General Mechanics Tool Set

[Wingnutt]

Screwdriver question for any and all GMTS'ers, especially those with Vlchek in their kits...

I have what appears to be a Vlchek 41-S-1640, "SCREWDRIVER, cross recess head, No. 3, 6 in. blade." It has a #3 point Phillips tip and a black handle with 6 vertical grooves. On the ferrule is the classic Vlchek logo that AA refers to as a "Banner V" (known here as a "Flying V") and MADE IN USA. On the shaft (/ is line break) is PHILLIPS - LIC 6 / PAT 2048037 / PAT 2046840 / MADE IN USA / ALLOY. The blade length from edge of ferrule to tip, however, is a hair shy of 5 1/2 inches, not 6 inches.

In direct comparison to a WWII vintage Stanley No. 3 cross-recess head screwdriver that I also own, which bears the same PHILLIPS Patent number on it, everything else appears to be identical. The heft, the #3 tip, the width of the shank, and the lengths of the ferrule and handle. It's just the blade that's a 1/2 inch short of the spec.

Did Vlchek make their No. 3 Phillips heads slightly shorter than 6 inches? I'm assuming yes, since I don't know of any Phillips size between No. 3 and No. 2, but this is not a well-read area for me. Does anyone know? Does anyone else have a Vlchek No. 3 and if so, can you please confirm that the blade is 5 1/2 inches?

[Roger]

Wingnutt, The length of the shaft and blade can fluctuate. The screwdriver being used as a punch or chisel can drive the shaft into the wood. Very common on the GM tool kit drivers. The Shielded Vlchek logo placed at the base of the blade (at ferrule) often pushed into and under the ferrule. Also I think the specs usually say +/- .

[Wingnutt]

Thanks, Roger. It's possible - the tip is a tad bunged up. The SNL doesn't say +/-, but I like that caveat... Might have to apply it to a few others.

[Hartofoak]

I was lucky enough to aquire this Stevens Walden 1/4 midget ('migit') socket set on UK eBay recently. It is marked with FSN 41-W-2615 and the feint remains of the Walden logo. There are eleven sockets, no tommy bar nor ratchet and a #3118 Walden Worcester 1/4" driver with part yellow painted handle. It has five hinge elements. I have attached some comparative illustrations of the 41-W-2615 from both the 1944 GMTK(S) and the 1943 MVMTS illustrations, together with an example of the logo.

[Wingnutt]

Nice socket set, Hartofoak. (I've never seen the handle on a driver from one of these sets painted like that.) And you've solved the faint emblem/logo mystery!

[OldGPW]

Hartofoak, nice set! based on the tool styles and the box having the 5 barrel hinge it's a good set.

[Hartofoak]

Hi Wingnutt. Thought you would like to see a couple more yellow handled 1/4" drivers that I found on a USA Garage forum website...

[OldGPW]

Hartofoak, I'm not sure where your sets fit in. They could predate the sets with the normal translucent amber handles or could be a temporary attempt to substitute another material.

The handles are solid black?, the yellow paint is for visibility imo. Do both sets you have with that spintite have 5 barrel hinges or does one have a 6 barreled hinge? The spintite has the look of the ww2 production, I think the machining changed postwar.

[Hartofoak]

Hi Old GPW. I only have one Stevens Walden Set ( I thought that was pretty good!!). The two I posted were for illustration of the yellow handles only and I believe neither had the 41-W-2615 label. The images were swiped from the other websites. One of these boxes I suspect has 6 hinge elements (BTW Zoom at 75% to see all my images). My (They) is solid black plastic with yellow paint overlaid the black plastic. These sets all have eleven sockets which is a variation from others posted on this thread. It would be good to have a tommy bar, but I'm not sure this was ever in my set.

[Wingnutt]

These sets all have eleven sockets which is a variation from others posted on this thread.

Not sure what you mean, Hartofoak. Greg Hines, Luca, and I posted sets with 11 sockets. According to Larry E. Long, the 1945 SNL listed 11. Eight (8) 6-points (3/16, 7/32, 1/4, 9/32, 5/16, 11/32, 3/8, and 7/16, Walden Model #'s 3016 - 3114, skipping 3113) and three (3) 8-point duplicate sizes (1/4, 5/16, 3/8, Walden Model #'s 3159 - 3161). Luca and my set of 11 are identical, and differ from the 1945 SNL, with the 11/32 (3111), 3/8 (3112), and 7/16 (3114) being 12 rather than 6 points. The SNL that starts this thread does not list any 1/4 sockets individually, but shows 10 in the RAPD illustration. No idea about the assortment of sizes.

[OldGPW]

Hartofoak It's a nice set, any of the boxes with the number even remotely legible is a great find. And to find them with any of the contents is always good.

11 sockets is considered by some to be "late war", based on the 1945 date of the SNL listing them. I think the change may have occurred 1944, but wasn't added to the SNL until the 1945 update; there may even have been an update circular issued in 1944 mentioning the change. The sockets you have look ok, so I think you have a full set of them.

[Hartofoak]

Came across this ad yesterday for a complete Duro-chrome ignition set in a leatherette role ~$40 .. any takers out there?

http://www.ecrater.com/p/9243646/duro-c ... ench-set-g

Hartofoak

[Wingnutt]

If by chance someone is thinking of purchasing this who doesn't need the leatherette roll-up for some reason (just wants extra wrenches, needs some of the wrenches but not all, needs only the pliers and screwdriver, etc) let me know. I will buy the roll-up from you, or essentially split the purchase (30/10, 25/15) with you. I have all the wrenches, midgit screwdriver and pliers, but need the roll-up. Thanks!

Thanks for the tip, Hartofoak.

[lt.luke]

http://www.ecrater.com/p/14333435/colle ... tools-351#

That 1/4" breaker looks the part too.

[Hartofoak]

Well spotted Luke. I've decided to buy the ignition set myself ... hope this doesn't upset anybody!