Show your "Long C" Craftsman!

[Catfishdan]

Here’s a long c bevel I picked up today. I’d use it at work, but it’s too damn heavy for my tool bags.

 

[d42jeep]

I have one too. Kind of a nice tool. I re-discovered it in one of my toolboxes recently.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I posted one way upthread somewhere, now traded. Which probably helps answer Outlaw's question, now that I think about it. Been collecting Long C for several years, but I probably keep less than half of it. I'm not sure, but I still don't think I've seen a bevel older than 1946 (the age of that Reg TM mark).

 

[Rileysan]

I met up with BMWRD0 at a swap meet, today, and came home with a few nice items. One of my favorites was this plane that was spotted by B before I even arrived. It looks as if it's never been used as the totes are perfect and the Long-c label the best I've ever seen. I paid $10 but should have paid a finder's fee to BMWRD0!

Brian

 

[Mintgrun]

I picked this up yesterday for five dollars. It was caked with hard old oil and apparently someone had spilled thick white paint on it. Cleaning it up sort of wore me out, but at least it is more approachable now. It's missing the pipe guide insert, but otherwise functional.











The handle on this chisel is not original, but I did find them both on the same day and it is a pretty good fit.



The old drill press has been earning its keep lately.

 

[honza.vosalik]

Picked up a Long C Machinists at a yard sale today - It pays to ask if they have stuff! My first Long C vise! 5186

Some of the original blue paint left...

25 bucks

Very nice!!!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I picked this up yesterday for five dollars. It was caked with hard old oil and apparently someone had spilled thick white paint on it. Cleaning it up sort of wore me out, but at least it is more approachable now. It's missing the pipe guide insert, but otherwise functional.

Nice save, Mintgrun. Is the die stock marked Craftsman? Or just the die? You asked (on the other thread) which Sears supplier/OEM was "BH". I don't know. I have a Long C drop head type pipe threader set made by Reed, marked Reed, and all the pieces also marked Circle-J. They are the same set up - square (2" x 2") dies with corresponding guides. Different die stock, though. What is the patent number on that die (hard to read)? And does the die have a OEM marking? Or just the die stock? The Reed patent is 1,961,450 (June 1934). Link to my Reed Long C set is here.

 

[Mintgrun]

Thank you for letting me know I'd posted this in the NB thread. Duh! I wondered where it went when I did not see it here.

There is just a tiny bit of the CRAFTSMAN decal left on this one, with remnants of some orange lettering.


That decal is still nice, on an example for sale on eBay right now.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-No-10-Craftsman-Pipe-Die-Threader-Kit-3-dies-/183717874996

The back side of the die on this one is also marked BH and the patent # is 1656596

I just went up to the shop and pulled out my grandpa's old WWII footlocker that I keep my plumbing tools in and found another one of these.




Now I remember bringing that one home and being disappointed that the larger set of square dies I have do not fit it. (just like this time) The one I already had only has one of the handles though; with a 3/4 die, also missing the pipe guide. Different knurling on the handle too, with deeper stripes, as opposed to the long fine pattern on the blue one. Gray, with circle J marks on the holder and die.


It is kind of funny that they neglected to knock off the little curls made by the shaper.


It is also kind of funny I did not remember I already had one of these.

Tom

 

[Private Lugnutz]

There is just a tiny bit of the CRAFTSMAN decal left on this one, with remnants of some orange lettering...[ ]...The back side of the die on this one is also marked BH and the patent # is 1656596...[ ]...pulled out my grandpa's old WWII footlocker...[ ]...Gray, with circle J marks on the holder and die.

Tom,
Craftsman tap and die tools don't get as much as attention as other tools (to wit, Reed isn't even included in lauver's old OEM/code list/Gantt bar calendar...), but that's all very interesting. That is an older (1928) Reed patent. What's strange is you have Circle-J markings on one holder and die, which are the same markings I have on my later Long C Reed drop head threader, but you have BH markings on a blue version of the same holder that is clearly also made by Reed. Casting more doubt on the meaning of the codes.

 

[Mintgrun]

No shortage of confusion around here. The chisel I posted is marked BP, which is not on the AA list. They don't list a circled J maker's mark either.

The tool for sale on eBay is in very nice condition. I should have taken a before photo of the blue one I found. It was nasty.

I guess I'll drop them both in the footlocker and roll it back in under the bench. Thank you for sharing that information.

 

[Outlawmws]

MintGun, A long soak in Simple Green will remove most paints, especial house and rattle can. Nice finds!

 

[Outlawmws]

Lugz, I'm still pretty sure the codes mean either MFG or Supplier, and the latter is where the confusion comes in as it's well documented that tool companies often subbed stuff out to other companies to complete orders that couldn't handle.

That is often seen in military/gov contracts, so why not with a huge buyer like Sears?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Could be. Could be different plants, same OEM. Different distributors. Etc. I'm not ready to throw the whole system out, Outlaw, a system I contributed to. I'm just pointing out that we haven't even mapped the tap and die tools codes to begin with and we already see duplicity with a few examples of Reed pieces (Circle-J and BH).

 

[Rileysan]

Long-c?

 

[Rileysan]

Here's something you don't see every day.

Craftsman No. 1829 Viscosimeter. I was mostly interested in it because of the condition of the original box, which included the original price tag!

Brian

 

[Smokeshow69]

Long-c?

This would look awesome in snapon verde green! You should repaint it.


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[JoCoSawdust]

That viscosimeter was pricey for it's day!

 

[Outlawmws]

Riley, certainly the yardstick is!

I think the vise is Post Long C era, but it's hard to say as I've not seen a single catalog reference to that rotating head vise.

But you DO **** for finding such a rare bird!

 

[Rileysan]

Riley, certainly the yardstick is!

I think the vise is Post Long C era, but it's hard to say as I've not seen a single catalog reference to that rotating head vise.

But you DO **** for finding such a rare bird!

You're the first person to notice and/or comment on the yard stick. I have been using it in my photos for weeks wondering when someone would notice!!

The vise is from the early to mid 1930s (pre long-c) and is quite rare. The question was my idea of having a little fun by trolling

Brian

 

[Rileysan]

These came to me by way of BMWRD0, whom I hung out with last Sunday at a swap meet. Thanks for keeping an eye out for me!!

Brian

 

[GalaxyRat]

These came to me by way of BMWRD0, whom I hung out with last Sunday at a swap meet. Thanks for keeping an eye out for me!!

Brian

I'm jealous! I have been looking for some screwdrivers of this era.

I did find another Circle H 1/2" Drive shallow socket yesterday. So now I have a 1/2" and a 5/8".

Sent from my SM-G973U using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[JoCoSawdust]

These came to me by way of BMWRD0, whom I hung out with last Sunday at a swap meet. Thanks for keeping an eye out for me!!

Brian

Hey there's a yardstick in that picture!!!! Gotta admit I missed that before, too busy ogling all the other goods I could see. Nice find on the amber screwdrivers. Those things are ridiculously hard to find in my neck of the woods.

 

[Rileysan]

Next project: Put a later model rectangular emblem on a gray/red just to mess with Smokes.

I have a 12d roller that would be a great candidate for that!

 

[JoCoSawdust]

Ha! I just deleted the message as I realized it was on the wrong thread!!

 

[Mintgrun]

These came to me by way of BMWRD0, whom I hung out with last Sunday at a swap meet. Thanks for keeping an eye out for me!!

Brian

Thank you for sharing that photo. I had been wondering who made this screwdriver and it appears to have a very similar handle to yours, so I am guessing it is a Craftsman as well. The maker's mark is long gone though... as is almost all of the blue paint.

 

[Rileysan]

Ha! I just deleted the message as I realized it was on the wrong thread!!

That's actually ok. I'm all for trolling him in as many threads as possible!

 

[Rileysan]

Thank you for sharing that photo. I had been wondering who made this screwdriver and it appears to have a very similar handle to yours, so I am guessing it is a Craftsman as well. The maker's mark is long gone though... as is almost all of the blue paint.

The name and OEM codes wear off quite easily on these. Once you realize what they are, they're easy to spot even without the Craftsman name being visible

 

[Smokeshow69]

That's actually ok. I'm all for trolling him in as many threads as possible!

[emoji849] both you jokers are due for some trolling. I can be quite the troller myself [emoji38]


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[JoCoSawdust]

Game on!!

 

[Username already in use]

Here's the trio of drivers that I've managed to find so far.

 

[Mintgrun]

I found this one in my stubby bin this morning...




It's been another favorite to reach for.

Tom

 

[Private Lugnutz]

As first reported in the 2020 Garage Sale thread, I found this Ball Bearing Oilless Paint Sprayer at the flea market this morning. It's got several data tags, decals, and markings. Most of them are Long C. One of them around the top of the compressor is a plainer CRAFTSMAN. The data tag on the base of the sprayer itself reads MODEL 283.18580 and MFG. NO. 550. There is a space under the branding on the motor tag that reads D4 50. (1950?)

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Here's a better view of that marking on the top of the compressor. I can believe 1950, since the Long C lasted a little longer into the 50's with power tools. But if someone can definitively date this, I would appreciate it. Also, if someone knows where it appears in a catalog, please cite the year. I searched a few (1948, 1952, and 1954) and couldn't find it.

 

[JoCoSawdust]

This is from 1954 Lugz. Not in either the Power Tool or Mechanics Tool catalog. On David's DVD collection there's several pages from what I'm assuming is the "main" Sears catalog. Your compressor is on page 1160 of that catalog. Cool compressor! They had so many variations through the years and a lot of them are very stylish. I pick them up whenever I can when the price is right as they make nice eye candy. EDIT: The catalog clip shows a bit blurry on my screen when I posted it but you can clearly make out the Long C on the decal in the catalog.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

That's definitely it. All the other ones I have seen look like spaceships! Thanks a bunch, JoCo.

 

[JoCoSawdust]

1949 is the first year I see that model, 54 the last.

 

[JoCoSawdust]

Yeah somebody was having fun in the design department with those little air compressors. I think they were competing with the guys in the Crafty RotoTool department.

This is the sucker I want to find! (from 48)

 

[GalaxyRat]

I bought a circular saw today! Picked up a Model No. 207 25530 for $15 on FB marketplace.

It has a new cord and runs great. I'm heading back home to get it taken apart to clean the brushes on the motor, inspect the whole thing thoroughly, and find a catalogue reference for it.

Sent from my SM-G973U using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[danandmelrod]

Long-c?

Hi Rileysan,


That is one rare vise as it’s been on my radar ever since I saw it in one of my vintage magazines. I have YET been able to see or find anything in any of my catalogs or craftsman advertisements.

So, I wanted to share these photos of what I believe is your bench vise.

The photos were taken from an article in popular homecraft magazine dated April 1942!

So this definitely qualifies it in the long C era. If you zoom in you can even see the decal.

Great find my friend!

Dan

 

[Rileysan]

Hi Rileysan,


That is one rare vise as it’s been on my radar ever since I saw it in one of my vintage magazines. I have YET been able to see or find anything in any of my catalogs or craftsman advertisements.

So, I wanted to share these photos of what I believe is your bench vise.

The photos were taken from an article in popular homecraft magazine dated April 1942!

So this definitely qualifies it in the long C era. If you zoom in you can even see the decal.

Great find my friend!

Dan

Thank you, Dan!

Part of my question might be construed as trolling, as I knew what I had but also wanted to ask the rhetorical question: When does the long-c era begin?

From the 1934 catalog: "New! Combination vise" Craftsman No. 5222, 3-1/2" vise. Also pictured is a capture from the 1939 catalog.

1934 was the only year the 5222 was listed in the catalogs. From 1935 onward, the model number changed to No. 5241. Although they look the same in the illustrations, I don't know what changed. The only thing different in the listed specs is the shipping weight. The 5222 is listed at 34 lbs, and the 5241 is 35 lbs.

This vise is truly rare and I couldn't be happier to own it. It will sit in honor next to my other vintage Craftsman vises!

And speaking of trolling: No, Smokeshow, I won't be painting it Snap-on verde green (isn't that redundant?)!


Brian