Show your "Long C" Craftsman!

[JoCoSawdust]

A couple of different versions here. The top one has no markings on the handle but has Craftsman in geometric font engraved along the shaft (too obscured by rust right now for a decent pic). The other one has geometric Craftsman molded into the handle, a larger diameter shaft, lacks the sliding retainer, and different bits. That one also has a patent number of 2287457.

 

[Hoorn]

Finally got around to finishing my 5183. I went with Rust-oleum midnight blue (suggested by Angry Beaver) which I felt was closest to the original blue from the Reed Craftsman's. This one is dated May 1944. I think the Reed method of securing the main nut with a larger pin with screw is significantly better than just a pin (which is what the patent cast on the side covers). The only possible better method I've seen could be the 519x series of Craftsman vises that immediately followed the Reeds.
Anyway, this will most likely be mounted in place of the Athol 614 I currently have.

 

[JoCoSawdust]

Nice work Hoorn. That's a beautiful vise.

 

[Hoorn]

Nice work Hoorn. That's a beautiful vise.

Thank you. With a vise, it's always a labor of love.

 

[Smokeshow69]

Thank you. With a vise, it's always a labor of love.

That turned out to be a real dandy! Nice work!


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[Old Radar]

A well built vise and nicely refinished--Good work Hoorn!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

What do you guys make of the logo on this No. 4049 Jobbers Drill Gauge? Late 40's? 50's?

 

[JoCoSawdust]

This is 1950 Lugz. Too lazy to hunt the plus/minus on it tonight but I'd speculate you're right in the range. I think ancillary items like this were purchased in a huge bulk and used till they ran out.

 

[Smokeshow69]

I received in the mail today a very nice surprise from old radar today! I had been after him about his amber handle 3/8 hung handle and he was very nice and sent it to me! I continue to be impressed with the members on this board and the genuine and caring attitudes that members display towards each other, often with no expectations of reciprocity. This hinge handle is part of the late 30’s/ early 40’s super deluxe set that Sears was selling as their top of the line at the time. Rileysan or jocosawdust know a lot more about these sets as they have completed or have nearly completed them. This particular hinge handle still has its blue paint in the logo which I think is cool!





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[JoCoSawdust]

That's a nice addition Ben and kudos to Radar!! That's the first blue paint I've seen in the logos. I did not realize that was a feature to these pieces but it doesn't surprise me. They pulled out all the stops to make that a great looking set of tools.

 

[JoCoSawdust]

I've still got a few holes to fill but I'm closing in on the pre-war punch and chisels sets. The 12-pocket leather roll came to me from eBay. It looked pretty rough in the listing but cleaned up very nicely and the leather is still pliable.

 

[ed4banger]

Finishing up this little 3" Craftsman made by Reed. 1944

 

[Smokeshow69]

Finishing up this little 3" Craftsman made by Reed. 1944

Very nice Ed!


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[Smokeshow69]

I've still got a few holes to fill but I'm closing in on the pre-war punch and chisels sets. The 12-pocket leather roll came to me from eBay. It looked pretty rough in the listing but cleaned up very nicely and the leather is still pliable.

This isn’t an easy feat to find or put together a set of punches that isn’t super beat up and still has the pouches intact. Very nice work putting those together!


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[ed4banger]

Mid 30s Craftsman Vanadium 3/8 set, w/tiny tools display card. I now believe, after closer inspection, that the card was part of this set. The placement of the tools on the card works a little too well with the speeder.

 

[danandmelrod]

Nice vintage set, Ed!

 

[Smokeshow69]

Mid 30s Craftsman Vanadium 3/8 set, w/tiny tools display card.

So nice! I am glad you ended up with that set! I hope you find the missing sockets to finish out the set


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[ed4banger]

So nice! I am glad you ended up with that set! I hope you find the missing sockets to finish out the set


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...

 

[JoCoSawdust]

Looks great Ed and it's in the perfect home. Congrats!

 

[Gear Wolf]

I received in the mail today a very nice surprise from old radar today! I had been after him about his amber handle 3/8 hung handle and he was very nice and sent it to me! I continue to be impressed with the members on this board and the genuine and caring attitudes that members display towards each other, often with no expectations of reciprocity. This hinge handle is part of the late 30’s/ early 40’s super deluxe set that Sears was selling as their top of the line at the time. Rileysan or jocosawdust know a lot more about these sets as they have completed or have nearly completed them. This particular hinge handle still has its blue paint in the logo which I think is cool!





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Hey, I have a bunch of amber handled stuff. I am a few months out from letting it go, but you should look me up. I never intended on having a collection, but wanted to have it just long enough to get it on film.

 

[Gear Wolf]

That's a nice addition Ben and kudos to Radar!! That's the first blue paint I've seen in the logos. I did not realize that was a feature to these pieces but it doesn't surprise me. They pulled out all the stops to make that a great looking set of tools.

Yep. They have a triple blue painted band. The closest color to it is somewhere between Ford Blue and G9 Vista blue. I have seen either shade.

The photo from the brochure is correct, where these handles were originally a shade similar an American lager versus the common mid to dark lager color we see today. Usually, this decolorization is caused through oxidative wear over time or exposure to chemicals via use/cleaning. I have seen and own examples of pretty much each shade.

Sadly, these handles, at this point have typically lost all of their elasticity even if they are perfect to their OEM standards, so one good drop equals game over.

 

[Gear Wolf]

What do you guys make of the logo on this No. 4049 Jobbers Drill Gauge? Late 40's? 50's?

Lugz, it is even earlier than that. That font first appeared in the early to mid 1930s with the appearance of the very first BE labeled sockets and the BT ratchet. It is definitely quiet prominent on the BT, which first appeared in 1936.

 

[DD T/A]

Anybody ever seen Craftsman combo wrenches with hash marks like this? More than likely not vintage but It's kinda odd and unique.

 

[Craftsman C-series]

Big Craftsman and vise fan and was lucky enough to find this vise a few years back that scratches both itches. Model 5188 made by Reed with a 1943 date stamp. It retains good deal of its original midnight blue color. It has 5” jaws and for me the perfect size vise. Anything bigger and I can feel my back about to give out.

 

[Smokeshow69]

Anybody ever seen Craftsman combo wrenches with hash marks like this? More than likely not vintage but It's kinda odd and unique.

The hash mark wrenches are modern and no more than a few years old. The amber handle screw driver is thread correct!


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[DD T/A]

The hash mark wrenches are modern and no more than a few years old. The amber handle screw driver is thread correct!

Only when I got the screw driver home and the sun shown on it did I see the beginning of outgassing.....in short time the handle will be toast.
Good news is that it was only $1

 

[Outlawmws]

Big Craftsman and vise fan and was lucky enough to find this vise a few years back that scratches both itches. Model 5188 made by Reed with a 1943 date stamp. It retains good deal of its original midnight blue color. It has 5” jaws and for me the perfect size vise. Anything bigger and I can feel my back about to give out.

Wow, Incredible original finish find!

 

[Macduf]

what would be an age appropriate craftsman ratchet for this set?

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Looks like 1940 or so tools

 

[Smokeshow69]

Big Craftsman and vise fan and was lucky enough to find this vise a few years back that scratches both itches. Model 5188 made by Reed with a 1943 date stamp. It retains good deal of its original midnight blue color. It has 5” jaws and for me the perfect size vise. Anything bigger and I can feel my back about to give out.

What a time capsule! It is very hard to find a vise like this in this good of shape. Way to go!


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[3baygarage]

what would be an age appropriate craftsman ratchet for this set?

What marking is on the tools? A New Britain made BE or Circle H marked ratchet would be the one depending on the marking.

 

[Macduf]

all marked be

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Here's a couple BE ratchets

 

[Macduf]

funny this is the only 3/8 long c ratchet I've got. plenty of 1/2. thanks for the help just wanted a second opinion

 

[Oldtuleguy]

That one looks pretty good

 

[Old Radar]

I received in the mail today a very nice surprise from old radar today! I had been after him about his amber handle 3/8 hung handle and he was very nice and sent it to me! I continue to be impressed with the members on this board and the genuine and caring attitudes that members display towards each other, often with no expectations of reciprocity. This hinge handle is part of the late 30’s/ early 40’s super deluxe set that Sears was selling as their top of the line at the time. Rileysan or jocosawdust know a lot more about these sets as they have completed or have nearly completed them. This particular hinge handle still has its blue paint in the logo which I think is cool!

Happy to help! I look forward to seeing your completed set!

 

[Smokeshow69]

Happy to help! I look forward to seeing your completed set!

Thanks! It will be a long road but that’s ok. Gives me something to work toward!


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[JoCoSawdust]

Yep. They have a triple blue painted band. The closest color to it is somewhere between Ford Blue and G9 Vista blue. I have seen either shade.

The photo from the brochure is correct, where these handles were originally a shade similar an American lager versus the common mid to dark lager color we see today. Usually, this decolorization is caused through oxidative wear over time or exposure to chemicals via use/cleaning. I have seen and own examples of pretty much each shade.

Sadly, these handles, at this point have typically lost all of their elasticity even if they are perfect to their OEM standards, so one good drop equals game over.

I was referring to the blue paint in the recess of the logo on the shank GW. I was already familiar with the blue rings on the handles. I went over my amber pieces with a magnifying glass yesterday, searching for any remnant of blue inside the logos and didn't find any. While not conclusive, I tend to believe the blue logo on Ben's hinge handle was owner-added at some point in time.

 

[Gear Wolf]

I was referring to the blue paint in the recess of the logo on the shank GW. I was already familiar with the blue rings on the handles. I went over my amber pieces with a magnifying glass yesterday, searching for any remnant of blue inside the logos and didn't find any. While not conclusive, I tend to believe the blue logo on Ben's hinge handle was owner-added at some point in time.

Doh! Sorry about that.

You've brought up a good point there! It is -------- to be there?

I really want to talk about this right now. This my 3rd time trying to write this. To avoid a repeat of the last couple tool situations here on this site, I'm going to keep my mouth shut about this for now.

**Adding a clarification: I'm going to hang onto the info for now, since we've had some people come here to get quick information to help make a sale. This really bums me out. -_-**

 

[Hoorn]

Finishing up this little 3" Craftsman made by Reed. 1944

Ed, did you file the cast Craftsman name flat? I have the 5183 and the casting is almost V shaped. Or were you just able to get more white paint on the narrow casting?