Tool Talk

Wrench Forum => Wrench Forum => Topic started by: kxxr on October 02, 2011, 07:42:04 PM

Title: cool craftsman wow!
Post by: kxxr on October 02, 2011, 07:42:04 PM

(http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn48/kxxr/tools/Clipboard01-1.jpg)

Title: Re: cool craftsman wow!
Post by: Neals on October 03, 2011, 01:03:29 AM

I've never seen any like those. Any idea of vintage?

Title: Re: cool craftsman wow!
Post by: amertrac on October 03, 2011, 07:04:38 AM

WOW and another WOW that belongs in a shadow box on my living room wall   bob w.

Title: Re: cool craftsman wow!
Post by: 64longstep/Brian on October 03, 2011, 10:44:48 AM

Wow is right...

Title: Re: cool craftsman wow!
Post by: scottg on October 03, 2011, 11:37:32 AM

I am pretty sure they should have gone higher than this.
But the pictures were small and dark and not very many of them, focusing on defects mostly.
 Art sells
 yours Scott

Title: Re: cool craftsman wow!
Post by: bonneyman on October 03, 2011, 03:47:35 PM

I believe those handles are the early attempt at plastic. The guys over at GG would know better.

Title: Re: cool craftsman wow!
Post by: clovis on October 06, 2011, 08:48:06 PM

Wow...that is cool!!!!

Early bakelight?

Title: Re: cool craftsman wow!
Post by: fliffy42 on October 07, 2011, 06:34:43 AM

Do those ratchets has  a push button selector switch?

Title: Re: cool craftsman wow!
Post by: Papaw on October 07, 2011, 09:14:21 AM

A push through selector.

Title: Re: cool craftsman wow!
Post by: john k on October 07, 2011, 09:00:49 PM

I have never seen Craftsman handles in yellow lucite, ever!  I have my fathers Craftsman socket set, all steel, ratchet with push thru reverser.  It was a gift to him from his brothers, when he returned to the farm in 1947, so I have a definite date on that.  Perhaps this was a special set, as many things were put on hold due to WWII, an incredible amount of things were not available during the war.  Or maybe was a pre-war set, that was discontinued quickly with the start of hostilities?  A backlit shadow box would make quite a display.

Title: Re: cool craftsman wow!
Post by: kxxr on October 07, 2011, 10:37:08 PM

In 1942, you could have bought yourself a set right out of the catalog or at your local Sears for $32.50.
(http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn48/kxxr/tools/coloramber1942.jpg)
I wonder what is sitting on the shelves right now .... that'll have the same appeal in 2082? If you know, run out and buy a dozen for your great, great, great (how many greats in 70 years?) grandkids college fund.

Title: Re: cool craftsman wow!
Post by: john k on October 08, 2011, 04:10:34 PM

The 1942 date, in my mind shows why they are rare.  With industries turning to war materials, and so many things declared war usage for instance, aluminum, chrome, brass,  I'm betting Lucite was in there too, with all those aircraft canopies to make.   If you will look in the magazines like Mechanix Illustrated, wartime editions, you will find that common items like flashlight batteries, and most ammunition simply were not made during hostilities.  Most of the 1942 model  cars, had painted bumpers and hubcaps as chrome was pulled off the market, and even aluminum pistons were replaced with cast iron ones.  Plastic handled Craftsman, geeez, another thing to watch for at swap meets!  Love it.

Title: Re: cool craftsman wow!
Post by: J.A.F.E. on October 08, 2011, 06:54:04 PM

Quite an expense set there at $32.50. According to the inflation calculator I use 32.50 in 1942 dollars is equivalent to 451.70 in 2011 dollars.

http://146.142.4.24/cgi-bin/cpicalc.pl (http://146.142.4.24/cgi-bin/cpicalc.pl)