Tool Talk
What's-It Forum => What's-It Forum => Topic started by: blackoak on June 23, 2015, 11:56:57 AM
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I have always said if a company is not willing to put their name on the product they produce, it must not be to proud of the finished product and must lack quality. I have these two 1/4" drive ratchets that are of the finest quality and they have no marks. Can anybody tell who made these?
(http://i418.photobucket.com/albums/pp267/blackoakbucket/100_1911_zpsftbmjm26.jpg) (http://s418.photobucket.com/user/blackoakbucket/media/100_1911_zpsftbmjm26.jpg.html)
(http://i418.photobucket.com/albums/pp267/blackoakbucket/100_1910_zpsnnrwygql.jpg) (http://s418.photobucket.com/user/blackoakbucket/media/100_1910_zpsnnrwygql.jpg.html)
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Isn't that design/ switch craftsman?
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The switch does look like Craftsman, but the other parts look nothing like any craftsman I have seen.
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The bottom rat is made by Moore Drop Forge.
I'd have to dig out the collection to take a stab at the top one but I actually don't recall having anything similar to that design. Which brings me to.........is it / are they for sale?
EDIT: So, nearest I can tell, that style has been made by at least Lowell Wrench Co., Wright, S-K and Walden. Likelihood is that the ones with no markings are probably Wright.
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I've had several of the top ones " frankenstien" is what they are referred to. Don't know the maker . They came in sets in the 60's
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The bottom rat is made by Moore Drop Forge.
I'd have to dig out the collection to take a stab at the top one but I actually don't recall having anything similar to that design. Which brings me to.........is it / are they for sale?
EDIT: So, nearest I can tell, that style has been made by at least Lowell Wrench Co., Wright, S-K and Walden. Likelihood is that the ones with no markings are probably Wright.
Are you talking about the bottom one being Wright or the top one?. I'll probably hang on to them especially the top one. I use it often. It's smaller than most and you can get it in tighter spots than most 1/4" ratchets. Appreciate the info.
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The bottom rat is made by Moore Drop Forge.
I'd have to dig out the collection to take a stab at the top one but I actually don't recall having anything similar to that design. Which brings me to.........is it / are they for sale?
EDIT: So, nearest I can tell, that style has been made by at least Lowell Wrench Co., Wright, S-K and Walden. Likelihood is that the ones with no markings are probably Wright.
Are you talking about the bottom one being Wright or the top one?. I'll probably hang on to them especially the top one. I use it often. It's smaller than most and you can get it in tighter spots than most 1/4" ratchets. Appreciate the info.
The bottom is definitely Moore Drop Forge. The top one "most likely" made by Wright. Although again, the makers I mention above had similar style ratchets but the "no name" ones are thought to be by Wright as a general consensus.
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The top one is Wright. Fairly hard one to find too.
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The early 60's Craftsman ratchets - at least in the 1962 catalog had that art deco arrow shape lever. I think Moore was the manufacturer. I have 3 or 4 but I am missing one shown in the 1962 catalog.
Chilly
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I think the bottom one was actually Easco. The MDF ratchets were a bit earlier.
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if I remember right, Easco bought out Moore Drop Forge in Springfield, Mass.
then up and left the city. Sears was a big customer.
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Top frankenstien is claimed to be made by Wright. I have one.
The bottom one looks like an EASCO "Star Trek" selector model.
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This one is MDF made. There were two variations although the difference is pretty minor.
(http://i451.photobucket.com/albums/qq235/mcpfstevo/100_0772.jpg~original)
(http://i451.photobucket.com/albums/qq235/mcpfstevo/100_0773.jpg~original)
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Just love the classic look of the MDF Craftsman ratchets!
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They are nice ratchets but my all time favorite Craftsman ratchet is the Plomb made.
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They are nice ratchets but my all time favorite Craftsman ratchet is the Plomb made.
Then that would be the era prior to MDF?
In keeping on topic, here's a pic of the frankie rat taken apart.
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Then that would be the era prior to MDF?
According to lauver in his amazing Craftsman history thread http://www.thegaragegazette.com/index.php?topic=867.0 (http://www.thegaragegazette.com/index.php?topic=867.0) Circle U (Plomb made) was 1944-1948. It seems the Circle V (MDF) was 1946 to to 60 something. So there may have been some overlap.
He does a great job decoding the marks and providing the history of the brand. Well worth reading.