Craftsman low profile ratchet
- Thread starter joe_pinehill1
- Start date
Very cool! How many teeth does that ratchet have?
I have the thin profile Craftsman’s from Sears. 60 tooth and 84 tooth. They’re my favorite ratchets hands down.
OP
joe_pinehill1
Well-known member
Honestly I didnt look for teeth count, and tossed the plastic hanger it was attached to. I was looking for size. It probably has the same or more teeth than my 30 year old ratchet.
The other ratchet in the photo comes from a 39 piece 3/8 and 1/4 inch set that is my goto, I can 80% of everything with that 39 piece set. It was the first set I bought after getting married and moving away from Dad's tool box.
Nice. I have the Craftsman pass thru set for tight clearance. Pretty significant difference.
The picture shows the Craftsman vs. Snap on f80... both with a 15mm socket. Almost 1/2" difference.
Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
The picture shows the Craftsman vs. Snap on f80... both with a 15mm socket. Almost 1/2" difference.
Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
Attachments
OP
joe_pinehill1
Well-known member
The Craftsman is 0.50 inches. The release push button is recessed. In a pinch you can grind sockets to get extra clearance.
I’m going to have to get me one of those dial calipers someday.
Fluelikesymptoms
Well-known member
Nice. I have the Craftsman pass thru set for tight clearance. Pretty significant difference.
The picture shows the Craftsman vs. Snap on f80... both with a 15mm socket. Almost 1/2" difference.
Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
I broke a few pieces in that cman pass thru set. I went to get a replacement and they gave me the run around. Ended up giving up on them I dont even remember where they are now.
That was the end of my cman purchases.
I have their older ratchet and sockets that were beat to death and are still waiting for more beatings.
Phasing them out these days but will hold onto.
Really wish they would go back to the quality they once were. I'm waiting to see what Stanley does with cman before I consider.
I believe they aren't fully transitioned into their production plan/goals just yet.
Attachments
The pass thru set is the only overseas C-man tool that I own. It was purchased out of necessity while doing a Ford engine swap. I couldn't justify spending more than the $20 that I did on this set for a tool I won't use that often.
They've held up reasonably well but I only use them when I have to and try not to put too much torque on them.
I'd love to see Craftsman quality return too. I have a few cracked sockets that I'd like to warranty with a good replacement.[emoji481]
Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
OP
joe_pinehill1
Well-known member
driz
Well-known member
I don’t see the point. For that close stuff I just grab a ratchet headed end wrench.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Me too, except when the bolt/nut is recessed, like the OP's spark plugs.
I just pickup up a 1/4"drive Craftsman 100tooth. Warranty replacement for a failed 72. a little thicker, but nice.
mudflap
Well-known member
That round head was one of Cmans first ventures into offshoring..i have one in each size..good rats. The 1/4 in one is one of my go too's. a little sloppy, but no backdrag, and the knerling is great for spinning small fasteners on/off..
Last edited:
Handyandy23
Well-known member
I really like my Tekton ratchets, and they are very low profile (even in their "standard" offerings). The standard 3/8" ratchet is only 0.498" thick:
https://www.tekton.com/ratchets?quantity=1&drive-size=3-8-in
I also have the set of Astro Nano 3/8" sockets, which are only 0.88" long:
https://www.amazon.ca/Astro-Pneumatic-Tool-78314-Profile/dp/B01JBK1FHG/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=astro+nano+3%2F8&qid=1568397268&s=gateway&sr=8-2
So for up to a 19mm fastener the combo of the Tekton ratchet and Astro Nano socket is only 1.378" thick. And if I need to save even more space (but need a socket instead of a wrench), the Nano sockets have a 17mm hex on the outside, so you can turn them with a wrench. Put a ratcheting wrench on it and now you have a socket and ratchet setup that's only 0.88" thick.
https://www.tekton.com/ratchets?quantity=1&drive-size=3-8-in
I also have the set of Astro Nano 3/8" sockets, which are only 0.88" long:
https://www.amazon.ca/Astro-Pneumatic-Tool-78314-Profile/dp/B01JBK1FHG/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=astro+nano+3%2F8&qid=1568397268&s=gateway&sr=8-2
So for up to a 19mm fastener the combo of the Tekton ratchet and Astro Nano socket is only 1.378" thick. And if I need to save even more space (but need a socket instead of a wrench), the Nano sockets have a 17mm hex on the outside, so you can turn them with a wrench. Put a ratcheting wrench on it and now you have a socket and ratchet setup that's only 0.88" thick.
X1 Mike
Well-known member
The kind that jumped some teeth?
There is a simple fix for the dial not going back to the 12 O'clock position.
Cut a real thin piece of ship stock about .002" will work. Cut it with snips so that a piece is as wide or a little narrower than the gear teeth on the caliper. Rub it with a piece of steel to flatten it and make sure there are no burrs. Then stick the shim on the gears and roll the caliper up on to it. As you are sliding the jaw you will see that the dial doesn't move. Then you pull the shim out. The dial will be in a different place and it will hopefully only take you a couple tries to get it to 12 O'clock.
I always keep the shim I use in my caliper case.