Can anyone give us more info on this elegant ratchet?
And why hasn't someone snapped it up?
I find that Lowell rats are either beautiful or ugly as sin. This one is a beauty.
BTW, in my searchings, I come across the term "boiler wrench" or "boiler ratchet". Can anyone give me some info on these terms? How would a boiler ratchet differ from another ratchet? Simply a special purpose tool with no sockets?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-Antique-LOWELL-WRENCH-CO-1-Ratchet-5-16-and-3-8-Drive-Combination-RARE-/112313961128?hash=item1a266f0aa8:g:cvwAAOSwjDZYl4GM
Sellens in his Dictionary of American hand tools shows this example.
his description:Boring tool ratchet;also called Boiler drill and ratchet drill. A type of bit brace used to drill a hole in a restricted space such as in a corner.Tha tool shown was particularly recommended for use by boiler makers.
So, you made me dig out the "odd Ratchet" pile.
the three on the left are Lowells, biggest is 38 inches long
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/669/32372217734_21d31a7daa_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/RjC5v5)DSCF3326 (https://flic.kr/p/RjC5v5) by Skip Albright (https://www.flickr.com/photos/skipskip/), on Flickr
The next one is a Pratt and Whitney
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/744/32372212434_0d8529efc0_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/RjC3VG)DSCF3328 (https://flic.kr/p/RjC3VG) by Skip Albright (https://www.flickr.com/photos/skipskip/), on Flickr
the on with the wooden handle says No. 1 Lag, no idea what is for
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/696/32372218384_e1da8e5d9a_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/RjC5Gh)DSCF3331 (https://flic.kr/p/RjC5Gh) by Skip Albright (https://www.flickr.com/photos/skipskip/), on Flickr
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2825/32833784000_c7ab915c15_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/S2pJ59)DSCF3332 (https://flic.kr/p/S2pJ59) by Skip Albright (https://www.flickr.com/photos/skipskip/), on Flickr
the rest are just old industrial ratchets I believe.
Just a WAG, but maybe the wood handled one was used for tightening the band bolts on the old wooden silos. If the socket is hollow it would allow the excess bolt length to move up inside.
Mike