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Author Topic: fixed sockets, hex drive, and rules of thumb  (Read 4564 times)

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Offline PFSchaffner

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fixed sockets, hex drive, and rules of thumb
« on: September 21, 2015, 02:44:40 PM »
These arrived as donations this week. The three on the bottom
right are Walden-Worcester (one t-handle, two speed wrenches,
all fixed sockets). The next one to the left is another T-handle, a
Mossberg. Bottom left is an unmarked hex-drive interchangeable.
And the two 1/2" interchangeable cranks at the top are both Snap-On.

These led me to wonder, is there a rule of thumb for dating these
things? What is the era of fixed-socket wrenches (whether t-handle
or crank)? 1915- or so? till what, 1930? They seem to survive nowadays
mostly as lug wrenches only.  And what of hex-drive sockets? Is
their day completely gone? And if so, what was their floruit?

(And does anyone collect them? They seem to me rather at the
dull end of the tool spectrum.)

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pfs
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tool-cleaner and -sorter, Ann Arbor Kiwanis Thrift Sale

Offline jimwrench

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Re: fixed sockets, hex drive, and rules of thumb
« Reply #1 on: September 21, 2015, 03:32:18 PM »
 I have a few of the fixed sockets and some hex drive socket sets. Don't collect the fixed drive sockets but no one wants them and I'm too scotch to scrap them. Thanks for adding to my vocabulary with floruit.
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Offline Papaw

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Re: fixed sockets, hex drive, and rules of thumb
« Reply #2 on: September 21, 2015, 03:59:26 PM »
Although I am sort of a history buff, I had also never heard of floruit.
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Offline HeelSpur

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Re: fixed sockets, hex drive, and rules of thumb
« Reply #3 on: September 21, 2015, 05:57:27 PM »
Most I find are pitted pretty bad but if they're not I buy them if the price is right.
Usually when I hear, oh those are old, I know to move on.
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Offline international3414

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Re: fixed sockets, hex drive, and rules of thumb
« Reply #4 on: September 21, 2015, 06:32:26 PM »
fancy word floruit,had to listen to proper pronunciation,on YouTube :huh:
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Offline turnnut

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Re: fixed sockets, hex drive, and rules of thumb
« Reply #5 on: September 21, 2015, 08:51:29 PM »
Walden & Mossberg started making those wrenches around the time of the Ford Model-T and continued into
 the 1930's.
 
 I have a want list of 6 Walden wrenches and 8 Mossberg wrenches.

 some are brace type crank socket wrenches, some are tee type, some are straight handle with a 90 degree
 socket, and some are double ended sockets  at 90 degree.

 Walden; 1812,  3240, 3648, 01516, 2228 & BS18

 Mossberg; 613, 622, 627, 636, 638, 676A, 676B & 652 which is a universal tool, it is flat steel with a slight bend
 and has an opening about 15/16"  it is used  to hold the universal for assembly.
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Offline Northwoods

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Re: fixed sockets, hex drive, and rules of thumb
« Reply #6 on: September 21, 2015, 09:16:00 PM »
Heyday is more common; salad days, if you feel frisky. :smiley:
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Offline bonneyman

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Re: fixed sockets, hex drive, and rules of thumb
« Reply #7 on: September 21, 2015, 11:25:15 PM »
Maybe I'm just a kid, but, I never got into speed handles. Used them a bit while in the military 30 years ago - good for removing 50+ screws to get panels off out on the flight line with no air or power tools.
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Offline HeelSpur

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Re: fixed sockets, hex drive, and rules of thumb
« Reply #8 on: September 22, 2015, 11:06:16 AM »
This is one of the cooler looking ones, it had thick black paint on it and when I stripped it down I found out why. Its pitted pretty bad and WW is barely legible, 1524 is good enough to make out.

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Offline PFSchaffner

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Re: fixed sockets, hex drive, and rules of thumb
« Reply #9 on: September 22, 2015, 12:00:01 PM »
Nice. I imagine the extra bend is designed to combine the virtues of a crank
and a high-torque T- or L-handle: spin it on with the crank, then torque it
down with the bend (or the reverse for removing of course), all without
changing wrenches.
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pfs
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tool-cleaner and -sorter, Ann Arbor Kiwanis Thrift Sale

Offline turnnut

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Re: fixed sockets, hex drive, and rules of thumb
« Reply #10 on: September 22, 2015, 01:11:26 PM »
HeelSpur,  if the socket is 3/4"  it is a # 1524     I  also have the 1524
Walden's ad for 1922 had it listed for $1.10 each,  in 4 sizes 5/8"  11/16"  3/4"  &   7/8"   they called it a
Rim and  Disc Wheel Wrench
the 1524 was listed for 22 makes of automobiles from 1916-1923  (they must have listed the new model year)
BUICK TO WILLY'S KNIGHT
THE 1520  WHICH IS 5/8" WAS FOR THE 1919-1923 FORD-T

this is their wrire-up for the wrench.

the loop on the handle is the grip for extra leverage in releasing and final tightening.
the lesser throw on the brace gives more speed on account of lesser hand travel.
it combines advantages of out offset and speed wrench.
the shank on this wrench is 5 inches long, providing extra clearance for use on practically all disc wheels.
a desirable wrench for other uses than tires and wheels in garage use.

I hope that I didnt bore you.
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Offline Northwoods

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Re: fixed sockets, hex drive, and rules of thumb
« Reply #11 on: September 22, 2015, 02:59:18 PM »
Now, that is one kewl wrench!
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Offline HeelSpur

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Re: fixed sockets, hex drive, and rules of thumb
« Reply #12 on: September 22, 2015, 03:12:47 PM »
Quote from: turnnut on September 22, 2015, 01:11:26 PM
HeelSpur,  if the socket is 3/4"  it is a # 1524     I  also have the 1524
Walden's ad for 1922 had it listed for $1.10 each,  in 4 sizes 5/8"  11/16"  3/4"  &   7/8"   they called it a
Rim and  Disc Wheel Wrench
the 1524 was listed for 22 makes of automobiles from 1916-1923  (they must have listed the new model year)
BUICK TO WILLY'S KNIGHT
THE 1520  WHICH IS 5/8" WAS FOR THE 1919-1923 FORD-T

this is their wrire-up for the wrench.

the loop on the handle is the grip for extra leverage in releasing and final tightening.
the lesser throw on the brace gives more speed on account of lesser hand travel.
it combines advantages of out offset and speed wrench.
the shank on this wrench is 5 inches long, providing extra clearance for use on practically all disc wheels.
a desirable wrench for other uses than tires and wheels in garage use.

I hope that I didnt bore you.
Great info is never boring, thanks.
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RooK E

Offline Chillylulu

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Re: fixed sockets, hex drive, and rules of thumb
« Reply #13 on: September 22, 2015, 11:02:02 PM »
I read somewhere that someone was making hex drive socket sets up to the -60's.

Don't quote me.

Btw, I am one of those goofballs that is still working in a completevset of Walden fixed socket drivers.

Chilly
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Offline gibsontool

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Re: fixed sockets, hex drive, and rules of thumb
« Reply #14 on: September 23, 2015, 12:01:44 PM »
Chilly. I've also been collecting Walden tools and I do have several duplicates of the fixed socket drivers. We are in the process of moving and most of my stuff is packed away in boxes and it will probably be quite a while before I get things organized enough to start unpacking. When I get organized I'll send you a pm and maybe we could work out a trade for duplicates.
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