Tool Talk

Wrench Forum => Wrench Forum => Topic started by: Navaja on April 09, 2017, 02:10:33 PM

Title: Hex drive socket sets.
Post by: Navaja on April 09, 2017, 02:10:33 PM

    Two hex drive socket sets I've picked up over the years from flea markets, bought because I thought they were unusual, definitely not for their quality!

   No makers marks & rather cheaply/crudely made.
   Top metal box (with lid not shown) has A/F sockets & a 1/2" angle hex bar with a single detent ball on the short end.
   Lower wall hanging set is metric, 12 point sockets, 1/2" bar & pressed sheet ratchet, 1/4" set with just a angle bar.

(http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s275/bailey80808/DSC07867_zpse446w5tb.jpg)
 
      Anybody have any hex drive or tell me anything about them?
Title: Re: Hex drive socket sets.
Post by: Papaw on April 09, 2017, 02:43:34 PM
I have several sets, but no metrics. Those are usually Indestro or Duro made.
Alloy Artifacts- http://alloy-artifacts.org/duro-indestro-p3.html (http://alloy-artifacts.org/duro-indestro-p3.html)
Title: Re: Hex drive socket sets.
Post by: EVILDR235 on April 09, 2017, 04:53:32 PM
I have a New Britain set out in the garage. Hex drive with metal carrier and L shaped handle.

EvilDr235
Title: Re: Hex drive socket sets.
Post by: geneg on April 09, 2017, 05:44:48 PM
I have a soft spot for these.  I tend to buy the ones I see if they aren't toast.  They are somewhat common & usually bargain priced.  I really like the creativity of the methods of storage & organization, every brand is a little different.  I can't believe the abuse that most of them got.  Ratchets & drive bars are often twisted.  The real challenge comes when you try to complete sets that are missing a socket or 2.  Again, every brand & series is just a little different in size or markings.  For me, the obsession to complete sets of these is very similar to the "auto-kit" combination wrench sets.  I may have a problem!
Title: Re: Hex drive socket sets.
Post by: strik9 on April 09, 2017, 09:01:52 PM
I too have a bag of random hex drive stuff.   Bog and the usual plague of DI stuff to make the Bog look good.

      I have no idea what good it is beyond an excellent bad example.
Title: Re: Hex drive socket sets.
Post by: Navaja on April 11, 2017, 03:21:42 PM
Quote from: Papaw on April 09, 2017, 02:43:34 PM
I have several sets, but no metrics. Those are usually Indestro or Duro made.
Alloy Artifacts- http://alloy-artifacts.org/duro-indestro-p3.html (http://alloy-artifacts.org/duro-indestro-p3.html)

  Thanks for the link, interesting.   The ones I have are even lower quality!
Title: Re: Hex drive socket sets.
Post by: Navaja on April 11, 2017, 03:26:40 PM
Quote from: geneg on April 09, 2017, 05:44:48 PM
I have a soft spot for these.  I tend to buy the ones I see if they aren't toast.  They are somewhat common & usually bargain priced.
I may have a problem!

  Not so common here, but I also like them as a novalty & only pay the same as a couple of coffees or so......
You don't have a problem, you are amongst friends here ...  ;-)
Title: Re: Hex drive socket sets.
Post by: bill300d on April 11, 2017, 08:46:19 PM
Check the back of the red holder for a patent no., it may be very lightly stamped. If it's not marked it is probably an Asian set
Title: Re: Hex drive socket sets.
Post by: strik9 on April 11, 2017, 11:38:52 PM
I just invented a box to display a mongrel set in the Striksonian collection.

I hope the picture works....
Title: Re: Hex drive socket sets.
Post by: Bill Houghton on April 12, 2017, 02:14:14 PM
The "half hex" drive in the lower one is intriguing!  How the heck does it work?

I've got a couple of sets - or maybe I gave one away and just kept the good one.  Regardless, they're retired from duty.

The related wrenches I find interesting (if I recall correctly, I've got one set of these) are the sets of wrenches, usually double open end, that are clipped or bolted together; these are sometimes labeled "auto," clearly intended to go in the trunk of the car and stay together, so you're more likely to be able to find the size you need (or not find them at all, as you stand there in the rain, in the dark, on the muddy shoulder of an unpaved road ten miles from town, needing just a 9/16" wrench to tighten up an errant generator mounting bolt, so you can get home).
Title: Re: Hex drive socket sets.
Post by: Papaw on April 12, 2017, 03:37:22 PM
Bill, that is a screwdriver in the ratchet.