1/2 Universal Joint Progression
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On the left side is a rare early Universal joint. pre 1928
3nd from the right is a straight sided Universal date stamped 1928
2nd date stamped 1934 with mid 1930s light knurled pattern
1st is date stamped 1946 and has the 1937 – 1946 pattern
On the top is a rare early Universal joint. It is undated, but pre 1928. the 2nd from the top is date stamped 1928. It has straight sides, large logo with no other knurled pattern. The 3rd from the top is date stamped 1934 and has the mid 1930s light knurled pattern. The last one is date stamped 1946 and has the 1937 – 1946 pattern
Number |
Description |
Date |
No 8 |
Universal joint |
1925-1946 |
No. 8-L |
Universal Joint |
1953-1962 |
S-8 |
Universal Joint |
1967 -1978 |
1/2 Universal ball detent differences
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Left - 1934 flat ball detent
946 ball detent crimp style.
Above shows the 1934 and 1946 ball detent constructions. The 1934 is flat and the 1946 has a different crimp style. Some industrial tools seem to have this 1946 crimping. No idea of the significance or if this is significant
1/2 Post 1948 Universal Joint
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Catalog Drawing 1953. This shows the dual rib pattern. I see no difference between No 8-L and S-8
Catalog Drawing 1953. This shows the dual rib pattern. I see no difference between No 8-L and S-8
1/2 Flexockets
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I only have this one example of ½ Flex Sockets, so my comments are from the catalog
The first set looks a lot like the Universal joints of the period. These are listed until 1932. In 1933 a new improved thin walled socket was presented. These first sockets are heavy thick walled devices with single broaching and a logo but no part number.
The next period (strictly from the catalog, because I don’t have examples) is from 1933 and is smaller, double broached (after the first year’s run?) and thinner walled. These seem to have had the early 1930s pattern, but it is only suggested in the Catalog in 1936 and 1937. 1937 had a general pattern change, but the catalog suggests this did not happen to the Flex Sockets. The pattern change may have been late and is shown is 1939 (or the catalog was not updated)
From 1939 to 1946 my guess is the pattern and design remained unchanged, but there are listing omissions.
Flexockets |
Size |
Date Range |
No 16 |
½ |
Pre 1923 -1941 |
No 18 |
9/16 |
Pre 1923- 1941 |
No 20 |
5/8 |
Pre 1923- 1941 |
No. 22 |
11/16 |
Pre 1923- 1941 |
No. 24 |
¾ |
Pre 1923- 1941 |
These are smooth sided (no knurl)
1/2 Flexockets 1948
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Shown here is a 1948 catalog drawing. It shows a unique pattern, and not the double ribbed pattern of the general style change of in 1948.
1/2 Flexocket 1953
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In 1953 the pattern finally changed and ran through 1970. Other than the double broaching the SU series in 1962 and relabeling is the SUD series – no other changes seem to have occurred.
Flexockets |
Size |
Date Range |
SU-18 |
9/16 |
1948-1970 on |
SU-20 |
5/8 |
1948-1970 on |
SU-22 |
11/16 |
1948-1970 on |
SU-24 |
¾ |
1948-1970 on |
SU-26 |
15/16 |
1948-1970 on |
SU-28 |
7/8 |
1948-1970 on |
SU-30 |
15/16 |
1967-1970 on |
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Flexockets |
Size |
Date Range |
SUD-18 |
9/16 |
1962-1970 |
SUD-20 |
5/8 |
1962-1970 |
SUD-22 |
11/16 |
1962-1970 |
SUD-24 |
¾ |
1962-1970 |
SUD-26 |
13/16 |
1962-1970 |
SUD-28 |
7/8 |
1962-1970 |
SUD-30 |
15/16 |
1970 |
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A Whitworth series was shown at least once in 1958. I am sure these sizes were available on request or in the UK for long periods.
Special Sockets |
Description |
Date range |
WFU-99 |
¼ |
1958 |
WFU-100 |
5/16 |
1958 |
WFU-101 |
3/8 |
1958 |
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