Craftsman 1/2 and 3/8 ratchet with U circle

Blk63Vette · Feb 26, 2010

Hello
I just bought two (1/2 3/8) Craftsman ratchets off of Ebay. They work prefectly and are in good shape. Im just curious as to how old they are? The guy selling them said they were rare with the U circle stamped on both ratchets? What makes them rare?? The U circle? How old are these ratchets? Anyone know what years they made them? I just like collecting old ratchets feels like Im holding history in my hand!

Thanks
Pete
:beer:

ron350 · Feb 26, 2010

My computer must be broken again I can’t see the picture.

jerryW · Feb 26, 2010

From what I have read, the circle U Craftsman were made by Proto. Probably early fifties. I do have some also. Neat pieces.

jerry

cruiser808 · Feb 26, 2010

Earlier than the fifties. They were made by Plomb (which later became PROTO) in the forties. Nice catch. :thumbup:

Blk63Vette · Feb 26, 2010

This is a very rare Craftsman U Circle 1/2" drive ratchet dating back to approximately 1944-1945. It is believed by many tool collectors, to have been made for the war effort of WWII. The lack of chrome plating would further serve as proof of this because the use of chrome plating was very limited in those years. The U circle would indicate that this ratchet was made by Plomb / Pennens, for Craftsman. This ratchet has been disassembled and cleaned, and still works fine. It has a very smooth action, and operates very quietly. Don't miss out on the chance to own a piece of Craftsman tool history. This chance may not come around again very soon.

cruiser808 · Feb 26, 2010

Blk63Vette said:
This is a very rare Craftsman U Circle 1/2" drive ratchet dating back to approximately 1944-1945. It is believed by many tool collectors, to have been made for the war effort of WWII. The lack of chrome plating would further serve as proof of this because the use of chrome plating was very limited in those years. The U circle would indicate that this ratchet was made by Plomb / Pennens, for Craftsman. This ratchet has been disassembled and cleaned, and still works fine. It has a very smooth action, and operates very quietly. Don't miss out on the chance to own a piece of Craftsman tool history. This chance may not come around again very soon.

Wow Blk63Vette - you learned alot about these ratchets really fast. Don't you think your last post would be better placed in the classifieds?

Blk63Vette · Feb 26, 2010

Wow Blk63Vette - you learned alot about these ratchets really fast. Don't you think your last post would be better placed in the classifieds?

Ahhh i went on ebay and a guy selling the exact same Craftsman 1/2 ratchet I just bought had this info...I just copied it and put it on this thread.. :bounce:

I wish I was that whitty but ahhhhh Im not..lol

He wants 69 bucks for his ratchet :shocking:

I think I paided 35 plus shipping for both of mine..

So, this might be the first good deal i have gotten on Ebay..

:beer:

cruiser808 · Feb 26, 2010

Blk63Vette said:
Wow Blk63Vette - you learned alot about these ratchets really fast. Don't you think your last post would be better placed in the classifieds?

Ahhh i went on ebay and a guy selling the exact same Craftsman 1/2 ratchet I just bought had this info...I just copied it and put it on this thread..
I wish I was that whitty but ahhhhh Im not..lol

He wants 69 bucks for his ratchet I think I paided 35 plus shipping for both of mine.. So, this might be the first good deal i have gotten on Ebay..

Well then Vette - I'd say you got a good deal. Bear in mind that while these ratchets are perfectly useful if they are in good condition, they are better served as collectables. What is your purpose in acquiring them?

Blk63Vette · Feb 26, 2010

Well, I am going to use them

...I just replaced my newer 3/8 craftsman ratchet for the second time.. Go to Sears they give you a rebuilt one. I like the way the old Craftsman ratchet feels in my hand and the movement in both is very fluid..I will throughly clean them up and regrease them and use them...Why not? They have lasted this long Im sure it will last possible alot longer than me! Most of my hand tools are old I have a couple new tools but not that many..I think the older ones are built better..I seem to have problems breaking the newer ratchet I have wrenching on my Vette.

People sometimes ask me why Im driving my 63 vette on the road? If it was their car they would leave it in a garage and not drive it is too valuable. My thought is I worked hard and paided ALOT of money for this Vette...Im going to drive and enjoy it!! Life too short not to enjoy it..

:beer:

P.S. Does anyone else you hand tools that are old?

stricht8 · Feb 26, 2010

I like your philosophy on life. There is no reason not to use collectible tools or cars or whatever. Use, don't abuse.

Blk63Vette said:
Well, I am going to use them ...I just replaced my newer 3/8 craftsman ratchet for the second time.. Go to Sears they give you a rebuilt one. I like the way the old Craftsman ratchet feels in my hand and the movement in both is very fluid..I will throughly clean them up and regrease them and use them...Why not? They have lasted this long Im sure it will last possible alot longer than me! Most of my hand tools are old I have a couple new tools but not that many..I think the older ones are built better..I seem to have problems breaking the newer ratchet I have wrenching on my Vette.

People sometimes ask me why Im driving my 63 vette on the road? If it was their car they would leave it in a garage and not drive it is too valuable. My thought is I worked hard and paided ALOT of money for this Vette...Im going to drive and enjoy it!! Life too short not to enjoy it..

P.S. Does anyone else you hand tools that are old?

manic_mechanic · Feb 26, 2010

I found a couple of 1/2" U circle C-Man sockets in the pawn shop socket bin tonight.

RbrtAWhyt · Feb 27, 2010

I dont see the pics either...

deathbound · Feb 27, 2010

Pics...we need stinking pics. :headscrat

Tim Cowan · Feb 27, 2010

I use my old wrench stuff as first pick out for service. I like to have the newer, nicer tools when they are needed, but I mainly like their new shiney look and try to keep them from being beat-up.
Also I had from 70-73 a 64 Vette with both tops. I should have kept that car. I used mine, too. I bought it for $1600, sold it for $1650 (was slow to sell,too), then after that Vette prices soared. Today, the hardtop cap would be worth $1600+.

DuroChrome · Jun 16, 2015

I know this thread is 5 years old, but is this the 1/2" ratchet being discussed? It doesn't seem like there is any more info on it out there. I posted a link to this thread in the vintage tool discussion section under Plomb Tool thread. Thanks for any info. :beer:

DuroChrome · Jun 16, 2015

Other side.

LordPsychon · Jun 16, 2015

Thread necromancy...it's alive! :shocking:

PJNJ · Jun 16, 2015

If you want to identify a ratchet it's better to start a new thread. Reviving dead threads just makes people read a lot of old posts to get to your question.
Die, zombie, die!
:beer:

lauver · Jun 16, 2015

DuroChrome said:
I know this thread is 5 years old, but is this the 1/2" ratchet being discussed? It doesn't seem like there is any more info on it out there. I posted a link to this thread in the vintage tool discussion section under Plomb Tool thread. Thanks for any info.

DuroChrome,

Yes, your ratchet is the same as the OP's.

And the info posted above concerning the OEM and dates also applies to your ratchet.

What other information are you looking for?

DuroChrome · Jun 16, 2015

That was it! I found the ratchet and wanted to make sure I knew what I was talking about.

Thanks for the info.

radrush · Jun 16, 2015

U-circle = Plomb/Penens, ca. 1944 - 1948

51Commander · Jan 12, 2016

Your ratchet was Made by Proto/Plumb tools 1944-1948 and is a nice find

Craftsman 1/2 and 3/8 ratchet with U circle

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