Craftsman Tools - USA History: Intermediate Ratchets (2nd & 3rd Gen. RP Hybrid)

[@pennywise8182]

I just scored the 1/4 inch version at an estate sale for $1.00.....It is in very good condition and the teeth are nice as is the pawl....I knew the non-quick release Craftsmans were not that common so I just had to watch your video to get the back story.👍👍👍

[@Deadbuck73]

Found one today for $2 at a pawn shop. She’s rough. The selector is broken. She’d barely move at all. Gave her a lil spray of wd40 and some brass brush scrubbing and things are moving. The ring holding the selector is good and I was able to pull the selector. The ring on the gear side is missing one end. It might be some work to get it apart. Going to need a rebuild kit. Wish me luck! But for 2 bucks I’m mildly entertained on a Wednesday of vacation!

[@GearWolf]

You never know what you can find. Keep tinkering! Its never a bad idea to get your hands dirty or make the leap to take something apart. ^_^

[@j_snap_f-71]

Repair kits are: 1/4" is 4483, 3/8" is 4478, and 1/2" is 4498, for these guys. And yes you said it Gear Wolf wolf, they are expensive not to mention very rare these days!

[@j_snap_f-71]

Without a doubt... these are my favorite generation of all Craftsman ratchets ever made. The Long Lever's to Intermediate's and the first gen quick release (3208318). The only gripe I have is that super overly stiff anvil spring on the 1/2" non-qr ratchets (the 1/2's suffer the most). I have collected dozens of these over the years and 90% of them are the same, you can't barely push the ball detent down. Of course I have a theory about this, and that is that the springs have become harder and not as flexible over the past 60 to 70 years since they were made. Now granted that's ONLY a theory, I wasn't alive way back in the 1960's to see how the detent originally felt back then. But like I said, it's only a theory.

[@GearWolf]

By the way, I have completed the descriptions for each video. The History & Tear Down/Repair videos will share the same description for their corresponding ratchet. In the description you will find the following: - Brief summary of biographical information - Hypothesis and/or theory related to history - Additional information not mentioned in the video - Production numbers (when applicable) - Repair kit numbers (when applicable) - Patent numbers (when applicable) - Error correction (when applicable) I hope this helps anyone that either wants a fast track in learning something about these ratchets or a quick reference on what repair kits # are associated with each ratchet.

[@GearWolf]

Just in case if anyone was having difficulty using the link to the the Garage Journal thread I mention in this video, I thought I would announce I have repaired the link. For some reason it was going to the main page. The link can be found in the "Intermediates" video description. If you do not like Garage Journal, the same thread can be found on Garage Gazette.

[@altonriggs2352]

are you considering producing a book with this great project?

[@GearWolf]

As time permits, I have been recreating each of the history and tear down videos. Also, I have been distributing my data as .pdfs for those who are interested. Given the turmoil with Sears and the Craftsman brand itself, I don't think I would be interested in working with either to produce a book. While realistically, I would be the one doing the work, I would still need to get permission to use the brand logos and other copyright materials for me to use them in a retail product, whereas I can legally use these things now under the "Fair Use" clause. I knew another gentleman who attempted to broker a creative works project with Sears/Craftsman, and it was actually Sears/Craftsman who couldn't get themselves straight. Unfortunately, the circumstances around Sear/Craftsman is too schizophrenic currently to legitimately pursue a project like that.

[@kevindeal7747]

How can you tell the Flex Heads are intermediate? Is it just the lacking of the V lever?

[@GearWolf]

No, not quite. This is something I'm hoping to clarify on the "reboot" of the series I'm working on. Unfortunately, I had to cut things short the first time around due to unforeseen circumstances.

[@billpotter7162]

Which of your videos covers the V Selector ratchets?

[@GearWolf]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5nUdIZtf8mKmas

[@danohstoolbox]

and i thought i had a lot of ratchets