Yard Sale Craftsman Ratchet

Tom from Buckeye Lake · Aug 2, 2015

Found this at a yard sale. Old Craftsman 1/2" drive ratchet, in working order. Anyone have an idea of it's age? I don't think Sears would have a repair kit or replacement for it !

TimV · Aug 2, 2015

You might be surprised what's out there for repair kits for these oldies should you need one--there's a lot of interest in keeping them alive as so many of the new ones, even high-dollar ones from manufacturers who used to be trustworthy, are no longer worth getting for anyone but the most occasional of users. There's several good online references for dating them, two of which I've linked below, and once you've got a date, which may also give you the manufacturer, you can look around for the proper repair kit should you need one.

http://www.papawswrench.com/vboard/index.php?topic=673.0
dating Craftsman tools

dr sportster · Aug 2, 2015

If it feels worn you can go to Sears and ask to see the refurbished ratchets. They should pretty much let you choose which modern one you want. I just turned in a garage sale ratchet last week because I could not get the clip to seat back into the groove. I ended up with a rebuilt that had the quick release. If you exchange make sure it reads forged in USA.

4play · Aug 2, 2015

I'm not saying everyone should collect old tools but I would probably leave that one alone and put it in the collection. I don't know much on the craftsman tool history but a quick search dated the "H" circle stamp to be from the 1933-1940's.

Gambles · Aug 2, 2015

They'll probably give you a replacement, but it won't be anything like that one.
A few years ago, I had a 1/2" ratchet that I had purchased in the early '80s. I liked it and it had a nice feel. They could no longer get the ratchet mechanism as a replacement, so they gave me a whole different refurbished ratchet. The new one has all the warnings and lawyerese etched into it. The new one doesn't feel the same and I hardly ever use it.

Tom from Buckeye Lake · Aug 2, 2015

Sorry if I mislead anyone.' This ratchet seems to be in fine working order. I was joking about parts or replacement.

Thanks for the replys

gab · Aug 2, 2015

Found the twin 10 or 15 years ago. Around 1970 I had all the same style ratchets except the 3/4" and busted them all several times until parts were scarce and switched to Snap On.

gab · Aug 2, 2015

Bought a long 1/2" ratchet in about 1970 and used it a lot, felt nice until couldn't get a kit for it anymore. Sears offered me a short breaker bar or some junk new ratchet I didn't want so I talked the guy in to a long swivelhead swap.

Yard Sale Craftsman Ratchet

Tom from Buckeye Lake

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TimV

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dr sportster

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4play

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Gambles

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Tom from Buckeye Lake

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gab

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gab

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