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lauver Craftsman Series Time Frames & Manufacturers:7/27/08 Update
July 29th, 2008 09:42 PM
CRAFTSMAN SERIES TIME FRAMES: 7/24/08 UPDATE

Early Craftsman Series (generally pre-1946, some exceptions):

BC = unknown U.S. manufacturer, ca. ? - ?

BE = New Britain and some Hinsdale, ca. 1931 - 1947

BT = unknown U.S. manufacturer, ca. 1936 - 1938

Cxx = New Britain and probably Hinsdale and Fulton, ca. 1930 - 1936

CI = probably Fulton, ca. 1930 - 1945

CF = Herbrand, ca. 1930 - 1936

C8 = JP Danielson, ca. 1930 -1936

F-circle = possibly Lectrolite or Miller Falls, ca. 1949 - 1964

G-circle = possibly Lectrolite, ca. 1949 - 1959 perhaps as late as 1964

H-circle = New Britain and some Hinsdale, ca. 1931 - 1947

K-circle = SK, ca. 1935 - 1949 perhaps as late as 1984

N-square = unknown U.S. manu., ca ? - ?

P-circle = Wilde, ca. 1945 รข?? 1960

S-circle = unknown U.S. manufacture, ca. ? - ?

V-circle = unknown U.S. manu., ca. ? - ?

U-circle = probably Proto/Plomb/Penens/Fleet, ca. 1944-1948

Modern Craftsman Series (generally 1946 and later, some exceptions):

BF = probably Daido, possibly Hozan, Japanese made, ca 1969 - 1987

C = unknown U.S. manu., ca. 1991

D = unknown Chinese manu., ca. 2002-2008

E & EE = Stanley Works, some U.S. made, some Taiwanese made, ca. 1969 - 1991

F = unknown U.S. manu., ca 2008

G = Danaher, ca. 1990 - 2008

G1 = Danaher, ca. 2000

G2 = Danaher, ca. ? - 2008

GK = Danaher, ca. 2003 - 2008

GK-A = Kingsley Tools division of Danaher, ca. 1999 - 2003

GK-F = Kinsley Tools division of Danaher, ca. 2007 - 2008

GK-G = Kingsley Tools division of Danaher, ca. 2007 - 2008

H = Danaher, ca. 1994 - 2008

HZ = likely Danaher, ca. ? - 2008

I-circle = possibly Parker Mfg Co, ca. 1985

K = SK division of Facom, ca. 1985 - 2004

K3V = Danaher, ca. ? - 2008

KR = Danaher, ca. ? - 2008

KU = Danaher, ca. ? - 2008

KV = Danaher, ca. ? - 2008

KW = Danaher, ca. 2002 - 2008, probably earlier

KX = Danaher, ca. 2002 - 2008, probably earlier
P = Wilde, ca. ? - 2008

PR = Pratt Read, ca. 1995 - 2008

S PR = Pratt Read, ca. 2007 - 2008

T PR = Pratt Read, ca. 2007 - 2008

U PR1-3 = Pratt Read, ca. 2008

V PR = Pratt Read, ca. 2007 - 2008

W PR = Pratt Read, ca 2007 - 2008

T3W = Danaher, ca. 2008

V = Moore Drop Forge, ca. 1950 - 1968 perhaps earlier

V (continued) = Easco, ca. 1969 - 1989, perhaps as late as 1991

VA = Armstrong division of Danaher, ca. 2002 - 2008, perhaps earlier

VF = Danaher, ca. likely early 1990's

VG = Danaher, ca. 1994 - 1995

VH = Danaher, ca. 1994 - 1997

VJ = Danaher, ca. 1994 - 2008

VK = Danaher, ca. 1996 - ?

VL = Danaher, ca. ? - ?

VM = Danaher, ca. ? - ?

VN = Danaher, ca. 1999 - 2001

VP = Danaher, ca. ? - ?

VQ = Danaher, ca. ? - ?

VR = Dahanher, ca. 2003 - ?

VS = Danaher, ca. 1995 - 2003

VT = Danaher, ca. 2006

VV = Danaher, ca. 1990 - 2007, perhaps later

VW = Danaher, ca. 2002 - 2008

V^(2nd V inverted) = Danaher, ca.1992 - 2008

VVN = Danaher, ca. 2005

VVS = Danaher, ca. 2003

VVT = Danaher, ca. 2004 - 2005

VVV = Danaher, ca. 2008

VVW = Danaher, ca. 2008

VVX = Danaher, ca. 2002 - 2008, possibly earlier

W = probably SK Hand Tools, post-Facom , ca. 2005 - 2008

WF = Western Forge, ca. 1965 - 2007

WF ll = Western Forge, ca. 1969

WF U = Western Forge, ca. 2008

WF V = Western Forge, ca. 2008

WF W = Western Forge, ca. 2002 - 2008

D WF = Western Forge, ca. 2000

F WF = Western Forge, ca. 2003

J WF = Western Forge, ca. 1995

K WF = Western Forge, ca. 1995

T WF = Western Forge, ca. 2002 - 2008

V WF = Western Forge, ca. 2002 - 2008

W WF = Western Forge, ca. 2002 - 2008

X WF = Western Forge = Western Forge ? - 2008

Z = Mayhew, ca. 2007 - 2008

3 = Kastar, ca. 1991

4 = Kastar, ca. 1992

[ = Kastar, ca. 2002 - 2008 possibly earlier

.(Dot) = SK, ca. 2008

" " (Tools with no series code) = multiple U.S. manufacturer's including Allied Tool, American Tool, Danaher, Greenfield, Jore Corp, JS Technology, Kastar, KD, Lisle, Mayhew Steel, Midwest Snips, Milbar, Stanley Works, Stride Tool, Sturtevant Richmond, Ullman Devices, Vermont American, Western Forge, and Facom and other unknown foreign manufacturer's, ca. 1986 - 2008


Again, feel free to review, comment, and provide evidence of series codes, manufacturers, and/or dates not shown above. Post away!
lauver Craftsman Series Time Frame Central
July 29th, 2008 10:07 PM
Guys,

Here's the latest updates as of last week. You'll notice the summary list has grown and some manufacturers and date ranges have changed. I've incorporated changes from both the CC and GJ tool forums.

To keep things simple and easy to find, let's try to keep all posts related to series codes centralized on this thread.

At some point, this thread will become too long and combersome and another update of the series code list will be needed, and at that point I will start a new thread like this one, but with a "new update" date. Clear as mud?

After you've had a chance to review the updated series list, please post any questions, concerns, or suggested revisions. Sound like a game plan?
Joe Kastar
July 30th, 2008 07:47 AM
Kastar is A&E Tool of Racine, WI. Star Hoffman was/is a division of theirs and was here in NY at one time (Lindenhurst, LI).

They make the test equipment for the likes of Sears, Matco, Snap On and others. Their stuff is excellent quality, and US made. I have several of their products.

I think automotive tools with "F" in them are KD Danaher, but I could not be 100% sure of this.

Shinn Fu (who bought out Lincoln Automotive from Clore in 1999) told me they make jacks for Sears, and the numbers the person gave me turn out to be the racing style jacks sold at Sears the last few years.

I have older Lincoln stuff, it's superior to the newer stuff they make today.
lauver Kastar & KD
July 30th, 2008 01:58 PM
Joe,

You're right, Kastar is part of A&E Tools. Kastar makes a bunch of stuff for Sears/Craftsman; ratcheting box-end wrenches (older laminated style), magnetic socket inserts, rethreading kits, etc).

The guys at GJ also think series F is the KD division of Danaher. Most of the tools with the F code are specialty tools (brake service, tune up, cylindar hones, etc), which is just the sort of stuff KD is known for. We just don't have the smoking gun yet. I'm guessing that by the end of the week it should be resolved.

You've got good tool instinct and I really appreciate your input.
Joe OEM
July 31st, 2008 12:10 PM
Another easy way to find the "smoking gun" is the instruction sheet that comes with some items.

Call the 800 # and see who answers. I bought wrench set #47038 off Ebay a few years ago and called the # after hours.

I got, "Welcome to Danaher Tools". I got my answer. Danaher made my wrench set for Sears.

Done :).
Paul Yup
July 31st, 2008 11:56 PM
Joe's definitely right about that.

That very technique is how I found out most of who makes Husky stuff for HD.

Specifically, it's how I found out not to over bid on that Florida Pneumatic die grinder on eBay. Found out that the Husky one at HD is the exact same thing, made by Florida Pneumatic. And it's usually cheaper to get it at the store than it is to bid for the FP branded one and pay shipping on eBay.

Just call the Husky tools "1-800" number, select air tools, and the recording will list off the number for FP.

:)
Joe And
August 1st, 2008 06:12 AM
The same way I found out that Stanleyworks makes their toolboxes.

I got a floor model from HD, and I called the # in the drawer and SW answered the phone and the guy sent me the parts N/C.

They are up in Canada.
Joe And
August 1st, 2008 12:23 PM
The HD air tools have (or had) a lifetime warranty. They did in 2002 or so when I bought them.

That started the "hold up the line" issue at HD one day. I noticed the same units I bought, model # for model # went down about $150 total from when I bought them (about 5 or six tools).

I had never used them at that point and wanted an adjustment. They refused. I even brought in the packages so they could see they were new. I then asked where their policy says otherwise. Ummm, it doesn't. LOL.

So I told the manager, we could it a few ways:

1) Give me the adjustment.
2) I call corporate HD and they make you do it anyhow.
3) We can argue and discuss it here all day.
4) #3 causes the line to grow which isn't a good thing.

I then stated I wanted the adjustment and that only because my tools are US made in some cases, and I didn't want the current versions that were not made here.

I got my adjustment....I guess it was my payback for waiting 45 minutes to exchange a Husky screwdriver that would have been 45 seconds at Sears.

Unfortunately when I went to price out my grandfather's garage door, the system HD uses generated a $1500 "basic" door, whereas Lowes was $500 and the door was insulated.

As you know I put that up with the help of two friends, so it worked out that I saved $450 doing it myself.
Adam Sideways
August 6th, 2008 12:09 AM
I got some more subseries info.

I've got a -V- series 43784 Craftsman long-lever ratchet with an F sub-series code, stamped in the snap ring well.

The F, like most of the other sub-series codes is stamped perpendicularly to the raised panel long-axis.

I also have a flex-head ratchet "head" with the F sub-series stamped parallel to the raised panel long-axis, with an underline character stamped under the F.
Joe P=Wilde
August 6th, 2008 09:13 AM
I'm almost sure you have Wilde right as "P". If you look at their product catalog and cover (at least the last time I looked), many of those tools like kinda familiar.....
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