Craftsman Premium Grade Ratchets

[billymade]

One member is phi2039 (apex tool group); he does respond to PM's... maybe he will give us a update!

 

[mikefromme]

Ok here goes,

They are great, and I love them. The handle shape is fantastic, the length is just right for most jobs, and the gearing has proven to be a lifesaver on many occasions when I try to secretly work on my car in my apt parking lot.

But the 3/8" is what $60 retail? While I applaud the effort from Sears on this and love the ratchets, I don't think they will be around very long either at their current quality level or at all period. There just isn't the interest at the B&M level and the marketing has been absolutely horrible.

And that is my main contention, I pay $60 for a ratchet with a lifetime warranty then Sears either discontinues the line or cheapens them in line with their recent MO. 88T kits wont work so you're SOL. Im not going to shell out that much and end up getting a downgrade if it breaks in the future.

You can get a Wright Contour Grip for $25 (or other Ind. brand) and can be fairly certain that they wont be discontinued. Or get a truck brand for a bit more. I think if they were maybe $40 MSRP that would be much better and a more linear progression of the product tier.

A little about myself to lend some perspective; I am in the Navy and work on major caliber gun systems and have used pretty much every brand of US made tools in an industrial setting.

Gearwrench has announced an 84t ratchet in nov. -- though I can't find any for sale online yet. Was all set to buy the premium cm then I saw the gw announcement. Now I don't know what to do wait or bite the bullet and order from sears. I know as soon as I order from sears Amazon will have the gw 84 t set for fifty bucks less.

Maybe the internals will be the same? At least then you could repair it if sears discontinues the premium line.

 

[mikefromme]

http://www.gearwrench.com/pdf/SEMA2011.pdf

 

[Bull]

Gearwrench has announced an 84t ratchet in nov. -- though I can't find any for sale online yet. Was all set to buy the premium cm then I saw the gw announcement. Now I don't know what to do wait or bite the bullet and order from sears. I know as soon as I order from sears Amazon will have the gw 84 t set for fifty bucks less.

Maybe the internals will be the same? At least then you could repair it if sears discontinues the premium line.

Does supporting USA manufacturing matter to you at all?

I bought mine used, so I can't really say I supported our workers, but if you are buying new then maybe it is a question to consider.

 

[billymade]

Hmm, some propaganda! 25% stronger, too?

 

[mikefromme]

Quote:
Originally Posted by GMZ
Ok here goes,

They are great, and I love them. The handle shape is fantastic, the length is just right for most jobs, and the gearing has proven to be a lifesaver on many occasions when I try to secretly work on my car in my apt parking lot.

And that is my main contention, I pay $60 for a ratchet with a lifetime warranty then Sears either discontinues the line or cheapens them in line with their recent MO. 88T kits wont work so you're SOL. Im not going to shell out that much and end up getting a downgrade if it breaks in the future.

You can get a Wright Contour Grip for $25 (or other Ind. brand) and can be fairly certain that they wont be discontinued. Or get a truck brand for a bit more. I think if they were maybe $40 MSRP that would be much better and a more linear progression of the product tier.



Just wrote this reply, somehow it ended up two pages back, so here it is again.



Gearwrench has announced an 84t ratchet in nov. -- though I can't find any for sale online yet. Was all set to buy the premium cm then I saw the gw announcement. Now I don't know what to do wait or bite the bullet and order from sears. I know as soon as I order from sears Amazon will have the gw 84 t set for fifty bucks less.

Maybe the internals will be the same? At least then you could repair it if sears discontinues the premium line.

 

[amolaver]

I was able to use my 3/8 and 1/2 ratchets over the weekend while working on my GTO. I absolutely love the handle design and lengths. I am very proud to own these, as they feel like very nice tools, certainly far superior to any ratchets Craftsman had to offer when my dad introduced me to the brand as a kid.

I highly recommend trying them.

just wrapped up a clutch job yesterday and used my 3/8 and 1/2 wherever a ratchet was called for. still love the handle design and fine action. it seems like i'm in the minority, but i've never had 'lock up' or self reversing from any of them. granted, the 1/4 doesn't get much use, but the 3/8 is used a LOT.

they are the nicest ratchets i own and while of course i wish they had been cheaper, they have a GREAT feel to them. i like my extra long 3/8 SO, but i am always a little concerned it is going to break - just doesn't have the solid feel of the craftsman.

random side note - doing the frontier's clutch, i broke my wright 3430 (4" long 3/8 drive). the pawl broke. i used wright's 'contact customer service' form on their web site and got an email back a day or two later. after responding with the details, they sent out a kit, no issue. even got a new paper catalog! great service!

ahm

 

[mikefromme]

Does supporting USA manufacturing matter to you at all?

I bought mine used, so I can't really say I supported our workers, but if you are buying new then maybe it is a question to consider.

It does matter to me - -made in the USA was why I was interested in these in the first place. That and I am tired of my raised panel CM ratchets slipping. Though in fairness I've been pretty rough on them.

Just ordered one of each. Thanks for reminding me.

 

[DiyType]

It does matter to me - -made in the USA was why I was interested in these in the first place. That and I am tired of my raised panel CM ratchets slipping. Though in fairness I've been pretty rough on them.

Just ordered one of each. Thanks for reminding me.

100% does matter to me also....made in USA.

 

[6-Speed]

I was in Sears today and picked up the 2010 Holiday catalog and they had the new Premium Grade ratchets on page 11. They are sealed 84 tooth ratchets and made in the USA. They are online. Premium price also.

1/4" = $49.99

3/8" = $59.99

1/2" = 79.99

One thing to remember on the price is that this is Sears you are dealing with. They will be 20% off because it is summer and another 30% off because it is Tuesday. We might even get lucky with a 50% off now and then.

These are on sale today on-line for a decent price:

1/2" Drive for $59.49

3/8" Drive for $42.49

1/4" Drive for $33.99

I already have the 1/2" drive ratchet so I completed the set with the others.

 

[MrMark]

I just received my new 3/8 drive premium ratchet from UPS today. Unfortunately, it was locked up with the pawl in one direction (but not the other) right out of the packaging. Pretty sad that this is the state of Sears. I guess I'll try to exchange it if a local store has one.

Does anyone know if this is a problem that has no cure?

I wonder though if it is worth it because although the ratchet seems like it could be my main ratchet (if it worked) I wonder what would happen if it ever broke?

 

[Hiball]

I just received my new 3/8 drive premium ratchet from UPS today. Unfortunately, it was locked up with the pawl in one direction (but not the other) right out of the packaging. Pretty sad that this is the state of Sears. I guess I'll try to exchange it if a local store has one.

Does anyone know if this is a problem that has no cure?

I wonder though if it is worth it because although the ratchet seems like it could be my main ratchet (if it worked) I wonder what would happen if it ever broke?

If that was the first time I'd read about that issue, I'd call it a fluke... Unfortunately it's happening too much in the GJ community for it not to be a issue.. Good luck.

 

[MrMark]

Thanks Hiball.

Update:

I took it apart and inspected it. It is probably the simplest ratchet to take apart and put back together I have ever seen. I couldn't see anything at all wrong with it. It looked perfect inside and it had a nice amount of factory lube. It was beautifully machined. I removed some of that lube and put in some Breakfree and put it back together. No change.

It appears to be some design problem. Does Sears have some fix and maybe a new updated ratchet? I could have received old stock? I did order this from Sears.com but it came from a store in San Diego.

 

[MarkH]

1/2, 3/8 never did this, the 1/4 did for me. Took it apart removed some lube. Put it in a vise and when I turned it a little it would allow me to change it. There seems to be some pressure on the pawl that does not want to release. Did this for a number of times and it seems to loosen up and work. Thought about taking it apart again and looking for burrs or something on the pawl or gear but time was not with me.

The 1/4 is small enough to back up a little to release it by hand so it kept me occupied while I waited for paint to dry.

 

[MrMark]

I wonder if this is a manufacturing tolerance problem? Obviously, some of these ratchets work, but others don't. Could it be that the machining tolerances are such that a ratchet on one end of the tolerance would work but one on the other end wouldn't? I'm sure Sears/Danaher QC is next to nonexistent, otherwise so many bad ratchets would not make it out.

Too bad the Armstrong guy with his 3-in-1 oil is not around to make a pronouncement on this.

I am upset about this because I figured this was the one decent thing that Craftsman still had left.

 

[crankshaftdan II]

I wonder if this is a manufacturing tolerance problem? Obviously, some of these ratchets work, but others don't. Could it be that the machining tolerances are such that a ratchet on one end of the tolerance would work but one on the other end wouldn't? I'm sure Sears/Danaher QC is next to nonexistent, otherwise so many bad ratchets would not make it out.

Too bad the Armstrong guy with his 3-in-1 oil is not around to make a pronouncement on this.

I am upset about this because I figured this was the one decent thing that Craftsman still had left.

I had a simular situation, but not with a c-man-packed tight with grease when it arrived--I cleaned out the heavy lube and used some engine assy lube on the gear and 3-1 oil on the balance-purredlike a kitten from than on! Ibelieve it was a matco?? Just my 3 cent's worth

 

[kiatech]

I love my 3/8 use it every time I can. Although my new matco bfr158t is a close second.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

No issues with the set I have nor the guy I send auto trannys to be rebuilt. He uses his much more than I use mine.

One of those conundrums I guess

 

[Skin]

Autoreversing and jammed pawls seem to be caused by the spring and pintle either being too long or too short. Snip one coil off the spring and try it again, wash rinse repeat. Not like its going to make it worse.

Perhaps im mistaken but didnt someone say that Sears got rebuild kits for the 84T in?

 

[MrMark]

Autoreversing and jammed pawls seem to be caused by the spring and pintle either being too long or too short. Snip one coil off the spring and try it again, wash rinse repeat. Not like its going to make it worse.

Perhaps im mistaken but didnt someone say that Sears got rebuild kits for the 84T in?

Thanks for that good advice. I returned the ratchet tonight and got another one. It is PERFECT. I asked about the kits as I wanted to get one before they go out of style and the nice man said they have them but the rebuild guy was gone. Who knows.

 

[vga]

I went back to my local sears last weekend to look at and hold one if these ratchets again as the first time I saw and held one a few weeks ago the feel of the handle in my hand didnt impress me at all. The build quality is very high so ithought I would give it anther go and my anwser remains the same as before,. I do not like the feel of the handle in my hands. Im used to the round handles of my Snap on, Williams and Matco ratchets and the craftsman just feels odd while im holding it. Its a very nice ratchet but its not for me!

 

[Paulkenosha]

I went back to my local sears last weekend to look at and hold one if these ratchets again as the first time I saw and held one a few weeks ago the feel of the handle in my hand didnt impress me at all. The build quality is very high so ithought I would give it anther go and my anwser remains the same as before,. I do not like the feel of the handle in my hands. Im used to the round handles of my Snap on, Williams and Matco ratchets and the craftsman just feels odd while im holding it. Its a very nice ratchet but its not for me!

I am in the same boat. I just don't like the handle at all. I bought the gearwrench 84tooth and love them. Good weight and handle feels similar to a snapon handle. Not USA made but not china either. Taiwan made and feels also cheaper by about half. The craftsman premiums are nice like you said but also not for me.

 

[nanofrog]

84T Premium (1/2" dr.) just didn't feel right to me either, and I picked up a Thin Profile with a USA stamp on it instead. Feels a lot better to me, though it has switched direction a couple of times ... Not sure what to do about that, or even if there is something that I can do to help prevent this.

 

[Jim C.]

I have the 1/4" and the 3/8" models. I like everything about them! I haven't had any problems with either one and they've performed fine every time I've used them. I think they're good tools for the money.

Jim C.

 

[Chadwilliam1]

I have all three premium ratchets and I love them. I think the feel of them is excellent. worth every penny.

 

[5mall5nail5]

I have all three premium ratchets and I love them. I think the feel of them is excellent. worth every penny.

Same - I even bought two of the 3/8's because I loved them so much. Perfect length IMO.

 

[Mavawreck]

I played with one in the store tonight, it felt pretty dang nice. I want a few. Made in USA.

 

[wrenchr]

I like them and the only issue I have is they need to offer variants of this ratchet. I want flexheads, stubby, long non flex. A 1/4 with 3/8 drive would be neat.

 

[dsmnickk90]

^^^^^ i agree i would buy all of them

 

[PT Doc]

If you have round handles ratchets already then these are kind of nice. They have a squarish handle and you can grip in a way that you won't slip on it the way you would with a round handled ratchet.

 

[Schwinn68]

I bought a set two years ago. They've been great ratchets. I have had the common reversing problem on the 1/2" as others have reported. Thankfully the 3/8" has been flawless which is nice as its the most used ratchet I own.

 

[Ben Iv]

I have a 1/2 and 3/8 I want a 1/4 but they never have them in store around here. they are nice ratchets But I also bought them because this may be the last new usa made craftsman tools by the looks of things.

 

[heyutokyo]

They look nice. The Chrome looks high grade. I do think they are leaning towards a Matco design.

 

[zakmartin]

Despite some of the posts above, I like the feel of the handles. To each their own, I suppose. I actually think the worst part of the tool is the chrome. My 3/8 ratchet's chrome got dinged up and finally splintered into the palm of my hand (it hurt like hell when it happened). I had to call 3 Sears stores before I could find one that had a new replacement in stock. They were cool about replacing it. I wear gloves now when I use these.

 

[JoeMA]

I bought all 3 sizes 2 years ago and haven't had any problems. I like them so much that I reach for them over my Dual 80s.

 

[oldldh]

They are on my "I gotta have these" list...

 

[RCRGarage]

If you have round handles ratchets already then these are kind of nice. They have a squarish handle and you can grip in a way that you won't slip on it the way you would with a round handled ratchet.

My hand has never slipped off the handle of a ratchet. Do you pull the ratchet with just one finger?

 

[bimmerZ5]

i got the 3pc set last week... i think the quality control on these vary... my 1/4" is smooth as butter, but the 3/8" and 1/2" are less so. the 1/2" seems to get jammed up and i have to play with the direction switch a bit. tried taking the 1/2" apart and re-lubing it, but not much difference. played with the gear and pawl a bit, and noticed they are kind of "rough" if you slide their teeth against each other...

when they work great out of the box, they are really pretty awesome! love the 1/4", but i wonder if I should take the 1/2" gear out and sand down the gears to smooth them out?

 

[Chadwilliam1]

Try thinner oil. What oil are you using?

 

[bimmerZ5]

Try thinner oil. What oil are you using?

i had some Castrol 0w-30 around, and also tried superlube grease... what's better for these ratchets? oil or grease?