Craftsman Hand Tool Manufacturers & Date Ranges

[lauver]

radrush,

Just so you know, all the dates in this thread are approximations (i.e. this applies to the beginning and the ending dates in the range).

When I apply the "ca." at the beginning of the range, I'm implying that the entire range is an approximation. It's a convention I use to save time and keystrokes.

 

[ganymede]

..The E is generally associated with NHT/Stanley Works, ca. 1981-1992. During this period Stanley was providing some of the sockets and drive tools to Sears under the Craftsman brand. During this same time frame Stanley works was under investigation by the FTC for mislabeling their products COO...

Wasn't it actually in 98-99 ? I can't remember.

 

[Outlawmws]

Most of the companies don't exist any more or exist as names belonging to a larger conglomerate. Not a lot of help there...

 

[lauver]

Also, are you saying that not a sigle date is known with certainty?

And just out of curiosity:

Have any company ever been contacted directly for this information?

Has any company ever come forward and said hey that missing info right there, that was us from whatever to whatever?

I'm surprised that over years Sears has complied and released the info.

Radash.

Absolute certainty--No
Reasonable certainty--Yes, by using multiple sources and methods, and updating as new information becomes available.

Some surviving companies have been contacted, but with little or no meaningful success.

No company has ever come forward to challenge information.

Sears has shown no interest in this subject; zero, none, nada. Their record keeping *****. And the only publically available written records (Sears & Craftsman catalogs) are full of vagaries and inaccuracies. And, if that were not enough, Sears has been known to rewrite their history to suit their needs and claims.

This thread is not perfect, but in my mind, it is the best available information of it's kind. It's posted on a public forum for anyone and everyone to inspect and use. Anyone can comment on or question the information. Anyone can challenge the information, if they can back up their challenge. I'll leave it at that...

 

[Givl Reggin]

GK-AB marking on a Craftsman Combination Reversible Ratcheting Box/Open End (made in USA), model #42413 purchased last month.

 

[bareass172]

I just realized that I've used this thread a million times but have never once taken a moment to say thank you for all the work that it takes to compile, manage and keep up with this kind of undertaking. THANK YOU!

I have an affinity for old Cman stuff and this thread helps me date my finds.

 

[softailgarage]

This is the first time I've seen this thread on the GJ (dont know how I missed it) , I have seen it on another forum.
Gary - Outstanding job! I think every member can see the amount of work you've done
here and can appreciate every bit of it, Thank You.

 

[wild cowboy]

please add code VVF

I have a 1/2" 18" Flex head ratchet with this code, I believe it was purchased in the early 1990's

I do not know how to identify the original manufacturer (Easco, Danaher, etc)

 

[Russmobile1]

You're not the only one.Craftsman has made some really nice tools from excellent US manufacturers.Ihave alot of CM and SO.I pick my tools carefully though.

 

[jk0876]

Not sure about this list though, I have two teardrop style 3/8 in drive ratchets that I bought in the mid 90s (1992-1995 somewhere. I was around 16-18 years old needed tools to work on my 1st car!) both have "VR" for a marking on them. Both are model #44811. Bought them new from Sears. One was a metric set of sockets and the other standard.

 

[Outlawmws]

Did you ever trade them in on warranty?

 

[lbgradwell]

Not sure about this list though...

Without question, the list contains errors (and omissions). It can only be as accurate as received code reports from tool owners and the reliability of those owners' memories.

It is - and will always remain - a work-in-progress that hopefully gets more and more accurate over time.

 

[jk0876]

Without question, the list contains errors (and omissions). It can only be as accurate as received code reports from tool owners and the reliability of those owners' memories.

It is - and will always remain - a work-in-progress that hopefully gets more and more accurate over time.

Oh don't get me wrong, it's a good start in gettin a rough idea on things. My other one says VS and have a 1/4 inch with a VL on it. All came in a boxed up set. I chalk it up to Sears having so many suppliers over the years.

 

[jk0876]

I've traded in on warranty before, was going to trade this one in, but the one they did offer me just seemed really "lightweight" and the gear in it didn't seem to be as sturdy when I was turning it around in the store. They offered the "professional" line, but that didn't seem much better. Maybe I'm just too picky and want the "old" craftsman stuff?

 

[Outlawmws]

I've traded in on warranty before, was going to trade this one in, but the one they did offer me just seemed really "lightweight" and the gear in it didn't seem to be as sturdy when I was turning it around in the store. They offered the "professional" line, but that didn't seem much better. Maybe I'm just too picky and want the "old" craftsman stuff?

I you have traded them on warranty, that could explain the difference in dates and your remembrance of when you bought them originally...

 

[jk0876]

Trade was the 1/4 inch drive ratchet. Still have original 3/8 drives I bought. Never traded them.

 

[jk0876]

The traded one I've lost somewhere in my travels

 

[wild cowboy]

E/EE = National Hand Tools/later Stanley Works-NHT division, Taiwanese made, ca. 1982 - 1991

I have a fair amount of EE sockets, ALL are marked USA, not Taiwan

 

[kelpaso1]

I have a whole 400 piece tool kit I bought in the late 80's. All are marked EE but no COO on them. So don't know what I got.

But I have noticed some people here say stay away from EE series? Why is that? I use them professionally daily and at home and have never even broken one. And I use the bigger 1/2 12 point chromies all the time with my IR 2135TI. The only Craftsman socket I ever broke is my oddball 1 1/4 shallow 12 point chrome socket I got somewhere and it has stamped on it Craftsman and MADE IN USA, code series V. In fact I use all my chrome sockets in my 1/4 hex Dewalt impact driver bit (with socket adapters) and my 3/8 and 1/2 impacts almost all of the time and have never broke one or even wore one out

 

[jakemac]

AFAIK, the unmarked EE sockets were made on the wrong side of the Pacific ocean. There have been tales of inferior chrome and softer metal. But YMMV.

I tried the G series sockets when they came out and didn't like them. I don't really know why. I'm a bit of a double line V snob. I have avoided any other date codes since, whenever possible.

 

[wild cowboy]

I just received a well made Craftsman USA 32mm socket labeled K2D - wonder who made it?

 

[raiderhillbilly]

I have a whole 400 piece tool kit I bought in the late 80's. All are marked EE but no COO on them. So don't know what I got.

But I have noticed some people here say stay away from EE series? Why is that? I use them professionally daily and at home and have never even broken one. And I use the bigger 1/2 12 point chromies all the time with my IR 2135TI. The only Craftsman socket I ever broke is my oddball 1 1/4 shallow 12 point chrome socket I got somewhere and it has stamped on it Craftsman and MADE IN USA, code series V. In fact I use all my chrome sockets in my 1/4 hex Dewalt impact driver bit (with socket adapters) and my 3/8 and 1/2 impacts almost all of the time and have never broke one or even wore one out

I like the EE craftsmans too. Mine are marked made in the USA. They are very thick compared to other sockets though. They wont fit in some blow molded cases together well. The chrome is nice and thick. I don't have a problem at all with the EE impacts.

 

[wild cowboy]

The only USA-made Craftsman series I would say avoid is the G series, a lot of chrome cracking and peeling plaques this series.

 

[Tripn88]

GK-AB marking on a Craftsman Combination Reversible Ratcheting Box/Open End (made in USA), model #42413 purchased last month.

Anyone have info on this? I have a few that say -AC- as well and -Z-

 

[jakemac]

I've been meaning to post this one for some time, but never got around to it until now.

It's a Made in USA 15mm 3/8dr socket, with no date code and no knurling. I'm not really looking for any answers, I just thought that I'd share.

 

[jimmy van]

Hello folks,

On the subject of craftsmen ratchets and sear's recent move to asian mfg'ing.I have a pretty good collection of traditional american made craftsmen tools and many of what I have has been past down. Recently i had a death of the ratchet head in my favorite 18" 1/2 drive.....boy was I IN FOR A SURPRISE when i went to sears....OBSOLETE THEY SAID.....and the replacement junk they wanted me to take to replace it......left with my ratchet and hunted down on line what i needed to fix it.....which prompted me to spend 100.00 dollars on what they refer to as vintage ratchets......is this nuts????

 

[SMKS]

Anyone have info on this? I have a few that say -AC- as well and -Z-

You must have missed this post earlier in the thread. Those are date codes associated with a separate manufacturer code
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2569033&postcount=106


Z is 2010
AA is 2011
AB is 2012
AC is 2013

and so on...

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Does anyone have anything definitive on Y-circle mark with plain CRAFTSMAN logo, no underline, no double-line?

 

[LB-1911]

Does anyone have anything definitive on Y-circle mark with plain CRAFTSMAN logo, no underline, no double-line?

I don't believe it has has gone beyond -

Code Y-Circle

Description "Y" in a Circle

Manufacturer Unknown

Usage Period 1950s to 1960s

Examples and Notes
Forged-in code found on Craftsman and Dunlap adjustable wrenches.

https://home.comcast.net/~alloy-artifacts/craftsman-early-tools.html

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Thanks, LB.

If you read deeper, AA says the code might refer to Danielson or Utica, based on some adjustable wrenches with construction features peculiar to Danielson and Utica, which AA dates to the 1950's. But the logo on the adjustables is CRAFTSMAN double line. The logo on the tool I am looking at is plain CRAFTSMAN. It's a pry bar, and it looks more primitive than 1950's to me. Also, Danielson was bought by Plomb in 1947, so that sounds a little wonky to me.

Does anyone know where the OP (lauver) got the "Y-circle = possibly Ridge Tool, ca. ? - ?"
found in post #1 from?

 

[lbgradwell]

Does anyone know where the OP (lauver) got the "Y-circle = possibly Ridge Tool, ca. ? - ?"
found in post #1 from?

No, but you should know that Gary doesn't update this list here as often as elsewhere and the list at GG - which was updated over a year after this one - no longer speculates on the Y-Circle = Ridgid relationship.

 

[ffast65]

Nice thread, need to sticky it somewhere on the board

 

[lbgradwell]

Actually made by Boost for FACOM.

Who?! Do you mean Bost?

What makes you think so?

 

[gemnewt]

Can someone tell me what the letter O on the shank of a vintage ratchet is for. I believe the ratchet was made by Moore Drop Forging, It has the =V= mark. I'm not allowed to post pictures because I haven't enough postings yet, but you can see the ratchet in question here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Cra...tem&hash=item27fcca8d3b&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0

 

[ganymede]

Yes it's Moore made .
The 0 mark is probably just a forge code for that particular batch of ratchets.

 

[jakemac]

It could be a batch code, a line code, or a factory code. I'm not sure if that mark has been definitively identified. I've seen "O", "C", "N", and "B" used. All as forged markings, not stampings.

 

[Gogo300]

I ordered a 299pc. socket set from craftsman.com this year and all the sockets are marked g2d or gk. I had to request replacements for the missing sockets and they arrived today and have the same stamps. This date code should be from danaher according to the first post. The packing slip that accompanied the sockets is from apex tool group. I looked up the apex tool group website and craftsman or danaher are not one of their brands. I also looked at the danaher website and apex tool group and craftsman aren't one of their brands either. I tried to attach a pic of the packing slip and the sockets with the stamps.

 

[jakemac]

According to this article by ToolGuyd from Feb. 2014 :

(Apex Tool Group was a joint venture between Danaher and Cooper industries, and is presently owned by Bain Capital.)

The sale was completed in 2013.

The Craftsman label wouldn't be listed as one of their brands because they don't own the name. They are just a manufacturing contractor that Sears has an agreement with to supply rebranded tools under the Craftsman name.

The name Danaher was out of the picture when Bain Capital acquired the Apex assets.

I'm surprised that your replacements came directly from Apex. I would have thought that they would have been sent by Sears themselves.

Still, this is good confirmation that Apex is the manufacturer of the G2D and GK codes. (not really in dispute, but it's always good to have the evidence on hand)

 

[SMKS]

I ordered a 299pc. socket set from craftsman.com this year and all the sockets are marked g2d or gk. I had to request replacements for the missing sockets and they arrived today and have the same stamps. This date code should be from danaher according to the first post. The packing slip that accompanied the sockets is from apex tool group. I looked up the apex tool group website and craftsman or danaher are not one of their brands. I also looked at the danaher website and apex tool group and craftsman aren't one of their brands either. I tried to attach a pic of the packing slip and the sockets with the stamps.

As already noted, the reason the first post says "Danaher" is because they used to be Danaher. Danaher's tool division (minus the Matco brand name, Danaher kept that) were spun off to be included in Apex Tool Group.

Apex has now been sold of to Bain Capital.

 

[AmateurMechanic]

V^(2nd V inverted) = Danaher, Armstrong Division, ca. 1992 - 2012

^V(1st V inverted) = Danaher, ca. 2010 - ?

Here's a Λ symbol to make those easier to read. Just copy-paste.