Thorsen tools collection

[OilyRascal]

Thorsen Model 2314 1/2" x 7/16" tappet wrench.  My first of the tappet wrenches.

[dimwittedmoose51]

A very unique Giller 77JC 3/8" drive ratchet.  I have a Thorsen branded 77JC that is identical to it.  These are the only two that I've seen.  I'm curious to know if others have seen them, and if so in what form (stand alone, part of a set).  My WAG is it was of limited production somewhere between 1965-1975.

OIly, I just dug up a Fleet Ratchet that looks a lot like your Giller/Thorsen.  It's not in great working or cosmetic condition however.....BTW, my Thorsen pile got a little bigger last w/e  and so did the Wizard...


DM&FS

[OilyRascal]

This 16 piece 1/4" drive set model #1416 complete with hard evidence of a 1968 production.

[john k]

Very good find.   Lets see, in 1968, that $13 would be two full tanks of gas in a Lincoln!   Things do change. 

[rusty]

ahh...flashback...68 Lincoln..long as the Exxon Valdiz, and cornered just about as well....

[skipskip]

where is the evidence?

This 16 piece 1/4" drive set model #1416 complete with hard evidence of a 1968 production.

[OilyRascal]

where is the evidence?

This 16 piece 1/4" drive set model #1416 complete with hard evidence of a 1968 production.

Bottom right drawer of my desk :)

[bonneyman]

When did Thorsen go overseas production? sad

[Branson]

Very good find.   Lets see, in 1968, that $13 would be two full tanks of gas in a Lincoln!   Things do change.

1968...  $3.50 filled the tank of my Volkswagen. 

[OilyRascal]

This certainly dispels the theory Thorsen was the exclusive maker of Giller tools.

[bonneyman]

This certainly dispels the theory Thorsen was the exclusive maker of Giller tools.

That ratchet head looks New Britain to me.

[dimwittedmoose51]

Has anyone come across the Thorsen "Value Line" sockets?  I got some Friday in an estate sale here in town. they say made in the USA on them and are all metric 3/8" and 1/4" drives.  I think they all originally came in the Dark Gray plastic case, but not sure if the 3/8" Thorslen-made PK ratchet was part of the package or not.  The next load of  photos are t-series PK that presumably was made by Thorsen, but in Asia or here in the US??. 

 Also both Powr Kraft Ratchets in the other boxes had like 5 digit numbers and a really small t behind them, but the sockets were a mix of the t-series and  the 84H series Powr Krafts from New Britain or Wright.  Have no time line on any of this.  The 1968 number is good to know in the future though!!

DM&FS

[dimwittedmoose51]

Here are some pix of the t-series stuff

[dimwittedmoose51]

..and finally the 84H stuff from Wright or whomever...  they do all look a lot alike....grand total of about $18 on this stash....the 84H stuff is worth that.....

DM&FS

[lauver]

Oily,

Your 16 pc set is a gold mine. I've always wondered how late these open head ratchets were sold and when the round heads replaced them.

So if your proof is solid, that moves the date out to at least 1968.  Do you have any kind of a rough time line of the Thorsen ratchets?

Thanks for sharing your find.  A complete set in the original box with documantation included is a rare find indeed.