Craftsman's new roto-ratchet thing: ROTO/YANKEE, Ratchet/Driver monstrosity

GSMotorrad · Apr 16, 2014

Whoa. Have you seen this thing? What in the . . . ???

Craftsman-Mach-Roto-Ratchet-666.jpg~original

http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-3-8-inch-drive-mach-series-ratchet/

It looks like C-Man finally jumped on the Roto-Trend, but went crazy with theirs. Roto's have always been my favorite type of ratchet, but I don't think I could handle this thing. I think I'd keep getting confused, but I don't know. Seems like there'd be a lot of play with all those moving parts, and it would rattle when I want to use it. Seems like a lot of plastic too, and I bet I'd break that yoke that holds the round-head within a couple days.

It seems like it would feel really "loose", even if there's just a tiny bit of play at each intersection. I'd have to feel it in my hands, and if it's tight, and feels of high quality, I might have to get one, but I doubt it. I actually think I hate it - it would have to be pretty amazing in person for me to change my mind. It's innovative, but also silly. It's like they're trying too hard.

I'm thinking their next rendition will vibrate, have bluetooth, and a heated grip.

u118224 · Apr 16, 2014

It's likely meant for the extremely casual home user. It'll probably be heavily advertised just before Father's Day. Wives and girlfriends will buy it.

wornoutoldman · Apr 16, 2014

It needs an electric cord and some bunny ears...

Jim C. · Apr 16, 2014

I can't say that I've ever used the thing, so I really don't know how well it functions.... or not. Just looking at it however, my first impression is that it's some sort of gimmick tool that will most likely be an Xmas stocking stuffer, or Fathers Day gift. I don't particularly care for "contraption like" tools. Although it may have some legitimate uses, I see this thing going the way of some other Craftsman offerings like the dog bone wrench with the magnet on the side, and robo grip pliers. I can say that I'll probably not ever buy one and people who know me will also know better than to give me one as a gift.

Jim C.

tarbellb · Apr 16, 2014

And to think, some guy is going to be driving around with his brakes replaced at home with one of these. Cursing the 5.5hrs it took to do the job with his new future tool.

Bigblue&Goldie · Apr 16, 2014

Obviously this tools isn't being marketed to anybody that knows something about tools. Think of all of the top quality ratchets you could buy at this price point!

cburnscrx · Apr 16, 2014

GSMotorrad said:

What....the....

Why, just why?

jeffmoss26 · Apr 16, 2014

Yeah, I got nothin'...

ChevyEFI · Apr 16, 2014

Clearly it's high time to junk my 5 antiquated roto ratchets and get with the times by buying a few of these.

The Ratchet Man · Apr 16, 2014

This is why tools need to be better educated about birth control...

Pumpman1968 · Apr 16, 2014

jeffmoss26 said:
Yeah, I got nothin'...

Ditto

Bobcat753 · Apr 16, 2014

Jesus Christ what is that! It looks like they had the craftsman monkey come up with it. :shocking:

jcfields · Apr 16, 2014

ihateminimumwage · Apr 16, 2014

There was a post on this over a week ago, linking to the ToolGuyd writeup on it.
http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=243178&highlight=craftsman+mach+ratchet

thesilverone · Apr 16, 2014

fathers day special

cadavjo · May 4, 2014

This is one of those tools I make a point of showing to my wife, spraying her with water, followed with a "No!" in a stern voice.

nine4gmc · May 5, 2014

I can't wait to see an infomercial with a woman working this thing like a shakeweight :lol_hitti

Next thing they will be doing a southpark episode on it...

Trucky · May 5, 2014

You know, if they'd just make a darn roto-ratchet that just works, it might not ****.

This thing... is just overly complicated and waiting (wanting?) to fail.

rickhigginshtbr · May 5, 2014

I had them in my cart, coupon applied, had them down to like $15.... and yea, just couldn't pull the trigger. No thanks. I honestly just don't see the point of the yankee part.

bluebolt · May 5, 2014

This does remind me I need to go unpack my S-K Roto ratchet I picked up cheap recently!

matts65ss · May 5, 2014

I checked one out yesterday at sears
I turned the head vertical and continued to compress the handle over and over ratcheting the head fast enough to annoy everyone in a 10 ft radius of me, kind of like those noise makers for new years [emoji2]

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

Toyota mechanic · Sep 30, 2014

With alot of points, and a starting sale price of 39 bucks for the tool set with the ratchet.. I actually bought one of these monstrosities for just over 11 bucks... To use at work????????? Hell no! My neighbor has one of these, and I used it to help him put a swing set together in July, for his kids. That is an application it WAS good for. Big handle for turning, then torquing down bolts, comfortable handle. Nice for what we were doing... The yankee spin part! :dunno:

That didn't work so smooth, and seemed useless. The ratchet is as large as alot of air ratchets. lol... Good for using as a spin handle and torquing in OPEN, NON-AUTOMOTIVE applications.... For what is is worth, lol..... It did seem very sturdy and strong....

monomach · Sep 30, 2014

Ah, yes. This thing. When they first came out with it, I played with the display. It was right up front at the register countertop. Damned thing broke just from trying to do the Yankee thing with the display bolt. They started tying it to the counter. People weren't stealing them...it's just that every time someone dropped it, pieces of plastic broke off.

I just know some woman in my life is going to give me this for Christmas. You're all probably going to be getting one, too.

Toyota mechanic · Sep 30, 2014

rickhigginshtbr said:
I had them in my cart, coupon applied, had them down to like $15.... and yea, just couldn't pull the trigger. No thanks. I honestly just don't see the point of the yankee part.

11 was my breaking point, with a smirk. For home, I saw a use. Too big for confined areas. Swing sets, furniture, maybe lag bolts.....AOK. I collect Craftsman the great, the good, the fair, and if cheap enough, the 'ugly'... :lol:

Toyota mechanic · Sep 30, 2014

monomach said:
Ah, yes. This thing. When they first came out with it, I played with the display. It was right up front at the register countertop. Damned thing broke just from trying to do the Yankee thing with the display bolt. They started tying it to the counter. People weren't stealing them...it's just that every time someone dropped it, pieces of plastic broke off.

I just know some woman in my life is going to give me this for Christmas. You're all probably going to be getting one, too.

I did use one, my neighbors wife bought him. It worked good, if you skip the pump action.... For assembling a swing set I give it an A+, but it's usefulness would be far less in any serious work application.

G_P · Sep 30, 2014

All its missing is an LED in it somewhere. Add an LED and it will achieve gimmick greatness.

I shudder to think that in a few years, I will have to dig around these monstrosities at garage sales.....

Toyota mechanic · Sep 30, 2014

G_P said:
All its missing is an LED in it somewhere. Add an LED and it will achieve gimmick greatness.

I shudder to think that in a few years, I will have to dig around these monstrosities at garage sales.....

Grab one for 50 cents years from now. It is the historic low of Craftsman right now. In case people forget in 20 to 30 years.... My son can post it in the far future, and the new members can scoff at what the hell happened in the gimmick/China phase of Craftsman............................ :scared:

rlitman · Sep 30, 2014

G_P said:
All its missing is an LED in it somewhere. Add an LED and it will achieve gimmick greatness.

I shudder to think that in a few years, I will have to dig around these monstrosities at garage sales.....

No, it is way past LED gimmicky, and needs a laser instead.

ecotec · Sep 30, 2014

I sneak tools like this (Robogrips…) into my father-in-law's tool box.

HD and Lowe's have some pretty gimmicky tools during the holidays, too.

wmartin · Sep 30, 2014

ecotec said:
I sneak tools like this (Robogrips…) into my father-in-law's tool box.

HD and Lowe's have some pretty gimmicky tools during the holidays, too.

On some birthday that divides by ten, you could give him a small pink toolbox with this ratchet, Robogrips, 'ratchet' open end wrenches, Gator Grips, Bionic wrench, those metric Irwin adjustable wrenches, etc.

Well, maybe that would be too expensive, but I like the idea.

ecotec · Sep 30, 2014

wmartin said:
On some birthday that divides by ten, you could give him a small pink toolbox with this ratchet, Robogrips, 'ratchet' open end wrenches, Gator Grips, Bionic wrench, those metric Irwin adjustable wrenches, etc.

Well, maybe that would be too expensive, but I like the idea.

I do not actually buy this stuff. I just get rid of the gimmicky tools that have been given to me over my lifetime by sneaking them into his box.

ecotec · Sep 30, 2014

My brother-in-law actually gave me a Bionic Wrench for Christmas one year.

I was so grossed out by it, I did not even take the store credit. I just had them credit his charge card. He probably thinks that I am an ungrateful *******. But at least I am not the kind of guy who buys another guy a Bionic Wrench.

If I would have kept it, it would have been one more tool that I snuck into his fathers tool box.

I actually have heard that Gator-Grips can be useful… Like for installing eye bolts and such. I would never buy one, though.

Askme42 · Sep 30, 2014

Oh it's a Mach series. It must be really fast.

t4runner · Sep 30, 2014

An Answer to a question no one asked.

Steinmetz · Sep 30, 2014

As useless as most of the kitchen implements that are peddled each year around the holiday season.

I do own about four Yankee screwdrivers, and use them fairly often (yesterday, for example, to put the license plates on my new car).

comp56 · Sep 30, 2014

what's even better is the special effects in the video......

Toyota mechanic · Sep 30, 2014

t4runner said:
An Answer to a question no one asked.

Who else actually used one? Someone made the thread. I searched it as a joke... I know it is a gimmick tool. Indirectly this thread existing asked a question. I worked with one this summer... just adding to what was here. I wouldn't have started a thread on it...... Just found the existing one....

thesilverone · Sep 30, 2014

I need it due to the manly voice used in the video.....

BirdMobile · Sep 30, 2014

I voted:
Good God. Sears just needs to die already.

ecotec · Sep 30, 2014

BirdMobile said:
I voted:
Good God. Sears just needs to die already.

Nooo… Where will I go when my wife is shopping at the mall?

Craftsman's new roto-ratchet thing: ROTO/YANKEE, Ratchet/Driver monstrosity

What do you think of Craftsman's new Yankee Ratchet Roto-Thing?

Yuck, gross, it's stupid and I hate it.

Awesome! Finally, all my favorite tools in one! Gonna get one ASAP!

Meh, I'm indifferent. Whatever. I could really care less.

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member