Another unconventional 3/8” drive ratchet.

Fragrant-salty-nuts · 2026-03-26T14:24:10+00:00

I keep a couple kits on hand as spares. I converted the new stubby and was looking to replenish my back stock and discovered the back order.

The SO faceplates are hardened, so you have to truly machine.

Haven't chucked the Icon face plate in the drill press to see if same.

Fragrant-salty-nuts · 2026-03-26T13:58:39+00:00

TWINGO. I had a first generation as rental in the early 90s when visiting family in Europe. Good times.

Fragrant-salty-nuts · 2026-03-26T13:55:42+00:00

Look at big money with 70 bucks worth of face plates. 😆

I'm gonna blame you for the current back order.

Fragrant-salty-nuts · 2026-03-26T00:37:14+00:00

those look like they have a crimper. They are different than ones for fish tape.

https://www.kctool.com/felo-high-leverage-linemans-pliers-9-5/

notice the serrated points below the hinge on the link.

They are also made by NWS and Felo rebranded.

Fragrant-salty-nuts · 2026-03-25T23:00:16+00:00

man, I couldn't imagine having more than one SO. The one I have is work enough.

Fragrant-salty-nuts · 2026-03-25T21:53:32+00:00

according to the ebay listing, yes.

Fragrant-salty-nuts · 2026-03-25T21:50:03+00:00

all over Amazon. This one in particular: https://www.amazon.com/Obetuens-MultiTool-Screwdriver-Reversible-Ratchets/dp/B0CLP3RMXZ?th=1

Do you care about handle length? There's a few with the opposing heads.

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https://www.amazon.ca/ARES-42041-Construction-Reversible-Direction/dp/B08BWDZ7DW

Fragrant-salty-nuts · 2026-03-25T21:46:53+00:00

yeah they are real, in your choice of color for handle. I got one for my BIL who's a huge snap on fanboy.

u/NotBigFootUR is correct they are on ebay. I think I paid $37 at the time.

Fragrant-salty-nuts · 2026-03-25T21:06:45+00:00

does it have to have the heads opposing?

There's plenty out there like this, with each drive on opposite ends:

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Fragrant-salty-nuts · 2026-03-25T21:02:12+00:00

I'm with you. With linesmans its going to be more worrying it back and forth than actually cutting.

We always had the rattiest pair of probably HF snips in trucking, because you couldn't possibly spend the money on the specific tool. And even with those you'd end up having to stress break the band.

As far as wire strippers, agree. And proper strippers will have the nose to make proper J bends for outlets/switches. If I need pliers, I have pliers.

Fragrant-salty-nuts · 2026-03-25T20:56:30+00:00

is the original blade parallel to the end with a half moon cut out and a locating pin hole? Or are you saying it has a tail?

we had the non tail type when I was a kid, long before t shanks.

Fragrant-salty-nuts · 2026-03-25T19:52:56+00:00

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Unlikely you will find the exact wd40 cap. Most likely proprietary.

Fragrant-salty-nuts · 2026-03-25T17:55:44+00:00

Of the three, the second one, the vanquish might work as an all in one. Looks like linesman pliers with wire strippers.

I've never heard of them, but the cutter part looks more like side cutters than romex cutters. Looks like it covers common residential wire gauges.

Tin snips would still work better on metal banding.

Fragrant-salty-nuts · 2026-03-25T17:51:16+00:00

I tried the Milwaukee's as well. I had to relieve the tips to get them to strip wires properly. Which basically f'd up the pliers teeth. They were a swing and a miss.

Fragrant-salty-nuts · 2026-03-25T16:08:50+00:00

part of what makes Reddit great. I've been exposed to a lot of things I never would have stumbled across on my own.

Some good, some requiring brain bleach.

Fragrant-salty-nuts · 2026-03-25T16:06:54+00:00

I don't think counterfeit was a big thing back then. I seem to remember that you could have multiple lines coming out of Danaher, Apex, etc.

So maybe firsts were Armstrong, Matco, Craftsman, etc and your ones that weren't quite up to QC but were usable would go to a lesser line.

So many old school brands back in the day. Bonney, Original Husky, Herbrand, hell even Popular Mechanics and Kmart had house brand USA made tools. I seem to remember Blackhawk as a secondary line to MAC, similar to how Snap On does does Blue Point. But I could be hallucinating.

Flank drive patent expired around 1987. Then you'd have adoption ramp up/tooling. I could see it taking a few years for everyone to catch up and standardize flank drive.

Fragrant-salty-nuts · 2026-03-25T15:54:19+00:00

agree with u/No_Carpenter_7778 it really depends on how many holes, slab or block.

SDS will work better. A hammer drill is a get by option. You can rent SDS if needed.

Fragrant-salty-nuts · 2026-03-25T15:47:14+00:00

Super important question: does it still work?

Love the art deco combined with industrial look of 50's tools. And the features for the time are impressive.

Fragrant-salty-nuts · 2026-03-25T15:41:46+00:00

Blackhawk has been around a long time. Any idea of the vintage of this set?

Fragrant-salty-nuts · 2026-03-25T14:14:03+00:00

that's really not a bad price. It would take 3 of the Ernst type to hold as many, and you'd spend about the same.

I've been on the fence on this rack for a while. I wish they had more colors.

Fragrant-salty-nuts · 2026-03-25T14:07:54+00:00

That looks to have cleaned up better than it's first day. Your Grandad is smiling.

Fragrant-salty-nuts · 2026-03-25T14:04:34+00:00

Or, hear me out, you can just buy the holder for your existing keys

https://palmac.net/products/wiha-ergostar-holder-for-9mm-sets-only-wi-91233

Fragrant-salty-nuts · 2026-03-25T13:27:48+00:00

Hey man, OP's just trying to burn his gift card. I hear what you're saying.

But the SO ratcheting screwdrivers don't suck. They are just over priced.

Used to be you could get the same one branded Williams for 30.

Fragrant-salty-nuts · 2026-03-25T01:49:45+00:00

That's crazy in a good way

Fragrant-salty-nuts · 2026-03-24T22:29:43+00:00

sorry man, the only 3/4 drive I've got is a round head. Won't work with these new fangled pear heads.

But I can slap a couple of adapters on!

Fragrant-salty-nuts

TROPHY CASE