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Craftsman Prototype Double Headed Ratchet?

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muddyjoe15

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 21, 2010
Messages
432
Location
Pennsylvania
I've never seen one, so id have to say someone made it at home. Then again i was around when those style ratchets were new so....beats me.
 

WhiteTrash

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 13, 2010
Messages
155
I believe it is a homemade job. The model number is 44985, which is a 3/8" quick release with a metal selector switch. And it isn't patent pending. It appears that someone removed the socket quick release button and attached a 1/4" drive head. The 1/4 drive doesn't appear to be sealed as well as the 3/8 side. It also seems that there is little clearance between the 1/4" drive head and the selector switch. It is an interesting piece, indeed, but I have great doubts about it being a prototype from Craftsman.
 
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SCscoutguy

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 23, 2010
Messages
2,229
Location
South Carolina
I believe it is a homemade job. The model number is 44985, which is a 3/8" quick release with a metal selector switch. And it isn't patent pending. It appears that someone removed the socket quick release button and attached a 1/4" drive head. The 1/4 drive doesn't appear to be sealed as well as the 3/8 side. It also seems that there is little clearance between the 1/4" drive head and the selector switch. It is an interesting piece, indeed, but I have great doubts about it being a prototype from Craftsman.

I believe you may be right. I would really like to see what the guts of that ratchet look like to see exactly what is going on inside. I don't really see how someone could attach another 1/4" drive end to the existing 3/8" side and have it strong enough to actually use.
 

sumner52000

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Joined
May 13, 2010
Messages
1,025
Location
Roxboro, NC
I was bidding out of curiosity. My curiosity ran out a little over $25. If anyone here gets it we want to see pics of the guts.
 

PowderKeg

Well-known member
Joined
May 20, 2008
Messages
961
Location
Little Rock, AR
I'd say that's a home-brewed concoction as well. Looks like the QR hole was bored out to fit the 1/2" drive stud and put the gear in backwards. The QR guts might conceivably be knocked out and a chunk of a power driver w/ 3/8" drive stud (or something similar) driven down in its place (just a random thought). The handle has the remnants of a "refurbished" sticker on it - maybe a Sears employee was bored one day and got creative in the back room with the spare parts bins and a drill press? Who knows, but since the seller didn't really focus in and promote that one "prototype" ratchet with better pics, I'll venture a guess that he might suspect something isn't quite right about it, but "prototype" sells better than "buggered up". I wonder if a 1/2" socket would even lock on the stud with the reverse lever that close.

I'll also venture a guess that there'll be one unhappy buyer if the ratchet really is as jury-rigged as it looks from the less-than-stellar photos, particularly if they bid that much believing the "prototype" hype.

I could be wrong, but if it walks like a duck and squawks like a duck....
 
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SCscoutguy

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 23, 2010
Messages
2,229
Location
South Carolina
Holy cow someone paid $70 for those ratchets. Like posted above I hope someone didn't bid on them thinking they scored some great prototype ratchet and it ends up being something that someone made in their garage.
 
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