canuckian
Well-known member
I have a 1/4 ratchet like that. Haven't used it in years but if memory serves me right, it wasn't a very good ratchet. I'll snap a pic of it the next time I'm out in the garage .
Vintage Mastercraft Tools
- Thread starter lbgradwell
- Start date
neverenoughtools
Well-known member
Just used this today, and had the camera out, so here you go. It's the 1/4" drive version, I also have a 3/8". Had it since approximately '93, give or tak a year or two. Fairly typical Stanley-made ratchet, nothing fancy but has held up well for me. It's not a quick release style, which I like about it.
CTC seems to just be in the process of changing the round-head Mastercraft ratchets so the selector looks more like these again, just with quick release on them.
Attachments
Here is a 3/8" flex head angled ratchet with the entire fwd/rev as the CTC symbol. It was part of a spark plug socket set that was purchased for a few bucks back in the early 90's.
CouchSpring
Well-known member
Thats cool .........
My guess is that was never a Mastercraft box. CTC sold both Mastercraft and cheaper Japanese made tools. If you think some of the stuff made in China, today, is bad, they don't compare to the "Made in Japan" tools of the 70's and 80's. You were lucky to turn a loose nut with some of the sockets.
Here is the logo from a 12 drawer roller cabinet, circa 1982. The box is made by Beach of Smith Falls, Ontario, Canada. They supplied CTC and Gray Tools with their boxes at one time.
Same box even though the close in logo pic appears orange.
Same box even though the close in logo pic appears orange.
caper
Well-known member
Here is a 3/8" flex head angled ratchet with the entire fwd/rev as the CTC symbol. It was part of a spark plug socket set that was purchased for a few bucks back in the early 90's.
I was trying to find a pic of that style to post as well Dex,thanks for saving me from having to go take one!
I hope your wrong with respect to the quality of the newer maximum tools. About two months ago I bought 30 standard length wrenches and two sets of short wrenches for $60 to use as "beaters". My purchase decision was based on the two sets of both metric and standard "Professional" wrenches bought back in the early 90's and was very impressed with their quality.
canuckian
Well-known member
Depends on what you're doing. The newer Maximum stuff definitely isn't as strong as the older professional line but will get most jobs done. I have the long and stubby open end/ratcheting Maximum ones in my cart. They work decently for what i paid for them.
trainer
Well-known member
OP
lbgradwell
Well-known member
BUMP!
So, years after I started this thread, I finally have a vintage Mastercraft item in my possession for study!
I acquired this set last week from the same fellow who sold me the old handbox in this thread.
It's a 1/2" set and it came with a short Gray extension and a Gray 3/8" socket the seller thought was missing from the set. It turns out, it was an 11/16" socket that was really missing...
It has a very old Mastercraft logo that is still in very good condition:
Now, I have no old Canadian Tire catalogues in print or PDF form and this is an impediment to studying the brand. I don't even know for sure when the Mastercraft brand was introduced!
It may surprise some that the brand was not always used exclusively for tools. In fact, the earliest use I am certain of is in 1945-46 and it was then used for sporting goods like cross-country skis. It may very well have also been used for tools in that catalogue, but I don't have access to the relevant pages...
At some time after 1945-46, CTC must have ceased marketing sports equipment as Mastercraft, but I don't know when. I'm 47 years old and I can just remember sporting goods being sold under the Playmaker name in the early 1970s.
Now, I do have photos of the odd tool-related pages from various catalogues from grabbing them from eBay sales over time. This is from the 1956 catalogue:
Obviously, "Mastercraft" was being used for tools by this time. I submit the set above is very similar to the set pictured half-way down the right-hand page above.
The very observant & knowledgeable among you will also have noticed the tools are the products of New Britain. Specifically, the ratchets depicted are unmistakeably NB.
In the second post in this thread, caper said:
Indeed, Husky was a NB brand and I have seen the ratchets shown sold as New Britain, None Better and Husky. Here's a Husky:
Surprisingly, though, the tools in my set are actually stamped Husky, not Mastercraft! Here's the set with the Gray items removed, but joined by a Husky ratchet of slightly later vintage:
And the sockets included are all Husky, but from different vintages as evidenced by the differing logos:
So... Were the "Mastercraft" sets actually really Husky marked as Husky or has someone filled this Mastercraft box with Husky products later?
I don't think that is the case and believe the set is as it was sold. It's too much of a coincidence for me to accept that some previous owner knew (or by sheer chance) filled the box with appropriate Husky tools of the correct vintage given that NB was the clear maker shown in the catalogue!
But that means we still don't know when "Mastercraft" actually started appearing re-badged on the tools themselves.
So this is an appeal to anyone out there with old catalogues and a scanner to get to work and provide us with some data! I would be pleased to compile & host the information that anyone can provide...
So, years after I started this thread, I finally have a vintage Mastercraft item in my possession for study!
I acquired this set last week from the same fellow who sold me the old handbox in this thread.
It's a 1/2" set and it came with a short Gray extension and a Gray 3/8" socket the seller thought was missing from the set. It turns out, it was an 11/16" socket that was really missing...
It has a very old Mastercraft logo that is still in very good condition:
Now, I have no old Canadian Tire catalogues in print or PDF form and this is an impediment to studying the brand. I don't even know for sure when the Mastercraft brand was introduced!
It may surprise some that the brand was not always used exclusively for tools. In fact, the earliest use I am certain of is in 1945-46 and it was then used for sporting goods like cross-country skis. It may very well have also been used for tools in that catalogue, but I don't have access to the relevant pages...
At some time after 1945-46, CTC must have ceased marketing sports equipment as Mastercraft, but I don't know when. I'm 47 years old and I can just remember sporting goods being sold under the Playmaker name in the early 1970s.
Now, I do have photos of the odd tool-related pages from various catalogues from grabbing them from eBay sales over time. This is from the 1956 catalogue:
Obviously, "Mastercraft" was being used for tools by this time. I submit the set above is very similar to the set pictured half-way down the right-hand page above.
The very observant & knowledgeable among you will also have noticed the tools are the products of New Britain. Specifically, the ratchets depicted are unmistakeably NB.
In the second post in this thread, caper said:
Indeed, Husky was a NB brand and I have seen the ratchets shown sold as New Britain, None Better and Husky. Here's a Husky:
Surprisingly, though, the tools in my set are actually stamped Husky, not Mastercraft! Here's the set with the Gray items removed, but joined by a Husky ratchet of slightly later vintage:
And the sockets included are all Husky, but from different vintages as evidenced by the differing logos:
So... Were the "Mastercraft" sets actually really Husky marked as Husky or has someone filled this Mastercraft box with Husky products later?
I don't think that is the case and believe the set is as it was sold. It's too much of a coincidence for me to accept that some previous owner knew (or by sheer chance) filled the box with appropriate Husky tools of the correct vintage given that NB was the clear maker shown in the catalogue!
But that means we still don't know when "Mastercraft" actually started appearing re-badged on the tools themselves.
So this is an appeal to anyone out there with old catalogues and a scanner to get to work and provide us with some data! I would be pleased to compile & host the information that anyone can provide...
beerdog
Well-known member
I had no idea mastercraft were good. I see them occasionally and will start buying them.
Burgerkong
Well-known member
You stole that from me! I was going to buy it from him, but I PMed on GJ instead of through the kijiji ad haha.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=84221&d=1289353857
I'm no expert but the font on this wrench from PC06 looks very distinct and vintage. How do newer ones compare?
OP
lbgradwell
Well-known member
The stuff available for the past 20 years or so is unremarkable Taiwanese and Chinese stuff. It is mostly re-badged Stanley...
OP
lbgradwell
Well-known member
You stole that from me! I was going to buy it from him, but I PMed on GJ instead of through the kijiji ad haha.
He told me someone on GJ had also wanted it. I didn't know it was in the Classifieds here as I never look anymore...Burgerkong
Well-known member
Regardless, it's a good score and I have no idea when I'd be out in his area anyways since it's quite far away. Oh well, win some, loose some. Don't buy those HK Porter vintage bolt cutters on that site as well, I want those!
OP
lbgradwell
Well-known member
Yeah, that's a 1970s logo; not sure of the date range.
But this logo is yet another mystery...
It was also used in the USA for tools offered by Coast-To-Coast stores:
Hmmm... Canadian Tire Corporation. Coast-to-Coast. CTC. Coincidence?
But even more bizarrely, it seems to have been used on other products at Coast-to-Coast too. Like sporting goods!
It's indisputably the exact same logo.
OP
lbgradwell
Well-known member
I considered those, but they looked a bit rough to me & I'm holding out for a pair with those cool HKP handles.
Burgerkong
Well-known member
I considered those, but they looked a bit rough to me & I'm holding out for a pair with those cool HKP handles.
Same, I like the handles with the cast in 'HKP' logos but so far no dice. I will swing by tomorrow and pick them up along with the axe. Probably spend $35-$40.
Outlander
Well-known member
Neat thread. The picture of the catalog reminds me of the bathroom in my Uncle's house. He always had a stack on Canadian Tire catalogs!
superautobacs
Well-known member
Interesting stuff, LG. The plot thickens!
PCO6
Well-known member
Here is a picture of the one I previously posted along with 2 newer ones.
This is the oldest one I have. As lbgradwell mentioned above it's probably from the 70's. I got it from my Dad who was a mechanic (turned 87 a few days ago -
). He generally bought Snap-on but I remember going to CTC with him fairly often to buy Gray & Mastercraft. Note the 2 hack saw marks on it. That was his way of identifying a lot of his tools. His Dad, my Grandfather, had a single mark on his. As a kid I started out with 3 marks to continue the trend. I'm glad I kicked the habit early.
What's strange about this (the above) wrench is that the size was not marked on it! My dad solved that with a punch.
I bought this one as a single wrench (not part of set) probably in the 90's.
I bought this one a few years ago.
darcyh
Well-known member
I bought a fairly large set of Craftsman sockets and ratchets back in early 90's at a really good price. They were US made. I broke one of the sockets and of course Sears replaced it without question. The replacement socket was not US made. This was in 2000. So I am guesstimating they changed suppliers in the early 90's.
Don't know if this will help any, but it appears to be an early sixties page (from the look and the $$). It is from CTC's (1997) book celebrating 75 years in business, no year was specified for this catalogue page.
The book..............
http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=8795614619&searchurl=bsi=0&ds=30&isbn=1895892104
OP
lbgradwell
Well-known member
Cool.
I just finished reading the new book for this year's 90th Anniversary titled "Living the Canadian Dream: How Canadian Tire became Canada's store".
It was interesting, but didn't include any info on the tools or suppliers over the years as I'd hoped for...
A.J.'s obit claims that he was the older brother. That's not correct; J.W. was older and was called Bill, not John! Damned Toronto Star.
MikeF2316
Well-known member
I guess the Star didn't have Wikipedia to fact check their obit, way back then. And Canadian Tire's website says they started with only $1800, not $1900 as in the obit.
billybudge
Well-known member
I have a interest in all tools, and have lots,
When I was restoring My late Fathers tools, He was a truck mechanic all His life and had a hugh amount of hand tools ,various makes and all conditions, some very well used etc,
And amongst them there are several 1/2 drive whitworth sockets, large sizes, made by Mastercraft, from Canada, Im not sure how He ended up with them, I think these would be very early 1970s, I still have them, and had them re chromed and polished,
When I was restoring My late Fathers tools, He was a truck mechanic all His life and had a hugh amount of hand tools ,various makes and all conditions, some very well used etc,
And amongst them there are several 1/2 drive whitworth sockets, large sizes, made by Mastercraft, from Canada, Im not sure how He ended up with them, I think these would be very early 1970s, I still have them, and had them re chromed and polished,
OP
lbgradwell
Well-known member
Can you post a photo or two billybudge?
celticbhoy
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 10, 2013
- Messages
- 540
At the Vancouver and Cloverdale (even the aldergrove) flea market sellers usually will have a lot of vintage mastercraft tools, mostly SAE, but still. Had no idea they were made by gray. The new stuff is still very impressive. The unpolished wrenches are some of the best that i've used and their impact sockets can take a serious beating.
OP
lbgradwell
Well-known member
I would not expect to find many vintage Mastercraft tools in BC as Canadian Tire only expanded to the province in 1980!
celticbhoy
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 10, 2013
- Messages
- 540
How vintage are you talking about lol. Vintage to me for tools is 80's and 90's stuff. I haven't seen any mastercraft tools that have the KISS style writing on them, but I have found some older mastercraft wrenches that look really old. I may even have a few, i'll look into it.
Gregg33
Well-known member
BUMP!
So, years after I started this thread, I finally have a vintage Mastercraft item in my possession for study!
I acquired this set last week from the same fellow who sold me the old handbox in this thread.
It's a 1/2" set and it came with a short Gray extension and a Gray 3/8" socket the seller thought was missing from the set. It turns out, it was an 11/16" socket that was really missing...
It has a very old Mastercraft logo that is still in very good condition:
Now, I have no old Canadian Tire catalogues in print or PDF form and this is an impediment to studying the brand. I don't even know for sure when the Mastercraft brand was introduced!
It may surprise some that the brand was not always used exclusively for tools. In fact, the earliest use I am certain of is in 1945-46 and it was then used for sporting goods like cross-country skis. It may very well have also been used for tools in that catalogue, but I don't have access to the relevant pages...
At some time after 1945-46, CTC must have ceased marketing sports equipment as Mastercraft, but I don't know when. I'm 47 years old and I can just remember sporting goods being sold under the Playmaker name in the early 1970s.
Now, I do have photos of the odd tool-related pages from various catalogues from grabbing them from eBay sales over time. This is from the 1956 catalogue:
Obviously, "Mastercraft" was being used for tools by this time. I submit the set above is very similar to the set pictured half-way down the right-hand page above.
The very observant & knowledgeable among you will also have noticed the tools are the products of New Britain. Specifically, the ratchets depicted are unmistakeably NB.
In the second post in this thread, caper said:
Indeed, Husky was a NB brand and I have seen the ratchets shown sold as New Britain, None Better and Husky. Here's a Husky:
Surprisingly, though, the tools in my set are actually stamped Husky, not Mastercraft! Here's the set with the Gray items removed, but joined by a Husky ratchet of slightly later vintage:
And the sockets included are all Husky, but from different vintages as evidenced by the differing logos:
So... Were the "Mastercraft" sets actually really Husky marked as Husky or has someone filled this Mastercraft box with Husky products later?
I don't think that is the case and believe the set is as it was sold. It's too much of a coincidence for me to accept that some previous owner knew (or by sheer chance) filled the box with appropriate Husky tools of the correct vintage given that NB was the clear maker shown in the catalogue!
But that means we still don't know when "Mastercraft" actually started appearing re-badged on the tools themselves.
So this is an appeal to anyone out there with old catalogues and a scanner to get to work and provide us with some data! I would be pleased to compile & host the information that anyone can provide...
The 7/8 socket was one I replaced, when I bought the set the 7/8 was a tall Proto, that wouldn't allow the case to close properly. It was the closest I could find. I never noticed the 11/16 was missing lol. Interersting research you are conducting. I get paid for them, then you do the research. That's a sweet deal for me!
Gregg33
Well-known member
I was curious if this "Gray-like" Mastercraft that PC06 (his photos not mine!, thanks) has is actually made by Gray? I have a 9/16 "Mastercraft Canada" wrench that I'm sure is made by Gray. But I'm curious, if the "Mastercraft" is also made by Gray why wouldn't it say Canada on it? All my wrenches, even the ones from the 1920's are always marked with a coo if they are U.S. or Canadian made. I find it odd in an era when Japanese tools were becoming fairly comnmon why it wouldn't say "Canada" on them if they were Grays. If both types were made by Gray, which type of labelling came first? IMO the "Mastercraft Canada" are much more rare than the "Mastercraft" I've only seen "Mastercraft Canada" wrenches twice in my life, once in a Kijiji ad, then the one I own.
OP
lbgradwell
Well-known member
Ah, I figured it was a warranty replacement. Did you replace the 9/16" too (as that has the same logo as the 7/8")?
It took me a while to notice the missing 11/16" too...
Interersting research you are conducting. I get paid for them, then you do the research. That's a sweet deal for me!
It's a labour of love!
I think I know the full story on this set now. Might be able to post the info later tonight (after the hockey game)!
OP
lbgradwell
Well-known member
Yes, I'm confident PCO6's Mastercraft was made by Gray despite the lack of a "CANADA" stamp. Check out this old thread for more details...
I don't know which labelling came first & I'm not sure I've seen one of the Gray-made "Mastercraft Canada" wrenches you speak of. Can you post a nice photo of both sides Gregg?
Gregg33
Well-known member
As best as I can remember I didn't swap the 9/16 socket. The "Mastercraft Canada" wrench I have is in my tool bag for work. I'll take it out and photograph it this week and post the photos.