Author Topic: parx combination spanner  (Read 2686 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline jefftrin

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 45
parx combination spanner
« on: December 06, 2015, 12:07:17 AM »
I picked up 1/2 inch parx spanner today at a flea market......has made in Canada and a serial number either BO16 or 8016 I cant find any history on Parx on google does anyone have a link to a reference cheers in advance
ive just started collecting tools.....starting off with Sidchrome  Australian made

Offline Papaw

  • Owner/Administrator
  • Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 11221
  • Alvin, Texas
    • Papawswrench
Re: parx combination spanner
« Reply #1 on: December 06, 2015, 08:27:30 AM »
Better try Par X. A Snap On trademark per JAFE in a thread on The Garage Gazette- http://www.thegaragegazette.com/index.php?topic=1183.0
Member of PHARTS - Perfect Handle Admiration, Restoration and Torturing Society
 
 Flickr page- https://www.flickr.com/photos/nhankamer/

Offline turnnut

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1861
Re: parx combination spanner
« Reply #2 on: December 06, 2015, 10:08:20 AM »
hmmm, Par - X  is a new name for me,  will have to keep an eye out for one.

Offline jefftrin

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 45
Re: parx combination spanner
« Reply #3 on: December 06, 2015, 07:09:28 PM »
thanks for your help  folks I cant get into the garage forum but I managed to find stuff under par x in google
ive just started collecting tools.....starting off with Sidchrome  Australian made

Offline Papaw

  • Owner/Administrator
  • Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 11221
  • Alvin, Texas
    • Papawswrench
Re: parx combination spanner
« Reply #4 on: December 06, 2015, 08:36:01 PM »
You might want to join the Garage Gazette. GG is a sister site to Tool Talk in some ways, and lots of shared members. Some quite different subjects are discussed over there beyond the focus of Tool Talk.
Member of PHARTS - Perfect Handle Admiration, Restoration and Torturing Society
 
 Flickr page- https://www.flickr.com/photos/nhankamer/

Offline J.A.F.E.

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 413
Re: parx combination spanner
« Reply #5 on: December 06, 2015, 10:31:20 PM »
Par-X Canada is harder to find in my experience - I have only a couple. I copied and pasted the first half of the post Papaw linked to so you can see it:

I have a fascination with Par-X tools I must confess. The recent discussion in the favorite ratchet thread got me to thinking I should post what little I know. So here it is.

Par-X tools were made by Snap on as a lower cost alternative to the SO brand. The operative words in that sentence are made by SO. In the majority of cases the tools were made using older forging blanks sometimes modified a bit. The finish quality was not as good as main line SO either.  The ratchet guts interchanged with main line SO and even today Par-X ratchets can be rekitted with existing parts although the tooth count will be higher than the original 20.

There is little documentation I have been able to uncover. In fact the mystery and lack of documentation is probably the majority of my interest. A good hunt is always fun. As far as I can tell production ran from late 50's through early or mid 80's. For a short time after the Par-X brand was phased out the tools were still sold but with a Blue Point name and the part numbers remained the same between Par-X and BP. I have seen a few Par-X tools with date codes. Most of the 1/4 ratchets and 3/8 ratchets did not have the code. Most of the 1/2 and the one 3/4 I have seen have date codes. I have not seen any other Par-X tools with date codes. The date codes were the same as SO. The warranty was the same as SO.

Par-X tools were sold off the SO truck. If there was another venue that SO used I am not aware of it. The tools never showed up in any catalog I have seen and the only documentation I have seen is an insert a friend found on ebay and generously gifted to me.

The four page insert:


All my taste is in my tools.

Offline jefftrin

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 45
Re: parx combination spanner
« Reply #6 on: December 07, 2015, 03:25:46 AM »
thanks J.a.f.e. for your reply and knowledge  I will endeavor to scan the one I have a bit later tonight and post a picture
ive just started collecting tools.....starting off with Sidchrome  Australian made

Offline J.A.F.E.

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 413
Re: parx combination spanner
« Reply #7 on: December 08, 2015, 12:17:09 AM »
You're welcome. Most interested to see pix.
All my taste is in my tools.

Offline jefftrin

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 45
Re: parx combination spanner
« Reply #8 on: December 09, 2015, 05:52:38 AM »
Finally managed to get a scan of the ParX spanner
ive just started collecting tools.....starting off with Sidchrome  Australian made

Offline lauver

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 690
  • Belton, TX
Re: parx combination spanner
« Reply #9 on: December 09, 2015, 12:56:17 PM »
JAFE,

I've never seen a Par-X tool stamped Canada before today.

Did Snap-on have a factory in Canada during the late 1950's to mid 1980's?

I have an 1988-1989 catalog that lists facilities (factory & offices) in Concord, Ontario, Canada.  Perhaps this is the source of Par-X Canada tools?
Member of PHARTS - Pefect Handle Admiration, Restoration, and Torturing Society