It's a 1968 patent assigned to Moore Drop Forging Co.

http://www.google.com/patents/US3467231

Quote from: Bus on November 16, 2013, 06:15:13 PM
It's a 1968 patent assigned to Moore Drop Forging Co.

http://www.google.com/patents/US3467231

While it's true that MDF originaly held rights to the patent, they never got to put these ratchets into production.  Easco bought MDF outright in 1968 and got the patent rights as well as the Sears/Craftsman contract. 

The first Crafty RHFT ratchets (3/8" & 1/2" drive) were sold by Sears in 1970.  In 1971, the 1/4" drive RHFT was added.  Over the next 38 years, other models including long handle & flex handle versions in various drive sizes were added.  All in all, these ratchets enjoyed a 40 year run.  In my mind, these are some of the best ratchets ever sold under the Craftsman brand.

Quote from: lauver on November 21, 2013, 01:52:32 PM

Quote from: Bus on November 16, 2013, 06:15:13 PM
It's a 1968 patent assigned to Moore Drop Forging Co.

http://www.google.com/patents/US3467231

While it's true that MDF originaly held rights to the patent, they never got to put these ratchets into production.  Easco bought MDF outright in 1968 and got the patent rights as well as the Sears/Craftsman contract. 

The first Crafty RHFT ratchets (3/8" & 1/2" drive) were sold by Sears in 1970.  In 1971, the 1/4" drive RHFT was added.  Over the next 38 years, other models including long handle & flex handle versions in various drive sizes were added. All in all, this these ratchets enjoyed a 40 year run. In my mind, these are some of the best ratchets ever sold under the Craftsman brand.

And yet, rebuild kits are almost impossible to find. Go figure.

b-man,

Nothing surprises me about Sears or it's suppliers.  I would, however, expect the aftermarket to be swimming in NOS rebuild kits.  I take it this is not the case?

I recall Cripes was selling NOS rebuild kits as recently as a year or two ago; haven't checked lately.

I have not seen many. A few. I see alot more LLTD rebuild kits.
And guys always seem to be asking about where to get RHFT kits. So, I'm kinda assuming they are not around. maybe someone is sitting on a stash, just waiting for all other sources to dry up?

Figured I needed to post a Thank You for this thread, as I opened up a NB ratchet this evening, after checking out the details here first.

Thanks to all !!

Brian

Quote from: RedVise on November 23, 2013, 08:20:26 PM
Figured I needed to post a Thank You for this thread, as I opened up a NB ratchet this evening, after checking out the details here first.

Thanks to all !!

Brian

You are welcome! That's what this is here for.

Got another 1/2" rat today in the mail. An old Bonney AA 707. (looks like Toolpants and wvginseng have one also).
I'm calling it the "sweetheart" ratchet, due to the prominent heart-shaped stamp on the back cover plate. Free floating pawl design. 
https://patents.google.com/patent/US3019682
This thing is built like a Sherman tank! The drive gear is one huge, thick piece of forged steel that seems way over-designed. But, back then they built tools to last.

P.S. This free floating pawl design has been redesigned, and has become the almost universal "Canoe" free floating pawl in most superhigh tooth count pear head designs.

Picked up a rusty, frozen driver today. Just wanted to see what was inside, figured it was worth a quarter.
Reversible design. Has a single pawl with two teeth that "rocks" back and forth to engage and slip like an old clock movement. I'll call it a flip toggle pawl. Seems like most of the reversible mini-ratchets utilize the same mechanism. (YANKEE, General Tool, etc.

By not using rivets this is easy to take apart, clean, lube, and re-bolt together.
Works as good as new!

I know its been a month and a half, but sometime could you get a picture of the Bonney AA 77 with just the cover off and the mechanism's in place?

Thanks,
Chilly

He's those pics of the Bonney you requested.

Well folks, it looks like sometime last week we passed 15k views. People still ask me about this thread, and I've gotten more than a few pats on the back for doing it. It really seems to help folks. And I found one of my ratchet comparison photos on somebody's website!

Thanks and keep on lookin!

Keep on running the thread! It is a treasure.

I get "stuck" sometimes when looking into the "guts" of a ratchet. So,,,,what do I do?I bring up this website, go to this forum, and look up this posting.
It has made "the day" for me many times.
Thanks Bonneyman!!!! You are the EMT of ratchet knowledge and repair !!

Quote from: bonneyman on May 06, 2011, 10:12:27 PM
...

An easy-to-spot "Frankenstein" ratchet, so named because the switching rod sticks out of the neck of the head. S-K and Wright also made "Steiny" rats...

(Post #2 first page)

B-man - I bought a Frankenstein rat identical to yours last Friday. I could not figure out how to get it apart until I did a search and came across this thread.

I got the handle unscrewed, but how the heck do you get the guts out of the head?!

Did you ever figure out a manufacturer? No markings at all ...