What about 3/8" drive tools?
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What about 3/8" drive tools?
Somebody educate me... we have physical evidence that 3/8" drive tools were used by the Air Corps/AAF (Snap-on, Plomb, Wright) and the Navy (see the Navy Class 41 Catalog) but why are they so few? Was that size considered more of a specialized thing during WWII? I hardly ever see anything from S-K, Bonney, NB/Husky/CM, etc.
Bill
Bill
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Re: What about 3/8" drive tools?
The only Husky socket I have ever found is 3/8" drive over here and i have found DI, Craftsmen and Bonney but not in huge numbers.
It is a bit of an in-between size and probably gets over torqued so maybe not so much survives
It is a bit of an in-between size and probably gets over torqued so maybe not so much survives
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1942 August Willys MB
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1942 August Willys MB
Complete MVMTS 100% sourced in the ETO
Empty vessels make the most noise .......
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Re: What about 3/8" drive tools?
I figured since I'm obsessing about 3/8" drive tools I might as well share photos of what I have. Here's a Plomb set I've been piecing together for a while:
Bill
Bill
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Re: What about 3/8" drive tools?
I have a similar set of Wright 3/8" socketry. Most of the pieces are "AC" (Air Corps) stamped.
Bill
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Re: What about 3/8" drive tools?
Bill,
That set looks great! You’ve got some hard fo find pieces there.
I’ve been gathering various 3/8” drive D-I and Duro Chrome tools in a Duro box. I don’t think it will ever result in a complete set but it shows that the 3/8” drive tools are out there. The top row of sockets are all D-I. The extensions are not Duro.
-Don
That set looks great! You’ve got some hard fo find pieces there.
I’ve been gathering various 3/8” drive D-I and Duro Chrome tools in a Duro box. I don’t think it will ever result in a complete set but it shows that the 3/8” drive tools are out there. The top row of sockets are all D-I. The extensions are not Duro.
-Don
- Attachments
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- 3/8” tools in the box
- B4A778C6-63CB-41A2-AF65-7D349797FFDD.jpeg (135.04 KiB) Viewed 5514 times
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- Early and late flex handles
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Re: What about 3/8" drive tools?
When it comes to 3/8” Plomb, I’m afraid that my set in progress is mostly postwar, although there are some wartime tools currently in the box.
-Don
-Don
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- Plomb 3/8” drive set in progress
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Ford GPW 76344 DOD 11/42 Built in Richmond, CA
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Re: What about 3/8" drive tools?
Some photos of S-K 3/8" pieces are in Don't Forget About 'Sherman Klove'. I know d42jeep also has a dark finish 3/8" S-K ratchet but I'll be darned if I can find the photo of it!
Bill
Bill
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Re: What about 3/8" drive tools?
I just happen to have some pictures of that ratchet.
-Don
-Don
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- Early patent markings
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- 3/8” & 1/4” ratchets
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- S-K ratchets
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Re: What about 3/8" drive tools?
I just realized after taking this picture, that I have some 3/8" drive Plomb and WF pieces as well that didn't make it into the shot.
However, here's a sampling of the other brands of wartime (I think) 3/8" drive sockets that I have lying around.
From left to right we have: Husky, Craftsman, D-I, Walden, Owatonna, Williams, Chromium Vanadium, New Britain
So, they're out there, just not in any kind of significant quantities.
I suspect the 3/8" drive tools continued to be made primarily for the civilian market and some upper echelon kits but due to the significant overlap between the 1/4" and 1/2" drive sizes, the 3/8" was not a priority for production. My $0.02, of course.
-Jason
However, here's a sampling of the other brands of wartime (I think) 3/8" drive sockets that I have lying around.
From left to right we have: Husky, Craftsman, D-I, Walden, Owatonna, Williams, Chromium Vanadium, New Britain
So, they're out there, just not in any kind of significant quantities.
I suspect the 3/8" drive tools continued to be made primarily for the civilian market and some upper echelon kits but due to the significant overlap between the 1/4" and 1/2" drive sizes, the 3/8" was not a priority for production. My $0.02, of course.
-Jason
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Re: What about 3/8" drive tools?
Nice gallery shot, Jason. Thanks for sharing.
It's not as dark as d42jeep's S-K 45170 upthread (I'm pretty sure that one is covered in molasses) but he was kind enough to give me a lead on this plain steel one shown here with a chrome sibling.
Bill
It's not as dark as d42jeep's S-K 45170 upthread (I'm pretty sure that one is covered in molasses) but he was kind enough to give me a lead on this plain steel one shown here with a chrome sibling.
Bill
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Re: What about 3/8" drive tools?
I totally overlooked my Craftsman 3/8” drive tools that are likely wartime. The Circle H are above the BE extension and the other BE are below.
-Don
-Don
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- Craftsman Circle H and BE 3/8” drive tools
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Re: What about 3/8" drive tools?
Here are my Craftsman 3/8" drive sockets. I find these in 3/8 more than any other socket but the majority of these are marked with the Canadian acceptance mark. Sometimes stamped sometimes with electric pencil.
I have never found any wartime Craftsman manufacturers other than BE (new Britain) .
I have never found any wartime Craftsman manufacturers other than BE (new Britain) .
Limited access.
1942 August Willys MB
Complete MVMTS 100% sourced in the ETO
Empty vessels make the most noise .......
1942 August Willys MB
Complete MVMTS 100% sourced in the ETO
Empty vessels make the most noise .......
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Re: What about 3/8" drive tools?
Nice Craftsman set, Roger. I see that the ratchet is assembled just the way they are shown in the Craftsman catalogs with the control and drive on the same side. In the New Britain catalog they are shown with the control and drive on opposite sides. I don’t understand it but it seems that’s just how it was. Around here I find the New Britain sourced Craftsman BE and Circle H at just about the same rate.
-Don
-Don
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Re: What about 3/8" drive tools?
Here are a few more Plomb 3/8” drive tools.
-Don
-Don
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Ford GPW 76344 DOD 11/42 Built in Richmond, CA
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