Craftsman Premium Ratchets Review
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SnowBlaZeR2
Well-known member
The Premium ratchets are all longer than the Thin Profiles. The 1/4 are just as thin, but the 3/8 Premium is slightly thicker. I'm not sure on the 1/2. I gave mine away. The weight is hardly noticeable to me, but I don't hold a ratchet for 10 hours a day either.
trainwreck
Well-known member
I cannot conceive of anyone preferring the thin profiles to the premium grades. Then again, no one else has my hand shape, so what do I know? For what it's worth, I find the handles to be a huge improvement, and the added tooth count is just an (albeit rather) nice bonus.
I have HUGE square hands. Most XXL gloves aren't big enough for me. The TP's are wonderful and the Premiums are very uncomfortable. After pulling on them in the store, it was obvious they weren't for me.
I just saw these at my local sears and was impressed, these are by far the best ratchets Craftsman has made. Having said that I will most likely not be buying them, the price although not unreasonable is approaching tool truck prices and these ratchets don't compare to my dual 80''s. The feel of the ratcheting mechanism is not nearly as smooth as a dual 80, while I really like the look and design of the ratchet and square handle the handle is not nearly as comfortable as a round handle especially if you were using it in high torque applications.I like others have noticed the decline of quality in Craftsman tools and when I buy a high priced quality tool I wan't it made right here in the USA, and with many of Craftsman's hard line tools being outsourced who's to say when you walk in to Sears for a replacement a few years from now they don't hand you an imported tool in return. This applies to all Craftsman tools. Also I'm with a few other members in that I don't like quick release ratchets.
$50 [retail with a sale] and $80 is a pretty large difference.
I've had no problems with the handle in use and while i agree some beefy round handles feel good, even when really yanking on it, the F80 isnt one of them for me. The Premium ratchets win hands down for surface area and thats what matters in high torque situations, no question about it.
As far as COO, the Craftman ratchet, like most of them, are proudly stamped USA, how about SO?
I know who i'd be supporting with my dollar if i were some die hard domestic consumer.
I've had no problems with the handle in use and while i agree some beefy round handles feel good, even when really yanking on it, the F80 isnt one of them for me. The Premium ratchets win hands down for surface area and thats what matters in high torque situations, no question about it.
As far as COO, the Craftman ratchet, like most of them, are proudly stamped USA, how about SO?
I know who i'd be supporting with my dollar if i were some die hard domestic consumer.
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moparmuscle88
Well-known member
theyre nicer than the thin profile, but not like a dual 80
i actually like my gearwrench full polish ratchets more, not performance based, just the feel of them
but i'll still take my dual 80's over the craftsman any day, just personal preference, im not a snap on freak
jkeyser14
Well-known member
I just picked up the 3/8" and 1/2" ratchets last week and wanted to leave my opinion. These ratchets are nice. If you like how the thin profile Craftsman ratchets feel you will probably love these. The ratcheting mechanism is very fine and very smooth and the extended handle is a nice touch.
Now for the bad: My local store doesn't carry them so I had to order online. I had an issue with the first 3/8" ratchet that I received where the pawl wouldn't properly lock to one side or the other and would occasionally bounce into the center position and lock the ratchet in both directions. I did return the ratchet and the replacement one is perfect. I also have heard a similar complaint from a couple other people that they got similarly defective ones as well.
Now for the bad: My local store doesn't carry them so I had to order online. I had an issue with the first 3/8" ratchet that I received where the pawl wouldn't properly lock to one side or the other and would occasionally bounce into the center position and lock the ratchet in both directions. I did return the ratchet and the replacement one is perfect. I also have heard a similar complaint from a couple other people that they got similarly defective ones as well.
I just took my first look at Sears Premium Ratchets and there is no way I'd buy them. The single 1/2" on the shelf was very stiff and didn't even turn smoothly. It fealt warped inside and would hang up in certain rotational positions.
There was no 3/8" ratchet.
The 1/4" one was OK but nothing to write home about.
I've completely written off Sears. These ratchet are junk based on what I saw and the rest of their tools are overpriced Chinese ****.
I'll never set foot in a Sears store again.
There was no 3/8" ratchet.
The 1/4" one was OK but nothing to write home about.
I've completely written off Sears. These ratchet are junk based on what I saw and the rest of their tools are overpriced Chinese ****.
I'll never set foot in a Sears store again.
nato
Well-known member
I also agree that all three handles are too long for their drive sizes. I also can't see paying that price tag for a *blah* ratchet, produced from a *blah* company that sells mostly cheap inexpensive cheap tools....it's like they're being d*cks and feel they need to put out these mid-quality ratchets and rudely charge a somewhat hefty pricetag for them. I checked each one out a week ago when i had to warranty a ratchet. other than having a smooth mechanism, no sparks flew for me.
They still look like Matco mutants. Why do they think they can snobly charge that much for a ratchet? 'Premium"??? I'll add another $30-40 and go get a you-know-what from some other source
They need to set themselves apart from the professional competition and I don't know how or when they're even going to successfully achieve that greatness.
To each his own, I understand, but I'm not wasting my heard earned $$$$
Also, if you have personally used a Matco 88 or a Dual 80, you will scoff at these....
I'm serious, not trying to be an a$$h0le about it, but you just 'know'
They still look like Matco mutants. Why do they think they can snobly charge that much for a ratchet? 'Premium"??? I'll add another $30-40 and go get a you-know-what from some other source
They need to set themselves apart from the professional competition and I don't know how or when they're even going to successfully achieve that greatness.
To each his own, I understand, but I'm not wasting my heard earned $$$$
Also, if you have personally used a Matco 88 or a Dual 80, you will scoff at these....
I'm serious, not trying to be an a$$h0le about it, but you just 'know'
Feels just like a Matco 88 to me. I want to do a more formal write up on them as i've been using the 3/8 and 1/4 exclusively for the last few months but i will say that the washing of the parts from the factory has been terrible. I've dismantled a few and found little bits of metal from the machining process still inside, and regardless of their size of these fine particles, they play hell with the fine tooth mechanism. I dont know if i could recommend them if someone wasnt up to doing a thorough cleaning and dropping some fresh oil straight out of the display case.
nato
Well-known member
I'm sure initial QC will be lacking....very much so....They may "click" like an 88, but don't even compare ergonomics wise, to an 88 IMO.
And 84 teeth? WTF? don't be different, just make quality tools...duh!
TireTracks
Well-known member
When my dad signed up years and years ago. he got a card that gave him 10% off all tools.
Now they wont accept it anymore!
I played with one of these at the store. And I honestly dont see how anyone can call these smooth. My raised pannels are much nicer, these had a load of drag compaied to them.
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Theloniousmonk
Well-known member
After having the 1/4" and 3/8" for about a month, I don't really have anything to add that hasn't already been posted:
Likes:
- Handle (smaller hands I guess)
- Length (do have to watch over torquing on the 1/4" though) The extra leverage is nice and actually noticeable.
- Ratchet action is nice and uniform, smooth and predictable with a solid engagement (maybe a bit too solid for the 3/8").
- Strength of the ratchet seems very good too... some ratchets just "feel" like they'll let go if you are torquing them, these don't.
Dislikes:
- 3/8" continues to bind on about every 6th swing/torque - cleaned, lubed with a couple diff. options (do not use RLL on these, it only makes the binding worse), ended up using 3in1 but the mech. still binds.
- Low Stock, trying to warranty the binding 3/8" is like pulling teeth when they won't order new stock. fighting with the numbnuts behind the counter to get the thing warrantied when stock does show up ***** too- already went around and around before we found out they were out of stock.
- Price of the 1/2" is too high imo... I chose a 1/2" Wright Contour Long for less than the Premium 1/2".
Notes:
The 1/4" is my fav. 1/4" right now, it shelved my Facom and Wright... its a damn good little ratchet, the 3/8" is ho-hum w/ the problems (but my experience is isolated for sure).
When you are taking the heads apart, be careful w/ the hex set screws. The drive socket of the screws isn't very good (due to their small size) and may strip w/o any real force.
Overall, GREAT ratchets - I like em. Definitely a commendable offering from Cman & Sears. I will recommend these ratchets to anyone in the market... from my coworkers to my shadetree cousin. I think they can hold their own in any taster's choice challenge.
Likes:
- Handle (smaller hands I guess)
- Length (do have to watch over torquing on the 1/4" though) The extra leverage is nice and actually noticeable.
- Ratchet action is nice and uniform, smooth and predictable with a solid engagement (maybe a bit too solid for the 3/8").
- Strength of the ratchet seems very good too... some ratchets just "feel" like they'll let go if you are torquing them, these don't.
Dislikes:
- 3/8" continues to bind on about every 6th swing/torque - cleaned, lubed with a couple diff. options (do not use RLL on these, it only makes the binding worse), ended up using 3in1 but the mech. still binds.
- Low Stock, trying to warranty the binding 3/8" is like pulling teeth when they won't order new stock. fighting with the numbnuts behind the counter to get the thing warrantied when stock does show up ***** too- already went around and around before we found out they were out of stock.
- Price of the 1/2" is too high imo... I chose a 1/2" Wright Contour Long for less than the Premium 1/2".
Notes:
The 1/4" is my fav. 1/4" right now, it shelved my Facom and Wright... its a damn good little ratchet, the 3/8" is ho-hum w/ the problems (but my experience is isolated for sure).
When you are taking the heads apart, be careful w/ the hex set screws. The drive socket of the screws isn't very good (due to their small size) and may strip w/o any real force.
Overall, GREAT ratchets - I like em. Definitely a commendable offering from Cman & Sears. I will recommend these ratchets to anyone in the market... from my coworkers to my shadetree cousin. I think they can hold their own in any taster's choice challenge.
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Thanks for the review. I bought the 1/2" Craftsman Premium the other night (had it shipped to me from the store for free shipping). I was able to double two 10% discounts so I got the ratchet for just about $65, instead of the usual $80. I will let you know how it works.
-Techniker
-Techniker
W650Mike
Well-known member
I appreciate the time and effort you guys have expended to provide these reviews. I’ll be in a Sears store this weekend and will probably pick a couple up just for grins. Holding the drive and cranking the handle in the store isn’t enough of a test to warrant comment. After a couple weekends in the shop I’ll add my input.
This seems to mirror the difficulty I had with the first review sample. I returned it to Danaher and was told that they implemented a check during production to catch the single gear tooth defect that leads to this problem. Assuming of course that yours and mine suffered from the idnetical issues. The replacement is flawless, and moving forward the problem should be caught during the manufacturing process.
Theloniousmonk
Well-known member
Agreed... It's a rather minor annoyance at worst. The ratchet is still usable, just not "perfect" when referring to a brand new tool. The 1/4" is flawless!
All-in-all, it's a great ratchet.
Apex actually contacted me today, regarding my problem. I am very impressed w/ their prompt attention and customer service - a great company that should be proud of their employees.
Sears, on the other hand...
Sorry if I jacked your thread too - just wanting to add my experience and keep the forum clutter down.
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any chance you can explain how you got the discounts? i'm interested in picking them up, but not at full price..
i said it before (in the thread) - sears, PLEASE offer a bundle of all 3 ratchets at a slight discount...PLEASE!
ahm
Sure thing! So my Sears, like many, does not carry the ratchets as of yet (though hopefully they will soon!). Tired of waiting for it to show up on the shelves, I waited until there was an online order special (usually around Tuesday every week where you get 10% off all tool orders online). However, if you order at home, there's a good chance you'll get charged for shipping, if you go into the store and have them order it for you online, shipping is free and you still get the 10% discount. Finally, I work once a week in Sears Auto as a technician so I get the 10% employee discount.
-Techniker
Buckgnarly
Well-known member
Do all Sears still do free shipping? Is that shipping to store or to your home? I thought they stopped that.
As far as I know, all Sears do free shipping if you go into their store and have them order it for you. The free shipping is to your home (or you can have it shipped to their store if you so choose). They're still doing it. Also, be sure to use your Rewards card to get the points on it. They add up.
-Techniker
About the button release, I've never had it hit something in a tight space, but then I mostly wrench on my motorcycles where if a tool falls, it falls on the carpet (I don't wrench in my living room, I just have a throwaway rug in the shed). One thing I can't get enough of is the locking extensions, the release is a tiny slide on the side of the shaft right under the socket, I find myself using cheaper brands' locking extensions before reaching for my good tools because when I can't reach my whole hand somewhere uner a hood, they make sure my socket comes back out after it goes cave-diving into who knows where to turn a bolt.
Someone said that these ratchets were too long, I guess that means getting a reasonable degree of swing in tight spaces? I suppose if you buy a ratchet with a nice thin head and no button to get in the way, the rest of it should be designed to fit into a tight space too, but I sure do like extra-long ratchet handles when the job starts lasting into the day and I wear out. That's why the cross-whatever-wrench-style handle appeals to me, I've come away from especially cramped engine bays with my hands aching and useless from focusing pressure on a thin area of muscle. That's actually why I got into air tools, though I now use them for the obvious speed benefit.
I think if I could get a set of these ratchets with all the little discount deals we stack on stuff for $100, even plus tax and shipping, I'd have bought them by now. The previous Cman ratchet sets seem to follow a price scale of $40-$60-$80 for all three, this $150 nonsense doesn't get me in the door. I'll end up buying the set when they go on clearance in 20 years.
That's exactly what it says on the back of my card, too!
Someone said that these ratchets were too long, I guess that means getting a reasonable degree of swing in tight spaces? I suppose if you buy a ratchet with a nice thin head and no button to get in the way, the rest of it should be designed to fit into a tight space too, but I sure do like extra-long ratchet handles when the job starts lasting into the day and I wear out. That's why the cross-whatever-wrench-style handle appeals to me, I've come away from especially cramped engine bays with my hands aching and useless from focusing pressure on a thin area of muscle. That's actually why I got into air tools, though I now use them for the obvious speed benefit.
I think if I could get a set of these ratchets with all the little discount deals we stack on stuff for $100, even plus tax and shipping, I'd have bought them by now. The previous Cman ratchet sets seem to follow a price scale of $40-$60-$80 for all three, this $150 nonsense doesn't get me in the door. I'll end up buying the set when they go on clearance in 20 years.
That's exactly what it says on the back of my card, too!
thanks techniker. $190 (full price) is just too much for me for a craftsman set of ratchets. it might be one thing if they had a history of making high end tools, but with them essentially being new to this segment, with an entirely new design... 10% would be ~$170, 20% $150...yeah, that's probably more like it.
i'll start checking the site on tuesday's for that 10%...
seriously - wouldn't this be the perfect item (a bundle of all 3) to discount to craftsman club members?
ahm
Danahar makes the ratchets not craftsman. That is danahar as in matco (88 tooth ratchets that these are based on) and armstrong. I'm not sure how they have no history of making high end tools.
I don't know what sale your talking about? I think you need to check your prices before you post (http://bit.ly/iemgko) the Craftsman Premium 3/8 is $59.99 compared to A Snapon F80 that is $80 like I said that is "approaching" truck prices for only $20 more you can get a better equivalent Snapon ratchet. Yes the surface area may be slightly bigger on the Craftsman ratchet handle but I still prefer the round handle of a Snapon opposed to a block shape of the Craftsman but I'm stating a purely subjective opinion as you are.
The Snapon ratchets may not be stamped but it is clearly stated on Snapon's website as to where they are made, and many prominent members of this site have attested to this. Craftsman hand tools are becoming outsourced more and more everyday, how do you know in 5 years whether Craftsman will still be making a specialty Ratchet like the Premium's and when you go to warranty it they don't hand you the only equivalent they have and it's a standard raised panel or an imported ratchet? I am not a "die hard" domestic consumer and I think there are some great imported tools , but when I'm paying close to top dollar my personal preference is for the tool to be made in USA.
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Sears does 10% off tools practically every week. There are also 2 $5 off coupon codes that can be stacked any day of the week. so 60-10=50-5=$45. So you're paying $35 or about 80% more for a dual 80. And comfort zones for prices vary with people. What you see as "only $20 more" or "only $35 more" may very well mean the difference between purchasing and not purchasing to someone else.
I could really care less what SO's website says. Such a cop-out and its subject to change at any time. I like my COO marked on the tool in question. I'm positive you'd prefer it that way too if given the option.
SO is also outsourcing more and more tools every day
. Nobody can definitively state where production will be for anything 10 years from now.Totally in agreement with you on this. Thats why i'll stick with a company that proudly marks its tools made here "USA". And when Sears/Danaher no longer marks said tools with a COO, well you know what that means....they must of launched some website where the COO is listed instead!
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Yes, but Sears has no recent history of marketing high end tools.
I'm afraid what's going to happens is that these ratchets will be discontinued soon due to poor sales and Sear's new love affair with Chinese tools.
If and when these ratchets break the store will likely hand you a shiny new Chinese ratchet as a warranty replacement.
You base this conclusion on what? To my knowledge Craftsman has never even had a stand-alone ratchet made out of country. Evolv yes, the new thing included with the spline sockets yes, but raised pasels, tear drops, thin profiles, RHFT, all USA.
Unless you're going to put the pipe to the premium grade daily i wouldnt be worried about it breaking. But if it ever did and there was no acceptable substitute rest assured that the other rebuild kits that Danaher manufactures do indeed fit into the head.
I'm not trying to be a cheerleader here but lets at least base some complaints on facts as opposed to "what if's?". If you want to knock them for anything do it for lacking QC and not being so cheap you cant pay with them in pocket change.
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Kirbot
Well-known member
It's not the manufacturer that would bother me, it's the company that handles the warranty.
It's true a lot of companies are outsourcing, even Snapon is not exempt, but I trust Snapon to make a quality product wherever they are made.
I just don't trust Craftsman like that.
Look at all the people who bought raised panel ratchets back 10 or 15 years ago when they where still quality tools, and look at the garbage they replace them with now.
I won't try to convince any one not to buy them, but I put a lot of value in the warranty of a tool, and I simply wouldn't put that trust in Craftsman.
But if it ever did and there was no acceptable substitute rest assured that the other rebuild kits that Danaher manufactures do indeed fit into the head.
Is matco really going to give you a rebuild kit for a Craftsman ratchet?
Also the fact that I've been in about half a dozen sears stores since these ratchets came out, and I've yet to see one in person, doesn't do much to inspire confidence.
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The trend of Sears B&M discontinuing most professional tools.
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