Craftsman RHFT - push thru quick release

[Thru-hika]

Got a 1/2" craftsman RHFT flex head ratchet and wanted to see if it has an original or replaced ratchet repair kit.

The handle has Forged in U.S.A -V- 44983 Patent Pending

Not sure if this would have had the quick release post that would push the socket off the head or if it would have the non quick release kit as pictured.

Anyone have a 1/2" Cratsman flex head RHFT with the quick release post?

 

[jakemac]

Hard to tell from just one picture, but the original anvil (male socket/gear) was bare metal and the replacement/rebuild kits were black coated.

I can't tell from that picture if that ratchet has a quick release or not.
My expertise (such as it is) is with the early teardrop ratchets.

 

[Pumpman1968]

Keep in mind that there was a guy selling Craftsman breaker bar handles with Easco ratchet heads on them

 

[bluebolt]

Keep in mind that there was a guy selling Craftsman breaker bar handles with Easco ratchet heads on them

This is a genuine one going by the Patent Pending markings.

 

[Thru-hika]

Since this has the bare metal kit I will assume it is original. I always assumed the kits with the quick release mechanism was earlier and eventually they did away with them to cut down on cost. This may not be the case but to me seemed reasonable.

 

[jakemac]

Craftsman quick releases didn't show up until around 1967 or so. Right around the same time as the single line V (-V-) code appeared.

 

[oak_park]

Anyone have a 1/2" Cratsman flex head RHFT with the quick release post?

Yes, my 1/2 flex has the quick release post going through the gear. At some point, the rhft quick release design on both the 3/8th and 1/2 drives changed as shown below, no more through the gear post. The detent ball size got smaller too. Craftsman did not make a non quick release version of this ratchet, others did like Easco, Master Mechanic,etc.


ad. You could take the flex head off a 1/2 Craftsman and put it on an Easco breaker bar, but the head would have come from a Craftsman.