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Newbie here--with a craftsman wrench question

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Happyshooter

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Jan 9, 2010
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America
Howdy.

I am mostly a woodworker, but I also do things like work on my car/mower/snow thrower.

My tool boxes are both craftsman, bought back after Christmas many years ago when they were $60.

My question:

My father gave me a set of craftsman tools back in the 80s when I got back from serving in Japan and purchased my first American car.

The rachets are both very nice to hold and use for a weekend guy like myself.

They are totally shinny and both look like they were lathe turned (I know they weren't, but they look sort of like a spindle), I would call the style art deco.

I have a smaller craftsman set I bought a few years ago as a spare and wish I didn't, they are the old squared off looking style and they look cheap--poor finish even on the spots that are meant to be rough and not precise on the rachet like the 80s wrenches.

Does anyone make rachets like my nice ones any more, and if so who?
 
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lauver

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HS,

Welcome to GJ.

Check out the newer Proto round head ratchets (Facom design), available in 1/4", 3/8", & 1/2" drive size. Also available in full polish or very nice black industrial finish. The 3/8" drive ratchet is about $32.

These ratchets have a very nice fit/finish, nice balance, a fine 72-tooth drive, and are made in Italy. Do yourself a favor and buy all three drive sizes and save on shipping. I think you can get free shipping from MSC if you were to buy all three together.

If you insist on USA made tools, check out the S-K palm control ratchet line. These feature the same Facom design as the Proto RH ratchets. I believe these are only available in the full polish chrome. Prices may be just a bit higher than the Proto equivalents.

Hope this helps.
 
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Mickey O

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One of these?

cman-rat1.jpg
cman-rat2.jpg




The first one is an old one that I have, you might find a used one on eBay or at flea market, etc. The second one is still available at Sears and is currently on clearance, I think it's being discontinued, all that's left are the 1/4" @ $4.97 ( link ), but some of the others might show up again. You can also try industrial suppliers that carry Craftsman like DoAll and Fastenal, also eBay.
 
OP
H

Happyshooter

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America
Mickey O said:
One of these?

cman-rat1.jpg
cman-rat2.jpg




The first one is an old one that I have, you might find a used one on eBay or at flea market, etc. The second one is still available at Sears and is currently on clearance, I think it's being discontinued, all that's left are the 1/4" @ $4.97 ( link ), but some of the others might show up again. You can also try industrial suppliers that carry Craftsman like DoAll and Fastenal, also eBay.
Click to expand...

Bingo! That is the style! (pic number 1) They feel great in my paws
 
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lauver

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HS,

Sorry, I thought your were looking for a good ratchet.

The Tri-Wing ratchet that Mickey O posted above was originally made by National Hand Tools and later by Stanley Works. The early NHT versions were made in the USA, but those made by Stanley were all manufactured in Taiwan. These ratchets date to somewhere around 1982 - 1991.

If this is what you like, Stanley Works still makes them under the Stanley and Proto brands. Sears hasn't carried them in a couple of decades.

Other than the handle shape and full polish, I personally can't find much to like about these rachets. They are coarse, heavy, poorly balanced, sloppy, tend to break, and have the widest and thickest heads of any round head. Kind of defeats the purpose of having a round head in my mind. But, different strokes for different folks.
 
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Shadowdog500

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I also have old higher quality Craftsman ratchets that my grandfather gave me as a birthday present in the early 80s. Last year one broke and i could have died when I found that they don't have replacement parts for the old ones anymore and my only option was to hand it over for a newer design ratchet with a plastic selector. That got me thinking that the warranty is not as good as it used to be because if one of my old quality tools that I really like breaks, I will be given a lesser quality modern Craftsman tool as a replacement.

One of these years, I may start selling off my old Craftsman stuff and moving up to Snap-On.

Chris
 
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boostedgt

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Shadowdog500 said:
I also have old higher quality Craftsman ratchets that my grandfather gave me as a birthday present in the early 80s. Last year one broke and i could have died when I found that they don't have replacement parts for the old ones anymore and my only option was to hand it over for a newer design ratchet with a plastic selector. That got me thinking that the warranty is not as good as it used to be because if one of my old quality tools that I really like breaks, I will be given a lesser quality modern Craftsman tool as a replacement.

One of these years, I may start selling off my old Craftsman stuff and moving up to Snap-On.

Chris
Click to expand...

its a little work, but find a used one like the one you need fixed, swap the parts and turn in the one you arent attached to for replacement
 
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woody 73

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Hi Happyshooter,

May I say wecome aboard it's great to hear from another woodworker! If you have the time try looking in your neck of the woods for flea markets these are great places for old craftsman tools.

All the best Woody.
 
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Red Green

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Dec 5, 2007
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South Central Michigan
Happyshooter

Welcome to the board.

A lot of Guys here are down on Craftsman. I think most of the tools are a good value for the price if you are not a pro-mechanic. If I were you I would check out the newer thin-profile Craftsman ratchets. They are not the same quality as Snap-on or the other truck brands but they are a nice ratchet for the weekend wrench turner.
 
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H

Happyshooter

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Jan 9, 2010
Messages
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Location
America
woody 73 said:
Hi Happyshooter,

May I say wecome aboard it's great to hear from another woodworker! If you have the time try looking in your neck of the woods for flea markets these are great places for old craftsman tools.

All the best Woody.
Click to expand...

I have been hitting the pawn shops without success. I want to find a space or three.

I hit the rachets, sockets, and wrenches with T-9 when ever I have to hit the table saw and jointer in the garage with it. Unlike the power tools, the hand tools end up looking like new from that limited amount of oil.
 
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