WTB: BLUEGRASS 1/2" Drive

[highland512]

Hello! Im new to the GJ. I found this site looking for bluegrass tools, saying so I am looking for some Bluegrass 1/2" extensions. Looking for any length, also looking for any 1/2" drive Bluegrass ratchets.

Thanks!
Matt

 

[petty4243]

I believe I have a 1/2 drive extension in my box t work, think it is 10" 1/2 drive... not sure what a good value is... ir is in pretty decent shape... send me a pm with an offer

 

[caper]

Here's a 3/8 I stumbled across today:

http://cgi.ebay.com/BLUE-GRASS-3-8-...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item2a03b12794

 

[highland512]

Thanks for the replies, I could be interested in the 10" could you send me a pic?

 

[petty4243]

Thanks for the replies, I could be interested in the 10" could you send me a pic?

I can try to... as mentioned, it is at work and will not be there till monday

 

[highland512]

to the top...........................................

 

[lbgradwell]

Here's a 3/8 I stumbled across today:

http://cgi.ebay.com/BLUE-GRASS-3-8-...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item2a03b12794

Wish I'd seen that... Pretty clearly a Wright - same model number & everything!

Would have been cool to pick up something branded Blue Grass for short money...

 

[Trenmik]

Good point about the #3400 (wright) however the shifter reminds me too-much of my thorsen 3/8 which has 36-teeth (red-lubed).

 

[petty4243]

i do not know much about blue grass tool, i assume they are somewhat rare, what about value? what would they compare to

 

[highland512]

I had some family that ran a True Value hardware store for awhile and the way I understand is that Bluegrass tools where made by BELKNAP. These tools where then sold through True Value hardware stores in the mainly in the Midwest but where sold nation wide. The tools where made in Louisville KY and I think production stopped during the mid to late eighty's. Still today when I walk into a old hardware I can still find some Bluegrass sitting on the shelves just not and 5" extensions . I really don't think that they are comparable to a vintage plomb or snap-on, but saying that they are not made anymore so???????????????

 

[Trenmik]

Is this what the 1/2 inch Bluegrass looked like? Maybe thorsen manufactured them toward the end.

77c

Bluegrass 3/8 3400
Does this look like how you remember them (or was it a different;earlier?...production period
Rickster's THORSEN's
Educated guess(never owned any) but from scattered incomplete info it seems that they were first made by perhaps Wright; later New Britain(belknap tq-w); finally Thorsen.... BELKNAP
Members who own "other examples" would have a better idea.

 

[lbgradwell]

Good point about the #3400 (wright) however the shifter reminds me too-much of my thorsen 3/8 which has 36-teeth (red-lubed).

It does look like a Thorsen, but I just can't believe the 3400 thing is a coincidence!

 

[lbgradwell]

Bluegrass 3/8 3400

Does this look like how you remember them?

This is the same link as above!

 

[PowderKeg]

LB,

That fleabay Bluegrass is a Thorsen - there's been at least three different sources for Bluegrass ratchets. The earliest I have is a New Britain Fors patent head and a later Kilness patent round head. Wright also produced them for a period, and I'm assuming Thorsen was likely the last source. At least that would make sense to me, since store brands seem to cheapen over time.

My guess would be that New Britain sourced the sockets/drive tools until NB went down the crapper (or until shortly before), then the quality level was continued (or maybe even improved slightly) with Wright as a source until Belknap started faltering, so they switched to Thorsen to cut costs until the end. Strictly my uneducated guess. The few wrenches I have are from Barcalo, but I vaguely remember seeing some from another source - can't remember who.

 

[lbgradwell]

Hmmm.

I guess the ratchet was model number 3400 under Wright production (makes perfect sense) and Belknap never changed the number after the contract switched to Thorsen!

 

[highland512]

I have no idea what the ratchet to my set looked like. I do have the set case so I will check and see if there are any dates. The info on the bluegrass history was very interesting, Thanks!

 

[krusty the clown]

The tools where made in Louisville KY

the hardware supplier was based in louisville. like most they were contract produced by various mfr's.


i belive elroy is the bluegrass historian around here.......paging elroy