I am puzzled over this Craftsman Socket set

[tool_scrounge]

I picked up this socket set a while back after seeing it forsale online with very little description. I like tools in blow molded cases for car use since it is easy to see if anything is missing. But what is in the case has me a bit puzzled.

All the tools are stamped -v- or -vv-.

From what I can see in the catalogs, blow molded cases were first introduced in ~1993.

The ratchets (-v- marked) all have metal selector switched and the 1/4" also has a ball oiler. From my understanding they stopped producing these in the late 1980s.

These is 80+ sockets, but the mix is a bit odd.

The mix of sockets is odd. Almost all standard length SAE sockets have 6 and 12 point versions for 1/4", 3/8" amd 1/2" drive sizes. The deep sockets are 6 point for 1/4" drive and 6 & 12 point for 3/8 drive. But in Metric sizes there are 6 & 12 point for standard length 1/4" drive sockets. 3/8" drive has almost all 12 point sockets and there are no Metric 1/2 drive sockets. There are just a few Metric deep sockets in 1/4" drive only.

For than many sockets, it is odd to see no extensions, swivels, adapters, etc.

And then it has a few SAE combo wrenches.

I find this set quite odd. I can not find this version in any of my catalogs. Any thoughts on the vintage or origin of this set? Does the Logo in the box give a clue? Was it made from NOS castoffs in warehouses from the waning years of Craftsman tools? A non-catalog special in which the ratchets were substituted?

Thanks in advance for your input in this.

 

[webscrounger]

I don't know the actual age of the kit or the individual tools in it but does look fairly old. Over the years I've collected lots and those look just like some I picked around the late 70's IIRC. Don't know actual date range of that style but maybe this will help. Google 'craftsman tool V code date'. Or start here:

Craftsman "V" series question

I've seen several posts about Craftsman tools with the "V" on them. I checked the Craftsman sockets, ratchets and accessories that I have. Some belonged to my dad and some I bought over the years. All of the pieces I own have a "V" on them. What exactly is the significance of the "V" on...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[4xdog]

Boy, I’d have bet a nickel Craftsman blow-molded cases go back farther than the 1990s.

 

[webscrounger]

I meant to say I have ratchets like that, not that whole kit. Kit's age .. who knows. Nice old set, by the way!

 

[slowtwitch73]

I've got a number of Cman ratchets that I got new from Sears in the late 80's and they don't have the oil ******. They look the same in all other aspects.. logo and font on the case is the same as that era.

I'd guess early to mid 80's.

 

[PelicanPines]

Holy ****... I have almost that exact set... but it includes 2 extensions, 6 hex bits and a bit driver handle. I believe it had 1 or 2 more wrenches too. Pretty sure I bought it before 92 because I consolidated that year. I still have the bottom of the blowmold to hold things organized in my 5 drawer cart.

Lid logo matched but all the sockets in my kit are 6 point... Let me look for a picture... It might have additions on top of it.

 

[designer485]

Just speculation, but that set looks like someone put it together with a few different vintages. The case logo looks like 90s Craftsman. The ratchets are definitely older. If a set of sockets is a mix of 12pt and 6pt, that is fairly indicative that someone put a bunch of pieces together into an empty blow molded case.

Do the sockets all have the same date stamp? -v- or =v= or G or G2? If they are a mix, again that is another sign of a "home made" set.

On the flip side, those ratchets are nicer that the plastic selector ratchets that Craftsman was using at the end of USA production, so that it a plus and if the sockets are V marked, again, that is a good thing.

 

[PoorUB]

Sears built sets and a blow molded cases and changed them more than I changed underwear. It doesn't surprise me you can not find information on that set.
I had a set in a blow molded case and Sears with their part number couldn't tell me what it was!

 

[Rkcubed]

Sears sold Craftsman sockets in blow molded cases in the 70s. That’s when I bought my first set of their sockets.

 

[captain14]

Sears sold Craftsman sockets in blow molded cases in the 70s. That’s when I bought my first set of their sockets.

That’s when I bought my first complete set of 1/4 and 3/8 socket set. Mid 70’s including a blow molded case.

I remember getting a 1/2 socket set only that came in a metal tray. No extensions or ratchet though sometime also in the mid 70’s.

 

[Lesserstore]

That Sears logo was used between 1984 to 1994 officially, but probably into 1995 on some products. I wonder if someone just happened to find a box and fill it with what they had.

 

[jsaw]

Wife had that set before she met me, she thinks she bought it early to mid 1990s

 

[Jim C.]

I think the 1/2” ratchet was manufactured somewhere right around 1982/1983 based on the handle stamp. While all three drives had an oil port on the tops of their heads at some point, the ports were eliminated on the 1/2” and 3/8” around 1977/1978. The oil port on the 1/4” was eliminated in approximately 1986. Go to the link below and look at Types 12, 13, and 14. Hopefully this information will help put a date on the set.

Craftsman Teardrop Ratchet (1956-1993) Type Study ©

Craftsman Teardrop Ratchet (1956-1993) Type Study ©

papawswrench.com

Jim C.

 

[AA/FC]

I was buying blow molded cases of Craftsman tools FOR SURE in 1991. Plus, don't forget how long it took for the USA made Craftsman tools to finnaly work their way out of the system when production moved to China. (it took MANY years) Now, consider that same length of time between when they made ratchets with oil holes and metal selector levers, and when Sears started using plastic blow molded cases. It's not like they were packing the BRAND NEW plastic cases with tools that were made on that same day. It's very possible on day one of plastic cases that they were being packed with 5 year old tools, or older. (for example)

 

[designer485]

I was buying blow molded cases of Craftsman tools FOR SURE in 1991. Plus, don't forget how long it took for the USA made Craftsman tools to finnaly work their way out of the system when production moved to China. (it took MANY years) Now, consider that same length of time between when they made ratchets with oil holes and metal selector levers, and when Sears started using plastic blow molded cases. It's not like they were packing the BRAND NEW plastic cases with tools that were made on that same day. It's very possible on day one of plastic cases that they were being packed with 5 year old tools, or older. (for example)

Craftsman did not move production of hand tools to China until after 2010/11. You are absolutely right about filling blow molded sets with older product however. I bought a 260pc set that was all G2 USA (which were produced between 04-08) sockets in 2009.