I have a story about a ratchet exactly like that one. In '90-'91 I was working part time at Sears in Evansville Indiana while going to school for electronics. I worked in the hardware department selling Craftsman tools. Whenever someone would come in to exchange broken or worn out Craftsman tools, we'd chuck 'em in a little bin near the register and give them a new replacement. Dead ratchets wound up in a different bin to be rebuilt. We'd always ask the customer if they wanted a rebuilt ratchet to replace their dead one. If so, we'd grab one out of a third bin and they'd be on their way. If they wanted a brand new one, no problem; we'd swap it out and off they'd go. When I started there, they had a ton of ratchets that needed to be rebuilt because no one liked doing it. Well, I was the ratchet guy after that! It gave me a chance to get off the floor and rebuild little 10 minute projects. One day, a guy came in and handed me a ratchet just like the one above. It was in great shape and I could tell it was just gummed up from not being used. I asked him if he'd like me to go through it while he shopped and I would give it back to him in perfect shape. He said no and that he wanted a new "normal" ratchet so I hooked him up. I took the cool ratchet back to my little ratchet lair in back and hid it (my Precious). Shortly after, I pulled it apart, cleaned it up, lubed it and reassembled it with all of the original components and stashed it with the few other cool, old no-longer-made ratchets I had squirreled away. At some point it would have migrated off of the premises to prevent it from being melted down with all of the other dead tools. Within a week, a customer came in and walked up to me and said she was trying to find a tool to replace one that her father had described to her that she wanted to give to him as a gift. She described the ratchet I had in back. I told her that Sears hadn't sold that ratchet for at least 35 years but asked her if she could wait for about 10 minutes because I might have a solution. I found the department manager and asked her if I could sell the ratchet. Going through the stacks of old Craftsman catalogs in back, we figured out what the "current" price should be. When I showed the customer her "new" ratchet, rang it up and bagged it, she cried. (Haven't seen another one in the flesh before or since.)
"expired Ilford Pan 100". That's s Holy Grail right there too. I still have a couple rolls of that in medium format. I save it for special occasions. Fits your little photo op perfectly. Andy
Garage Sale find. 12 rolls of it... This is the second roll I shot. The first lost all contrast, but this roll acted like a brand new roll of film.
I am constantly amazed how total strangers step up and make up for a thiefs wrong doings, Doug must be a terrific guy and the kind of person we all like to do business with, and his refusing to take compensation speaks volumes about his character. I am stoked you are able to start this long awaited project congratulations, Ryan, and a big thank you to Doug. HRP
I know if there was news, we'd hear about it.. But letting you know that the Mag Heist or this story of resurrection hasn't been forgotten.
keep an eye on the local craigslist and marketplace...ask the original owner for any distinguishing marks not seen in the pics...post a wanted ad with a "no consequences" offer and a "reward"...then turn the prick in
The Jalopy Journal
