Craftsman "VA" question

[orca8589]

Does "VA" on some Craftsman raised-panel wrenches indicate they're made by Vermont-American?

I have a few Craftsman raised-panel wrenches, a typical example would have one side stamped with, 15/16 FORGED IN USA -VA-44704. Were these made for Craftsman by Vermont-American? What's the general opinion of these wrenches?

I have an import brand of wrenches that I've decided to replace with a good American-made brand (like most of my other tools) and I have a sentimental attachment to the old Craftsman line.

Sorry if this has been asked before - I did a search, but couldn't find anything specific to Craftsman & Vermont American. (I read somewhere that VA made tools for Craftsman, but I can;t find where I saw that.)

~Chris

 

[wild cowboy]

absolutely NOT made by Vermont American

VA is a series code

Danaher likely made this wrench, or possibly Easco

read this thread:
www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=84807

 

[jakemac]

There is no VA code on Craftsman wrenches that I'm aware of. I think what you're seeing is a V^ (the second letter is an upside-down V) code. They were made by Danaher between 1992-2012.

 

[wild cowboy]

There is no VA code on Craftsman wrenches that I'm aware of. I think what you're seeing is a V^ (the second letter is an upside-down V) code. They were made by Danaher between 1992-2012.

do you know who made code VVF ?

I have a 1/2" 18" Flex head ratchet with this code, I believe it was purchased in the early 1990's

 

[jjjrmx5]

do you know who made code VVF ?

I have a 1/2" 18" Flex head ratchet with this code, I believe it was purchased in the early 1990's

Sure it's not VF?

I doubt VVF.

If so, I want a pic.

 

[thesilverone]

SEARCH PEOPLE SEARCH

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=84807&highlight=craftsman+date+ranges

 

[Fordman7795]

V/\.

 

[Toyota mechanic]

The best Craftsman wrenches in my opinion, are the double box end wrenches. I rarely use an open end wrench. They are longer than combination wrenches, and seem to be my 'goto' wrenches, even though I have smoother, Gearwrench ratcheting double box ends next to them.

I like them enough I just bought a set of new old stock metric ones, just because.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-12-pc-box-end-wrench-set-metric/p-00929450000P

I think all the USA stock is gone I use these the most. Raised panel or not, without thinking about it, I always use these.

 

[wild cowboy]

Sure it's not VF?

I doubt VVF.

If so, I want a pic.

you can doubt all you want, perhaps one of the Craftsman gurus can enlighten you, but it is sitting right in front of me and I am reading it, over and over, but I don't have time to take any educational pics tonight, I am busy finding deals on ebay!

 

[southalabama]

I've seen the one fordman described.

 

[bonneyman]

I have a -VE- marked 3/8" drive ratchet. I've not seen any two letter code before that (VA,VB,VC, or VD). Not saying they don't exist - just I've never seen one.

Maybe that's a good thing? Both VC and VD have bad connotations.

 

[wild cowboy]

I have a -VE- marked 3/8" drive ratchet. I've not seen any two letter code before that (VA,VB,VC, or VD). Not saying they don't exist - just I've never seen one.

the ones that came to market as best I can remember right after -v- were the -vv- series, and G and EE came out around that time as well

 

[orca8589]

Thanks for the responses, folks, it helps.

thesilverone - thanks for the link. (I've bookmarked it now.)

So the wrenches I have are Danaher/Armstrong Div., from 1992-2012.

So the opinion of these is that they're good quality tools? I assume they are - IMHO, they look and feel well-made, and they fit fasteners well. No Sears anywhere out here has any more of these that I can find, so I'll be cruising sleazebay for the rest of my sets.

~Chris

 

[thesilverone]

yeah they'll be fine. Just your typical craftsman raised panel wrenches

 

[orca8589]

yeah they'll be fine. Just your typical craftsman raised panel wrenches

Good to know, thanks.

Guess I'll have to sit outside the "General Tool Discussion" forum looking all pitiful and holding a hand-scribbled sign that says, "need to buy Craftsman raised panel wrenches - please help."

~Chris

 

[panknuckshovel]

Sure it's not VF?

I doubt VVF.

If so, I want a pic.

Since he would rather be a smart *** than post a pic or search for the thread that discussed VVf, here ya go.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=128616