"Custom" Craftsman Ratchet?

[SCscoutguy]

Is this some sort of home made tool or was it made by a company of a specific task? It looks as if it was actually made this way but it does appear to be a Craftsman ratchet.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/UNKNOWN-vin...794?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35b69dbe02

 

[Outlawmws]

What makes you think that is Craftsman? there is no "Craftsman Factory", it's all subbed out.

The toggle is the only thing that says Craftsman to me, and I'd bet the OEM made tools for themselves and others as they did for Sears.

 

[SCscoutguy]

What makes you think that is Craftsman? there is no "Craftsman Factory", it's all subbed out.

The toggle is the only thing that says Craftsman to me, and I'd bet the OEM made tools for themselves and others as they did for Sears.

It obviously started out life as a Craftsman raised panel 1/2" ratchet.

 

[DanCo]

IIRC, there was a CMan rat like that with a handle posted a while back. Looks like a funky window crank

 

[HandyManny]

Likely some specialized tool or customized tool from the old Moore Drop Forge.

 

[25mod]

It is indeed a Craftsman ratchet. It was made when they were making the 3/8" spinner ratchets...drive tool in center, handle one with spinner and other side was just like a short handle. A few years ago the spinners could fetch $200; now there still over 100 bucks. I have not seen one like this for a long time. Killer is the spinner handle is broken.

 

[25mod]

There are a couple on Ebay of the 3/8 spinners. Search craftsman spinner ratchet and you will see the model that came to life. They are very handy for some engine work and other small need done fast jobs; I have 2 of them. Flying V series with blue or black handle depending on the year produced.

 

[SCscoutguy]

It is indeed a Craftsman ratchet. It was made when they were making the 3/8" spinner ratchets...drive tool in center, handle one with spinner and other side was just like a short handle. A few years ago the spinners could fetch $200; now there still over 100 bucks. I have not seen one like this for a long time. Killer is the spinner handle is broken.

I don't think this ratchet ever was part of a spinner ratchet. I think those were only 3/8" and were forged differently than this one. It is just a regular 1/2" raised panel that looks like someone cut the handle off of.

 

[Outlawmws]

I don't think this ratchet ever was part of a spinner ratchet. I think those were only 3/8" and were forged differently than this one. It is just a regular 1/2" raised panel that looks like someone cut the handle off of.

Look at the pics closer and It appears that the plating goes over the "cut" end. That was more than likely a Factory mod or manufactured that way, possibly from a standard blank, but before the plating went on.

The odd "spanner" could be for a special fastener, or it might be for a similar piece with it's own extension to make an articulated ratchet.

I don't think there is enough visual evidence to say with certainty that it is a Craftsman, simply based on the toggle and general design, again these tools are made on contract, and it's not unusual for the same design to surface under another brand.

Craftsman has always been pretty careful about brand recognition so it would surprise me if this was made under the Craftsman label.

 

[4x4gearhead]

I think outlaw might be right, it looks as though that plating at the end is actually chromed like the rest of the ratchet, has no toolmarks that would indicate this happened after its birth.

 

[rabidsquirrel]

I'm pretty sure that's just a pretty handle. The brown piece with teeth would sit on a matching 'mate', and the teeth would allow you to change the angle of the handle.

 

[DrkMtnDew]

the attatchment on the end of this ratchet is identical to those used by high voltage lineman on the end of their fiberglass extention handles. i used them when i worked as a lineman.

 

[c/o say]

Me thinks dark dew is on to something.

 

[awdblazer]

drkmtndew is exactly correct on this one!!