Sears Craftsman Tools Raised Panel Wrench Manufacturer Identification Dates, Codes, and History.

In this video I provide a brief explanation of the different types of Craftsman raised panel wrench codes. What to look for when buying at estate sales, garage sales, and ebay in order to keep your set matched.
Great reference - alloy-artifacts...
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#tools #Craftsman #Craftsmantools #CraftsmanUSA #Craftsmanwrenches #raisedpanelwrench #identification #datecodes #manufacturer

[@alandesgrange9703]

Great info. I would love to see you do Craftsman ratchets and sockets, as well.

[@thetoolbandit]

I will add that to the list, might be a few months. Thank you for watching!

[@joeciechanowski4650]

excellent video and thanks. after watching, i looked at my "first gen" double box end, raised panel wrench (1/2 - 9/16). as stated, and a little FYI, it does have a raised "V" cast (or forged) into the shank. i don't know the exact year or vintage, but i've had this wrench since 1965 and it was well used when i got it. i'm not sure, but it may have been my grandfather's wrench. too many years and the old memory ain't what used to be....

[@ChrisN85420]

Great video very informative I have a complete easco set of metric wrenches that I got from a family friend goes all the way up to 32mm and still has the original tool roll I bet it’s worth a pretty penny now a days

[@thetoolbandit]

I have always liked the EASCO wrenches. I believe they made wrenches for a number of brands. If you have the set up to 32mm they do have some real value! Thanks for watching!

[@ChrisN85420]

@@thetoolbandit i very much so love the set myself I think the left offset of the front panel sets it apart from the craftsman really nicely definitely going to remain in my toolbox for years to come and I’m pretty sure the napa wrenches of the era were made by easco and I’m sure others

[@TejasToolMan]

That's pretty cool I've got a bunch of old craftsman wrenches that aren't chrome-plated they're made of something different when I first started wrenching back in the 80s building up my sets from pawn shops and garage sales LOL

[@thetoolbandit]

I have some nice sets pre-1945, most are open end. They didn't use plating during war times as far as I know. Thank you for watching!

[@Dancing_Alone_wRentals]

Great video! I just picked up a box of Craftsman wrenches and sockets. It is a 46 piece set. There is no visible date but I'm guessing 1970s. I'm still doing my homework on them trying to find a date, your video is a big help! I'll post a video once soon. tHanks for the video!

[@thetoolbandit]

I gave you a sub, will watch for your video. Thank you for watching!

[@gerardtrigo380]

All My Chraftsman Wrenches were purchased before 1978. From 1978 to 1986 all my wrenches were Snap On, After 1985, I have a plethora of different brands, including Harbor Freight. My set of SAE open end box end wrenches were purchased as a single large set and one of the wrenches has the double vv stamping. If memory serves I purchased that large set in 1974. All the other wrenches in that set have a signle v between a single dash. When I purchased the set i engraved my initials in each wrench so that I could identify my wrenches.

[@thetoolbandit]

I still have mine from 30 years ago, but have also added a few different sets. Thanks for watching!

[@davestvwatching2408]

I have a set of the Japanese made wrenches in metric. It was a convenient way to identify my tools vs my dad's and my brother's. I now have a good selection of v, VV, and V^ USA made ones as well.

[@thetoolbandit]

I guess that is better than engraving them! I wonder if they sold the Japanese made in certain regions or if they sold them all over side by side with the USA made. They seem to be high quality, many Japanese tools are good. China and Taiwan have also come a long way in the last 20 years Thank you for watching!

[@RenegadesGarage]

The Tool Bandit.. New subscriber here. Thanks for showing the History of Craftsman wrenches..

[@thetoolbandit]

Subbed back! Nice channel, plenty for me to binge watch. Thank you for watching!

[@westhighlandsshop]

Good video, thanks for sharing. I've always had Craftsman and loved them. Now that I have the time I'm starting to actually collect them as well as other brands. Your video will help me.

[@thetoolbandit]

Glad to hear it. Thank you for watching!

[@paulevasmith1082]

Hello! Another big company which produced Sears hand wrenches was Williams tool company. From my understanding they were approached by Sear to manufacturer hand wrenches... Sears bought thousands at a bulk rate to get a low price. Williams agreed, but not with the Williams stamp logo, because Williams was selling to Ma & Pa hardware stores at a higher rate. Hence the Craftsman name was born. I do to dive into the history Craftsman tools, but it is like exploring the inside of a ant hill with all kinds of twist and turns.

[@thetoolbandit]

First I have heard of the Williams connection but they did go a lot different directions with so many different brands. Thank you for watching!

[@two2pedal289]

I'm late to the party but most of my Craftsman wrenches came from the 70's. Often the raised panel is hard on the hands and my Japan metrics are slightly thinner and more comfortable overall.

[@thetoolbandit]

Yes, some don't like them for this reason. Thanks for watching!

[@ericbivins8014]

When i buy old wrenches the first thing i do when i get home is put them in the sink get out my can of Bar Keepers Friend and give them a scrub with a tooth brush. They will look almost brand new in about 1 minute with that stuff.

[@thetoolbandit]

I've used a lot of cleaners but never that one. Do you use the powder or the liquid? I will have to try it. Thank you for watching!

[@ericbivins8014]

@@thetoolbandit either one will work but i use the powder. Just cleaned up a nice 15/16 wrench i bought this morning. Looks brand new.

[@davehaggerty3405]

I’m a fan of raised panel wrenches.

[@thetoolbandit]

I used them for decades with no issues. Thank you for watching!

[@josephriddle2772]

Yep, me too 🔧🔧🔧🔧🔧

[@bigdog0u81]

Thanks man I was going through my wrenches and for Japan ones and one with no part number.

[@thetoolbandit]

Thanks for watching!

[@tristanschaper281]

There are also wrenches with a "WF" on them. For Western Forge, who made them. They were I believe 1990's to early 2000's.

[@thetoolbandit]

Never seen WF on the raised panel next the "Craftsman" but it may be on another place on the handle. Thanks for watching!

[@googleusergp]

Not combination wrenches, but other tools yes, were WF made.

[@Bronco1977]

I'm not sure on exact year but SK tools made Craftsman wrenches and sockets at their forge plant in Defiance Ohio

[@thetoolbandit]

I believe they made the polished professional wrenches

[@hobuttgarage]

May be wrong but i recall reading the =v= and =vv= were prodiced in the same time frame by moore drop forge but at different facilities.

[@thetoolbandit]

Very possible. I figured some of the differences are just do to being produced in a different facility. Thanks for watching!

[@def1791]

Very informative. Thank you.

[@thetoolbandit]

Thanks for watching!

[@elaczi]

Great video. Very informative. 👍👍

[@thetoolbandit]

Thank you! Thank you for watching!

[@JayIsOutdoorsy]

good info

[@thetoolbandit]

Thanks for watching!

[@garbo8962]

Purchased my first set of Craftsman tools back in 1967 while in high school. They made great dependable good prised tools until they switch to foreign made garbage. Around 1985 I purchased a maybe 85 piece combo action Craftsman set from an add in my bill that only cost $40. Did not find out until they shipped it to me that they were made in Tawain. Quality not as good as earlier USA tools.

[@thetoolbandit]

Foreign made tools can be good but usually not as good as the tools made in the USA. Thanks for watching!

[@Milkmans_Son]

What are the markings on the 1985 tools? The consensus seems to be that they didn't start using offshore manufacturing until 20+ years later.

[@ericschulze5641]

​@Milkmans_Son your correct, he's probably just losing his memory

[@Milkmans_Son]

I have the vv with double lines as "Easco, ca." from 1974 - 1989 then "Danaher, ca" from 1990 - 2011

[@thetoolbandit]

Thanks for the info! I love your screen name! Thanks for watching!

[@MsJfraser]

It seems Craftsman used a series line for their wrenches as none of them have a year. I purchased sets of wrenches, ratchets, and sockets some time after 2005. The only distinguishing marking on the wrenches besides the name and size is ST.

[@thetoolbandit]

Never a year mark as far as I know, always a makers mark and then you can find a range. Thanks for watching!

[@MsJfraser]

@@thetoolbandit Thanks for your response. I looked up what ST could mean and it seems mine were made by Stanley Tools who made Craftsman wrenches for the Canadian market.

[@scotthansen4073]

What does the cast in letter O or letter B or letter N in the shank either at the open end of the shank or at the box end of the shank ??? There is also a VERY noticable ring sound when you tap older wrenches together apposed to the later made wrenches. A lesser grade of steel I assume. Also because especially the box end of the wrench has thicker steel in the casting to be stronger due to a lesser grade of steel !!!???

[@thetoolbandit]

In general the thought of the "O" and other letters on the shank was more of an internal mark that maybe marked the batch but it is not the makers mark and does not represent a year. Usually steel that rings is high quality, a steel hammer that rings when you hit a nail is good quality steel. The older =V= sockets have a very different sound, the walls seem thinner as well. Thank you for watching!

[@Chuck_Norris10]

What about the wrenches with only a single line on each side, as opposed to a double line?

[@thetoolbandit]

The only ones I have seen like that are usually the very small sizes like 1/4" and 5/16" I believe it is a single line because the wrenches are too small to fit a double line. I don't believe I have seen one any larger with one line. I could be wrong though. Thank you for watching!

[@scotthansen4073]

Does the dating of the wrenches carry over to thier ratchets and sockets and extensions as well ???

[@thetoolbandit]

Yes, they all range the same years, although the "newer" socketshave letter codes the wrenches never carried. Thank you for watching!

[@scotthansen4073]

And Offset Box Wrenches I own have either a cast in the shank or stamped into the raised panel Cl. Not sure what the manufacturer years woukd be on thise as well ???

[@thetoolbandit]

CI is Pre-1945, the maker is unknown. Thank you for watching!

[@Revolver_68]

The =VV= does not have a part number, they should be pre 1968 as well.

[@thetoolbandit]

Thanks for the info and for watching!

[@googleusergp]

The "V" indicated that Moore Drop Forge made it in Springfield, MA. The "VV" means that MDF/Easco made them in Springdale, AR. The "BF" is believed to have been Daido and for a time were sourced at the same time as the USA sourced units and there was consumer backlash so the Japan units went away. No "VV" Is older than "V^" as the later was the Danaher era who bought Easco in the 1990s. Not always correct, as not all "unmarked" Craftsman tools were made in China. The wrench you showed, yes, made in China, but other tools not marked made in USA may have still been made here, but they are vintage indeed. Do not believe all of those source charts, as many of them are faulty and lack the proper research. I had spoken to many contacts at the actual Sears suppliers years back and many confirmed or denied what was published about their tools that they made for Sears.

[@thetoolbandit]

I think I covered most of what you said but I wasn't trying to give a detailed history. I was mainly trying to help people build sets that matched, and what small differences to look for since all 11 wrenches I show look about the same. It seems few "experts" can completely agree on years and locations made. Hard to be sure who actually knows what they are talking about. Most people seem to trust Alloy-Artifacts, who I used. Thanks for watching!

[@googleusergp]

@@thetoolbandit Yes, AA has some good references. I'm talking about other places. I know the "V" and "VV" are correct as it came from an MDF/Easco/Danaher line operator who was also involved with the move from sockets at Springdale to Gastonia, NC in 1978.

[@thetoolbandit]

@@googleusergp I agree with you. Thanks for the info.

[@googleusergp]

@@thetoolbandit I can tell you've referenced Gary Lauver's list which is floating around on the internet. I know Gary from the old Craftsman tool board circa 2000. He's very knowledgeable, however, he got some bad information from some folks who really didn't do their homework. For instance, the Western Forge date information he's got is incorrect. I know this because I spoke to a veteran WF employee right before they closed and he e-mailed me the date code scheme and how it worked. I still have the e-mail.

[@thetoolbandit]

Yeah, I'm not sure I've seen a list that everyone agrees on.

[@TheGameBoy56]

Do u have eBay shop ?

[@thetoolbandit]

I do, I have about 200 raised panel wrenches available, broken down by series. I don't advertise my store here as I try to keep that separate from my KZbin channel. If you want to email me at [e-mail] I can give you a link. Thank you for watching!

[@TheGameBoy56]

@@thetoolbandit I am thanks

[@plusblood5101]

Awesome info Even the us flag comes from China I would not be too surprised

[@thetoolbandit]

Thanks for watching!

[@bstory3196]

G?

[@thetoolbandit]

Not sure I have seen a G series wrench. They have G sockets.

[@uncleronny6748]

Buy American while there's still time.

[@thetoolbandit]

Thanks for watching!

[@reconbbs360]

Super late to the party. Japanese hand tools are the new made in the USA nowadays. Koken is where it's at. Quality is equal to Snap On IMO. Prices are steep but still cheaper than the tool truck brands.

[@thetoolbandit]

I have a Koken ratchet and I agree. Many people in the US get hung up on USA made tools but many countries produce high quality tools. Thanks for watching!

[@mylivinghell9595]

id say 98% of the tools in my tool chests are the ones with -v- on them. I started buying them in 1995 when i started driving.

[@thetoolbandit]

All (made in the USA) are pretty solid. I collect the oldest and use the newest. Thanks for watching!

[@TheHealthyChef-go3go]

You keep saying "I dont know"! Why make a video like this?

[@thetoolbandit]

I said it a number of time when talking about a wrench that I could not find data on. I don't claim to be an expert, so I am happy to say when I am not sure about something. This video was to help people identify what they have so they can match it up when trying to complete a matching set. I was showing the subtle differences in what looks to be the same wrench.

[@Side_quests_Simon]

damn bro its just a wrench

[@thetoolbandit]

True, but some people like a matching set or like history.