.
Most of their stuff was so beefy it makes you wonder what they'd be like if they were still in operation.
Thanks for rounding them all up .

I've got that 1/2" flex version as well, although unfortunately it wasn't quite beefy enough. When I pulled it apart to clean it up I found the support cage that holds the sliding pawls had cracked and broke apart . Now I'm on the lookout for a 1/2" round head parts donor to get the flex back in action.

Nice group there Twertsy, if I remember I'll try to add a pic of a streamlined 1/2" Walden I have later - has a solid bullet/teardrop grip that resembles the art deco-ish pre-NB Blackhawk ratchets. Come to think of it, the sliding pawl action and circular reverse switch design of these round head Waldens may fairly resemble the Blackhawk design.

Hmmm.....

 

[ganymede]

I've got that 1/2" flex version as well, although unfortunately it wasn't quite beefy enough. When I pulled it apart to clean it up I found the support cage that holds the sliding pawls had cracked and broke apart . Now I'm on the lookout for a 1/2" round head parts donor to get the flex back in action.

Nice group there Twertsy, if I remember I'll try to add a pic of a streamlined 1/2" Walden I have later - has a solid bullet/teardrop grip that resembles the art deco-ish pre-NB Blackhawk ratchets. Come to think of it, the sliding pawl action and circular reverse switch design of these round head Waldens may fairly resemble the Blackhawk design.

Hmmm.....

Powderkeg,
You've got me curious. I'll be taking mine apart in a bit just to make sure it's okay.
What do you think the time frame is for these ratchets.?

 

[PowderKeg]

Powderkeg,
You've got me curious. I'll be taking mine apart in a bit just to make sure it's okay.
What do you think the time frame is for these ratchets.?

I'm thinking along your line, that they might be later production ratchets. Unfortunately there's very little info out there on Walden, or Stevens-Walden, or Walden-Worcester beyond what AA has, or scanned catalogs either.

 

[ganymede]

Every blue moon I do an eBay search for vintage socket sets .
Sometimes the inserts can give you an idea when the set was made.
Anyway, here's the inside for everyone's future reference..