Put on your thinking caps

[Bob_VT]

I went to an "estate sale" and purchased a tool box that was loaded with MANY wrenches, sockets and many miscellaneous tools.

I thought I would share this one since I can not find any information on it and it is my first time seeing one.

It is a 3/4" New Britain Ratchet Drive that you could place on a breaker bar. You can change ratchet direction by holding in the small button on the side. Very rugged..... Labeled New Britain NH-12 ....... Made In USA

C & P of what I found out
"The New Britain Machine Company was founded in 1887 in New Britain, Connecticut. By the early 1900s the company was offering sockets and drive tools, intended primarily for automotive service, a rapidly growing market at that time. These early tools were sold under either the New Britain or "None Better" brand, the latter name a play on the letters "NB" for New Britain."

Here are some pictures.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Put on your thinking caps

Among to hidden treasures of a snap on curved ratchet handle there was also this

K-D 2190 Flare Tool which is obviously the older version 1/4, 3/8, 3/16, & 5/16 Nice and rugged and the dies are in nice shape

 

[robert graham]

Re: Put on your thinking caps

A reversible ratchet drive for heavy machinery, tractors, earth-moving machinery?...but I'm not familiar with New Britain Tools??

 

[tomdinwv]

Re: Put on your thinking caps

Cool find. I love old tools. I remember my dad and grandpa having a few New Britain tools.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Put on your thinking caps

Okay maybe it's problem and I could need counseling but I could not pass this up.

10 draw top chest and the base chest.........

I did have to clean out the critter nests and nut shells but I think I did good. Oh I already have another larger tool storage chest and did not need this one :facepalm:



I think the chest is about 20-30 years old....... no dents or bent places and even got the keys.

Probably 75+ assorted wrenches Craftsman, New Britain, Snap-on and many assorted ones, Napa Tap and Die set, bearing pullers, chain breakers ............ and lot's more.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Put on your thinking caps

A reversible ratchet drive for heavy machinery, tractors, earth-moving machinery?...but I'm not familiar with New Britain Tools??

Read this .....interesting http://home.comcast.net/~alloy-artifacts/newbritain-nonebetter.html#alloy-sockets it appears that New Britain was also marketed as Husky, Blackhawk, and Craftsman (1930-1940)

 

[robert graham]

Re: Put on your thinking caps

I've had a set of Husky sockets for many years, and lots of Craftsman stuff!.... guess a lot of tool manufacturers have consolidated and sold under different names?
Man, you scored on those tool boxes!....someday I'd love to have all my tools in boxes instead of scattered all over my workbench!...gotta love your tools!

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Put on your thinking caps

Bob - Good score on a nice loaded tool chest. Of course you needed it,

That breaker bar ratchet is worth it's weight in gold working tight spots where a regular ratchet head is too large and not enough room for a ratchet/extension combo. I never saw one before.

I saw an eBay ad a couple of years ago where the seller was retiring and selling his tools collected during his working life. He had the largest Craftsman tool chest I ever saw and it was loaded with the Craftsman catalog - I mean he had everything! The inventory with pics was pages and pages. It sold for $30K if I remember. I know I wouldn't want to pay shipping on top of that. Most interesting fact was the fella was a lifelong mechanic in England.

 

[Summer Fun]

Re: Put on your thinking caps

Nice score.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Put on your thinking caps

I also happen to own that chest set bougth it new in around 1990.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Put on your thinking caps

I also happen to own that chest set bougth it new in around 1990.

It's in nice shape for it's age. Thanks for that information.

 

[tomdinwv]

Re: Put on your thinking caps

Guy I worked with had that same top chest. I remember using my dad's tools when I was younger and he had all kinds of Husky and Blackhawk tools. Most of them he bought while working in the mines back in the 70's.

Another guy I worked with had one of those ratchet adapters for a breaker bar. I remember him saying he picked it up at a yard sale. Some lady's husband had passed away and she had a yard sale and was selling some of his tools. That adapter came in handy several times. You definately made a good find on all those tools.

 

[BlkY2k]

Re: Put on your thinking caps

Nice score on the tools. New Britain has been around for years, they used to supply all the tools that were sold by Napa Auto Parts. Husky wrenches were also made by them. I`ve got a few specialty tools, ignition wrenches, files, feeler gauges and such. I`ve got a set of 1/2 drive sockets like these. They have a patent date of 1922 on them.

 

[jimbo_jwc]

Re: Put on your thinking caps

I keep the same socket set on a allen in my boat because of size and weight .