J.C. Penny tools

[Amitygravel]

I think I'm gonna make a few of you upset especially Softfoot , I was at an auction this past weekend and they had that exact drill still in the original box NEVER USED. If I had only known.

 

[dkcase]

Flare Nut Wrench Set

 

[eswtwt]

i just ran across ths forum. i was wandering if anybody had some info on the power tool side of jc pennys stuff. i have 5 in bench grinder that im refurbishing and it would be great to have more info on it.

 

[dragsterdoug]

I have one of the hammer drills like the pictue. It was a Skill brand.Have had it since middle 70,s.

 

[mdyod]

Hello All,

I'm looking for a 19mm Penncraft 3/8" drive socket and 3 inch extension to replace the ones that were lost out of my set that my wife gave me the first Christmas after we started dating in 1973... any ideas

Thanks in advance for your help

Dwayne

 

[Lump]

Dwayne, I checked my little stash of Penn and Penncraft tools. No got. Sorry.

 

[mdyod]

Thanks anyway!

I really appreciate it...

D

 

[fcgrif]

I have a J C Penney power buffer with a 7" rubber plate for pads would like to add thick foam pad like today's buffers but don't know where to find specs on the one I have

 

[toolmiser]

I have a wood chisel that has the original packaging. It was with a bunch of other stuff I bought, and I've never needed the chisel so I left the packaging on. I bet it is worth big $$$ to a collector (yeah right).

 

[MOPARHOUND!]

JCPenney 1/4 set & pliers sourced from SK.

A guy that worked at the Defiance, Ohio SK plant said production of the JCPenney tools really ramped up prior to JCPenney running ad's in anticipation of Father's Day and Christmas.

 

[mdyod]

anybody ever find a 19mm Penncraft 3/8" drive socket? I would really appreciate one?

 

[Knurled Grip]

The local pawn shop has a separate tool store with several bins of sockets (must be about a thousand of them). I spent a few minutes poking around them this week and saw a few Penncraft sockets and wrenches. Most everything in the bins are USA made (mainly old CM, but some Husky, SK, Blackhawk, Proto, Indestro and such). The next time I sneak down there (may be a while since the wife's tired of me buying tools) I'll check.

Now, if he's selling individual SO wrenches he keeps in the back for cheap, I might get sidetracked.

 

[kioolt]

Does anyone know if JCPenney has a deal with any company to replace Penncraft tools for them? I know that my brother-in-law had one of their lifetime auto batteries which he got replaced at Texaco stations I believe after JCPenney closed their auto shops.

 

[Thumper]

None that I know of but you might zing off an e-mail to customer service and see what they say. Let us know what you find out.

 

[Lump]

If anyone is collecting JC Penney and/or Penncraft tools...I've got a lot of them, including boxes, sets, etc. Send PM.

 

[Armstrong1720]

I have not been on here long and i had no idea that anyone collected them. My dad has a full set of the old double box ratchet wrenches. Still work like new

 

[usmc_noma]

From what I understand the JC Penney tools were properly back in the day. I'm surprised you dont see more out there. I have a set of fractional wrenches I've debated searching for one lost wrench or just selling the set. Here's mine below. I'm missing the 7/8 part no. 3360.

 

[RedVise]

Does anyone know if JCPenney has a deal with any company to replace Penncraft tools for them? I know that my brother-in-law had one of their lifetime auto batteries which he got replaced at Texaco stations I believe after JCPenney closed their auto shops.

look this over.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-115957.html



Brian

 

[Gidge]

i just ran across ths forum. i was wandering if anybody had some info on the power tool side of jc pennys stuff. i have 5 in bench grinder that im refurbishing and it would be great to have more info on it.

I don't know if this counts, but I have an electric JC Penny lawnmower, still runs like a champion !

 

[KEH]

Thought I had a Penncraft ratchet, but just looked and it is a Powerkraft, obviously made by Wright, with the tootsie roll handle. The only Penncraft tools I have are a 17 and a 19mm combination wrench, raised panel design.

KEH

 

[picshooter]

I worked in a JCP Auto Center. They supplied every mechanic with a roll around box and tools. At the time, I was paid hourly along with a generous commission. I was busier and made more money there than at most other independent shops.
It was nice to be able to keep my personal tools at home, and the Penncraft tools were decent enough.

 

[71goldss]

I worked at my local Penneys in the early 70's, and with my employee discount, I picked up this socket set and a set of Penneys SAE combination wrenches that I also still have. These tools made up pretty much most of my tool arsenal thru most of that decade. I now keep in my emergency roadside kit in my car. Looks a lot like SK to me.

 

[Wakefield]

It seems to me that the old J.C. Penney was first class. But not very glamorous. Wish there were still one here--or even the Sears that is gone.

 

[B17E1943]

Re: J.C. Penney tools

I found a nice little Penncraft 3/8 socket set (metal box) at an estate sale today. It appears to be complete - doesn't have a ratchet, but I'm not sure if one was included. Pics tomorrow.

 

[garthg]

Re: J.C. Penney tools

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.

Looks like a Black and Decker to me.

 

[shovel]

Some of the old JCPenney drills were Black & Decker. The Penneys drills were a dark gray in color, but otherwise identical to the B&D black ones. Back then, you could buy a similar drill at Sears cheaper than one from Penneys. I worked at a JCPenneys in 1978, in the sporting goods dept. Back then Penneys had one of the best sporting goods selection in town. They also sold furniture, appliances and hardware in the mall store; plus had a freestanding auto dept outside. In the same mall was a Montgomery Wards and Sears stores. Sears had the best tools, followed by Wards. Penneys had the worst selection and the lowest quality. I did have some Penneys tools that were bought on clearance, that have long since disappeared. Back then, the Penneys hardware dept made most of their money on paint, blinds and wallpaper. Tools were not big sellers.

 

[B17E1943]

Re: J.C. Penney tools

Pics of the Penncraft set I bought yesterday. Part of a lot that included a nice little 1/4" Stevens Walden socket set and a bunch of other misc. tools for $15. I can't decide if it is missing a ratchet, or not.

I'm thinking it was made by New Britain.

 

[oak_park]

sure.

 

[jd_1138]

There's a scene in the original Dawn of the Dead (1979) where the S.W.A.T. team guy is in a Penney's store and grabs a screw driver and drives it into the ear of a zombie. I wonder if it's a Penney's screw driver?

 

[George in Rancho Cordova]

Anyone else remember they also sold auto parts & tires?

 

[Stuart in MN]

Anyone else remember they also sold auto parts & tires?

For a time they had a speed shop as well, selling mag wheels, drag slicks, and engine hop-up parts.

 

[71goldss]

For a time they had a speed shop as well, selling mag wheels, drag slicks, and engine hop-up parts.

Yep! Bought my Edelbrock Torker intake manifold and a Holley 600 cfm carburetor for the 57 in my avatar from Penneys back in the early 70's, and with my employee discount. Ahh, the good old days!

 

[rooney00]

I have this toolbox.

 

[Conductor562]

Who can add more to the MW story?

Ward's (at least for a time) had a 2 tier tool offering. The economy line was called "Ward's Riverside" and the premium line was "Ward's Lakeside" (not to be confused with Lakeside Forge). I'm not sure who the OEM was, but the Lakeside line was pretty good stuff. I found an old Lakeside pipe wrench under my grandmothers house a year or so ago. As best as I can figure it had been there since they added the bathroom in the early 70's so I believe the wrench probably dates to the 1960's or possibly even the 50's. that concludes what I know for sure.

The way I understand it (may be wrong), is that PowerKraft replaced the Lakeside line and was OEM'd by Wright Tool.

Edit: I really didn't notice this thread started 7 years ago. Looks like it been brought back from the dead at least 3 times.

 

[InPrimer]

Back in '81 I bought 2 capt chairs, swivels and rear(folding) bench seat for my '81 Dodge van

 

[priceman1414]

I have a 1/4 drive JCPenny u-joint extentsion. Was looking for some info on it and of course I wound up here, like whenever I search for tool info.

 

[Plombob]

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.

That looks like a Skil hammer drill I used back in the 1980s.

 

[Curmudgeon]

I remember in the 60s I could go into JCP and buy underwear, tools, and a gun in one trip.

Times have changed a bit.

 

[J king]

My dad managed jc penny stores his whole life.i have a 3/8 set of sockets and had that same 1/2 inch drill.It broke last year after 30 some years.great drill.

I know he has a big set of jcp sockets that he has had forever.They sold everything back then.I got my first mini bike from JC Penny's.A Benelli!

 

[robertosbeck]

I've got a JC Penney marked 1/2 drive ratchet that's looking for a good home. I've also got a number of Penncraft sockets and wrenches if anybody's interested. PM me for details, if you're interested, I'll dig them up and send some pics.