The Jalopy Journal

MachineTech · 08-24-2008, 04:46 PM

Can anyone identify the apprx. year of this old wreck? The top says CRAFTSMAN and the bottom says FORGED IN U.S.A. If there were any part #s they are gone now. I know I can exchange this, do I wan't to?

v8garage · 08-24-2008, 05:01 PM

It is a Craftsman made by Plomb. Probably from the 1940"s. The other 2 ratchets in the picture are war era Plomb. Same ratcheting mechanism.

MachineTech · 08-24-2008, 05:04 PM

Wow thanks, mine looks like the shiny one in your collection, 1/2 drive. The reverse lever on mine is broke though.

lbgradwell · 08-24-2008, 05:06 PM

I believe that to be a mid-1940s Plomb-manufactured ratchet. There was actually a thread within the past few days showing its similarities to the "Wright Field" Plombs manufactured during WWII.

I wouldn't trade it in, but my interests might be different than yours. Personally, I'd give that thing a good cleaning & use it or keep it as an oddity! You will see examples on eBay periodically (they are relatively rare) and they typically fetch ~$20.

EDIT: Right! It was v8garage's thread!

billymade · 08-24-2008, 05:13 PM

Page with similar ratchets: http://alloy-artifacts.com/plomb-gallery-p3.html
Yours looks like a good candidate for

http://www.evapo-rust.com/

MachineTech · 08-24-2008, 05:20 PM

Thanks everyone, unfortunatly I can't use use it because the reverse lever is broke and the drive just spins around (would love to though-impress the hell outta the guys at work). I guess I'll just hang onto it for relics sake.

v8garage · 08-24-2008, 05:52 PM

MachineTech,
The ratchets in the picture aren't mine, just some handy reference shots I found on e-bay a while back. The ratchets in the picture are 3/8". I have a 3/8" Craftsman ratchet just like the one in the picture that was my Dads. I would like to have a 1/2" to match it. If you ever decide to sell or trade yours just PM me.

le6920 · 08-24-2008, 06:03 PM

I've got a 1/2 and 3/8 like that one. You are correct your lever is broken off- missing. It will be tough to get parts for it, but not impossible. I'd keep it for collecting sake.

08-24-2008, 05:04 PM	#3
MachineTech Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wisconsin/Illinois border Posts: 229	Re: Old Craftsman Ratchet Found Wow thanks, mine looks like the shiny one in your collection, 1/2 drive. The reverse lever on mine is broke though.

08-24-2008, 05:06 PM	#4
lbgradwell Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Oakville, ON Posts: 3,864	Re: Old Craftsman Ratchet Found I believe that to be a mid-1940s Plomb-manufactured ratchet. There was actually a thread within the past few days showing its similarities to the "Wright Field" Plombs manufactured during WWII. I wouldn't trade it in, but my interests might be different than yours. Personally, I'd give that thing a good cleaning & use it or keep it as an oddity! You will see examples on eBay periodically (they are relatively rare) and they typically fetch ~$20. EDIT: Right! It was v8garage's thread! __________________ Last edited by lbgradwell; 08-24-2008 at 05:08 PM.

08-24-2008, 05:13 PM	#5
billymade Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: New Mexico Posts: 7,366	Re: Old Craftsman Ratchet Found Page with similar ratchets: http://alloy-artifacts.com/plomb-gallery-p3.html Yours looks like a good candidate for http://www.evapo-rust.com/ __________________ "I can't stop buying those $1 Snap-On 1/2 wrenches!" Don't Worry Its OK, your NOT alone; tool addicts of the world UNITE! Being able to reach into your rollaway and finding the right tool for any given situation/repair; is the ultimate power trip! Last edited by billymade; 08-24-2008 at 05:15 PM.

08-24-2008, 05:20 PM	#6
MachineTech Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wisconsin/Illinois border Posts: 229	Re: Old Craftsman Ratchet Found Thanks everyone, unfortunatly I can't use use it because the reverse lever is broke and the drive just spins around (would love to though-impress the hell outta the guys at work). I guess I'll just hang onto it for relics sake.

08-24-2008, 05:52 PM	#7
v8garage Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 894	Re: Old Craftsman Ratchet Found MachineTech, The ratchets in the picture aren't mine, just some handy reference shots I found on e-bay a while back. The ratchets in the picture are 3/8". I have a 3/8" Craftsman ratchet just like the one in the picture that was my Dads. I would like to have a 1/2" to match it. If you ever decide to sell or trade yours just PM me. __________________ Long live the V/8 ______________ WTB: Bonney single offset box-end wrenches. PM me if you have any of these for sale.

08-24-2008, 06:03 PM	#8
le6920 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 258	Re: Old Craftsman Ratchet Found I've got a 1/2 and 3/8 like that one. You are correct your lever is broken off- missing. It will be tough to get parts for it, but not impossible. I'd keep it for collecting sake.

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