What do you use a Brass Ratchet for?

[cartotem]

Hey guys, I picked up this neat 1/2" brass vintage ratchet out in PA in Oct. I don't understand where that would have been the material of choice. Can anyone enlighten me?
thanks
<a href="http://s200.photobucket.com/albums/aa148/1930Plymouth/?action=view&current=IMG_0084.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa148/1930Plymouth/IMG_0084.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[littletoes]

Non-Sparking enviroment.

 

[cartotem]

Like a coal mine maintenance guy might want to have?

 

[Horseshoe Jack]

It's not brass, it's Aluminum-Bronze. As has been said, it's for explosive environments, and saying they're expensive is a gross understatement.

 

[lauver]

cartotem,

Interesting ratchet. Can you post a few more photo's of that ratchet?

-- Top side of ratchet

-- Close up of the stampings on the bottom side (i.e. number on head, logo and other stampings on handle, etc)

Thanks

 

[vlpronj]

Like a coal mine maintenance guy might want to have?

Certainly a possibilty, and where you picked it up might make that more likely as the history of this specific item (i.e., Scranton, Lehighton, Coaldale...).

 

[mrholeshot]

It's for working in port-a-poties at the fleamarket after I've eaten two hot dogs

 

[srmofo]

It's not brass, it's Aluminum-Bronze. As has been said, it's for explosive environments, and saying they're expensive is a gross understatement.

No kidding, wow look at the price on these sockets
http://www.bayteccontainers.com/torque-wrenches---sockets--non-sparking-aluminum-bronze-sockets.html

heres a similar rachet
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/AM...mc=Google Base-_-Hand Tools-_-Sockets-_-4RPY1

And for the collectors, not mine
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...fd4e441&itemid=170478818690&ff4=263602_304642

 

[Daddy_Rabbit]

it could also have been used in a non-magnetic environment. Those look too old for this use, but I have a friend who builds specialized tables for MRI use and all of his tools are of this nature.

 

[thecj3man]

I have Ampco punches, adjustable wrenches, hammers, scraper blades, and many other tools where I work. It is an explosive atmosphere, mostly acetone dopes.

 

[crankshaftdan II]

Hey guys, I picked up this neat 1/2" brass vintage ratchet out in PA in Oct. I don't understand where that would have been the material of choice. Can anyone enlighten me?
thanks
<a href="http://s200.photobucket.com/albums/aa148/1930Plymouth/?action=view&current=IMG_0084.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa148/1930Plymouth/IMG_0084.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

All ordinance plants require spark-proof tools-related story-back in the 60's during viet-nam I had to enter ordinance plant-had to wear special rubber soled shoes-special spark proof smock over clothing, etc, belt buckes removed-anything that could be static electricity was restericted. Tool manufactures loved it, costs were at least five times + for the ampco type tools. I have this set-says the dolphin @Ampco-Marine kit-safety tools-guaranteed not to rust-non magnetic-they don't have the same patina as the ratchet-nor do they say spark proof??? Maybe these are just galvanized or other spark resistant coating?

 

[lbgradwell]

-- Close up of the stampings on the bottom side (i.e. number on head, logo and other stampings on handle, etc)

The stampings on the handle are ALBR (denoting Aluminum-Bronze, as Horseshoe Jack mentioned) and the FM-diamond symbol that confirms the product has been tested and meets the requirements of FM Approvals (formerly Factory Mutual Research) - an independent lab involved in property loss prevention-related products...

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

No kidding, wow look at the price on these sockets
http://www.bayteccontainers.com/torque-wrenches---sockets--non-sparking-aluminum-bronze-sockets.html

heres a similar rachet
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/AM...mc=Google Base-_-Hand Tools-_-Sockets-_-4RPY1

And for the collectors, not mine
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...fd4e441&itemid=170478818690&ff4=263602_304642

Imagine how over priced they would be if they came by on the snap-on truck...

 

[JC23]

I thought they were for tightening the nuts on brass monkeys...

 

[lauver]

The stampings on the handle are ALBR (denoting Aluminum-Bronze, as Horseshoe Jack mentioned) and the FM-diamond symbol that confirms the product has been tested and meets the requirements of FM Approvals (formerly Factory Mutual Research) - an independent lab involved in property loss prevention-related products...

LG, thanks for the info; very helpful.

I noticed there is what looks like a patent number stamped on the ratchet head, but is too small to make out.

The other things that are interesting about this ratchet is the general shape of the head and handle and the fact that it is made from exotic alloy... looks quite similar to the Crafty Stainless Steel ratchets. Just a few details I'd like to chase down if possible. You never know where it will lead.

 

[walrus]

Like a coal mine maintenance guy might want to have?

Refineries are full of these kinds of tools, Chemical plants would be another example

 

[Horseshoe Jack]

You'll also frequently find nonsparking tools from a company called Berylco that are made of beryllium-copper.

 

[v7guy]

that's pretty cool, didn't even think about these type of tools existing before this post.

 

[american lockpicker]

I've seen these type of tools before and I think they are interesting.

 

[Jbullfrog]

My 15" adjustable was used at a Dole Canning Plant in Waialua, HI. I got it from a tractor I reposessed.

 

[jabberwoki]

That's a beautiful tool you can hear the drool flowing all over the country!

 

[cartotem]

Wow, thanks for all the feedback. Interesting information from everyone. Here are the detail pics.
<a href="http://s200.photobucket.com/albums/aa148/1930Plymouth/?action=view&current=IMG_0088.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa148/1930Plymouth/IMG_0088.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s200.photobucket.com/albums/aa148/1930Plymouth/?action=view&current=IMG_0087.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa148/1930Plymouth/IMG_0087.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s200.photobucket.com/albums/aa148/1930Plymouth/?action=view&current=IMG_0090.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa148/1930Plymouth/IMG_0090.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s200.photobucket.com/albums/aa148/1930Plymouth/?action=view&current=IMG_0085.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa148/1930Plymouth/IMG_0085.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[cartotem]

The guy that sold it to me lives near Cape Cod, MA. He buys estates and antique automotive stuff all over the NE seaboard.