Vintage Craftsman Socket Set Conundrum

[ScreechAwl]

Last week, I picked up these two 1/4" Craftsman sets from the early '60's. One is missing a ratchet. The other has a long-lever style included. I have enough pieces and parts to make a complete 16 pc. set. The problem is, there are differences in the way each set was made. The boxes have different latching mechanisms, (the one on the right is older) and the extender bars (both long and short) have different finishes. One pair has a satin finish, the other a full polish. How do I match these up to the right box?

I did my homework on these before posting this. Seems the long-lever style was only made from 1957-58, but was offered in sets into the early '60's, before the butterflies.

 

[Rileysan]

Last week, I picked up these two 1/4" Craftsman sets from the early '60's. One is missing a ratchet. The other has a long-lever style included. I have enough pieces and parts to make a complete 16 pc. set. The problem is, there are differences in the way each set was made. The boxes have different latching mechanisms, (the one on the right is older) and the extender bars (both long and short) have different finishes. One pair has a satin finish, the other a full polish. How do I match these up to the right box?

I did my homework on these before posting this. Seems the long-lever style was only made from 1957-58, but was offered in sets into the early '60's, before the butterflies.

The ratchet question aside, I'll address the question about matching the different sets with the different boxes. The short answer is, there's no wrong answer.

Sears sold millions upon millions upon millions of socket sets. Moore Drop Forge (MDF), EASCO, then Danaher had multiple factories pumping out Craftsman wrenches, sockets, ratchets, etc for decades. No one knows exactly how sets were put together but the theory I follow is that all were sent to one or more central locations to be placed in sets or labeled for individual sale. Sets were OFTEN mismatched (letter codes, finishes, even manufacturers), dating back to WWII.

The boxes were made by a different manufacturer than the tools that went into them. If you look back to 1945-48, one can find tools from 4 different manufacturers in the same style box (Plomb/Proto, New Britain/Husky, MDF, and SK), or one manufacturer in 3 different style boxes, and it was common to have mixed manufacturers in sets.

Back to your question. You can put those sets together in any way, shape, or form, and you would have a configuration that was correct.

My advice - do what makes the most sense to you!

Nice finds, btw!

Brian

 

[ScreechAwl]

Thanks, Brian.

Made my final choice and cleaned everything up for one complete set.

Now I just need to figure out how to tear down and re-lube the ratchet. Long-levers are supposed to have different internals than those that came after and there doesn't appear to be any youtube tutorials on taking this one apart. Unless I am mistaken, even Gear Wolf's channel doesn't have one though he's done some amazing work on virtually every other Craftsman ratchet!

 

[JoCoSawdust]

Beautiful sets. I've never tried to disassemble a long lever. I'd be very cautious (and simply not do it unless entirely necessary). I know the V shift rats that replaced them are notorious for the retaining rings breaking at disassembly.

 

[ScreechAwl]

You have a couple of 8 point sockets in with the 6 pt?

yep. Both sets had two 8-points. They go with the set. Looked in a 1960 Craftsman tool catalog pdf. There are nine sockets: two 8-point and seven 6-point. The 12-piece set only came with the flex-handle and crossbar. The 16-piece came with the ratchet, T-handle, and two extender bars (6 in and 3 in) PLUS the flex-handle and crossbar. Sears included the metal case as one of the "pieces" in 1960.

If I had another crossbar, 5/16 socket, and red plastic insert, I could make a 12-piece set out of the remaining box.

 

[Zrxrunner]

Good luck with the red insert! I've got more than a couple of the little boxes and socket sets. I think I only have 1 or 2 with the intact red insert. Will probably be the hardest part for you to find.

 

[JoCoSawdust]

Somebody out there is 3D printing the red inserts. They're close but they don't have descending depths for each socket so the sockets end up being stair-stepped across the top once inserted in the tray (if that makes any sense). No clue who's doing it or what the source is but I've seen them in those clamshell cases from time to time in eBay sets.

 

[ScreechAwl]

Good luck with the red insert! I've got more than a couple of the little boxes and socket sets. I think I only have 1 or 2 with the intact red insert. Will probably be the hardest part for you to find.

I know what you mean. The insert from the other box is missing chunks and it's now in the trash. I'm not going to bother trying to create another set. I'm just happy I got one out of it. The other box can be used for storing other tools like ignition wrench's or extra sockets and such. It's got more paint missing from it's exterior too, so it doesn't look as good as the other box.

 

[ScreechAwl]

Somebody out there is 3D printing the red inserts. They're close but they don't have descending depths for each socket so the sockets end up being stair-stepped across the top once inserted in the tray (if that makes any sense). No clue who's doing it or what the source is but I've seen them in those clamshell cases from time to time in eBay sets.

Looking at some of the Craftsman tool catalogs online from the mid-1950's, those inserts were originally metal socket holders and came with box-head ratchets in the cases. Too bad they didn't continue the all-metal construction. I would have preferred that over fragile plastic.

 

[Provincial]

When just the bottom of the "pocket" is broken out, I have made spacers from wood or plastic to support the socket from beneath. It isn't right, but it allows display of an open box with the sockets in the proper orientation.

Of course, the sides of the plastic pocket need to be there to locate the socket properly.

 

[PelicanPines]

I would do the 3d print correctly... if I had a printer. Sweet sets. Lucky....

 

[larry4406]

Somebody out there is 3D printing the red inserts. They're close but they don't have descending depths for each socket so the sockets end up being stair-stepped across the top once inserted in the tray (if that makes any sense). No clue who's doing it or what the source is but I've seen them in those clamshell cases from time to time in eBay sets.

I know what you mean. The insert from the other box is missing chunks and it's now in the trash. I'm not going to bother trying to create another set. I'm just happy I got one out of it. The other box can be used for storing other tools like ignition wrench's or extra sockets and such. It's got more paint missing from it's exterior too, so it doesn't look as good as the other box.

Awakening an older thread as I just purchased a similar vintage set. Mine are all stamped "V". No I am not "Corky Switzer",



The red insert on mine is also damaged. My sockets are all the same height and the original tray is not "stair stepped" or descending depths.

Has anyone bought a decent replacement?

These sellers seems to make a pretty decent looking 3D printed insert. The first one looks a little more correct with the slot running thru the socket holes.

QRT Socket Organizer for Craftsman 1/4” Metal Box Set 3d Printed | eBay

Keep your sockets organized and easily accessible with this QRT Socket Organizer. Designed specifically for Craftsman 1/4" Metal Box Set, this accessory is 3D printed using high-quality PLA Plus material for durability. The glossy finish and multiple color options make it a stylish addition to...

www.ebay.com

Plastic Insert for Craftsman 1/4 Metal Socket Set Red Insert ONLY - Etsy

This Wrenches, Ratchets & Sockets item by TimsToolShed has 19 favorites from Etsy shoppers. Ships from Las Vegas, NV. Listed on Jul 12, 2024

www.etsy.com

 

[Cruzan80]

Is there a desire for the correct replacement for these? Need a few "easy" projects for my HS students to practice reverse engineering and modeling on. I have an insert they can use as a "master".

 

[larry4406]

Is there a desire for the correct replacement for these? Need a few "easy" projects for my HS students to practice reverse engineering and modeling on. I have an insert they can use as a "master".

I’m in if reasonable

I can take dimensions on mine if it helps.

 

[Cruzan80]

Sorry, what I meant was that the students would measure an existing one, then create a 3d file in SOLIDWORKS. Probably print one or two to test tolerances, then would put the file up for free (non-commercial use). If the students wanted to "license" it, up to them.

 

[Ohio Andy]

Love the case you printed.

How do they feel in use? Curious.

 

[d42jeep]

Occasionally it’s possible to find an undamaged insert. These tools are all =v= marked.
-Don

 

[larry4406]

Anyone know what this bar is for? Mine came with it like Don's.

 

[larry4406]

Love the case you printed.

How do they feel in use? Curious.

None of us printed a case. Those are pictures from sellers who print them.

 

[3baygarage]

Anyone know what this bar is for? Mine came with it like Don's.

It’s the cross bar to go through the end of the breaker bar handle so together they can be used as a “T -handle”.

 

[d42jeep]

Like this.
-Don

 

[Zrxrunner]

Is there a desire for the correct replacement for these? Need a few "easy" projects for my HS students to practice reverse engineering and modeling on. I have an insert they can use as a "master".

There are a ton of these little plastic broken ones out there. If they came up with good design that closely matches original that could be done inexpensively, I'll bet a pretty fair amount would sell or get made.

 

[RTM]

If they came up with good design that closely matches original that could be done in expensively

Or worked better would never hurt, space to expand a bit put to good use, or optimize it for more. ¢¢

 

[larry4406]

I would like to get a good one, mine is broken but serviceable.

 

[four.cycle]

wow... who knew?

I was cobbling together a set the last couple days and noticed that a "Permanex" box (for a 3/8" drive set) sold for $29.70 including shipping
That red plastic insert for $20 bucks isn't TOO outrageous when you consider people are willing to pay north of $50 for that particular 1/4" drive set.

 

[Beerhippie]

It’s the cross bar to go through the end of the breaker bar handle so together they can be used as a “T -handle”.

I'm betting it's also the pin for locking the case shut. If not, someone dropped the proverbial ball.

 

[d42jeep]

The cases just close with sheet metal friction. Here is a picture posted by OTG of the cross bar in the flex handle.
-Don

 

[Beerhippie]

Look at it:

The two loops align when closed. That's a latch, just waiting for a pin.

Someone that has the "Tommy rod" and one of these sets--please try this!

Enquiring minds want to know!

 

[four.cycle]

no no no no.... Craftsman used two different designs of "latch" on those 1/4" drive boxes.
the one with two "ears"
and one with just a metal tab:


That 5/32" x 3" chrome-plated rod with the tiny detent ball at one end is the "cross bar", and they're rare as hens teeth.

Don posted one just above showing how it fits into the flex handle (breaker bar).

And no way would I fool around trying to jam something into those "ears" - they're just spot-welded on, and if you break it off, you've destroyed the value of the box (not to mention causing it to never close and latch properly again - ever.)