Tool Talk

Wrench Forum => Wrench Forum => Topic started by: stanley62 on July 30, 2012, 01:00:11 PM

Title: P&C ratchet
Post by: stanley62 on July 30, 2012, 01:00:11 PM
Picked this feller up this weekend.  Really reminds me of a Thorsen.  I wonder if it should have a cover over the gear?  Doesn't look like it ever had one to me.

  Jim
Title: Re: P&C ratchet
Post by: lbgradwell on July 30, 2012, 01:29:49 PM
No, I don't believe the P&Cs had covers...
Title: Re: P&C ratchet
Post by: kxxr on July 30, 2012, 01:46:19 PM
Was P&C the first to market this design? Does anyone know if a patent for it was ever issued and to whom? Most of us think Thorsen when we see these, but I don't think they were first.
Title: Re: P&C ratchet
Post by: rusty on July 30, 2012, 09:25:41 PM

The design goes back to at least the 30's , and remember, one of the founders of Thorsen was an ex P&C employee....
Title: Re: P&C ratchet
Post by: scottg on July 30, 2012, 09:55:47 PM
Here is my buddy Cliff's.
 Actually Mrs. Cliff and Cliff gets to play with them.
  She inherited


No cover
 yours Scott
Title: Re: P&C ratchet
Post by: OilyRascal on July 30, 2012, 10:03:14 PM
Here is my buddy Cliff's.
 Actually Mrs. Cliff and Cliff gets to play with them.
  She inherited


No cover
 yours Scott

Look at all that goodness!
Title: Re: P&C ratchet
Post by: stormking on July 30, 2012, 10:28:55 PM
First of all nice ratchet stanley. I live near Milwaukie so it is mandatory that I collect and use P&C. So thought you might like to see some of the variations and dates as I have observed. The top two are late 30s to sometime in the late 40's open gear no cover. the next two are no trade mark with cover so date to mid 50's. The last 1/4" was made late 50's to 60's with trademark and cover, they also made 3/8" and 1/2" in this period. The only 1/4" open gears I have seen have been from the late period, but that does not mean earlier ones don't exist. By the way even though I'm a P&C homer I think the Thorsen is the superior ratchet. That could be why you see so many P&C rats less the cover.

(http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/3166/dscn1544n.jpg)
By stormking3 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/stormking3) at 2012-07-30
Title: Re: P&C ratchet
Post by: Bill Houghton on July 31, 2012, 12:30:37 AM
Very similar to the designs of the ratchets on some carpenter's braces - not sure who thought of it first, but my money would be on the brace makers.
Title: Re: P&C ratchet
Post by: dimwittedmoose51 on July 31, 2012, 07:03:28 PM
I think I have an exposed tooth Indestro somewhere in the stash....never seen a P&C tool box/set before ...thanks for sharing....

DM&FS
Title: Re: P&C ratchet
Post by: EVILDR235 on August 02, 2012, 08:21:40 AM
I have several P&C open gear ratchets and have seen many more and none of them had gear covers. I also live close to the old P&C factory. Many P&C tools to be had around here.

EvilDr235
Title: Re: P&C ratchet
Post by: lbgradwell on August 02, 2012, 08:42:05 AM
the next two are no trade mark with cover so date to mid 50's. The last 1/4" was made late 50's to 60's with trademark and cover, they also made 3/8" and 1/2" in this period.

Interesting. Thanks for posting!
Title: Re: P&C ratchet
Post by: stormking on August 02, 2012, 09:14:50 PM
Thanks LG,
I like the history, it makes collecting more interesting for me. 
1953 Catalog pages:


(http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/3008/pccatpg18.jpg)
By stormking3 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/stormking3) at 2012-08-02


(http://img812.imageshack.us/img812/6393/pccatpg19.jpg)
By stormking3 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/stormking3) at 2012-08-02


(http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/5416/pccatpg22.jpg)
By stormking3 (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/stormking3) at 2012-08-02
Title: Re: P&C ratchet
Post by: lbgradwell on August 02, 2012, 09:22:43 PM
I like the history, it makes collecting more interesting for me.

I could not agree more!
Title: Re: P&C ratchet
Post by: mrchuck on August 03, 2012, 09:58:46 AM
That last post had a ratchet re-build kit for the open tooth wrench.
I have never seen that kit before, and never had to re-build one.
I did not know thet even made one.,,,,,amazing,,,,and thanks!
Title: Re: P&C ratchet
Post by: Provincial on August 04, 2012, 02:24:17 PM
I have a P&C 1/2" open gear ratchet that I got in 1964.  I still use it occasionally.  It still has the cover over the gear, although it just snaps on and could be lost easily.  I live about 60 miles from the original factory.