Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Welcome! => Beginner's Board => Topic started by: rcmsangab on January 29, 2026, 09:22:30 PM

Title: Craftsman Ratchet Age
Post by: rcmsangab on January 29, 2026, 09:22:30 PM
Hey guys,
Since I have a couple reels in pieces waiting on parts I thought I would putter around on some other stuff and gave this old ratchet a cleaning and lubing. Works perfectly after using the techniques I learned here on Alan Tani for old fishing reels.  Very heavy for its length. Anyway, wondering what era it might be from and whether it was from my dad's or grandad's time since some of the stuff I got from them is mixed together.  Russ
Title: Re: Craftsman Ratchet Age
Post by: Midway Tommy on January 30, 2026, 07:28:12 AM
I'm thinking it's from the 1950 - 1960s based on the appearance and the =V= series indicator.
Title: Re: Craftsman Ratchet Age
Post by: MarkT on January 30, 2026, 08:01:53 AM
I see V as 68-86, made by Easco and VV as 74-89 and VVX both by Danaher. I have all 3! Plus some Snap-On that go back to WW2 when my wife's Grandfather worked at Douglas Aircraft.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/craftsman-hand-tool-manufacturers-date-ranges.84807/#
Title: Re: Craftsman Ratchet Age
Post by: rcmsangab on January 30, 2026, 04:27:49 PM
Quote from: Midway Tommy on January 30, 2026, 07:28:12 AMI'm thinking it's from the 1950 - 1960s based on the appearance and the =V= series indicator.
Quote from: MarkT on January 30, 2026, 08:01:53 AMI see V as 68-86, made by Easco and VV as 74-89 and VVX both by Danaher. I have all 3! Plus some Snap-On that go back to WW2 when my wife's Grandfather worked at Douglas Aircraft.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/craftsman-hand-tool-manufacturers-date-ranges.84807/#

Thanks guys - think it must be one of the early V's after looking around webs some more using your input. No snap ring and pawl held in place by peened lever seem to indicate that. Tommy's late 50's -60's range. So a later purchase by Grandad or an early one by Dad (or he picked it up used later - which wouldn't be like him). Thanks again-knew people on here would have an idea. Russ
Title: Re: Craftsman Ratchet Age
Post by: Midway Tommy on January 30, 2026, 07:07:38 PM
Yeah, the V with an = on both sides is an earlier ratchet.