Vintage, unopened Craftsman Tool Set.. Opinions on age?

[Big Bad Dad]

My Mom gave me an unused Craftsman tool kit that my Dad had bought and stashed away in the attic several years ago. It still has the brown paper wrapping the tools and the packing list in the box. Also has a brochure for Craftsman torque wrenches. No bar code on the papers. It is a pretty basic set, and is all there. I plan to add more needed tools and use it as my carry around box in my vintage car when I'm going out cruising. I would like you guy's opinion on the age of this set. I am guessing probably made in the late 1970s or early 1980s. What do you think?

 

[4xdog]

I think 1980s is too new -- perhaps the first year or so of the decade. The Sears Craftsman toolbox tag was (usually) square and red by then, not the crown top logo. I'd guess 1970s for that nifty set.

Do the ratchets have oil ports on the top? That would also push it earlier than the 1980s.

 

[Big Bad Dad]

I think 1980s is too new. The Sears Craftsman tag was (usually) square and red by then, not the crown top logo. I'd guess 1970s for that nifty set.

Do the ratchets have oil ports on the top? That would also push it earlier than the 1980s.

Yes. Both ratchets were stuck, the grease had turned to mud inside. I took them apart, cleaned and lubed them. Both have little oil ports on top.

 

[ecotec]

I would guess 60’s or 70’s.

I have the same box… and I am having a hell of a time loading the picture of it.

 

[Wrench97]

Is there a copyright date on the back of the book?

 

[lardy1]

Are the parts numbers stamped in the tools? I've forgotten the specifics but some can be narrowed down that way in that they didn't put the numbers on until a certain time.

 

[RTM]

It seems if you can get the -v- or =v= etc markings off it, that would help you narrow it down substantially.

I downloaded it, gives you info like this

V	Moore Drop Forge, ca. 1946 - 1967	V = Moore Drop Forge, ca. 1946 - 1967
V (continued)	Easco, ca. 1968 - 1986 perhaps as late as 1991 as NOS	V (continued) = Easco, ca. 1968 - 1986 perhaps as late as 1991 as NOS

 

[RTM]

This pins it down a little bit

2022 Garage Sale Thread

So we hit some sales yesterday and I picked up an 8 piece Lisle Torx bit set for $3.00. I don't run into Torx too often but the price was right. I came home and my son stopped by with his new to him "beater" - a 1999 Chevy Suburban and he needed a large Torx bit to remove the cargo hold downs...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[alinc100]

Close as I can come is an 83 piece set in 1978. Part Nos slight different, but going through all catalogs 1959-1980 this was the closest match.

 

[tyyost]

Close as I can come is an 83 piece set in 1978. Part Nos slight different, but going through all catalogs 1959-1980 this was the closest match.

I’d bet that’s it, the 82 pc tool set and the tool box makes 83 pieces. Great find!

 

[Big Bad Dad]

Are the parts numbers stamped in the tools?

The wrenches have numbers. I didn't pay attention to any numbers on the tools.

 

[Big Bad Dad]

Close as I can come is an 83 piece set in 1978. Part Nos slight different, but going through all catalogs 1959-1980 this was the closest match.

That's pretty close. My box doesn't had the red tray, it is a gray tray. Also, I found it weird that this set did not include any phillips screwdriver. And 1978 could be close because we moved into the house there in 1975.

 

[MarkH]

I would say purchased in the late 70's. My uncle bought about 10 on close out for the farm that looked very similar and had a similar parts list paper and torque wrench ad in them in 78-79 period of time. As always when made and sold may have a year or two difference between them. We placed them in pickups that did not have service tool chests on them. Simple tool kit but very useful. Great luck on finding a new one. Since your dads take care of it, special find.

 

[m6z]

That's a very cool find.

 

[engineer2]

Looks like my old Craftsman tools I bought piece-meal 1977-1979.
I think my box is even the same.

 

[webscrounger]

I'd bet 60's - early 70's base on the saw and the ratchets and oil ports. Don't think they made those ratchets later than that.

 

[4xdog]

I'd bet 60's - early 70's base on the saw and the ratchets and oil ports. Don't think they made those ratchets later than that.

"Made" vs "leftover in the supply chain" are different things, of course. I bought my first Craftsman ratchet/socket set in 1979. The 3/8" drive ratchet didn't have an oil port. A friend in my first job bought his a year or two prior to that and he did have an oil port on his 3/8". I went to my local Sears and rooted through the wire bins on the shelves looking for an oil port one for myself. There weren't any 3/8" by then, but I did get a 1/4" inch off the shelf with an oil port. Probably a few years older stock.

The ratchets in the 1960s often had the "V" shaped direction selection lever, and the ones shown by the op have the later, more traditional, lever.

The hacksaw I'll agree looks an old design -- much like my father's (non-Craftsman) from the 1950s. That style hung around for a looong time.

 

[captain14]

I remember buying my dad a metric “add on” set sometime in The late 70’s for Xmas. I don’t think they sold SAE and metric together at the time.
It included sockets and wrenches only, no drive tool or extensions.

 

[bobg03]

Nice set, I would guess late 70's also.

I have that box purchased in 82 and my tray is red. I got it to replace a similar but different brand box that fell out of my truck in the woods never to be seen again.

I still have the Craftsman, it's not as pretty as yours but it has served me well over the 40 years.

 

[ET160]

I have a similar tool box. I was going to say early 80s, but late 70s could be right.

 

[gmcgeo]

Well, its now a "opened craftsman tool set"

Nice set!

 

[AE2]

In 1952, Simpsons-Sears Ltd. was formed as the result of a partnership agreement between Sears, Roebuck and Co. with the Canadian department store firm Simpson's Ltd. of Toronto, formerly known as the Robert Simpson Co. After the deal, Simpson's continued to operate their own stores, creating such sights as a mall with a "Simpson's" at one end and a "Simpsons-Sears" at the other. Since this created confusion, in 1971 Simpsons-Sears changed their logo to use only the Sears name.


In 1978 The Hudson's Bay Co. bought Simpson's Ltd., and, from 1979, operated it as a wholly owned subsidiary. The government forced Simpson's and Simpsons-Sears to completely split their operations, including warehouses and distribution. Hudson's Bay continued to operate Simpsons stores until 1991, when most stores were merged into that of The Bay, and some stores (in malls that already had a Bay store) were sold to Sears Canada.


In 1983 Sears Roebuck bought the shares of Simpsons-Sears that were held by Hudson's Bay Co., which gave Sears Roebuck majority control. The following year the name Simpsons-Sears Ltd. was formally changed to Sears Canada, Inc.


Simpsons-Sears carried Craftsman tools, which are substantially the same as their American counterparts. Differences seem to be mostly confined to packaging and bilingual labeling. For service and support, check out the Sears Canada website, or email [email protected].




http://vintagemachinery.org/mfgindex/detail.aspx?id=754

 

[webscrounger]

Here is some info from 'Alloy Artifacts':

"V" 3/8-Drive Quick-Release Ratchet​

Fig. 34. Craftsman "V" 3/8-Drive Quick-Release Ratchet, with Insets for Reverse and Side Views, ca. 1965-1970.

Fig. 34 shows a Craftsman 3/8-drive quick-release ratchet, stamped with the "Craftsman" double-line logo on the raised panel, with "Forged in U.S.A." and a "V" code on the reverse panel. The reverse panel is also stamped with a "Pat. No. 3208318" patent notice.


The overall length is 6.8 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.


The patent notice refers to patent #3,208,318, filed by P.M. Roberts in 1964 and issued in 1965. This is the classic patent for the quick-release mechanism.

 

[tez929rr]

Looks like my old Craftsman tools I bought piece-meal 1977-1979.
I think my box is even the same.

My first set was purchased at a Sears store when I worked there in 1978 and these tools and box look identical. I still have them all, spread out among my different sets. And the box someplace.

 

[mslim]

Good score! I have most of the same tools that were acquired in the mid 70's so the dating seems correct to me. Mine were not bought in a nice set like that but I do have the same sturdy box.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

I wouldn't use it, I'd keep it as a collectible.

 

[M635_Guy]

Sounds like the consensus is later 70's. My first thought was that it screamed "Early 70's". Much before that the dot-matrix, geared-paper used for the contents list would be sorta rare for volume manufacturing. And it just has that "look"...

 

[Jakemedic]

That is a Very nice find from your dad! If It were me and from my dad, I would build a display of some sort and cherish it in my shop. Those finds in my estimation are priceless and so meaningful. Either way, very cool for sure!

 

[Kscardsfan]

I'd give very valuable parts of my anatomy for that kind of find. Great score man.

 

[Boilerhouse]

When I first saw the packaging and the paperwork, my first thought was late 70's. It was then that I bought your sets bigger brother, with more sockets, full combination wrench set, and more screw drivers and a few other odds and ends. Forty plus years later, still using that set most weekends, although the 1/4 inch ratchet was garbage and its replacement was garbage. Otherwise, it has all held up very well.

 

[Jim C.]

Based on what I can see in the photos and what has been described by the OP, I know that ratchets with those particular model numbers and oil ports were produced between 1970 and 1978. They may be a clue to the approximate age of your tool set.

Jim C.

 

[DAustin]

Did all the screwdriver handles smell bad? By now they should have that Craftsman screwdriver smell we all know.

 

[yhprum]

I think I bought that set in 1979 when I started aviation tech school. Still have most of minus the box.

 

[bonneyman]

Very nice acquisition!

Metal nameplate with plastic handle seems mid 70's to me. They went to a plastic sticker logo in the 80's, while handles in the 60's/maybe early 70's were metal. FWIW

 

[lolaetype]

I had that box, 3/8" ratchet and hacksaw, still have the ratchet and hacksaw. I got them used in 1970.

 

[Big Bad Dad]

Thanks for the replies and comments guys. I'm convinced the set is probably from about 1978. I am going to add a few more things to it, and try to keep it in good condition. I plan to use it as my carry kit for emergencies in the trunk of my old Mopar. It will be mostly riding along in this>

 

[sz0k30]

I don't remember for sure, but I'll go with maybe late 70's like others have said. Looking at the photo I know I didn't buy the complete set because I never had open end wrenches on both ends. I do have that identical box with that identical tray.

 

[sk farmer]

i am at a loss.

what good are the 1/4 sockets with no drive tools?

what good are the punches with no hammer?

more proof that sears always had problems with sets making sense i guess.

 

[lolaetype]

what good are the 1/4 sockets with no drive tools?

what good are the punches with no hammer?

I see a 1/4" screwdriver style driver for the 1/4" sockets. It's a basic starter set, not an all inclusive master mechanic's set. It's also probably good marketing; you'll come back to Sears to fill the gaps in the tool selection.

 

[4xdog]

Does your 1/4" drive screwdriver have a 1/4" drive socket in the end of the handle, @Big Bad Dad? The one my buddy got around 1977-78 did, and the one I got in 1979 didn't.

I thought that was a cool feature. Took me until a year or two ago to get one with that (the Caterpillar/Snap-on version.)