I worked after school and Saturdays for a Chevy dealership and there was an old bachelor mechanic(younger than I am now) that had tools from the babbitt and flathead era along with the modern ones. Great old tools that he protected like they were made of gold. Whenever he finished a job, he would wash and replace the tool in the same place in each drawer. When he died, a nephew came from a big city and took all his belongings. He wasn't a mechanic and I always wondered what he did with all those precious tools. I'm now a subscriber and thanks for the trip down memory lane.
Great story...tHanks for adding it. I try to take care of my tools only to find that I've stored them in humid places...for years. I appreciate those who knew better than I and took time each day to be organized. Editing videos taught me that Life is an Edit......So, I'm still trying to organize....and take care of the tools.
Blackhawk made an incredibly compact hydraulic 1/2 to 2 inch electrical conduit bender that magically fit into a very compact case. It weighed 16 tons, but it was an adequate tool for bending tubing that didn't take up a case the size of a cedar chest. Blackhawk also made one of the finest 1/4 inch ratchets ever made. Backdrag was very very low and they had a lot of teeth. Blackhawk also made about the best transmission jack I have ever used. It could raise lower, tilt and twist in about every direction, and all with foot pedal controls so your hands were free. Very clever!
We’ve got a torpedo tool box ,unfortunately the vender knew what it was but we bought it anyway. Keep buying Blackhawk wrench’s and sockets when we find em. Thanks for the history!
My first set of open end wrenches were made by J. H. Williams as provided by the apprenticeship program at Caterpillar Tractor Co. in 1964. I've been fascinated by tool development and their history. Great video!
My Dad had a black hawk socket set 3/8-1/2 in a foldout box . Cool set , he’s gone now and his tools set was stolen, but I did get the rest of his tools , different names.
I was researching early socket sets and ratchets a few weeks ago for a presentation I was giving, and I found that 1919 Motor Age ad for Blackhawk. The socket set they were offering in 1919 was way better than the first Snap-On set from 1920 - the Snap-On set didn't even include a ratchet! But who went on to rule the automotive tool world?
Glitz and Glamour, plenty of polished chrome plating, and telling everyone they're the best, years before they actually were (one of) the best. Snap-On.
Great video! In the late 70s I acquired a box of miscellaneous sockets with both 5/8" and 3/4" Proto, Blackhawk and SK all black iron. These were the first and only 5/8" drive sockets I have ever seen.
Got a question for you, What is a drag link socket really for? I can’t see how they have anything to do with drag links. People say they are for an old style of drag link not used anymore. Did the adjusting sleeves have screws on them or something? I don’t know what you would need to screw on a drag link . Odd question I know but you’ve got a good bit of knowledge so I figured I’d ask.
@pd3331 I actually did some research on them recently for a future video. They had a threaded part with an "X" shaped notch in it, that you would use the socket in. Here's one for a Jeep: www.amazon.com/Omix-Ada-18041-02-Drag-Linkage-Hardware/dp/B000FQ7PJI I found a video where a guy installs one, but he doesn't use one of the sockets: th-cam.com/video/kS-rhTSPFCs/w-d-xo.html
I believe it was around 1981, 82....Auto parts stores had a zippered pouch for a metric and SAE Blackhawk set. The tools lasted but the pouches gave out. They held the sockets with elastic I believe. I've searched the Internet but can't find one. I think the retail was around $ 39.00 One of those sets is still what I use these days......but the 10mm got away and a Snap on took it's place
@@ballinator I think your videos take way more time and effort than what many other creators spend. I know it takes a lot of research to provide the history lessons like you do. And your animations are creative. I'm also surprised how active you are in the comments. Anyhow, I enjoy them, and appreciate it. 👍
Aged fifth generation mechanic here. Thanks for explaining a lot of stuff. I've had and probably still have most every brand named here. Tools are potentially everlasting - men are not.
My father left me a set of Blackhawk socket kit I had actually given them to him in the 1980’s and he used them often. He even fixed a broken spring clamp that keeps the set shit with piece of soldered coat hanger and a screw to make it lock and unlock-able
I love blackhawk. I collect 1/4" ratchets, and the very rare Blackhawk 24991 from the 1940's 19ND " Nuggies " pocket sized socket set has been on my list for years. The 24991 is the smallest headed 1/4dr ratchet ever made in the USA, with the Thorsen 77m and Wright 2400/ 2426 being the only ratchets that come close. This is not counting bit ratchets like the Chapman of course, just counting 1/4 square drive ratchets. It's a shame how Blackhawk fell, they were one of the only companies who could truly compete with Snapon when it came to making cool socket sets and unique tool boxes.
@@ballinator it's head is about the size of a dime. The 19nd nuggies set is quite rare and valuable, but I think that's mostly be the Bakelite cases haven't held up that well over time.
I see that you might be interested in a Bantam Porto Power in the metal box. Found a set in the metal scrap pile at the recycling center I manage on Saturdays about a year ago. Let me know how to contact you so I can send photos and confirm that this may be something of interest. I will check back to see if you reply, otherwise I am not too good on this technology.
@ElliotRoss-b5e You should put it on eBay, they go for big $$$ there. I don't spend much money on this hobby. The cost to ship it would be more than I'm willing to pay.
Thanks for the history lesson. I recently acquired an older Blackhawk porto power set that is super legit. It came in a nice metal box that don't fall apart like the Hein Werner equivalent. Might have to hide the non indigenous native markings with blue tape though so as not to get stink eyed by Pronoun Police.
I have tools from all the companies on this video and the imported National Hand Tool owned Blackhawk was based in Dallas and were from Taiwan not china but still a scam and later when Stanley owned National Hand Tool they did the same thing all over again with Blackhawk tools stating US made when they were not. The Nugget line of tools has a cult following and are available on EBAY but very pricey for the tool box in any condition. Stanley I think if you search for tools today is no longer in production which is too bad but like many others they Stanley has cast off. When Litton owned them they sold New Britain tools to NAPA as an exclusive and Blackhawk to independent distributors as NAPA used to be big on their own brand names IE NAPA filters were WIX and even had Guard Corporation Gastonia , NC. on the filters which is still WIX filters home base. I always liked and still own Blackhawk and New Britain tools and they still hold up and are quality no matter who owned them. The last major outlet in the automotive world was CarQuest auto parts before the mergers with Advance Auto parts and Blackhawk went away.
Yeah, I searched for the Nugget toolbox on eBay, and was like "nope" way too much $$$. Maybe I'll get lucky and find one at a garage sale someday... New Britain I think deserves it's own video at some point.
I worked after school and Saturdays for a Chevy dealership and there was an old bachelor mechanic(younger than I am now) that had tools from the babbitt and flathead era along with the modern ones. Great old tools that he protected like they were made of gold. Whenever he finished a job, he would wash and replace the tool in the same place in each drawer. When he died, a nephew came from a big city and took all his belongings. He wasn't a mechanic and I always wondered what he did with all those precious tools. I'm now a subscriber and thanks for the trip down memory lane.
Yeah, hopefully he didn't throw them out... Thanks for the sub!
Great story...tHanks for adding it.
I try to take care of my tools only to find that I've stored them in humid places...for years. I appreciate those who knew better than I and took time each day to be organized.
Editing videos taught me that Life is an Edit......So, I'm still trying to organize....and take care of the tools.
Blackhawk made an incredibly compact hydraulic 1/2 to 2 inch electrical conduit bender that magically fit into a very compact case. It weighed 16 tons, but it was an adequate tool for bending tubing that didn't take up a case the size of a cedar chest. Blackhawk also made one of the finest 1/4 inch ratchets ever made. Backdrag was very very low and they had a lot of teeth. Blackhawk also made about the best transmission jack I have ever used. It could raise lower, tilt and twist in about every direction, and all with foot pedal controls so your hands were free. Very clever!
We’ve got a torpedo tool box ,unfortunately the vender knew what it was but we bought it anyway. Keep buying Blackhawk wrench’s and sockets when we find em. Thanks for the history!
You're welcome! Congrats on scoring the torpedo tool box!
Torpedo tool box! 👍👍
My first set of open end wrenches were made by J. H. Williams as provided by the apprenticeship program at Caterpillar Tractor Co. in 1964. I've been fascinated by tool development and their history. Great video!
Thanks! More tool history videos will be coming.
Blackhawk floor jacks were a common item in many auto rèpair facilities 50 years ago 😊
My Dad had a black hawk socket set 3/8-1/2 in a foldout box . Cool set , he’s gone now and his tools set was stolen, but I did get the rest of his tools , different names.
Hi can you do one on Ridgid and Reed (two plumbing giants)
I was researching early socket sets and ratchets a few weeks ago for a presentation I was giving, and I found that 1919 Motor Age ad for Blackhawk. The socket set they were offering in 1919 was way better than the first Snap-On set from 1920 - the Snap-On set didn't even include a ratchet! But who went on to rule the automotive tool world?
Yeah, I think Snap-On was better at marketing, and had their "tool truck" distribution model.
Glitz and Glamour, plenty of polished chrome plating, and telling everyone they're the best, years before they actually were (one of) the best. Snap-On.
Great video! In the late 70s I acquired a box of miscellaneous sockets with both 5/8" and 3/4" Proto, Blackhawk and SK all black iron. These were the first and only 5/8" drive sockets I have ever seen.
Thanks! It's on my list to do a video on the 'odd' socket drive sizes (9/32, 7/16 & 5/8).
Many 5/8” drive ratchets and sockets were made for the US military .
Nice vid. Never knew of the 7/16” drive. Have seen some 5/8” drive tools in catalogs.
Thanks! I plan to do a video sometime in the future on the other 'odd' socket drive sizes.
Nice video. Very unique unique style ..
Thanks, man.
Thank you for the TOOL videos
thanks for the video, love this stuff.
You're welcome! Thanks for watching.
Got a question for you, What is a drag link socket really for?
I can’t see how they have anything to do with drag links. People say they are for an old style of drag link not used anymore. Did the adjusting sleeves have screws on them or something? I don’t know what you would need to screw on a drag link .
Odd question I know but you’ve got a good bit of knowledge so I figured I’d ask.
@pd3331 I actually did some research on them recently for a future video. They had a threaded part with an "X" shaped notch in it, that you would use the socket in.
Here's one for a Jeep:
www.amazon.com/Omix-Ada-18041-02-Drag-Linkage-Hardware/dp/B000FQ7PJI
I found a video where a guy installs one, but he doesn't use one of the sockets:
th-cam.com/video/kS-rhTSPFCs/w-d-xo.html
@@ballinator Perfect! Never seen one like that before. Thanks for the info and all the videos.
I believe it was around 1981, 82....Auto parts stores had a zippered pouch for a metric and SAE Blackhawk set. The tools lasted but the pouches gave out. They held the sockets with elastic I believe. I've searched the Internet but can't find one.
I think the retail was around $ 39.00 One of those sets is still what I use these days......but the 10mm got away and a Snap on took it's place
It's always the 10mm one that walks away...
So much good information here! And the spacesuit wearing employees 😆😂
Thanks! I'll have to research what other companies Litton bought out, so I can show those guys again.
@@ballinator I think your videos take way more time and effort than what many other creators spend. I know it takes a lot of research to provide the history lessons like you do. And your animations are creative. I'm also surprised how active you are in the comments. Anyhow, I enjoy them, and appreciate it. 👍
Nice video fella
Thanks!
Aged fifth generation mechanic here. Thanks for explaining a lot of stuff. I've had and probably still have most every brand named here. Tools are potentially everlasting - men are not.
You're welcome! Thanks for watching.
Great video!
Thanks! I appreciate the feedback.
My father left me a set of Blackhawk socket kit
I had actually given them to him in the 1980’s and he used them often. He even fixed a broken spring clamp that keeps the set shit with piece of soldered coat hanger and a screw to make it lock and unlock-able
Very cool!
I got some of the first ones, had no idea they were that old
Yeah, a lot of these companies go back a long ways.
I love blackhawk.
I collect 1/4" ratchets, and the very rare Blackhawk 24991 from the 1940's 19ND " Nuggies " pocket sized socket set has been on my list for years.
The 24991 is the smallest headed 1/4dr ratchet ever made in the USA, with the Thorsen 77m and Wright 2400/ 2426 being the only ratchets that come close.
This is not counting bit ratchets like the Chapman of course, just counting 1/4 square drive ratchets.
It's a shame how Blackhawk fell, they were one of the only companies who could truly compete with Snapon when it came to making cool socket sets and unique tool boxes.
I'm going to keep an eye out for one of those Nuggies sets. I'll have to check out the 24991 too - I like the compact 1/4" ratchets.
@@ballinator it's head is about the size of a dime.
The 19nd nuggies set is quite rare and valuable, but I think that's mostly be the Bakelite cases haven't held up that well over time.
according to the last old ad,you can also use the tools to fight people with."Fightin' Tools''
Yeah, some of the WWII era ads from these companies were interesting.
Litton also made office furniture, and microwave ovens in the 80's
Yeah, they were a huge company. I was surprised by all the stuff they made.
The Jonas Brothers? LOL. I do appreciate your sense of humor
Thanks! I think a lot of viewers miss the little jokes that are hidden in these videos.
I see that you might be interested in a Bantam Porto Power in the metal box. Found a set in the metal scrap pile at the recycling center I manage on Saturdays about a year ago. Let me know how to contact you so I can send photos and confirm that this may be something of interest. I will check back to see if you reply, otherwise I am not too good on this technology.
@ElliotRoss-b5e You should put it on eBay, they go for big $$$ there. I don't spend much money on this hobby. The cost to ship it would be more than I'm willing to pay.
@@ballinator I am in NE PA where are you located? I don't care to get anything for it, especially if it's going to a collector such as yourself
@@ElliotRoss-b5e I'm in Illinois, so it would be cost-prohibitive to ship it here.
Thanks for the history lesson. I recently acquired an older Blackhawk porto power set that is super legit. It came in a nice metal box that don't fall apart like the Hein Werner equivalent. Might have to hide the non indigenous native markings with blue tape though so as not to get stink eyed by Pronoun Police.
You're welcome! I'd love to track down one of the old Porto Powers at some point.
I have tools from all the companies on this video and the imported National Hand Tool owned Blackhawk was based in Dallas and were from Taiwan not china but still a scam and later when Stanley owned National Hand Tool they did the same thing all over again with Blackhawk tools stating US made when they were not. The Nugget line of tools has a cult following and are available on EBAY but very pricey for the tool box in any condition. Stanley I think if you search for tools today is no longer in production which is too bad but like many others they Stanley has cast off. When Litton owned them they sold New Britain tools to NAPA as an exclusive and Blackhawk to independent distributors as NAPA used to be big on their own brand names IE NAPA filters were WIX and even had Guard Corporation Gastonia , NC. on the filters which is still WIX filters home base. I always liked and still own Blackhawk and New Britain tools and they still hold up and are quality no matter who owned them. The last major outlet in the automotive world was CarQuest auto parts before the mergers with Advance Auto parts and Blackhawk went away.
Yeah, I searched for the Nugget toolbox on eBay, and was like "nope" way too much $$$. Maybe I'll get lucky and find one at a garage sale someday... New Britain I think deserves it's own video at some point.