Found these guys today

[sgtgeo]

In an old toolbox

 

[kctyphoon]

I had some of my craftsman stuff sitting in a metal ammo can filled with paint thinner, or turpentine - for like 10 years..

 

[JUNK-MAN]

I had a 1/2" version I loved, one of the few craftsman tools I've ever liked. But in a rush when it started raining hard I left it at a junkyard....

 

[pepi]

Great design, change the direction with your thumb.

 

[Coach James]

Was there a question or just pics of some cool ratchets? Is that a set screw in the top?

Coach

 

[Wamsutta]

Is that a set screw in the top?

I think that's a spring loaded check ball for a grease needle.

 

[ngk22r]

I think that's a spring loaded check ball for a grease needle.

That is correct.

These are the real Craftsman tools... Sad what they were and what they are now.

 

[apollard]

Got a few of those still around. Used to be able to take them to the stores and they would rebuild them on the spot. Sigh.

 

[sgtgeo]

So we like these older ones. Not as much as the RHFT versions.

I took the both apart cleaned and lubed them, They were fine even thought they lived most of their lives 50' from saltwater.

They are freshly rebuilt and lubed and don't really feel that much "better" than the newer (still USA) ones I have.

I think they only have ~24 teeth, is this possible?

I like the one without the QR look odd since I've seen the Craftsman teardrop shape with QR my whole life.

I'd like any info other than the HUGE -V- code date range.

Thanks

 

[Flybye]

How old are those? I have early 90s USA ratchets that do not have that grease ball.

 

[rlitman]

I think that's a spring loaded check ball for a grease needle.

It says 710 right there under the ball. Or for those of us of the blonde persuasion, that translates to OIL.

 

[rlitman]

How old are those? I have early 90s USA ratchets that do not have that grease ball.

I think that by the 90's, they had ones that look exactly like the current version, except with a metal selector (currently they're plastic).

The lubrication ball isn't the only difference, but it certainly stands out.

 

[sgtgeo]

I have no idea how old they are.

I’d like a 3/8” with no QR like the 1/4”

 

[KEH]

That series ratchet never had a plastic selector. Probably made 1950s-60s. The cheaper made ratchet which replaced that series in the 1980s was a good, rugged ratchet and was first made with a metal selector, later was a plastic selector. Current Chinese ratchets have the plastic selector and the action feels rough. The later US made ratchets were rough also.

KEH

 

[Slinger646]

Non QR:

Quick Release:

 

[theoldwizard1]

I'll bet my "everyday" Craftsman 3/8" is older than the one the OP posted. Probably somewhere between 1966 and 1968.