Craftsman 1/2 in. Premium Ratchet?

[Jeremy77]

My local Sears has the U.S. made 1/2 in. premium ratchet on sale/clearance for $41. I've looked at and handled it several times and it seems solid and well built. I currently have an Armstrong 972, Proto 5449, CM RP and the Craftsman Industrial ratchet that was clearanced a while back for $10. 1/2 inch is the standard size that I use daily. Does anyone have any experience using the premium ratchet and feel that it is worth having considering the others that I own?

 

[Brownsfan]

I have all 3. I use the 1/4 the most. Actually its my most used ratchet. I feel they are worth it especially when on sale. I like the extra length of them. Some hate the handle shape but I actually like them. I hope these are just on sale and not actually being clearanced

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I'd get the Armstrong version for a couple of bucks more (after you factor in tax on Craftsman).

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Armstrong-12-992-1-2in-drive-88-tooth-MAXX-Ratchet-NEW-in-package-USA-/231575589487?hash=item35eafb126f&item=231575589487&vxp=mtr

 

[Askme42]

I've handled them many times and love the feel. I would never pay full price but I would most certainly pay that price.

 

[PureLeaf]

Same thing as the Armstrong MAXX ratchets. You can even buy an armstrong kit if you ever needed to repair it.

I've got the armstrong versions and love them. So its up to you on finding the best price, and which one feels better in hand.

 

[mr.speaker]

If you like that style handle, look up the Kobalt 36 tooth 22317..Brand new they're around $10 and if you care, they're made in USA...It's my most used 1/2" ratchet

You can get the whole set 1/2 3/8 1/4 for $25.00 brand new..

 

[jcfields]

.

 

[Loscaldazar]

Same thing as the Armstrong MAXX ratchets. You can even buy an armstrong kit if you ever needed to repair it.

I've got the armstrong versions and love them. So its up to you on finding the best price, and which one feels better in hand.

Why so much mis-information in this thread?

Armstrong MAXX ratchets are 88T. Craftsman Premium are 84T. The Armstrong 88T design is way more reliable than the 84T design.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

If you like that style handle, look up the Kobalt 36 tooth 22317..Brand new they're around $10 and if you care, they're made in USA...It's my most used 1/2" ratchet

You can get the whole set 1/2 3/8 1/4 for $25.00 brand new..

I have the Napa version, and it's a good ratchet, but not a fine tooth ratchet like the O.P. is asking about.

 

[kunkernator]

If you like that style handle, look up the Kobalt 36 tooth 22317..Brand new they're around $10 and if you care, they're made in USA...It's my most used 1/2" ratchet

You can get the whole set 1/2 3/8 1/4 for $25.00 brand new..

Other than the handle there is not much similarity to the Armstrong/Craftsman. I believe the Kobalt ones were made by JH Williams, and are coarse toothed. The Armstrong and Craftsman are both 88 tooth.

 

[Jeremy77]

Thanks for all the replies. That handle design doesn't bother me, my Armstrong is a square handled type as well. The high tooth count is nice, though my line of work doesn't make it nessecary. Everyone seems to have good things to say about it. There were 4 or 5 at that price yesterday, may swing by in the a.m. and pick one up. I'd really like one in 3/8 but the local Sears has been out of those and the 1/4 for a while. I too hope they aren't being clearanced as they are some of the nicer hand tools that Craftsman now offers.

 

[Askme42]

Other than the handle there is not much similarity to the Armstrong/Craftsman. I believe the Kobalt ones were made by JH Williams, and are coarse toothed. The Armstrong and Craftsman are both 88 tooth.

Nope. Craftsman is 84 tooth.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I'm not one to get wrapped up in tool warranties, but ratchets wear out with use (even high priced ratchets), so I wan't to be able to get parts when the time comes. With Sear's track record, I wouldn't bank on getting parts for these in the future. The fact they are on clearance should indicate their future is short lived. It's your money, but I would look towards another manufacturer.

 

[AceofSpad3s]

Other than the handle there is not much similarity to the Armstrong/Craftsman. I believe the Kobalt ones were made by JH Williams, and are coarse toothed. The Armstrong and Craftsman are both 88 tooth.

The kobalt ones are dahner if I remember correctly same pos guts as the cman rp.

 

[oldldh]

The 3pc set of Craftsman Premium Ratchets has been "unavailable" on line for a good while...

They will be going the way of all the good stuff Craftsman used to sell, me thinks...

I wanted to buy all three of them, but....

 

[kunkernator]

Nope. Craftsman is 84 tooth.

Yup, sorry.

The kobalt ones are dahner if I remember correctly same pos guts as the cman rp.

Yes, that is true. I forgot, the US made wrenches and sockets were JH williams. And yes, POS ratchet.

 

[Jeremy77]

I'm not one to get wrapped up in tool warranties, but ratchets wear out with use (even high priced ratchets), so I wan't to be able to get parts when the time comes. With Sear's track record, I wouldn't bank on getting parts for these in the future. The fact they are on clearance should indicate their future is short lived. It's your money, but I would look towards another manufacturer.

You make a good point here. Might not be too bad if you can hoard a few rebuild kits, if not, its very possible that you'll have a nice paperweight once it breaks.

 

[1950mercury]

I have a quarter inch one it's pretty good other than an auto reverses once in awhile

 

[AmishFury]

Other than the handle there is not much similarity to the Armstrong/Craftsman. I believe the Kobalt ones were made by JH Williams, and are coarse toothed. The Armstrong and Craftsman are both 88 tooth.

early kobalt was williams... then it switched to danaher... then imports

no idea what the tooth count was on the original kobalts but yes the danaher era kobalt was essentially a cman rp with a different handle... 36 clunky teeth

 

[impactsocket]

Is CM discontinuing the made in the USA premium ratchets?

 

[AceofSpad3s]

Is CM discontinuing the made in the USA premium ratchets?

I think so, I heard a month or so back that they are already made in Taiwan pretty sure but not 100%.

 

[threewood]

I have one and think it is a nice ratchet. Needed one to use with some 1/2" impacts, went to Sears and handled the RP and premium. Not even close in comparison so I spent the extra money for the premium. Ifind the handle comfortable and like the length. On sale makes it an even better deal.

 

[Tellingthem]

I have the set and like them fine. But I paid about $100 for all three and really wouldn't pay much more than that. If you are interested I'd watch out on ebay for a good deal. Because if you are concerned about a lifetime warranty I would not bet on Sears/Craftsman making it. However if you just want to give them a whirl I say go for it. I mean really what's $40?

 

[AceofSpad3s]

I have the Napa version, and it's a good ratchet, but not a fine tooth ratchet like the O.P. is asking about.

I picked up a napa one 2 weeks ago, really surprised how nice it is. It has shown me that they are actually a decent rat, the cman ones and kobalt **** but this one is pretty nice. Even plopped a gear with the quick release from a rp in and works great!

 

[AceofSpad3s]

On the issue of rebuilds for these premium rats, the guts of gearwrench 84t models might work. I opened up my gr last week to oil it and the guts look essentially the same besides the seals. The 84t gr is damn nice for what it is.

 

[impactsocket]

All my local Sears do not have USA Craftsman Premium Ratchets at a clearance price.

What is the price on the Craftsman Premium Ratchets that are made in Taiwan?

 

[AceofSpad3s]

All my local Sears do not have USA Craftsman Premium Ratchets at a clearance price.

What is the price on the Craftsman Premium Ratchets that are made in Taiwan?

Pretty sure it is the same price as the USA ones.