Craftsman Box Head Ratchet Differences

[Provincial]

I picked up another Craftsman Box Head 1/2 drive ratchet today. Comparing it to my first one, I find some differences. I did some searching, and didn't find what I'm looking for. Perhaps the information is there and my search talents are lacking!

Neither example has much of a recess for the selector to operate in. There is a recess, but it is shallow. Both examples have the same raised panel in the handle, and the markings are very similar, perhaps identical. Both have a =V marking, as if the die was meant for a longer handle.

My first example has no depressed area in the shank, so it is possibly (from Gear Wolf's video) an early version. The handle is broad, so I call it a "wide handle" model. The selector sticks up quite high, so I call it a "Tall Selector" model. Other than these two features, it seems to be a standard Box Head ratchet.

My second example also has no depressed area in the shank. The handle is narrower than the first one, and is pretty close to the width of later ratchets. I call this a "standard handle" model. The selector does not stick up very far, so I call it a "regular selector" model.

The Wide Handle and Tall Selector are design features that were likely phased out quickly. The Tall Selector is vulnerable to damage and inadvertent operation. The wide handle would use more material and weigh more.

Can anyone steer me to information on the age of these two ratchets, and where they fit in the evolution of the MDF Craftsman ratchet line?

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I think gearwolf has a video on them

 

[Provincial]

I watched the Box Head one, but it didn't address these differences. From his video, the fact that there is no depressed area between the head and the handle means they were made in the first generation.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

As I understand it, 48 to 53 was Gen 1 (no depressed area)

 

[Lesserstore]

I've looked through the Sears Catalogs from their introduction in the Fall of 1947- the introduction of the depressed panel ones in the Fall of 1952, and unfortunately the illustrations do not show any changes to the width or the selector switch. In fact, the depressed panel illustrations look like they just added in the panel to the already existing illustrations. If I were to guess though, I would say that they are probably from 1951-52 as sort of a transitional variant.

 

[Provincial]

LS, thanks for looking. I think the changes are too subtle to inspire the catalog illustrations to be updated, so it is not surprising to see no change there.

The selector switch varies it height, not width. See my third photo for reference.

I apparently didn't attach the photos to the original post. Here they are:

 

[Lesserstore]

Here's mine. It doesn't have the depressed panel and it has the tall selector, but I can't tell if it is a wide handle or not since it's just a tiny 1/4". If anyone is wondering why the selector is in the middle it's because someone didn't stake it right and now to tighten you have to have it in the middle.

 

[Provincial]

LS, I'd say your ratchet is the narrow handle. The area on each side of the raised panel is narrower than the raised panel. On the wide handle these areas are each nearly as wide as the raised panel. Look closely at my photos.

 

[Lesserstore]

You're right it is a narrow handle. I think the wider one has a slightly different contour too, but it could be just me.

 

[Provincial]

It may be that the wide handle was only on the 1/2 drive. 1/4 drive tools often were slightly different that their larger siblings.

What is interesting is the tall selector. It shows that this selector design was used on more than just the 1/2 drive. I think it is reasonable to assume that the 3/8 drive ratchet was also made with the tall selector at one time.

 

[JoCoSawdust]

The 3/8 rats also had handles of varying widths (I call them skinny necks and fat necks). I think all of my 3/8 boxheads have the ridiculously tall selectors. I'll try to dig them out and get some pics today.