Hudson Tools?

RL Chilton

I've been perusing my Hudson Service Manual ('48-'54) quite a lot lately. There's a lot of reference to Hudson Service tools, some of which I've been able to substitute modern tools (wheel-pullers, etc.) that do a similar job to "Factory-approved" tools.



I was wondering if many of these original service tools are still out there? Surely some of y'all have many of these items. Anyone ever sell any or make reproductions? I think it would be cool, not to mention handy, to have some of the originals. I can't recall ever seeing any on E-Bay. I also know there are some collectors of other brands that really get into original hand tools supplied with the automobiles and the "factory approved" service tools.

oldhudsons

yes, I have several, inc. an original steering wheel puller & vibration dampener puller. I may also have the tool used for location when the distributor is removed.

[Deleted User]

Russell, Most of the factory approved tools supplied to Hudson were supplied by the Kent-Moore organization of Michigan. Last I checked Kent-Moore is still around but have long since exhausted their supoply of Hudson approved tools. Keep looking at larger Hudson regional meets and auto swap meets. They do pop up occasionally. Before Kent-Moore came into the picture Hudson also used Miller tool of Detroit as their factory approved service tool supplier.

hudsontech

http://www.hudsonterraplane.com/tech/tech_index.htm



Somewhere in my computer files I have a 1950's Kent-Moore catalog I scanned. I'll have to see if I can find that one.



Hudsonly,

Alex Burr

HudsonTech

Memphis, TN

RL Chilton

Thanks Lance and Alex. Good info to have.



Pete-



I figured you would be one of the guys that had some of these tools!;)





Alex-



Very cool, indeed. I actually happen to have two Van Dorn 1/4" drills that still work (although I seldom use them). Van Dorn later became Porter-Cable. Van Dorns were listed later in the catalog after the B & D.



I'm a tool hound and have a particular fondness for older tools. Alex, if you happen to find the '50's Kent-Moore catalog, I'd be very interested in seeing it.

nick s

Not sure why it was there, but I noticed a Hudson wheel puller in the recent meet pictures that showed a front wheel bearing replacement. I figure the proud owner was just showing it off.

[Deleted User]

I have a 1950's Kent Moore catalog which shows images of most of the specialty tools they were making for automotive manufacturers with the Hudson tools highlighted. The images could provide some assistance in helping to locate a similar tool now being manufactured or one that was made in the past (maybe even an original Kent Moore tool!). On occasion, these Kent Moore catalogs come up for sale at automotive swap meets (where I bought mine) and of course on eBay.



By the way to help illustrate the necessity of these specialty tools, I have a Snap-On universal 1950 steering wheel puller that I used successfully last week to replace the cracked steering wheel on my Pacemaker. It came off with a "BANG!" when I finally loosened it enough with the puller as it was incredibly snug on the steering shaft. The puller did the trick and I think I would have had an impossible time removing it by the usual suggestions of "wacking the steering shaft with a hammer while you pull up on the wheel itself with your knees" or banging the bottom of the wheel near the shaft with a rubber mallet.

[Deleted User]

Slowly but surely I have built up my supply of Hudson approved tools. I have most of the Kent-Moore tools shown in the Hudson Tool catalog. You need to take those numbers from the catalog and search on those. I got a lot of stuff from ebay and at flea markets, swap meets etc. I have my list I carry in my back pocket just in case. I got a complete set of Hydramatic service tools from a newspaper ad. So keep your eyes open you never know where they will show up.

oldhudsons

for use with the steering wheel puller, depending on the wheel, I made a U-shaped collar of very hard plywood to slip over the steering column & between the puller & the bottom of the wheel thus providing a wider surface of force against the bottom of the wheel.

It's a good idea to soak the threads for a day or so with some anti-rust liquid before starting to use the puller.



I have a pre-WW 2 Kent-Moore book which is really neat as the illustrations show '30s Hudsons - the best one shows a '36 H8 cp. with all possible accessories on a hydraulic lift (lift an offering by K-M).

Think I'll see if I can't scan some of it as another shows an old dude with a fascinating Elec. Hand testing device on the door of a '35 + the hood is open & you can see a "new" engine with EH on it, LOL!

hudsontech

RL Chilton wrote:

Thanks Lance and Alex. Good info to have.







Alex-



I'm a tool hound and have a particular fondness for older tools. Alex, if you happen to find the '50's Kent-Moore catalog, I'd be very interested in seeing it.

I'll have to do some digging - can't find it on my hard drive so maybe on a CD. There are a number of people have things like this that I'd love to borrow, but have run into total oblivion in asking, so gave up. Of course, I can't blame people for not lending, the postal service is abysmal in this country, but I've never lost anything yet. At least answer my query if I do ask. There is one person on here has a bunch of bulletins (no, not oldhudson), apparently - I gave up waiting for an answer there.



So, we shall continue to hunt out what is available and let the collectors have their treasures.



In advance sorry for the sour grapes - I just feel this stuff should be out in the public domain so people can use it as needed. Otherwise I'm probably just wasting my time and energy - but I'll keep at it.



Hudsonly,

Alex Burr

Memphis, TN

[Deleted User]

I have the 50's Hudson tool catalogs I will scan as soon as I can.

oldhudsons

made perfunctory search for pre-war K-M catalog, no luck - will dig for it later today but may have given it to tudor1 or have it at house in Prescott

dover1

Hi Pete, Yes I got it from you at a Hudson meet. Can't rember which one but I recall you sold that huge Hudson sales book to Mike Cherry at the same meet. buzz

[Deleted User]

RL Chilton wrote:

I've been perusing my Hudson Service Manual ('48-'54) quite a lot lately. There's a lot of reference to Hudson Service tools, some of which I've been able to substitute modern tools (wheel-pullers, etc.) that do a similar job to "Factory-approved" tools.

I was wondering if many of these original service tools are still out there? Surely some of y'all have many of these items. Anyone ever sell any or make reproductions? I think it would be cool, not to mention handy, to have some of the originals. I can't recall ever seeing any on E-Bay. I also know there are some collectors of other brands that really get into original hand tools supplied with the automobiles and the "factory approved" service tools.

Russell


I have Kent Moore books covering thre 48-54 Hudson specialty tools. The following link is on my website and it covers the Hudson Hydramatic tools.

http://hudsonrestoration1948-54.com/PDFFiles/hydramatic%20tools.pdf

If needed I will scan the remaining pages to list all the Kent Moore tools.

Ken

RL Chilton

Ken-



That would be awesome! I'd sure love to have a copy.

Clutchguy

Needless to say ,I have all the tools shown for clutch repair and service. I also have a complete set of the body jacks for the Stepdown model cars. I also have several of the engine special tools,and something I didn't realize until a few years ago,the water pump rebuilding fixture,shown in the shop manual,also in the tool catalog. I have several Hydramatic tools but don't have any clue to what they are. Most of these tools are priceless to me.:cool::)

ski4life65

currently on ebay



http://cgi.ebay.com/KENT-MOORE-1952-HUDSON-SERVICE-TOOL-GUIDE_W0QQitemZ160330753605QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item160330753605&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

oldhudsons

OK Buzz - will look again but thought I'd have found it if I still have it but if not, glad you're the one who does.