Need help on decision to sell C'man ratchets

[kc-steve]

Hey all,

I've been organizing my tools recently and ran across a set of Craftsman ratchets that I NEVER used since I got them in a mechanic's set around 1991. I have many other ratchets so I was thinking about selling them, but read on.

The model #s are as follows:
43797, 1/2" drive, polished round-head, made in Taiwan
43796, 3/8" drive, polished round-head, made in Taiwan
43795, 1/4" drive, polished round-head, made in Taiwan

These are not only odd for Craftsman, but I think might be rare. Craftsman doesn't have any info on them. After searching the 'Net I found others seem to like them even better than other Craftsman ratchets. But no one else seems to find much info about them either. Someone said they might be Stanley(?) ratchets. Like I pointed out above, they are polished round-heads. I think I counted 44 teeth based on turning it and counting the clicks. And they are made in Taiwan. (see attached photos)

Rare doesn't necessarily mean valuable, but I HATE to sell something undervalued or might be of value someday. Anyone know much about these ratchets? Anyone want to hazard a guess about what they are worth?

Thanks for looking,
Steve

 

[mrholeshot]

I wasn't aware that this style of Craftsman was made it Taiwan but they were junk no matter who made them or where. Sears was overun with returns when these came out. I thought and am sure I remember they were USA then but maybe they were so bad nobody paid attention to the COO. They look really nice to be 20 years old. I'm sure someone who collects Craftsman would love to have these for there collection. Sometimes it isn't about quality but completing a set. Very nice examples

 

[billymade]

I believe these were Stanley OEM; I would look @ ebay>search>advanced>choose>completed auctions... that will give you an idea for what they are selling for on ebay. I never cared for these much but to each his own; sell 'em! They are what I would consider, "semi rare"; I remember, they used to come in black vinyl zipper case 3/8" drive sets. We would see them from time to time for warranty exchange... not terribly often!

 

[mrholeshot]

I believe these were Stanley OEM; I would look @ ebay>search>advanced>choose>completed auctions... that will give you an idea for what they are selling for on ebay. I never cared for these much but to each his own; sell 'em! They are what I would consider, "semi rare"; I remember, they used to come in black vinyl zipper case 3/8" drive sets. We would see them from time to time for warranty exchange... not terribly often!

I wonder what they would give you now in exchange?

 

[Chris_R/T]

I've still got a 3/8" Drive one of those that I just sort of keep in my box as a spare. Not in as nice of condition as yours though. I can't say I hate using it.

 

[billymade]

It would probably be the next generation round head (if they had a rebuilt one in the drawer, these are discontinued as well); I assume they still have rebuild kits for them. AFAIK, all the round heads are gone in the currently shipping Craftsman line... basically we are down to: standard raised panel tear drop, pro full polished tear drop, thin profile and the new premium grade ratchets!

 

[jayoldschool]

I have the same ones. Not sure where mine were made, never looked. I hate them. I need to get some ratchets with a flip selector.

 

[JSBriggs]

I wonder what they would give you now in exchange?

That might be the best way to optimize the value, as fodder in an exchange for 'X'

-Jeff

 

[mrholeshot]

Task Force uses the same ratchets in their small zip up sets. I have one or their sets I bought for 9.99 that has the 3/8 and 1/4 inch drives. I keep a set the back of my wheelchair that I use away from home. I've had several kits stolen while in hospitals and a few other places. My old chair I use around the house, flea markets and swap meets is much better equipted. I count 44 teeth. It's a POS but if I can mke a minor repair or tire change it's fine. Same ratchet differant name.

 

[mrholeshot]

FWIW I've had crappier (much worse) ratchets get me out of a jam so while they are a pile there are worse. Just not something you would want to make a living with. I've never had to use this one.

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

I think Sears Canada sells those......

 

[mrholeshot]

I think Sears Canada sells those......

Yeah but thats a 3rd world county so it doesn't matter

 

[woody 73]

Funny I never thought of them as rare,what I mean is that I see them all the time in flea type places.

 

[kythri]

After searching the 'Net I found others seem to like them even better than other Craftsman ratchets.

These aren't the round-head fine-tooth models that people like.

 

[volpster31]

damn...i have a few of these and never noticed they didnt have u.s.a stamped on them...i liked the design of them but now im looking at them like theyre junk. i dont use them anyway so maybe ill list them on ebay and hope for a high bid from somebody who thinks theyre "vintage"

 

[lipadj46]

I have a 3/8" USA version of that ratchet and it is really nice after I took it part and cleaned and lubed it.

 

[volpster31]

this guy has one listed as made in u.s.a
http://cgi.ebay.com/CRAFTSMAN-1-4-D...t=Motors_Automotive_Tools&hash=item53e41aed5f

lpadj46, were some of these u.s made????

 

[kc-steve]

this guy has one listed as made in u.s.a
http://cgi.ebay.com/CRAFTSMAN-1-4-D...t=Motors_Automotive_Tools&hash=item53e41aed5f

lpadj46, were some of these u.s made????

Thanks, I looked at that ebay ratchet, both photos, and neither photo says where it is made. My 1/4" ratchet does have the COO stamped on it though. I think it would be wrong to assume it was made in the USA though. Buyer beware.

But as others have pointed out, they all have the lifetime guarantee. No questions asked.

Steve

 

[2drx4]

I think Sears Canada sells those......

Yes. I have about 10 of the fawking things between 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2" drive. They aren't worth much. They discontinued that exact style about a two years ago, I think. That said, I've never broke one other than when it should have broke, but they do skip easier than I would like.

However, mine are not marked 'Taiwan', since most Canadian craftsman stuff never has a COO on it (unless it's older than sometime in the late 80s, I think).

My bet is it's an older set of Canadian ones that made their way south. The part numbers jive for them to be that, off the top of my head.

 

[lipadj46]

this guy has one listed as made in u.s.a
http://cgi.ebay.com/CRAFTSMAN-1-4-D...t=Motors_Automotive_Tools&hash=item53e41aed5f

lpadj46, were some of these u.s made????

Actually looking at it there is no COO on the ratchet so who knows, dos not say Taiwan on it though:

 

[kc-steve]

Actually looking at it there is no COO on the ratchet so who knows, dos not say Taiwan on it though:

It might just be a wild guess, but it appears like a number of unmarked Canadian ratchets got sold in the US, probably at a profit.

Steve

 

[lipadj46]

I found that one under my parent's addition while running a cable line, no idea where it was from.

 

[fourfeathers]

Easily my favorite Craftsman ratchets. I love the spinner, and no quick release, as well as the chrome. I have used those for probably the last 20 yrs. I have had no failures. They sell pretty well used, say $40-50 for the set.

 

[mrholeshot]

Easily my favorite Craftsman ratchets. I love the spinner, and no quick release, as well as the chrome. I have used those for probably the last 20 yrs. I have had no failures. They sell pretty well used, say $40-50 for the set.

How many more do you want? I find at least 10 of these (some like new at flea markets all the time. Never more than 5 dollars and most for 3 dollars in working condition. Sometimes you find them for 10 cents to 50 cents broken. They just seem to draw no attention. I may start buying them and taking them to sears to se what they give me in return.

 

[kc-steve]

. . . However, mine are not marked 'Taiwan', since most Canadian craftsman stuff never has a COO on it (unless it's older than sometime in the late 80s, I think).

My bet is it's an older set of Canadian ones that made their way south. The part numbers jive for them to be that, off the top of my head.

I would probably agree with you about mine being Canadian brought "south" but I ALWAYS used to, and for the most part still buy my Craftsman tools directly from Sears locally. I'm more inclined to think that the ones people mentioned here that don't have the COO stamp are the ones finding their way from Canada.

That would also coincide with my thinking they are rare, because I have never seen them around here in Kansas City. But then again, I have never been to a flea market either. I have only been to a few used tool sales. So I think we have a number of unmarked Canadian ratchets down here, where mine are the US sold Taiwan stamped ratchets.

That said, I think I'm going to put them up for sale on Craigslist locally and be upfront about the ratchets asking a fair price, maybe $25 for the set. If they don't sell, then I'll lower the price at a later date. I'm in no hurry to sell.

Thanks all,
Steve

 

[mrholeshot]

Put them in the classifieds here. Lot of craftsman collectors.

 

[Tool Pants]

I will say what little I know from reading the tool message boards. It is called a tri-wing due to the shape of the selector.

From the flea I bought the 1/4" and 3/8" Craftsman stamped versions. No COO on them. I also bought at the flea a 1/2" that has nothing at all stamped on it. I bought the unmarked 1/2" version because someday I will buy the Craftsman 1/2" version and show with pictures they are the same.

They were made by Stanley in Taiwan. Since Sears no longer has rebuild kits you can get them as a Stanley Blackhawk. I also have a Blackhawk 3/8" that is identical to my Craftsman 3/8" except for the handle. In the last pic I swapped the ratchet cores to prove they interchange between Craftsman and Blackhawk.

Keep in mind the FTC went after Stanley not once, but twice for misbranding the COO.

Your 3 Craftsmans have Taiwan on them. My 2 Craftsmans have no COO on them.

My Blackhawk has USA on it, and I do not believe it because it was produced by Stanley.

It is common for people to assume that because it has the Craftsman name it is made in the USA. That is what the ebay seller is doing, because his Craftsman tri-wing has no COO on it.

When Taiwan was used the part number was compressed to fit in the COO.

 

[cruiser808]

How many more do you want? I find at least 10 of these (some like new at flea markets all the time. Never more than 5 dollars and most for 3 dollars in working condition. Sometimes you find them for 10 cents to 50 cents broken. They just seem to draw no attention. I may start buying them and taking them to sears to se what they give me in return.

Yup - i have some of these. They just sit around. When I was at the pawn shop, I bought $20 worth of tools. I found one of these ratchets all frozen up and asked about it. The manager said, "just take it with you". A little Wd-40 unfroze it, but I put in a Challenger double pawl ratchet kit and lubed it with the RLL. It's a semi decent ratchet now.

 

[2drx4]

They were made by Stanley in Taiwan. Since Sears no longer has rebuild kits you can get them as a Stanley Blackhawk.

Sears Canada still carries the rebuild kits, not that it would really help a guy in the US (I don't think you could order them, I can't order from Sears in the USA).

 

[foolishpride]

I have a Blackhawk socket set kit that has 1/4" and 3/8" drives that I bought in the early '80s. It has the same ratchets. But they are marked USA. Yes, the ratchets are pretty much a POS.

 

[otis66]

this guy has one listed as made in u.s.a
http://cgi.ebay.com/CRAFTSMAN-1-4-D...t=Motors_Automotive_Tools&hash=item53e41aed5f

lpadj46, were some of these u.s made????

If it doesn't say USA on it it's not made in the USA.

 

[wxm]

I have the 1/4 drive version, and actual like it especially the thumbwheel on the top and its long handle.

 

[mrholeshot]

If it doesn't say USA on it it's not made in the USA.

Not according to Snap-On

 

[r07d24]

Hey there,

I found a Craftsman 43797 at a pawn shop recently that was in need of repair. I think I paid less than $5 for it. Once I found out it was not made in USA, I kind of lost interest in it.
Anyways, took it to Sears for replacement or repair. No repair kits for that model, but...
they went and grabbed a brand new $40 1/2" Thin profile fine tooth ratchet off the shelf and replaced it...no questions asked.

 

[chilly460]

Old thread revival, just picked one of these up cheap from the pawn shop, 43797. Mine is stamped USA. I'm surprised on comments here, mine feels really nice and solid, the ratchet drive fits very nice in the head and it's smooth. Are the "junk" tri-wing comments directed just at the Taiwan models, or all Tri Wings? I haven't used mine yet so I can't comment to strength, just commenting on general fit and smoothness.

 

[Wrenches of Death]

These aren't the round-head fine-tooth models that people like.

A subtle wave of the palm and then...

"These are not the round head ratchets you are looking for..."

"He can go about his business."

"Move along....move along..."

WoD

 

[Wrenches of Death]

Not according to Snap-On

I was waiting for someone to make that comment the instant that I read his!

WoD

 

[jjjrmx5]

I wonder what they would give you now in exchange?

They gave me a Craftsman pearhead as a replacement when my 3/8" tri-wing crapped out.

They may now do the raised panel as a replacement.

I have the same set as the OP bought new way back in the 80's. Mine have no COO on them though, which is odd. but are stamped Craftsman with a p/n. I thought I had lost my tri-wing 3/8" back in the day so I bought a second of the same design, then that one broke thus I have a full set and the lonely pear-head.