Crescent LT70 Ratchet, so bad I like it!

[Ksem89]

This was in a tool box full of tools that I purchased for $10, already got my money back by warranting a few craftsman items. So this USA made Crescent LT70 was just a score, to me.

Most of what I could find online was the dislike that this ratchet gets. Yea, its an unconventional mechanism, which probably cannot handle heavy abuse, hence why these are pretty cheap, but its interesting to me. This was crescents short lived journey into ratchets. Mine has the patent, so its after 1961 or so. Im not sure when these were last produced however, but it looks like the patent expired in 1978.

This one seems to be very lightly used, and once cleaned and greased, it works like a charm.

Most of the finish is satin, except around the head which is chromed.

I like the slope that the anvil has, and the square handle, well, not as cozy as others, but I dont mind it.

Based on the click test, it appears to be a 48 tooth ratchet.

I just wanted to show a little love to this odd guy, anyone else have one?

k

 

[bonneyman]

Yours is the nicest example I've seen! Kudos!
I've had one or two come across my bench. Repaired one for a forum member with parts from a donor rat from another member. Different mechanism, I think it was a 1950's patent. Nice action, can't speak to the durability as I never had one and worked it for an extended time. Though I would expect alot of wear on the twin pawls pivot points, and then they'd get loose and wobbly and probably slip.
Here's the patent:

US2982161A - Ratchet wrench - Google Patents

 

[Ksem89]

Yours is the nicest example I've seen! Kudos!
I've had one or two come across my bench. Repaired one for a forum member with parts from a donor rat from another member. Different mechanism, I think it was a 1950's patent. Nice action, can't speak to the durability as I never had one and worked it for an extended time. Though I would expect alot of wear on the twin pawls pivot points, and then they'd get loose and wobbly and probably slip.
Here's the patent:

US2982161A - Ratchet wrench - Google Patents

Thanks!!! Yea I did see your thread, I dont think it actually concluded, so Im happy to hear this forums ratchet got fixed! And thanks for the link, yea applied for in 59, granted in 61. Im guessing mine is 70s? Im just not sure how long crescent remained making these, or making tool in the usa.

k

 

[S-K Tool Fanatic!]

I have one, it works good when it wants too. Sometimes it just locks up, someday if I get bored i’ll tear into it.

 

[bonneyman]

Might just be gunked up. Doesn't take much to clog up the pivots.

 

[S-K Tool Fanatic!]

I cleaned and lubed it when I first got it but I think the mech might be messed up.

 

[Ksem89]

I cleaned and lubed it when I first got it but I think the mech might be messed up.

Take it apart and see! It takes 10 seconds.

k