Alloy Artifacts

Comparison Photos

1/2-Drive Ratchets

Let's begin the comparison with 1/2-drive ratchets. Figs. 1 and 2 show, from bottom to top, the New Britain NS40, the None Better S40, the Husky H4725, and finally the Craftsman H-Circle model. As the photographs show, these ratchets are virtually identical, showing only the minor differences that might result from production runs at different times. (Note that the New Britain NS-40 model has a damaged shift lever.)

Fig. 1. Four 1/2-Drive Ratchets, from Bottom: NS40, S40, H4725, H-Circle. (Click to Enlarge)

All of these ratchets have a "Pat. Pend." notation on the cover plate, which indicates that the company had applied for and expected to receive a patent. Assuming that the subsequent patent number can be determined, the pending mark can provide valuable information on the date of manufacture, since it would be applied only between the filing and issue of the patent. Unfortunately I haven't yet been able to find the relevant patent for these ratchets.

Fig. 2. Reverse of 1/2-Drive Ratchets, from Bottom: NS-40, S40, H4725, H-Circle. (Click to Enlarge)

Fig. 3 shows several examples of another style of ratchet, the 1/2-inch female-drive ratchets. From bottom to top we see a None Better S45, the Craftsman "BE", and Craftsman H-Circle. (The None Better logo was on the opposite cover plate, so the handle says "Forged" instead of "Made in U.S.A.".)

Fig. 3. 1/2-Inch Female-Drive Ratchets, from Bottom: S45, "BE", H-Circle. (Click to Enlarge)

3/8-Drive Ratchets

Now let's compare the Craftsman and New Britain 3/8-drive ratchets. Figs. 3A and 3B show three such ratchets, this time with just a single New Britain model, the None Better B40, along with both Craftsman BE and H-Circle models.

Fig. 4. Three 3/8-Drive Ratchets, from Bottom: B40, "BE", H-Circle. (Click to Enlarge)

As before, the photos show that these tools have nearly identical details and dimensions. Note in particular the distinctive shifter with curled-up ends, which can be actuated with the thumb or forefinger.

Fig. 5. Reverse of 3/8-Drive Ratchets, from Bottom: B40, "BE", H-Circle. (Click to Enlarge)

Although the 1/2-drive ratchets were known to be available in both male and female drive styles, the 3/8-drive ratchets are (thus far) known only with male drive.

1/4-Drive Ratchets

Craftsman 1/4-drive ratchets were sold in two distinctly different styles, one closely resembling the 3/8-drive ratchets shown above, the other with an open gear and a riveted body.

Fig. 6. Craftsman "BE" 1/4-Inch Female-Drive Ratchet. (Click to Enlarge)

Fig. 6 shows an example of the former case, a Craftsman "BE" model, and Fig. 7 provides a Husky model H5126 for comparison. Both ratchets have female drive broachings.

Fig. 7. Husky H5126 1/4-Inch Female-Drive Ratchet, with Inset Showing Reverse. (Click to Enlarge)

Both models are structurally very similar to the 3/8-drive ratchets. The Craftsman "BE" model has a slightly different body forging, with a somewhat narrower head apparently specifically adapted for 1/4-drive.

The Husky model appears to be built using the same forging as the 3/8-drive models, but with the drive gear broached for 1/4-drive. The inset shows the expected "Made in U.S.A." from the reverse side.

Other Drive Tools

The next set of figures show additional examples of drive tools, in particular breaker bars and drive extensions.

None Better S52 and Craftsman 1/2-Drive Flex-Head Breaker Bars

Fig. 8. 1/2-Drive Flex-Head Breaker Bars, from Bottom: None Better, "BE", H-Circle. (Click to Enlarge)

Fig. 8 shows three 1/2-drive flex-head breaker bars, from bottom to top, the None Better S52, Craftsman "BE", and Craftsman H-Circle. The None Better tool is a shorter model, but still serves to show the similarity of design and details.

The overall lengths are 14.8 inches for the Craftsman "BE" and H-Circle, and 12.0 inches for the None Better model.

The insets beneath each tool provide a close-up of the logos. The None Better logo shows a small NB-Circle mark to the right; this (registered) trademark was sometimes used as the only identification mark on a tool.

Husky H3721 and Craftsman "BE" 3/8-Drive Flex-Head Breaker Bars

Fig. 9. Craftsman and Husky 3/8-Drive Breaker Bars, from Bottom: Husky H3721, Craftsman BE. (Click to Enlarge)

Fig. 9 provides a comparison of two 3/8-drive flex-head breaker bars, the Husky H3271 on the bottom and the Craftsman "BE" on top.

Both tools have an overall length of 9.9 inches.

New Britain and Craftsman 1/4-Drive Flex-Head Breaker Bars

Fig. 10. Comparison of Three 1/4-Drive Breaker Bars, from Bottom: NB-Circle, "BE", H-Circle. (Click to Enlarge)

In Fig. 10 we see three 1/4-drive flex-head breaker bars, from bottom to top, the New Britain NB-Circle model, the Craftsman "BE", and the Craftsman H-Circle.

The NB-Circle model has a coppery color where the thin chrome plating has worn through to show the copper plating below.

None Better S24 and Craftsman 1/2-Drive 5 Inch Extensions

Fig. 11. Two 1/2-Drive Extensions, from Bottom: S24, H-Circle. (Click to Enlarge)

Fig. 11 shows two 1/2-drive 5 inch extensions, the None Better S24 and the Craftsman H-Circle. The Craftsman extension has the underline logo (not visible in the photograph.)

The overall lengths are 4.9 inches.

Sockets

Fig. 12. Early 1/2-Drive Sockets, from Left: None Better (NB-Circle) "Chrome", Craftsman "BE". (Click to Enlarge)

Fig. 12 shows a pair of 1/2-drive shallow sockets, a None Better (NB-Circle) 1-1/4 "Chrome" model on the left, and a Craftsman 1 inch "BE" model on the right. The None Better model is quite early, as it has only a size marking but no model number. (Most New Britain tools have a model number marked.)

Both sockets have a shoulder below the broaching to maintain strength for the bored recess below the broached area; this was the typical construction for early cold-broached sockets, as will be discussed in a later section.

The finish for both sockets is polished chrome.

Fig. 13. Two 1/2-Drive Deep Sockets, from Bottom: H-Circle, NTD1224. (Click to Enlarge)

In Fig. 13 we see a pair of 1/2-drive deep sockets, a Craftsman H-Circle 11/16 at the bottom and a New Britain NTD1224 3/4 on top. The sizes are slightly different (these were the closest ones I had) but still suffice to show the similarity.

Fig. 14. Closeup of 1/2-Drive Deep Sockets, from Left: NTD1224, H-Circle. (Click to Enlarge)

Fig. 14 shows a close-up of the same two sockets, illustrating the fine cross-hatching of the knurled band at the base.

With these socket photographs we conclude the section on tool comparisons. In the next section, we'll look at information from several sources in an attempt to estimate the date of manufacture for this line of tools.