Show your "Long C" Craftsman!

[JoCoSawdust]

And speaking of trolling: No, Smokeshow, I won't be painting it Snap-on verde green (isn't that redundant?)!

That vise has got to be incredibly rare. Great find!

 

[Smokeshow69]

That vise has got to be incredibly rare. Great find!

Agreed on its rarity. I am way to much of a purist when it comes to rare items, especially vintage items and would never think about repainting it anything less than original color.


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Rileysan]

Agreed on its rarity. I am way to much of a purist when it comes to rare items, especially vintage items and would never think about repainting it anything less than original color.


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

The ad states: "Red lacquer finish". There's no trace of red on that vise (that I can see). Does anyone have any idea what it's supposed to look like?

Brian

 

[danandmelrod]

Thanks for the info, Brian.

Any idea who made this vise?

 

[GalaxyRat]

Re: Show your "Long C" Craftsman!

Here's an update on the circular saw I bought yesterday. Model No. 207.25530, 6 1/2" blade.

I got it home and got some pictures of it, took it into the shed and started the disassembly process. Everything inside was caked in extremely fine sawdust about 1/4" thick or more in most places. I scraped it down and disassembled down to the drive gear, which was coated in a thick sludge. I cleaned everything up inside, put it back together, and sanded around the housing where there was corrosion.

I topped it off with gear oil and took it for a spin. It cuts great, but I'm definitely getting a new blade for it. I'll be using it as my wife and I continue to build our cabin.

I haven't decided if I want to strip it to bare aluminum or leave it as is. I'm leaning towards just leaving it. I have also not been able to find it in any catalogues, but I have only searched the power tool editions so far. There is not a manufacture date that I could find, either. The housing does have makers marks from the casting process.

Edit: I wish I could upload videos, I got a decent video of it cutting.

I have included a comparison against a modern Skilsaw with a 7 1/4" blade. They are around the same weight, with the Craftsman being *slightly* heavier.

Sent from my SM-G973U using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Outlawmws]

Nice! Always good to see the vintage tools in operational order and at least some use!

A question: does the cord have a grounded plug, and if so, is the ground wire inside actually grounded?

If not I would strongly recommend replacing the cord as needed and ground it, purely for safety reasons. If in good shape, keep the old cord so it can be put back to original condition if desired at a future date.

I Also recommend a goof carbide blade for that saw.

 

[GalaxyRat]

Re: Show your "Long C" Craftsman!

Here's an update on the circular saw I bought yesterday. Model No. 207.25530, 6 1/2" blade.

I got it home and got some pictures of it, took it into the shed and started the disassembly process. Everything inside was caked in extremely fine sawdust about 1/4" thick or more in most places. I scraped it down and disassembled down to the drive gear, which was coated in a thick sludge. I cleaned everything up inside, put it back together, and sanded around the housing where there was corrosion.

I topped it off with gear oil and took it for a spin. It cuts great, but I'm definitely getting a new blade for it. I'll be using it as my wife and I continue to build our cabin.

I haven't decided if I want to strip it to bare aluminum or leave it as is. I'm leaning towards just leaving it. I have also not been able to find it in any catalogues, but I have only searched the power tool editions so far. There is not a manufacture date that I could find, either. The housing does have makers marks from the casting process.

Edit: I wish I could upload videos, I got a decent video of it cutting.

I have included a comparison against a modern Skilsaw with a 7 1/4" blade. They are around the same weight, with the Craftsman being *slightly* heavier.

Sent from my SM-G973U using The Garage Journal mobile app

Update: Found it in the 1951 power tool catalogue.

Sent from my SM-G973U using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[GalaxyRat]

Re: Show your "Long C" Craftsman!

Nice! Always good to see the vintage tools in operational order and at least some use!

A question: does the cord have a grounded plug, and if so, is the ground wire inside actually grounded?

If not I would strongly recommend replacing the cord as needed and ground it, purely for safety reasons. If in good shape, keep the old cord so it can be put back to original condition if desired at a future date.

I Also recommend a goof carbide blade for that saw.

The cord does have a ground plug, but only the positive and neutral wires are connected to the switch. There is a screw attached to the handle frame with the remnants of the old ground wire still attached to the screw.

Sent from my SM-G973U using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Rileysan]

Thanks for the info, Brian.

Any idea who made this vise?

I haven't found any information on the maker as of yet.

Brian

 

[Rileysan]

I found another rare tool this week. Craftsman HD5 (13/16" x 7/8") round shank DBE wrench, made by Hinsdale. Pictured also are my Hinsdale made short, round shank DBE wrenches.

Brian

 

[JoCoSawdust]

You're raking in some really scarce 30s stuff lately Brian. Great find!

 

[Gear Wolf]

Thank you, Dan!

Part of my question might be construed as trolling, as I knew what I had but also wanted to ask the rhetorical question: When does the long-c era begin?

Brian, I would feel comfortable with your idea that 1934 would be a good date to peg the start of the "Long-C". I don't think that Sears had a more finalized/unified branding strategy until after the Depression/WWII.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

JoCo, Roy:

Going back to the "-BE" vs "(H)" discussion. Mrs. Lugnutz wants to know who your favorite Beatle is. Serious question! And be honest. An important psychological theory of hers is at stake here.

 

[JoCoSawdust]

JoCo, Roy:

Going back to the "-BE" vs "(H)" discussion. Mrs. Lugnutz wants to know who your favorite Beatle is. Serious question! And be honest. An important psychological theory of hers is at stake here.

Ha! I actually didn't care much for any of them. Put me down for Ringo!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Oh man, she's not going to like to hear that. That totally busts her theory, which she uses to classify almost everything in life. You're supposed to be a Paul or John, guy. George or Ringo would be Circle-H. Haha.

 

[JoCoSawdust]

Damn, I sure have said Pete Best. I coulda been C-series!!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Hilarious.

 

[Outlawmws]

Thank you, Dan!

Part of my question might be construed as trolling, as I knew what I had but also wanted to ask the rhetorical question: When does the long-c era begin?




Brian

Brian, I would feel comfortable with your idea that 1934 would be a good date to peg the start of the "Long-C". I don't think that Sears had a more finalized/unified branding strategy until after the Depression/WWII.

Not sure if I missed the gist of this, but if you are talking LongC period, that I had that pegged as beginning as early as 1933 based on catalog evidence

If you are talking about Long C vises, the very first was still 1933, for an exposed screw homeowners vise.

If you are talking that particular vise...

 

[r_olson_06]

Re: Show your "Long C" Craftsman!

JoCo, Roy:

Going back to the "-BE" vs "(H)" discussion. Mrs. Lugnutz wants to know who your favorite Beatle is. Serious question! And be honest. An important psychological theory of hers is at stake here.

Oh man I might fail the test. The Beatles are a few decades before my time. I know who they are and few song but never went down to the band members.


Looking for the following Plomb Pebbles Wrench 3061

 

[JoCoSawdust]

Not really but kinda sorta Long C. This is a teaser only. More to follow once I have it in my grubby hands.

 

[3baygarage]

Not really but kinda sorta Long C. This is a teaser only. More to follow once I have it in my grubby hands.

You're right, that C isn't really all that long. You should send it here for proper disposal.

 

[Rileysan]

Not really but kinda sorta Long C. This is a teaser only. More to follow once I have it in my grubby hands.

Calling Gearwolf. Are you watching? It's another Fors patent Craftsman ratchet!!

 

[Gear Wolf]

I see it.

I'm not sure what happened to Ken (Craftsman C-Series). I sent the guy my phone number around Christmas, he told me he was going to give me a call so I could have the Fors ratchet on loan to film, and that was the end of that. From what I've seen, he hasn't logged on since he sent me the last reply.

JoCo, if Ken doesn't return, would you be up for me filming yours? I'd rather have people actually see one, even if it is not mint like Ken's, than nothing at all.

With everything I have on my plate, I'm ready to put this baby to bed. This has been a very tiring last few years...

 

[r_olson_06]

Not really but kinda sorta Long C. This is a teaser only. More to follow once I have it in my grubby hands.

Well done JoCo. That is a hard to find one.

Looking for the following Plomb Pebbles Wrench 3061

 

[JoCoSawdust]

Thanks Gents, I was thrilled to win the auction and got it for a price significantly less than I was prepared to pay.

GW, I'd be honored to have this appear in one of your videos. Once I get it cleaned up and logged into the records I keep for my kid I'll get it moving your way. Please PM me your phone number, I'll call you and set things up when it's ready to move.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Well, I hate to go from one of the most elegant and underappreciated NB ratchet designs ever to a 3/8" center punch, but I just cleared and sorted for storage or flipping a huge pile that has been mounting since late last year off of one of my workbenches and this was buried in it. I forgot I had it. 4-1/2 in. OAL. I don't have any notes on "BC" and in the earliest cat I have (1941) the punches are not octagonal, so I suspect this is earlier in the 30's.

 

[JoCoSawdust]

Interesting nuance Lugz and one I haven't paid attention to. These sets are all as-found. Far left is a mix of 3 octagons with two square with a lightly chamfered edge. Middle set is all chamfered edges and the far right has two octagons, one chamfered and two that are pretty much just square. Whatever chamfer they have to them is very light. Catalog clip is from 34 and looks octagonal to me except for the cold chisels on the left which look like my chamfered ones.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Sure, go ahead and crush my lil' lonely ol' center punch with three friggin' SETS of punches, in their original cases!

Thanks for the '34 cat confirmation. They're all chamfered square stock in '41, '42 and '48, which is why I suspected earlier.

 

[Outlawmws]

In my notes, subject to confirmation/verification:

BC = Vlcheck, ca. 1935 - 1941 (based on striking tools only)

 

[JoCoSawdust]

Ha! Wasn't trying to steal your thunder! I found it interesting to notice the different shank profiles.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I
BC = Vlcheck, ca. 1935 - 1941 (based on striking tools only)

Thanks. It does fit a Vlchek profile. I'm used to Vlchek being BT, but that's on hammers.

Ha! Wasn't trying to steal your thunder! I found it interesting to notice the different shank profiles.

I know, just kidding around. Awesome sets. I always pay attention to steel stock of punches because of federal specifications in that era heading into WWII and during WWII. If they were round they had to be checkered. And if they weren't checkered, they couldn't be round.

 

[d42jeep]

Here are my random loose ones if anybody is looking to put together a set. Doesn’t look like JoCo needs any!
-Don

 

[r_olson_06]

Interesting nuance Lugz and one I haven't paid attention to. These sets are all as-found. Far left is a mix of 3 octagons with two square with a lightly chamfered edge. Middle set is all chamfered edges and the far right has two octagons, one chamfered and two that are pretty much just square. Whatever chamfer they have to them is very light. Catalog clip is from 34 and looks octagonal to me except for the cold chisels on the left which look like my chamfered ones.

Damn. Just damn.
Very impressive.

Looking for the following Plomb Pebbles Wrench 3061

 

[Gear Wolf]

Thanks Gents, I was thrilled to win the auction and got it for a price significantly less than I was prepared to pay.

GW, I'd be honored to have this appear in one of your videos. Once I get it cleaned up and logged into the records I keep for my kid I'll get it moving your way. Please PM me your phone number, I'll call you and set things up when it's ready to move.

Thank you! You are giving many people an opportunity to see something they will likely never see again. This is quite literally the reason why I'm doing this. Not only are we shedding light on the lost history of Sears/Craftsman but the OEM as well.

Also, I've been surprised by the myriad of misconceptions about what was and wasn't given the Craftsman brand just as much as how there is real confusion about what was and wasn't American made.

JoCo, the "prettier" you can make that ratchet the better. I've tried my best to either have as close to new examples as possible for the "reboot" or the best I can possibly find. I am hoping to give the viewers an opportunity to see something that would give a perspective of, "If I lived in 19XX and I bought this new, what would it look like?"

I'll sent you a PM.

 

[bugnut]

All have a 1/2" set complete of long c and includes the box. I noticed the inside of the box looks like brown wrinkle paint. Unfortunately the exterior is not, it is brush green. I'm thinking of removing the brush green and returning to brown wrinkle, if that is the correct color. Would also like to know what logo it carried. Please tell me what it should be thanks!

 

[JoCoSawdust]

This is what your clamshell originally looked like bug nut. Doesn't really show in the pic well but it's a crinkle finish paint. It's also darker than it looks like in the pic. VHT crinkle gray will get you in the ball park but it's a couple shades lighter than original.

 

[JoCoSawdust]

JoCo, the "prettier" you can make that ratchet the better. I've tried my best to either have as close to new examples as possible for the "reboot" or the best I can possibly find. I am hoping to give the viewers an opportunity to see something that would give a perspective of, "If I lived in 19XX and I bought this new, what would it look like?"

I'll sent you a PM.

PM received and answered GW. FedEx tells me I'll get the rat tomorrow. I know what I'll be doing this weekend! I'm hoping the rust in the picture is nothing more than surface rust. Time will tell.

 

[bugnut]

This is what your clamshell originally looked like bug nut. Doesn't really show in the pic well but it's a crinkle finish paint. It's also darker than it looks like in the pic. VHT crinkle gray will get you in the ball park but it's a couple shades lighter than original.

Thanks and appreciate the image!

 

[JoCoSawdust]

Happy Valentines Day to me. The Fors pat cleaned up very well and works like a charm. Semi-rough casting on all but the flat panels on the handle. Question for the New Britain gurus...would the oil port have had a ball detent on it? This was part of a set in the old post-war large clam shell case, Heritage logo and leather handle. The handle is in decent condition for age. Speeder, breaker bar (with tommy bar!) are all marked in the late 40s =CRAFTSMAN= logo. Sockets are a mix of that and Long C. Also had a Circle K 1/2d universal which was a first for me. I had heard SK produced some 1/2d items for Sears but had never seen one.

 

[Rileysan]

Happy Valentines Day to me. The Fors pat cleaned up very well and works like a charm. Semi-rough casting on all but the flat panels on the handle. Question for the New Britain gurus...would the oil port have had a ball detent on it? This was part of a set in the old post-war large clam shell case, Heritage logo and leather handle. The handle is in decent condition for age. Speeder, breaker bar (with tommy bar!) are all marked in the late 40s =CRAFTSMAN= logo. Sockets are a mix of that and Long C. Also had a Circle K 1/2d universal which was a first for me. I had heard SK produced some 1/2d items for Sears but had never seen one.

Are you sure it's not St Patrick's day? Because I'm green with envy!!