Tools Needed - Thorsen Display Project

[john k]

In my jun, good stuff, I found a Thorsen Allied waterpump pliers, GJ10-AL,chrome, on the reverse side says Spain. 107 on your list of needs.

[johnsironsanctuary]

You can see most of the numbers. Day and a half to go.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-LOT-49-PC-THORSEN-TOOLS-3-8-1-2-SOCKETS-RATCHETS-SPEED-WRENCHES-/220964203244?_trksid=p4340.m185&_trkparms=algo%3DSIC.NPJS%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUA%26otn%3D5%26pmod%3D300665806191%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D6745254163466715474

[john k]

Strike again,  discovered two more sockets, in my main tool box, last place I looked!   534 and 536  half in drive, inch ana eighth, and inch ana sixteenth.  On your list  76 and 77 I believe.

[OilyRascal]

Today was like an early birthday with all the Thorsen tools received.  Thank you, Dimwittedmoose!  I will update the list as soon as I get a chance.

[kxxr]

I can't say I have seen a Thorsen branded hammer, pliers or pipe wrench. I'll be curious to see how tough those are to find. Have you had any leads on any of those OR?

[OilyRascal]

I can't say I have seen a Thorsen branded hammer, pliers or pipe wrench. I'll be curious to see how tough those are to find. Have you had any leads on any of those OR?

YES - One pair of water pump pliers found by John K, no others.  I've just started looking for pipe wrenches while I'm on my shopping sprees.  That's not something I'd done before this Thorsen board. 

This begs the question:  Does anybody know how Thorsen tools were distributed from a Retail sales perspective?  Retail stores, authorized dealers, particular department stores?

[john k]

I don't "know", but believe there was a display rack in the old hardware store, which was not aligned with any of todays chains. 

[Branson]

I can't say I have seen a Thorsen branded hammer, pliers or pipe wrench. I'll be curious to see how tough those are to find. Have you had any leads on any of those OR?

I have a pair of mystery Thorsen pliers.  Close to minty  5 inch needle nose.  But they're marked Thorsen International, and Sheffield.  I haven't found any reference to Thorsen International.   

If I run across any duplicates, I'll let you know, but Thorsens are on my watch list too.  I even bought one marked India because it was cheap and I liked the whimsy of having it.

[KeepinOldBolts]

Sorry I have not read the whole thread. I see you have the 3/8 speeder, I do have a 77C 1/2" rat, a 51J 3/8" extension, and a 428 socket in 3/8" fitting 7/8"

PM me please if interested.

Gotta run...

[rusty]

When you fill up the regular tool board, then there is the 'pro' stuff...

OK, really just adding a data point here, the Pro line is chinese made by Olympia...

(These are from my portable tools, so you can't have these ;P)

[rusty]

>Does anybody know how Thorsen tools were distributed from a Retail sales perspective?  Retail stores, authorized dealers, particular department stores?

Read the Alloy Artifacts info about Thorsen, they were tied closely to a distributor network, so closely in fact, that it nearly broke them in the early days....

Most of their sales were direct to end user via auto parts distributors, in the last few years , as they have shifted to 'international production', they seem to have been content with the bargain aisles at  discount retail chains....

Thorsen seems to have missed out when the big 3 moved to tool truck sales direct to the customer, I dunno why, but it was a nearly fatal mistake...

[OilyRascal]

When you fill up the regular tool board, then there is the 'pro' stuff...

OK, really just adding a data point here, the Pro line is chinese made by Olympia...

(These are from my portable tools, so you can't have these ;P)

My new favorite tool store has those Thorsen Pro in plenty....although I'm still trying to date their Thorsen inventory.  Thanks for the data points and pointers to distribution info.

[kxxr]

Does anyone know if the "Thorsen Allied" name is any indication of a time when Thorsen production was 'off shore'? I have always associated the Thorsen Allied name, along with TAT and another variation or two, with Asian production; perhaps erroneously.  I looked at AA but they don't specifically address the 'Allied' markings.
They do have a lot of other information useful for dating Thorsen tools. I notice a couple of the boards have the Thorsen Allied name and wondered if OilyRascal will be looking for tools marked "Thorsen Allied" or "TAT".

[john k]

Thorsen pliers.   Forged Steel, on the reverse, Spain.  Two half inch drive sockets, 1-1/8#536,  1-1/16#534,

[johnsironsanctuary]

Oily,
Here is an NOS Torque Wrench.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-THORSEN-TORQUE-WRENCH-BEAM-TYPE-MADE-IN-USA-0-100-FT-LBS-/280840630916?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item416367f284