Tool Talk
What's-It Forum => What's-It Forum => Topic started by: william_b_noble on October 27, 2012, 06:10:20 PM
-
very nice trim on this case, it's magnetic, polished up like stainless, there is no rust - clearly it's much nicer than the mixture of junk made in Taiwan and made in Japan tools that are in it - anyone recognize it? there are no names or marks (other than a prior owner's name on the bottom), surely someone has seen this before.....
-
I don't know who polished it up all shiney like, it was likely black or dark grey paint originally.
In any case, the embossed lid says Craftsman all the way :)
I believe it should have=V= series sockets in it....
-
Except for the socket tray, is identical to my 1947 Craftsman quarter inch drive set. Somebody must of had time on their hands to buff it to that degree!
-
well, I just buffed it - there was no paint on it at all - it only took a few minutes - it sure acted like stainless steel - are you sure this was originally painted? I didn't see any paint residue at all anywhere.
-
Mine, and every one I've seen, has a rough surface grey paint. Not real krinkle like a Kennedy box, but rough. It probably shines cause it was from pretty good stuff back then. Put some wax on it now so it stays shiny.
-
John is right, it originally had rough dark gray paint with an orange or red Craftsman oval logo in the center.
Depending on the set, could have been BE or =V= series and would have consisted of any or all of: ratchet, sliding T, flex head breaker. extensions and speed handle.
-
for your guys who have original ones - are they painted on the inside? does the metal have a plain steel color where you can see it or is it stainless colored like this one? I'm wondering if there was maybe a special stainless one - since there is no rust at all, I'm suspicious that this isn't plain old steel
-
Stick a magnet on it
-
I checked what I have and there are two variations to that box.
One has the dark gray paint, a wide extended lip around both the lid and bottom, wider spacing of the raised lines on the cover and the socket section doesn't have the holes and the sockets and tools were BE series.
The second, which you have, has straight sides[no lip], narrower spacing of the raised lines on the cover and the individual holes for the sockets. This box was painted with the hammered gray, inside and out, and had a paper label [oval with the Craftsman bar through the center] and the sockets and tools were =V= series.
Hope this helps.
-
It took expert skill to polish that Craftsman box like that.
Definitely not original.
Better than original, by a very wide margin.
Keep super care of it. I expect the finish is fragile.
You'll never see another.
yours Scott
-
Look what came up on eBay this morning:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-CRAFTSMAN-V-SERIES-3-8-RATCHET-TOOLS-6-DEEP-WELL-SOCKETS-W-OLD-BOX-/121007560418?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c2c9cd6e2
Looks like a recent layer of silver spray paint, but there's the same box and some sockets and a ratchet with it.
-
I've never seen that type box for a 3/8 set and have doubts that the box is for that ratchet and sockets. I've be very interested in seeing the inside of that box. That particular ratchet is too long for the box the OP is asking about.
-
Thought I'd post pics of the two sets I discussed earlier for the OP.
-
the set I have looks like the photo "v set 2" - is the inside of that unit painted? I'm still wondering over the complete lack of rust.
-
Heres a set I got yesterday. Yes the inside of the case was painted. The only paint on the whole thing is two small patchs on inside of cover. Wonder why they lost almost all of their paint. Maybe poor surface prep or maybe mechanics have hands like sandpaper.
-
the set I have looks like the photo "v set 2" - is the inside of that unit painted? I'm still wondering over the complete lack of rust.
Yes, it is painted inside with the hammered gray.
-
thanks - that answers that - I am still puzzled though why my case, that appears to have no paint on it also had no rust - it was not greasy nor did it appear to have lacquer or other clear coat - so could it be a treated steel? or a magnetic stainless? I've never seen an old case made out of regular soft steel that didn't rust if unpainted (some rust even if painted). Thoughts??
-
That all stainless steel is not magnetic is a myth. Most of the stainless things I have are magnetic.
-
thanks - that answers that - I am still puzzled though why my case, that appears to have no paint on it also had no rust - it was not greasy nor did it appear to have lacquer or other clear coat - so could it be a treated steel? or a magnetic stainless? I've never seen an old case made out of regular soft steel that didn't rust if unpainted (some rust even if painted). Thoughts??
I think it is plain steel, based on the opinions previously stated. There are several of people here that are very knowledgeable on the lines of vintage Craftsman tools. If they say it was probably originally painted, then I believe them.
As to why there was no rust on it?
Maybe the original or subsequent owner didn't like gray and stripped it.
Maybe it was not in a harsh, humid environment that promotes rust in plain steel.
Maybe the original owner lovingly wiped it down with light oil or a special protectant on a regular basis.
Maybe it was made with an alloy steel high in nickel, and that helped resist corrosion.
If you really cling to the belief that it is stainless, then the only way to know that for sure is through a laboratory analysis of the steel itself, which would require cutting out a sample "coupon" of the box (basically destroying any value as a collectible).
Why not just enjoy it for what it is, a VERY nice vintage Craftsman socket set box.
-
thanks - that answers that - I am still puzzled though why my case, that appears to have no paint on it also had no rust - it was not greasy nor did it appear to have lacquer or other clear coat - so could it be a treated steel? or a magnetic stainless? I've never seen an old case made out of regular soft steel that didn't rust if unpainted (some rust even if painted). Thoughts??
I think it is plain steel, based on the opinions previously stated. There are several of people here that are very knowledgeable on the lines of vintage Craftsman tools. If they say it was probably originally painted, then I believe them.
As to why there was no rust on it?
Maybe the original or subsequent owner didn't like gray and stripped it.
Maybe it was not in a harsh, humid environment that promotes rust in plain steel.
Maybe the original owner lovingly wiped it down with light oil or a special protectant on a regular basis.
Maybe it was made with an alloy steel high in nickel, and that helped resist corrosion.
If you really cling to the belief that it is stainless, then the only way to know that for sure is through a laboratory analysis of the steel itself, which would require cutting out a sample "coupon" of the box (basically destroying any value as a collectible).
Why not just enjoy it for what it is, a VERY nice vintage Craftsman socket set box.
AMEN to that!!!
-
sure, I'll enjoy it as is - it's more that I'm curious - it seems odd that they would specify a high nickle steel, though the fabricator could have gotten a load of surplus "good" steel and used it - whatever it is, it is definately not oxidizing like regular steel.
thanks all for the help
-
sure, I'll enjoy it as is - it's more that I'm curious - it seems odd that they would specify a high nickle steel, though the fabricator could have gotten a load of surplus "good" steel and used it - whatever it is, it is definately not oxidizing like regular steel.
thanks all for the help
I might also have to know the answer and what is so special about its make-up that it does not rust, there must be some sort of test or someone that can answer that question with certainty without destroying the box but you just have not found it here.
Keep searching the internet or talking to local people that deal with metals, you will find the answer and when you do hopefully you will post it here.
-
Mix up a solution of regular table salt, and tap water. Spray a light misting of it on one of the flat surfaces. Leave it alone for a couple weeks.
Then you will have your answer. If it rusts, not stainless. Re-buff it.
If it doesn't rust, then could be stainless.
Here's a bunch of tests you can do to it, if you have the resources and time http://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=1234
Otherwise, no sure way to conclude it is stainless. Your original post states "it sure acted like stainless steel"--which leads me to believe you have experience buffing SS. Use that experience, do some further testing, and let us all know your conclusions.
I am very curious now as to it's composition. It may be a one-off prototype.
-
It is also possible that the hammered silver paint happened to be rich in laquer and coated it better than usual...
I have seen wrenches that were painted with wrinkle finish paint have the paint flake off leaving perfectly clean polished steel underneath...doesn't necessarily mean it won't rust, just that it hasn't rusted yet....
Some Chrome steels will resist rusting somewhat better than normal steel, and are magnetic, others will rust like mad, There was a company that made a batch of resturant sinks out of a chrome alloy , they looked just like stainless sinks, and they were *much cheaper*, but to the annoyance of the folks that bought them, they all rusted within a few months of having chlorine bleach applied to them....Small changes in alloying have surprising effects on corrosion resistance...
I would be really surprised if it's anything other than plain old sheet steel tho, we are talking mass market sold through mail order here...
It is also possible the steel was tinned or leaded to make it easier to die form, used to be common to do that, the old dies weren't as durable as they are now, making the steel a little 'slippery' made them last longer.
(lead coated steel also holds paint better, when bare, it gets dull, but polishes up easily...)
-
Old saying..............
When you hear hoofbeats in the distance? Think horse, not zebra.
The overwhelming most likely scenario, is a regular box, polished out well. Probably someone who worked in a chrome shop and polished metal for a living, and did it for themselves.
It might be plated in nickel, or even chrome??
If you showed us good clear pictures of the hinges and little clasp catch on the front?? Well these will be the hardest to polish, down in the cracks, so hand polished will show up here.
I wouldn't spray acid or leave it in saltwater or anything else that will ruin a fine polished bare steel finish or a chrome finish either one.
If its polished bare steel its only a matter of time before it dims anyway. Nickel will last longer and chrome longer yet, but they are eventually doomed too.
Enjoy it while you can!! Keep it clean, warm and dry.
Its special, take my word for it.
Don't kill it with curiosity.
yours Scott
-
I wouldn't spray acid or leave it in saltwater or anything else that will ruin a fine polished bare steel finish or a chrome finish either one.
If its polished bare steel its only a matter of time before it dims anyway. Nickel will last longer and chrome longer yet, but they are eventually doomed too.
Now, surely you don't think I was completely serious in suggesting this, do you Scott?
After several times of people saying it is more than likely plain steel, the OP insists on believing it is stainless.....the only way to know is by destructive testing in a scientific setting. At least that is the vibe I get reading each of his responses.
I posted what I said, in a more tongue-in-cheek fashion than malicious one.
and, to be honest, I think it's a horse as well, not a zebra. Unfortunately, the OP keeps beating that horse after it is dead........thus, my post about destructive testing methods.
-
well, after some more careful inspection, I think youi are right that it is not stainless, I had thought this stain was a stain, but it looks like rust - see photo. Still, I am very surprised that there is so little rust on this thing. Maybe it is leaded, that would explain a lot - thanks for all your help with this, whatever it is made out of. If I had a brinell machine, I could do an interesting test, but I don't.