Craftsman 75T vs 84T ratchet

[Contender54]

I was at Sears buying a 75 tooth ratchet when the "thin profile" ratchet caught my eye because it said it is an 84 tooth ratchet.

The manager told me he prefers the 75T because the mechanism is better.
I was about to pay more for the 84T, but he talked me out of it.

Anyone have any input on this?

75T

84T

 

[LB-1911]

Cut from a previous thread -

01-16-2016,

The thin profile ones are the better ratchets. I work at Sears and I am the one that rebuilds the ratchets on a daily basis. I have had to rebuild at least twice as many of the newer updated ratchets in the last 3 weeks than I have the low profile ratchets in the last year.

Torn - Craftsman 75t ratchet Vs 84t ratchet
http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=5442307#post5442307

 

[Fedwrench]

Did you actually hold the 75 tooth ratchet in your hand?

I cruised through sears the other to see if there was anything worthwhile and played with the 75 tooth ratchet a bit. It is real heavy for a 3/8 drive ratchet. Too heavy to be a pleasure to use.

I can't offer any opinion on the ratchet internals between the two as I don't own them.

 

[Brownsfan]

I agree. I thought they were way too heavy. I have the 60t thin profiles . Mine are older USA made. One of my favorites to use. They have been nothing but great. I can't speak panther 84t Taiwan made versions but I'm sure they are similar to the Gearwrench ratchets and those are nice.

 

[Contender54]

LB-1911, thanks for the link. I wish I had taken the time to search BEFORE I went to the store.

Yes, I held the 75T and now that you mention it, it does feel heavy.
I wasn't really thinking about weight, though, so I didn't compare the 75T and 84T.
The 84T seemed to have a similar body, though.
I think I might return the 75T tomorrow. It's still in the plastic "package."

The whole reason I went back to the store today is because I felt like the mechanism on the 75T I purchased was wobbly. It had some play in it, but so did another one on the shelf.
I started looking at the 84T because it just seemed tighter.

 

[derosa]

I've for the 75t in all three sizes, there is as much play in them as in my old raised panel. My limited use so far they seem fairly sturdy, haven't had any slips under load. They are fairly heavy but don't seem that bad. I've now used mine to work on a riding mower and some assembly projects. Can't compare to the 84t, mine were part of a socket set and a socket bit set that I toss in the car to help others with their projects. Once I found that craftsman was China and saw the price of the 84t I bought wright for home use.

 

[Ericgst]

I have a USA made 1/2" 60 tooth Thin Profile ratchet, it is not too bad. The one I have has an Armstrong based mechanical design and a Craftsman cosmetic design. It is a decent ratchet.

The new Thin Profile is based off the old design cosmetically but has a chinese ratcheting mechanism. The 75 tooth ratchets are replacements for the budget raised panel ratchets and are sold as lower end ratchet. I'd pass on both.

If I had to buy a ratchet from Sears I suppose I'd go for the USA made Professional model. But I'd rather just buy elsewhere.

 

[ge.raam]

The 84t are the thin profile ones right? Aren't they Taiwan?

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

 

[Sco Deac]

I have the 84T non-quick release USA model that they had a couple years ago. It's okay but not what I'd describe as smooth. It is basically an Armstrong minus 4 teeth. The smoothness must be in those last 4 teeth.

 

[LB-1911]

The 84t are the thin profile ones right? Aren't they Taiwan?

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

Yes x 2, cut from a previous thread.

I was just at Sears replacing my Craftsman 1/4dr 84t premium ratchet that was locked up. I was looking around and now all the.loose Taiwan made thin profile ratchet are now all 84t. Didn't take a pic but all 3 sizes say 84t on the handle next to Craftsman. I have the older USA made 60t versions and would still keep them over.these new models. But that's just me.