"Tooling" around on Google and stumbled upon the above ratchet... and fell in love. Anyone know anything about this one? I'm no vintage Craftsman expert at all, but I've n...
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- Thread starter Ryan
- Start date
"Tooling" around on Google and stumbled upon the above ratchet... and fell in love. Anyone know anything about this one? I'm no vintage Craftsman expert at all, but I've n...
To read the rest of this blog entry from The Garage Journal, click here.
twertsy
Well-known member
The infamous "Amber Handled" Craftsman. They are pretty hard to come by, made by New Britain.
ganymede
Well-known member
As Twertsy said, not too common. The plastic coating was kind of thin and their survival rate is low.
Also they weren't produced for very long.
Also they weren't produced for very long.
pendragon1998
Well-known member
I have a pair of amber handle adjustable pliers.
A seller on ebay has these dykes.
Here's a thread if you're interested:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=322891
A seller on ebay has these dykes.
Here's a thread if you're interested:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=322891
Beerman
Well-known member
I happen to own one of those rats. Given to me by my late Grandfather circa 1992. He had owned it since it was new.
Been in my toolbox, but not used, ever since.
NEVER seen another, in the wild.
Been in my toolbox, but not used, ever since.
NEVER seen another, in the wild.
coljar
Well-known member
Here is the one I have Ryan. It was my grandfather's and as you can see, identical to the Craftsman, and made by New Britain. He stamped them with his first name as he did with many of his tools.
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softailgarage
Well-known member
Anyone have a date of which these where sold? I'd like to check it out in the catalog
softailgarage
Well-known member
I found it in the 1939 catalog, sold as part of the Super Socket Set for $19.00. I'd post the ad, but until I pay acrobat to renew, I cant.
montanafordman
Well-known member
I found it in the 1939 catalog, sold as part of the Super Socket Set for $19.00. I'd post the ad, but until I pay acrobat to renew, I cant.
Wow, $19 was a ton of money in that day!
lbgradwell
Well-known member
Nor did I...
Stevedore
Well-known member
From a previous thread:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=31274&highlight=craftsman+amber
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=31274&highlight=craftsman+amber
Richard Cranium
Well-known member
I have one like steve pictured.
AG Camaro
Well-known member
Rileysan
Well-known member
A little late to this party, but here are mine. 2 breaker bars. They were grandpa's. I use them all the time. In fact I used them yesterday! Didn't realize they are "rare".
Maybe I should get a new set and display them in the shop!
Glad to hear they're holding up well. These really are quite uncommon, if not rare. In fact, I've seen more ratchets with intact handles than breaker bars. Don't be surprised if you get a few offers for them. Please take care of them!
Brian
Edit:
Here's a sold listing from eBay for a 1/4" amber handled breaker bar - sold for $52.50
http://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-Crafts...380828?hash=item4652b62a5c:g:bYkAAOSwU-pXp5MO
I couldn't locate any others from the past 3 months.
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AG Camaro
Well-known member
Holy cow! I was kidding about getting a new pair, but looking at that ebay listing I should reconsider! Thanks for posting the info. I appreciate it. Nice to know I actually have something special.
Karl's Garage
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 13, 2016
- Messages
- 100
Very nice ratchet.
Zeeman
Well-known member
A little late to this party, but here are mine. 2 breaker bars. They were grandpa's. I use them all the time. In fact I used them yesterday! Didn't realize they are "rare".
Maybe I should get a new set and display them in the shop!
Very nice! I want a set now.
VintageOkieDriver
Well-known member
Very cool ratchet!
dr_clyde
Well-known member
Here's my modest collection. These belonged to my grandfather. I got them as part of his toolbox when he passed. He most likely got them from his father in law, who owned a lot of the other tools in the box.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=335702
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=335702
Teenager with old tools
Well-known member
you mean to tell me that everytime ive seen those what i thought to be "cheap craftsman ratchets with ugly handles" are worth more than the three dollars i coulds bought a few for about 7 months ago at a yard sale? there any other tools besides craftsman with similar handles that are worth some cash? dont mean to hijack thread just thinkin wtf.
Rileysan
Well-known member
Lord almighty, yes! I would go so far as to tell you that any USA made Craftsman ratchet is worth more than the $3 you chose not to spend. That's not to say they're worth as much as these, but certainly worth buying.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
I don't know about the 39 catalog, but I have a PDF of the '42 catalog and they only showed in the "Super Delux Set" near the end of the catalog. came with a Box, all three drive sizes (a small box for the 1/4" set); Ratchets, breakers, and the 1/2" speeder, with both handles (so I assume both handles spun) Sockets also but no plastic on those.
42 pieces, for $32.50
The boxes were blue and had the blue oval Long C emblem.
If the set was also offered in 39, then only sold for 2-3 years because after the war started for the US in late 41, Everything was cut way back on the civilian side. These never were re-offered.
42 pieces, for $32.50
The boxes were blue and had the blue oval Long C emblem.
If the set was also offered in 39, then only sold for 2-3 years because after the war started for the US in late 41, Everything was cut way back on the civilian side. These never were re-offered.
rubberrodder
Well-known member
Holey chit! I gots me one of them! Mine looks just like this picture. Naked metal handle and all. Old, Craftsman, made in USA... no wonder it's one of my favorite "go to" ratchets. The fact that it's kinda-sorta rare Is extra frosting on the cupcake!
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Only the ones with the amber plastic are rare. the others, while not that common, don't command anywhere near the same value.
A little late to this party, but here are mine. 2 breaker bars. They were grandpa's. I use them all the time. In fact I used them yesterday! Didn't realize they are "rare".
Maybe I should get a new set and display them in the shop!
Holy ****! You have some very nice amber handle breaker bars there!
Tool Pants
Well-known member
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Wow, too bad they hacked it...
bareass172
Well-known member
Like a few others mentioned, I have the rat but without the amber handle... Always on the lookout though, so thanks for sharing.