Oldest Craftsman tool/item anyone has?

[1982fxr]

Who's got the oldest craftsman tool?

 

[Zrxrunner]

Id put the bid in for the DOE wrenches i found yesterday. Still up in the air for exact year, but sounds like a 1930-33 consensus.

 

[ed4banger]

......

 

[1982fxr]

Unrelated but interesting I just found on wiki, turns out Sears did own some manufacturing equipment...

In August 2002, Sears sued Emerson for using Sears-owned manufacturing equipment to create power tools for Home Depot. Upon the expiration of Emerson's 30-year contract to make Craftsman tools Emerson was required to return the Sears-owned equipment but instead kept the equipment, claiming it to be obsolete and of little value. Emerson denied the allegations when the suit was filed, but paid Sears $10.8 million and returned all the equipment, while admitting no wrongdoing.[38

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Who's got the oldest craftsman tool?

It's going to be someone with a so-called "wavy" oval logo (see Pic 1, EDIT: not mine) on a wood saw, plane, brace, claw hammer, axe, or hatchet, as shown in the 1927 ads. I have an early Craftsman hatchet (see Pic 2) with an early oval logo (see Pic 3), but I think it's 2nd generation, possible late 1920's, after the earliest "wavy" version.

 

[leg17]

Some say this is among the earliest.
The Craftsman name might have come from the Cushman Co connection in the mid 20's.
I have not researched this yet to my satisfaction.
But,FWIW, take a look.

http://www.papawswrench.com/vboard/index.php?topic=1871.msg11449#msg11449

 

[Jammer1329]

Here’s my wavy logo example, as found and after restoration. I believe the handle to be original.






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[GalaxyRat]

I've got the wavy logo aluminum torpedo level and the 5212 vise dated to 1933.

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[Private Lugnutz]

Here’s my wavy logo example, as found and after restoration. I believe the handle to be original.

Nicely done. I'm curious. Does it have a steel or wooden wedge in the eye? I, too, believe my half hatchet handle is original. If it's not, it was re-hung a long time ago. Odd that it wasn't flushed off with the head, but I am leaving it as is.

 

[JoCoSawdust]

I was going to post a couple a banner logo tools but somebody beat me to it. I've got a couple of ax heads and ball peen hammers with that banner-in-an-oval logo. The first Sears catalog to show Craftsman branded tools is 1927. I think that calls into question the notion that Sears bought the name in 27 as is commonly stated. To buy the name, manufacture the tools and get the name in a catalog all in the same year is questionable to me. The first few catalogs with Craftsman tools in them always use "Craftsman", in quotation marks. Cutting tools and hammers were the first tools to wear the Craftsman name. It was a slow bleed after that as other tools took on the brand name.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Not nearly as old as any of these example, But I am the original first time owner of a 1/4" and 3/8" drive socket set from Christmas 1968 ! I still use them quite a bit.

 

[HeelSpur]

This one is my user that I keep in my toolbox. I knew it had some age but never knew how old it was.

DSCF3622 by wvwheaties, on Flickr
DSCF3622 (2) by wvwheaties, on Flickr

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Not the oldest I'm sure but definately the coolest one I have.

 

[subroc]

50s

 

[ooba tooba]

My square is probably a contender

 

[Private Lugnutz]

This one is my user that I keep in my toolbox. I knew it had some age but never knew how old it was.

I could be wrong, HeelSpur. I'm using inference. It's not as old as the wavy one. But I have seen the identical double outline oval with the Long C or underline logo inside it. I figure this one was in between.

Btw, good to see a post from you. It's been awhile, no? I was about to ask about you on the MIA thread!

 

[ooba tooba]

Have an old ball pean I need to make a handle for.

 

[RTM]

I had these for quite a while. Not sure which pair I gave away, the left two are Sargent, right two are Millers Falls. Outer two are 4s, inner two are 3s.



The iron logos can be seen here and following

https://kirkhmb.smugmug.com/Woodworking/Craftsman-Connection/i-5cxhrJx

 

[Jammer1329]

Nicely done. I'm curious. Does it have a steel or wooden wedge in the eye? I, too, believe my half hatchet handle is original. If it's not, it was re-hung a long time ago. Odd that it wasn't flushed off with the head, but I am leaving it as is.

I redid this one several years ago, but if memory serves I think it just had a wood wedge. I added the steel ones to tighten it up. The wood was pretty dry and loose. I apparently got a little happy with the red paint too.




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[ed4banger]

Not the oldest I'm sure but definately the coolest one I have.

.....

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I redid this one several years ago, but if memory serves I think it just had a wood wedge. I added the steel ones to tighten it up. The wood was pretty dry and loose. I apparently got a little happy with the red paint too.

Thanks. As for the red paint in your refinishing, I think just the eye and the doe's foot is classy. And I like it highlighting the logo, too.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Same style of logo as on a vanadium ratchet set I have, 1935ish.

Yes it is from a small hinge handle set

 

[elidas]

Few wrenches:

 

[Kev442]

Unrelated but interesting I just found on wiki, turns out Sears did own some manufacturing equipment...

In August 2002, Sears sued Emerson for using Sears-owned manufacturing equipment to create power tools for Home Depot. Upon the expiration of Emerson's 30-year contract to make Craftsman tools Emerson was required to return the Sears-owned equipment but instead kept the equipment, claiming it to be obsolete and of little value. Emerson denied the allegations when the suit was filed, but paid Sears $10.8 million and returned all the equipment, while admitting no wrongdoing.[38

And I own the result of that chicanery, the Ridgid LS24/24 tablesaw with Herculift. Bought it right about 2000/2001. Gave it a good workout in early December.

 

[torqueman2002]

I have my grandfathers 1/2" breaker bar.

BTW - I turned 72 last Sep.

 

[islandkent]

I have a 1936 Craftsman lathe

 

[elidas]

Craftsmen BE and H:

 

[Mallen]

I have a 1936 Craftsman lathe

That's a few years older than mine. I veive mine to have been made in 39

 

[Duke74]

Here’s my wavy logo example, as found and after restoration. I believe the handle to be original.






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Beautiful hatchet Jammer!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Beautiful hatchet Jammer!

Indeed. And, still the oldest Craftsman tool on the thread.

 

[Corndoggeh]

50s

Im sure there was an extremely good reason that Sears went with that type of tool stand for ease of mfg and being able to use it on any of their power tools but man they have to be the absolutely worst possible stand I've ever had the displeasure of owning for a brief period of time. Mostly the bulkiness and "rickity" feel to it. In contrast I can't get enough of the old delta splayed leg and cast iron stands for their form and function.

 

[WagonHo!]

Here’s my wavy logo example, as found and after restoration. I believe the handle to be original.






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wunerful!

 

[markwesti]

Machine tool (Craftsman/Atlas) . I believe this lathe is from 1938 . The main reason I think this is , the lead screw (it moves the cross slide) is a double lead 3/8-20 screw . Later ones are Acme single lead . When Atlas started making the little 6" around 1937 they used the double lead thread , also that machine had no backgear (granny gear) . In 38' they added backgear , my machine has backgear but has the 3/8 - 20 thd . . My machine also has some other parts that I see on the 37' 6" . My thought is when Atlas made the new 6" backgear model they were using up parts from 37' .

 

[Mallen]

I see you the milling attachment. I keep mine on a 4" slab of concrete. The difference between that and a wooden table is night and day. It gets rid of most of the tool chatter.

 

[Jim C.]

I might have something older, but off the top of my head, my oldest Craftsman branded product is probably this 1948 drill press.

Jim C.

 

[markwesti]

I see you the milling attachment. I keep mine on a 4" slab of concrete. The difference between that and a wooden table is night and day. It gets rid of most of the tool chatter.

That picture was taken when I first got the lathe home and was cleaning it up . Here is a picture of the stand I made for it , the base is a cut down HF wood lathe base and the table top is 2 pcs of 3/4 ply glued together and edge finished with oak . A few weeks ago I scored the original cast iron legs and Maple wood top . I haven't got it set up yet got side tracked working on a vintage 1060 Atlas drill press .

DSCF2546 by mark westi, on Flickr

 

[markwesti]

I might have something older, but off the top of my head, my oldest Craftsman branded product is probably this 1948 drill press.

Jim C.

Art Deco !

 

[Jim C.]

Yes it is from the Art Deco period. That drill press was a “quest machine“ that had been on my wish list for years. The funny thing is that I finally found it in my brother-in-law’s mother’s basement. It had been sitting there unused since the 1980s and was still mounted on it’s original shipping pallet. The drill press is in original factory condition.

Jim C.

 

[TexTJ209]

Yes it is from the Art Deco period. That drill press was a “quest machine“ that had been on my wish list for years. The funny thing is that I finally found it in my brother-in-law’s mother’s basement. It had been sitting there unused since the 1980s and was still mounted on it’s original shipping pallet. The drill press is in original factory condition.

Jim C.

Jim, how did you date it to 1948? And would you happen to have a better picture of the badge on top?

The late 40s era is where I'm not 100% sure of badge type transitions, so just curious. Thanks!

 

[JoCoSawdust]

I've got a few "wavy logo" tools that I think are older but this jewel is my favorite "oldie". Walker Turner-made SD80, the first drill press to wear the Craftsman name. 1931 if memory serves.