RARE Craftsman USA 20mm, 12 point, 3/8' Socket

#CRAFTSMAN #MadeInTheUSA #vintage #rare
Check out this rare Craftsman Made in the USA 20mm, 12 point, 3/8" Socket, GK series. It's part # 23346 and was only produced for a limited time. While the 20mm 3/8 Drive 6 point socket (part # 43580) is quite common, the 12 point version is rare. It was never available in stores, only by special order for a very short period of time before Craftsman moved production overseas.

Specific commercial retailers (not Sears) of Craftsman asked for a full assortment of sizes without any skips for their displays. Since at this period of time Craftsman Industrial was being developed (2013/14), they actually rebranded the Craftsman Industrial socket as regular Craftsman to fit within the assortment since Industrial did in theory offer this size special order. The part number starts with a "2" as it is a Craftsman Industrial part number. Because Craftsman Industrial didn't survive for much over a year as a brand there was a really small window of availability to buy this.

[ryandoe]

Ooo I have 2 of those 12 point craftsman and 1 deep. And a USA Williams 12 point 20-22mm. Inherited all my tools from my dad. All USA and Japan made tools. I replaced all my foreign tools (except my good European tools) with my dads.

[patrickshaw]

The only time I ever use 12 point sockets is on the rare 12-point capscrew or nut.
My Dad politely referred to them as "nut fuckers" 'cause they bend up the corners of 6-point bolt heads so bad a righteous 6-point has to be hammered on.

[HiFiInsider]

the YouTube ad revenue from this video should pay for the socket. 😂 I have the same tray.

[kenirwin]

I truly do appreciate that there are videos like this out there. A back story on an obscure product very few people knew existed or frankly would care all that much if it didn't. I myself may find myself motivated to find this hand tool unicorn if it wasn't for the fact that my Craftsman master set came with two 21mm 6pt sockets instead of a 6pt and a 12pt as it should have. So the largest 12pt socket in my set was a 19mm which I can convince myself to be complete.

[MattyMaos]

So the ones I'm having the hardest time finding now is the mid length sets. I found like 3/4 of a sae set a few weeks back but now I'm having a hell of a time finding the last 2 of the set.

[TylerSnyder]

I don't know why, but one socket I had trouble finding was the 43480, 1/4-9/16.
The 43505 4mm was hard to find for me too.
Maybe it was just the time I was looking?

As far as 1/4 deeps goes, do you know what sizes they offered?
I think my SAE's are a relatively full set aside from individually available sizes, but unless I'm missing some the metric set would have been a pretty pitiful offering.

[Mister_Y]

I bought a mechanics set of sockets and wrenches many years ago that came in a pretty big case. It was the inverted G2 series. Is that the marking on that particular socket? I’ve recently noticed that my 20 and 22 3/8” drive 12 point shallow are missing and now can’t recall if the tray never had them or perhaps were stolen now because of the rarity.

[thwaller]

Interesting story on that socket. I filled the gap in my set with another brand, as I needed to with some other sizes as well.

[JimsEquipmentShed]

I love those trays! I ended up using the upper drawers for my sockets.
But this is a lot cleaner.

[Mecal]

I have the same trays but instead of 6 point and 12 point i use them for deep and shallow.
I Did find the 21 and 22mm deep last year. If you need the part number I can get them. For the 20, 21, 22 spots I ended up buying used Snap On (as I don't exclusively go with Craftsman, jus USA-made)
Anyway great video, awesome to actually see one!

[andrewscott]

Where these made by danaher? If so the Armstrong version would be part number 38-120

[ritalockett]

You are very lucky to be able to find these rare sockets and tools that you come across. You just about have it full.

[azrock]

Great find MMM! Not many to go to have that tray filled! Congratulations!

[TomGunnTools]

Nice to see your passion for sockets! I’m not too far off. Good info!

[texjake]

I think that I’ve got a 22mm 12 point 3/8 drive that you are looking for.

[foxywolf]

Very cool and special 😎 How lucky was that find 🍀 That will just complete the tray and make it all work and flow 🐾🦊🐺

[carlosburgos]

I have the 21, 22, 23, 24 12 points socket

[fernandoboss]

Can you tell me how much you paid so I can feel better lol because I do the same