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Craftsman 1/4" Flex Head Ratchet?

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Skin

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Boston
They came out with that around the same time SK went bankrupt, in late 2010, to replace an SK model they use to sell. Its just a 1/4" flex raise panel (36 tooth) but the only odd thing is it has no quick release.

Retail was $39.99, part number 49951

i guess they axed production when they decided to offshore ratchet production and didnt renew it overseas. Needless to say if they dont bring it back it will become collectible quite quickly.
 
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shoturtle

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they don't make that one anymore, but that price on ebay is way more then what it sold for when it was still being sold.
 
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iroc409

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I think someone said that is a MAC or something. It's US-made, and I saw them as recent as a few months ago. Retail price in store was $39.99--way more than the larger ratchets.

It is slightly different than the standard RP's, the guts are different.
 
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reddog289

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Detroit
I saw two of them on the rack at a Sears by my house Easter sunday, I was so tempted to buy one. Maybe if I see another I will.
 
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Regnar

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I bought one the other day at the Sears in Mobile. I cant remember if it was 32.00 or 39.00. I just remember that the 3/8 was 20.00 and the 1/2 was cheaper than the 1/4. I like having sets of things and it might come in handy for hard to reach small hardware.
 
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obsessive

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There was one at my local Sears when I was there 2 days ago. I was going to buy it. It had a nice feel and weight.

I thought surely the $39.99 price on the tag that was a mistake, as the 3/8" drive is ~$18 on sale. But, it rang up at $39.99.

The (old) page for it on Sears' website has no picture and no price, so no sale opportunity there.

Sad, as I've been looking for US-made flex ratchets lately, but IMO $43 after tax for a 30-something tooth count RP with no warranty replacement available is nuts.

US-made competition can be had, delivered, for about the same price:

Wright Tool model 2495 1/4" flex head ratchet, contour grip, 45 tooth
http://www.royalsupply.com/store/pc/Wright-Tool-2495-Flex-Head-Ratchet-5-1-2-p50142.htm
($47 shipped from MRO)

Armstrong Maxx 1/4" locking flex model 10-994, 60 tooth
http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/Ratchets/10-994.html
($49.95 Amazon)
 

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chrenan

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I got one for $41 off Flea Bay, they come up quite regularly. They were never carried in Sears Canada from what I know. Not worth the money, but I have the US made raised panel ratchets in 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 and now the flex raised panels in 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2, sometimes its nice to have a complete set! I use the 1/4 flex quite often on my 944 Turbo where engine bay access isn't great, its a handy little ratchet, but if I wasn't completing the set I would just buy from another brand.
 
F

Fedwrench

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Valley of the sun
iroc409 said:
I think someone said that is a MAC or something. It's US-made, and I saw them as recent as a few months ago. Retail price in store was $39.99--way more than the larger ratchets.

It is slightly different than the standard RP's, the guts are different.
Click to expand...

Matco not MAC. The Craftsman 1/4 drive flex head uses the 34 tooth action found on the older Matco AR6FT ratchet. There was a thread quite awhile ago where the poster tried to interchange the quick release guts into the flex head and took great shots of the disassembled ratchet.
I never understood the pricing on these ratchets. At $39.99 it's more expensive than Craftsman 1/2 drive and double the price of a Craftsman 3/8 drive flex head ratchet. It is a unique offering from Craftsman and one that you'll probably never see again but, at $40 I pass. Now if I can score one on clearance for $20 or less, I'd grab it.
For those of you wanting a decent US made 1/4 drive flex head ratchet consider this Williams model: http://www.toolsdelivered.com/Willi...ols-1-4-Inch-Drive-Chrome-Ratchet-Drive-Tools
 
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karl1672

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Jan 19, 2012
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Lakes Region, NH
Here's my MAC, MR5F, around 5 years old.

P4180075.jpg
 
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Jarhead0408

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Who knows?
I've got 2 of them, bought the 2nd last night to give to my son. They don't make them anymore though.
It was literally, THE last US made ratchet on the rack at the Raleigh Sears.

Very nice ratchet. I kinda of bought it just to round out my set of Craftsman ratchets.
Kinda pricey though.

I like the looks of the Armstong and Williams.
 
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bigcaddy

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Jan 17, 2012
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I just picked up one of these yesterday from sears. I bought a bunch of tools over the weekend and one was a seized up 3/8" drive ratchet. After an attempt to rebuild, i took it in for a warranty.

The girl at the counter said go pick out what you need but all i could find was 1/2" or taiwan/china made 3/8" ratchets. The only thing left that was USA made was the 1/4" flex head.

I took it back up and had to deal with her boss but he said their current selection ***** and it would be no problem to make the exchange, even though the tool i was getting was valued much higher then what i was warrantying.

Even though the tools are going to the chinese, i will still buy their American stuff, as long as they have it, because of customer service like this.
 
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cruiser808

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Picked up the last one at my local Sears in Kaneohe. At $39.99, I agree it's too much to pay for this thing, but I had a couple of Sears gift cards from Xmas that I had to burn and wanted to round off the Craftsman flex handle set. As others have said, they ain't making these anymore.
 
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billymade

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Anyone tried to get them rebuilt? I wonder if they have the kits for these or if it is like so many; limited production and then discontinued, not supported?
 
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NC-Fordguy

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Mar 10, 2012
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There is one, well at least the other day when I was there, at one of the local Sears. I looked at it a bit and the head doesn't seem to lock exactley even with the handle.

Not sure if this is a manufacturing glitch or it is supposed to be that way.

Also a couple sets of the low profile made in the usa 60 tooth ratchets left as well
 
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Super Sport

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Jun 30, 2011
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West Michigan
My Sears still has a couple of these on the shelf. They feel like a nice ratchet, but I can't justify the price. IMO the best warranty in the business is now far from the best if I'm going to get imported replacements. I'd spend a little extra and get the Wright mentioned earlier. Now those are some nice little ratchets!
 
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stricht8

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Apr 20, 2008
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Just bought one after reading this thread. Interestingly the head is full polish. A very nice tool really.
 
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Jayrcee

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Jun 16, 2006
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Does anyone know what the part number is for this ratchet's rebuild kit?
 
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smothers33

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Mar 16, 2012
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355
i have one i cant remember what i paid for it but i bought brand new at sears. if i paid 40 bucks for it I feel bad for myself because i just got my new armstrong locking flex from tooltopia yesterday for 45 bucks and it is 100000 times better than the craftsman(more teeth, slightly smaller handle, and it locks in position) I hate everytime i used the craftsman how when i had to put a little torque on it the handle would slip and id being screaming swear words at top of my lungs and get the bossman all riled up an yelling back at me all over a damn crappy ratchet
 
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ianguilly

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Mar 26, 2012
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Cincinnati
I saw one of these on Sears shelves, bought it thinking I could resell and make a profit. What a mistake that was, ended up trading it to my snap on guy for a 3/8 ratchet.
 
OP
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Chamkila

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Jan 2, 2009
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NYC, NY
Skin said:
They came out with that around the same time SK went bankrupt, in late 2010, to replace an SK model they use to sell. Its just a 1/4" flex raise panel (36 tooth) but the only odd thing is it has no quick release.

Retail was $39.99, part number 49951

i guess they axed production when they decided to offshore ratchet production and didnt renew it overseas. Needless to say if they dont bring it back it will become collectible quite quickly.
Click to expand...

New ones come with quick release check link above
 
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