Show your “Crowntop” Craftsman

[demiandvm]

The file does fit completely in the sheath and is covered . So I think the sheath is the right one for the file size I pulled it out a little to show it.

 

[d42jeep]

If you read the description of the file intended for the sheath, the configuration is totally different. Sheaths and files often get switched around. The file itself looks very much like a point file.
-Don

 

[demiandvm]

Hey Four Cycle:
If I can be of assistance helping you complete a kit let me know your address and the little Craftsman file I will send you.

Michael

 

[RTM]

It looks like a points file in a non matching sleeve to me.
-Don

Yup, the sleeve is for a triangular file for saw sharpening. As a taper file, it is thinner away from the handle than at the handle, obvious by sight, no measurements needed. The extra slim taper even more so.

The one you have looks like the pile of ignition files I have spread around the garage. Great for lots of things, but not sharpening most saws.

 

[four.cycle]

@devlandvm -
Yours is definitely a point file, mistakenly placed in a sleeve for another type of file (as Don's photo above shows.)
Conventional "ignition point file" looks like this unit (below.)
Shipping costs would exceed the cost of the item purchased new.

 

[d42jeep]

I found this Crown marked tubing cutter at a Berkeley garage sale this morning. It seems to be in good working condition.
I posted this Crown creeper I found at a tool sale last weekend in the vintage creeper thread.
-Don

 

[Catfishdan]

Cleaning the shed today I came across an accidental collection of crown top vinyl pouches.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

How long did the Crowntop logo last? 60's? 70's? And is there a name in the collecting community for what came after it? In other words, "Long C" ran from inception to 1948, "Heritage" from 1948 to mid 50's, and "Crowntop" from mid 50's to...when? And what do guys who collect 'modern vintage' (I know, sort of an oxymoron, but I am struggling with what to call it...) Craftsman from the 80's or even later call it? Not my thing. But I am curious.

 

[Provincial]

Plastic? Black Label?

 

[Cruzan80]

Rectangular [SearsICraftsman] was the next logo, mid/late 70's to maybe 90's? Not sure when it left.

 

[d42jeep]

Kinda like this.

I bought the upper box from Sears around 1976 or 1977.
-Don

 

[Cruzan80]

The first one pictured shows what happens when it was shot at...

 

[Cruzan80]

There are also multiple times where I have seen the Crown top and rectangular logo both (usually on opposite sides) on the same packaging, such as the mini-wrenches and hex keys.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Rectangular [SearsICraftsman] was the next logo,

Thanks.

 

[d42jeep]

I found a later Crown carry box with a plastic handle at today’s estate sale. It’s not pristine but certainly usable.
-Don

 

[Smokeshow69]

Picked up this unused craftsman crown top plane still in box with instructions $10 yesterday....

 

[Mintgrun]

I brought these two boxes home yesterday, for fifteen dollars each and today I spent another fifteen dollars on a key for the top box. The spring loaded pins that keep the panel in place hold the lid up and since this model doesn't have latches, the key/lock is the only way to keep it closed. So, I splurged.

 

[Beerhippie]

I brought these two boxes home yesterday, for fifteen dollars each and today I spent another fifteen dollars on a key for the top box. The spring loaded pins that keep the panel in place hold the lid up and since this model doesn't have latches, the key/lock is the only way to keep it closed. So, I splurged.

That's a big YOU ****!

 

[Provincial]

Another **** for Mintgrun!

 

[d42jeep]

I brought these two boxes home yesterday, for fifteen dollars each and today I spent another fifteen dollars on a key for the top box. The spring loaded pins that keep the panel in place hold the lid up and since this model doesn't have latches, the key/lock is the only way to keep it closed. So, I splurged.

Looks similar to mine but in better condition. Mine has the Waterloo dimples but no spring loaded pins. Mine doesn’t have the Crown logo on the front cover, just inside. Your matching mid box is especially nice.
-Don

 

[Smokeshow69]

Picked up this NOS saw miter stop/ hold down mechanism off ebay for about $25 shipped. Slightly newer than what I would have liked but when I saw it was NOS, I couldnt resist. Booklet is dated '65 so probably could date to '66-'69??

 

[genog]

I bought this Crowntop utility knife at the Flea Market today

I spied it last month and since I have plenty of utility knives, decided to leave it for someone else.
It was there today, so I thought, why not?
I like the blade guard

 

[Zrxrunner]

Gift from a buddy up the road that knows I collect old craftsman boxes. All tray inserts in good shape, but some paint damage on front cover, but minimal. Still has a handful of aluminum dividers and holder clips. And best...original crown keys!

 

[d42jeep]

Nice box! The paint damage won’t even show when the box is in use and the front cover is stashed in it’s garage under the bottom drawer.
-Don


I posted mine upthread.

Looks similar to mine but in better condition. Mine has the Waterloo dimples but no spring loaded pins. Mine doesn’t have the Crown logo on the front cover, just inside. Your matching mid box is especially nice.

 

[Mintgrun]

Here are a couple as-found photos of the boxes I posted above. They both had the typical splotches of paint to remove and Simple Green eventually did the trick, while picking at it with a bamboo skewer and some scrubbing with brushes. I haven't gone after the tape residue on the lid yet. If I had one more black handle, I'd mount it in the center of the second drawer.



The felt is in pretty good shape, aside from some of the side pieces starting to come loose.
It's nice that it came with some dividers. Both boxes have old moving-stickers on them.



I received the key I ordered online.



It works fine, but I was disappointed by how far it stuck out, so I shortened it.



I made a pattern and moved the front notch to the back one and then filed the shape farther up the blank.



I'm envious of the original Crown keys posted above, but this key does the job and $15 seems reasonable enough. My buyer's remorse was diminished by a successful modification, but then I happened to find a pair of original LL122 Crown keys for sale online that are tempting! What are the odds of finding the code that I need?



The thing is, I can't bring myself to spend $32 for a single key, especially after having already bought one that works. When I look at the boxes now, I think "heck of a deal" and don't want that to become "I paid more for keys than the boxes!"

 

[d42jeep]

Here are a couple of Crown items found at today’s estate sales. First is this Crown plane.
The second item is a Bicycle tool roll missing most of the tools.
-Don

 

[LiveWire64]

Here's a couple boxes I picked up at an estate sale a few months ago. Missing the keys.

 

[alinc100]

Here's a couple boxes I picked up at an estate sale a few months ago. Missing the keys.

Keys are pretty easy to acquire. Can you tell us the code on the fronts of the lock cylinders?

 

[Smokeshow69]

Here are a couple as-found photos of the boxes I posted above. They both had the typical splotches of paint to remove and Simple Green eventually did the trick, while picking at it with a bamboo skewer and some scrubbing with brushes. I haven't gone after the tape residue on the lid yet. If I had one more black handle, I'd mount it in the center of the second drawer.



The felt is in pretty good shape, aside from some of the side pieces starting to come loose.
It's nice that it came with some dividers. Both boxes have old moving-stickers on them.



I received the key I ordered online.



It works fine, but I was disappointed by how far it stuck out, so I shortened it.



I made a pattern and moved the front notch to the back one and then filed the shape farther up the blank.



I'm envious of the original Crown keys posted above, but this key does the job and $15 seems reasonable enough. My buyer's remorse was diminished by a successful modification, but then I happened to find a pair of original LL122 Crown keys for sale online that are tempting! What are the odds of finding the code that I need?



The thing is, I can't bring myself to spend $32 for a single key, especially after having already bought one that works. When I look at the boxes now, I think "heck of a deal" and don't want that to become "I paid more for keys than the boxes!"

There are several crown top key’s listed on the bay right now listed by their codes for about $15

 

[fishwatcher]

This weekend I picked up two Craftsman Crown top tools.

A toolbox.

And a vise.


Both need a little more clean up, but are in great shape.

 

[d42jeep]

Here are a couple of Crown items found at today’s estate sales. First is this Crown plane.
The second item is a Bicycle tool roll missing most of the tools.
-Don

Here is the bicycle set as complete as it’s likely to get.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

While adding the correct wrenches to the bicycle set, I found the wrench I had been missing to complete this Crown metric set.
-Don

 

[Paulie49]

Don’t worry I didn’t cut the table lift screw I drilled a pass through in the base. Kitted out w/a Vari-Slo, hold downs and accessory light.

 

[Paulie49]

I know that’s a heritage 10top. I acquired a crown mid after I took this picture. Bottom box is a crown 7 drawer with 1 year only handles.
starter for a Flathead Ford on the ground

 

[Paulie49]

I collect crown, =v= , commercial stuff and pre part #.
mostly 60s Crown logo hand held.

I use all my tools. So I see them as good value for the price point, plus American made.

 

[Paulie49]

I have a Heritage 12 bandsaw with a rebuilt Slo-speed adapter, guards and accessory light with cage but I’d like to upgrade to a Parks/Craftsman 18 bandsaw. Also did the 3 prong conversion on the Powr Pak

Mechanically rebuilt the lathe a few winters ago.

 

[Paulie49]

 

[Paulie49]

 

[Paulie49]

 

[Paulie49]