Tool Talk
What's-It Forum => What's-It Forum => Topic started by: Northwoods on September 03, 2016, 11:33:27 AM
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Came home yesterday from Sparks and White Cloud flea markets in NE Kansas with some great finds.
A # 5449 Plomb pebble 1/2" rat that needs some TLC. Degreased it but haven't opened it yet. It locks up when the selector is moved completely to the off or the on side. Here's hoping...
And a No. 1 Snap-on 1/2" breaker bar from the early days.
But I want your help with a little (formerly) black tin box with a distinctive shape and slide-on lid. It resembles a Hinsdale or Duro box but it has no name impressed into it. 12 ' long.
http://alloy-artifacts.org/Photos/tools/hinsdale_no12_socket_set_cropped.jpg
http://alloy-artifacts.org/Photos/tools/duro_12hex_ltx316_socket_set_cover_cropped.jpg
AA tells me that they made some things for Sears Roebuck in the 20's but not under the company name. Perhaps that is it.
Also included was a Frank Mossberg folding Tee handle (stamped TASCO on one side) and three unmarked pressed steel sockets: 5/16 hex, 1/2 square and 3/4 square.
http://alloy-artifacts.org/Photos/tools/mossberg_12dr_folding_handle_early_set_f_cropped.jpg
And there was an unmarked male-to-male universal. Big boy. Measures 3 3/4". Each major part looks like a stirrup.
I realize I have a mixed bag, but any help will be appreciated.
Sorry, no pix.
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Replying to my own post, here.
I am happy to report that the big old 1/2" Plomb pebble 5449 (large letter Made in U S A version) is up and going like new.
First I soaked it in gasoline to get the worst gunk off--even before I opened it up. Then I put some light oil on it and let it set for a day. Then went at it with a soft brass brush. It cleaned up pretty well, showing the best patina I could expect.
Then I took it open and cleaned it properly. Could not find anything wrong with it. Greased it and reassembled, but it still would operate occasionally--and not properly. Finally it dawned on me that the selector switch was a little too floppy. It was sprung enough that it did not engage the pawls correctly. I corrected it with a small C-clamp.
After all those years, it works as well as ever.
BTW, the Plomb was on the Dollar Table. I paid as fast as I could. Then asked the seller why it was for sale at such a price. He said it had been for sale for nearly a year--with no takers. As he said, "Tools get heavy."
Just Wow!
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Well that's a happy story. Nice job on getting her back in working order sir!
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I have another 5449 pebble, a pristine small lettering Mfg. USA variety, but I like this one better. The patina is just super.
Maybe the attraction has to do with the time I spent on it.
Another thing, This one is a full 1/4" longer: 10 3/8" as opposed to 10 1/8. Size matters.
Does anyone out there have both varieties in the 1/4 and 3/8" ratchets? Is one larger than the other?