Vintage Ratchet Repair advice needed

[sosick39]

I have a vintage 243796 Ratchet that recently broke.

I need help on getting it fixed or fixing it.

being new to this I have many questions.
Will craftsman fix it for me or try to give me some cheap replacement?
will craftsman give me a repair kit for my specific ratchet so I can fix it?
is there a guide somewhere if I have to fix this myself?

Thanks, the noob

 

[ganymede]

That's an older model so they probably won't have the parts needed for it.
If they do they can fix it or give you the kit to do it yourself.
If they do give you a kit it will have instructions inside.
Either way you can get a replacement ratchet.
The model 243796 was not a top of the line ratchet, still though
a replacement will probably serve as well.
Good luck.

 

[jjjrmx5]

A picture will help as that sears stock number does not come up on any search I did.

As for repair kits, it depends on the age.

Some are still floating around out there, others are not. For some you can even use other mfgrs repiar kits that fit.

As for replacement, yes, if stamped Craftsman, you will get a swap out of the closest price point and quality ratchet that they currently offer be it a rebuilt one or a new one. That varies from store to store in some areas.

 

[jjjrmx5]

OP, is the ratchet stamped 943796 ( the 9 is underlined and not a 2) and has a black 3-wing direction selection knob on the head and the head is knurled?

 

[Davefr]

I have a vintage 243796 Ratchet that recently broke.

I need help on getting it fixed or fixing it.

being new to this I have many questions.
Will craftsman fix it for me or try to give me some cheap replacement?
will craftsman give me a repair kit for my specific ratchet so I can fix it?
is there a guide somewhere if I have to fix this myself?

Thanks, the noob

Here's what I would suggest in order of priority:
1. Ask for a repair kit
2. Ask for an identical rebuilt ratchet

If #1 and #2 don't work out they'll probably offer you a new one right off the boat from China. Try and resist and ask if you can pick out a USA ratchet. If you're lucky they might let you have one of the higher end ratchets if they have any in stock.

The goal is to avoid swapping a vintage USA ratchet and getting the "toy" replacement from China.

 

[sosick39]

OP, is the ratchet stamped 943796 ( the 9 is underlined and not a 2) and has a black 3-wing direction selection knob on the head and the head is knurled?

Yes my bad. Must be these bad eyes of mine.

 

[Loscaldazar]

You can get store credit too for your broken tool IIRC.

 

[lbgradwell]

The goal is to avoid swapping a vintage USA ratchet and getting the "toy" replacement from China.

True, but the ratchet he is replacing is one of the tri-wings from the 1980s and they were not USA to start with, but Taiwan.

A rebuild kit can possibly be obtained from Stanley.

 

[sosick39]

what would be a good trade when I go to sears if they don't have a repair kit? I really like the rounded handle and top with the part where you can ratchet it easily with your thumb.

I saw a post that someone got this one:

http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10...eyword=ratchet&prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=L1

 

[turmlos]

Blackhawk 34945AR (and possibly 34945BR) dual pawl rebuild kits will work in these handles. However, the selector looks a bit different. If you're a stickler, you can re-use the original selector lever by simply adding a spacer. I did this with a 43795 1/4" drive tri-wing.

 

[jjjrmx5]

what would be a good trade when I go to sears if they don't have a repair kit? I really like the rounded handle and top with the part where you can ratchet it easily with your thumb.

I saw a post that someone got this one:

http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10...eyword=ratchet&prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=L1

The only replacement that I would accept in exchange from Sears is a Craftsman Pear head quick release ratchet. NOT the raised panel.

In a touch of irony , I have that same ratchet but have the full set of all three sizes i bought as a teen.

i picked up repari kits at a flea market a few weeks back for 50 cents a pop. Found the 3/8 and 1/2 along with a dozen or so other NOS other part # Cman repair kits I bought.

The repair kit you need is :
Craftsman Ratchet repair kit Cat # 944796

For drive ratchet core replacement ratchet #43796 (943796) for 3/8" drive ratchet.

The kits are out there but NOS. But around.

Its a easy repacement as you just pull out the circlip/springclip on the drive side and slap in the core and then put the clip back on.

No internals to fuss with.

Pics of my kit I bought attached below.

 

[bonneyman]

True, but the ratchet he is replacing is one of the tri-wings from the 1980s and they were not USA to start with, but Taiwan.

A rebuild kit can possibly be obtained from Stanley.

That is correct. I had a 1/4" Tri-Wing Craftsman ratchet, and an equivalent Husky ratchet, and the gear clusters were interchangeable.

 

[rick carpenter]

@lbgradwell and @bonneyman, what are the Stanley and Husky part #s that fit the 94379x series? I have a 1/2" 943797 and like the feel of it but want/need a rebuild kit. Local Sears store said Craftsman kits for this ratchet are not sold anymore.

And @jjjrmx5, are any of your 1/2" rebuild kits for 943797 ratchets for sale?

 

[lbgradwell]

@lbgradwell and @bonneyman, what are the Stanley and Husky part #s that fit the 94379x series? I have a 1/2" 943797 and like the feel of it but want/need a rebuild kit. Local Sears store said Craftsman kits for this ratchet are not sold anymore.

And @jjjrmx5, are any of your 1/2" rebuild kits for 943797 ratchets for sale?

Based on jjjrmx5's post above, the 1/2" kit should be 9_44797.