Craftsman 1/4 drive ratchets stripping out

[Codyyy]

Does anyone else have this problem with their 1/4" drive Craftsman ratchets? I bought my Craftsman tool set about 10 years ago, back when EZ Read sockets were hitting the shelves. I wanted the "normal" tool set. The 1/4" drive ratchet came pre-broken for me.
It seems as though it is only this ratchet I have a problem with. I have since bought more S-K ratchets which don't seem to have this problem. The ratchets seem dry when they are new and I suspect that makes the teeth wear faster. I usually take the Craftsman ratchets apart and put Super Lube or Lucas High Pressure grease in them before using them, but once they start to strip out it only acts like a Band-Aid.

 

[fuddinator]

I work in aviation so I almost exclusively use 1/4in drive and until recently been using a CM raised panel. It seems to wear out pretty quick. Worn out twice in the past 5 years. First time the gears were worn and wouldn't grip. Second time the quick release gave out. I have since got an armstrong maxx and the CM is my back up. I am not displeased but there are better. For light use or a backup it is fine. I would just go get it warrantied at sears. If they don't have a USA to exchange it with they can rebuild it for you or you can just take the kit home. Get it fixed and keep it around. Never have enough back ups.

 

[Codyyy]

Yeah, I've noticed that about having back ups. I thought maybe somehow I was using the ratchet too hard or something. Right now my "good" ratchet is starting to strip out, unless the switch is in the right place it will freewheel.
I had one warrantied once after I threw it. The ratchet they gave me in exchange looked like Jaws had chewed on it like a Snickers bar. It still works though. Thanks to whoever for the tags on this thread too

 

[erty67]

Yea, same here. I've since moved into a Duralast 1/4" and a HF composite 1/4". Not sure which I like more, but I do suggest both highly over craftsman.

Sent from my HTCONE using Tapatalk

 

[aaronrkelly]

Out of all my ratchets its the least used.....and Ive broken 4 of them.

Its the reason I started replacing my Crapsman ratchets. Seems like they are made of brittle spaghetti or something.

 

[AmishFury]

never had one strip out... had one that would reverse if you looked at it... or looked anywhere else

 

[PJNJ]

I have a bunch of raised panel Craftsman ratchets. Funny thing, though, didn't buy any of them. I got some as part of gift socket sets I received and the rest at a garage sale in a box marked "free broken". I took them home thinking I would warranty them. They sat around for a couple of years and I took them apart and found they were all gummed up. Brake cleaner and some oil/grease and they work!

But I don't use them much since I have been upgrading over the last decade. I keep them as back-ups like others have said and I can always throw a couple in a travel bag if needed. Plus, as my wife reminds me, I am a certified tool junky. It's okay though since she's an enthusiastic enabler.

For 1/4, Gearwrench roto and 120 flex are great. I got an Armstrong MAXX 3/8 locking flex (88 tooth) a couple of months ago and I am so impressed with it, I am thinking about getting the 1/4 version also.

As for the tags - some people forget (or refuse to admit) they had the same questions and issues when they started out. So screw 'em!

 

[Gear Wolf]

The newer Craftsman ratchets are shipped to the stores with next to no lubrication. You have to use your favorite, yet compatible, lubricant first and then go to town.

 

[mrjaw14]

I have one I got probably 15 years ago or so and it's the rat I use on questionable 1/4" stuff I don't want to use on my nicer rats and mine has never broke. I'm actually surprised how much better it felt once I took it apart and put some super lube in it. Too much and it'll reverse on me though.

 

[ARFLY]

I haven't had any issues with mine. Not yet anyway, but I don't use them that much. I have been thinking about buying the premium ratchets, but don't know if they are worth the money.

 

[fuddinator]

I would almost guess the premium rats are just re branded gearwrench. Looks quite similar to the 120xp but with less teeth.

 

[Codyyy]

One ratchet I have now has gotten to the point where I have to hold the switch in position in order for it to engage and not freewheel, making it a bit difficult to use. Otherwise from the ratcheting of it the switch moves out of its sweet spot and it freewheels.
I had been thinking about going with a premium Craftsman ratchet but they are like double the price and I'm pretty sure they'll have the same problem.

 

[zx2slow]

Broke plenty of CM 1/4 RP wrenches, got a slim/low profile version when they didn't have any RP ones on the shelf and has served me for 10 years now.

 

[CJM8515]

Broke 6 of them and gave up. Im not sure where I had gotten it in the first place, but I kept breaking it so I finally threw it out after the 6th warranty.

 

[Murphy4570]

Their ratchets have always been junk. You're better off with a mid grade industrial brand. Proto, Armstrong, Williams, etc.

 

[Jim C.]

I've been using the same Craftsman RP 1/4" drive ratchet since the mid 1980s. It came in a 112 piece set my dad bought for me. I've used it on several old car restorations, woodworking machine rehabs, and other projects around the house. I keep it lubricated and haven't had a problem with it. I'm also a firm believer in using a breaker bar to initially loosen a fastener and for the final tightening if possible. I don't know if that really makes a difference or not, but I've had really good luck with my Craftsman RP ratchets over the years. The set I referred to above also came with a 3/8" drive and 1/2" drive ratchet. I'm still using the 3/8" regularly. No problems yet. Several years ago I did strip the gear on the 1/2" drive ratchet while torquing down a lag bolt on a deck I was building in my back yard. The breaker bar was in the garage and I was too lazy to to go get it. Live and and learn......

Jim C.

 

[cliftonbros89]

I've stripped several CMan RP ratchets. Mainly 1/4" drive. They've been replaced but they're never used unless it's the only thing available. Stripped one too many out and they always reverse on me. Don't care for them myself. The low profile CMan and the "Premium" grade are better if you're going to use CMan

 

[franzdom]

Are they still in business and why?

 

[MagnumForce]

The low profile ones are awesome. RPs have always been ****

 

[Leoruiz]

Raised panels look like something that might come with a happy meal. i haven't had one since the seventies.
Go industrial in 1/4. New Proto XL's are mighty strong as are the Wrights and SK models. I expect them to break at any moment. They never do.
$30-$40 and you have yourself a heavy Duty 1/4.

 

[Wamsutta]

Craftsman ratchets are not known for reliability, dependability or usability. There's a plethora of better options out there.

 

[Rock Hound]

The only Craftsman 1/4 drive ratchet I have left is one of the full polish ones with the round handle (VR-44812). I worked at a Sears Hardware while I was in my senior year of high school and the manager let me trade a raised panel one in for it because I kept having to rebuild it. The full polish one has been mostly reliable, but it does occasionally reverse on me.

My favorite 1/4 drives are the Armstrong Maxx (their locking flex is my absolute favorite). Never a problem with those.

 

[HanShotFirst]

Their ratchets have always been junk. You're better off with a mid grade industrial brand. Proto, Armstrong, Williams, etc.

THIS,

Even the older US made raised panel ratchets are pretty poor. People like them because when they do work, they're nice to work with. But the CM teardrop style raised panel ratchet is the one ratchet that I consistently kill. I'll take a Harbor Freight Pittsburgh Pro ratchet over a CM every day of the week. In fact, I'll take just about anyone's ratchet over the CM raised panel. I have Kobalt, Husky, HF/PP, SK, Snap On, Stanley; all are better and have held up better than my Craftsman's.

 

[jlh92]

I'd only use my Craftsman 1/4" or 3/8" RP over the ratchet in these kits:

I honestly have no idea why I still have them. I guess I haven't found anyone I hate enough to give them to yet.