Craftsman Tools - USA History: Box Head Ratchets (1st Gen. RP)

Welcome to the Craftsman USA Ratchet History Project!
This video features the USA made Craftsman "Boxhead" Ratchet Wrenches (1st Gen. Raised Panel).
These ratchets were made on behalf of Sears by the tool company named Moore Drop Forge.
The Craftsman "Boxhead" Ratchet Wrenches were available in the Sears Catalog from 1948-1956. Interestingly, these ratchets were offered along side the technologically obsolete Craftsman BE and Circle H Ratchets and the fairly advanced, for their time, Craftsman Circle U Ratchets in the 1948 Sears Catalog. This is likely due to Sears attempting to liquidate their remaining stocks of the Great Depression era and WW2 era tools.
These ratchets had two cosmetic variants, which I have generically dubbed: Version 1 & Version 2. Version 1 was offered from 1948 through 1952 did not have ornamentation on the neck of the ratchet. Version 2 was offered from 1953 through 1956 did have ornamentation on the neck of the ratchet.
The Craftsman "Boxhead" Ratchet Wrenches only included 3 common sizes for both Version 1 and Version 2:
1/2”
3/8”
1/4"
Repair kits were not available for the "Boxhead" Ratchet Wrench series. When you went to a physical Sears store, you could receive warranty work on your ratchet; however, it would receive a physical imprint/branding on the neck of the ratchet body that said: "Rebuilt".
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.)

[@kushsalad420]

Great videos! Very detailed and informative. Since originally watching these i have collected almost all the 3/8 models from the boxhead to the low profile 60t. Love the videos and old craftsman tools

[@johnnymaldonado7542]

Ok , thanks again. I'm looking forward to seeing the new video series while I finish the first round.

[@johnnymaldonado7542]

You know your toolology. I'm blown away by the ratchet collection you have. Hopefully someday I can have a collection like yours soon. I do the same thing you do , I handle all my tools with gloves even though they are virtually indestructible they are precious to me. One set I really want is the stainless steel. Well keep making videos and I'll keep watching. I'm looking forward to seeing more pieces I never seen before and learning as much as I can. thanks man

[@derekthetoolguy9533]

It wasn't a Brander it was a punch and was no heat and they didn't stamp tour ratchet they had a drawer of rebuilt ratchets that were rebuilt and would just swap you and that was done at a later time and you could end up with an older model ratchet you got just whatever they had on hand. I think they done this in 70s-80s but not exact on date, Snap On did the same sort of thing and just rebuilt ratchets at the factory and would supply the dealers with them for warranty replacement and they stamped theirs as well. Thanks for the videos

[@petrocksgarage]

Thanks for this video series and this video specifically. I inherited a bunch of Craftsman tools from my dad and it included "version 2" 1/2" & 1/4" ratchets with a matching (?) set of V series standard 12pt sockets. I had never seen a craftsman ratchet without the quick release button before. I honestly got one of my modern 1/2" craftsman impact sockets stuck on the 1/2" ratchet because the ball bearing in the ratchet went into the hole in the side of the socket. Couldn't pull them apart for the life of me. I had to push the ball bearing in with a punch to get them apart. lol. I assume my dad bought them new because he was in his mid-20's when they were being sold (thanks for the 'for sale' dates, btw), and he wasn't a tool collector or anything like that.

[@johngibson3594]

Thanks enjoyed the vid

[@johnnymaldonado7542]

Your lucky man that's an awesome collection I also collect tools too.

[@abandonedsc4261]

Man i don't know how much looking you had to do to find these fine examples. It must have had to be quite a bit. Most of these i've seen are roached ! I really enjoyed the video. Great job!

[@john4kc]

Speaking of "Survivor" ratcheting wrench design, that first catalog you showed had the 3/4 wrench design which was probably made by S-K. They make them exactly the same today as far as I know. Probably still in the USA too.

[@jasonm4822]

Do you have another video that is a bit more in-depth on the 3/4" model? I recently picked up a 44801 and would like to know more about it. It has the staked in selector switch, phillips head assemble screws and the quick release.

[@johnnymaldonado7542]

Hi again. Somehow I forgot to add in the last text around the glove comment I was curious of what kind of protective lube you use on your tools ? Years ago CRC made a spray lube protectant specifically made for tools ( CRC Tool Guard ) They discontinued the product so now I use Lucas Chain and Sprocket lube and it works really well. Another thing , any tips on how long it took you to collect such a vast amount of tools and where ? Every time I even see certain Craftsman tools that you hardly ever see, I try to find them and hope I can get them. Thanks again.

[@badwabbit1973]

i have a 3/4 ratchet like the 1st gen your showing ,, no quick release just flat head... i would like to find a rebuild kit for it since the selector is broken. any suggestions ??????????

[@WeldersOnly]

I have the 1/4" ratchet set I got from my grandfather, came with a 1/4" breaker bar and t handle deal, sounded like in the video it didn't come with the breaker bar? It's all in the same small craftsman metal case

[@abtx1963]

I have one of the what you call a 1st Gen, but it doesn't have the "V". Have you come across this before?

[@johngibson3594]

The stamp on the newer ratchet appears not to be centered

[@johnnymaldonado7542]

I thought most Craftsman ratchets was produced by Easco and Danaher Tool CO. the adjustable wrenches and some pliers by Wilde , Pratt and Read screwdrivers and nutdrivers pry bars punches by Wilde

[@alexmorris3106]

Special ratchet I have not seen, I have a 3/8 inch one that I have that I have not seen, it is a yet,no number,v double line,it appears as a spark plug or a Palm with a t handle??? what have I got, Eck usmc