Craftsman Tools - USA History: Quick Release Ratchets (3rd Gen. RP)

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Welcome to the Craftsman USA Ratchet History Project!
This video features the USA made Craftsman Quick Release Ratchets (3rd Gen. Raised Panel).
These ratchets were first created by Moore Drop Forge (MDF). While few in number, very early examples will have the =V= logo, which is synonymous of MDF created Craftsman branded ratchets before being purchased/absorbed by the Eastern Stainless Steel Corporation (Easco) in ~1967. After this point, the Quick Release Ratchets would be branded by the V logo.
The Craftsman Quick Release Ratchets were available in the Sears Catalog from 1967-1993, as a nearly a complete family. In general, this family of ratchets had the longest run (26 years) in the Sears Catalog and at physical Sears stores. No other Craftsman ratchet was able to achieve longevity in both catalog and store presence.
These ratchets sport a variable geared drive system depending on what ratchet you use. The 1/2" sported a 32 tooth gear with a 2 tooth engagement per side pawl. The 3/8" & 1/4" sported 24 tooth gears with a 2 tooth engagement per side pawl. This difference in drive was common for the era and moving backward in the timeline.
The 1/2" Drive 15" Long Breaker Bar Ratchet was discontinued after 1980 in the Sears Catalog. Interestingly, the Flex Heads outlasted the standard 3 sizes up until 1997 within the Sears Catalog.
Product numbers for each ratchet:
1/2” = 44985
3/8” = 43784
1/4" = 43175 [w/ OP] & 43186 [w/o OP]
1/2" Flex Head = 44984
3/8" Flex Head = 42793
1/2" Drive 15" Long Breaker Bar Ratchet = 44976
[Notice: OP = Oil Port]
Repair kit numbers for each ratchet:
1/2” = 43447
3/8” = 43437
1/4” = 43427
[NOTICE: The 1/2" & 3/"8 Flex Head as well as the 1/2" Drive 15" Long Breaker Bar Ratchet use the same repair kits as the standard ratchets of the corresponding size.]
If you are interested in exploring the US Patents affiliated with this specific ratchet series please explore the following:
3208318
Appearance of USA Craftsman ratchets from end to beginning:
Premium Grade Ratchets [Final USA made Craftsman Ratchets]
Thumb Wheel Ratchets
Wrench Socket Series
The Next Generation Thin Profile Ratchets
Tear Drop Professional Full Polish Ratchets
Round Head Ratchets
Tear Drop Ratchets (4th Gen. Raised Panel)
Stainless Steel / Lifetime Ratchets
Wrist Ratchet
Round Head Fine Tooth (RHFT) Ratchets
Quick Release Ratchets (3rd Gen. Raised Panel)
Intermediate Ratchets (2nd & 3rd Gen. Raised Panel Hybrid)
Long Lever & Butterfly Ratchets (2nd Gen. Raised Panel)
1/2” Breaker Bar Ratchet Adapter
Boxhead Ratchet Wrenches (1st Gen. Raised Panel)
Circle U Ratchets
BM / Circle K Ratchets
BE & Circle H Ratchets (Multiple varieties)
BT Ratchet
Craftsman Vanadium Ratchets
C-XX Ratchets [1st USA made Craftsman Ratchets]
Introductory questions that I sought knowledge on, regarding Craftsman Ratchets:
1) When was X ratchet 1st introduced & discontinued, if applicable?
2) What was the ratchet called by Sears? (i.e. special name/feature other than ratchet)
3) Does the tool have a nickname from the professional/DIY community?
4) How much did each ratchet size cost when it came out?
5) Did a particular ratchet set have all sizes known today? (1/4", 3/8", 1/2", 3/4” [any or all?])
6) Where there variants vs. the standard sizes? (i.e. special color/plating, flex heads, etc.)

Опубликовано:

26 сен 2024

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Комментарии : 77

@e-curb 3 года назад

In the early 90s, on a business trip to Phoenix, I stopped in at the Sears to check out the selection of tools. When I saw the extra long flex head ½" ratchet, I had to have it. The next day at the security check-in with my new ratchet in my carry-on, the x-ray picked it up. When they took it out, the guy said, "you have a problem". They kept asking if I was a mechanic. I explained not professionally, but I do my own work on my car. The guy called his supervisor. The super asked the same question, was I a mechanic. After about 10 min, the supervisor told me to stick it in the bottom of my carry-on, and to not take it out while on the flight.

@Dancing_Alone_wRentals Год назад

Funny....Even now when I spot an old tool and I get it......I keep it around to fidget with it for days and weeks. That would of been a long flight for me. Before TSA...I once took a packed tool box into carry on. I crammed everything possible into the box and acted like it was light. The plane probably flew with a twist that box was so heavy. Back then the only worry was that they would spot that my carry on was five times heavier than allowed.

@JamesNickersonThePhotoShopGuru 3 года назад

As always, I thoroughly enjoyed this video … I am getting a very inexpensive education on CRAFTSMAN ratchets 👍🏻👍🏻🙏🏻

@GearWolf Год назад

Thanks 👍

@jesusestrada5543 2 года назад

I bought one of these 3/8" ratchets at a pawn shop, and on the side of the anvil, the raised panel has stamping saying, "-FORGED IN U.S.A.", then under it has "-PATENT PENDING", followed by "---v--- 43784" on the right half of the raised panel. The =CRAFTSMAN= stamping also has the barn-roof style A's. There's also no oil port, or quick-release plunger going through the anvil. I looked up US Patent 3208318, and the application was entered in 1964, and granted on Sept. 28th, 1965. Which is neat that I have a Craftsman ratchet even older than my dad!

@GearWolf 2 года назад

Yeah the full story on these is pretty interesting. I'll get to that in the "reboot" of this series.

@abandonedsc4261 8 лет назад

Awesome Video! These are one of if not my favorite series of the craftsman ratchets I grew up using these. Like you said they are tough! These were the last of the really high quality Ratchets sold by Sears. Very interesting info about the patents. Thanks for taking the time to make these long and very informative. Videos I speak for myself and others and say long isn't a bad thing.

@IDIturboDiesel 4 года назад

The 1/2 drive with oil port has a different part number as well as 44975 and 3/8 drive with oil port has a different part number as well as 43785.

@toddf4738 7 лет назад

Great video, thanks for doing the research. I never noticed the pointed “A” verses the Barn “A”. In the 21st minute of the video, you mentioned the bar that protruded from the center of the drive when you depress the quick release. There is a reason for this. In the early 70s, some of the Craftsman extensions had a rod that ran through the center of the extension to transfer the quick release feature to the end of the extension. So if you held the fat, drive end of the extension between your index and middle finger, and pressed the quick release with your thumb, your socket would drop off of the end of the extension. They even came with a black, plastic ring that aided in gripping the extension between your fingers. (They got lost pretty quick). The feature was great for keeping your sockets from falling off at inconvenient times and having to retrieve them with the needle nose pliers. The disadvantage was that if you ejected the extension and socket together from the ratchet, you couldn’t get them apart without putting them back on the ratchet and pushing the release button. I still have a ½ and a 3/8 inch, both 3 inches in length. I had the 6 inch extensions but are long gone. Part number on the ½ inch is 43535 and the 3/8 “ is 43533. I have never found them in any of the catalogs that I have. If anybody has the part numbers for any of the others, I would be interested in knowing them.

@e-curb 3 года назад

Wow, I have never heard of that! I'll definitely be looking for them at the swap meets.

@tbagRulz 6 лет назад

I love these videos. Had to come back and rewatch!

@GearWolf 6 лет назад

Thank you. I'm working on the "reboot" of the series as we speak. If folks can hang on, I think it will be a step up over the old series! ^_^

@Dancing_Alone_wRentals Год назад

The 1/2" Flex head is my go to lug wrench. I keep it under the driver's seat with a Snap on extension and a flip flop socket. The flex feature converts it into a spinner. tHanks for the video

@billpotter7162 5 лет назад

You have taught me a lot about Craftsman ratchets. Thank you! I know what to look for at flea mkts now.

@GearWolf 5 лет назад

Just wait for the "reboot". If you like this, the new series will blow the doors off of the old one.

@RelaxingSounds-ev6zz 2 года назад

Oil port genius idea. How this ever went away is beyond me.

@GearWolf 2 года назад

It comes down the the all mighty corporate bean counters. If saving a fraction of a cent can be saved and consumers won't seem to care, it will get the axe.

@johngibson3594 8 лет назад

Another informative video thanks for sharing you research with us.

@GearWolf 8 лет назад

+John Gibson Thanks John. Sorry this one was so long, but it couldn't be helped.

@anthonymascolo5519 8 лет назад

+TheseAreMyToys Take as much time as you need. We love them!

@jerrymalone8370 3 месяца назад

I have a 43784. It's in good shape except the chrome finish on the lever is peeling off and there's corrosion underneath. If this part is pressed and sintered from various metals, can it be blued? I was thinking about sanding off the chrome and applying gun bluing to the bare metal...

@robertherrera419 6 лет назад

Good video. I have one of each of the 1/2 in. drive quick release and (oil port and no oil port) and one 1/4 in. drive with the oil port that I found at a pawn shop. I cleaned up the 1/4 in. ratchet inside and out and it works, but it will probably need a rebuild kit. I really like these designs as the just feel stout and they feel like the pawls are engaging the head gear really well.

@heribertoortiz7011 5 лет назад

Nice history

@drengskap 5 месяцев назад

I have a 3/8" ratchet with no part number, just a patent number, with oil port and =V= logo and the pointed As in the Craftsman logo. Is this an early model? It seems like the =V= and oil port indicate that it is.

@flame5891 8 лет назад

Great video, lots of information. I can't wait for the next one. Keep up the great work. I think I'll be picking up some of the ratchets you featured on eBay!

@GearWolf 8 лет назад

+Tony Moreno The nicest thing about these would be that they are still very plentiful. Given this, hold out for the best condition ratchets you can, since the difference in price between a beat up piece versus a nice one is just a few dollars. Getting the very early iterations in very good condition or better is tough. All of the 1967 pieces you saw in the film were donated. Minus the 15" 1/2" drive's selector being a little worn, they are near mint condition. For that, I am very grateful!

@baileythesleepless9966 8 лет назад

I have the later 1/2 inch quick release, it has the product number, along with the Patent pending. It's a shame what happened to craftsman, but at least I can still get the old, quality ratchets at the flea market for a good price.

@GearWolf 8 лет назад

Absolutely! While Craftsman may not be the apex tool brand, you once got a very dependable tool for a great value, when they were still made in the USA.

@IDIturboDiesel 4 года назад

Rebuild kit for 1/2 flex and flex head is 44784 and 44782 is for the 3/8 flex head. Those two kits include both levers.

@GearWolf 4 года назад

True.

@IDIturboDiesel 4 года назад

@@GearWolf yesterday I just won an auction for the Craftsman 15 long 1/2 ratchet, I ended up paying $147 plus shipping.

@GearWolf 4 года назад

@@IDIturboDiesel Which one was it? Can you give me a few details?

@IDIturboDiesel 4 года назад

@@GearWolf it's the 44976 15 inch long 1/2 drive fixed head ratchet with the quick release in mint condition, looks like it was hardly ever used. It just arrived yesterday.

@deanvarelas5311 4 года назад

Sears destroyed a Household name in a little over 20 years. Craftsman was a brand of sturdy lifetime warrantied hand tools that every American could afford. It was turned to shit the minute they started manufacturing in China. Good Job Sears!

@GearWolf 4 года назад

ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-MAL92iu7cek.html

@cannoncolossus2449 2 года назад

What material was the selector switch made from? Anyone know?

@GearWolf Год назад

Yep, the prototypes were forged believe it or not. The mass production ones were sintered metal. At their most basic level, from my analysis the sintered powder was composed of flecks of iron, copper, aluminum, and some stainless steel. It has been about 7 years, since I did the metallurgical analysis, but that is what I can remember off the top of my head. This is a great question by the way! Nice! ^_^

@looking_33 Год назад

still defer to these over my snap-on because of the weight. so much lighter, actually more comfortable to use as well

@derekthetoolguy9533 7 лет назад

how many ratchets do you own?

@GearWolf 7 лет назад

Many! I have tools from just about every USA made professional or mid-level manufacturer.

@TylerSnyder305 6 лет назад

My dad payed $750 for a 32" lcd TV which can now be had for $250. When the mini ps1 came out as they were getting ready to release the Ps2, it was $100 and the LCD screen for it was $150. Portable DVD players were expensive, but now like $30. I like these raised panel ratchets because they feel good in hand and im just plain used to them. I may like my flex head proto roundhead a bit more though. Btw I think the prices of these went up simply because they were probably priced too low in the beginning.

@GearWolf 6 лет назад

Yes, as technology is improved upon, products associated do often get cheaper as a result. The prices for these tools did not increase incrementally due to poor pricing upon release. They increased due to inflation, which means the purchasing power of the dollar continued to weaken. It takes more dollars to buy the same product as time moves on. Naturally, assuming zero inflation, as the process and production that went into making these tools improved, the producer would be able to pass that savings on to the customer, which would provide an incentive to buy should there be competition. This practice is not atypical. Yet, in reality, while competition certainly is a very real factor for virtually any product produced, prices must continue to increase to stave purchasing power erosion.

@jarofclay55 2 года назад

That's a lot of knowledge so I'm hoping you can help me out with some more. Since all Sears stores near me are gone, before seeing what kind of exchange I can get through customer service, I decided to try and rebuilt a few of my older malfunctioning ratchets. One in particular is a V 44985. While watching multiple videos, I came to realize my quick release button is TOTALLY different than any others I could find and actually completely lame and illogical in comparison to the ones in the videos. I had heard the story before about the law suit regarding the design and was wondering if Craftsman change to style to avoid paying him. The one I have is as I said illogical and doubtful that it can be repaired. I know I got nowhere with it. Do you know of any details on this?

@GearWolf 2 года назад

Thanks for reaching out! ^_^ Could you clarify your question? I think I might understand what you are asking; however, I'm not 100% sure. Are you asking for more information about the Peter Roberts lawsuit and how the modification made to your ratchet was associated or are you asking for help repairing your ratchet?

@cannoncolossus2449 2 года назад

I think the price comparison analogy is interesting but I feel like different market conditions impact electronics and tools differently. In the case of ratchets, the technology remains the same. There may be changes in metallurgy and manufacturing equipment may wear out and need to be replaced. Still, things would have changed very little over the timeline that these were made and costs would remain relatively stable. Really the only thing that would change are material costs and labor costs. So, you would see a consistent price increase over time. Electronic and TV technology, on the other hand, changes dramatically. One technology becomes preferable over another and some may become obsolete. New technologies may indeed be cheaper and provide a better product. And, while TVs are semi-durable goods, they are bought at shorter intervals and by more people so there is more competition. That’s why you see such dramatic changes in price.

@GearWolf Год назад

This is a good comment. You are absolutely correct. Some comments were either not very clear or were not the best implementation of attempting to make a comparison. There are some very real holes in this original series as well. The original series was ad hoc. The new one coming up is scripted. While I really liked doing things on the fly, it was much more challenging than I imagined, ha-ha! I'm hoping the comparisons and jokes will make a lot more sense, as I will not have to think about it as I am doing other things. ^_^

@brucehartman2499 6 лет назад

I have a 1/2" Quick release WITH Oil Port. Says model number 44975. On the front it has the Craftsman with the "barn roof" A, but does NOT have any lines before or after. On back it has -V-

@GearWolf 6 лет назад

I can absolutely believe that. "Transitional" examples do exist, where certain ratchets fall in between format changes. In the "reboot", I will be exploring this topic; however, it will be on a very select group of Craftsman ratchet families. You have a good eye sir!

@loganperazzo9575 5 лет назад

I have the same 44975 ratchet with the oil port and barn roof A , BUT my ratchet has the - v -. We all have slight differences

@GearWolf 5 лет назад

@@loganperazzo9575 When Easco purchased Moore Drop forge, the original designer and creator of this ratchet series, you start to see anomalies like that. A Moore Drop Forge made pieces will only have the = V = and either "Patent Pending" or "Patent Pending No. # XXXXXXX". Please also be aware that the Moore Drop Forge made pieces do NOT have a product number on them and will always have the "pointed A" in the word "Craftsman". There are a variety of Easco product number stamping, various texts, typically sport the "barn A" in the word "Craftsman", and may have slight variations in the product numbers.

@idiggplants 4 года назад

so i have a 43784 that my dad tried to take apart and rebuild. unfortunately he los the retaining clip that holds in the directional selector. turns out, a full wrench is the same price as a rebuild. is there any way to just get that part? is it at all universal? seems like just a wire clip that should be easy to source. shame to have to toss a nice wrench away.

@GearWolf 4 года назад

I'd source an old beat up one to steal parts from. Unfortunately, Sears has long discontinued its USA ratchet repair kit program.

@idiggplants 4 года назад

@@GearWolf thats the problem... old beat up ones are going for like 10 bucks.not beat up ones are like $12. and repair kits are 15-20. at that point i might as well buy a non beat up one and use the one i have as parts. kind of defeats the whole purpose. ohh well.

@GearWolf 4 года назад

@@idiggplants I hear you. Now that USA production is dead, there isn't any other source of parts. If you love the tool, the only means of repairing it is through a new repair kit or a donor ratchet.

@idiggplants 4 года назад

@@GearWolf i set up a saved search on ebay. fingers crossed that maybe ill find a cheap donor ratchet. its not like this is our only ratchet. so time is on our side. thanks for the vid! and the responses!

@GearWolf 4 года назад

@@idiggplants Not a problem. I definitely feel for you and everyone else who wants to resurrect their ratchet but cannot. While a pain in the butt, the good news is that, due to the fact that these tools were made in such great quantity, the possibility exists to actually repair them. It could be worse, a lot of the Craftsman ratchets made pre-WW2 and during, literally did NOT have a repair kit. You had to junk the entire tool if you couldn't find a suitable piece to get it working again...

@marklandry2509 3 года назад

Unions were the largest driving force behind American manufacturing cost increases, not inflation or other factors... also, minimum wage in 1967 was $1.00.... in 1997 it was $5.15, more than a fivefold increase.

@GearWolf 3 года назад

I can get behind what you are saying. Unfortunately, for both you and I, the situation is a bit more complicated than inflation or unions. I'm hoping to clarify this during the upcoming "reboot" of this series. Thank you for the comment!

@marklandry2509 3 года назад

You may be interested is researching the American journey of craftsman tools. They may have not even had a union, but wages definitely increased from 67 to 97 in the rest of the country enough to justify the increase... there should be some historical data available on what the machinists were making during Craftsmans American run... as if you didn’t have enough the research already LOL

@GearWolf 3 года назад

@@marklandry2509 Hi Mark. I've actually done that, but I haven't uploaded anything about it. I will be talking about these things soon enough.

@cannoncolossus2449 2 года назад

One thing is for sure, the average consumer and worker are being fist-fucked by the economy. But I would hesitate to say that it’s largely affected, if at all, by unions as union membership rates have decline precipitously since the 60’s. Real wages over the last 40 to 50 years have largely remained unchanged. Though, the dollar amount has increased buying power has stayed about the same. In many sectors like real estate and education, prices have far outpaced inflation. So, you are, indeed, getting less for your money.

@Toyotas_n__Tools 5 лет назад

Love your videos! do you have any pliers that are rare?

@GearWolf 5 лет назад

Hi Doug! This is a good question! Yes, I do. The oldest "modern" style of pliers I own were made by Kreuter & Co. circa 1909. I actually use them several times a week for light duty. If you enjoy this ad hoc video series, you'll probably be significantly more impressed by the "reboot" I've been working on for the last 3 years!

@Toyotas_n__Tools 5 лет назад

@@GearWolf Do you know who scoutcrafter is and his videos? He's done a couple restorations on kreuters, I can't wait for you're reboot =)!

@dyer2cycle 4 года назад

...Hmmm...I have an early 1/2" that has the "later" style "Craftsman" font, an oil hole port, the American& Canadian patent and "1967", and the non-plunger(early style) quick release...

@GearWolf 4 года назад

I'd have to look at yours. This is the era where old and new parts were mixed and matched based on manufacturer exhausting legacy supplies as well as post purchase consumer repairs/modifications. What you saw on the video is the original OEM intended configuration, typically.

@dyer2cycle 4 года назад

..so.."as above without the quick release button"?..the plot thickens..maybe the same as those early Easco's?..and a version without quick release could easily be mistaken for a Long Lever ratchet by the average layperson 'not in the know'...

@GearWolf 4 года назад

This confusion was the very reason why I did not complete this original series. By introducing new aspects to what was the long "understood" convention, when it came to Craftsman ratchets, I realized the problem I introduced by not thoroughly describing and depicting the stark differences between these "generations". To add to the confusion, the naming conventions I was using weren't helping either. Simplification will be the name of the day with the reboot. I will cut the pedantic talk and keep it a bit more streamlined to help clarity.

@dyer2cycle 4 года назад

...I can't stand the gen. 4 ratchets..I have a couple, and I won't buy any more, even second hand..even the USA ones...I consider them one step above the Chinese ratchets, and many basic Taiwanese ratchets are superior to them... even when new, they are/were sloppy..loose fitting mechanism with not much support on the bottom, just sitting in there with a thin stainless plate and snap ring holding it in, lets the mechanism move side to side a lot on the bottom...plastic reversing levers..large head..nope, I MUCH prefer the Gen 3 QR ratchet..My FAVORITE Craftsman ratchets are the Thumbwheel tri-wing non-quick release(for sheer strength) and the Thumbwheel quick-release(for fine movement and smooth precision)..of course, I am a big fan of the S-K roundhead ratchet, so maybe I am biased...

@GearWolf 4 года назад

I can get behind what you are saying!

@daryn86 3 года назад

You fuckin nerd. You convinced me to repair this old 44811 I got. 😅😂

@harrymiller3986 Год назад

On the oil port 1/2”the head is much smaller and the teeth feel much larger than the standard one also one is marked v the other is vn

@GearWolf 11 месяцев назад

I apologize. I am not sure what you consider the "standard one". Could you describe it?

@harrymiller3986 11 месяцев назад

At first glance both look the same as all the raised panels but the one marked VG not VN my mistake, has a wider and longer profile less backdrag The V has oil port and the socket release has the thru hole in the end to push off extension I think the back drag made me think it might be a good ruff use tool

@johnlong5899 8 лет назад

I got my first set of Craftsman quick release raised panel ratchets for XMAS 1974 when I was in high school. Yes, they are tanks and they served me well for decades. They were like Schwinn bikes. Everybody had at least one. What I never cared for is how you could easily bump the reverse lever when grasping the ratchet near the head. Around 10 years ago, I bought a set of their thin profile fully polished ratchets with a better feel, more teeth and a better concealed reverse lever for a sum of 100 bucks. They were still made in the USA then so I feel fourtunate to have bought them when I did. They quickly became my go to ratchets and still are. Another favorite was a Harbor Freight long handle flex head. Turned out to be a godsend for suspension work. It blew apart on me last weekend so off to Sears I went and viola, a raised panel long pattern flex head wrench. Probably made in China but like old school Crastman, it is way more robust than the HF POS and I like the way the flex head locks in three positions instead of free swinging like the trashed HF.