Craftsman Tools with the =V= Manufacturer's Mark

[Jim C.]

Craftsman 1/4" drive socket set with metal case and bullet shaped sockets.

Jim C.

[lauver]

Jim C.

That is a really nice set.  I'm especially fond of the tapered sockets and the box-head ratchet.  I believe these were made about 1955 to 1959, perhaps earlier.

This was Craftsman =V= at it's finest IMHO.

[Jim C.]

Jim C.

That is a really nice set.  I'm especially fond of the tapered sockets and the box-head ratchet.  I believe these were made about 1955 to 1959, perhaps earlier.
This was Craftsman =V= at it's finest IMHO.

Thanks lauver.  The case is a little rough, but the tools themselves are still in nice condition.  I put a thin foam pad on the inside bottom of the case to keep the tools from getting banged around too much.  I posted this set on another site a while back when it was missing the 1/4" 8 point socket.  One of the readers there had an extra socket and sent it to me, so now it's complete. I also agree with you that the set was produced during a time when Craftsman tools were at their best.

Jim C.   

[bear_man]

And while anyone's at it, "what's the deal" with Any of the different marks?

[lbgradwell]

The marks indicate different manufacturers...

[Chillylulu]

The marks indicate different manufacturers...

... or different manufacturing facilities at a manufacturer.

Best resource for figuring it out is Lauvers work here: http://www.thegaragegazette.com/index.php?topic=867.0

Chilly

[Jim C.]

The marks do designate the manufacturer, and if one knows when a certain manufacturer made tools for Craftsman, then the approximate era in which a tool was produced.  I'm fond of Craftsman tools from the late 1950s to the early 1970s, hence those with the =V= manufacturer's mark.

Jim C.

[Chillylulu]

From Lauvers article:
"V = Moore Drop Forge, ca. 1946 - 1967
V (continued) = Easco, ca. 1968 - 1986 perhaps as late as 1991 as NOS"

Is one -V- and the other =V= ?

I've been saving both kind in my box since I first read this thread, and actively building a set.  Have I been building 2 sets?  If yes, then dang - that's cool!

Larry

[Chillylulu]

Part of the answer (from Alloy Artifacts,  Moore Drop Forging web page:

https://home.comcast.net/~alloy-artifacts/moore-drop-forging.html#history

"The Formation of Easco

In 1967 Moore Drop Forging was acquired by the Eastern Stainless Steel Corporation, a maker of stainless and specialty steels, and by 1969 the company had been restructured as the Easco Corporation. Easco continued the Moore contract for production of wrenches and socket tools for Sears, and also offered a line of hand tools under the Easco brand."

[bear_man]

Thanks very much, Chilly!

[Chillylulu]

Hey, Lauver had the following in GG:

"It's not uncommon to run into mixed series codes in tools sets. I don't think there is any noticable difference between the -V-, =V=, or G series sockets.  And, for all practical purposes, they're all made by the same company and all made in U.S. facilities. I wouldn't lose any sleep over it."

I have often found G series mixed in with V series. I throw them in with the other non-v series tools.

Whats your thoughts on the G series?

Chilly

[Chillylulu]

Bought this last week. I found some v's on higher definition.  I was watching this auction for 12 weeks. It's shipping down from Michigan.

Note some of the drive tools (I added the sloppy arrows)









Its gonna be Christmas in July in Colorado next week.

Chilly

[oldtools]

Very Lucky Chilly!!!  Beautiful tools..

[Jim C.]

GREAT score Chilly!!!!!  I'm envious of the 3/8" speeder ratchet.  That one is definitely on my "must have" list.

Jim C.

[Jim C.]

A pair of Craftsman 1/4" drive ratchets with the "V" type selector.  V selector ratchets are some of my favorites. 

Jim C.