Thorsen Question?

stormking · July 28, 2012, 09:58:01 PM

I am an admirer of the Thorsen open gear ratchet series. I think there are some other members here who like them also, so I have a question. Info on these is hard to find, and I have not seen a catalog personally. I found the long 1/2" drive today at an estate sale, so does this complete the set? Did they make a 1" drive? Thanks for any info.

By stormking3 at 2012-07-28

rusty · July 29, 2012, 10:30:30 AM

I don't think Thorsen made inch drive at all, at least I have never seen any reference to it, but as you say, information is hard to find :(

They made lots of 3/4 drive sets for the military that show up from time to time, and those have the 79 (closed) ratchet in them....

Also, there are 'new' and 'old' versions of the 77 series ratchets.....
(mfd usa) with a stylized THORSEN seems to be the later versions, with the earlier versions having THORSEN in straight line type, and nothing else but the model number...

kxxr · July 29, 2012, 10:57:38 AM

I agree. No inch ones I've seen. 3/4 is roundhead. What are the number on those? Are you missing the 77? Nice!

OilyRascal · July 29, 2012, 11:15:59 AM

This is a list of unique Thorsen ratchets (USA vintage) I have:

Marking   Length   Drive
77M   5"   1/4" square
77MC      1/4" square
77MO      1/4" square
77   10"   3/8" square
77J   7-1/2"   3/8" square
77J2   7-1/2"   3/8" square
77J3   7-1/2"   3/8" square
77J4   7-1/2"   3/8" square
77J5   7-1/2"   3/8" square
77JC   7-1/2"   3/8" square
88JNR   3/8" Flexhead   3/8" square
77A   10"   1/2" square
77C   10"   1/2" square
77NR   14" Length   1/2" square
77JA      9/16" 12 Point

lbgradwell · July 29, 2012, 11:31:09 AM

Quote from: stormking on July 28, 2012, 09:58:01 PM
Info on these is hard to find, and I have not seen a catalog personally.

You can download two catalogues here:

http://www.papawswrench.com/vboard/index.php?topic=3741.0

http://www.papawswrench.com/vboard/index.php?topic=3749.0

OilyRascal · July 29, 2012, 11:37:38 AM

from the '75 catalog

kxxr · July 29, 2012, 11:39:01 AM

So, I guess he does have a "77" or two :)
To clarify my question then, I was wondering if Stormking has the standard length (77 A or C?) half inch drive 77? It looks like he only has the long one, 77NR.

stormking · July 29, 2012, 11:23:44 PM

Thank you all for the info. Sorry for the delay in replying been out working on vehicles all day. Thrilled there are some Thorsen catalogs to view, I haven't been paying attention and missed those. The numbers and sizes are as follows. All the "77" # get confusing.

77M - 1/4"
77J -3/8
77 - 1/2"
77NR - 1/2"
79 - 3/4"

bonneyman · July 30, 2012, 06:22:57 PM

Quote from: rusty on July 29, 2012, 10:30:30 AM

I don't think Thorsen made inch drive at all, at least I have never seen any reference to it, but as you say, information is hard to find :(

They made lots of 3/4 drive sets for the military that show up from time to time, and those have the 79 (closed) ratchet in them....

Also, there are 'new' and 'old' versions of the 77 series ratchets.....
(mfd usa) with a stylized THORSEN seems to be the later versions, with the earlier versions having THORSEN in straight line type, and nothing else but the model number...

I guess mine are an example of newer style, then?

kxxr · July 31, 2012, 08:12:18 AM

I thought the 3/4 Thorsen ratchets were all round head, closed design, but ... Stormking's post number 18 in Oily's "Thorsen Collection" thread shows a 3/4 open head 79. And that must be it at the top of this thread. I got confused :)

OilyRascal · July 31, 2012, 08:16:58 AM

YES - His is the first I've seen of a open gear 3/4" drive ratchet from Thorsen. It seems there is more than meets the eye to his set. What I'd do to get my hands on it.

TOOLHOUND! · July 31, 2012, 10:18:07 AM

Interesting discussion.

Somewhere in the pile is a Thorsen 3/4" drive handle, had the open gear mechanism busted, now missing.

TOOLHOUND! · July 31, 2012, 10:20:48 AM

Quote from: OilyRascal on July 29, 2012, 11:15:59 AM
This is a list of unique Thorsen ratchets (USA vintage) I have:

Marking   Length   Drive
77M   5"   1/4" square
77MC      1/4" square
77MO      1/4" square
77   10"   3/8" square
77J   7-1/2"   3/8" square
77J2   7-1/2"   3/8" square
77J3   7-1/2"   3/8" square
77J4   7-1/2"   3/8" square
77J5   7-1/2"   3/8" square
77JC   7-1/2"   3/8" square
88JNR   3/8" Flexhead   3/8" square
77A   10"   1/2" square
77C   10"   1/2" square
77NR   14" Length   1/2" square
77JA      9/16" 12 Point

Serious collection. You weren't just whistlin' Dixie when you said you collected Thorsen.

Bus · July 31, 2012, 11:07:42 AM

Amazing collection.

OilyRascal · July 31, 2012, 10:32:41 PM

Quote from: kxxr on July 31, 2012, 08:12:18 AM
I thought the 3/4 Thorsen ratchets were all round head, closed design, but ... Stormking's post number 18 in Oily's "Thorsen Collection" thread shows a 3/4 open head 79. And that must be it at the top of this thread. I got confused :)

and there is the matter of this open head Thorsen 3/4" drive. I don't have one, but they aren't THAT rare. I refuse to pay $80. I picked up a Proto Pro 3/4" ratchet, breakover, AND 15" ext. for less than $40 last week. They are here for anybody that would like to trade for a Thorsen USA 3/4" drive.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Thorsen-3-4-drive-Ratchet-No-79-/251117772811?pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&hash=item3a77c9200b&vxp=mtr#ht_1149wt_1185

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Thorsen Question?