Show your "Long C" Craftsman!

[BuffettFan]

I started this display a few years ago, finally put it together yesterday.
At one point, I think I had an approximate date on them, probably from this thread, but I'm too lazy to look back through 85 pages!
I'm thinking they came from one of my grandfathers.
Both were machinists, among other things.
Any info is appreciated!

 

[Arne73]

This looks Geometric if not Long C.
Amber rather than clear handle #2 Phillips.

 

[Smokeshow69]

This looks Geometric if not Long C.
Amber rather than clear handle #2 Phillips.

That amber handle certainly qualifies for the long c era. Nice find

 

[Mintgrun]

I like those too! I am going to need a larger box to put them in.

The one in the bottom right is a DUNLAP example.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Another little vanadium set popped up. Three so far and not a single 1/2" socket!

 

[Smokeshow69]

Another little vanadium set popped up. Three so far and not a single 1/2" socket!

That’s an uncommon grab. Nice work

 

[Outlawmws]

Wow, Cool boxes!

 

[GalaxyRat]

Wish me luck, I'm hoping to score a *proper* underline C tool by next Tuesday. I'll give you a hint...

Also, does anyone have a good color match for the Craftsman blue that went on their tool nameplates?

If you guessed correctly, it is indeed a 1940 7" worm drive saw. UPS dropped it off today, I paid $113 with shipping for it. I'm going to clean it up, repair any issues, and hopefully use it occasionally. It's missing a screw on the back side worm screw panel and one of the plastic brush caps is broken in half.

Anyone got any tips on how to halt the corrosion on the data plate and also carefully cleaning and preserving the box logo?

 

[JoCoSawdust]

Great score GR. With the case even!! If the case were mine, I think I'd go over it with WD40 and 0000 steel wool with a light touch, carefully avoiding the logo. I apply Fluid Film to my old boxes from time to time. Keeps the rust at bay and puts a bit of life into the paint color. I haven't seen that damage any of the water slide decals I've applied it over (knock on wood).

That box handle can be recovered with leather or, if you want to save yourself some time, replacement leather handles for old Singer sewing machines are available online.

Don't know what to tell you about restoring/preserving the data plate on the saw. If you're looking to clean/polish the saw and make a looker out of it, I think I'd contact Matt Blast for a new plate. He's doing some really amazing work these days. There's some true artisans out there that do remarkable restorations of data plates but its a skill set far beyond anything I possess.

 

[wrenchguy]

Looks like 50mph sitting still!

 

[Outlawmws]

GR, assuming the ID plate is metal, (I see rivets) I've had success using Simple Green to get Rattle can paints off of metal/painted tags.

I use SG soaked paper towel, and check with a round toothpick, after say 10 min. - best to teat a corner. If not there, go again. I've "peeled" the rattle can off the original tag paint in these cases. DON'T indiscriminately soak it. SG WILL peel most paints given time.

 

[GalaxyRat]

Great score GR. With the case even!! If the case were mine, I think I'd go over it with WD40 and 0000 steel wool with a light touch, carefully avoiding the logo. I apply Fluid Film to my old boxes from time to time. Keeps the rust at bay and puts a bit of life into the paint color. I haven't seen that damage any of the water slide decals I've applied it over (knock on wood).

That box handle can be recovered with leather or, if you want to save yourself some time, replacement leather handles for old Singer sewing machines are available online.

Don't know what to tell you about restoring/preserving the data plate on the saw. If you're looking to clean/polish the saw and make a looker out of it, I think I'd contact Matt Blast for a new plate. He's doing some really amazing work these days. There's some true artisans out there that do remarkable restorations of data plates but its a skill set far beyond anything I possess.

The WD-40 & 0000 steel wool is what I did with my Skilsaw 825 case, and it did very well with preservation of paint and lettering. And good call with the sewing machine machine handles! I'll see about sending Matt Blast a message soon.

Looks like 50mph sitting still!

It really does, I love the aerodynamic cone on the front.

GR, assuming the ID plate is metal, (I see rivets) I've had success using Simple Green to get Rattle can paints off of metal/painted tags.

I use SG soaked paper towel, and check with a round toothpick, after say 10 min. - best to teat a corner. If not there, go again. I've "peeled" the rattle can off the original tag paint in these cases. DON'T indiscriminately soak it. SG WILL peel most paints given time.

The data plate is aluminum and has some considerable corrosion on the front and behind it. I will have to look into potentially getting it reproduced. For now as long as I can get a handle on the corrosion I will be happy. Thanks for the advice with the Simple Green, I'll have to give it a try.

 

[Larr991]

Here is just one,of the few I I have,

 

[GalaxyRat]

Got this in the mail a couple days ago and decided to fill it with some Norseman bits.

 

[wrenchguy]

7" blade from a old saw I'm working on.

 

[Outlawmws]

Similar Logo on this Hatchet:

 

[Mintgrun]

I think this is the same hatchet. It's missing all the paint on the head, but there's still a little bit left on the handle.

 

[d42jeep]

I cleaned up a couple of auger bits from an estate sale on Friday and although they are faintly marked I believe that they are long C vintage.
-Don

 

[Outlawmws]

MG, I agree, same hatchet. Both original handles too! Mine does not have that copper sleeve in the hole though - Owner addition?

 

[Mintgrun]

Yes, good eye. I added that sleeve. It's copper tubing flared out at the ends. I really like the faceted handle design.

 

[TexTJ209]

Got this old gal in today, cleaned up pretty nice. Will have to put a little work in to clean up the duct tape residue on top, but that pre-war crinkle blue sure is pretty.

 

[Outlawmws]

That box is a nice find!

 

[JoCoSawdust]

Great find Tex. That pre-war crinkle is a thing of beauty.

 

[Outlawmws]

D42 those augers cleaned up nice! And you were not kidding about faintly stamped!

 

[Smokeshow69]

picked up this double bit axe today for $48. It needs a little cleanup but still shows blue on the handle and should cleanup well. I will probably move it along

 

[Gear Wolf]

Some circle k and bm sets

Oh man, I'm can't believe I'm going to ask this knowing how much it costs these days...

So I just received a completed set for the 2nd variant of the 3/4" "Pear Head" style ratchet. It is the one that came after the good old round head BM & Circle K ratchet family. As much as I didn't want to buy the set, the 3/4" example that came out in 1967 had several upgrades over the one first released in the mid-1950s. I've been aware of this piece for a while, but I've only seen one pop up 3 times in the last 7 years. I bought the set off of a really nice guy named Chip, whose father in law recently passed away. Although the case is worn, the tools inside are magnificent, so I figured, if it rounds the whole history program out, nothing beats the present. The 3rd iteration is the one with the selector held in with a hex screw.

Anyway, if I may ask, would it be possible to, at a minimum, request a few photos of your BM & Circle K tool sets and feature them on the program? If you are every looking to offload a set, I have the corresponding ratchets that go with them, so it would be cool to show viewers the whole kit and caboodle. If you'd be up for letting one of them go on a field trip for a temporary (a few days tops) stay, where I'd pay for their food, lodgings, and airfare (making a joke here, but I am serious too ^_^), let me know.

In any case, you really have some kick *** sets there. I'm happy that lady fortune smiles upon so many!

I've really been cranking things out. It is cool to stop in and see all of the neat finds everyone has lately! ^_^

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Lmk what pics you need. These things are pretty clunky so would rather not mail them. Good to hear you are making progress!

 

[JoCoSawdust]

Gear Wolf is a solid guy when it comes to borrowing tools for his series. I sent him my Fors rat so it could be a movie star. Not many people I'd do that for. I had it back in less than a week.

GW: If/when you're done with that pear head set for your series, I'd be interested in purchasing it. I have the long handle (dome) tool box the sets were sold in for the first few years.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

+1 on that! I have sent stuff before. These things are just heavy and clunky, don't want to deal with trying to ship them.

 

[Gear Wolf]

+1 on that! I have sent stuff before. These things are just heavy and clunky, don't want to deal with trying to ship them.

Howdy,

I completely understand your position. They are juggernauts to package and send. At 40 pounds a piece, these sets are about the same weight as a M1 tank shell! That's why I figured I better at least offer to buy one, if one was for sale, hahaha!

If you could take a few square photos of both sets with the cases opened and closed as well as a few photos with a good square picture of the Craftsman logo / BM & Circle K logos for some of the accessories, that should be good enough. Please send them to [email protected]. Thank you very much! I appreciate your time and consideration.

Honestly, I'm surprised that the collecting community is still only lukewarm to these 3/4" kits. They were nowhere near as numerous as other sets, and they are generally start at the rank of "hard to find" and only increase in difficulty from there. I have the set I was given by an old WW2 vet, but she is not a great representative of what these things could look like. It does come with an awesome story though! ^_^

 

[Username already in use]

Honestly, I'm surprised that the collecting community is still only lukewarm to these 3/4" kits. They were nowhere near as numerous as other sets, and they are generally start at the rank of "hard to find" and only increase in difficulty from there.

I feel the same. Though, maybe they're lukewarm because there are fewer of these sets to pass around.

I think my (K) set is wartime. None of the handles are branded. Typical of wartime SK production.

 

[TexTJ209]

I feel the same. Though, maybe they're lukewarm because there are fewer of these sets to pass around.

I think my (K) set is wartime. None of the handles are branded. Typical of wartime SK production.

I'm no expert but I'd be inclined to agree with that. Box is the typically late/postwar greenish gray color while still having the Long C logo.

I've got a smaller set in that same color/decal combo that I believe is about 44/45ish.

 

[RTM]

Honestly, I'm surprised that the collecting community is still only lukewarm to these 3/4" kits. They were nowhere near as numerous as other sets, and they are generally start at the rank of "hard to find" and only increase in difficulty from there.

I think size MAY have something to do with it. Go through Don's Dandy Den, and look how many 1/4" sets he has on display. Every 6 or so of those takes up the same shelf space as a single 3/4" set, and only 1/10 the weight, so his shelves can be a bit thinner. ¢¢

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I like collecting the bigger stuff. Numerous 5/8, 7/8, 3/4 and a couple one inch drive sets have slowly piled up. They definately take up some space.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Howdy,

I completely understand your position. They are juggernauts to package and send. At 40 pounds a piece, these sets are about the same weight as a M1 tank shell! That's why I figured I better at least offer to buy one, if one was for sale, hahaha!

If you could take a few square photos of both sets with the cases opened and closed as well as a few photos with a good square picture of the Craftsman logo / BM & Circle K logos for some of the accessories, that should be good enough. Please send them to [email protected]. Thank you very much! I appreciate your time and consideration.

Honestly, I'm surprised that the collecting community is still only lukewarm to these 3/4" kits. They were nowhere near as numerous as other sets, and they are generally start at the rank of "hard to find" and only increase in difficulty from there. I have the set I was given by an old WW2 vet, but she is not a great representative of what these things could look like. It does come with an awesome story though! ^_^

Ok I will try to get them done this weekend

 

[TexTJ209]

Managed to snag this off of FBMP this week. Nicest one I've ever seen.

 

[JoCoSawdust]

That's a purdy one Tex. Congrats!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

That's a purdy one Tex. Congrats!

 

[Smokeshow69]

Managed to snag this off of FBMP this week. Nicest one I've ever seen.

Heck yeah! Nice jubilee grab!

 

[Username already in use]

@TexTJ209 +2. That’s a dandy!