Thorsen tools collection

[Branson]

Mr. Shurtleff - Thank you for your response.  I see that you've posted as a guest versus a registered user.  I think its fair to say a number of us would love to see you here as a member.  I know I'd certainly appreciate hearing your stories/views.  As you've probably figured out in this thread, I have a bit of a fondness for Thorsen tools and learning it's history.

Best regards,  Derek Alphin

I'll say!  Maybe you have an answer about a pair of needle nose pliers I picked up.  They're marked "Thorsen International" and "Sheffield England."  I'll see if I can get a photograph of them.

[OilyRascal]

Shedding light on the Giller / Thorsen connection would also be an important discussion for all of us.  The nature of the relationship, and its details, are completely unclear prior to 1968.  I'm still of the belief there are pre-1968 Giller branded tools that were produced by Thorsen - or to their specs, or leveraging their machinery/factory, or purchasing style rights.....something.  In the past couple days I've seen a 1966 stamped Giller box that certainly appears to be Thorsen made to me.  Many of the Giller tools coming from government auctions also appear to be earlier (40's?) Thorsen tools rebranded.  I'd like to know for certain if Giller (branded tools) was as simple as a Thorsen brand name for government contract tools, or if the relationship was more complex.

I'd also throw the possibility of a Kraeuter connection; at least for a period of time.  I do so because of the similarity of certain vintage Kraeuter's to Thorsen tools, and the fact one set of New Old Stock Thorsen wrenches came with a 10mm Kraeauter inside.

Lastly while we discuss branding - let's put a potential for a Pwr-Kraft connection in there as well.  Many times I've surfaced a "Powr-Kraft" branded tool that appeared Thorsen made.

All of the above is strong suspicion based on research and needs attestation before I will document it as fact.  I have so many questions that could potentially be answered by this gentleman.  I'm sure hopeful he responds again.

[OilyRascal]

A few Thorsen tools not yet shared:

Circa 1930's vintage; most likely year 1932 at an original cost of $.06.  Flexo Carbon Scraper.  Note the "S.F." SanFran markings.

"This handy tool will speed up the job of cleaning piston and cylinder heads greatly.  Tension of scraping flingers is controlled by a sliding clamp."







Also from the 1930's is this specialty automotive wrench.  Model 10101; specific application not yet known.  It has a 2" flat-to-flat opening on the working end.  It is 11" long. 







Thorsen USA 89J 3/8" thumb drive ratchet; 8" long.  This is the only 89J I've seen or seen any documentation around.







Thorsen 77NR 1/2" drive ratchet; 13" long.  Unclear if dust cover is missing, or if was not yet introduced.







Thorsen model 77 1/2" drive ratchet.  Cadmium plating vintage.  The dust cover IS NOT missing as this model pre-dates dust cover introduction.







Lastly, this model 714 7/16" nutdriver in clear/brown plastic handle.

[1930]

I like that scraper, did not know they made them

[mr.x]

Oily, that 2" hex wrench is for old V8 Ford drain plugs.

[mr.x]

1930, Hi, I doubt Thorsen made the scraper, it was contract made, that's probably why it has the odd SF marking. Plomb probably used the same supplier and that's why their scrapers still had the "O" Plomb spelling years after they changed their stamping to the inverted triangle. The Flexible Carbon scraper Co. ( Vim / Durston )was founded in Pasadena in 32 or somewhere around then. I'm pretty sure they we making them for a lot of companies.

[1930]

Thanks, interesting and welcome!

[Papaw]

Thanks, mr.x!
Find the Introduction Section and tell us about yourself and your tool interests.

[dimwittedmoose51]

Oily:  Thorsen update, found you a Thorsen 12mm combo wrench(short one) and have a couple Gillers  also.  You behave while you're off the list.....lol

DM&FS

[mr.x]

 During WW2 and thereafter until 1968, the only address Thorsen ever had was 5321 Horton, on the Oakland/Emeryville Line and Southern Pacific/Union Pacific Railroad Tracks. Since in
the early days, nobody recognized Emeryville, Thorsen would just say that their company was in Oakland. If that misinformation was ever printed onto
Thorsen Tools..then I never saw it. Good luck...Jeffrey Shurtleff/San Bruno, CA
[/quote]

Hi, I'm not sure I understand what the "misinformation" is referring to. "Emeryville" marking on tools?
  BTW, does anyone know which Indian wrenches were manufactured by Thorsen?

[mr.x]

This is the only Emeryville marked tool I've come across.

[sumner52000]

Someone on GJ has a nice looking Thorsen torque wrench.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=193320

[amertrac]

What a collection. five star effort   bob w.

[OilyRascal]

I have a few Thorsen additions I'd like to share.  I'm proud to say I have secured two of the pipe wrenches sought; the HD-18AL and the HD-10AL.





This is one version of their nutdrivers:



Chisel & Punch set

[OilyRascal]

This is a 1/2" drive Thorsen set I put together recently for my service truck.  Note the Giller branded box (coming from jabberwoki).  The set is not correct for anything other than my use.