$6.50 Estate Sale Buy

[Yadda]

Proto and Thorsen 3/8 ratchets, no name 1/4 bar and approximately 50 Williams, SK, Craftsman, and Proto sockets.

[EVILDR235]

You think you have a tool collecting problem. I have a thing for Proto pear head ratchets in the style you have. I have them in 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, and 3/4 inch sizes. Still looking for a 1 inch model. Not counting other styles of Proto and Plomb ratchets, I have 73 Proto pear head ratchets.

EvilDr235

[lptools]

Hello, Yadda. Nice group of tools, at an even better price!!! The piece in the middle next to the white screwdriver, is that an attachment you would use as a Basin Wrench? Regards, Lou

[Yadda]

Hello, Yadda. Nice group of tools, at an even better price!!! The piece in the middle next to the white screwdriver, is that an attachment you would use as a Basin Wrench? Regards, Lou

Hi Lou,

Yes, I believe it is a crowfoot style basin wrench. Part of it is probably missing. I'll check on the mfr. .

I also picked up one Williams crowfoot wrench.  The previous owner had pretty good taste in hand tools, but he skimped on his woodworking tools.  Most of them were very inexpensive knockoffs from the mid to late 60's.  I decided to pass on them. 

[lptools]

Hello, Yadda. Thanks, that would be a very handy tool, only limited by the number of extensions you had at your disposal. Being able to turn it with a ratchet is another big plus!! Regards, Lou

[papadan]

You're quick Lou, I was going to inquire about that basin wrench myself. Never seen one made for ratchet and extension use. Would be very handy.

[Yadda]

The basin wrench was manufactured by Covers Co.  They also manufacture the Ace basin wrench.

[Bill Houghton]

Yes, that basin wrench "socket" is way cool.  I wonder why they're not more common?  Getting up there to tighten/loosen those nuts is hard enough as it is; having the range of choices a ratchet set offers would improve things a lot.  Might even reduce the need to curse while doing the job...nah, probably not.

[bonneyman]

The basin wrench was manufactured by Covers Co.  They also manufacture the Ace basin wrench.

Covers Company made good stuff. "Ace" was like their trade name on their tools, like "Craftsman" was for Sears. I have two of their basin wrenches - an 10" and an 15".

Another good oldie plumbing tool company was Chicago Specialties Manufacturing. Their trade logo was "Speedy".

I found a long time plumbing supply in the Cleveland area with a link to a local society preservation site in Bedford who knew about Covers Company and had some of their items in their museum. I've reprinted the email I received so you guys can have the info:

Hello George,
Thank you for your inquiry.

We have some basic information on the Covers Co. and have a few tools from the company in the museum. Covers Co. was started in the 1930s by Harold and Helen Maguire. The first products were metal and rubber plug for leaks in hot water tanks and boilers. They also covers for vehicle radiators and that is how the company got its name. They also made plumbing tools and were known for the Covers wrench. While it had been in business for many years, Covers Co. was  not incorporated until 1961. Following the founder's death in 1968, management of the company was taken over by the family. The business closed in 1996.

[mikeswrenches]

You think you have a tool collecting problem. I have a thing for Proto pear head ratchets in the style you have. I have them in 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, and 3/4 inch sizes. Still looking for a 1 inch model. Not counting other styles of Proto and Plomb ratchets, I have 73 Proto pear head ratchets.

EvilDr235

I found a 1 inch one for you. When I get home from Flywheelers next week i’ll PM you.

Mike