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Looking for info on an old Snap-On socket set.

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Mark/Ks

07-01-2001 16:14:56




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My Wife brought home a couple of weeks ago, a set of snap on sockets. It is in a green metal case, with Snap On pressed in the metal. It is too big to match my other 1/4 drive sockets, and too small to be 3/8 drive. It has a ratchet, extentions, a couple of T-handles, and a few sockets. What drive do I have. How old might this be?? Is it worth anything??? I would like to take it back to Snap-On and get a usefull set but wouth they honor it?? Thanks...

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norfleet

05-07-2002 11:18:14




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 Re: Looking for info on an old Snap-On socket set. in reply to Mark/Ks, 07-01-2001 16:14:56  
Here is the history of those sockets. (Note: they are 9/32 inch drive, not 5/16). Snap originally made 1/2 inch drive sockets beginning in 1921 and used traveling salesman to sell the tools (they also had factory stores in 19 different cities). In the mid-1920's (1925??), the sales department had a reduced size set of 1/2 inch drive sockets and handles made up and gave them to the salesmen as awards/gifts. they quickly became very popular, and snap on began to sell them. The sockets made between 1925 and ~1931 looked just like the 1920 style sockets with the exception that they had no markings on them at all (about the only tools that had no snap on markings). The style of the tools changed markedely in the 1930's (along with the style of the larger tools. They still kept the 9/32 inch drive size. Almost all other tool manuf. made similar tools, but most of those were 1/4 inch drive. (plumb made both 1/4 and 9/32 inch drive). the 9/32 inch drive were made through WWII (1944). The drive size was changed to 1/4 inch after WWII. (no 1/4 drive snap on tools were made prior to 1945 [except for an adaptor]). The tool sets are collectable. A 9/32 inch drive set in the box sells for 50 to 75 dollars. A 1920's set (the old style) in the box sells for 75 to 100 (fall 2001 prices)

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Dave C

07-19-2001 10:24:41




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 Re: Looking for info on an old Snap-On socket set. in reply to Mark/Ks, 07-01-2001 16:14:56  
Mark,
My Dad has an oddball set of Craftsman sockets like yours. They are 5/16 drive. He had them since the 40's or 50's and got them right from Sears. Never could get anything else that size though. Has a whole set in a little box like yours. I remember him telling me that there was some disagreement among manufacturers as to what the standard size for small sockets should be, and that 1/4" won out. Sort of like Beta or VHS for video tape.

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John Ne.

07-02-2001 21:51:09




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 Re: Looking for info on an old Snap-On socket set. in reply to Mark/Ks, 07-01-2001 16:14:56  
Mark, if you got the ratchet and everything why not just keep it and use it? If you want to sell it, try it under collectible/tools, on Ebay. When Sioux Tools came out with impact wrenches they went to 5/8 drive so you had to use their impact sockets. The thinking was if you couldn't use chrome 1/2 in. sockets they wouldn't explode in use. Believe that was the thinking of the other tool companies too, probably rooted in liability thinking. John, Nebr.

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ferrell freeman

07-02-2001 06:29:01




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 Re: Looking for info on an old Snap-On socket set. in reply to Mark/Ks, 07-01-2001 16:14:56  
I,have a 1960 snap on catalog will try to dig it up .You might be able to get an adapter for a standered drive .I, know they use to make the 5/8 to 1/2 adapters I,have one ,these are more than likely militery .Does any of them hae BLUE POINT STAMPED IN THEM .At the shop we two sets of these that were impact sockets. They are very rear now days and could be worth alot more than paid for to tool collectors.

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Bill

07-02-2001 04:39:42




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 Re: Looking for info on an old Snap-On socket set. in reply to Mark/Ks, 07-01-2001 16:14:56  
Were did you get the wife at. To buy a tool for the old man around here is just a thought in the back of my head. I want one just like her.



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paul

07-02-2001 12:54:57




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 Re: Re: Looking for info on an old Snap-On socket set. in reply to Bill, 07-02-2001 04:39:42  
Yea, those gals are pretty special. :) Mine got me an electric impact wrench - not even a holiday, just sorta wanted one! Wow. She said the catch is I hve to buy my own sockets.... Oh, I can live with those conditions....

--->Paul



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Mark/Ks

07-02-2001 13:02:36




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 Re: Re: Re: Looking for info on an old Snap-On socket set. in reply to paul, 07-02-2001 12:54:57  
I'll keep her,,, This may sound corny to some but even after 28 years of marriage she still slides in next to me when we take our our old Dodge truck.



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Franz

07-01-2001 20:33:01




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 Re: Looking for info on an old Snap-On socket set. in reply to Mark/Ks, 07-01-2001 16:14:56  
Probably military. Uncle Sugar had a whole inventory of 5/8 drive impact sockets and guns. Ingersole Rand made some under one contract, the Pentagon thinking was off sized sockets wouldn't get "borrowed" and they were right. They got thrown away, or stolen in complete sets, with handles and impact guns. The real dirty trick was the Gov even specified the anvil in the impact gun to be a bastar) size, so if you brought one home it can't be repaired.

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Big ED Govt. Surplus???

07-01-2001 18:48:31




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 Re: Looking for info on an old Snap-On socket set. in reply to Mark/Ks, 07-01-2001 16:14:56  
Got hold of a Snap -On ratchetlike you describe several years ago. The man who had it said he got it in the service. Someone told me it was a ''off size'' to help reduce the theft factor. Some snap on tools have some letters in the numbers that identifys them as govt tools I belive. Mabey we'll hear from a Snap -On man. EPB



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