Alloy Artifacts

Sockets and Drive Tools

Interchangeable sockets and drive tools were one of the most important tool-related developments of the 20th century, but for whatever reason Vlchek Tool apparently chose not to compete in this area. Except for some limited (and possibly experimental) production, Vlchek did not produce sockets and drive tools during the 1920s through 1940s, and it wasn't until the mid to late 1950s that their catalogs listed these tools. Our first reference for this category of tools comes from the 1957 Vlchek catalog, at which time sockets and drive tools were listed in 1/4-drive up through 3/4-drive sizes.

Vlchek sockets and drive tools are only rarely seen, suggesting that they were not sold in large quantities, perhaps due to the company's late entrance into the market. In addition, some of the examples found (e.g. the 2805 Extension) bear a marked resemblance to 1950s-era tools from Fleet and Penens, two companies in the Proto Tool family. These considerations suggest that these later socket tools may have been produced under contract manufacture, rather than developed internally.

WSLR6 3/8-Drive Ratchet

We'll begin this section with a very rare example of an early Vlckek ratchet, likely from the mid 1930s. Fig. 91 shows a Vlchek WSLR6 3/8-drive ratchet of distinctive design, marked "Drop Forged" in forged-in raised letters, with "Made in U.S.A." on the reverse. The overall length is 6.6 inches, and the finish shows some traces of the original plating, probably nickel.

Fig. 91. Vlchek WSLR6 3/8-Drive Ratchet, with Insets for Reverse and Side View, ca. 1935.

The most unusual feature of this ratchet is its linear slide shift lever, seen in the photograph with its "ON" and "OFF" directional arrows. The lever has a slot that slips over the pivot pin of the pawl, to maintain alignment, and an offset hole in the lever engages a pin at the top of the pawl. The sliding motion of the shifter then imparts a rotation to the pawl, and shifts it to the opposite side of the detent.

Apart from the unique shift arrangement, the design of the ratchet is very similar to the pivoting pawl design developed by Snap-On in the early 1930s. (See patent #1,854,513 for more information.) The ratchet mechanism has a 20-tooth drive gear, and the pivoting pawl has a single tooth on each side. A spring-loaded detent ball returns the pawl to its selected position.

WSS331 1/2-Drive 12-Point Socket

Shortly after acquiring the ratchet in the above figure, we were fortunate to acquire an early Vlchek socket from another collector. The socket appears to date from approximately the same time frame as the ratchet, early to mid 1930s, and indicates again that Vlchek at least experimented with socket production at this early time.

Fig. 92. Vlchek WSS331 1/2-Drive 31/32 Socket, with Inset for Broaching, ca. 1935.

Fig. 92 shows a very rare 1/2-drive Vlchek WSS331 31/32 socket, marked "Chrome Molybdenum" with the Vlchek name. The finish is polished steel.

The inset shows the broached opening, and the chatter marks on the wall indicate cold-broached manufacture. The band of finely detailed cross-hatched knurling resembles the knurling on sockets from New Britain.

Another detail worth noting is that the drive end of the socket has a small recess in each wall, a convenience feature to help retain the socket on its drive stud. Although common today, this was rather uncommon in the early to mid 1930s, due to the additional work required to machine the recesses.

3800 1/2-Drive Ratchet

Fig. 93. Vlchek 3800 1/2-Drive Ratchet, with Inset for Side View.

Fig. 93 shows a Vlchek model 3800 1/2-drive ratchet, marked "U.S.A." on the shifter. The overall length is 10.1 inches.

A careful comparison of this ratchet found it to be very similar to the Penens 1260 Ratchet. In particular, the ratchet heads for both models are machined symmetrically, so that the ratchet mechanism can be inserted from either side. The ratchet mechanisms were also of the same design.

One odd feature of this ratchet is that the head gear is cut with only 30 teeth, fewer even than some rotating-gear ratchets; typically a round-head ratchet will have 40-50 or more teeth.

32xx 1/2-Drive Sockets

Fig. 94. Vlchek 32xx 1/2-Drive Sockets, with Inset for Broaching.

Fig. 94 shows two 1/2-drive Vlchek 32xx series sockets, both marked "Alloy U.S.A." and with a bright polished chrome finish. The models and sizes are 3216 (1/2) on the left and 3232 (1 inch) on the right.

The inset at the top shows the 12-point broaching, showing hot-broached construction with a ring of displaced material.

As with the model 3800 ratchet above, these sockets are nearly identical to those of Penens production. The clincher is the small symbol marked on the side of the socket, resembling an outlined "+" or perhaps a four-leaf clover. (The mark can be seen by careful examination of the top inset.) This mark is placed in the exact center one drive face by a crimping operation, in order to form a dimple on the inside surface for securing the socket to the drive stud.

Penens also used the outlined "+" mark in their socket production, as can be seen in the Penens 16xx Sockets. Although the Proto and P&C brands also made use of a dimple to secure sockets, at least for some socket production, they typically used a different mark on the outside.

1800 1/4-Drive Ratchet

Fig. 95. Vlchek 1800 1/4-Drive Ratchet, with Inset for Detail.

Fig. 95 shows a Vlchek model 1800 1/4-drive ratchet, marked "U.S.A." on the shifter.

The overall length is 4.5 inches.

Motiv and Economy-Brand Tools

By 1952 Vlchek had introduced a brand "Motiv" for an economy line of wrenches. These were made from a "Special Analysis Steel" instead of the chrome alloy used for the standard line, allowing them to sell at a somewhat lower price. For example, the 1953 list price for the Motiv X-24 was $1.36 compared to $1.62 for the WBE24 wrench.

Motiv X24 Combination Wrench

Fig. 96. Motiv X24 3/4 Combo Wrench

Fig. 96 shows a Motiv X24 3/4 combination wrench, very similar to the WBE24 Wrench shown earlier, but made of a lesser grade of steel. The forged-in number is "10".

The overall length is 9.75 inches.

Motiv XB1618 Offset Box-End Wrench

Fig. 97. Motiv XB1618 1/2x9/16 Offset Box-End Wrench.

Fig. 97 shows a Motiv XB1618 1/2x9/16 offset box-end wrench with an overall length of 9.2 inches. The forged-in number (on reverse, not shown) is "11".

[Model X540] 3/8x7/16 Panel Bar Offset Box Wrench

In addition to the Motiv brand tools, the 1952 catalog lists several other groups of tools made of "Special Analysis Steel", which were intended to provide a less expensive alternative to the alloy steel tools. Included among these economy tools are "Panel Bar" box-end wrenches, available in both long deep offset and short shallow offset configurations.

The Panel Bar designs are similar to the WBA and WBC series, respectively, but with a recessed panel in the shank. These tools were marked with raised letters in the depressed panels on both side of the shank, typically with "Made in U.S.A." (or equivalent) and "Forged Steel". The Vlchek name may or may not be marked.

Fig. 98. Vlchek Panel Bar [Model X540] 3/8x7/16 Deep Offset Box Wrench, with Inset for Reverse Detail.

Fig. 98 at the left shows our first Panel Bar example, a 3/8x7/16 deep offset wrench marked "Vlchek U.S.A." with "Forged Steel" on the reverse.

The overall length is 7.6 inches. This wrench has a rough cadmium finish, now worn through in places. The forged-in number is "2".

The Panel Bar tools were generally not marked with a model number, but the catalog identifies this wrench (in "Velco" finish) as a model X540.

[Model X541] 1/2x9/16 Panel Bar Offset Box Wrench

Fig. 99. Vlchek Panel Bar [Model X541] 1/2x9/16 Deep Offset Box Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Reverse Detail.

Fig. 99 shows the next Panel Bar example, a 1/2x9/16 deep offset box wrench, marked "Made in U.S.A." with "Forged Steel" on the reverse. The forged-in number is "12".

The overall length is 8.6 inches, and the finish is cadmium plating.

No model number is marked, but the catalog identifies this as a model X541.

[Model X543] 3/4x25/32 Offset Box Wrench, Panel Bar Style

Fig. 100. Vlchek Panel Bar [Model X543] 3/4x25/32 Deep Offset Box Wrench, with Inset for Reverse Detail.

Fig. 100 at the left shows a Vlchek 3/4x25/32 deep offset wrench, marked "Vlchek Made in U.S.A." with "Forged Steel" on the reverse.

The overall length is 11.2 inches. This wrench has no apparent finish remaining, but may have had a cadmium finish at some point.

No model number is marked, but the catalog identifies this as a model X543.

[Model X534] 13/16x7/8 Offset Box Wrench, Panel Bar Style

Fig. 101. Vlchek Panel Bar [Model X534] 13/16x7/8 Deep Offset Box Wrench, with Inset for Reverse Detail.

In Fig. 101 we see a Vlchek 13/16x7/8 deep offset Panel Bar wrench, marked "Vlchek Made in U.S.A." with "Forged Steel" on the reverse.

The overall length is 12.7 inches. The wrench has a hard plated finish with a yellowish tint. No model number is marked, but the catalog identifies this wrench (with nickel plate) as a model X534.

[Model X562] 1/2x9/16 Short Box Wrench, Panel Bar Style

Fig. 102. Vlchek Panel Bar [Model X562] 1/2x9/16 Short Offset Box Wrench, with Inset for Reverse Detail.

Fig. 102 shows an example of a Vlchek 1/2x9/16 short offset Panel Bar wrench, marked "Forged Steel" with "Made in U.S.A." on the reverse, but without the company name. The overall length is 5.3 inches.

The finish is a thin bright plating, now mostly worn off. The 1/2x9/16 size with the bright plated finish is listed as catalog model X562.

The wrench is clearly a Vlchek piece based on the design and the forged-in number "5", and the lack of a company name marking may indicate that this was sold as contract production. (These were supposed to be economy-grade tools.)

[Model X573] 5/8x11/16 Short Box Wrench, Panel Bar Style

Fig. 103. Vlchek Panel Bar [Model X573] 5/8x11/16 Short Offset Box Wrench, with Inset for Reverse Detail.

In Fig. 103 we see another example of the short Panel Bar series, a 5/8x11/16 box-end wrench marked "Vlchek U.S.A." with "Forged Steel" on the reverse. The overall length is 6.1 inches.

The wrench has a what appears to be a painted finish, but worn through in places. The 5/8x11/16 size with a non-plated finish is listed as catalog model X573.

Note that "Vlchek U.S.A." appears where the previous example had the "Made in U.S.A." marking.

3/4x25/32 Short Box Wrench, Panel Bar Style

Fig. 104. Vlchek Panel Bar 3/4x24/25 Short Offset Box Wrench, with Insets for Side and Reverse Detail.

Fig. 104 shows a Vlchek 3/4x25/32 short Panel Bar wrench, marked "Made in U.S.A." with "Forged Steel" on the reverse.

The overall length is 7.1 inches. The finish is a bright chrome plating with polished ends, and a forged-in number "2" is visible on the front. The company name is not marked, but the wrench can be identified as Vlchek production by the design and the forged-in number.

The 3/4x25/32 Panel Bar wrench had apparently been discontinued by the time of the 1952 catalog, so the model number for this wrench is not available at this time.

The upper inset shows a side view of the wrench to illustrate the angled ends and very slight offset, giving it an almost flat profile.

5/8x3/4 Open-End Wrench, Panel Bar Style

The Panel Bar series also included open-end wrenches, as the next several figures illustrate.

Fig. 105. Vlchek Panel Bar 19/32x11/16 Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Reverse Detail.

Fig. 105 shows a Vlchek 19/32x11/16 open-end wrench in the panel bar style, marked with "Drop Forged" and the fractional sizes forged into the shank, with a forged-in number "16" and "Made in U.S.A." on the reverse.

The overall length is 6.5 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

5/8x3/4 Open-End Wrench, Panel Bar Style

Fig. 106. Vlchek Panel Bar 5/8x3/4 Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Reverse Detail.

Fig. 106 shows a Vlchek 5/8x3/4 open-end wrench in the panel bar style, marked with "Drop Forged" and the fractional sizes forged into the shank, with a forged-in number "5" and "Made in U.S.A." on the reverse.

The overall length is 9.5 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

1-1/16x1-1/8 Open-End Wrench, Panel Bar Style

Fig. 107. Vlchek Panel Bar 1-1/16x1-1/8 Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Reverse Detail.

Fig. 107 shows a Vlchek 1-1/16x1-1/8 open-end wrench in the panel bar style, marked with "Drop Forged" and the fractional sizes forged into the shank, with a forged-in number "3" and "Made in U.S.A." on the reverse.

The overall length is 10.5 inches, and the finish is cadmium plating.

5/8x3/4 Open-End Wrench, Panel Bar Style

In later years Vlchek offered a chrome finish option for the Panel Bar wrench, in addition to the plain and cadmium finishes.

Fig. 108. Vlchek Panel Bar 5/8x3/4 Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Reverse Detail.

Fig. 108 shows a later Vlchek 5/8x3/4 Panel Bar open-end wrench with a chrome finish, marked with "Drop Forged" and the fractional sizes forged into the shank, with a forged-in number "38" and "Made in U.S.A." on the reverse.

The overall length is 7.5 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.