Crick-IT

[woody 73]

Several years ago when I joined the GJ, I was looking at a picture of an unusual 3/8 drive Ratchet in someone's collection; but without any kind of explanation of the ratchet.

As it turned out in my tool hunts I found it, the crick-IT 3/8 drive Ratchet made by the davenport tool Co. in Eldridge, Iowa. Patent # 3,941,017 March 02, 1976.

Special Note: Be sure to see Link #2 to see a second picture of their 3/8 Drive swivel Ratchet Sidewinder by the same tool co. Something that I will keep my eyes out for.

Also of special note I was not able to find out any information about the Davenport Co. A phone call to a machine Tool Co in the same town did not get me anywhere; if anyone has any information about that tool company please be sure and post it.

Hope that you enjoy this unique 3/8 drive Ratchet.

http://www.datamp.org/patents/displayPatent.php?id=27529

http://www.search-vehicles.com/deta...chet-USA-made-SideWinder-by_201151039981.html

http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/vintage-unique-squeeze-8-dr-ratchet-117037292

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-USA...691?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4adccb7ecb

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/3941017.html

http://patents.justia.com/assignee/davenport-tool-co

 

[Outlawmws]

I've got one of those that was posted in the GS thread, so it might have been mine you mentioned.

Sorry, I got nothing more on it.

I'd like to find one of the Sidewinder spinners you mentioned.

 

[woody 73]

Outlawmws from what I can recall it was from a post in 2008 when I first spied that special ratchet. All I remember thinking was wow that looks cool I hope one day to find one in my tool hunts and bingo it happened.

Now on for the next hunt for that sidewinder sitting in someone's garage.

 

[Outlawmws]

Yep 2008 is well before my time but.... It looks like it was also before your time!

 

[woody 73]

Outlawmws Oy Vey my mistake, after some looking at old posts I found it was GJ member Russlaferrera and his collection on 2-9-08 but later post updated sometime in 09.

Say for the next post I am working on (A tools small brother not seen on the AA Web-site) I sure would like to hire that 16 year old GJ member Mechanicalchild maybe he could give it a "SNAPPY NAME" and disappear for future post comments...just think two million hits and 1000 replies all from very happy Snap on Fans he is a genius.

 

[sk farmer]

i have one. i found it a few years ago and it was still shrinkwrapped to the cardboard.

 

[woody 73]

SK farmer have you ever seen the sidewinder from that same company?

 

[nine4gmc]

I passed on a really rusty one at a garage sale a year or so ago after playing with it for a minute, seemed like a "gimmick tool" of it's day but I would like to find one of those spinning bent handle swivel head ratchets one day!

 

[Jarhead0408]

I've got a sidewinder in 3/8 drive.

Ya'll do know they still sell 'em right? But they are pretty expensive! Close to $0 bucks!
I wouldn't pay that for it. I haven't used mine once.

 

[Farmall 1066]

I've got one too, and perhaps a bit of information on them.
In 1993/94, I had a roommate who worked in the R&D department for Vise-Grip.
He gave me a pair he got at a trade show. The inventor was looking for someone to buy his idea and take it into full scale production.
Vise-Grip was interested, but eventually determined there wasn't enough market for them. This was around the time of the Irwin takeover also.
Last I'd heard, they had the rights to it, so it's probably dead forever.

Used mine a few times...seems it worked good for fan bolts on 7000 series Allis Chalmers tractors, but that was about it.

 

[woody 73]

Jarhead0408 and Farmall 1066 could you guys post some pictures of your sidewinder ratchets.

Thanks for the added information do you know if the company is still in business?

 

[Farmall 1066]

I'll try to get some pics. I so rarely use it that I'm not sure where it is at the moment.

I'm pretty sure the original company is long gone.

 

[Outlawmws]

I've got a sidewinder in 3/8 drive.

Ya'll do know they still sell 'em right? But they are pretty expensive! Close to $0 bucks!
I wouldn't pay that for it. I haven't used mine once.

Jarhead, got a link for the sidewinder?

 

[PBCampbell]

Boy, you've been great at bringing attention to some otherwise obscure tools of late. You're recent post on Lowell ratchets was the first notice I'd had of those. Keep up the good work.

 

[JDon99]

I have one of the Sidewinders and another style ratchet they made, may be a regular swivel head. Both of mind were NOS and seemed like a decent quality.

 

[bluebolt]

I have one of the 3/8" Crik-IT's, useful every once in a while.

 

[qcdsmtsi]

I actually live a couple miles from Eldridge IA, I can do some asking around about the tool company. I'm sure some farmer around has to have some information

 

[sbyrne92]

I used one once, It was cool idea, and for the time was a unique concept. However after about 10 or so squeezes, your hand starts to get tired. No way are you going to take out a long fastener or nut on stud with these.

 

[sk farmer]

SK farmer have you ever seen the sidewinder from that same company?

i remember seeing one long ago but it has been years since i have seen one new or used.

 

[Outlawmws]

I used one once, It was cool idea, and for the time was a unique concept. However after about 10 or so squeezes, your hand starts to get tired. No way are you going to take out a long fastener or nut on stud with these.

It's for close clearance stuff so I don't see it as a big issue, but as far as hand fatigue is concerned, Sheet metal workers would never notice it. After years of cutting with ships, they could use it all day long.

 

[Jarhead0408]

Kee-rap.

My bad fellas. I thought ya'll were referring to this style: http://www.harborfreight.com/checkout/cart/

I just went back and checked the OP's second link. Not the same at all.
In my defense though, if you google "sidewinder ratchet" you get the style I have.

 

[four.cycle]

Crick-it 3/8" drive squeeze ratchet
As seen on TV!

used.
$12.00 + $4.35 shipping now. 0 bids now. ends Fri. 06/10
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Crick-It-3-...:g:KZQAAOSwmtJXUf9J&item=262467319345&vxp=mtr



(* for more information please see Woody's first post in this thread - previous page *)

 

[3baygarage]

Since Woody made this post way back, thought I’d add some info in the form of other examples, since I finally have the three different Davenport rotating head ratchets. Yes, also have a Crick It as well.

All 3/8 drive, and have a different nickname as stamped on the handle.

-The stubby is the SPINUT (marked Dav. Tool Co. Eldridge Iowa Pat Pending).
- Full size is the PIV-IT (marked Davenport Tool Co. Rochelle, Illinois, U.S.A. U.S. Pat. No. 4,274,309)
-Rotating bent handle is the SIDE WINDER (marked Davenport Tool Co. Rochelle, Illinois U.S.A. Pat. No. 4,274,309).

The full size Piv-It seems to be the least common. We all know S-K ruled the roto market anyway.

 

[four.cycle]

Crick-It / (see Davenport Tool Co.)

Davenport / Davenport Tool Co., Eldridge, IA, Davenport, IA, Rochelle, IL / "Crick-it" ratchet, "Hastee" wrench, "Sidewinder" and "Spinut" ratchet / NOT THE SAME AS "Sidewinder" ratchet by Sidewinder Products Corp. of Birmingham, AL. / patent 3941017 Mar 2 1976 Paul E. Lenker & Raymond G. Voss & 3803954 Apr 16 1974 & 4108027 Aug 22 1978 & 4274309 June 3 1981 P.E. Lenker / http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=264647 / (

) /


1976 Progressive Farmer Davenport Tool Co. Crick-It advertisement

Mr. Lenker clearly had no shortage of imagination and was awarded no fewer than four patents for the "Crick-it", the "Hastee", and the "Sidewinder".
Not sure if he was issued a patent on the "Spinut" unit. Markings on package don't indicate a patent having been issued.