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

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.)

[@e-curb]

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.

[@jesusestrada5543]

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 "-

[@IDIturboDiesel]

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.

[@RelaxingSounds-ev6zz]

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

[@JamesNickersonThePhotoShopGuru]

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

[@Dancing_Alone_wRentals]

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.

[@abandonedsc4261]

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.

[@toddf4738]

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.

[@tbagRulz]

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

[@billpotter7162]

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

[@looking_33]

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

[@johnlong5899]

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.

[@flame5891]

Great video, lots of information. I can't wait for the next one. Keep up the great work.

[@johngibson3594]

Another informative video thanks for sharing you research with us.

[@heribertoortiz7011]

Nice history

[@robertherrera419]

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.

[@IDIturboDiesel]

Rebuild kit for 1/2 flex and flex head is 44784 and 44782 is for the 3/8 flex head.

[@baileythesleepless9966]

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.

[@jerrymalone8370]

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...

[@drengskap]

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.