Who made Craftsman machinist/measuring tools?

[Buckgnarly]

Who made the precision measuring tools for Craftsman, specifically the micrometers and telescoping gauges? I have no idea how long they offered them (another good question) but talking like 60/70/80s and earlier.
I've been picking up some at great prices, just curious who the OEM during the good old Cman days.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

I wouldn't bet money on it, but I think Central. Of course Sears changed contactors a lot.

 

[Cruzan80]

Mitutoyo, Lufkin, General have all been suppliers thru the years.

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[Tallpilot]

Mitutoyo, Lufkin, General have all been suppliers thru the years.

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Typical Sears. Start with the second best then slowly work down the list.

 

[Cruzan80]

Actually, Lufkin and Mitutoyo were both fairly highly regarded when they were the manufacturers. Especially at the Craftsman price point. Now, it is any easy way to get nice tools for fairly cheap, as people dont know about it.

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[Tallpilot]

Actually, Lufkin and Mitutoyo were both fairly highly regarded when they were the manufacturers. Especially at the Craftsman price point. Now, it is any easy way to get nice tools for fairly cheap, as people dont know about it.

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I've never heard of Lufkin. I put Mitutoyo close enough to par with Starrett for my money.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

I like Mits better, just my opinion from using both. I've seen some Lufkins that were a good deal nice than either.

 

[RTM]

I've never heard of Lufkin. I put Mitutoyo close enough to par with Starrett for my money.

Lufkin was considered on par with B & S and Starrett through the 40s or 50s I think, then some big corporate got in the way.

Check out their early catalogs

https://archive.org/details/internationaltoolcataloglibrary?and[]=Lufkin&sin=&sort=-date

 

[neophyte]

I've never heard of Lufkin. I put Mitutoyo close enough to par with Starrett for my money.

The Lufkin brand is mostly known for tape measures and folding rules nowadays.
I’m not sure when the other Lufkin tool lines were discontinued, maybe when Lufkin became part of the Cooper Tool group.
Back in the day though, Lufking made machinist tools like calipers and squares etc., basically the type of tools Starrett is now world renowned for.
The Lufkin machinist tools I’ve seen are similar in quality to what Starrett produces now.

 

[PBCampbell]

I seem to recall some German produced tools, maybe Helios?

 

[davethorik]

Lufkin was considered on par with B & S and Starrett through the 40s or 50s I think, then some big corporate got in the way.

Check out their early catalogs

https://archive.org/details/internationaltoolcataloglibrary?and[]=Lufkin&sin=&sort=-date

Lufkin sold off the machinist tool line to Pratt & Whitney. I'm wanting to say '65. Then the tape measures, rules, and the Lufkin brand name was picked up by Cooper a year or two later.

Edit: as for the original question, I think Central Tool made some mics for Craftsman.

 

[bonacker]

In then 1970's I bought just about all of the Craftsman precision tools available. At that time, Starrett was the manufacturer. The micrometers were even offered in two different precision levels (rolled and ground, I think) the same as Starrett. The tools were identical except being stamped Craftsman. I still have and use all of those tools, too.

 

[MAD]

Scherr-Tumico was a supplier of Craftsman precision measuring tools around 12 years ago. I'm not sure how old that relationship was, or how long after that they continued to make/supply Craftsman tools.

At that time Starrett supplied the Craftsman tape measures but that was because they had acquired the Evans Rule Company which was a long standing Sears supplier.

 

[txvwnut]

I think it may have been Lufkin. I’ve got a set of c-man telescoping gauges that look a lot like Lufkins t-gauges.

 

[Lwel9226]

I have a Craftsman machinist three head combination square set that I bought in the '60s that is most assuredly Brown & Sharp....

LynnW

 

[darkzero]

I've got a Craftsman Commercial mic that is made by Scherr-Tumico. The one on the top left. It's actually one of my most used/favorites even though I love my Mitus. The 6" shown is Accupro branded also made Scherr-Tumico,

 

[Samuel D]

Darkzero: what’s the little one in the middle of the photo?

 

[darkzero]

It's a Starret 576, 0-1/2" .001" with round anvil for measuring tubing & stuff like that. I never really use it though, got it for a good price & I thought it was cute so I had to have it. They also come without the the round anvil in 1/2" size & with the spindle lock .0001", No 232.

 

[jkesselr]

It's a Starret 576, 0-1/2" .001" with round anvil for measuring tubing & stuff like that. I never really use it though, got it for a good price & I thought it was cute so I had to have it. They also come without the the round anvil in 1/2" size & with the spindle lock .0001", No 232.

Ive actually been looking for a round anvil mic. Any chance you would want to part with yours?

 

[darkzero]

Sorry, I don't want to part with the one I have. I used to have 2 of these & got rid of one. Starrett 577 also has a round anvil & is 0-1", they pop up more often on ebay cheaper than the 576. There are others too like Brown & Sharpe, Lufkin, Moore & Wright, etc.

If it'll work for you a cheaper alternative is the Starrett 247 which is the just the round anvil attachment. They come in different sizes to fit most micrometers.

 

[nz44tool]

Here's a Craftsman 6" combination square I just acquired. Nice condition, black crackle finish.
Thoughts on who made it?