Show your "Long C" Craftsman!

[Hoorn]

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.

The amount of original paint left on your vise is incredible. It truly is quite a deep blue / violet. I've never seen a rattle can with that color, but that original Craftsman color has to be Cobalt blue RAL 5013. Very nice Reedsman!

 

[ed4banger]

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?

No, I would never file or grind the logo. I paint more than just the upper surface, also paint down onto the sides of the logo (if the letters are large enough) for a bolder appearance.

 

[Hoorn]

Looks great. Steady hand.

 

[JoCoSawdust]

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.

That's a beauty!

 

[JoCoSawdust]

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. -_-**

No worries GW, I'm looking forward to your new vids!

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I would not be too concerned. People who want top dollar for stuff will fish around the internet until they get their info. Occasionally they surface here. A good indicator is if they only have one post!

 

[jonshonda]

I was asked to share in this thread by outlawmws

Bought my first double bit. I am a member of the local mountain biking club, and am in charge of 7 miles of trails at one of our local systems. This will come in handy for removing roots, and other various tasks.

The seller had it listed for $75, with no takers. I was a patient fella and waited for a few weeks to see if it sold. Well, finally met up and struck a deal for $30. It looks like they handed a grinder to Michael J Fox and asked for a good sharpening. Honestly some of the worst sharpening I have ever seen.

The haft also needed work, as it was a little loose, but in otherwise fine usable condition. So I took my time with a flap disk and removed the damage from the grinder, then finished up with a file. Then have the haft a few good smacks with my Trusty Cook dead blow. Filled in the gaps with BLO, and caped it off with wood glue. If it continues to move I will have to result in more drastic measures, but for now I will see how it holds up.

20210112_101623 by Jon S, on Flickr

20210112_101726 by Jon S, on Flickr

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Pure awesomeness.

 

[JoCoSawdust]

That's a beautiful artifact! The logo is also a bit of an oddity. There's a ton of axes and other cutting tools out there with the "first" logo, the banner logo, or the "wavy" logo (all the same thing) but that's only the second time I've seen the logo on your ax. rileysan has a couple of tappet wrenches bearing that logo. It's interesting no-geometric font we're all used to seeing ( I love that "R"!) and having vanadium incorporated into the "long" part of the C. Fantastic piece and thanks for showing it here!

 

[jonshonda]

Would it be a shame for me to actually use it? haha

I do take care of my tools, and there shouldn't be much risk of damage. I have been looking for a double bit for a while, and am loving it!

 

[DD T/A]

Don't ever be ashamed of using something that was designed to be used.

 

[jonshonda]

Don't ever be ashamed of using something that was designed to be used.

Indeed! I will feel good using it! I take a lot more pride in using things I have found and restored, vs buying new.

 

[JoCoSawdust]

Closing in on another catalog set but stuck on a few missing pieces so I'm going to go ahead and throw it out here. I've wanted to find this box for a while now, if for no other reason to have a place to park the unique midget socket tray. The box came to me brush-painted a lovely turd brown. I used a citrus-based cleaner to get rid of that, managing to keep a fair amount of the original blue. This was my first attempt at recovering a ratty leather handle. Not perfect but not too bad for a first attempt. Lessons were learned and the next one will be better.

Doing some final research for the set, I discovered that when this set appeared with these components in 1937, the box was described as having a "black crackle finish". Black? They advertised pretty much the same set in 38 in a blue crackle finish box but the midget set is shown in the run-of-the-mill clamshell. No good. I really wanted to build this set as it has the cool midget rack, the BT rat, and a long head female drive rat. So...I present to you the 46 piece Super Service Set from 1937....in the wrong color box.

As all of this was coming together, I found another one of these boxes. Partially spray bombed, there's enough original paint on the inside that I can tell it was black crinkle finish. I'm keeping the 37 set in the blue box (Sears be damned) as I'm putting together a 1934 C-series set to live in the black box.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

That's a nice looking set. Maybe it's the lighting, or maybe it's the box and handle, but I like how 'dark' the set is or looks together. Do you know what I mean? It's clean, obviously, but it looks like someone just set it down there after work and took the tools out in 1937. Also, if I've seen one I've seen a hundred leather carry box handles from that era, and, while they are not all the same shape and size (there are actually a surprising number of variants), that is the fattest sausage-y looking handle I have seen. I like it.

 

[JoCoSawdust]

Thanks Lugz and yup, that handle is a fat boy.

 

[Outlawmws]

JoCo, I need to help my daughter do a similar recover on a leather handle, any tips? Was it all hand stitched?

 

[JoCoSawdust]

I experimented with some cheap fabric to figure out what pattern I needed to cut for the leather. Lots of trial and error with that so I'm glad I wasn't blindly cutting into leather. Once I had the pattern figured out I soaked the leather and stretched it around the form, holding it in place with metal butterfly paper clasps. I used a leather awl to make the lockstitch (courtesy of YouTube), removing each clasp as the stitch reached it. I opted for a curved needle in the awl. That allowed me to "reach" down and draw the leather tighter as I pulled the thread tight. I'm pretty pleased with it and looking forward to doing more. Beats the 28 bucks for a reproduction handle.

 

[Smokeshow69]

I experimented with some cheap fabric to figure out what pattern I needed to cut for the leather. Lots of trial and error with that so I'm glad I wasn't blindly cutting into leather. Once I had the pattern figured out I soaked the leather and stretched it around the form, holding it in place with metal butterfly paper clasps. I used a leather awl to make the lockstitch (courtesy of YouTube), removing each clasp as the stitch reached it. I opted for a curved needle in the awl. That allowed me to "reach" down and draw the leather tighter as I pulled the thread tight. I'm pretty pleased with it and looking forward to doing more. Beats the 28 bucks for a reproduction handle.

What do you call these handles? I got your package in the mail today and was on cloud 9. I need to find a new handle for my new carry box!



Looking for the following PLVMB/PROTO dual marked combo wrenches- 1208, 1210, 1212, 1224, 1228, 1230, 1240, 1242, 1244, 1246, 1248, 1252

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Once I had the pattern figured out I soaked the leather and stretched it around the form,

This is key. I did three and struggled to pull them tight as I stitched, leaving ripples, until I read right here on GJ how Davefr got his so tight on one of his machinists' boxes. You were smart to seek out a how-to video first. Looks great.

 

[Gear Wolf]

I like what you did with that handle. I always thought the OEM brown leather didn't look quite as nice as black. Plus, the OEM would be ripe for staining over time.

Did you use the original paper/cardboard fill that the handle had or did you go with something else?

 

[JoCoSawdust]

Smokes: Damn, you got that package already? That's the fastest I've seen USPS move in a while now. Glad you like it. I'm sure you could recover the handle on that box but if you don't want to fool with it, look on eBay for Singer sewing machine leather handle. The repos run about 28 bucks. I've not used one myself but I've seen pics of them put on tool boxes and they look really good. As far as I know, available in black only. EDIT: Just remembered that box doesn't have a handle at all. Check out those repos made for the Singer machines.

Lugz: Thanks. I have many YouTube certification tabs: Appliance repair technician, Auto mechanic certification, bumper installation specialist...the list goes on and on. I always check YouTube before doing something!

GW: The original handle on this one was black. I've seen some boxes with brown leather too. I think it was a you get what you got deal with the color of the leather handles. The other box I have like this also has a black handle, as does a leather handled Heritage box in my collection. I do have a couple of the flat clamshell style 1/2d boxes with brown handles. I think I'll tackle one of those next. I did use the original form on this handle. It was broken in half. I glued it back together with shoe goo then wrapped a strip of Saran Wrap around the entire thing as tightly as I could to hold it all together. I'm fortunate in that my father in law is a master with leather work. He does incredible work with saddles and tack up in West Virginia, allowing me to raid his scrap box every time I'm up there.

 

[Outlawmws]

Thanks JoCo! Very helpful!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

There's a lot more royal blue paint left on this puppy than I normally see on these old Long C pipe wrenches, and just enough of the logo to make me not leave it behind at the flea market this morning. Erie-made. U-clip stabilizer intact.

 

[JoCoSawdust]

What a great specimen Lugz. Never seen one in that good of condition. Congrats!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Thanks. I was shocked because the box was a disaster. Gnarly wrenches, a putty knife with a duct tape handle, leftover hardware, everything grimey. It's a vendor who also sells lawnmowers and weed whackers and chains saws and he is usually behind the table working on one of them, with a few crappy boxes on the table with a mix of crappy modern and semi-vintage tools. You know the kind. Every flea market has at least one of these guys. He's always in the same spot and it's usually one of my last stops because it almost always turns up nothing.

 

[Smokeshow69]

Smokes: Damn, you got that package already? That's the fastest I've seen USPS move in a while now. Glad you like it. I'm sure you could recover the handle on that box but if you don't want to fool with it, look on eBay for Singer sewing machine leather handle. The repos run about 28 bucks. I've not used one myself but I've seen pics of them put on tool boxes and they look really good. As far as I know, available in black only. EDIT: Just remembered that box doesn't have a handle at all. Check out those repos made for the Singer machines.

Lugz: Thanks. I have many YouTube certification tabs: Appliance repair technician, Auto mechanic certification, bumper installation specialist...the list goes on and on. I always check YouTube before doing something!

GW: The original handle on this one was black. I've seen some boxes with brown leather too. I think it was a you get what you got deal with the color of the leather handles. The other box I have like this also has a black handle, as does a leather handled Heritage box in my collection. I do have a couple of the flat clamshell style 1/2d boxes with brown handles. I think I'll tackle one of those next. I did use the original form on this handle. It was broken in half. I glued it back together with shoe goo then wrapped a strip of Saran Wrap around the entire thing as tightly as I could to hold it all together. I'm fortunate in that my father in law is a master with leather work. He does incredible work with saddles and tack up in West Virginia, allowing me to raid his scrap box every time I'm up there.

At first I thought you raided this box for your new set you are putting together but I know you didn’t because I can tell the handle came off along time ago [emoji41] I need the hasps that the handle attaches to as well so I might try to find a junk carry box for a donor ??


Looking for the following PLVMB/PROTO dual marked combo wrenches- 1208, 1210, 1212, 1224, 1228, 1230, 1240, 1242, 1244, 1246, 1248, 1252

 

[Smokeshow69]

What a great specimen Lugz. Never seen one in that good of condition. Congrats!

Man Lugz! What he said! That is a nice wrench


Looking for the following PLVMB/PROTO dual marked combo wrenches- 1208, 1210, 1212, 1224, 1228, 1230, 1240, 1242, 1244, 1246, 1248, 1252

 

[Outlawmws]

Unbelievable its that intact after all these years Lugz! Great save!

 

[bmwrd0]

Man, the Craftsman guys will go nuts for that one Lugz.

 

[Rileysan]

Man, the Craftsman guys will go nuts for that one Lugz.

We are! We are!

PM sent.

- Brian

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Man, the Craftsman guys will go...

Past tense. Gone!

 

[Old Radar]

I have a question for the crowd.

I picked up this vintage CM micrometer yesterday and am perplexed by the font used in the Craftsman name. I cannot recall ever seeing a simple block, san serif, italicized version of the name.




Looking at the CM catalogs I find this style of micrometer (distinctive narrow knurled speeder on the end of the barrel and a cut out at the anvil end) depicted from 1939-1960. I know that is nearly meaningless due to the repetitive use of graphics, so I searched ebay for similar models.

The ones I found had the angular "short" Long C.



Once you enter the Crown era, the style changed to a thicker speeder and the cutout got longer.



So my questions are:
Where does the san serif, italicized version fit into the timeline?
Does anyone know who might have made it for Sears?

Thanks!

Edit: I just noticed nowhere on the mic does it say "Made in U.S.A." Is it possible that early (or late) in the long C era Sears made a foray overseas for their mics?

 

[Rileysan]

This came up on eBay earlier this week for the BIN price of $120. It had been listed for ~40 minutes at that point and the counter showed it had been viewed 10 times already, which surprised me when I saw it was still available because this is a fairly rare set in this box.

The box has had the hinges reattached with screws but other than that, it's in pretty good condition. The ratchet is in fantastic condition and with the original drive plug, is worth what I paid for the entire lot. I shouldn't have any issues filling holes in the set so long as I can figure out all that goes into the set. What I'm uncertain of, however, is what goes into the slots towards the front of the box. They almost appear to be for smaller sockets - like the 9/32" drive variety. Overall, I'm really excited to add this to my collection!

Brian

 

[JoCoSawdust]

Very nice! Damn...I must have been snoozing! I agree that it looks like a spot for the 9/32 stuff but would the extension and sliding T fit in one of those compartments? Looks too short. Either way...nice addition, congrats!

 

[Rileysan]

After a short search, I found this in the 1935 catalog:

- Craftsman Vanadium 22-piece "Handy Set"

My guess was correct - this box originally came with a 9/32" drive set.

Brian

 

[JoCoSawdust]

Nice score!

 

[d42jeep]

Nice find, Brian! You guys are the Craftsman experts but I’m wondering how you determined the missing small pieces are 9/32” drive rather than 1/4” drive?
I see 1/4” drive mentioned in the catalog image posted but not specifically about that set.
-Don

 

[Rileysan]

Nice find, Brian! You guys are the Craftsman experts but I’m wondering how you determined the missing small pieces are 9/32” drive rather than 1/4” drive?
I see 1/4” drive mentioned in the catalog image posted but not specifically about that set.
-Don

Good question!

The catalog image I posted is a bit small, so it's easy to mistake the wording. It mentions 1/4" and 5/16" 8-pt sockets.

Even though this was the same year Sears introduced the New Britain-made 1/4" drive midget socket set - which was specifically identified as 1/4" drive - the "Handy Set" is the Snap-on made socket set (I'm not gunna argue over who made the sockets), which are also shown in the 1934 catalog. Neither catalog calls the S.O. midget set 9/32" drive, but they all were. And based exclusively on the illustrations in the 2 catalogs, the set I bought unquestionably included the 9/32" drive midget socket sets, not the 1/4" New Britain set.

Brian

 

[d42jeep]

Thanks. I appreciate your knowledge.
-Don

 

[Gear Wolf]

Very nice! I appreciate you uploading your find!