Armstrong or Craftsman Premium Ratchet

[PDXCummins]

I appreciate all the feedback. Got a ton on information in a really short period of time. I think i'm going to end up going with the Craftsman Premiums for a couple reasons. One of the biggest reasons is due to my proximity to Sears. Sears is just a few miles from my house making it really easy to get any issues i may have resolved. Everyone who owns the Craftsman Premiums seem to be very happy with them as well. I'm just going to wait for the prices to drop a few bucks then i'm going to hop on both the 3/8 and 1/4. Thanks again guys.

 

[WilltheEngineer]

I appreciate all the feedback. Got a ton on information in a really short period of time. I think i'm going to end up going with the Craftsman Premiums for a couple reasons. One of the biggest reasons is due to my proximity to Sears. Sears is just a few miles from my house making it really easy to get any issues i may have resolved. Everyone who owns the Craftsman Premiums seem to be very happy with them as well. I'm just going to wait for the prices to drop a few bucks then i'm going to hop on both the 3/8 and 1/4. Thanks again guys.

PDXCummins,
Any updates on the set? I've been favoring the Armstrong maxx flex set...

 

[amolaver]

OP: I have both of those ratchet sets (only difference is that the Armstrongs have the locking flex head.) To be honest, I don't really like the handle on the Armstrongs since the sharper corners cut into your palms. I'd take the Craftsman Premiums if you can get a deal on them. That being said, the chroming on the Armstrong is better than the Craftsman's. The Craftsman ratchets use a softer chrome and if you hit something sharp with moderate force, you're going to get a barb that you'll have to file down. I haven't run into that problem with the Armstrongs.

largely agree - i have all three of the craftsman premiums and a couple of the armstrong. i really dislike the handle on the armstrong - i almost never use them now and won't buy any more in the future. the craftsman feels GREAT in the hand (although might be a little heavy). i haven't had any issue with the chrome and mine get tossed around pretty good.

ahm

 

[SMKS]

I like the handle on the Armstrong. It feels fine to me.

 

[metaldad]

I also like the armstrong handles.
send me your rejects.

 

[dsmnickk90]

I have craftsman premiums and love them. I have Armstrong flex heads and love those too. The Cman 3/8 is about a inch londer than Armstrong and the added length bugs me at times but its still a great ratchet

 

[Zoned Out]

I have the Armstrong Maxx ratchets and love them. You really can't beat them for the price. I chose them over the Craftsman premiums after playing with one at Sears. Honestly, you probably can't go wrong with either one but I'd strongly suggest you try the Armstrongs.

 

[The collector]

Im trying to slowly replace all of my foreign made tools with all USA made ones as i can afford to do so. I was planning on getting the Craftsman premium ratchets but after looking at the Armstrong im starting to think thats the way to go. I went and took a gander at some today and they seem really well built and are right about the same price as the Craftsman Premium. Both ratchets seem to get pretty good reviews but i was just curious if anyone had used both and would like to indulge me with what they know.
Thanks
Craftsman Premium
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-prem...0902548000P?prdNo=14&blockNo=14&blockType=G14

Armstrong
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0012WJ46Q/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Just think if y'all had bought the craftsman premium ratchets u could sell them for 200$ apice now lol or at least people on ebay are

 

[d.mcfarland]

Just think if y'all had bought the craftsman premium ratchets u could sell them for 200$ apice now lol or at least people on ebay are

Maybe the people with the Armstrong Maxx's don't want to sell them?

 

[qqzj]

Armstrong 12-992 1/2" Drive Armstrong MAXX Standard Handle Ratchet USA 781412129922 | eBay

Armstrong Tools. Jig Saw Blades. TORQUE WRAP DESIGN REDUCES STRESS ON GEAR AND PAWL TEETH FOR GREATER STRENGTH AND DURABILITY. IMPROVED MODIFIED "HOUR GLASS" HANDLE DESIGN CONFORMS TO THE SHAPE OF THE HAND FOR MAXIMUM COMFORT AND MINIMAL FATIGUE.

www.ebay.com

You can get a brand new Armstrong for a quarter of the price of a used Craftsman premium.

 

[08353073]

My 1/4" Armstrong maxx is one of the best ratchets I've ever used. I have a craftsman premium 1/4 that's almost as nice. I've been trying to not use them on tough stuff because I dont think I'd find replacements for them.

 

[The collector]

Maybe the people with the Armstrong Maxx's don't want to sell them?

I see a bunch of nos Armstrong max stuff on eBay but not much used

 

[Jtels85]

I remember when our former Sears Hometown stores got cases of those Premium ratchets in-stock to clearance out. That was probably back in 2014 or 2015.

Had I known people would be paying ungodly amounts of money for them on eBay, which still baffles me, I would have bought them all up and sat on ‘em. Could have me a nice little fortune right now. I have a set that I use infrequently and another set still attached to the retail packages. KZ, KAA and KAB date codes.

It is shocking how much they sell for. They were available at any Sears store from about 2009/10 - 2014/15. KZ to KAD date codes. They are not rare and never were rare. There are quite a few listed on eBay at any time, so they’re very much available.

Only the eBay dealers made them costly by jacking the prices up a little over time. They’re starting to do that now with the Sears Craftsman tools that were made in China. Nothing is safe.

 

[qqzj]

Glad you noticed it too. I thought China made Craftsman won't appreciate. Wrong. Some rare ones already do. Eg., Locking flex ratcheting wrenches

 

[Ton ton]

Glad you noticed it too. I thought China made Craftsman won't appreciate. Wrong. Some rare ones already do. Eg., Locking flex ratcheting wrenches

Thank you for the heads up.