Any Updates on the Craftsman Premium Ratchets?

[toolmutt]

To the Sears/Danaher info gatherers lurking here, add one more tic mark to the "not on display/employee had no idea what customer was talking about" column. I tried three stores with no luck.

 

[Stuey]

What I don't understand, is why take like 3 years or whatever to design them and then not even bother to do some serious marketing on them and make them widely available? Just imagine if in a year or two they discontinue them because of "lack of interest", implying people don't want a good USA made ratchet, just cheap Chinese stuff... LOL.

Its like singing in the shower and only a few people can even kinda hear you and then complaining that you have talent but no one will call you, that people just don't seem to be interested in what you have to offer but you really didn't put yourself out there for the world to see...

3 years seems like a long time, but it probably includes market research, user surveys, and separate engineering of the various components. There were probably several prototype iterations before the final one.

But I agree - where's the marketing? Sears has heavily advertised their new right angle impact driver this fall, so why not something like these ratchets?

In reality I don't think they spent three years to develop it. I think that Armstrong/danaher had it out for three years before they turned it into a Craftsman. Three years of real world testing and they restyled it for use as Craftsman. If it took an actual 3 years to develop a ratchet then they need to stop using a file and hacksaw to build them in R&D

That makes no sense.

If it wasn't for GJ they probably wouldn't have sold but 6 of them nationwide as of today.

The ratchets were featured in the new catalog. A lot of GJers would have found out about the ratchets without the forum's help.

If only we could talk to the Sears/Danaher marketing/product development teams; we could give them a serious earful about what they could do to make these ratchets fly off the shelf.... BUT would it really make any difference?

You can. That's what Twitter and Facebook are for.

http://www.facebook.com/craftsman
http://twitter.com/craftsmanclub
http://www.craftsmantooltalk.com/BBS/

They do listen to feedback.

 

[SnowBlaZeR2]

yes, ive held one and felt it/ turned it. IMO they are the same in quality as a gearwrench, not up to par with a snap on f80, and i dont think theyve been around enough to really see how durable/reliable they are.

snap ons last almost a year for me before they need a rebuild, any other craftsman ive had maybe a month of daily use and theyre back to the sears store for another one

im NOT going to buy one, but if someone does who is a mechanic, post back after a month or 2 of daily shop use and tell us if it lasts or not

but opinions are opinions, im not a big fan, you obviously are, and i doubt were going to change each others minds on the subject

We probably aren't going to change anyone's mind. I just don't get why people feel the need to post up criticism of tools they don't own. I'm sure cumulatively I've used my ratchets longer than a month of a "pro's" use with no issues. I do own them, and like them. That's all I'm trying to say. I have Snap on ratchets, and they aren't doing any better than these. I also think the handles are much better on the CMan Premium ratchets than anything else I have.

Merry Christmas.

 

[jay50]

I've had the 3/8 and 1/4 for about a month now and they are now my go to ratchets.
No complaints.
Another guy in the shop bought him a 3/8 after trying mine out a while; uses it more now than his SOF80s

 

[mrholeshot]

That makes no sense.


.

My point was is that Sears didn't do the reaserch. Armstrong already had this ratchet in a slightly differant platform (matco 88) for some time. They jhst blew smoke as they claim it was in development for 3 years. They just made slight mods to modify it into a differant looking ratchet. If it took more than a week to develop it would shock me. All their R&D is really matco's gear drive system already in the feild. Make no mistake, I really like the ratchets I just don't like how sears is handling them. While they may have been in the Holiday catalog only ********* tool users would take them serious.

 

[Stuey]

My point was is that Sears didn't do the reaserch. Armstrong already had this ratchet in a slightly differant platform (matco 88) for some time. They jhst blew smoke as they claim it was in development for 3 years. They just made slight mods to modify it into a differant looking ratchet. If it took more than a week to develop it would shock me. All their R&D is really matco's gear drive system already in the feild. Make no mistake, I really like the ratchets I just don't like how sears is handling them. While they may have been in the Holiday catalog only ********* tool users would take them serious.

Your comment that Sears didn't do "the research" is preposterous. Are you in any position to talk about Danaher's R&D programs? I didn't think so.

You also seem to be forgetting the distinction between Danaher, Craftsman, and Sears. They're not the same entities and it is inaccurate to describe them all as if they were.

Danaher developed the tool, Craftsman and Sears are responsible for marketing it. I agree with you that Sears is poorly marketing the tool, but they might just be waiting for a good time.

Now that the holidays are over, Sears might trade some gift-worthy tool marketing for every-day tools like these ratchets.

 

[Fedwrench]

Some of you are taking these ratchets way too seriously for not owning them. If you want to buy them, fine. If you don't want to buy them, that's fine too. No one really cares if you buy them or not except maybe sears and Danaher/Armstrong.
For those of you that equate them to Gearwrench ratchets, ok. All of the Danaher made 60 tooth ratchets are basically the same internally. The Craftsman 84 and matco 88 are simply a finer tooth version of that 60 tooth model. The pawls, selector, and gear are the same aside from the number of teeth and the prescence of a quick release. The Craftsman premium did get the better screw retained, thicker steel gear cover instead of the thin steel and snap ring found on most danaher made ratchets and the Craftsman is US made.
The bottom line is use them if you want to. However, just because I like them doesn't make me wrong for using them.
Oh, and if you're wearing out ratchets in a month or so, invest in some cordless tools or at least an air ratchet.

 

[moparmuscle88]

Oh, and if you're wearing out ratchets in a month or so, invest in some cordless tools or at least an air ratchet.

i got plenty of air tools, snap on and ingersoll rand impacts, 3/8 and 1/4 air ratchets etc,

but your gonna tell me that in a tight spot where you cant get an impact, an air ratchet actually has more torque for taking the fastener off than your own hand with a 3/8 ratchet? ... not a chance

 

[Pro-Painter]

Your comment that Sears didn't do "the research" is preposterous. Are you in any position to talk about Danaher's R&D programs? I didn't think so.

You also seem to be forgetting the distinction between Danaher, Craftsman, and Sears. They're not the same entities and it is inaccurate to describe them all as if they were.

Danaher developed the tool, Craftsman and Sears are responsible for marketing it. I agree with you that Sears is poorly marketing the tool, but they might just be waiting for a good time.

Now that the holidays are over, Sears might trade some gift-worthy tool marketing for every-day tools like these ratchets.

What time could be better then black Friday/Christmas?
Thats like going fishing after you feed all the fish.....
It seems to me sears/craftsman waited to introduce the ratchets until the Christmas catalog, then failed big time to promote them any further. Most sears stores have them in stock yet fail to put them on the floor.

3yrs is hella long time for a company as large as craftsman to design a ratchet. Especially a ratchet that is basically the same design as others the same parent company manufactures. It's not like they invented a whole new tool, never seen before.

 

[mrholeshot]

Your comment that Sears didn't do "the research" is preposterous. Are you in any position to talk about Danaher's R&D programs? I didn't think so.

You also seem to be forgetting the distinction between Danaher, Craftsman, and Sears. They're not the same entities and it is inaccurate to describe them all as if they were.

Danaher developed the tool, Craftsman and Sears are responsible for marketing it. I agree with you that Sears is poorly marketing the tool, but they might just be waiting for a good time.

Now that the holidays are over, Sears might trade some gift-worthy tool marketing for every-day tools like these ratchets.

Damn, You would think you designed it. It's a Matco 88 inside minus 4 teeth with a few suttle differances. The rest of the problem with sears is pretty clear. Personally I like the ratchets, Ill be even more satisfied when I can get my 1/2 replaced.

The guy from Danaher said the Craftsman Premium ratchet has been under development for three years. I think thats a crock. I think they are using Matco 88's as the development period.

 

[Hiball]

GJ is the **** Anymore.... Hey Heres a Idea, Dont turn every thread into a Freaking Argument. I was only asking for updated Reviews from the members who owned one. You guys are so hung up on your brand preference whether its Snap On or HF you feel you have to prove something in 80% of the threads that Post up even when the OP isnt asking for Opinions.

 

[Stuey]

What time could be better then black Friday/Christmas?
Thats like going fishing after you feed all the fish.....
It seems to me sears/craftsman waited to introduce the ratchets until the Christmas catalog, then failed big time to promote them any further. Most sears stores have them in stock yet fail to put them on the floor.

3yrs is hella long time for a company as large as craftsman to design a ratchet. Especially a ratchet that is basically the same design as others the same parent company manufactures. It's not like they invented a whole new tool, never seen before.

Black Friday/Holiday shopping is a good time for everything to sell, but with limited resources, retailers focused on bestsellers and high-margin products. The types of tools that family and friends look to buy for tool users.

Ratchets like this are tools that tool users buy for themselves for use, not as gifts.

 

[stock z/28]

They seem to be very nice ratchets, but maybe at pricey for me right now,

I asked about them after I read about them here, and no one at Sears knew anything about them. A couple of weeks later a Sears guy I know said they had some and went in back and got them for me to look at.

I did not buy them based on cost, but I do like them.

A couple of weeks later they had them laying on lower shelf where the ratchets and sockets are displayed. They have sold all they had, as well as the standard series 1/4 flex ratchet they just came out with.

I wonder if possibly the time that these were introduced was just to close to the holiday season for them to properly handle the introduction?


Someday I will probably buy some, but at this stage in my career I don't spend much money on something that doesn't really fill a need and I have some nice ratchets already. Someday I will get some.

I agree with Mr. Fedwrench about the flexheads. I would probably buy a 1/4" and 3/8" flex head version.

 

[wrenchr]

GJ is the **** Anymore.... Hey Heres a Idea, Dont turn every thread into a Freaking Argument. I was only asking for updated Reviews from the members who owned one. You guys are so hung up on your brand preference whether its Snap On or HF you feel you have to prove something in 80% of the threads that Post up even when the OP isnt asking for Opinions.

Yup sounds like we need some popcorn and beer

 

[SnowBlaZeR2]

GJ is the **** Anymore.... Hey Heres a Idea, Dont turn every thread into a Freaking Argument. I was only asking for updated Reviews from the members who owned one. You guys are so hung up on your brand preference whether its Snap On or HF you feel you have to prove something in 80% of the threads that Post up even when the OP isnt asking for Opinions.

I apologize if I was the cause of any of that. I just can't stand it when people **** on a tool they don't even own, because something they have is apparently "better".

 

[never enuf time]

It sounds like they have'nt made a enough of them to market them yet. Would'nt that be worse to promote something without having enough to sell. The good thing is we are talking about a good made in usa tool with some demand.

 

[blue dog]

In my eye's this ratchet seems to be strange choice for a company that has done away with a pro line all together and is outsourcing more and more every day. Then to only manufacture enough ratchets so half the stores get a few seems to make no since. I would love to purchase a 3/8" and 1/2 version, if only i did not believe they were a myth. The powers that be high up in the food chain at CRAFTSMAN have dropped the ball again. Sad to someone that has used cman tools for 26 years, i would love to see them turn it around and amaze all of us, but i believe that ship has sailed.

 

[Kirbot]

They seem like really nice ratchets, though I haven't seen them in person.

My only fear is that after spending so much money on them, they won't be around very long.

I mean, if I spend $80 on a ratchet, and in 2 years I get it warrantied, and get some Chinese thing for it... I wouldn't be happy.

Of course that could be true with any company, but personally I would put more trust in a company like Snap-On to continue making good stuff.

Of course, the way Mac has gone, maybe I shouldn't...


Not trying to start any arguments, just sharing my opinion.
-Mike

 

[catfish]

In my eye's this ratchet seems to be strange choice for a company that has done away with a pro line all together and is outsourcing more and more every day. Then to only manufacture enough ratchets so half the stores get a few seems to make no since. I would love to purchase a 3/8" and 1/2 version, if only i did not believe they were a myth. The powers that be high up in the food chain at CRAFTSMAN have dropped the ball again. Sad to someone that has used cman tools for 26 years, i would love to see them turn it around and amaze all of us, but i believe that ship has sailed.

The reason is probably thus.
The bean counters deliberately created a low supply of these things so they could then go to the higher ups and say "We made a high end US ratchet but people just didn't buy it they wanted the cheaper stuff"

 

[blue dog]

The reason is probably thus.
The bean counters deliberately created a low supply of these things so they could then go to the higher ups and say "We made a high end US ratchet but people just didn't buy it they wanted the cheaper stuff"

That is a lot of money to spend on R and D,and manufacturing to supply enough ratchets to 7 people. And not to mention the absolute lack of promotion for the new upgraded ratchet.

 

[Prior]

Snap-On doesnt make a dual 80 1/4". Their 1/4" is 72 tooth. All the craftsman premium ratchets are 84.5 teeth. In terms of swing its serious nitpicking but all the same these enjoy a slight tooth count advantage.
Ahhh, I saw the "dual 80 technology" term and just figured. My mistake. Still, 72 teeth to 84 is significant enough to feel. I can't wait to give one a serious try. Man, I have never bought a Craftsman ratchet new for myself unless it was in a kit that was a rockin' deal. None have ever been used by me more than a couple of times. They have always loaner tools.

Craftsman literature says they are 84 teeth, which makes sense... How do you make an 84.5 tooth ratchet?

 

[472scout]

Wasn't this just released like 3 months ago? I have no idea what the specifics are regarding the CM premium ratchets sales plan, but I do know the entire marketing, manufacturing, supply chain is a bit more complicated then some people are making it out to be. Many times corporations will chose to slowly roll out new products to minimize the risk. It doesn't make sense to dump big bucks in advertising, inventory, etc. unless you know for a fact that all the production sources can keep up, it will be sell like hot cakes (this is an expensive tool for CM), and that there won't be initial quality or design issues. Thinking back the last 5 years I can think of about a dozen companies that missed the bulls-eye in a big way on new products including Sony, Toyota, Apple, and IR.

 

[trainwreck]

I put my money where my mouth is, and ordered one in 3/8". It should be ready for pickup "later today." I'll try to post pictures when I have it in hand.

Ironically, there's some small part of me that feels weird about buying a non-raised panel ratchet. It's all my dad ever had in his garage.

 

[mrholeshot]

How do you make an 84.5 tooth ratchet?

Take a Matco 88 and strike the handle with a big dead blow hammer, lol

 

[Prior]

Take a Matco 88 and strike the handle with a big dead blow hammer, lol

Like the response, but doubt it's a repeatable process!

 

[Skin]

Craftsman literature says they are 84 teeth, which makes sense... How do you make an 84.5 tooth ratchet?

they rounded it to 84 to avoid confusion, the pawl is stamped "84 1/2".

the pawl probably has an odd number of teeth.

...message deleted as to not appear rude. Fine... you are right... the sears business model is an example to all of how a successful business should be run.
/Sarcasm off.

i just dont understand what more you want Craftsman marketing to do. Spend a few million on marketing the $50-$80 ratchets to the average joe? Perhaps buy some prime time tv spots? I'm sure they'd get that money back in sales.

 

[a390st]

I'd just like it if they could get a few in stock in local stores. It's been a few months and they still don't have any in around here, and this is one of the larger metro areas in the country.

 

[SnowBlaZeR2]

I'd just like it if they could get a few in stock in local stores. It's been a few months and they still don't have any in around here, and this is one of the larger metro areas in the country.

I just got back from my Sears and they have a whole display of them now. I grabbed a set for my brother. I didn't count how many were there, but I don't think they will be running out any time soon. The employees actually BSed with me about them for a bit too.

 

[pipeyeti]

I went to my local store today and asked for the ratchets and lo and behold only one guy there knew what I was talking about and they were stashed in a drawer behind the counter. The guy said he didn't know were they were supposed to be but that they had had them for a few weeksand they have been sitting in the drawer. I bought the 1/4 inch drive and will take it to work with me tomorow and put it to use. Piss poor marketing on sears part.

 

[zer0cell]

they rounded it to 84 to avoid confusion, the pawl is stamped "84 1/2".

the pawl probably has an odd number of teeth.



i just dont understand what more you want Craftsman marketing to do. Spend a few million on marketing the $50-$80 ratchets to the average joe? Perhaps buy some prime time tv spots? I'm sure they'd get that money back in sales.

Okay buddy, how about for starters putting maybe a 18" x 36" or similar size cardboard poster with a picture, details, and maybe a few professional reviews somewhere near the ratchet section inside of sears so that people can get a little info about the new premium ratchets. That would be pretty inexpensive to have one piece of cardboard inside each sears store... or would that be out of budget?

Next, if sears has enough money maybe they could you know, actually put one set on display - if that is too big of a financial risk for them do I really want to trust investing in a tool collection with a 'lifetime' warranty from a company which is apparently on the brink of financial ruin? I'd honestly rather buy a snap-on ratchet even though it is more expensive... at least they can afford to have them inside their tool trucks . To ask a customer to spend more money than he/she probably ever has on a craftsman ratchet wouldn't it be nice to handle it and see it first-hand before ordering? Lets not even get into warranty issues as mrholeshot as already experienced.

Oh and how about getting the sales associates to help market the the new products and give out a little literature on the new ratchets and up-sell them? They do it on appliances...

That could be a start and it would not risk sears going bankrupt in the process. If you don't agree with me that's perfectly okay with me. To imply that I would need a ratchet thrown at my head though upon entering a store though seems a bit antagonistic however and I take offense to that. It is my opinion that when a successful business fails it is often due to incompetence. This could take the form of poor research, trust in the wrong individuals, laziness, delusions of grandeur, etc etc. Sure there may be some exceptions such as a death, illness or natural disaster but often times it is plain ignorance and unwillingness to be open minded and try new strategies when the old ones are no longer successful. Yes market conditions change BUT you must be able to adapt. Those who do not adapt will perish.

 

[Hiball]

Blah........

 

[zer0cell]

Whatever... sorry I got off topic. I'm done with this thread.

 

[xcgates]

I only went to one store, but count me as one person who couldn't find them anywhere, even after asking some of the employees.

 

[rhastings80]

I stopped by Sears this afternoon near my house and couldn't find it. I didn't even bother asking.

 

[Kirbot]

I only went to one store, but count me as one person who couldn't find them anywhere, even after asking some of the employees.

I've been in two sears in the last month or so hoping to see them.
But I didn't...

 

[Tom2]

Haven't seen them in any of my Sears stores..Only heard about them here.

 

[NWphotog]

I saw them in 3 out of 3 Sears stores but they were very easy to miss.

 

[Hiball]

I couldnt find them in the Mid River's Mall in St. Peters, MO but after asking, they had them on a end isle near the checkout up High with a Cardboard display. They had all sizes in stock and i man-handled every ratchet and when they go on sale or get bundled up, I Might buy a set. Im still torn a bit because of the Price and there Resemblance to the Matco version. I will admit i dig the Handle design, When i first seen the pics i was leary but it didnt feel bad Comfort wise.

 

[Kirbot]

I saw them in 3 out of 3 Sears stores but they were very easy to miss.

I wandered around the tool section for 45 minutes, they definitely weren't there.

 

[xcgates]

Though to be fair, I would have to be pretty impressed to shell out money, the raised panels I have work well enough for what I do. As hard as it is, I try to avoid duplication. Unless it is something like tape measures, eye/ear protection, or other things I never seem to have within arm's reach when needed.