Odd Cman Ratchet

[highland512]

I was going to my tool box this morning and found this ratchet. I have never saw one like this. These two are nearly identical, the one on the right part #44985 the left #44975.

What is with the little thing on the head of the left ratchet? It says oil above it, and it feels like a spring loaded ball. This is #448975

So does anybody know the age of this ratchet, who made, and how this oil port works?

Thanks, Matt

 

[jjarrell4]

You just roll the head in a little pan of oil and the ball bearing rolls the oil into the ratchets gears and you have re-lubricated the internals without taking it apart

not sure on date though

 

[lbgradwell]

Hi Matt,

Those are actually very common ratchets.

They were the very first quick-release models and were introduced in 1965 by simply adding the new QR mechanism (which Sears stole from the inventor, BTW) to an existing model that existed from the 1950s.

The earliest of those ratchets had no model numbers - just the "V" - and the oil port was only on the earlier models, so we can say the V-44975 is older than the V-44985. Your V-44975 cannot be earlier than 1967, though, since that patent date appears on it. Not sure when they went out of production...

They were made by Moore Drop Forge - a long-time supplier of mechanics tools to Sears.

The oil-hole works pretty simply. Take an oil can, press the nozzle against the ball, and lube your ratchet!

 

[highland512]

Thanks for the replies, I learn something new everyday on this forum! Another question, has anybody ever put together a collection of the different styles the CRAFTSMAN that they put on there tools? I just don't know a lot about cman, I always tried to stick with sk and proto.

 

[Kevin54]

You just roll the head in a little pan of oil and the ball bearing rolls the oil into the ratchets gears and you have re-lubricated the internals without taking it apart

not sure on date though

You can oil it using an oil can. Use the tip of the oil can, push down on the ball and give the can a small squeeze. All the spring loaded ball is for, is to keep the hole plugged shut so nothing gets in or out.

 

[jjarrell4]

Yea That sounds like it works better. Haha. I guess my old man is not always right!

 

[TheGrooveking]

Hi Matt,

(which Sears stole from the inventor, BTW) !

They may have stole it, but they did pay. He took them to court and won 16 million back in the early 90's.

TheGrooveking

 

[highland512]

They may have stole it, but they did pay. He took them to court and won 16 million back in the early 90's.

TheGrooveking

I wish Saers would steal something from me

 

[Desoto Iron]

I wish Saers would steal something from me

They do... Every time they replace an old trusty all-metal ratchet with their new and improved plastic levered jobs.

 

[highland512]

They do... Every time they replace an old trusty all-metal ratchet with their new and improved plastic levered jobs.

Very good point! Owell at least I got them back a little, early today I went into Sears set 3 items on the counter and the tard at the register only rang up two of them. When I got home and realized what they did it I felt bad but then I thought it's mot my fault there employee was to lazy to ring up item #3.

 

[Shadowdog500]

They do... Every time they replace an old trusty all-metal ratchet with their new and improved plastic levered jobs.

Yeah, when I bought most of my Cman tools years ago, I partially bought for the lifetime warranty. If I thought that the replacement tools would eventually be cheapened, I probably would have bought something different in the first place.

Chris

 

[Tool Pants]

Here are my 1/4". Also have a female 1/4" not in the picture.