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PET or Portable Electric Tools was out of Geneva, Illinois, producing power tools from the 40's through the 60's. They first used the "Shopmate" name in 1958. They apparently made some products for Sears, Roebuck. There is a report that they may have been become part of the power tool line of G.W. Murphy, which was later acquired by the McGraw-Edison Company in 1972.
I recently acquired a "Hercules" drill that is identical, and that came with its original steel case:
"Hercules" was a Montreal-based chain of hardware stores that sold PET drills under their own name.
Below, my PET Shopmate sabre saw. Ah, the days of the all-alloy power tools!
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| From the web |
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| Popular Mechanics, January 1950 |
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI haze a fine working 1/4" drill from the portable Electric Tools Inc - Geneva-Illinois but can not change any drill as it lacks the key to open/close this magnificent tool. So only one drill ( blocked in the drill) is in use.
Does any one has a solution to that?
Many thanks on reply mail : jp.rzoska@telenet.be
Iddergem/ Belgium
Does anyone know if they are worth much money? I have 2 and they work.
DeleteThis drill has a keyless chuck, like old hand braces. You need to turn the chuck outward on its threaded shank (counter-clockwise, looking at it from the front) as far as it will go. Secure the chuck in a soft-faced vise (to protect the knurling--don't over-tighten the vice) with the end pointing upward. Soak the end (jaws protruding through the knurled chuck sleeve) with fine oil like WD-40. Then, using a very fine drift (1/8", preferably brass) carefully tap each end of of the three jaws with a light hammer. Ideally, this should push them back into the chuck, releasing the drill. Let me know if it works.
ReplyDeleteI am not interested in mechanical tools, and I don't know what it use for.
ReplyDeleteI’m looking firbsprings and brushes
ReplyDeleteJust picked up a model shopmate 1950h from a second hand tool store sans cord for $2 canadian pesos. 30 minutes later I have a working 1/4 drill. One thing to note about the drill that was cool is the ceramic marette connectors inside.
ReplyDeleteThis tool looks amazing.
ReplyDeleteHave a Zepher 1/4 inch works great. Smells a little bit like burning electrical when I start it and the shaft is slightly bent. But it is a/c,d/c and runs well on both.
ReplyDeleteI have the sabre saw as well.Anyone interested?
ReplyDeleteI have a shopmate model 320G that needs rewired. From drill to outlet
ReplyDeleteAnyone know what size wire that is and where i can find one
Thanks
What size is the plug (wire) on the shopmate model 320G and where i can find 1
ReplyDeleteI think 16 gauge stranded wire should be fine. Maybe you can find a 3 wire cable from a dead appliance?
ReplyDeleteTengo u. Cepillo eléctrico PET modelo 1701 tipo1, está perfecto, pero necesito las correas de transmisión. Donde se podrían comprar? Denominación comercial o tipo? 🙂
ReplyDeleteTranslated: I have a PET electric brush model 1701 type 1, it's perfect, but I need the transmission belts. Where could they be bought? Trade name or type?
ReplyDeleteI have a model ZP-1 Drill saw.. what's it worth, I can't find anything out about it.
ReplyDeleteI have,a Shop Mate 1/4 drill that I found years ago that was fathers as he was a electrician in the 50,s after the Korean war. Manny was his name. I tested the drill to fix a stool today and it still works fine. Thank you for durable tools!
ReplyDeleteI have my grandfather's Shopmate jigsaw Model SJ581M. I had it apart to solder a loose connection this afternoon. About 1964 or thereabouts as a guess. Nice tool. Not large, suited to light or medium work.
ReplyDeleteHL said:
ReplyDeleteGot a PET "Hi-Power" Model 77-H 1/4" Electric Drill and its red metal case. Finally figured out how to dislodge drill bit. Missing metal finger trigger but trigger stub still there and operates drill like new! Amazing after all these years. Anyone know what year this model was made or where I can find owners manual on this little drill?
When I got mine, I received an "Operating Instructions and Parts List" that is 2 pages, front and back. Is there a way to upload pictures on here?
DeleteI was given a Portable electronic tool inc Chicago IL. Zephyr model 411 4 1/4” circular saw. I love it. I have been trying to find a manual for it.
ReplyDeleteI'll keep an eye out, ya never knw... ;-)
ReplyDeleteHi Tracy, you can send pictures to gerald@vanwyngaarden.ca I’ll post them, thanks!
ReplyDelete