We've got to get back to this type of quality
- Thread starter clutch47
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mike93lx
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What type of quality is that?
Old tool guy
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How much did that wrench cost new, and what would todays adjusted price be?
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
OH, I was looking at the poor finishing and was thinking this was probably satire.
General Geoff
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Survivor bias
drokihazan
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I would take any new-off-the-truck Snap-On dual 80 with a 2026 date code over literally every product SK ever made. No thanks.
I too prefer my ratchets to have at least twice as many teeth as the average meth head.
jblnut
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Y'all are gonna hate to hear it but my Craftsman -v- stuff has survived multiple generations AND is still getting stuff fixed in the farm shop. Do the ratchets have an excessive number of teeth or low back drag ? Nope. Are the wrenches super thick and hard to get into places. Yup. Is the set still complete despite being used and abused for decades ? Yup. Do I need “Snap-On” stuff to feel good about the tools I use ? Nope. I’m not a “cheapest thing that works” guy but dang it if it works that’s all I care about.
OP good on you for keeper no the old stuff working.
/rant
OP good on you for keeper no the old stuff working.
/rant
Boogerman
Well-known member
Yes. I have owned many SK. Still have couple. Have failed one or two. Seen many skipped because of sheared teeth. Seen many sloppy worn. But, have couple by weeding out poorer ones, have survived and still good. Like most other tools that era, were fairly well made and served purpose well. Same can be said for quality makes today. But, quality makes today have advantage better technology and design. SK suffered from different quality levels over the years, could never count on them.
I'm always amazed guys like JBLnut that have antique Craftsman set used steadily and still performing satisfactorily. Dad had complete set old V series 1966 he felt same way about, and he used on his small farm. He carefully preserved it, bought cheap tools to use when he had to abuse to "save" the good Craftsman. In 70's, it was good set. By time 2000 came around he didn't use much anymore but was worn and aged and wasn't nearly as good it had been in the 70's. As a homeowner quality set got used up even at moderate use over 30 years. If I used that worn set like my current tools, I'd bet 30% of it would be failed and discarded within few months to year. And, I don't use tools to extent a large farm full time mechanic or millwright or professional mechanic would.
I worked my way from Craftsman, up to SK, eventually to Wright, MAC, Proto and Snap-on over a 40 year time using tools. I wore out Craftsman. Outgrew much of the SK, needing better tools, particularly sockets, screwdrivers and ratchets. Haven't outgrown better pro level tools. Of course, could have simply replaced 3 or 4 sets of CM and SK in that time, with some things being replaced 15 or 20 times (the MAC and Proto and Snap-on versions of those items have also been replaced a few times).
Agree. SK is one of those Industrial Revolution companies that didn't keep up. It was a copper mine to be exploited by its owners over the years.
That said, if well made low tech is your jam, I think some of the German tool companies or Koken make simple low tooth count ratchets with knurled handles. If you don't want a ratchet that sounds like your are winding your Rolex, there are companies out there doing a better job than SK ever did on basic tools.
jblnut
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I think the biggest thing is tools get used but not abused around here. If something needs some serious force to come apart we grab the proper tools. Like using a 1” breaker bar to bust a nut loose instead of pushing the 1/2” bar and socket to its limits and risk breaking it. I don’t remember the last ratchet or socket I broke. It just doesn’t happen when tools are used properly.
If things get real stuck I’ll use the gas axe to remove them. Not a lot of tools get busted up here and we use them heavily. Most of my older ratchets have been rebuilt once or twice and just keep on ticking. They wear down and get sloppy, I rebuild them and away we go.
KnurledNut
Well-known member
I've had this piece for 30+ years and it has not had an easy life.
Thanks for sharing your ratchet. Sounds like you use your tools and that can be quite intimidating to the tool polishers and keyboard mechanics here.
S-K patented the first round head fine tooth ratchet in 1934. Love them or hate them, this set a benchmark that established a turning point in tool manufacturing for many future ratchet designs. And incredibly, despite many changed hands, production has endured. You can still buy that ratchet right now or get a repair kit to keep an old one going.
These ratchets have held a reputation of being very dependable and strong for many decades, even the longer fixed handle, flex head and roto-head versions. The Rueb mechanism still holds a candle to this day with its low backdrag and reliability.
Ignorance never fails to surface in threads like this.
I have many more modern ratchets and won't argue that newer technologies have produced more efficient ratchetry. But I was raised on SK roundheads and have several in different drive sizes and handle configurations. I still use them but not exclusively. Nothing at all wrong with them if higher tooth count and headf size are not a concern. My long handled flex heads are still some of my favorite ratchets.
Much like the Harbor Freight/Snap-On ******** that often occupies these threads......To each their own. I'm not giving up my SK's any time soon.
Much like the Harbor Freight/Snap-On ******** that often occupies these threads......To each their own. I'm not giving up my SK's any time soon.
HannibalLecter
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I dont get the affixation with that agricultural equipment but on the other hand we didnt have these when I was growing up
I have one of my 45170s in my work tools right now. I took my double pawl Wright ratchet and a lot of other tools (Knipex Cobras…) out of my work tools when I found out how little my tools are insured for under my contract.
It is a very solid heavy ratchet. It is more than strong enough for electrical work. I would, definitely, not put it in my “good” ratchet drawer.
I think that that SK made nice tools. I have a lot of them, some still in factory cellophane. I would put them below truck brands and industrial brands (Wright, Armstrong, Proto, Bonney…)
There was a time (back in the 90’s) when I would see a lot of millwrights and ironworkers with the SK 18” 1/2” drive ratchet. I haven’t seen many on construction sites lately.
It is a very solid heavy ratchet. It is more than strong enough for electrical work. I would, definitely, not put it in my “good” ratchet drawer.
I think that that SK made nice tools. I have a lot of them, some still in factory cellophane. I would put them below truck brands and industrial brands (Wright, Armstrong, Proto, Bonney…)
There was a time (back in the 90’s) when I would see a lot of millwrights and ironworkers with the SK 18” 1/2” drive ratchet. I haven’t seen many on construction sites lately.
Thanks for sharing your ratchet. Sounds like you use your tools and that can be quite intimidating to the tool polishers and keyboard mechanics here.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
Why'd you dip it in vinyl dip? Too prickly? 
danski0224
Well-known member
Darn.
I was half expecting a thread on VW's... or Honda.
I was half expecting a thread on VW's... or Honda.
dcg9381
Well-known member
What does that cost? Seriously. I've busted a few ratchets, but I doubt they add up to one snap-on...
Remember craftsman? You take it back to Sears and they replace it on the spot. Oh yea, and they're out of business.
Maybe it's like owning a Porsche, you just don't know what you're missing and there is no substitute. Not that I've ever owned a Porsche. Or a snap-on wrench. Not complaining. I'd gladly test drive either.
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dnschmidt
Well-known member
The nicest tools ever sold by S-K were the Facom and KABO tools they imported during that period of their dubious history. I've got a set of double offset reversible box wrenches which still are my favorite box wrenches using the KABO reversing method with the button on the side of the head.
dnschmidt
Well-known member
For a long period of time it was Snap-On and MAC and few other quality choices were available. NO LONGER THE CASE. You can go into Harbor Freight and buy ICON tools which are just about as good for 1/4 the price. The world marches on and the "trade secrets" known to one or two companies are now known to everybody. ICON's G2 ratchets are as good as any and TOPTUL's wrenches are truly world class. Competitive advantage is temporary and always has been. With the advent of the Internet it becomes ever more temporary.What does that cost? Seriously. I've busted a few ratchets, but I doubt they add up to one snap-on...
Remember craftsman? You take it back to Sears and they replace it on the spot. Oh yea, and they're out of business.
Maybe it's like owning a Porsche, you just don't know what you're missing and there is no substitute. Not that I've ever owned a Porsche.
Yeah, liking that milled selector knob over the forged ones that came later!
Slap a DT 90 rebuild kit into any 45170 ratchet and basically double the tooth count. Doesn't get much easier than that.
S-K did make some big mis-steps along the way, but my original 1981 ratchet is still with me and never had any issues with it.
Yeah, I'd prefer to have more teeth in my head - but I can't afford the bill!
Slap a DT 90 rebuild kit into any 45170 ratchet and basically double the tooth count. Doesn't get much easier than that.
There is no doubt that chrome plate was much better 40 plus years ago than today ....much thicker and impervious to moisture ........however Ive always had a considerable dislike of the round head ratchets . and any I have are not used by me.
OccupantRJ
Well-known member
Read up on hexavalent vs. trivalent chrome. 3 friends of mine who are brothers and are second generation in the business have been plating for 60 years and tell me there has traditionally been quite the difference. I have had literally tons Gaylord pallets of small parts plating done by them for 50 years with great results. They are grandfathered in on hexavalent and have told tell me that a new startup shop would not be allowed to do it these days due to EPA regs.