My one dollar Craftsman ratchet

[Mickey O]

Picked this up at an estate sale for a buck, cleaned it up, a little Super Lube and here it is. Probably should have taken some more before pics (took one to document how it was assembled), it was a mess. It's a Craftsman 1/2" drive, that's about all I know about it.

 

[selohssa]

That is cool. Do you know how old it is?

 

[Mickey O]

That is cool. Do you know how old it is?

It's about 3 days old to me. I have no idea of the actual age, alloy artifacts may have some info, I'll take a look later. Better yet, I'll bet someone here will know all about it, including who made it.

 

[eddyyy302]

New Britain....

Dan

 

[fordbroncodave]

i'm willing to bet its 30s or 40s technology.

 

[Hiball]

Nice transformation. Ive seen dozens of those on ebay lately, Mind you not for a buck but priced fairly decent.

 

[jefferson]

That looks awesome, I like that so much more than the newer style.
Is it missing a piece over the selector switch?
How did you go about cleaning it?

 

[cruiser808]

Great job Mickey! What did you use to clean it up?

 

[cruiser808]

That looks awesome, I like that so much more than the newer style.
Is it missing a piece over the selector switch?

No, that's the way they were made.

 

[Willys Garage]

I bought a 3/8 proto at a flea market for $3. I buy that for a dollar though.

 

[Mickey O]

You guys nailed it New Britain from the '30s-40s. Got the picture below at alloy artifacts.

 

[Mickey O]

I cleaned it with Evaporust and a brass wire brush, I could clean so it looks real shiny but I don't like that look, I like them to have the patina of their years.


The ratchet actually works quite well.

 

[DanCo]

I bought a 3/8 drive BE series for $5, great find for a buck!

 

[Trenmik]

Yeah these things are indestructable. I wonder what the middle switch is for. The craftsman one I picked up for 5 shipped free via flat rate w/ used snap-on speeder looks like someone put a cheater bar on the handle as there is some even flattening on both sides. It however, hasn't seem to have effected it much (if at all) at least as far as I know. I say this because, it's still smooth even without relubing. The head's huge for not being a RHFT and for a 1/2 it certainly has a little more metal/weight, like it's a stubby 3/4.

 

[american lockpicker]

Thats very nice.

 

[stricht8]

Did it work when you bought it?

 

[jefferson]

Cruiser808, Thank you.

I cleaned it with Evaporust and a brass wire brush, I could clean so it looks real shiny but I don't like that look, I like them to have the patina of their years.


The ratchet actually works quite well.

Thanks!
I feel the same way which is probably why I go for used tools first.
Id buy it if it was for sale.

Am I right in assuming that dirt and such could get into the head where the selector switch goes into the head?

 

[arkangel06]

thats an awesome rat for a 1$

 

[bry@n]

Great deal for $1. I have an older Craftsman like that. I have never used it but it's got the rll in it and ready to go. Congrats.

 

[The Muffin Man]

I cleaned it with Evaporust and a brass wire brush, I could clean so it looks real shiny but I don't like that look, I like them to have the patina of their years.


The ratchet actually works quite well.

Mickey, that is a fantastic restoration. Do you have any pictures of the cleaned ratcheting mechanism?

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

That's an excellent ratchet, Mickey. I have one of those myself and it's one of my favorites. Lemme know if you want to double your money.

Of course Merk would tell you that you paid $1 too much for it!

 

[The Muffin Man]

Of course Merk would tell you that you paid $1 too much for it!

And chastise him for the hole in the handle

 

[Mickey O]

Thanks everyone for the kind words.

Did it work when you bought it?

No it was rusted solid, it was in a basement that flooded. There was a killer toolbox, Craftsman with a rounded two piece split top that was rusted real bad, I kind of wish I bought it.

Mickey, that is a fantastic restoration. Do you have any pictures of the cleaned ratcheting mechanism?

Thanks, I didn't, I do now, I'm terrible at taking before and during pictures.

 

[jefferson]

Im guessing "No." but it cant hurt to ask...
Will this be up for sale anytime?
Or do you not do that?

 

[Flathead Red]

That is sweet and a sweet deal. Thanks for the pictures as well.

Red

 

[Mickey O]

Im guessing "No." but it cant hurt to ask...
Will this be up for sale anytime?
Or do you not do that?

No, I'm going to keep this one although that double your money offer is tempting.

 

[mkdive]

Cleaned up pretty damn good.....great score!

 

[tonydanzah]

Are you still using the same batch of evaporust you were so kind enough to let me borrow

 

[Mickey O]

Are you still using the same batch of evaporust you were so kind enough to let me borrow

Same batch but I also did a pile of other rusty **** and those pipe wrenches that were on the floor, I think it's about time to dump it.

 

[tonydanzah]

wow that is pretty amazing how long evaporust lasts

 

[lauver]

Mickey,

H-circle is the series code (or "makers mark") for New Britain. The approximate date range for this series code is 1931-1947.

Nice ratchet, great price. You done good!

Hope this helps.