Recently in the world of mechanics tools there has been lots of hype over fine tooth ratchets with 80+ tooth counts. This is actually nothing new. Back in the 1950′s, J.H. Williams Co-produced an extra fine tooth ratchet. It had dual opposed pawls that were not in sync with each other. As one pawl disengaged, [...]

Speaking of hard to service ratchets, here’s a nice early 1930′s, 1/2 ” drive ratchet from Blackhawk mfg co. The ratchet is gearless and even after looking at the patent drawings I cant figure out how it works or how to dis-assemble it. The little thing on top that looks like a screw isn’t. It’s [...]

Here’s a nice old 1/2″ drive ratchet by Indestro mfg co. They were owned by Duro Metal Product corp of Chicago and this model was part of their “Indestro Super” line of tools. 70 years after it was made it is now ‘super’ difficult to perform any kind of maintenance on it because the inner [...]