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I’m not looking for a fight, but I would have passed on that plane. Was the repair on the main casting done correctly? Is the sole still relatively flat? Would you honestly use the plane with a rear tote that’s beat up like that? How much will it cost to replace? How much did the plane cost...

Hi jola, Welcome to the site. I hate to make your first experience here and to woodworking unpleasant but I gotta say it. When you buy old tools, particularly old hand planes, really look them over carefully. If there’s significant damage to the castings, the tote and knob are cracked, parts...

Wrench97, I don’t think the website dropped the images. I think you have to be signed in as a member of the site to see them. Jim C.

Check out the link below to the Craftsman Ratchet type study. Your ratchet is discussed on page 1, reply #10. Jim C.

I saw those USA made sets at my local Lowes yesterday. I wanted to take a closer look at the tools but the storage case was zip tied closed. I think they were $68 per set. It didn’t take much for me to put it back on the shelf and walk away. I knew there was nothing in that set that would...

The ratchet was manufactured in the USA very likely at some point between May, 1967 and 1968. Notice that it has the pointed letter “A” in the CRAFTSMAN stamp. That typically indicates that the tool was manufactured no later that 1968. A closer look at the patent side of the handle includes the...

Yes, from approximately 1960 to 1962, Sears did offer Craftsman branded Whitworth tools to include a set of ten 1/2” drive sockets. What I found was that the 1/2” drive sockets and ratchet were often too big to use. I was tinkering with a 1955 MG and the space was tight. 3/8” and 1/4” drive...

Check out the link below to the Craftsman ratchet type study. Looks like a type 6. Information regarding your ratchet can be found on page 3. Jim C.

I wouldn’t do any routing, shaping, etc. with a radial arm saw. I picked up an old Cman radial arm saw about a year ago. I use it occasionally for cross cuts and that‘s about it. Jim C.

Nice find Joe! I picked one up a while back. This is what it should look like with the correct vintage set of tools. Jim C.

I’d try to get a fence of some kind, either factory or self made. A band saw is really versatile and when set up properly, with a fence and feather board, it will rip cut an extremely straight line. Why diminish the saw’s potential by not adding a fence? Half of the cuts I make on a band saw...

I have these two. Jim C.

I recently made this small keepsake box from a section of pine board that came from an old collapsed barn. The lid is oak, and also from a section of a beam from the same barn. Jim C..

Hi All, This Cman work bench belongs to my dad. I’m just trying to get an approximate date of manufacture. I’m thinking about 1972. The logo appears to have green lettering. Anyone know for sure when this bench was made? Also, is there a spot somewhere on the bench that is stamped with a...

Tom, During the same time period, beginning about 1960, Sears/Craftsman offered its first set of metric tools. They’re about as difficult to find as are the Whitworth tools. Jim C.

I think MDF made more than just tools, however, I know one of their facilities was primarily used to make tools, probably for Sears/Craftsman. When you consider the amount of hand tools Sears sold every day, I don’t know how MDF could have made tools for anyone else. MDF had the Sears contract...

Don, As I recall, I’ve turned to you more than once to help me complete a Cman set or two. Don’t sandbag us. Your tool collection is one of the best and most extensive on GJ, and when it comes down to general tool knowledge you know your stuff. If I had to name ten people to the “Vintage Tool...

GnomeChild, Between about 1960 and 1962, Craftsman offered a set of ten 1/2” drive Whitworth sockets. In the same time period, Craftsman also offered its first metric set of sockets and wrenches. Jim C.

I like the =V= era tools from about 1954 to 1968. Jim C.

I bought one several years ago and finally restored it about four years ago. It’s built like a tank and sees a lot of use in my shop.