J.C. Penny tools

[Thumper]

Anybody else got any? I bought a 15/16 X 1 inch box end wrench waaaaaaay back in the late 60's from J.C. Penny. It was branded Penncraft is made like the old Craftsman. It has been put through the wringer many times over and has never let me down. I guess the same folks that made Craftsman made these also.

 

[bmwpower]

Yea, I have some Penncraft stuff. It's lasted this long, so I can't complain. I still reach for the 3/8 breaker bar all the time... i love the grip.

 

[kartracer55]

Yes, these are from an era long gone. Dont know the brand specifics (its hard when they went out of buisness before you were born hahaha) but if your interested, I could of course ask around.

Jim

 

[Thumper]

Yeah Jim.......just for fun , see what you can find out.

 

[chevy302dz]

I have a few of their sockets they work well, these tools did carry a lifetime warrenty.

 

[Coach James]

I've got several sockets stamped "JCPenney". I still use them and they have held up well.
Coach

 

[kartracer55]

I've got several sockets stamped "JCPenney". I still use them and they have held up well.
Coach

Cmon, I know YOU know more about them?!?!


Jim

 

[chevy302dz]

Supposedly if you bring a broken Penncraft tool back to JC Penny they will refund the cash value of the tool.

 

[Thumper]

Yeah they were lifetime warranty. I know they are some tough tools. I wouldn't mind having a few more.....( hmmmmm.......gotta start hittin the yard sales.....LOL )

 

[ThreeBay]

I've got a full set of 1/4 and 3/8 sockets + a 1/4 ratchet handle. When I lived in Alaska back in the 70s the JCP store was just like Sears.
I still use the tools and none have broken.

 

[Whatsit]

I have never heard of those but My dad had a set of "PowerKraft" 1/2" sockets which you could buy at Mongomery Wards. I "had" a smaller 3/8" set.
Does any one know how long or the time period in which these were sold?

 

[Uncle Buck]

PowerKraft tools were sold from way back till the late 1970's or possibly very early 80's. I think they were gone by around 1985. PowerKraft tools were every bit as good a tool line as Craftsman. My dad has quite a few PK tools from back in the day. My first set of box ends, (still have them) were Montgomery Ward branded, not even PK! I would guess my box ends came from prolly the 1940's cause they were already old when I got them. I do recall that for the last 8-10 years that MW sold hand tools the ratchets,sockets and wrenches looked identical to the old Thorson line while it was still USA made, so that is who I think made the line for the last few years of MW while it was still a decent store. I seem to recall that at the very end before MW went **** up they just threw in the towel and quit selling tools alltogeather! Who can add more to the MW story?

 

[stimpy]

I have a set of the jc penny ones my dad bought them when I was a kid at the Jc penny store they used in filming the Blues brothers ( the part where they drive thru the mall ) Dixie square in harvey Illinois , am missing some of the pieces like a the 5/16 socket and the breaker bar as long as my dad doesn't get rid of his stang I know right where there at ( in the body )

 

[Coach James]

Jim,

I wish I knew more about them, but I really don't. I just went out to the garage and got one of them. It's a 5/8 spark plug socket. The ratchet end is hex shaped. The body has "USA 3045" on it plus "JCPenney".


Coach

 

[Softfoot]

I have a JCPenny impact drill model #0002B that my father got back in 1972 or 73. It has 3 settings, impact, rotary impact and rotary. You turn the collar just behind the chuck to set. It's still going strong and I use it all the time, although the reversing switch just broke the other day. I'm going to see if I can contact JCPenny and find out who made them.

 

[Jeff95TA]

I have to go look, I have a drill very similar to that. Hand-me-down from my dad who worked at JCPenney doing maintenance.

 

[mrholeshot]

I think JC Penny tools were contracted to the same company as Craftsman as were 50 other brands.

 

[bargainzplus+]

i have multiple penncraft tools and the ratchets are very similar to SK w. the knurled handles. they are very strong, but does anyone know if they were made in the USA? I cannot find any COO on them.

 

[caper]

Some Penncraft ratchets I have are the New Britain style and my JC Penney torque wrench is a KD style.

 

[dieseldodge01]

The Penncraft tools were made by New Britain, the JcPenney was made by SK. I have both, great quality.

 

[chopper1]

Just got back from hitting a few garage sales. I picked up (2) complete 20 piece sets of Penncraft 3/8 dr socket sets. The ratchets are slightly different, one marked 4400 with a smooth handle and the other 3679 with a knurled handle. The breaker bar in the one set someone dipped the handle, some is chipped and the stuff is as hard as a brick. I'm going to try and soak it in lacquer thinner to see if I can get it off.
Any idea of these sets are collectable or their worth?

 

[Lump]

Just got back from hitting a few garage sales. I picked up (2) complete 20 piece sets of Penncraft 3/8 dr socket sets. The ratchets are slightly different, one marked 4400 with a smooth handle and the other 3679 with a knurled handle. The breaker bar in the one set someone dipped the handle, some is chipped and the stuff is as hard as a brick. I'm going to try and soak it in lacquer thinner to see if I can get it off.
Any idea of these sets are collectable or their worth?

I have some JC Penney and some Penncraft tools. Just a few scattered used pieces here and there. But last Sunday at the flea market there was a guy with a Penncraft Ratchet/socket set in a blue plastic box, also marked as "Penncraft". The set had a 3/8 ratchet, two or three extensions, a sliding breaker bar, and about 15 sockets. All were marked "Penncraft", except one socket which was Craftsman. He wanted $35, so I left it sitting there. No idea if anyone would have wanted it, but surely no one would have paid any more than that? Does anyone collect them?

 

[dieseldodge01]

I do, I DO. I love old Penncraft tools, I have two NOS sets I bought on here. I really like the Kwik release ratchets that New Britain made. The 4000 is a 60 tooth ratchet and the 3679 is a 45 tooth. I have a fairly wore 4000 that I use at home, just used it yesterday to install the fuel lines and filter on my JD 435. For a used set $35 would be decent if the set was in good shape, hardly used.

 

[shotgunfatcat]

What about k-mart wrenches? I have one or two lying around.

 

[SMKS]

I just happened to pick these up this week. I noticed they appeared to be really high quality before I noticed they were JC Penny. I paid $4 for all 3. They also had a 1-1/16, but I don't really need another wrench that big.

They sure look like SK to me. Here's the JC Penny next to an older SK.

 

[mrholeshot]

I don't have any JC penny but I still have full socket set of SAE 3/8 "Wizard" that I bought from Western Auto back in the 60's. Still in almost new condition. I bought them in November and my mother bought me a big set of SK for Christmas. I kept them in my dresser at home for years. Only used them a few times.

 

[farmall57]

I have these 2 JC Penney torque wrenches. Top one is a 250# 1/2 drive, bottom is 75# 3/8 drive. I think they are probably Central Tool. I bought them on sale in about 1975, seem to recall they were $29.99 ea. Anyone know where the ratchet head on these originates?

 

[wafrederick]

I have one 1/4 drive 6 inch extension bar that is a JC Penney,male end is wore and will not hold a socket.Was in a Matco set I bought on Ebay.

 

[dieseldodge01]

I have these 2 JC Penney torque wrenches. Top one is a 250# 1/2 drive, bottom is 75# 3/8 drive. I think they are probably Central Tool. I bought them on sale in about 1975, seem to recall they were $29.99 ea. Anyone know where the ratchet head on these originates?

I am not sure who made them, my dad has a 3/8 of the same vintage, they are great torque wrenches. I would think that they are made by New Britain, but not exactly sure.

Edit: I stand corrected, they may very well be a Central Torque wrench. I just saw one on Ebay that looks exactly like the one my dad has.

 

[Lump]

Diesel,
I will be at that same flea market Saturday. You want me to look for that guy, and pick up that socket/ratchet set in its orig box? I don't want it for myself, but if you want it, I'll snag it for you.

 

[dieseldodge01]

Diesel,
I will be at that same flea market Saturday. You want me to look for that guy, and pick up that socket/ratchet set in its orig box? I don't want it for myself, but if you want it, I'll snag it for you.

Do you remember if it has deep sockets or just standard length sockets? I have two sets that are a mix of shallow and deep, biggest being 3/4 in the SAE set and 19mm in the metric set. If it is all shallow I am really interested.

 

[Lump]

Do you remember if it has deep sockets or just standard length sockets? I have two sets that are a mix of shallow and deep, biggest being 3/4 in the SAE set and 19mm in the metric set. If it is all shallow I am really interested.

Yes, I'm pretty sure it was all shallow...and I'm also pretty sure it was 3/8 drive.

 

[Blacknwhitepit]

Here are some 1/4 drive ones I found at a pawn shop in Colorado.

-BWP

 

[Tool Pants]

Here are my JC Penney finds at the local flea. Ratchet that I have taken apart and it is a S-K. I assume the breaker is as well. Adjustable and a combo.

 

[mrholeshot]

I have these 2 JC Penney torque wrenches. Top one is a 250# 1/2 drive, bottom is 75# 3/8 drive. I think they are probably Central Tool. I bought them on sale in about 1975, seem to recall they were $29.99 ea. Anyone know where the ratchet head on these originates?

I had a set of Central that looked just like them. They were very nice. I still own a good many Central tools. Very nice!!

I'll give you back your money for your 35 year old torque wrenches, lol

 

[IndyGarage]

I just snapped my Penncraft 3/8 universal last week. I'm doubting JCP would replace it free, but I bet at one time they did.

 

[beideldr]

Yes, All of the old Penncraft tools were made in the U.S.A. I was fortunate enough as a teenager to get Penncraft and S-K hand tools as Birthday and Christmas presents. I'm well into my 40's today and still use all of the same tools as none have ever broken.

 

[Thumper]

Anybody ever see a Penncraft rollaway toolbox ? A freind of mine had one ...a 6 drawer top and a 6 drawer bottom. I wished I had pictures but he passed away about 8 years ago and the thought never entered my mind.

 

[anolddiablo]

I have a Penncraft 3/8" electric drill that (if I remember correctly) I purchased circa '60s. It still works well. I am trying to to find a source to obtain a users manual. Any suggestikons.

JSW

 

[sasquach]

Here are my JC Penney finds at the local flea. Ratchet that I have taken apart and it is a S-K. I assume the breaker is as well. Adjustable and a combo.

I have that ratchet and a coupl wrenches. My first tool set was the 101 piece set from JCP