Show your "Long C" Craftsman!

[ratcheted]

Yesterday I was turned off by the largely irreversible fugliness of this Long C 12-piece extra deep socket set I spotted in a bottom drawer of a stack at the flea market. Today I went back and took a longer, more bright-eyed and bushy tailed look, and brought it home with me. (A little miniature version of our thread host's avatar, but with horns, may have been whispering in my ear.)

As you can see, most of the sockets are riddled with box rot and cancerous pock marks and scourges. They do seem to have developed on one "side", probably face down for years, although some of those areas appear to be near markings, unfortunately. The box is just south, for me, of that fuzzy marginal 'do I restore (i.e., strip and repaint it) or preserve it?' line. About 40% original paint coverage and even better inside the lid. I'd actually be okay with that if it had more of the decal, but as is, I would probably put it in my prestorve category, where I would restore it, but then age it, and stick a repro decal on it, and then age that, too. Mainly because I dislike glossy brand spankin' new looking boxes that don't match the condition of the contents, and I will not grind and polish old tools.

Guessing BE, but I suppose it could be (H). I'll know more when I have them more presentable. I suspect the PO was using the Walden L handle, although it was not in the box, but the same drawer. Unless I flipped it, I think I may have one to stick in there.

They had these spark plug service sets in both BE and circle H, I have one of each, those look to be circle H.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Yeah, those pics show the cancer a lot better.

I TOLD YOU! Haha. In hindsight I am glad I went back for them though. They're not completely roached, and someone may want to do something with them.

They had these spark plug service sets in both BE and circle H, I have one of each, those look to be circle H.

It's a mix, actually, not that unusual, but mostly Circle-H with two (2) BE.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

The box cleaned up very decently...

 

[Private Lugnutz]

And I have to say the sockets are not as bad as I thought. It presents itself okay. Not 'Squeamish Crafty collectors should avert their eyes warning' category, especially if they are selectively turned! The box rot scarring really is a shame, since the business ends and the drive ends are completely unmarred and unblemished and in excellent condition. I am not sure this set was ever used.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Cat ref...

 

[four.cycle]

^ very nice. no way to clean that blotchy stuff off, is there? I re-worked that old pair of Globemaster needle-noses with some MMO and an old scotchbrite pad and Wright's silver polish and got most of it, but the black spider-webby stuff just seems to be permanent!

 

[ratcheted]

Boxed sets as noted in the above catalog page also came with an Ell wrench, here is a circle H and BE set

 

[ratcheted]

oops

 

[Private Lugnutz]

...the black spider-webby stuff just seems to be permanent!

It is, unfortunately. I think it's called magnetite. @LesserSon is very well read up on this topic. In fact, on some tools, situationally, he uses an abrasive cleaning methodology that seeks to create it, in a uniform layer, in the same way that black oxide is both a form of "rust" and also a rust preventative at the same time. Or it could be wustite, hematite, or maghemite. He would know. Either way, whatever it's called, when it gets inside these deep cancerous scourgings, it's impossible to eradicate. I suspect a wire wheel and/or sanding might have an effect that diminishes it.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Boxed sets as noted in the above catalog page also came with an Ell wrench,

Yep. As I noted above here...

I suspect the PO was using the Walden L handle, although it was not in the box, but the same drawer. Unless I flipped it, I think I may have one to stick in there.

I looked for a Circle-H I had around here at one time, but I sold it.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

here is a circle H and BE set

Nice.

 

[Outlawmws]

whatever it's called, when it gets inside these deep cancerous scourgings, it's impossible to eradicate.

Is it inside the pits? Or the black staining that sometimes occurs outside?

If its the same black stain I had on the surface of ny best skinning knife, (blood or Citrus, it was blotchy black...) I used Mothers Aluminum polish on the carbon steel and it came up. In pits, that may not help, but the knife blade looks better than new.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Is it inside the pits?

Yes.

 

[d42jeep]

And I have to say the sockets are not as bad as I thought. It presents itself okay. Not 'Squeamish Crafty collectors should avert their eyes warning' category, especially if they are selectively turned! The box rot scarring really is a shame, since the business ends and the drive ends are completely unmarred and unblemished and in excellent condition. I am not sure this set was ever used.

I would throw those in the evaporust and finish them up on the 3M 220 rotary wheel. I’ll bet the difference in appearance would be dramatic.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Did you see the BEFORE pics, Don? They already soaked in Evaporust. You know I'm a big proponent. But in my experience, no duration of soaking has any effect on that kind of black box rot (whatever xxxxxxxxx-ite form of iron oxide it's called), which is not just stubborn, but literally fused with the steel. When it's inside deep scars, like this black box rot is - all the dark spots you see are pock marks or ruts in the steel, not on the surface - it's even worse. I have never used any power tool (wire, etc) on a hand tool, but I was tracking the 3M discussion last year and I don't doubt a wire wheel or something like that might help. I will probably try something else by hand or move them along as is to someone else to deal with.

 

[Patrick Eubanks]

I took a picture yesterday of some recent Long C tool finds that have been building up in the basement.
-Don

I wish I could get buildups in my basement like that.

 

[Patrick Eubanks]

Yesterday I was turned off by the largely irreversible fugliness of this Long C 12-piece extra deep socket set I spotted in a bottom drawer of a stack at the flea market. Today I went back and took a longer, more bright-eyed and bushy tailed look, and brought it home with me. (A little miniature version of our thread host's avatar, but with horns, may have been whispering in my ear.)

As you can see, most of the sockets are riddled with box rot and cancerous pock marks and scourges. They do seem to have developed on one "side", probably face down for years, although some of those areas appear to be near markings, unfortunately. The box is just south, for me, of that fuzzy marginal 'do I restore (i.e., strip and repaint it) or preserve it?' line. About 40% original paint coverage and even better inside the lid. I'd actually be okay with that if it had more of the decal, but as is, I would probably put it in my prestorve category, where I would restore it, but then age it, and stick a repro decal on it, and then age that, too. Mainly because I dislike glossy brand spankin' new looking boxes that don't match the condition of the contents, and I will not grind and polish old tools.

Guessing BE, but I suppose it could be (H). I'll know more when I have them more presentable. I suspect the PO was using the Walden L handle, although it was not in the box, but the same drawer. Unless I flipped it, I think I may have one to stick in there.

Your flea markets are better than mine

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Your flea markets are better than mine

Thankee kindly, sir. They are good. They are so good that I seriously factor them into my retirement options in the 'Reasons not to ever leave NJ' column. Just above 'Diners'. I'd be happier somewhere warmer and cheaper, but I'd go stir crazy if I couldn't get out and walk the rows and find something good every Thursday through Sunday. And pretty much everyone else around the country except the guys in NE PA and parts of Texas have reports of their sad decline.

 

[d42jeep]

I took a picture yesterday of some recent Long C tool finds that have been building up in the basement.
-Don

I incorporated these tools into some Heritage boxes with my other Long C tools. Most are available for trade if needed.
-Don

 

[Patrick Eubanks]

I incorporated these tools into some Heritage boxes with my other Long C tools. Most are available for trade if needed.
-Don

that long C sliding T. Is that a circle K? If so I would be interested in a trade or purchsed. I just cant imagine what I would have that you dont already own.

 

[Cruzan80]

that long C sliding T. Is that a circle K? If so I would be interested in a trade or purchsed. I just cant imagine what I would have that you dont already own at least 10 of.

FIFY...

 

[ratcheted]

1/2" nut spinner set

 

[d42jeep]

that long C sliding T. Is that a circle K? If so I would be interested in a trade or purchsed. I just cant imagine what I would have that you dont already own.

Isn’t all of the 3/4”drive Long C Craftsman Circle K? I think these two pieces are Circle K, at least they look S-K made.
-Don

 

[Cruzan80]

I believe some of the earlier stuff was BM labelled, still made by SK.

 

[Patrick Eubanks]

Isn’t all of the 3/4”drive Long C Craftsman Circle K? I think these two pieces are Circle K, at least they look S-K made.
-Don

I just saw the logo. It’s BM. Sk owned Brazil tools made those guys. I already have the bm version. Still very Collectable

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Early bm was pretty stylish

 

[Patrick Eubanks]

Early bm was pretty stylish

That’s set and box is incredible

 

[S-K Tool Fanatic!]

Got this stuff from an auction, does it have any real value?

Idk it the tommy bar long C
1/4 & 3/8 sliding Tee
1/2 drive plug
3-3/8 drive 8 points
3/8 drive speeder

 

[d42jeep]

I’m interested in everything but the speeder. Want to do a trade for some S-K Wayne tools?
-Don

 

[S-K Tool Fanatic!]

Sure

 

[four.cycle]

^ is S-K Tool Fanatic! the "Wayne" collector? (if so, please P/M me a snail mail address.)

 

[d42jeep]

The tools arrived from S-K Tool Fanatic! and are in great shape.
so today I spent time going through some Long C tools and boxes and tried to put some like tools together. It was more like playing with tools than a serious effort at completing correct sets.
Here are some Circle H tools and sets.
mostly BE tools
Dash fractional sockets



Pre Long C sockets
Conventional Long C BE. One set has 6, 12 and 8 point sockets, the other is 6 and 8 point sockets.

 

[ratcheted]

Here is a long c set i picked up.....I guess its long C, all the sockets are, but since this is 1945, kind of overlapping into Heritage era

 

[d42jeep]

I didn’t recognize this spiral screwdriver at a garage sale this morning. Everything was reasonably priced so I grabbed it. It was kind of frozen up so I worked on it for a while with WD-40 until it freed up. I grabbed the magnifiers and was able to make out the Craftsman marking. It seems to use the same bits as Yankee screwdrivers.
-Don

 

[Outlawmws]

Yankee made stuff for Sears, so that follows. is there a model no? that may ID the 3 digit Mfg code.

 

[d42jeep]

The markings are really hard to make out but I’ll check.
-Don

 

[Outlawmws]

Maybe rub some chalk into them?

 

[alinc100]

Yankee made stuff for Sears, so that follows. is there a model no? that may ID the 3 digit Mfg code.

Here is how it appeared in the 1945 catalog. Looking through others now:

 

[d42jeep]

That one sure looks like it.
-Don

 

[RTM]

Yankee made stuff for Sears, so that follows. is there a model no? that may ID the 3 digit Mfg code.

187 is the prefix for Stanley made Craftsman.

I too have a Craftsman spiral screwdriver, but it has a weird reversing hub, you twist the shaft collar instead of sliding a tab. Guessing mine is a Stanley owned Yankee era, will check it a little later for a part number, but think it’s a leading 9. Foreground here