Craftsman Tools - USA History: Round Head Fine Tooth [RHFT] Ratchets
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- Опубликовано: 23 апр 2016
- Welcome to the Craftsman USA Ratchet History Project!
This video features the USA made Craftsman Round Head Fine Tooth (RHFT) Ratchets.
The RHFT ratchet series were made by Easco up until the company was acquired by the Danaher Corporation in the early 1990s.
While these do feature the same basic design as the LL/Butterfly Ratchets (2nd Gen. RP), the Quick Release Ratchets (3rd Gen. RP), and even the Tear Drop Ratchets (4th Gen. RP) from the neck down, the ratchet's head as well as mechanism are completely novel to this specific ratchet. This series shares nothing else with other ratchets other than the I-beam style neck and raised panel handle.
Uniquely, the RHFT series ratchets were launched in 1970 without offering the 1/4" size, where the 1/4" would first be offered in 1971. The Flex head variants were first offered in 1978 only in 3/8" and 1/2" right up until they were no longer for sale. The RHFT series saw its final days being offered in a 2008 Craftsman digital online catalog.
Despite having a 38 year run within the Craftsman timeline, I did not award this particular ratchet with a "longevity" award as I did with the Quick Release (3rd Gen. RP), which had a 26 year run. This is due to the fact the RHFT was offered as a Sears Catalog / online exclusive, when sears.com became available. The Quick Release (3rd Gen. RP) was actually physically present at Sears stores, whereas the RHFT was not available in stores.
Although these ratchets are very popular among professionals, DIY, and collectors, they don't have the prominence they could have had due to their almost ethereal exclusivity.
RHFT 1/2" has 45 tooth gear w/ 3 tooth engagement per side per pawl (2x pawls are working together at the same time) This affords the 1/2" drive 4 degrees arc swing. RHFT 3/8" has a 41T gear (~4.4 degrees of arc swing) and 1/4" has a 35T gear (~5.1 degrees of arc swing). Among the different sizes, the arc swing increase was negligible.
Given the refinement of the mechanism and the fact that the ratchet has 2 independent pawls working together at the same time, different tooth counts for each respective size ratchet realistically had negligible differences in ease of use from one another.
The Craftsman RHFT ratchet series were known to be as tough as nails, and, for their time, had an extraordinarily refined mechanism. Some owners have said they have NEVER lubed their ratchet in the nearly 4 decades of owning it, and the ratchets still function as if they were new.
These factors, ultimately, are why RHFT ratchets are still so lauded to date, and the reason why their prices continue to climb.
Product numbers for each ratchet:
1/2” = 44977
3/8” = 43781
1/4" = 43187
1/2" Flex Head = 44983
3/8" Flex Head = 42794
Repair kit numbers for each ratchet:
1/2” = 43446
3/8” = 43436
1/4” = 43426
[NOTICE: 3/8" & 1/2" ratchet repair kits work for their corresponding flex ratchets]
If you are interested in exploring the US Patents affiliated with this specific ratchet series please explore the following:
3467231
3532013
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] 
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Thanks for the video as I inherited a 3/8 ratchet that was my father’s. Growing up it was the one I liked to use vs the later raised panels he had. He only had one of these fine tooth ratchets and judging by the year it must have been one of his purchases he made when he came home from Vietnam in 1969.
You're right, people keep them for life. My old man has one from the 70s, older than me. Never lubed, never repaired. He is not easy on tools either.
I own all of them, and they are my favorites! Seriously underrated tools and at an attractive price!
Still one of my main resources for Craftsman ratchet history after all these years, and that 1/2 flex head is still one of the most cleanly forged Craftsman ratchets I've ever seen.
I appreciate your comment Tyler! It definitely keeps me motivated! I hope you are well!
While things are currently moving at a snails pace with the "reboot", I am still at it. For this project specifically, I'm a one man show. Things ebb and flow as I can work on them. ^_^
After watching your video and to see your passion for these hand tools, I feel somewhat relieved that just maybe I am not totally bonkers about ratchets and hand tools in general … thank you, my wife will quit calling me a tool junkie now 👍🏻👍🏻🙏🏻💕💕💕
James, if you liked this, I've been working on a "reboot" of this series for 5 years. Most everything that wasn't physically seen, will be shown. However, I do have the story of EVERY American made Craftsman ratchet, even several that I made no mention to in this entire series.
We are going from lame camcorder to hardcore videography! ^_^
Very good. I bought a well stocked Craftsman starter set when I was 15 in 1968 with my first vehicle. That set in a metal box cost $36.00, as I recall. Mabe it was on sale. None of those original tools ever failed. I began rebuilding cars right away so my collection increased rapidly, but that starter set and those round head fine tooth ratchets, sockets and wrenches remain the central crown jewels of my large collection today. It was a long time ago, so maybe the starter set came with the tear drop ratches and I bought the RHFT later. Either way, they're fabulous tools.
The RHFTs have an incredible reputation.
While I had two go out on me, the level of abuse they can take makes many brands look like chumps. They are great value for the money.
You made a comment in this video that it didn't look like you got very much in a RHFT repair kit. Well I disagree. You get a completely assembled unit to replace any damaged parts, which allows you to keep the old unit for any future failures, or parts to rebuild another unit. I don't leave this as a criticism of your comment, but simply something to weigh along with it.
I have many of these ratchets and consider them my all-time first choice. Thanks to your teardown video of this ratchet, I have learned to completely disassemble the mechanism and do other repairs that I previously thought impossible. Thanks for all the work you have done that I don't have to do. I think that that drop in kit was the best gift that Sears ( Craftsman ) could have given a mechanic or collector.
Absolutely! I'm not sure what my frame of mind was at the time I made the video. You are right though, the entire until was assembled and ready to go right out of the package. That is very nice.
You can break down these RHFT mechanisms down further than what I depicted for certain variants. At the time I made this, I thought I would attempt to keep it simple. None of the videos are meant to the a definitive destination but a general compendium. ^_^
The technical information, dating, patent info etc. is all valuable information to have and you are being very thorough in presenting this information in it's near entirety, which I'm sure we all truly appreciate. Having said that, and being a RUclips Veteran, I might suggest you break down the series of your videos to 8 minutes (give or take) and implement part 1, 2, 3 etc. The reason is simple...most people are drawn to shorter multi part videos that they can return to to finish the series rather than pause, write down the time they stopped viewing and return to finish the video. I'm interested in your series of Craftsman videos, however, it is a stretch for me and most other viewers to dedicate 20-30 minutes at a time during our busy work days and even our evening hours. Just a little suggestion to assist you in getting your information to the masses in a more appealing and time sensitive manner. Kindest regards. Zip~
+ZippoVarga Zip I appreciate your suggestions. I have a career that dominates most of my time, so I have very narrow windows of opportunity to accomplish what I am attempting to do.
Given this, I cannot dedicate the time to make things more concise, multi-part, or make this a higher production value. I am literally just a guy, a camera, tools, and an outline. Everything else is ad hoc. ^_^
These videos are here for education purposes. People are welcomed to come back to them whenever they wish. They'll just have to remember where they left off.
I too post educational videos in the mechanical field and since I have yielded to the masses who express that some of my videos are "painfully long", I've learned to easily edit and break them into segments which has had a vast impact on making my productions more appealing to my viewers. Your viewer engagement and retention will increase ten fold. But, it is what it is. If you're not concerned with ease of access for your viewers, then by all means....don't put in the extra 2 minutes it takes to divide them up. Although your content is valuable, so is our time, and when it boils down to which direction to go in, the mass majority will opt for their valued time. I've been a Tuber producer for 9 years and was merely trying to pass along some of my personal lessons. Best of luck in your venture. Viewer engagement trumps all other opinions..especially those of the producer. Food for thought from a distraught potential subscriber who's time is too valuable to make more work for my self when you can alleviate this problem to all of your viewers in a couple minutes. Posting the videos is, after all, to spread your word to your viewers. If viewers didn't matter, you wouldn't post content at all. Listen to us... Zip~
+ZippoVarga I understand you are attempting to be helpful, but I never asked for your guidance.
You are under no obligation to subscribe, comment, like/dislike, or watch the video in its entirety. Your time is valuable, of course, so when you've had a enough you can stop and come back, just like you would watching a video at home. The video will still be here should you or anyone else want to come back to it.
Have you checked the "description" box? This offers a synopsis and quick reference.
Your comments are appreciated; however, the format will not change. This is something I am doing for my enjoyment for a brief period of time. You are welcomed to come along or not. Either way, I hope you find the content either useful, entertaining, or for your personal enlightenment.
Great videos. I got one of the 3/8" drive flexheads in a tool lot I purchased off a friend's father. There are exceptions, but CMan ratchets were never the brand's strong point. However, these particular ratchets were outstanding, especially considering how long ago they were released. I like'em almost as much as SK's round heads.
I would agree with you completely in both respects!
I chose to do a series about Craftsman ratchets specifically because, versus other hand tools over the century, they have had the highest degree of physical, mechanical, and even functional change.
Sure wrenches, sockets, breaker bars, etc. have had alterations, but ratchets have had the most radical jumps.
SK, in the earlier part of the 20th Century was the KING of ratchets. Their round head ratchets were damned near bullet proof; however, by the 1950s the competition had a lot of nice innovations of their own.
I often get the question, "Craftsman ratchets and tools must be your favorite, right?" I, like you, appreciate what Craftsman brand did; yet, I own a variety of tools from many American manufacturers. What I will say Craftsman did, more so in the earlier days than later, was bring "most" of the best of the best in the business under one roof. As the mid 1980s hit, I believe most could agree top of the downward spiral was reached.
Thanks for the comment!
I agree with you. I still use mostly SK round heads at the hot rod shop, but Snap-on and Matco's fine-tooth ratchets are sometimes needed -- mostly with head clearance and if arc swing is an issue. I like their knurled handles and I think it's just a great design, and like you mentioned SK's ratchets are practically indestructible. USA CMan was a serious anomaly in the marketplace. USA-made for so long and like no other tool line in their price range. High-end consumer quality that could be used professionally in a shop (so many mechanics relied on their USA sockets for decades -- especially considering what the truck was charging for their counterparts). That mid-'80s line of demarcation seems really accurate to me, considering all the plastic and junk that started coming into play, turning them into something...well, not that inspiring. I still know a guy who uses their Star Trek ratchets regularly at a garage. You've done a great job with these videos. I went to graduate school for mass comm and I've put together a lot of oral histories for non-profit magazines and various journals. You're fastidious and do your research. Great job.
Thanks. While the cinematography value is low, I've taken the approach of this being educational experience first and entertainment second.
I hope you will enjoy the "reboot" of the series. I should be able to to start releasing them in the next month or two.
I have enjoyed talking with you! Great comments!
TheseAreMyToys Excellent! I look forward to seeing them.
1/2 inch fine tooth Craftsman is still my first go to ratchet for just about every job.
Even now, they are great ratchets!
@@GearWolf Can't help but smile when you handle your "specimens" with gloves while I'm beating the crap out of mine.
And BTW, I bought my 1/2 inch fine tooth in a Sears retail store in NJ circa 1982. It wasn't cheap. I bought a broken Craftsman ratchet at a flea market for $1.00 took it to Sears and traded it in plus a few bucks for the "upgrade".
@@RJ-vb7gh Hahaha! Too funny! You should see a few of my ratchets. The few I have had for the last 20 years are pretty rough.
The gloves give me a better grip and roughly match the background. I was attempting to make the "program" about the tools and not about me.
I can agree with you, it may be a little weird that the presentation typically includes close to or new pieces; however, my intention was to show the viewer what these looked like brand new rather than...20 years of abuse.
@@GearWolf You scared me for a minute, I Don't think I want to live in a world where Craftsman tools ever need to be handled with preservation gloves. I love finely crafted old tools, and they should be preserved... but you really can't appreciate a fine tooth craftsman ratchet until you torque a bolt with it in a tight place. And I built my first car with my dad's V style Craftsman. It still works as well as the day he bought it and it's never been apart.
@@RJ-vb7gh I couldn't agree with you more! In the few years since making this series, I have actually had the opportunity to try quite a few of the ratchets out in the real world, as I have been able to come across pieces that weren't "collector's grade".
Believe it or not, some Craftsman ratchets are stupidly rare, so handling them with gloves might not be a bad idea hahaha!
Thanks for the video. I now have to start a new collection.
No problem! I've heard the same before, much to the dismay of many wives! Hahaha! ^_^
I'm confused as to why there are two RHFT half inch drive ratchets (44977 and 44978). I understand "78" has a plunger on the quick release and "77" doesn't; why offer both?
Cannibalizing parts and liquidating what is out there.
Got mine (all 3) in the late '70's. Even used as a hammer as needed. Can you show me a better ratchet from any manufacturer? (maybe Wright?)
I hear you Leo. These really do rock! ^_^
Great video series mate.
Thanks, although this is a a Fischer Price level compared to what is coming...^_^
I have enjoy all your videos great information.
I have easco 1/4 3/8 and 1/2 with quick release
Hello. Correct. Once the exclusivity on the patent ran out, these were installed on later Easco ratchets.
I have the 1/2 and the 1/4 drive work great yet to find anything to replace them
These are DEFINITELY the juggernaut of the Craftsman ratchet timeline. Expensive for their time, but it seems, for many, they were worth the investment!
@@GearWolf wish I had the 3/8 but it was lost while my dad was working as a mechanic for a road crew
Great video man I just picked one of the 3/8 drive ones up for a $1 at a flea market I got it all cleaned lube and working great but the detent ball for the sockets is screwed I need to replace it and I guess that's something that's possible to do but I can't seem to find any videos on it is that something you know how to do or have a video on?thanks in advance.
It depends on the model of RHFT you have. If you have the very earliest variants the job actually may be pretty easy.
For example, if your example has a plug that pushes out when you push the quick release button, you'll be able to replace the detent ball on your own. Should this be the case, watch my video on how to take these apart: ruclips.net/video/dXTMEbvn4Gg/видео.html.
One thing I didn't feature on that video, was how, specifically on the earliest versions, once disassembled, by grabbing the quick release and turning it counter clockwise, you can actually gain access to the quick release's entire assembly. From here you can replace your detent ball. Be forewarned, there is a spring that will cause the contents to launch out, so do so carefully.
Later variants this isn't an option. In this case, you'll need a press to get another detent ball in your socket stud.
I know that repair kits are available for the RHFT on eBay frequently; however, they tend to orbit $20 to $30 a shot.
I hope this helps! Best of luck!
@@GearWolf thanks for your response man yeah I got it apart but the detent ball seems to be stuck in there can't get it out so think I may just have to get the full repair kit.I'm gonna check out your video see if I can learn and do something with it if not yeah gonna have to go with the kit.
Lately I've found some great old Craftsman stuff to finish out my collection at pawn shops and auctions. Recently bought an American Forge 3/8 flex head. Any info on that wrench? I can't seem to find any, even tho it looks like a Craftsman Pro. Great video! Thanks!
..These are probably my favorite overall Craftsman ratchets..I do know where ONE of the 1/2" flex heads are, albeit broken..it resides in the toolbox of a professional mechanic I know..the Head(body) has a straight crack all the way through; basically the head burst on it, so a repair kit won't fix it...he went to exchange it, but when they offered him a Gen. 4 quick release flex in it's place, disappointed, he just returned the broken RHFT flex to the toolbox, where it sits today...can't say that I blame him, the Gen. 4 quick release is a coarse, sloppy, clunky tool in comparison...
The RHFT ratchet family is probably the best thing that came out of ratcheting wrenches within the Craftsman brand. They were WAY ahead of their time.
If your friend is willing to part with the ratchet, I'd be willing to give it a go at fixing it. My email is theshootersshop@gmail.com
Hey man I have a question. I have a 1/2 rhft flex head that has a vvx handle on it. Someone is telling me that it's a Frankenstein ratchet meaning the handle is from a later date. I cant possibly think of any reason someone would go through the effort of affixing a later handle onto it. What do you think?
What is the product number on your ratchet.? It should start with a 4.
At my store, we have a large box full of these things that are rebuilt and ready for use as warranty exchange tools. Nobody wants them, so we have been dumping them in the recycling barrel. Everyone wants a newer style so the older ones (RHFT's, some old flying v's) get scrapped.
You should snag them and sell them. Depending on the ratchet, you'd do pretty well.
I'd buy one from you
So would I
The catalog you show in your video says 90 and 82 tooth action for the 1/2 and 3/8 ratchets, so do the pawls engage one at a time, instead of simultaneously? kind of like a modern gearwrench 120xp or the new lowes craftsman 120 tooth ratchets.
They both engage simultaneously.
For simplicity's sake, we'll talk about the 1/2". The 1/2" drive has 45 tooth ring within the head of the ratchet. The mechanism has two pawls, which both engage the ring together. This is the reason why Sears can claim "90 tooth action", since it is 45 x 2.
As force in this case is tangential, the "90 tooth action" claim holds true due to the fact there are two parallel tangents to the toothed ring engaging simultaneously at any given position. The RHFT was a brilliant design for its time, but expensive to produce relative to other ratchets of this era.
@@GearWolf Thanks for the info, I picked up the half inch over the summer at the flea market for 15 bucks and its my new favorite ratchet.
What would you think is a fair price for each one in todays market. It seems like the prices are a bit high. But I also am not an expert like yourself. Love this content btw.
The prices are actually on target. There are specific pieces that command much more money than others.
Honesty, it really depends on the circumstances.
I finally found a couple of the rare 1/2 drive Craftsman RHFT flex head ratchets and bought both of them.
They are slightly more common with the item number as 44973 instead of 44983.
I will finally complete my Craftsman RHFT ratchet set.
One of them has the 1971 stamping.
Nice nice believe it or not I have the 1/4 flex head rhft rachet from Craftsman no part number it just says craftsman
Believe it or not, that actually is NOT a true Craftsman ratchet.
I'm guessing that you paid $150 for one of those on eBay? The guy that makes them grinds the product number on one side so you don't see it is actually a Chinese 1/4" breaker bar handle with a modified RHFT head added to it.
The guy has been doing a disservice to Craftsman collectors who don't actually know that Craftsman NEVER released a 1/4" RHFT. -_-
I have Blackhawk versions of this style
TheseAreMyToys, Great video as usual. I have a respectable Craftsman ratchet collection growing in my garage. I have my RHFT ratchets divided into a few categories including the ones with the pointed “A”. I have a 3/8” and a 1/2” but I am unable to find a 1/4” with the pointed “A”. Since the 1/4” RHFT was introduced a year after the others, does it even exist? Was there ever a pointed “A” on a 1/4” RHFT or am I chasing a unicorn?
Thanks for the great videos.
Where do you get all of these?
It took a while. I've asked fellow collectors or hunted them down myself.
While cleaning 1/4 inch ratchet number 43187 I inadvertently lost the tiny ball bearings. Anyone out there know a source for these other than putting in a complete kit?
Absolutely! Your local hardware store should have compatible bearings.
TheseAreMyToys
I appreciate that info
My pleasure!
What is the difference between model number 44977 and 44978 in the 1/2" RHFT Craftsman ratchets?
Hi Bruce! This is a good question and one with a counter intuitive answer!
The 44978 was the FIRST RHFT variant with a product number stamped on it. You will see something to the effect of: "Forged in U.S.A - V - 44978 - Patent Pending -" or "Forged in U.S.A - V - 44978 U.S. PATS. 3467231, 3532013 CAN. PATENTED - 1971. This first variant's "Quick Release" selector partially protrude the bearing plug out of the socket stud.
The 44977 was found only with the stamping "Forged in U.S.A - V - 44977" and featured a selector that didn't protrude from the socket stud. This actually has its own patent and was done as a countermeasure to keep the ratchet internals cleaner.
@@GearWolf Thanks! I know I had searched this early and I think on Garage Journal it was that someone thought that they were made by different manufactures at the beginning with Moore Drop Forge vs Easco prior to their merger??? Thanks again. My 44978 is the variant with the 1971 and patents and the plunger type you described. My 44977 is towards the end of the 38 year run with a VJ date code with the updated enclosed design. Note; both my 3/8" drive Easco and my 15" long 1/2" drive Easco and my Craftsman 1/2" rebuilt kit for 44977 ratchet all have the fully enclosed design.
@@brucehartman2499 You are on the right track.
The 44978 was first made by Moore Drop Forge (MDF). The first appearance of the RHFT was in Sears 1970 catalog, which means they were made in 1969. The merger of MDF into Easco took a while. Even more so, I'm sure the standardization of practices took a bit too.
The biggest "tell" is the Craftsman Font and the "V" insignia on the back of the ratchet. If you have the word "CRAFTSMAN" that uses "pointy" font letter "A"s with a =V= on the opposite side of the handle, you have a MDF made piece. If you have a ratchet with "CRAFTSMAN" that has "rounded" font letter "A"s with a - V - on the opposite side of the handle, it was made when Easco had full control.
@@GearWolf do you know when the 44977 (and 43781) were first in the catalog? I believe it was around 1980. Thanks for the videos! Really great to get to see them all and learn more about their history.
From a fellow Craftsman nerd- thanks for making this. I subscribed and look forward to watching the other videos you made on this subject! Do you collect only or do you sell too? I'd also be interested in emailing you a couple pictures of some really old I or unique craftsman ratchets I have if you are interested in seeing them
Hello! Thank you for your interest. If you like these videos, you'll like the "reboot" videos I've been working on for the last 3 years. I'm hoping to release them sooner than later.
I do have select ratchets up on eBay currently under the same name I have here. Do a search for "Craftsman Intermediate Ratchets" and you'll find me pretty quick!
Yes, I would like to see the photos you have! How can I see them?
@@GearWolf did you get that last email thru ebay with the additional picture and my actual email address yesterday afternoon?
@@rynohorn3819 Howdy! Yes, I did! I haven't responded to you through your private email; however, I did respond via eBay. I'll send you an email soon! ^_^
What style was offered in 1984?
If you are talking about the "9" series round head ratchets, they won't be discussed here. They were made in Taiwan. Only USA Craftsman ratchets will receive a history video.
@@GearWolf Ok, thanks.
I've been playing your videos over and over again trying to get as much info as I can, but a couple of questions keep bugging me. One is how do I find the type study (I can't seem to find it. Twp, why do you say that the 3/8" flex is the hardest ons to find. You had that one first and the 1/2" was only gotten when someone loaned it to you. I have seven 3/8" and six of the 1/2". I didn't even know about them before I saw your videos. Granted, I didn't pay $10 or $20 each.
Hello, Brian! I hope you are doing well! It has been a while.
There are some errors with the original series that I have rectified in the scripts of the "reboot".
In regards to my comment about the 3/8" Flex being the hardest to find, that was my opinion, at the time, in relation to my own experience. That will be clarified moving forward.
While I did have the 3/8" in my possession, owned by me, and the 1/2" was on loan, the statement I made was based on the fact that there were more opportunities to obtain the 1/2", that I missed, versus the 3/8".
In reality, the most difficult to obtain "Flex" RHFTs are the ones that say only: Patent Pending =V=. These do exist. In conjunction, the 1/4" Patent Pending =V= (Small Font) variant does exist also. These are probably the rarest examples of any RHFT you can find.
Awesome video!-Farmall450
Thanks again Farmall450! You made the video happen!
Love going back to watch this again. I'm still looking for the 3/8 long flex - someday I'll have them all!
My 43781 3/8 is a pt. pending. I assume it is older than the one you displayed.
If it has no product code and says PAT Pend w/ the patent #, yes it would be older. In that case, it would be what would be considered to be part of the "general" 2nd wave of these ratchets.
However, if you have the product code, then, no, your tool would be younger than the ones I've shown.
@@GearWolf It does have a product code 43781, not the number in your video, and has Pat Pending, no patent number. I always thought it was 1970. I was in Jr. High when I bought it. I can send a pic.
@@GearWolf I believe the first patent date was 1969, and I want to say they were sold from 1970 onward. From what I've seen there where at least three different "generations" , if you will. Early ones with the double bar Craftsman logo "=Craftsman=", and "Pat. Pending" on the back of the handle. After that same logo on the front but now with the 1969 Patent date on the reverse. Even later ones dropped the double bar Craftsman logo and read only Craftsman, again with the patent date on the back.
Please do no take this post as law, this information is coming from memory.
@@beatlerat There are many variations of what I've loosely called the Craftsman "marquee". At the time I made this video, there were two parties who were attempting to provide insight on the various stampings found on the handle area to the RHFT and "Raised Panel" ratchet families. I personally, did not want to step on their toes, as it was generally known that they were working on either project before I started this one.
Unfortunately, one party I volunteered data to did an abysmal job with it, only adding to the confusion, where the other party was closer but didn't want external help.
For the "reboot", I will be touching on the variations associate with the handle. While I won't be directly depicting all of the variants physically, as I don't have each one, I plan to, at a minimum, show people what is out there and explain the general sequence of events.
@@GearWolf Thanks, When you do, I can send you pics of mine.
there is 2 of the 1/2 flex versions on eBay right now and I also am a GJ member and I know farmall he's cool he owns a lot of tools lol a lot more than I. My screen name on there is Derek420 by the way would love to chat with you. Awesome videos buddy thanks for taking the time to do them. I learned alot and now know what to look for and, all about them all so when I find them outside of eBay I know what I'm looking at. I got a mild collection started and it will grow faster now thanks to your help. My mother in law will not believe me about craftsman being made in China now and continues to buy them and act like I'm retarded but we all know the truth and she can wonder why her tools keep breaking which they are trust me lol.
Yes, you are correct. Craftsman tools are now made in China.
There talk about rebooting the Craftsman brand being made in the USA in early 2016, but it quickly died out. Ratchets and wrenches do exist in "2016" variants of previously made USA Craftsman branded ratchets; however, they are hard to come by.
Thank you for the comment! I look forward to talking with you again.
I got the 1/2 and 3/8 version non flex at a pawn shop for $8 today. Did I do good?
If they are in functioning order, I'd say you did! Lucky find!
your wrong about quick release being Sears only because I have the easco non flex set and it has quick release and they are 100% original and they came from different sources all from original owner and we're untouched. I can send pics.
The patent was owned by Sears exclusively. I have seen more recent ratchets with the RHFT QR mechanism after the patent expired.
There is a distinct probability that the ratchets you have are retrofit with the QR mechanism. I too have Easco RHFT I bought direct from Easco themselves. They do not have the QR.
I think Easco made their own quick release variants. I have a 15" long handle with quick release. 73-1116 I have only seen 2 others on eBay and one was NOS and all had quick release. In the 1/2" on eBay you can see the regular ratchets have different model numbers if quick release versus no quick release.
1/2" 73 1110 not QR
1/2" 73 1111 have QR