Craftsman Premium Grade 3/8 Ratchet $35

[zip94]

Craftsman Premium Grade 3/8 inch Drive Ratchet 40% OFF at Sears Downtown Houston location for $35.24. I had another Sears in Houston match the price. They said they had never seen them that low. If the link does not work, use 77002 for zip code under the local ad tab. Also included a picture.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/LocalAdHome?storeId=10153&catalogId=12605&adCell=DC_localad&adCell=W2

 

[m4rkz0r]

Do not need.... Must resist tool buying temptation...

 

[ATC]

This is a rare deal. I picked up mine for $32 and some change over a year ago. Very nice ratchets! They have a longer handle than most standard 3/8 ratchets too

 

[Digital4n6]

i have the set. they do feel very good in the hand, very natural. my 3/8" one did lock up on me and the local store didn't stock it but thankfully another local store did for the trade-in replacement warranty.

 

[Lifted4]

Craftsman Premium Grade 3/8 inch Drive Ratchet 40% OFF at Sears Downtown Houston location for $35.24. I had another Sears in Houston match the price. They said they had never seen them that low. If the link does not work, use 77002 for zip code under the local ad tab. Also included a picture.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/LocalAdHome?storeId=10153&catalogId=12605&adCell=DC_localad&adCell=W2

I'm going to pick up one of these today here in Houston . Are theses still made in the USA ?

 

[Brownsfan]

Yes. They are the ONLY loose stock ratchets still USA made. I have all 3 and they have served mme well. No issues at all. I really like the 1/2 dr because of how long it is. Longer than most.

 

[Car_Guy]

For not much more you can buy a used snap-on dual80 3/8" drive ratchet... I would trust parts availability for the snap on much longer then this ratchet...

 

[zkling]

OK, not to be "That guy" but how does this compare to the ~$12 kobalt flex head. Yes I realize one is flex and the other is a fixed, but as far as tooth count and smoothness? What really limits from buying Cman tools now is the knowledge that they have and will continue to manufacture overseas.

 

[usmc_noma]

Those ratchets feel nice in the store and for 35 I'd jump on it but they're 54 here. As someone already mentioned I'd also be worried about replacement down the line being overseas verse US. Ive noticed that not all locations have the premium rats either.

 

[kiatech]

I already have the 3/8 model. I REALLY want the 1/4 and 1/2 model but really dont want to pay full price.

 

[allinon72]

Would buy for $36

 

[kurtk75s]

OK, not to be "That guy" but how does this compare to the ~$12 kobalt flex head. Yes I realize one is flex and the other is a fixed, but as far as tooth count and smoothness? What really limits from buying Cman tools now is the knowledge that they have and will continue to manufacture overseas.

I am one of those CMAN guys - you know, the ones who have everything CMAN - from weedwacker/lawn tractor/tiller to workbench/boxes/cabinets. Until a few years ago, ALL of my tools were CMAN except for a few specialty items. I started my collection back in the late '80s and took domestic COO for granted - my 'turning point' was when I got some locking pliers and couldn't find the COO and a set of precision pliers that said both Craftsman and china. And I said WTF. If I'm going to buy imports, I'm not going to pay domestic prices.

Anyway, I have both ratchets mentioned - and I hate to admit that the Kobalt is one heck of a ratchet. It is so smooth. The CMan premium is really nice and I do like the very thin head (the main reason why I would ever pick it over the Kobalt) and a handle that helps with torque application. I find that that is more of a feature on the 1/2" (I have all three premium ratchets). BTW - the pawl mechanism in the Kobalt is pretty much identical to that in the HF composite ratchets - which I also really like.

After buying and using the Kobalt, I immediately told a co-worker (who I've turned into a tool guy) to go pick one up after work. It is probably his only non CMAN/non USA ratchet.

How can you go wrong for less than $20? For less than $15 - no brainer.

Regarding the premium ratchets. I kinda wish I got a dual80. I have the Bahco dual80 and it awesome - but fairly short.

 

[Hootbro]

For not much more you can buy a used snap-on dual80 3/8" drive ratchet... I would trust parts availability for the snap on much longer then this ratchet...

So how much more for the "not much more" to get into a used Snap On F80 ratchet?

Just would like to see what the market example is. Also, not everybody is tied to a tool truck and warranting a Craftsman item for many is just a stop on the way home from work.

 

[b7labelle]

I gotta agree. If i break something out of my Craftsman collection...its pretty darn easy to get a replacement THAT DAY. Only thing i ever seem to break are screw drivers anyhow....they make poor prybars.

 

[bimmerZ5]

I gotta agree. If i break something out of my Craftsman collection...its pretty darn easy to get a replacement THAT DAY. Only thing i ever seem to break are screw drivers anyhow....they make poor prybars.

that's generally true, but these "premium" ratchets are often not in stock at many stores. and on the "premium" ratchets, Sear's policy seems to be "repair" it before "replace" it... so they'll try to repair it and then 15 min later they'll come back and tell you that they didn't have the repair kit for it and couldn't do it. Then, you'll spend 15 min with the guy looking for a new one on the shelf only to realize they no longer stock it. So, 30 min wasted, they'll offer to order one for you.... and a few days later, they'll tell you they couldn't order one. ask me how I know....

i suspect they are discontinuing the "premium" ratchets.... or that the folks at my local sears are highly incompetent. both are likely possibilities.

fortunately, you can buy the 84t repair kits for the Gearwrench ratchets which is the same gears that are in these ratchets. do yourself a favor and just buy a few repair kits and throw them in a drawer until you need them. They can be had for about $5-$10 per kit and it'll be totally worth it to save yourself a pointless trip and time wasted at Sears.

 

[Car_Guy]

So how much more for the "not much more" to get into a used Snap On F80 ratchet?

Just would like to see what the market example is. Also, not everybody is tied to a tool truck and warranting a Craftsman item for many is just a stop on the way home from work.

I'm not tied too a tool truck (I'm a cheapskate), I only buy cheap used eBay ratchets...

If you keep your eye out you can get an F80 (dual80 3/8 drive ) ratchet for $35-$45 (used in good shape) granted you may have to look for a few weeks, they go for this price regularly. I think I paid $40 for my industrial finished one.

As one of the comments above states, for regular craftsman stuff I agree the warranty is hard to beat, but for these special ratchets it can be difficult.

 

[MrMark]

that's generally true, but these "premium" ratchets are often not in stock at many stores. and on the "premium" ratchets, Sear's policy seems to be "repair" it before "replace" it... so they'll try to repair it and then 15 min later they'll come back and tell you that they didn't have the repair kit for it and couldn't do it. Then, you'll spend 15 min with the guy looking for a new one on the shelf only to realize they no longer stock it. So, 30 min wasted, they'll offer to order one for you.... and a few days later, they'll tell you they couldn't order one. ask me how I know....

i suspect they are discontinuing the "premium" ratchets.... or that the folks at my local sears are highly incompetent. both are likely possibilities.

fortunately, you can buy the 84t repair kits for the Gearwrench ratchets which is the same gears that are in these ratchets. do yourself a favor and just buy a few repair kits and throw them in a drawer until you need them. They can be had for about $5-$10 per kit and it'll be totally worth it to save yourself a pointless trip and time wasted at Sears.

Is there any way to get the genuine Sears repair kits for these. I too fear that these are not long for this world.

 

[itwnexus]

it's $50.99 at:

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-prem...p-00902548000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

 

[stonesfan68]

Thanks for link, OP. I didn't get the ratchet but did get a hook and pick set for $18 and a Knipex electrician's pliers for $22. I can't believe that Sears marketing is sophisticated enough to have different prices for same area ZIP codes, but if I put in my home ZIP code the offers (products and pricing) were indeed different.

 

[rmsg0040]

Dont see why the gearwrench 84 repair kit wont fit, or even the 60 and 88 tooth kits

 

[agpatel]

Is there any way to get the genuine Sears repair kits for these. I too fear that these are not long for this world.

I have sent emails to Sears Parts help and they say there is no repair kit for the premium rathcets yet.

Dont see why the gearwrench 84 repair kit wont fit, or even the 60 and 88 tooth kits

There is a post on here by someone, will have to find it again, where they put a 88 tooth kit (Matco I think) and if you swapped everything it fit. There where some changes such as the coverplate thickness and selector switch but in a pinch it would work.

 

[Super Sport]

Thanks for link, OP. I didn't get the ratchet but did get a hook and pick set for $18 and a Knipex electrician's pliers for $22. I can't believe that Sears marketing is sophisticated enough to have different prices for same area ZIP codes, but if I put in my home ZIP code the offers (products and pricing) were indeed different.

It's their local ad specials. They have different deals at all stores, and the only way to find them is by going to the local ad link on their site or going into the store. They change every couple weeks, and they can vary greatly from one store to the next. A lot of things that don't go on sale often are available for ~50% off!

 

[Hootbro]

I'm not tied too a tool truck (I'm a cheapskate), I only buy cheap used eBay ratchets...

If you keep your eye out you can get an F80 (dual80 3/8 drive ) ratchet for $35-$45 (used in good shape) granted you may have to look for a few weeks, they go for this price regularly. I think I paid $40 for my industrial finished one.

As one of the comments above states, for regular craftsman stuff I agree the warranty is hard to beat, but for these special ratchets it can be difficult.

I guess if time is a luxury, buying used on Ebay may work. Still does not overcome the satisfaction of buying new and knowing the history out the gate of the ratchet you are using though.

 

[Umclemrbig]

I have a new 3/8 and 1/2 and used them once. They are great! But-I have too many ratchets so I would be interested in selling or trading if anyone is interested. Heck-They all are eligible for conversation!

 

[Chadwilliam1]

I have sent emails to Sears Parts help and they say there is no repair kit for the premium rathcets yet.



There is a post on here by someone, will have to find it again, where they put a 88 tooth kit (Matco I think) and if you swapped everything it fit. There where some changes such as the coverplate thickness and selector switch but in a pinch it would work.

Sears does have rebuild kits, my local Sears hardware has plenty of them. They just hand them to me. I have extras of them at my house. The matco 88 tooth kits will fit I am 99% sure you don't have to worry about the cover plate but I can check that when I get home.but if you are going to buy a rebuild kit I would just buy the gearwrench rebuild kit.

 

[agpatel]

Sears does have rebuild kits, my local Sears hardware has plenty of them. They just hand them to me. I have extras of them at my house. The matco 88 tooth kits will fit I am 99% sure you don't have to worry about the cover plate but I can check that when I get home.but if you are going to buy a rebuild kit I would just buy the gearwrench rebuild kit.

Do you happen to have the number for the premium rebuild kit? Do not have a Sears hardware close, just a regular sears. Like to have one on hand if possible.

 

[Chadwilliam1]

I have been to both but Sears hardware and regular Sears. Both have given me rebuild kits. I just walk in and tell them I need a rebuild kit for ratchet model number *** and they hand me one.

I will get you the rebuild kit numbers soon I have them at my house. There is a document online with all the rebuild kit numbers. I will see if I can find that.

 

[wrh3]

 

[agpatel]

Thanks Bill.

I called the Sears by me and they had no idea and gave me the Craftsman parts center number and they said no such part nor repair kit exist for this ratchet. I may stop by and go see in person if I can talk to the one who rebuilds them as I am hoping he may have better chance at knowing what I am talking about.

 

[04fivefour]

I don't know about everyone else but my 1/4 drive cm premium is the worst ratchet i have. It never stays in direction, I've also had two of them lock up. Took them to the store and they gave me new ones but still. my 3/8 and 1/2 drive are much better though. the 1/2 drive is almost the size of a breaker bar. I recently acquired a dual 80 SO and the action is sooooo much smoother than the CM premium.

 

[Chadwilliam1]

the trick to the 1/4 is cut the spring down slightly. I know you shouldn't have to but its the only solution I have come up with.

 

[bimmerZ5]

the trick to the 1/4 is cut the spring down slightly. I know you shouldn't have to but its the only solution I have come up with.

uh... sorry, i don't mean to start an argument or anything like that, but that will do exactly the opposite desired result for these types of ratchets that have a single paw that shifts from left to right.

in my experience fixing some of these ratchets, there are 2 main causes to the "reversing" or "jambing" issue...

1. too much grease or too thick grease. as you're ratcheting, the paw has to slide down and re-engage the next teeth on the gear. if there is too much grease or too thick, the paw doesn't move smoothly due to the viscosity of the grease and doesn't re-engage the next teeth but get stuck in the "middle" area.. this is where it jambs up or sometimes because it sticks to the main gear, it'll move to the opposite side and "reverse".

2. the retention pin spring isn't strong or reacting fast enough. for the paw to "push" back into the next position and re-engage the gear, the retention pin and spring are crucial. if that spring is weak, it doesn't push the paw back up against the gear on the next teeth consistently enough, and so again, the paw either gets stuck in the middle (jamb), or follows the gear to the other side (reverses).

To repair #1, just use a less viscous grease, or use an oil which is what comes from the factory. To repair #2, i actually stretch the spring out to a point where it deforms a tiny little bit so that it's resting length is longer than previously. These steps have fixed every ratchet of this type of design.

I know the older 36 teeth CMan ratchets worked "smoother" with shorter springs, but that design was completely different and you could do that without causing a disruption in function, but these ratchets absolutely need a strong retention pin spring...

 

[Chadwilliam1]

you are very likely correct. the only issue I have had is with my 1/4 and it would just skip teeth. so I cut down the spring. Made it a very smooth ratchet.

 

[3rdbuttondown]

Bill,

Can you add this to the thread as an attachment? I'd like to save it off.

Thx

 

[wrh3]

Bill,

Can you add this to the thread as an attachment? I'd like to save it off.

Thx

Just right click > Save as