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Ratchets: Craftsman Thin Profile vs GearWrench Full Polish

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williaty

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May 16, 2010
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So about 3 years ago, I bought both a 3/8" and a 1/2" Craftsman Thin Profile ratchet. The 3/8" has been trouble-free, if a little tight, but I'm going in tomorrow to warranty the 1/2" for the 4th time in 3 years. I don't misuse the tool. It never gets a cheater bar attached (I have a breaker bar for that). It never hits things (I have a hammer for that). It doesn't get left in the rain or exposed to abrasives. I really have no idea how I'm killing these things. The failure mode on the first 3 was the same. At light loads, when just working the nut off the bolt after it had been loosened, the direction selector would begin to revers mid-ratchet and jam the wrench until you flipped it back the correct way. Over time, this became more and more common until I would finally get fed up and replace the ratchet. This time, the ratchet acted just like it had done that again, but when I went to flip it back the way I needed it, the selector switch was jammed. Trying to jiggle it, it turns out the drive itself was jammed as well. The thing is just locked up dead tight, there's no play or movement in anything.

Anyway, I'm obviously fed up with the Craftsman ratchets constantly taking a dive and I want something that will be more reliable. The GearWrench ratchets come up repeatedly on this forum as well-made "middle of the road" ratchets; neither cheap **** not overpriced man-jewelry. I read enough about them to make me think I might like the Full Polish line of the GearWrench ratchets. However, two threads commented that, internally, the GearWrench ratchets are the same as the Craftsman Thin Profile ratchets. This makes me very worried that they'll die from the same problem as the Thin Profile ratchets keep doing.

Are they the same mechanically? Made to a better quality standard? Any reason at all to suspect they won't be as bad as the Craftsman?
 
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SnowBlaZeR2

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I do believe they are the same, but I don't know for sure as I don't own the Gearwrench. I think they are made in two different countries though if that helps. I've had no issues with my CMan Thin Profiles, so I'm sorry to hear that you are. Have you checked out the new Premium ratchets from Craftsman? I just picked up a 1/2 for $55, and it is very nice.
 
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bmxr4life87

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Mar 21, 2009
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872
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Bixby Oklahoma
They are internally compatible but the craftsman ones are stiffer to ratchet than gearwrench the gearwrench is really a sweet ratchet I had converted one to matco88 guts and I swapped it back because the 60 tooth just does it for me... I highly recommend them amazing bang for the buck
 
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RbrtAWhyt

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Aug 25, 2008
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North East Georgia
I have them both and I give a full nod to the Gearwrench ratchets. For the money they cannot be beat...

IMG_0210.jpg
 
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dankicksass

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Jul 28, 2010
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I'd trade my Craftsman TP rats for Gearwrench with the soft grip in a heartbeat. Never used mine, just took the stickers off and laid them in a drawer.
 
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4x4gearhead

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Oct 4, 2010
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New Hampshire
I had the same issue with my 1/4" thin profile. It would switch directions as I ratcheted this would happen after using it on like 2-3 fasteners after warranty. After 3 times going back to get another I gave it to a friend of mine who didnt have a 1/4" ratchet and since then he has warranteed it 3-4 times.
 
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Ign

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Jul 7, 2006
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Butte Peak ND
williaty said:
The failure mode on the first 3 was the same. At light loads, when just working the nut off the bolt after it had been loosened, the direction selector would begin to revers mid-ratchet and jam the wrench until you flipped it back the correct way. Over time, this became more and more common until I would finally get fed up and replace the ratchet.
Click to expand...

This is exactly what my Gearwrench reversible ratcheting wrenches would do. Had it happen on at least three different sizes, warrantied a couple of those sizes more than once, but the replacements always did the same thing.

No one wants to listen when I say the GW reversible ratcheting wrenches are ****...........and of course this is not directly relevant to your problem w ratchets. I gave up and went SK reversibles, which have been flawless, and stood up to cheater abuse (I didn't use cheaters on the GW, hell they never lasted along enough for me to have a need to put a cheater on them). I haven't followed the threads about what corporate turmoil may or may not be going on w SK right now.

However I'd say given your track record w the C-man and my track record w the GW, look for another alternative altogether.
 
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matthew

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Dec 4, 2009
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If it's just the 1/2" that's been the problem, why not just look for a new 1/2" ratchet? Something long handled perhaps, a Gearwrench or Toptul or Duralast all seem to get good reviews around here in terms of bang for the buck.
 
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Ben Iv

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Jul 23, 2010
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Oklahoma
I have been considering a set or two. It appears that the selector on the plain handles are metal and the selectors on the soft grips are plastic. Is that correct or are they just black on the soft grips?
 
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MBeaty

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Feb 1, 2010
Messages
237
Location
Middle Tennessee
I have a 3/8 Craftsman Thin Profile ratchet and had the same problem at one point. The ratchet was working perfectly, but I wanted to take it apart to see what the internals looked like. While I was in there, I decided to clean it really good and re-grease it. Once it was back together the lever would reverse and the ratchet was practically unusable. I opened it back up and removed some of the grease and it has been perfect. I am not sure if the factory is inconsistent with the grease in the ratchets, but it did cause problems with mine. The grease was slightly too thick, which caused all the direction change mechanism and pawls to not function properly.
 
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williaty

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Mine have been cleaned well and re-lubricated with gear oil. It made them MUCH better but that just means it takes a little longer before they have to be warrantied.
 
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mrholeshot

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Messages
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If you can deal with 36 teeth Duralast is the way to go. Top quality ratchet at a middle of the road price. One of the more expensive asian ratchets but a very solid ratchet. Almost identical to the old 936 Snap-On or the current Williams 36 tooth it's actually more comfortable than the Williams and if I had to pick between the two I would pick the Duralast even though the Williams is built in the USA. Any Autozone will warranty the Duralast but with the Williams it's a send it in, pay the postage thing. I can't really comment on the Gearwrench ratches although I own a shitload of them I just haven't tested them. I'm already having problems with a new 1/2 Craftsman Premium 84T ratchet but can't get it replaced yet.
 
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Pro-Painter

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924
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Winston-Salem, NC
I wish Duralast would make a fine tooth ratchet.

I have both a gearwrench and a duralast ratchets and they both have their pro's and con's. I like the look and feel of the gearwrench ratchet better, and I like the fine tooth, thin head. But I HATE the snap ring that holds it all together. The drive part is loose, and will move in and out. Ive yet to have one slip, reverse or fail. I just wish they had machine screws and not the snap ring.
The Duralast ratchet is built like a brick. It's very tight and super strong. And just feels better made then the Gearwrench ratchets. chrome quality is about the same on each.

both are great ratchets, and both are better then the thin profile craftsman's
 
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SnowBlaZeR2

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mrholeshot said:
I'm already having problems with a new 1/2 Craftsman Premium 84T ratchet but can't get it replaced yet.
Click to expand...

What's wrong with it and why can't you warranty it?

Hiball said:
How did you get your 1/2 for $55? Have they been on Sale? Some special code im not aware of? They are still $79 bucks for the 1/2 Around Here.
Click to expand...

You caught me. I got mine from ebay. $55 shipped. I've seen them pop up on there a few times. The best price I could get from Sears on the 1/2 right now was 65 and some change.
 
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Hiball

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Missery
SnowBlaZeR2 said:
You caught me. I got mine from ebay. $55 shipped. I've seen them pop up on there a few times. The best price I could get from Sears on the 1/2 right now was 65 and some change.
Click to expand...

Ive been watching Ebay, But havent seen any yet. Ill keep my Eyes Open...
 
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SnowBlaZeR2

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Hiball said:
Ive been watching Ebay, But havent seen any yet. Ill keep my Eyes Open...
Click to expand...

Yeah, I was pretty pleased that I saw it, and bought it about 20 seconds after I clicked on the link. There is a 3/8 that has no Buy It Now that's up to the regular price from Sears with 20 hours to go. What is wrong with people. You can get that cheaper from Sears with their weekly 10% off discount. Maybe I'm missing something, I dunno.
 
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mrholeshot

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SnowBlaZeR2 said:
What's wrong with it and why can't you warranty it?



.
Click to expand...

Selector locks up and none in stock to warranty with right now. It will be after the holidays but it's not like I'm in dire need of a 1/2 drive ratchet, lol Just disappointed in it for now. I'm sure the new one will be as good as the other two.
 
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lipadj46

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Jan 25, 2010
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If I were looking for an affordable 1/2" ratchet I would get a wiliams USA. F#@k duralast and gearwrench, they may be great ratchets but the williams is also a great ratchet made in this country by an american. China owns us and us younger americans need to get our heads out of our asses because it is us and our kids who are going to get the shaft. Let the retirees have their duralast, they don't care they've already lived the american dream. My New Years resolution this year is to buy american (or canadian, western europe, japan etc) if at all possible. I'm going to try to give up HF too.
 
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mrholeshot

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lipadj46 said:
If I were looking for an affordable 1/2" ratchet I would get a wiliams USA. F#@k duralast and gearwrench, they may be great ratchets but the williams is also a great ratchet made in this country by an american. China owns us and us younger americans need to get our heads out of our asses because it is us and our kids who are going to get the shaft. Let the retirees have their duralast, they don't care they've already lived the american dream. My New Years resolution this year is to buy american (or canadian, western europe, japan etc) if at all possible. I'm going to try to give up HF too.
Click to expand...

The only problem I have with the williams is the handle is too small for my hands. It's almost like it doesn't have a handle. I bought USA built tools all my life as did those I worked around. It was the tool companies that Sold out and not the retired techs. If you want to play the blame game at least put the blame where it belongs. Greedy Fuc&ing tool companies.
 
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Pro-Painter

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I like Williams ratchets and have a few of them, including two that are also made in Taiwan.

I look at it this way. Ive never met even one single person that is employed by JH Williams, but Ive met 100's that work for Autozone.

If you think about it, how many people work for JH Williams? 1000? 5000? Now, How many people work for Autozone? 30,000 ? 50,000 ?

Think about all the truck drivers, warehouse workers, R & D, Marketing managers, shift managers, supervisors and store empolyies......
Then imagine the ripple effect of autzone.
The landscapers, brick layers, roofers, paver's, electricians, insulation & dry wall crews,etc to build the 4000+ stores across America. Then you got the part re-manufactures, and salvage yards they work with accross america. All who work and pay taxes in America because of Autozone.

so, who's job are you saving by buying an American made product? Is 1 factory worker worth 10 store employees?


It's way too late to save American manufacturing jobs. If this was 1970 then they would be hope. But here in 2010 American manufacturing is history. And buying an American made ratchet is not going to save anything. All you will be doing is funding the American company to move overseas.
 
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SnowBlaZeR2

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mrholeshot said:
Selector locks up and none in stock to warranty with right now. It will be after the holidays but it's not like I'm in dire need of a 1/2 drive ratchet, lol Just disappointed in it for now. I'm sure the new one will be as good as the other two.
Click to expand...

Gotcha. I just wanted to make sure it wasn't something crazy like slipping or something.
 
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charlie_nj

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Nov 21, 2008
Messages
360
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NJ
williaty said:
That's the quick-release set, not the 60-tooth, Full Polish set that has the interchangable innards with the Matco 88-tooth stuff.
Click to expand...

Yeah, didn't even notice that. In reading the Ebay listing, I see they are 45 tooth count. The only ones I have are the 60 tooth, I didn't even realize GW made any other type of ratchet.
 
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air

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Oct 13, 2010
Messages
184
mrholeshot said:
It was the tool companies that Sold out and not the retired techs. If you want to play the blame game at least put the blame where it belongs. Greedy Fuc&ing tool companies.
Click to expand...

I don't post here often, but I do enjoy reading your posts. This one I am going to have to disagree with...

It's called Capitalism. Don't blame the tool companies, blame the American Consumer. Companies make what people want to buy. It is as simple as that. The consumer decides what they are willing to pay for an item, and ultimately, where it is made. The company simply gives the consumer what they want.

The company doesn't have a choice in what the consumer buys. They are only the delivery method. What happens if you charge more and the consumer doesn't buy it? The company ceases to exist. They have to adapt.

You can also blame the government...

When the government, in particular our government, over regulates and makes it difficult for a company to manufacture items (Unions also have a part in this), what are they supposed to do? Why do you think the quality of Craftsman Socket Chrome is so bad? It's called the EPA and the United States Government.

Don't blame the company. Blame the consumer and the government. And the Unions.

Argue with me all you want, but that is the reality.
 
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williaty

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air said:
It's called Capitalism. Don't blame the tool companies, blame the American Consumer. Companies make what people want to buy. It is as simple as that. The consumer decides what they are willing to pay for an item, and ultimately, where it is made. The company simply gives the consumer what they want.
Click to expand...
This is a naive view of capitalism. It assumes a theoretically perfect market with perfect transparency, perfectly elastic supply and demand, and with consumer prices chained to the actual cost of production.

The reality is that the producer can make changes to the product that will take a great deal of time for the consumer to discover. The reality is that some consumers have to have certain goods, regardless of cost or quality (inelastic demand).

Also, in your little capitalist fantasy, it's actually unethical for the consumer not to pick the cheapest tool that'll get the job done. Profit is a sign of an inefficient market.
 
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DARKSCOPE001

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May 4, 2009
Messages
772
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Pickerington Oh
Sorry im to lazy to read through the posts to see what exactly is happening lol. But if I may I am going to offer my advice.

Gearwrenches are awesome ratchets for the money. Made in china unfortunately. But still for the money they cant be beat. The flex heads have detents that "lock" them into place. But this is only margonaly advantagious. If I had my ratchets to buy over again I would get some snap on dual 80 locking flex sans soft grip.

Now for the craftsmans The craftsman and the gearwrenches and matco and armstrong and probably a few others are for the most part identicle. They feature the same internals. Same paw. same spring and same selecter. The craftsmans however feature the QR on there ratchtes that some love some hate. What I have noticed with this style ratchet is they are very prone to being over lubed or having the wrong lube used on the.

Get a tub of white lithium grese (a few bucks at the local hw store or auto whatever) and some acid brushes. Take the ratchet appart (need snapring pliers or some luck to do this) clean everything with denatured alcohol or brake parts cleaner and a paper towel. Being safe and using gloves and whatnot.

Now LIGHTLY! very lightly brush some white lithium grease on the gear the paw and the slector. NOT THE CASE! Put the ratchet togeather and she should work the best she ever has and best of all. NO AUTO REVERSING!

Best luck
Sean Scott
 
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littlekillertoad

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Jun 30, 2010
Messages
283
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Orlando, Florida
I've had nothing but good luck with my thin profile and the gearwrench ratchets. I guess I just got lucky. I did notice that my thin profile and the gearwrench will bind when there's too much lube or lube that's too thick. I originally used wheel bearing grease in those ratchets and as soon as I got them back together, they wouldn't turn without binding up. I pulled them apart, cleaned out the grease and put some turbine oil in there and they haven't had any problems since. In fact, they've been gorgeous ratchets.
 
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Rudyjr

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Dec 28, 2009
Messages
555
Location
Central Ohio
mrholeshot said:
The only problem I have with the williams is the handle is too small for my hands. It's almost like it doesn't have a handle. I bought USA built tools all my life as did those I worked around. It was the tool companies that Sold out and not the retired techs. If you want to play the blame game at least put the blame where it belongs. Greedy Fuc&ing tool companies.
Click to expand...

I agree totally this is why all of my 40 plus year old American tools now sit unused in my big box. I know that if I break one it will get replaced with overpriced Asian tools imported by f*cking Stanley and labeled MAC.
 
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otis66

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Joined
May 28, 2010
Messages
1,875
Pro-Painter said:
I like Williams ratchets and have a few of them, including two that are also made in Taiwan.

I look at it this way. Ive never met even one single person that is employed by JH Williams, but Ive met 100's that work for Autozone.

If you think about it, how many people work for JH Williams? 1000? 5000? Now, How many people work for Autozone? 30,000 ? 50,000 ?

Think about all the truck drivers, warehouse workers, R & D, Marketing managers, shift managers, supervisors and store empolyies......
Then imagine the ripple effect of autzone.
The landscapers, brick layers, roofers, paver's, electricians, insulation & dry wall crews,etc to build the 4000+ stores across America. Then you got the part re-manufactures, and salvage yards they work with accross america. All who work and pay taxes in America because of Autozone.

so, who's job are you saving by buying an American made product? Is 1 factory worker worth 10 store employees?


It's way too late to save American manufacturing jobs. If this was 1970 then they would be hope. But here in 2010 American manufacturing is history. And buying an American made ratchet is not going to save anything. All you will be doing is funding the American company to move overseas.
Click to expand...

If you stop feeding the dragon it will starve and die. Stop feeding the dragon.
 
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W

williaty

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Messages
829
otis66 said:
If you stop feeding the dragon it will starve and die. Stop feeding the dragon.
Click to expand...

Sadly, this is no longer true.

There are goods that can no longer be purchased from anyone other than the dragon.

The dragon owns us. If we stop feeding it, it'll eat us.

The rest of the world is happy to feed the dragon, keeping it alive indefinitely.

The SuperDragon is waiting just to the southwest of the dragon. The SD will soon eat the dragon and then start shaking us down for protection money.
 
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powertrip

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Joined
Apr 29, 2010
Messages
1,026
Location
Columbus Ohio
air said:
I don't post here often, but I do enjoy reading your posts. This one I am going to have to disagree with...

It's called Capitalism. Don't blame the tool companies, blame the American Consumer. Companies make what people want to buy. It is as simple as that. The consumer decides what they are willing to pay for an item, and ultimately, where it is made. The company simply gives the consumer what they want.

The company doesn't have a choice in what the consumer buys. They are only the delivery method. What happens if you charge more and the consumer doesn't buy it? The company ceases to exist. They have to adapt.

You can also blame the government...

When the government, in particular our government, over regulates and makes it difficult for a company to manufacture items (Unions also have a part in this), what are they supposed to do? Why do you think the quality of Craftsman Socket Chrome is so bad? It's called the EPA and the United States Government.

Don't blame the company. Blame the consumer and the government. And the Unions.

Argue with me all you want, but that is the reality.
Click to expand...
























This is the truth. Some people just don't want to believe it. Too much goverment, regulation and unions have driven American Manufacturing out of this country.
 
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