30 mm deep 1/2 in drive Craftsman USA socket

[HVAC Study]

Hello

I found two of these and I wonder if they are unicorns like the 20 mm shallow 3/8 drive 12 Pt. I can’t find any info on them at all.

 

[RedneckWelder]

Why would they be unicorns?

 

[jacked_72]

I'm going to put that on my list of things not to buy.

 

[dstblj52]

arent made in USA craftsman tools coming soon anyway?

 

[HVAC Study]

Lol apparently I’m in the wrong place

The 20 mm shallow 3/8 drive 12 Pt socket was never made for any of their standard sets and was not available in any stores normally. However since certain retailers wanted to be able to fill out one of their socket trays they asked craftsman to make them sockets to do so.

In the case of the 20 mm they rebadged a socket from their industrial line and stamped it like a normal craftsman instead of craftsman industrial. As a result they were briefly offered via catalog or at those certain retailers for about two years I believe.

It was also rumored that there are other sizes that share the same unique story and I think these are it. The are not listed in any set or available in any catalog I could find so far and a google search of that size and or part number yields no results.

I have a 299 piece master socket set that was advertised by craftsman as every socket craftsman ever made and yet the 20 mm I referred to is not in the set nor are these 30 mm. The 299 piece set is still listed but they don’t include these.

The 20 mm 12 Pt went for about 80 something last I saw on eBay but I have never seen these before. Not really looking to appraise them or sell them just wanted to see if anyone knew the back story.

Edit. For that matter I also found a 25/32 1/2 in drive deep 12 Pt that also wasn’t in the master set 47526 is the part number for it

 

[notillfarmer2950]

Definitely rare and probably offered for an extremely limited amount of time. The largest 1/2 drive deep metric socket that had CRAFTSMAN stamped on it was a 27mm 12 point.

 

[Shelbylex]

Hmm, did a quick google and ebay search - deep 30mm ones are rare

Now, what would one use it for?

 

[ike]

Considering they have sat on a shelf for the last 12+ years, I would guess they are just as rare as they are needed.

 

[HVAC Study]

I don’t always buy tools because they are needed. I just like tools and I collect them especially if it is something odd, rare, or with a story. I like to buy modified tools because they tell a story. To each his own I guess.

 

[ike]

I buy more to use, but I do have a rare one, it's a 9/16" Craftsman USA spark plug socket marked X and 30610. I've looked for years and never seen another. I bought a lot of Craftsman stuff that included this one years ago. I assume this is one that never hit any shelves.

 

[HVAC Study]

That looks like an sk if I have ever seen one. Dollars to doughnuts sk made that socket for craftsman. Is the rubber inside ribbed?

Here is my sk 13/16 1/2 in drive

 

[ike]

Yeah. A Google of X date code on Craftsman says SK made it, so that's not the mystery, but I've never seen another X code socket.

 

[ATC]

Hmm, did a quick google and ebay search - deep 30mm ones are rare

Now, what would one use it for?

So you're saying I should stop using mine on my shop press before I ruin it?





Nah...Just kidding. But I do have a lot of craftsman sockets...individuals and sets. I'll have a look around and see if I can hit the 'lottery'

 

[Jtels85]

Ignore the negativity - you indeed found a pair of rare Craftsman USA sockets at an Ace and should be proud of that.

I was one of the first people who figured out Ace Hardwares were a honey hole for NOS Craftsman USA tools several years ago, and consequently began taking weekend trips and buying up everything I could find from stores in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee. I bought USA mechanics sets, wrench sets, socket sets, impact socket sets, ratchets, singles, etc… at the time Sears was still selling USA WF made screwdrivers and pliers, so I wasn’t as focused on those.

I bet during my few years worth of road trips and traveling, I hit up several dozen Ace stores, many of which in very small communities off the beaten path, and I never ran across any 30mm deep sockets that I can recall.

Not every Ace store carried the same tools or quantity. Some had wall to wall Craftsman displays, while others had a few petty items. Some were packed with tons of USA tools collecting dust, while others were mostly sold out and had China Craftsman for sale. Some even carried Crescent brand mechanics tools, exclusively.

It may not be SnapOn, Tekton or whatever the hot flavor of the month is around here, but they’re still special.

Thanks for sharing these with us!

 

[Ton ton]

I can't find a Craftsman 9/16" spark plug socket even if it's made in china/ Taiwan. Those spark plug sockets are truly rare.

 

[HVAC Study]

Lol I am right with you. Once I realized what had happened to craftsman (I was apparently living under a rock) I began a mission to collect as much USA craftsman I could. Once I found out there were special oddballs it made it even more fun.

I love hitting up ace hardwares for NOS craftsman.

 

[Shelbylex]

I was actually serious - wonder what people are using 30mm deep sockets for.
Shop press bolts by ATC. Anybody else?

 

[drtyler]

I was actually serious - wonder what people are using 30mm deep sockets for.
Shop press bolts by ATC. Anybody else?

Output flange nut on old BMW’s with manual transmissions.

 

[WWheeler]

I have no idea what I'd use a 30mm deep Craftsman socket for.
I just know I really want one. Same for the 9/16 spark plug socket.
I've got pretty much complete Craftsman socket sets in USA-made and China-made easy reads so I kinda feel like they're missing a family member.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I’d love to have one. That’s a heck of a find good thing you got both. Lucky lol. I’ve cleaned out all the Ace stores old USA stock around here but none of them had the rare 20mm or 30mm sockets. You can use a 30mm 12 point deep on Toyota axle nuts but most of the time you need a impact socket for that though I have broken them loose with a breaker bar before. Honestly it’s probably why they made this socket is for that. I’m one that is like you I pick up every piece of USA Craftsman stuff that I can find. I’m a huge nerd for collecting it lol. Great tools.

 

[ike]

The rubber inside mine is different than the one you posted, but the exterior certainly tells the story that they are from the same place. I have a pretty full set of Craftsman USA sockets (with some Armstrong fillers mixed in). I never went for the obscure, but did try to get all the common sizes with no skips. I admire the urge to collect them all though.

 

[HVAC Study]

I have no idea what I'd use a 30mm deep Craftsman socket for.
I just know I really want one. Same for the 9/16 spark plug socket.
I've got pretty much complete Craftsman socket sets in USA-made and China-made easy reads so I kinda feel like they're missing a family member.

I’m sure you need a 20 mm shallow 12 point 3/8 drive 23346 if you want a complete set

I have a collection of each letter stamp

V no part number pointed A
V no part number
V with part number
VV
EE
G
G1
G2
GK

Etc.

 

[rustyzman]

30mm 12 point, also used on some Toyota FWD axle shaft nuts if I recall.
I have an impact socket for that.

 

[drtyler]

If you are ok with the Armstrong version, Cripe has them - Armstrong 39-330 - for $17.25 (shipping cost included).

 

[scooby074]

I was actually serious - wonder what people are using 30mm deep sockets for.
Shop press bolts by ATC. Anybody else?

Kubota mower deck blade bolts are 30mm. Kubota's factory socket is a deep. But you can use a shorty if you have to.

 

[Ton ton]

30 mm is what we use on a tandem axle dumpster truck. Definitely a useful socket. I use Gearwrench brand.

 

[KnurledNut]

Im not a big vintage Cr@ftsman nut, so just more out of curiosity:
Did they ever make a 1-3/16 deep? (which would be the 30mm equivalent)

 

[Bockscar]

The rubber inside mine is different than the one you posted, but the exterior certainly tells the story that they are from the same place. I have a pretty full set of Craftsman USA sockets (with some Armstrong fillers mixed in). I never went for the obscure, but did try to get all the common sizes with no skips. I admire the urge to collect them all though.

I have two 5/8 SK with the same rubber style insert

 

[HVAC Study]

Im not a big vintage Cr@ftsman nut, so just more out of curiosity:
Did they ever make a 1-3/16 deep? (which would be the 30mm equivalent)

They did but I don’t have a USA made one

 

[NHtoolguy]

My 1993 VW Passat GLX VR6 used 30mm 12 point nuts on the axle shafts.

 

[hailwood1965]

As an aside, some day, Big Bro will be able to ID you by even a partial pic of your fingerprint. Ha!

 

[HVAC Study]

we all carry a device that we allow to track us to the point big corporation knows more about us than we do so I’m not worried. They already know anything they want to know about me.

 

[rshimizu12]

Why would they be unicorns?

Personally I do not understand why they make 12 point sockets in such large sizes. The big 12 point sockets are much more prone to slippiing

 

[yellowbox]

32$ for achrome socket lol no no no !!!

 

[yellowbox]

I can't find a Craftsman 9/16" spark plug socket even if it's made in china/ Taiwan. Those spark plug sockets are truly rare.

I have one

 

[dnschmidt]

30mm 12 pt deep is the standard axel nut socket for Toyota cars. 39mm 12 point is used on their bigger trucks.

 

[Gordon84]

I can't find a Craftsman 9/16" spark plug socket even if it's made in china/ Taiwan. Those spark plug sockets are truly rare.

You're in luck. here's one on fleabay for the bargain price of $109.99 + $4.44 shipping.

ULTRA RARE Vintage Craftsman 9/16 6 Point Spark Plug Socket MADE IN USA 30610 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for ULTRA RARE Vintage Craftsman 9/16 6 Point Spark Plug Socket MADE IN USA 30610 at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[ZRX61]

30mm fits Kawasaki clutch baskets.

 

[Retired dozer fixer]

Ever work on Komatsu heavy equipment? Then you better have one

 

[dchawk81]

Ignore the negativity - you indeed found a pair of rare Craftsman USA sockets at an Ace and should be proud of that.

I was one of the first people who figured out Ace Hardwares were a honey hole for NOS Craftsman USA tools several years ago, and consequently began taking weekend trips and buying up everything I could find from stores in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee. I bought USA mechanics sets, wrench sets, socket sets, impact socket sets, ratchets, singles, etc… at the time Sears was still selling USA WF made screwdrivers and pliers, so I wasn’t as focused on those.

I bet during my few years worth of road trips and traveling, I hit up several dozen Ace stores, many of which in very small communities off the beaten path, and I never ran across any 30mm deep sockets that I can recall.

Not every Ace store carried the same tools or quantity. Some had wall to wall Craftsman displays, while others had a few petty items. Some were packed with tons of USA tools collecting dust, while others were mostly sold out and had China Craftsman for sale. Some even carried Crescent brand mechanics tools, exclusively.

It may not be SnapOn, Tekton or whatever the hot flavor of the month is around here, but they’re still special.

Thanks for sharing these with us!

That's a lot of gas.