Vintage Craftsman Ratchet – The Garage Journal

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twertsy

Well-known member

Oct 7, 2016

#2

The infamous "Amber Handled" Craftsman. They are pretty hard to come by, made by New Britain.

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ganymede

Well-known member

Oct 7, 2016

#3

As Twertsy said, not too common. The plastic coating was kind of thin and their survival rate is low.
Also they weren't produced for very long.

P

pendragon1998

Well-known member

Oct 7, 2016

#4

I have a pair of amber handle adjustable pliers.

A seller on ebay has these dykes.

Here's a thread if you're interested:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=322891

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Beerman

Well-known member

Oct 7, 2016

#5

I happen to own one of those rats. Given to me by my late Grandfather circa 1992. He had owned it since it was new.

Been in my toolbox, but not used, ever since.

NEVER seen another, in the wild.

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coljar

Well-known member

Oct 7, 2016

#6

Here is the one I have Ryan. It was my grandfather's and as you can see, identical to the Craftsman, and made by New Britain. He stamped them with his first name as he did with many of his tools.

Last edited: Oct 8, 2016

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softailgarage

Well-known member

Oct 8, 2016

#7

Anyone have a date of which these where sold? I'd like to check it out in the catalog

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softailgarage

Well-known member

Oct 8, 2016

#8

I found it in the 1939 catalog, sold as part of the Super Socket Set for $19.00. I'd post the ad, but until I pay acrobat to renew, I cant.

M

montanafordman

Well-known member

Oct 8, 2016

#9

softailgarage said:
I found it in the 1939 catalog, sold as part of the Super Socket Set for $19.00. I'd post the ad, but until I pay acrobat to renew, I cant.

Wow, $19 was a ton of money in that day!

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Gear Wolf

Well-known member

Oct 8, 2016

#10

Void

Last edited: Jan 20, 2021

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wrenchr

Super Moderator

Staff member

Oct 8, 2016

#11

Did not know they made the pliers with that handle..............Pretty cool!!!

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lbgradwell

Well-known member

Oct 8, 2016

#12

wrenchr said:
Did not know they made the pliers with that handle..............Pretty cool!!!

Nor did I...

S

I have a ratchet that looks like that, but without the amber handle. Does anyone know if the plastic was just an add-on to the regular handles, or were the actual metal parts different on the ones that were intended for the plastic? Just curious...

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CRTDI

Well-known member

Oct 8, 2016

#14

From a previous thread:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=31274&highlight=craftsman+amber

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Richard Cranium

Well-known member

Oct 9, 2016

#15

I have one like steve pictured.

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AG Camaro

Well-known member

Oct 17, 2016

#16

A little late to this party, but here are mine. 2 breaker bars. They were grandpa's. I use them all the time. In fact I used them yesterday! Didn't realize they are "rare". :shocking:

Maybe I should get a new set and display them in the shop!

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Rileysan

Well-known member

Oct 17, 2016

#17

AG Camaro said:
A little late to this party, but here are mine. 2 breaker bars. They were grandpa's. I use them all the time. In fact I used them yesterday! Didn't realize they are "rare".

Maybe I should get a new set and display them in the shop!

Glad to hear they're holding up well. These really are quite uncommon, if not rare. In fact, I've seen more ratchets with intact handles than breaker bars. Don't be surprised if you get a few offers for them. Please take care of them!

Brian

Edit:

Here's a sold listing from eBay for a 1/4" amber handled breaker bar - sold for $52.50
http://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-Crafts...380828?hash=item4652b62a5c:g:bYkAAOSwU-pXp5MO

I couldn't locate any others from the past 3 months.

Last edited: Oct 17, 2016

A

AG Camaro

Well-known member

Oct 17, 2016

#18

Rileysan said:
Glad to hear they're holding up well. These really are quite uncommon, if not rare. In fact, I've seen more ratchets with intact handles than breaker bars. Don't be surprised if you get a few offers for them. Please take care of them!

Brian

Edit:

Here's a sold listing from eBay for a 1/4" amber handled breaker bar - sold for $52.50
http://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-Crafts...380828?hash=item4652b62a5c:g:bYkAAOSwU-pXp5MO

I couldn't locate any others from the past 3 months.

Holy cow! I was kidding about getting a new pair, but looking at that ebay listing I should reconsider! Thanks for posting the info. I appreciate it. Nice to know I actually have something special.

K

Karl's Garage

Well-known member

Oct 17, 2016

#19

Very nice ratchet.

Z

Zeeman

Well-known member

Oct 17, 2016

#20

AG Camaro said:
A little late to this party, but here are mine. 2 breaker bars. They were grandpa's. I use them all the time. In fact I used them yesterday! Didn't realize they are "rare".

Maybe I should get a new set and display them in the shop!

Very nice! I want a set now.

V

VintageOkieDriver

Well-known member

Oct 17, 2016

#21

Very cool ratchet!

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dr_clyde

Well-known member

Oct 18, 2016

#22

Here's my modest collection. These belonged to my grandfather. I got them as part of his toolbox when he passed. He most likely got them from his father in law, who owned a lot of the other tools in the box.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=335702

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Teenager with old tools

Well-known member

Oct 25, 2016

#23

you mean to tell me that everytime ive seen those what i thought to be "cheap craftsman ratchets with ugly handles" are worth more than the three dollars i coulds bought a few for about 7 months ago at a yard sale? there any other tools besides craftsman with similar handles that are worth some cash? dont mean to hijack thread just thinkin wtf.

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Westly

Well-known member

Oct 25, 2016

#24

It clearly has "Forged" stamped on it. I have never seen a real one.

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Rileysan

Well-known member

Oct 25, 2016

#25

Teenager with old tools said:
you mean to tell me that everytime ive seen those what i thought to be "cheap craftsman ratchets with ugly handles" are worth more than the three dollars i coulds bought a few for about 7 months ago at a yard sale? there any other tools besides craftsman with similar handles that are worth some cash? dont mean to hijack thread just thinkin wtf.

Lord almighty, yes! I would go so far as to tell you that any USA made Craftsman ratchet is worth more than the $3 you chose not to spend. That's not to say they're worth as much as these, but certainly worth buying.

It clearly has "Forged" stamped on it. I have never seen a real one.

O

Outlawmws

Well-known member

Oct 27, 2016

#26

I don't know about the 39 catalog, but I have a PDF of the '42 catalog and they only showed in the "Super Delux Set" near the end of the catalog. came with a Box, all three drive sizes (a small box for the 1/4" set); Ratchets, breakers, and the 1/2" speeder, with both handles (so I assume both handles spun) Sockets also but no plastic on those.

42 pieces, for $32.50

The boxes were blue and had the blue oval Long C emblem.

If the set was also offered in 39, then only sold for 2-3 years because after the war started for the US in late 41, Everything was cut way back on the civilian side. These never were re-offered.

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rubberrodder

Well-known member

Oct 27, 2016

#27

Stevedore said:
I have a ratchet that looks like that, but without the amber handle. Does anyone know if the plastic was just an add-on to the regular handles, or were the actual metal parts different on the ones that were intended for the plastic? Just curious...

Holey chit! I gots me one of them! Mine looks just like this picture. Naked metal handle and all. Old, Craftsman, made in USA... no wonder it's one of my favorite "go to" ratchets. The fact that it's kinda-sorta rare Is extra frosting on the cupcake!

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Outlawmws

Well-known member

Oct 27, 2016

#28

Only the ones with the amber plastic are rare. the others, while not that common, don't command anywhere near the same value.

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Gear Wolf

Well-known member

Oct 27, 2016

#29

AG Camaro said:
A little late to this party, but here are mine. 2 breaker bars. They were grandpa's. I use them all the time. In fact I used them yesterday! Didn't realize they are "rare".

Maybe I should get a new set and display them in the shop!

Holy ****! You have some very nice amber handle breaker bars there!