C-Man thin profile ratchet sets

[davestlouis]

My local Sears Hardware store has the Thin Profile ratchet sets, 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 drive, back on the shelf, and these have no 80th Anniversary logo. That's the good news, the bad is that they are back at $99 for the set. I was happy to spend less than $50 for the 80th Anniv. set but I'd hate to spend $99. I wish they made some stubby or long handle variants, I might buy some, I like these ratchets more than I might have expected.

[Merkava_4]

I think the XS617MMR would be cheaper. :spit:

[davestlouis]

Merkava, ya bugger. The kind of day I'm having and you kick me when I down. I still can't get on MAC's site...

[eschoendorff]

MAC ratchets are overrated. Hell, Dave, go buy yourself a set of the GearWrench ratchets and call it a day.

http://www.amazon.com/GearWrench-81203-Three-Piece-Ratchet-Cushion/dp/B000NI93E8/ref=sr_1_25?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1208919655&sr=1-25

ps... how do we know that the internals of teh craftsman ratchets are not made in Taiwan and slapped together here????

[davestlouis]

Young Schoendorff, I need more ratchets like a hole in the head, and I have never owned a MAC tool in my life. Not a big fan of the Stanley Works. The closest I have come is an old Proto B-52 Superratchet.

As far as where the guts of the C-Man ratchets come from, there's no telling. I have become pretty cynical about American business and you just never know.

[wrenchr]

B-52 sounds like Williams.

[eschoendorff]

Young Schoendorff, I need more ratchets like a hole in the head, and I have never owned a MAC tool in my life. Not a big fan of the Stanley Works. The closest I have come is an old Proto B-52 Superratchet.

As far as where the guts of the C-Man ratchets come from, there's no telling. I have become pretty cynical about American business and you just never know.

In that case, we're kindred spirits. :beer:

But I have no beef with Proto. So far....

[davestlouis]

Yeah, you're right, I had Proto on the brain...bought some Proto wrenches and got confused. I'm having a senior moment. It is a Williams.

[wrenchr]

Yah proto is more like 5449 or something like that.

[biggsean]

My local Sears Hardware store has the Thin Profile ratchet sets, 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 drive, back on the shelf, and these have no 80th Anniversary logo. That's the good news, the bad is that they are back at $99 for the set. I was happy to spend less than $50 for the 80th Anniv. set but I'd hate to spend $99. I wish they made some stubby or long handle variants, I might buy some, I like these ratchets more than I might have expected.

These ratchets go on sale pretty often in the $69-79 range. That said, I have gotten a LOT of use out of my Craftsman low profile ratchets. They feel really nice in your hand because of the ergonomic shape, and are very smooth because of the 60 tooth gear. Up until the purchase of my Snap On dual 80 series ratchets, these guys were my bread and butter ratchets.

[davestlouis]

Just to confuse me further, I looked at some Proto ratchets at the same pawn shop that I got the Williams at.

[eschoendorff]

Just to confuse me further, I looked at some Proto ratchets at the same pawn shop that I got the Williams at.

The Proto stuff is actually pretty good. MAC is just hyped-up Proto most of teh time. But the Proto is just basic, good USA made tools for USA industry. A lot like Williams... :beer:

[wrenchr]

http://www.mactools.com/MacTools/Catalog/Assets/LargeImages/SXSM116CR_Large_1.jpg

All the idiotic MAC site would give me was an image of the whole set. :confused:

I have the metric and standard. They were $90.00 for both sets together a few months back.

[davestlouis]

I don't have a MAC truck...guess I can find one locally if I have to. I called my Snap On and MATCO guys and they both said they don't sell anything super short. I really don't like Stanley but if they're the only game in town for an item like this, perhaps I should buck-up and just do it.

[wrenchr]

If it breaks call 1-800-mac-tools they will take care of you!!

[wrenchr]

And no I'm not connected to mac tools other than a $400.00 balance with my dealer!! lol

[rsanter]

I was actually able to talk the manager of the OSH store in giving me a break on the low profile 80th ratchet set. they only had 2 sets left and so I bought both.

I still prefer the feel of my snap on ratchets but these are a close second

I have a second set I guess I could make a deal on if someone is interested...

by the way I noticed the non-80th set on sale for 79-or 89- this past weekend

bob

[Stuey]

My store always had the non-80th edition. When I was picking up my 80th set when it was $25, I pointed the difference out to the Sears associate that was luring me to all the other clearance items.

Also, I believe the 80th set has several different product numbers - it's $80 in the catalog, and if the catalog was mailed to you, there should be a 10% discount code in there somewhere.

The cheapest the thin profile sets go for normally is $80 (catalog/website, or in-store sale) - $10 off $50 coupon, = ~$70.

I'd say check ebay as a lot of people are still unloading the sets they purchased for $25-$50.

[DavidtheDuke]

MAC ratchets are overrated. Hell, Dave, go buy yourself a set of the GearWrench ratchets and call it a day.

http://www.amazon.com/GearWrench-81203-Three-Piece-Ratchet-Cushion/dp/B000NI93E8/ref=sr_1_25?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1208919655&sr=1-25

ps... how do we know that the internals of teh craftsman ratchets are not made in Taiwan and slapped together here????

I'm fairly sure the internals are the same as Matco/Armstrong ratchets, and the non-soft grip handled Matco ratchets still say USA on them. And BTW it is illegal to stamp USA without virtually every part being (and yes, I think the ratchet mechanism counts big time in that) USA origin in production and material assembly.

[CitySlicker]

I'm fairly sure the internals are the same as Matco/Armstrong ratchets, and the non-soft grip handled Matco ratchets still say USA on them. And BTW it is illegal to stamp USA without virtually every part being (and yes, I think the ratchet mechanism counts big time in that) USA origin in production and material assembly.
Looking for a little info on the craftsman ratchets, I farm for a living and use my tools not as often as a full time mechanic/tech but I do use my tools to keep assorted tractors and vehicles running. I need to purchase after I lost my last 1/2 ratchet last night. My question is after looking at sears catalog can you guys tell me which would be the better value and is there a difference between the Thin Profile ratchets verses a thin profile NEXT GENERATION ratchet

[Stuey]

As far as I can tell, there is no functional difference between the thin profile ratchets and the next generation ratchets. These ratchets are being advertised in several different ways, that's all.

[xroad]

What is considered THIN? The Sears web site spec does not tell me much of the spec. I have a regular 3/8 and 1/4 ratchet, and a 1/4 breaker bar. I did not measure it but I remember my 1/4 breaker bar is about 1/4 inch thick. How much thinner is the "Thin Profile" they are promoting?

xroad

[T56 Impala]

I picked up one set on sale for $59.xx. Those were the NON-80th ones. When I heard about the close out 80th ones, I picked up 2 more sets at $24.97 I think it was. I really like those as compaired to my teardrop Craftsmans, round head Craftsmans, round head S&K and the round head Proto. They are smooth, strong and feel good in my hand. Others *OPINIONS* might vary a little!

[biggsean]

What is considered THIN? The Sears web site spec does not tell me much of the spec. I have a regular 3/8 and 1/4 ratchet, and a 1/4 breaker bar. I did not measure it but I remember my 1/4 breaker bar is about 1/4 inch thick. How much thinner is the "Thin Profile" they are promoting?

xroad

Do I need to pull out my DSLR and snap off some pics? ;)

If you guys want to see comparisons between the F80, Craftsman low-pro ratchet, and GearWrench ratchet I can oblige. Just say the word.

[kythri]

The word. :)

[biggsean]

The battle of the ratchets continues! Here are some comparison pics for you guys:

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d14/BiggSean/tools/ratchets1-1.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d14/BiggSean/tools/ratchets2-1.jpg

Craftsman low pro ratchet vs. SnapOn F80:

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d14/BiggSean/tools/cvf80.jpg

Craftsman low pro ratchet vs. GearWrench:

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d14/BiggSean/tools/cvgw.jpg

Snapon F80 vs. GearWrench:

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d14/BiggSean/tools/gwf804.jpg

[biggsean]

As you can see, the Craftsman is actually the lowest profile out of all three ratchets. I think that the Craftsman low pro ratchet is an exceptional value especially considering that you can usually pick up the entire 1/4-3/8-1/2 set on sale, and it has a quick release button.

As for strength and durability, I think we all know who will probably win that war. ;)

[kythri]

PUT THEM TO THE TEST! BREAK ALL THREE OF THEM!!

:)

Just kidding!

It'd be interesting to see, though. Too bad we couldn't get the tool manufacturers to donate a bunch of stuff for destruction/durability testing...

[Stuey]

PUT THEM TO THE TEST! BREAK ALL THREE OF THEM!!

:)

Just kidding!

It'd be interesting to see, though. Too bad we couldn't get the tool manufacturers to donate a bunch of stuff for destruction/durability testing...

*cough* lifetime warranty *cough*

[CitySlicker]

As you can see, the Craftsman is actually the lowest profile out of all three ratchets. I think that the Craftsman low pro ratchet is an exceptional value especially considering that you can usually pick up the entire 1/4-3/8-1/2 set on sale, and it has a quick release button.

As for strength and durability, I think we all know who will probably win that war. ;)
WHOA, Great pictures, Do you do weddings :thumbup:

Thanks to all for the info, just ordered the 3 pc set of Craftsman Professional Next Generation Thin Profile Ratchet set #009-33442 for 79.99

[eschoendorff]

Sean is our new resident ratchet bitch! :lol_hitti:

:lol:

:beer: