Vintage Craftsman wrench holders.

[scotsman]

Hi everyone, I started a page about those cool vintage Craftsman wrench holders! Been working on it about a year, got to a point today where it's ready to upload and share. If you see anything wrong, or incomplete, please let me know! Corrections and additions are always welcome. I'd like the page to be as accurate as possible.
Thanks!
Scot

https://sites.google.com/view/sears-craftsman-wrench-holders?usp=sharing

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Hi everyone,

Welcome to GJ! Or should I say, 'Welcome back to GJ!,' since it seems your first post was back in November of 2023! (I guess when you said you were working on it for about a year - you weren't kidding! )

I started a page about those cool vintage Craftsman wrench holders!

Exceptionally well done! I am going to add this thread to the A-Z Index of Threads in the Sticky for easy reference in the future. People will find your link and any ensuing examples and discussions.

If you see anything wrong, or incomplete, please let me know! Corrections and additions are always welcome.

How about questions?

What are the dimensions of the stands? Not posted in the catalogs or your excellent study. I am not sure how else to distinguish a 4454 (DOEs) from a 4391 (DBEs)? They both look identical, both hold six (6) wrenches, ranging from 3/8" to 1". I see that that DBE stand is depicted as larger, which makes sense, but if you only have one (as I do!), that's no help, especially because the slots seem to readily accommodate the shanks of DOEs, DBEs, and Combos.

Here is my example, in woeful condition compared to yours.

 

[scotsman]

Thanks Lugz,
Glad you are enjoying the page!

Great idea! Recording the sizes. It will get that done in the next few days and add that data to the site.

Among the 8 total variations, there are only four physical size varients:

Sets 1,3, and 6 are the same physical size.
Sets 2 and 7 are the same. (Base is noticeably wider)
Sets 4 and 8 are the same. (9 wrenches)
And set 5 is unique to itself. (11 wrenches)

To tell the wider set 2 apart from 1 and 3, note where the right and left edges of the phrase "The greatest name in tools" intersects with the round wrench-size mark above it, the wider base of Set 2 then stands out.

If you have one with no wrenches, you can tell which it is by noting the logo and wrench sizes. The first three each have a unique set of wrench sizes. Yours is a "Set 1", 4454, six open end wrenches.

Thanks,
Scot

 

[Private Lugnutz]

If you have one with no wrenches, you can tell which it is by noting the logo and wrench sizes. The first three each have a unique set of wrench sizes.

I was just about to argue with you - when I double-checked myself. Had I noticed the DBE rack had two different wrenches than the DOEs in the middle of the classic 3/8" to 1" 6-wrench run, I wouldn't have asked a DUMB question! Thanks. Glad to see it's the DOE rack.

 

[Smokeshow69]

Great write up! At one point I was studying this exact thing but then my focus moved on to other things. I myself have 2 of the 3 wrench racks. I still need to find a combo wrench rack.

One thing I noticed you didnt mention was the d ring metal slide retainers that originally came with these wrenches to keep the contents from spilling. I would recommend you find pictures and add that to your excellent web page just to be as complete as possible about these cool racks!

 

[twistedstang]

Nice work! Thanks for sharing your research

 

[Cruzan80]

I have several of these, only one I am missing is the extended DBE set. I am guessing that the last wrench in the larger DOE set wasn't part of a "normal" set, as that is the only one I am still missing, and seems to be fairly rare (compared to the others).

At some point, I was debating about trying to get one of the decal people to do the circles in metric sizing... Just to mess with people.

 

[Smokeshow69]

I have several of these, only one I am missing is the extended DBE set. I am guessing that the last wrench in the larger DOE set wasn't part of a "normal" set, as that is the only one I am still missing, and seems to be fairly rare (compared to the others).

At some point, I was debating about trying to get one of the decal people to do the circles in metric sizing... Just to mess with people.

And don’t forget you could create a green whitworth version as well

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I don't collect the wrenches from that era, but I do keep some kissin' kuzzin DUNLAP on the holder. Black oxide sharps made of carbon steel, but sleek, handsome wrenches. Not all the right milled openings. They don't fit very well, ironically. Not only are they slimmer than their = MDF = era counterparts, they're also a tad shorter.

 

[FrankLee]

One thing I noticed you didnt mention was the d ring metal slide retainers that originally came with these wrenches to keep the contents from spilling. I would recommend you find pictures and add that to your excellent web page just to be as complete as possible about these cool racks!

Below is a photo of a rack with the retaining wires. I believe the wires are original.
I don't believe the 1/2 x 9/16 wrench is original to the set because the wires did not fit with it in the rack.


After the rack was cleaned and waxed:

 

[Cruzan80]

And don’t forget you could create a green whitworth version as well

Did they make 6 whitworth wrenches? I only have one or two. I also have a couple on the combo rack with the speed open end, that were from the =V= era, and one that needs relabeled that has Saltus wrenches on it (skipped the 11/16 to make it the set of 6 originals).

 

[Cruzan80]

Below is a photo of a rack with the retaining wires. I believe the wires are original.
I don't believe the 1/2 x 9/16 wrench is original to the set because the wires did not fit with it in the rack.
View attachment 2248130

After the rack was cleaned and waxed:

Frank, I don't see the wires in that photo...

 

[FrankLee]

Frank, I don't see the wires in that photo...

fixed

 

[Smokeshow69]

Did they make 6 whitworth wrenches? I only have one or two. I also have a couple on the combo rack with the speed open end, that were from the =V= era, and one that needs relabeled that has Saltus wrenches on it (skipped the 11/16 to make it the set of 6 originals).

That’s a good question. I don’t recall how many wrenches they made. I was just trying to stir the pot and now I’ve created an actual question

 

[d42jeep]

Jim C has a four DOE Whitworth set. Probably all they made.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I don't believe the 1/2 x 9/16 wrench is original to the set because the wires did not fit with it in the rack.

Hmm. I'm trying to imagine what "wires did not fit with it in the rack" means, Frank.

So, the 1/2 x 9/16 wrench fits inside the slots, with no problem, i.e., the heads are clear of the slots and the shank is resting against the bottom of the slots without any clearance issues, but when you slip the wires through from the top, they clear the 3/8 x 7/16 wrench, but get hung up on the 1/2 x 9/16 wrench so much so that not even a little force will push it through without fear of bending the wires?

Do I have it about right?

Again, I don't collect this or later eras. I guess the shanks got wider.

 

[Smokeshow69]

Jim C has a four DOE Whitworth set. Probably all they made.
-Don

To answer my question about the whitworth I posed earlier, Sears offered 4 dbe’s and 4 doe’s so if one was create a metal rack, it would need to be a 4 slot!

 

[FrankLee]

Hmm. I'm trying to imagine what "wires did not fit with it in the rack" means, Frank.

So, the 1/2 x 9/16 wrench fits inside the slots, with no problem, i.e., the heads are clear of the slots and the shank is resting against the bottom of the slots without any clearance issues, but when you slip the wires through from the top, they clear the 3/8 x 7/16 wrench, but get hung up on the 1/2 x 9/16 wrench so much so that not even a little force will push it through without fear of bending the wires?

Do I have it about right?

Again, I don't collect this or later eras. I guess the shanks got wider.

That is exactly correct.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

That is exactly correct.

Thanks.

In a strange, empirical, benchtest-y sort of way, the wrench holder could act as a sort of jig for collectors to distinguish later production from earlier production wrenches that apparently do not otherwise exhibit any obvious distinctions. One could take a mic to the shank, but this is neater.

 

[Zrxrunner]

Well, here's 2 of the 5 or 6 I have. These got hung up since they were the nicest condition. And second one looks like it will help with your case study, it's the 11 wrench. You also answered my question of why I can't come across an elusive 7/16-1/2 inch DBE wrench for it. Now I've gotta dig thru the DOE box and try to fill it back up correctly!
Also, when I get time...ha ha ha to me....I'm going to experiment with making the retainer wire out of some metal clothes hangers I get with work uniforms every week.

 

[d42jeep]

Here is one shown by PacificaVette in 2019.
-Don

 

[four.cycle]

I might be mixed up here, but I cobbled a set of =V= DOEs together, and as I recall, the earlier =V= had a pretty narrow beam, which was fattened up a bit later, but still sported the =V= (or -V-) marking.

 

[Zrxrunner]

The first rack in my post above has a combo of the unmarked raised panel wrenches and the 1/2" is a =v=. Pretty sure I have a large mix of all 3, ==, =v=, and -v-. all designations have same thickness and width between all the styles

 

[Cruzan80]

Not quite. Sometime in the MDF era, the =V= beams got fatter. It was close to, but not exactly the same time as when it went from pointy A to flat-topped A (IIRC, the beams thickened, then the letter transition, so most/all flat A are the thicker beam).

 

[four.cycle]

^ exactly.

 

[Cruzan80]

And as @four.cycle 's pic shows, the smaller DOEs only had a single line, regardless of age.

 

[four.cycle]

^ due to space limitations, the "double line" was not stamped on them, and the =V= one would expect to see is a -V- on the smallest two:

 

[Jim C.]

Hi everyone, I started a page about those cool vintage Craftsman wrench holders! Been working on it about a year, got to a point today where it's ready to upload and share. If you see anything wrong, or incomplete, please let me know! Corrections and additions are always welcome. I'd like the page to be as accurate as possible.
Thanks!
Scot

https://sites.google.com/view/sears-craftsman-wrench-holders?usp=sharing

^ due to space limitations, the "double line" was not stamped on them, and the =V= one would expect to see is a -V- on the smallest two:

 

[Jim C.]

Here’s my contribution to the discussion. These Cman wrench holders are tough to find in good condition. There was some talk about wrench holders for the Cman Whitworth DOE and DBE sets which were available from about 1960 to 1962. Each set had four wrenches and as far as I know there were never any Whitworth wrench holders like the one in the photo below. As Don points out, the wrenches were sold in green plastic pouches, or in sets that came in metal tool boxes along with sockets, ratchets, etc. (Sorry about the double posts above. Maybe a Mod can delete them.)

Jim C.

 

[Cruzan80]

Yes, the Whitworth racks were meant as a joke, after I posted about creating "alternate" sets (metric, Saltus, speed wrench, etc).

 

[tombell572]

I love these things! I thought until now that there were only two variations--a single 6-wrench type and a 9-wrench one. I found my 6-wrench holder on eBay about 10 years ago. It houses my deep offset DBE set that belonged to my father. They are obviously incorrect for this holder--the fit is not bad but the sizes match up with the DOE sets, not these. I'm still looking for a reasonably priced 9-wrench holder.

Tom B.

 

[Smokeshow69]

Yes, the Whitworth racks were meant as a joke, after I posted about creating "alternate" sets (metric, Saltus, speed wrench, etc).

Oh dang it. I forgot all about the Saltus wrenches and the often unobtainable 11/16 . There’s another set needed

 

[Cruzan80]

Be aware, there are 7 Saltus wrenches if you include the 11/16. They start @ 3/8. The "set" listed in the catalogs has 6, conveniently enough...

 

[Smokeshow69]

Yup,
The 11/16 isn’t a super common hardware size unless you wrench in 60’s/70’s ford vehicles

 

[NealinCA]

Here's some wrench holders I have.

 

[Smokeshow69]

Here's some wrench holders I have.

Boy this shop is amazing! I noticed the flat head engine stand. Do you have a garage build thread?

 

[NealinCA]

Boy this shop is amazing! I noticed the flat head engine stand. Do you have a garage build thread?

I recently started a garage build thread here

NealinCA's Lifetime Hot Rod Hobby Shop Build - 30x60 Plus

I've been lurking around here for some time, but never wanted to post pics of my shop because it wasn't "finished". Some of you HAMB members have seen glimpses of my shop over the last 25 years, as Ive been continuously upgrading the shop between car builds. Let's go back 30 years. My wife...

www.garagejournal.com

It's a work in progress for sure

 

[Smokeshow69]

I recently started a garage build thread here

NealinCA's Lifetime Hot Rod Hobby Shop Build - 30x60 Plus

I've been lurking around here for some time, but never wanted to post pics of my shop because it wasn't "finished". Some of you HAMB members have seen glimpses of my shop over the last 25 years, as Ive been continuously upgrading the shop between car builds. Let's go back 30 years. My wife...

www.garagejournal.com

It's a work in progress for sure

Wow, that’s a heck of a build! I liked seeing the progress over the years. Plus your cool hot rods are awesome!

 

[DCRUTT]

I recently came into possession of a 9-piece open end display set in relatively good condition. It had been hanging on a garage wall for many years. Most of the wrenches seem to be original but not 100% sure. Is it possible that a set would have multiple maker marks?
The 2 smallest wrenches have the -V- mark and if you look close you can see they have a different “font” from each other. Possibly 1 is forged into pad and the other is stamped?
The remainder of the wrenches are marked with the =V= however…the 25/32” has no maker mark on the pad and it’s not on the forging closer to the head like some earlier ones.
Anyone come across one like that before? It has the same look, finish, and wear marks as the other large samples so I assume it’s original either the set.
Thanks for any comments.

 

[Cruzan80]

The 3/4-7/8 wrench is earlier than the rest, which is why it doesn't have the =V= marking. The littlest two look correct as well (leading theory is that it was too hard/small to stamp the = correctly, so they just used - instead). There are some =V= with either thinner/thicker beams, the thinner ones are earlier and fit better into the holders (can't tell from your pics of any are different).

Nice find! Especially for the largest ( 1_1/16-1_1/8), which is the hardest to find. That is the only one I am missing (have a DBE as a placeholder for it).