![]() ![]() Noticeably absent from the 64 sets are metric tools. It included 1/4″, 3/8″, 1/2″, and 3/4″ drive sizes, as well a nice assortment of wrenches and other essentials. In 64 the biggest set in the catalog was the 195 piece set at a retail cost of $189.95. We can debate the differences and contributing factors on the forums for weeks if that’s what you want, but this article is just for fun.Ĭraftsman has always been popular for their tool sets. ![]() Where once there were endless American made options, there are few that remain. ![]() The homeowner tool market looks very different than it did 50 years ago. Yes, I know that the level of quality of today’s Craftsman is much different than that of the V series, and that they were American made as opposed to being Chinese today, but I feel the Craftsman of yesterday still appeals to much of the same user base as it does today. It takes the prices, runs them through the Department Of Labor Inflation Calculator, and compares them to the prices of the same or similar items today. This article examines the 1964 Craftsman Hand and Power Tool catalogs. What more can you really ask of your tools? I have no regrets about any of these tools.” In short, they were value priced, well made, tools that have performed flawlessly over the long run. “Here’s what I can say about the Craftsman tools of the 1960’s:Ģ) None have worn out, though some, like screwdrivers, have been touched up on the grinderĤ) All have served me well over the last 6 decadesĥ) Some have been passed on to my son who continues to use themĦ) Most still look good in spite of their hard use and age. In addition to offering some of the information above, he had this to say as well: Gary Lauver of Belton, TX knows more about vintage Craftsman than any guy I know. This period is widely considered to be one of the better era’s of Craftsman production. Williams, Empire, Miller’s Falls, and others. Though using Moore Drop Forge as their primary OEM, tools of this period came from a host of manufacturers including Western Forge, Wilde, Kastar (Lang), J.H. In 1964 Craftsman was in the “V” series era. They were truly an American icon and were by most accounts, the last affordable, American made, line of tools that a typical homeowner could justify the price of. They were always geared more toward the DIY crowd, but for most of their history their affordable price and great quality ensured they found their way into their fair share of pro boxes as well. ![]() From the very beginning they were made under contract by some of the finer manufacturers of the time including Plomb, New Britain, Moore Drop Forge, Easco, and many others.Ĭraftsman was never a truly “professional” brand. Sear’s never manufactured their own tools. Introduced in 1927, Sear’s Craftsman line of tools became arguably the most popular brand of tools in America and you were hard pressed to find a garage anywhere in America that didn’t have at least some Craftsman tools in it. In a day long before the internet, their catalog was often called the “Consumer’s Bible” and at one time even included houses and automobiles. For decades they were America’s largest retailer and a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Though it might be hard to believe today, for the 20th century in it’s entirety Sears was a giant. Now, I’ve lived my life up to this point believing this view of yesteryear to be true, but as I started taking a fact based look at it, I discovered that at least part of that utopian recollection may be somewhat debatable. They’ll tell you how in their day, prices were reasonable, people were honest, and the world was a lot better off as a whole. Part of growing up is listening to your parents and grandparents gripe about how expensive everything is now. ![]()
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