Help me ID Craftsman ratchets

[X1 Mike]

Can anyone lead me to the manufacturer and date range of these tools? I know there was a spreadsheet at one time but I can't find it.


44815 USA VVY
44808 USA KOAA
44811 USA KU
44807 USA VL
44835 L-AB (Not marked USA)

 

[jsmeece]

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=84807
Is this what you are looking for?

 

[X1 Mike]

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=84807
Is this what you are looking for?

Perfect, thanks. I assumed they were all Danaher, the only ones I do not see are the ones marked KOAA and L-AB. I think they are both Danaher as well with the L-AB one being a Taiwan made tool??????

 

[jsmeece]

Try this one:
http://www.thegaragegazette.com/index.php?topic=867.0
KOAA is on there, but I do not see L-AB. There is a LAA though.

 

[X1 Mike]

Thanks, I think it's safe to assume that the L-AB is a Taiwan Danaher.

 

[jsmeece]

L is a Taiwan plant code, I have seen codes L-AA and L-AB.
I think the AA, AB, etc are date codes. China plant code is D, then date codes (D-AA, D-AB, etc). I just cannot find a reference on GJ, here somewhere.

 

[jsmeece]

Found it
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=193737
post number 6. Hope this helps.

 

[jsmeece]

Thanks, I think it's safe to assume that the L-AB is a Taiwan Danaher.

Yep.

 

[X1 Mike]

Found it
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=193737
post number 6. Hope this helps.

Yep.

Perfect, thanks a lot. No real need for me to insist that I keep this ratchet when I go for a rebuild kit as long as the new ratchet isn't a "D" I'm GTG.

 

[jsmeece]

If I remember correctly, the rebuilt kits do not go by manufacturing codes, but by the five digit number stamped on the ratchet (i.e., produce code). So, a ratchet rebuilt kit will fit both China and Taiwan ratchets of they have the same five digit product number.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=319745

 

[jsmeece]

Perfect, thanks a lot. No real need for me to insist that I keep this ratchet when I go for a rebuild kit as long as the new ratchet isn't a "D" I'm GTG.

I would sell that one and find another, cheap enough on Ebay.
But if it was me, I would look at getting another brand. I have several older USA made and a few newer China/Taiwan Craftsman ratchets, but do not use them much anymore after getting Armstrong, Gearwrench and Carlyle ratchets.

Whatever you decide to do, just make sure you are happy in the end with you choice, regardless of what brand you choose.

 

[X1 Mike]

I would sell that one and find another, cheap enough on Ebay.
But if it was me, I would look at getting another brand. I have several older USA made and a few newer China/Taiwan Craftsman ratchets, but do not use them much anymore after getting Armstrong, Gearwrench and Carlyle ratchets.

Whatever you decide to do, just make sure you are happy in the end with you choice, regardless of what brand you choose.

Trust me, these are definitely not Go-to ratchets, these have been sitting broken for a few years now. I have well over 40 ratchets. My primary ratchets are all Matco's. I was just wondering if any of the ones I had were worth anything. I don't have many old tools except a few Easco RHFT's and I'd kinda like some.

 

[X1 Mike]

Going through all my ratchets codes I really need to start diversifying from Danaher. I have 10 Matco's, 1 Kobalt, and 11 Craftsmans all made by Danaher.