Well, that was dumb…

[terdybukrat]

I have very few tools from either my father or my father I law, and I just put too much force on it and broke a ratchet that I would love to be able to find repair kit for. I have been going through the Craftsman thread but have not been able to find out what this ratchet # or repair kit # would be. Any help would be appreciated. It is 15” long.
Also, in the 2nd picture, is that the “oiler” that was mentioned in the forums? Thanks!
Terry

 

[bassJAM]

Is that a 1/2" drive?

I'm of no help, just came here to say my FIL gave me a nearly identical wrench in 1/2" drive but with a handle that's about 10". It's on my to-do list to take it apart and clean it, I already went through all the 3/8" and 1/4" drive ratchets, some of them had 60 years of grime inside!

 

[Tools4Me]

The original part number for your long handled ratchet is 44971. The regular length handle version of the same ratchet is part number 44970, and the flex head model is 44972. It's shown on page 89 of this Craftsman 1966 Power and Hand Tool Catalog.

http://www.vintagemachinery.org/pubs/222/4428.pdf

The ratchet mechanism was used for quite a few years, and several other brands shared the same guts. I think Easco, K-D, etc. Craftsman also made the same ratchet with a more normal looking single lever type selector switch as well. I think the guts were identical, but it would be nice if someone else verified that.

Finding your official ratchet rebuild kit might be hard if you want to get it for a good price, but buying a used ratchet with the same guts (for you to put in your ratchet) shouldn't be too hard. Many sell for good prices, especially if they are beat up or have owner's marks etched into them.

 

[terdybukrat]

Thank you Tools4Me, I really appreciate it. Based on more reading here you are likely correct that finding a donor might be my best bet.
I also came across a link from four.cycle for alloy-artifacts and it has a picture that answers things for me too.

 

[terdybukrat]

Is that a 1/2" drive?

I'm of no help, just came here to say my FIL gave me a nearly identical wrench in 1/2" drive but with a handle that's about 10". It's on my to-do list to take it apart and clean it, I already went through all the 3/8" and 1/4" drive ratchets, some of them had 60 years of grime inside!

Yes, Sir that is 1/2”. I believe Tools4Me has your # in the next response

 

[Tools4Me]

Do a couple ebay searches for "1/2 Craftsman flying V ratchet" or "1/2 craftsman butterfly ratchet" and you will find a few for sale in the $21-26 shipped price range if you want to take the guts out of another used ratchet.

I found your official repair kit part number. It is Craftsman part number 4498, as shown in the attached image taken from this very overpriced Ebay listing.

Vintage USA Craftsman Ratchet Repair Kit 4498 1/2 Non Quick Rel. 44970 44971 for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Vintage USA Craftsman Ratchet Repair Kit 4498 1/2 Non Quick Rel. 44970 44971 at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[M635_Guy]

This is the power of GarageJournal on display. Golf clap for @Tools4Me

 

[terdybukrat]

The original part number for your long handled ratchet is 44971. The regular length handle version of the same ratchet is part number 44970, and the flex head model is 44972. It's shown on page 89 of this Craftsman 1966 Power and Hand Tool Catalog.

http://www.vintagemachinery.org/pubs/222/4428.pdf

The ratchet mechanism was used for quite a few years, and several other brands shared the same guts. I think Easco, K-D, etc. Craftsman also made the same ratchet with a more normal looking single lever type selector switch as well. I think the guts were identical, but it would be nice if someone else verified that.

Finding your official ratchet rebuild kit might be hard if you want to get it for a good price, but buying a used ratchet with the same guts (for you to put in your ratchet) shouldn't be too hard. Many sell for good prices, especially if they are beat up or have owner's marks etched into them.

Wow! That link for the ‘66 catalog is great!

 

[terdybukrat]

Ratchet AND kit #’s! Thank you Tools4Me!

 

[M635_Guy]

Do a couple ebay searches for "1/2 Craftsman flying V ratchet" or "1/2 craftsman butterfly ratchet" and you will find a few for sale in the $21-26 shipped price range if you want to take the guts out of another used ratchet.

I found your official repair kit part number. It is Craftsman part number 4498, as shown in the attached image taken from this very overpriced Ebay listing.

Vintage USA Craftsman Ratchet Repair Kit 4498 1/2 Non Quick Rel. 44970 44971 for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Vintage USA Craftsman Ratchet Repair Kit 4498 1/2 Non Quick Rel. 44970 44971 at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Yikes - and he has 5 of them...

My strategy there would be to add it to my watch list and see if the seller sends an offer. If it doesn't happy, I'll send them a message asking if they'll eventually list with an "Offer" button.

It would be cool to have new guts in the old tool, but...

A google search specifying the "4498" kit didn't find a cheaper alternative - might be worth it to set up a saved search and replace with the guts from a used one until a more reasonably-priced NOS kit...

 

[terdybukrat]

Good idea, thanks

 

[RTM]

Take it apart, get a pic of the guts. Maybe someone here can say "oh that is the same as xxxx" making finding a donor on ebay or garage saling much easier. I think I have 3 or 4 CMan 1/2" drive, but three are the same model, 44975, one of which is kinda ugly, that I'd donate if it fit, if you promise to be nicer to Grampa's tools.

 

[terdybukrat]

We are out of town visiting family but will do that whenwe get back in town mon/tuesday.

 

[terdybukrat]

Well, based on the last 15 minutes of attempting to take apart what appeared straight forward, it is obvious that the ratchet is much smarter than i am. I thought that pinching the spring clip/pin would free everything to lift the mechanism out. Iwas wrong. What am i doing wrong?
You can definitely see whats broken on it

 

[terdybukrat]

I posted too soon. Finally got it to move and then it came apart...
Now to clean them up.

 

[terdybukrat]

Wow! I dint see any keyway... to keep it from spinning, but is the gear pressed on?

 

[bonneyman]

Here's the guts of an old 1/2" LLTD ratchet someone sent to me for repair. The gear is part of the anvil section.

 

[terdybukrat]

So it is not pressed on then. I think my best move will be take all of the buy another and swap parts suggestions to make my FIL’s ratchet whole again. Once that happens it will not be used, but “honored” along with some of my fathers’ tools in a little shop display above my toolbox. Just something simple to make me think of them & smile each time i get a tool out or put one back.

to RTM- i appreciate the offer, but i will probably just buy one and have the correct period look, if not the original parts. I think my wife would appreciate her Dad’s ratchet looking the same.
Thank you everyone for your help & ideas!
Terry

 

[Kscardsfan]

You could probably mill or file the button off a standard 1/2” quick release and get it to fit.