Craftsman No. 1 Wrench

[Roberts210]

Can anyone tell me anything about this Craftsman No. 1 wrench? When did they make these, etc.

I picked it up many years ago... probably paid $1 for it. It is 10 inches long, the body and ends are thin--the ends are 1/8th inch thick, and it's 7/16ths on one end and 17/32nds on the other end. Being so thin, it really comes in handy from time to time.

 

[LNKMK8]

It is a tappet wrench for adjusting tappet valves on older engines. They made them thin so that they would fit. Craftsman made 5 different sizes of these wrenches. The older ones are numbered 1 through 5 while the newer ones just had a part number on them. I typically only find the 4 common sizes. Not sure if they added a 5th later? I would have to go back and look at the catalogs but I'm guessing they sold 1-4 as a set.

 

[Roberts210]

Thanks LNKMK8. I have several older engines in the 1942 to 1959 range.

 

[LNKMK8]

Here is a snip from the 1948 and 1960 catalog. The earlier only shows 3 sizes.

 

[Roberts210]

Wow. Thanks.

 

[JoCoSawdust]

The "Vanadium" marking more than likely dates it to pre-war.

 

[JjKk40]

Its for adjusting valve lash. I just bought a #1 & a #2 on the 'bay! Very cool

 

[d42jeep]

Here’s my #1 pair with what is likely a wartime finish.
-Don

 

[Roberts210]

These thin wrenches sure do come in handy. I also have a Williams Superwrench valve lash wrench in the next size up.