Me and Wife headed to St.louis this Evening to finish up some X-Mas shopping and while she was doing her thing i wandered the isles of Sears. I scoured the Clearance rack, Handled just about every tool on the Shelf and Did everything but lick the New Craftsman Premium Ratchets. I was set on buying a 1/4" Drive while i was there but just didnt feel comfortable dropping $50 bucks Quite Yet.. (I know these bastards are gonna go on sale sometime or another.. LOL) So Curious as to How they are holding up to anyone who has put some wrench time in? Im not sure what type of Grease they use but all the Ratchets where Oozing some sort of clear Lubricate and it was greasy from Head to Toe.
Any Updates on the Craftsman Premium Ratchets?
- Thread starter Hiball
- Start date
Stuey
Well-known member
They're handling really, really well.
The set I received and the other 3/8" I ordered weren't oozing or anything like that. It could be that the ratchet handles were oiled up for transport?
The set I received and the other 3/8" I ordered weren't oozing or anything like that. It could be that the ratchet handles were oiled up for transport?
Nice to Know.. The Grease was definitely coming from the Head, In particular the Selector switch area.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I've used my 1/4 and 3/8 versions almost daily without any issues aside from wanting a flexhead since they first came out awhile ago. I think they use thin oil at the factory. Mine had it on the ratchet head when new too but, a quick wipe down took care of it. I like them. i don't have the 1/2 drive version yet as for 1/2 drive is usually on the end of an impact wrench.
By the way all tools were 10% off yesterday at Sears, you should have at least picked one up.
By the way all tools were 10% off yesterday at Sears, you should have at least picked one up.
Jeff
Well-known member
My Sears sells the complete set (1/4,3/8,1/2) for $90.
chevy302dz
Well-known member
Wrong ratchets, the thin profiles and premium ratchets are different.
GeorgiaHybrid
Well-known member
Sharkin,
I think those are the "low Profile" ratchets. The new premium ones just came out and are priced at $80 for the 1/2", $60 for the 3/8" and $50 for the 1/4". I have not seen them in a set so far although I'm sure if they don't have them boxed that way now, they soon will. I can't imagine the normal list on a boxed set being much under $150 or so.
I think those are the "low Profile" ratchets. The new premium ones just came out and are priced at $80 for the 1/2", $60 for the 3/8" and $50 for the 1/4". I have not seen them in a set so far although I'm sure if they don't have them boxed that way now, they soon will. I can't imagine the normal list on a boxed set being much under $150 or so.
Buckgnarly
Well-known member
Here's my take....I had an issue with the teeth jamming when hitting the selector under load...hard to explain, but know the mech would jam up.
Seems to have gone away though, either I have a better feel for them or they got broken in, don't know. In any case, I give them two huge thumbs up for feel and balance. Right length, heft, and the head is really thin. Action is not as solid as my SO 80s, but teh length and ergonomics make up for that.
Seems to have gone away though, either I have a better feel for them or they got broken in, don't know. In any case, I give them two huge thumbs up for feel and balance. Right length, heft, and the head is really thin. Action is not as solid as my SO 80s, but teh length and ergonomics make up for that.
Had The same issue with it jamming up when switching the selector switch, however with that being said, it happened on the first day i had it and has not happened since. I have used the 3/8 in the shop for about 3 weeks now and am pretty happy with it..
hammergodthor
Well-known member
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These: ??
Anybody know COO?
Anybody know COO?
Pro-Painter
Well-known member
same here. two large sears stores local to me, both show up as "in stock" online, but no one seems to know what or where they are.
These: ??
Anybody know COO?
Not to be a smart a-- but the the coo is in your pic.
welderwink
Well-known member
i like these might have to get one or two of them.
hammergodthor
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Not to be a smart a-- but the the coo is in your pic.
Oops! Guess I should have actually looked at the picture.
cheap bastard
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$50 for a 1/4 drive Craftsman ratchet? The sealed head dual 80 is $66.25. Are the Sears units that nice? The Proto 4749XL is only (?!!) $41.25 with Grainger tax. I gotta Check out these C-mans.
4x4gearhead
Well-known member
Do the premium ones have the snap ring and plate still? or are they a sealed head?
TDITS
Active member
Ok I bought a 3/8 been using it some. Still not sure it is all that. It sure seems a lot looser than I expected. If you grab the part the socket goes on it has a lot of play, both in and out and up and down. Haven't had any problems with it skipping or jamming. Still it just doesn't seem to be as tight as I thought it should be, especially for what the thing cost. Anyone else experiance the same thing?
Stuey
Well-known member
They're sealed.
Snap-On doesnt make a dual 80 1/4". Their 1/4" is 72 tooth. All the craftsman premium ratchets are 84.5 teeth. In terms of swing its serious nitpicking but all the same these enjoy a slight tooth count advantage.
I took some pictures and gave some impressions of my set when they arrived for anyone interested.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1140664&postcount=258
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1140709&postcount=264
Since then i've been using the 3/8" daily without issue. Its become my go-to ratchet. The 1/4" got occasional use [when i needed the clearance or could find an excuse] but locked up on me twice when changing directions so i wandered into my sears and swapped it a few days ago. The new one hasnt given me issues. I can recommend disassembling, cleaning, and reassembling right from the store, at least as far as mine were concerned. Removed some very small specs of metal shavings and the factory oil appeared dirty. I've been using a couple drops of mystery oil. I havent cleaned the 3/8" once yet as its performed flawlessly and i want to put the sealed head to the test to see how much gunk actually collects.
I plan on doing updated impressions with pictures once i get some more use on them. But quickly, i really really like them. The handle is very comfortable and once they wear in a bit the resistance becomes practically non-existant. I enjoy the feel of a solid well built tool and these ratchets fit that bill to a tee.
There is a rather large ad for them in the christmas catalog. They're expensive ratchets for craftsman and not every store got them. Not sure what more you want them to do. Perhaps chuck one at your head as you walk into the store?
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Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
No snap ring and thin stamped steel plate. They have a thicker steel plate secured with two screws. There are o rings on the gear and under the selector switch.
Yes they are that nice. More teeth than the snap on 1/4" (which are 72 teeth). The length is nice and they one upped the matco ratchets by adding a sealed cover plate with 2 hex bolts instead of a snap ring.
mrholeshot
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I really like the 1/4 and 3/8 versions. The 1/2 version has become a real pain. The 1/4 is becoming my favorite solid handle 1/4 drive. I find excuses to use it.
No I have not noticed that, mine are as tight as my snap on dual 80s (I have the 1/4 and 3/8). Exchange it.
I can fix anything
Well-known member
The raised panel 1/2 dr i just got is oozing also. It has not been used just sitting here, and oozed on my wood desk.
My local stores dont have them, they show them in stock and i did the site to store but they couldnt find themSo if they show only a few of sompthing just assume that means they are out.
I had to Ask a Sales Rep Where they Hiding them, He kinda chuckled and led me to them. They didnt have them in the Ratchet Section, They where actually on the End of a Isle and there was less than 3 of each size in stock. No Advertising, New Product stickers... etc.. they where about 10" above Eye Level.
blue dog
Banned
My local Sears still does not have them, when i ask the regular guy about them and when they are coming in, he looks at me like a deer in headlights and said what are you talking about, there is no new premium ratchet's.
I walked him over to the customer computer on the showroom floor, punched some keys and wammo, that ratchet. He looked even more confused that a customer new about them before he did.
I walked him over to the customer computer on the showroom floor, punched some keys and wammo, that ratchet. He looked even more confused that a customer new about them before he did.
Used mine, (3/8" and 1/4"), once about a month ago to change a water pump. No complaints. After the holidays, will be pulling the intake manifold on the old Chevy. If this thread's still alive, will make another entry.
our local store has finally got them in, but they were hard to find because instead of being with the ratchets, they were on an end cap in the corner.
anyway i looked them over real good and decided they are really nice, but i'm not sure i want to drop that kinda cash for one just yet. all my ratchet money just went into a new FHNF100, so they'll have to wait.
anyway i looked them over real good and decided they are really nice, but i'm not sure i want to drop that kinda cash for one just yet. all my ratchet money just went into a new FHNF100, so they'll have to wait.
Exactly, my father was with me when I picked mine up. He looked at it and asked me how much it cost. He looked shocked when I said $60. For a ratchet!?!? He just spent $400 on an ice fishing auto fish finder so I don't get why he won't buy good tools.
cheap bastard
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Snap-On doesnt make a dual 80 1/4". Their 1/4" is 72 tooth. All the craftsman premium ratchets are 84.5 teeth. In terms of swing its serious nitpicking but all the same these enjoy a slight tooth count advantage.
Ahhh, I saw the "dual 80 technology" term and just figured. My mistake. Still, 72 teeth to 84 is significant enough to feel. I can't wait to give one a serious try. Man, I have never bought a Craftsman ratchet new for myself unless it was in a kit that was a rockin' deal. None have ever been used by me more than a couple of times. They have always loaner tools.
Ahhh, I saw the "dual 80 technology" term and just figured. My mistake. Still, 72 teeth to 84 is significant enough to feel. I can't wait to give one a serious try. Man, I have never bought a Craftsman ratchet new for myself unless it was in a kit that was a rockin' deal. None have ever been used by me more than a couple of times. They have always loaner tools.
Pro-Painter
Well-known member
I'm more interested in seeing if they stick around.... It would **** if I shelled out $150 for ratchets and 6 months later they quit making them due to poor sales figures.
Sears stores sure seem to be in no hurry to promote them, and the online stock of both my local sears stores has stayed the same since the 2010 Christmas catalog came out. So either the online inventory is wrong, or they are not selling nor ordering any more stock.
It's a shame, I was hoping to see this be a turning point for craftsman professional.
Sears stores sure seem to be in no hurry to promote them, and the online stock of both my local sears stores has stayed the same since the 2010 Christmas catalog came out. So either the online inventory is wrong, or they are not selling nor ordering any more stock.
It's a shame, I was hoping to see this be a turning point for craftsman professional.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Sears is definitely screwing the marketing pooch on this one. 
It's true that most of the Sears pennies on the piece customers get sticker shock at the price of these ratchets but, it is also true that they could cultivate a loyal following amongst tool users by adding flexhead versions. Who knows pehaps they could even spin a "premium" line of US made mechanics hand tools out of it. However, they won't sell them unless they're on the shelf.
It's true that most of the Sears pennies on the piece customers get sticker shock at the price of these ratchets but, it is also true that they could cultivate a loyal following amongst tool users by adding flexhead versions. Who knows pehaps they could even spin a "premium" line of US made mechanics hand tools out of it. However, they won't sell them unless they're on the shelf.