Craftsman Flying V ratchets

[snap-on-tools]

I have some old Flying V ratchets how old are they?

 

[jakemac]

Just had this conversation. They were produced between about 1959-1966.
FYI - Officially, Craftsman referred to them as Butterfly selectors. They were replaced by the Long Lever selector in 1967.

 

[LB-1911]

I have some old Flying V ratchets how old are they?

In 1959 the Craftsman ratchet line adopted a distinctive V-shaped shift lever, based on a design described by patent #D185,651, issued to R.M. Vose in 1959 with assignment to Moore Drop Forging.


V-Shaped Shifters
http://home.comcast.net/~alloy-artifacts/craftsman-maker-v.html

 

[snap-on-tools]

Can you get the rebuild kit with the old butterfly selector.

 

[PowderKeg]

Can you get the rebuild kit with the old butterfly selector.

Only if you were born on a bed of four leaf clovers at the end of a rainbow on St Patty's Day with a pot 'o gold as a pillow

Never say never, but I'd guess you've got a better shot at being a mega-millions jackpot winner than finding a NOS kit from a Sears somewhere/anywhere. If you've got a busted one with sentimental value, look for a decent cheap donor ratchet at the flea markets/fleabay for the needed parts to save it.

 

[jakemac]

PK is right. Finding a NOS kit with the butterfly selector is rare. You won't find them in a store, only online. You might have more luck finding a Long Lever kit from the pre- quick release era (66/67) that will work, but most of the kits I've seen that say they work with the Butterfly require you to re-use the selector because the kit only supplies a Long Lever.

You'll have better luck finding a donor ratchet.

 

[snap-on-tools]

I had an old kit and it had 2 selecors one long and one short.

 

[bushmechanic]

Only if you were born on a bed of four leaf clovers at the end of a rainbow on St Patty's Day with a pot 'o gold as a pillow

Oh... I'm going to remember that one...

 

[Doug MacG]

Prior posts may be incorrect. The Generation 2 ratchets were produced between 1957 to 1966. The first 2 years had Long Levers (57 to 58). The bottom of the selector was very long. In 1959 they changed the selector to the Butterfly (Flying V) and produced that until 1966. The next generation (1967 to 1993) was the Quick Release-Raised Handle version (my favorite) , with a tough, moly selector, that hugged he body of the ratchet. The Long Levers and Butterfly's had terrible design (stuck out too far) and weak metal, and they got really banged up. Below is a video that shows both types of levers in Gen 2. If you want to steal a set of gears, go find the 57/58 Long Lever and switch the selector.

 

[Doug MacG]