J.C. Penny tools

[Schurkey]

Remember the JC Penny battery? Warrantied as long as you owned your vehicle. Think the battery was made by Gould for JCP.

Along about 1977, Puny's was heavily advertising an automotive battery (Group 27) rated at 600 CCA (!!!) We'd never seen a battery that powerful. Total revelation, that they could pack that much power into a Group 27. Note that Group 27 is about the largest automotive battery used at that time.

The "Lifetime" warranty was TRANSFERABLE on the earliest ones sold. After a certain sale date, the battery was only warrantied if it was in the vehicle it was originally installed in.

Puny's locked the automotive doors and "laid off" all the automotive staff during the Purge of '82 (?) Firestone took over the free-standing "auto center" stores. Those stores that were built-into the side of the mall stores were merely closed.

Firestone took over some or all of Puny's warranty claims. Theoretically, if you'd bought one of the early JCP Batteries with the "real" "Lifetime warranty" (before the more-limited warranty policy applied), Firestone would have to give you batteries until the end of time, even though the replacements weren't labeled JCP. Just had to keep your receipts...

If you worked in the automotive service department, ALL tools were provided. Puny's absolutely did NOT want their mechanics showing up with Craftsman tools or tool boxes. Mechanics started out with a small roll-cab with a very basic selection of hand tools, and a CP734 long-anvil impact wrench with a "flip socket". Had to work long enough, and be "good" enough (i.e., "promoted") to get the top chest and an increased variety of tools.

The Purge involved the workforce getting a moderate severance package, a few hundred dollars plus an option to buy the tools/tool box at an advantageous price.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Wow. What a fiasco.

 

[Provincial]

Around 1970 my folks bought a Group 27F battery for their 1960 Thunderbird from the local Shell station. The battery had "free replacement as long as you own your car." After the third battery died, well over ten years later, the dealer refused to honor the warranty. He said "you got enough life from the batteries for your money."

I haven't trusted a warranty since. Many companies "close" and reopen under a different name to escape warranty claims. They "sell" the accounts receivable to the new entity, thus making people continue to pay for what they won't stand behind.

 

[Schurkey]

Wow. What a fiasco.

It wasn't just the automotive service people that were fired. All the "hard" lines went away--paint, tools, auto parts, probably more stuff I can't remember.

There was a time when Puny's tried real hard to compete with Sears, line-for-line. If Sears sold it, Puny's sold it, just less-successfully. Puny's had stereo receivers, tape decks, Apple IIE computers to go with stupidly-priced cosmetics, "fine" jewelery, hair styling, and fancy (for the mass-market) women's underwear. Plus the whole catalog division which even then was BIG.

Now Sears and Puny's are each in the toilet due to massive management incompetence. Screw 'em both.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Sears destroyed their own business with similar shenanigans

 

[d42jeep]

Here are some crimpers I found in my toolbox.
-Don

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Penncraft set that caught my eye on ebay

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Penncraft extension and two JCPenney sockets. 3/8 and 7/16 six point. All 3/8 drive. I have more around here somewhere. I’m not sure who made the sockets they look odd to me.

 

[toolchaser]

Funny, I just picked up a 3/8" drive metric set of Pennens today from Restore. $3, I almost passed it by, thinking the plastic case was Chicom for that price...

 

[sweetk30]

Used my drill today . She is a ANIMAL ! . . only changes was power cord i did . And 1 handke has a crack . If you dont watch it she will hurt you .

 

[Bubba Fett]

Penncraft set that caught my eye on ebay

Was SK the OEM for these?

 

[four.cycle]

Flip the ratchet over so we can see the other side.
If my memory serves me correctly, that 3681 Penncraft was a Kilness-patent New Britain made unit.

Can you see the clip ring from on the drive side? If so, it's New Britain.
I have one of them in 1/4" drive - actually a nice little unit.

 

[Bubba Fett]

I have an old Husky set with a spinner handle like this. The ratchet looks pretty similar as well. No doubt the same OEM.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Bubbafett, penncraft was typically new britain, later penneys socket sets sk and then thorsen.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Here is a penncraft 1/4 set

 

[Mintgrun]

I found this set recently, along with the half inch ratchet. The box was pretty bent up, but straightened out nicely. It is missing almost all the deep sockets and I replaced the largest/smallest two sockets shown. The 3/8" ratchet is much nicer quality than the 1/2" example. The mechanism is pretty floppy feeling in the larger one.

 

[piehammer]

Would really like to find a rebuild kit for my Penncraft 4000 3/8" drive ratchet. One of the internal pins on the pawl is broken so it only ratchets in one direction and locks in the other. Is there something comparable I might be able to find on eBay?

 

[JjKk40]

Would really like to find a rebuild kit for my Penncraft 4000 3/8" drive ratchet. One of the internal pins on the pawl is broken so it only ratchets in one direction and locks in the other. Is there something comparable I might be able to find on eBay?

I bet you find a similar Husky or New Britain made ratchet that works fine and you'll find some nice donor parts for your Penncraft!

 

[piehammer]

Thanks, I'll give that a shot!

 

[four.cycle]

Penncraft 3632 1/4" dr. ratchet (Kilness patent 2981389)

early J.C. Penney / Penncraft catalog pages

 

[Oldtuleguy]

That's a nice one!

 

[four.cycle]

J.C. Penney "Penncraft" 1/4" drive SAE socket set (complete):
(All manufactured by New Britain Machine.)


another Penncraft set missing a few pieces:

another Penncraft set missing even more pieces:

open to the possibility of mutually beneficial arrangements with fellow Penncraft collectors.

Here's that ratchet opened up earlier today (along with a 1661 Penens):

Penncraft 3632 1/4" drive ratchet (New Britain made) and 1661 Penens 1/2" drive ratchet

and reassembled:


* anyone interested in doing some trading, get ahold of me. I also had a 1/4" drive 13mm 6-point (Penncraft) in that mess.

 

[ecotec]

I have one J.C. Penney’s ratchet. A very small 1/4” that I found at an estate sale. I was ready to check out, and I was waiting for my wife. So, I took one more look at the tool box. The ratchet only caught my eye because it looked new. So, I started playing with it. It was 60 tooth, so I bought it.

I have to admit, I have never used it.

I can take a picture of it next weekend.

 

[four.cycle]

let me know

 

[gregs]

I have a variable speed "Dremel" rotary tool that I got for when I was a kid probably 35 years or more ago. Still use it regularly. Found a diamond drum and it works great to trim the dogs nails with. I think it may have been made by WEN.

 

[genog]

I have something from JC Penny after all.
My useful Penncraft locking pliers.
I also find the Ward's stuff cool as well

 

[genog]

I wrote the last post in this thread almost two months ago.
I hope it keeps going.
Just love reading about, and seeing pics of the JC Penney stuff as well as Powr Kraft and Wizard

Found an almost complete set of JC Penney polished combination wrenches
Nice Big set that ranges from 3/8 to 1-1/4, that was missing three: 5/8, 3/4, and 1-1/16
(I've since found the missing 5/8 and 3/4 thanks to members here)

These polished wrenches have a real nice feel to them, reminiscent of my Snappy combos.
They are now in second place in the roll away, and they will be going back to work.

Anyone have a spare 1-1/16 (3463) ?
If so, let me know.
I gotta complete this set.


I get an absolute kick in the pants seeing JC Penney proudly displayed on the handle

 

[Username already in use]

@genog nice set! Wish I could help. I only have a 9/16 and a 7/8 posted HERE.

 

[Gwizjames]

Remember the JC Penny battery? Warrantied as long as you owned your vehicle. Think the battery was made by Gould for JCP.

Firestone is still honoring this warranty. Our last battery was replaced with an Interstate.

 

[genog]

Found this little 1/4" Penncraft Breaker Bar at the Flea Market

It's too bad DF had to scratch his initials on EVERYTHING. Sometimes twice.
Most likely worried about someone walking away with his tools. He had some good ones, by the way,
....darn thieving rodents!

 

[d42jeep]

I found four ratchet wrenches at a Tahoe garage sale today.
-Don

 

[Username already in use]

I found four ratchet wrenches at a Tahoe garage sale today.

Those are neat. I have them in SK.

 

[d42jeep]

I found four ratchet wrenches at a Tahoe garage sale today.
-Don

I added a couple more small ratchet wrenches to the ones above today at another Tahoe garage sale.
-Don

 

[nadogail]

I purchased a Penny branded Grinder/ Buffer/ Polisher from Penny's in 1980 or 81 to smooth the Bondo on my '73 Toyota Hi-Lux pickup.
It sure looks like it was made by WEN.

I bought the cheapest grinder I could find because I only had one job for it. That tool still has a place in my workshop, and will still do what I bought it for.

 

[d42jeep]

Here are all of my ratchet wrenches together.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I'm not much of chrome picker, which explains why this is my first ever paltry contribution to this thread in SIXTEEN years! On the other hand, I do like me some ignition wrenches, and I just couldn't leave these behind at the flea.

What's with the Heritage-y looking "=" marks on the 3617?

 

[genog]

Found a JC Penney double box end wrench today.
Darn.....there was only one.

But, at least 9/16 - 5/8 is a good usable size

 

[d42jeep]

I forgot to post this Phillips driver I found at a garage sale early last month.
-Don

 

[Ricky Joe]

JCPenney screwdriver.

 

[Ricky Joe]

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