Craftsman metal tool set box, what was in it?

[Lucky 13]

I'm no stranger to tools but I am new to collecting tools. My wife surprised me with this old Craftsman box that she found in a local Pawn Shop. I know that it is a box for a ratchet and socket set but what size? Can anyone tell me if this box is for a 1/2 inch set of a 3/4 inch set? I want to build the set that went in it as it was empty when I got it. It measures 19 1/2 inches long and 6 inches wide. I know its not in mint condition, but it's in honest shape. Thanks for your help!

 

[Conductor562]

If there's a number on the box it should be easy to figure out. First glance it looks like a 3/4" set box

 

[Lucky 13]

Thanks for the reply, I don't see a number on it but I was thinking it was probably for the 3/4 set.

 

[jakemac]

I'm pretty sure that that box was from a 1/2"dr set.
The model number should be stamped on the top, between the ends of the handle.

Crown Top Logo and a Metal Handle. I'd date the box between 1959 - 1961.

 

[Lucky 13]

I'm pretty sure that that box was from a 1/2"dr set.
The model number should be stamped on the top, between the ends of the handle.

Crown Top Logo and a Metal Handle. I'd date the box between 1959 - 1961.

I looked the box over, I can't find the number. If it is for the 1/2 set, I have some of the tools that would have been in it. I don't have much of anything for the 3/4 set. Thanks for the information!

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

Not much help, but I have to say that is a really cool box!

 

[lbgradwell]

I'm pretty sure that that box was from a 1/2"dr set.

I agree. The socket area is too small for 3/4" sockets.

I think it originally contained the 28-Piece Metric Socket & Wrench Set (44094) from the mid-1960s.

 

[Conductor562]

Was that 2nd pic added after the fact? I swear I didn't see it when I replied.

In light of the interior pic, a agree it's definitely not big enough for a 3/4" set

 

[ganymede]

Probably for a 1/2" set but there were 3/8 sets that came in that style box too.
Measure the width of the space for sockets. 3/8 sets came with 3/8 to 3/4 inch sockets. 1/2" sets came with 7/16 to 1" .
Sometimes the tools, sockets and ratchets leave rust silhouettes of themselves too.

 

[Stuart in MN]

This is from the 1960 Craftsman catalog. The shape of the box right around the Craftsman logo doesn't look exactly the same but that may be just an issue with the illustration.

 

[454ragtop]

In the ad it shows a crossbar. How was that used, were the sockets or the extensions drilled for it?
Jim

 

[lbgradwell]

In the ad it shows a crossbar. How was that used, were the sockets or the extensions drilled for it?
Jim

The crossbar was used with the breaker.

 

[jakemac]

The crossbar was used on the handle of the breaker bar. The drawing doesn't show it, but back then, the breaker bars still had a hole in the handle for the crossbar. I'm not sure when the hole and bar disappeared.

EDIT - lbg got there before me.

 

[Lucky 13]

This is from the 1960 Craftsman catalog. The shape of the box right around the Craftsman logo doesn't look exactly the same but that may be just an issue with the illustration.

Thank you very much for posting the picture and the information!

 

[lbgradwell]

This is from the 1960 Craftsman catalog. The shape of the box right around the Craftsman logo doesn't look exactly the same but that may be just an issue with the illustration.

That's why I think it's this one from 1965:

 

[jakemac]

I thought that by '65 the handles were plastic. ??

 

[Lucky 13]

That's why I think it's this one from 1965:

lbgradwell, the box in the picture you posted is very similar. Do you know if the item number - 44094 would have been on the box anywhere?

 

[Gearhead88]

I still have most of that set , the box is long gone. I use them every day at work.
I tease my younger co-workers about me having ratchets older than them .

 

[lbgradwell]

lbgradwell, the box in the picture you posted is very similar. Do you know if the item number - 44094 would have been on the box anywhere?

I wouldn't expect the number 44094 to be on the box as that number refers to the collective set. As has been mentioned, though, most boxes are marked with the model number for the box itself.

If your box is not marked, I can only assume that since the box wasn't available for purchase individually, it wasn't marked with a model number. Either that, or perhaps it dates to just before the time when model numbers appeared on every item...

 

[Lucky 13]

I wouldn't expect the number 44094 to be on the box as that number refers to the collective set. As has been mentioned, though, most boxes are marked with the model number for the box itself.

If your box is not marked, I can only assume that since the box wasn't available for purchase individually, it wasn't marked with a model number. Either that, or perhaps it dates to just before the time when model numbers appeared on every item...

Okay, thanks. The reason I ask is that I can almost swear there is a number 10 stamped inside the top between the ends of the handle.

 

[jakemac]

OK, I finally had a chance to dig through my stash. It seems that at some point in my Estate Sale wanderings, I picked up the same box. Yours has a lot less rust than mine.

I checked it all over with a magnifying glass and I couldn't find a model number anywhere. So, I would tend to agree with lbg, either this box was produced before the numbers were stamped, or it was only available as part of a 1/2"dr set.

 

[Alamedasam]

I got the same one, inherited from my Grandfather, the same set as Stuart's post photo shows.

 

[lbgradwell]

From another thread...

Went back on half off day and this was still there, so I felt I had to bring it home with me for $28.



Full of =V=, the chrome on everything is like new.


Pliers are craftsman at the top, Lectrolite, Klein, Utica.


SAE are =V=, the metric set is a mix. Was missing 15(which I had a spare, but the lines are in the wrong location).


Rest of the box, nothing special. The other socket set is a Tomahawk hex drive. I actually wanted a brake spoon, so that worked out. The two sockets on the far left are a pair of Snap-On sockets I found at another sale for .50.

 

[Lucky 13]

From another thread...

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=3396981#post3396981

Wow!! What a find!!