Craftsman Premium Grade Ratchets

[MrMark]

Part of the problem with these Gearwrench type ratchets is that I don't believe Danaher has come up with a good lubricant yet. That pawl is very prone to sticking with that (somewhat questionable) design. The Gearwrench rotoratchets are different and they use some kind of crappy stale dried up grease. The Gearwrench pear heads use some kind of dirty oil that leaks and begs for improvement. I assume these Craftsman are similarly lubed. The 3 in 1 oil comment from the Armstrong guy really got me. I couldn't believe that in this day and age they are recommending 3 and 1 oil!.

 

[Skin]

Well a drop of whatever every year isnt going to make me lose my mind. I think they've done their home work. Aside from the tooth count [84.5 teeth to be precise] they share the same basic design as not only GW but Matco, and Armstrong Max ratchets as well and those obviously arent failing left and right. Infact next to SO duals i'd say the Matco 88 is one of the most popular/praised higher tooth count ratchets discussed here.

I can say that my borked 1/2" was not from a sticking pawl, I filled it with some spray lube and it did nothing. Either the pin was made too long or the spring.

 

[MrMark]

That may be, but i can tell you from owning both that the Gearwrench doesn't hold a candle to the dual 80 in smoothness of action. Not even close. The dual 80 is as smooth as a fine watch, and the gearwrench is rough. I think lubrication is a big part of that and the inability of that pawl design to accept a medium bodied grease to smooth the action. If the Matco is similar, I wouldn't like it.

I'm anxious to try these ratchets in person, so I am still hopeful that they are somehow nicer than their Gearwrench cousins.

 

[Skin]

i wouldnt hesitate to use the 1/2" as a self defense weapon if thats any consolation. It is well balanced and quite beefy.

 

[Fedwrench]

That may be, but i can tell you from owning both that the Gearwrench doesn't hold a candle to the dual 80 in smoothness of action. Not even close. The dual 80 is as smooth as a fine watch, and the gearwrench is rough. I think lubrication is a big part of that and the inability of that pawl design to accept a medium bodied grease to smooth the action. If the Matco is similar, I wouldn't like it.I'm anxious to try these ratchets in person, so I am still hopeful that they are somehow nicer than their Gearwrench cousins.

I own Snap on Dual 80s, Matco 60 and 88s, Gearwrench 60s, and the new Craftsman 84 tooth ratchets. It's the same basic design ratcheting mechanism across the board aside from tooth count, the screw retained gear cover on the Craftsman, and the circular raised area on the craftsman ratchet body with the relief on the back of the gear. They all feel about the same to me once broken in.
I wouldn't get your hair on fire over 3 in one oils as a choice of lube. It's just that fine tooth ratchets do better with thin oil than say the red lube of love. You could opt for any number of high tech thin weapon grade lubes.
I honestly think the sweetspot for tooth count is 60 teeth and anything over that is overkill but, that's just me.
I do like the added length, heft, and squareness of the new Craftsman ratchet handles. It's another option out there and one of the few new tools that are US made.

 

[mrholeshot]

MrMark........What pray tell is wrong with 3 in1 oil? If the ratchet is well built it will keep it lubed. If it can keep some sewing machines going for 100+years it must work pretty well.

 

[MrMark]

MrHoleshot, Nothing really wrong with it, it is just not particularly viscous to provide a little damping action. A thicker lubricant would smooth the action out but would cause pawl sticking on the Danaher design. I really don't like the loud "clicking" that the Gearwrench design makes. It is annoying to me.

Fedwrench, I've never taken a Dual 80 apart. Are you telling me that SO uses oil in those for the rebuilds and not Super Lube? If you know, I'd appreciate the info.

So you are saying that the super lube is only the hot ticket for the low tooth count ratchets? I will tell you that it improves greatly the Gearwrench roto ratchets and those ratchets don't come from the factory with oil; they use a dried out paste grease.

MrMark........What pray tell is wrong with 3 in1 oil? If the ratchet is well built it will keep it lubed. If it can keep some sewing machines going for 100+years it must work pretty well.

 

[mrholeshot]

So you are saying that the super lube is only the hot ticket for the low tooth count ratchets? I will tell you that it improves greatly the Gearwrench roto ratchets and those ratchets don't come from the factory with oil; they use a dried out paste grease.

My Gearwrench roto ratchets came with no kind of lube at all. I put some "slide out" spray lube in them and they hardley make any noise now. I think in low tooth count ratchets (40 and lower) that cam lube works better than anything I've found. Super lube (or engine assembley lube) works well in sealed ratchets but if you use that stuff in heated conditions like out in the open sunlight it will ooze out of a non sealed ratchet.

 

[jrodc455]

jrodc455, what is the allocation so far? Are they coming in the normal boxes with everything else or are they coming in a separate sealed "case" like the standard, raised panel ratchets? The allocation seems very low! Any markings on the box to indicate who the oem is and where are they made?

Well I was on vacation when we got em in, I saw em hanging on our pegboard so I don't know how they came in. I'll check that stuff this week.

 

[Givl Reggin]

I saw em hanging on our pegboard so I don't know how they came in. I'll check that stuff this week.

One of my local stores shows 1 in stock of each, I thought great! I'm going to make a run there and grab them... well, I get there, go to the ratchet section, not hanging up, so I go up to the cash register, there's about 5-6 "employees" standing around, I ask if they have the premium ratchet in... get a blank stare, one guy says there hanging up, goes and brings back the thin profile ratchets, I said no that not them, one guy starts paging through the catalog, I said it's not in there, they're in the holiday catalog.... another guy chimes in "we had a guy looking for them the other day, I don't think we carry them" I said "that was me asking about them the other day... the Sears website shows you have one of each in stock" - one guy then runs off into the back stock room, comes back about 5 minutes later and says "they're not back there, no one has seen them, I don't think we stock those" I asked why the computer shows them in stock? No one knows. So, I leave empty handed. I might try again tomorrow at a different time when they have other employees working - I've noticed, like so many things in life, that the level of service you get depends on who is waiting on you.

So, I'm curious, just how accurate is the "In Stock" number that the website shows? I've had other occasions where the computer said they had items in stock and no one can find it on the sales floor or in the stockroom - are the stock rooms that disorganized?


.

 

[lodemia]

When I was in Des Moines, they were hanging on an end-cap with a bunch of china "black-oxide" stuff. if you blinked, you'd miss them.

 

[billymade]

Well, when I worked @ Sears; the OHC (on hand count) was off all the time! What you might do is buy them online and do a "in store pickup"; this will send a order to the back and it will force them to find them, setting them aside for you to get them in the pick up area. If they can't find them; you should get a email saying they are not in stock....

 

[Skin]

store pickup is what i did, they were left behind the register for me. Chances are they do have them but either havent put them out or put them in some obscure location. Like i said earlier stores seem to be getting a single set for evaluation. Plus if you go through online you can use the $5 off $50 coupon on the 3/8 and 1/2 .

 

[Givl Reggin]

store pickup is what i did, they were left behind the register for me.

I don't use credit card, so I have never even looked at the option - can I order on-line and pay cash in store?

 

[Skin]

no, i think they may offer paypal if you were open to that. Alternately you should be able to go into your store and have them order anything for you that they dont stock.

 

[Stuey]

Tried to order one last night, only shipping was allowed, and I didn't feel like paying $7, so I'll wait longer. It was due to be a giveaway ratchet anyway, so no real rush.

A review sample set arrived today, and I'm feeling them up right now. They're absolutely gerogeous! The 3/8" jammed up a little in one direction when I first started checking it out, but after a few wiggling everything settled into place and it works perfectly.

 

[mtkst19]

I had the chance to play with these in store on sunday. I liked the handle design and how it felt in my hand. i didnt like the relatively big head. I think that is a deal breaker.

They also need to come out w/ a flex version. everything i use be it work or home is flex head.

 

[littlekillertoad]

I stopped by the Sears by me and couldn't find them and I'm definitely not paying for shipping. I hope they show up soon because I'm dying to give 'em a whirl.
I'll probably wait a bit until they're on sale though; I'm a sucker for a sale.

 

[Skin]

I had the chance to play with these in store on sunday. I liked the handle design and how it felt in my hand. i didnt like the relatively big head. I think that is a deal breaker.

They also need to come out w/ a flex version. everything i use be it work or home is flex head.

big head? Did you look at the right ratchet? Its easily one of the most compact head designs out there.

 

[jrodc455]

If it says store has 1 in stock on Sears.com...then that store doesn't have any of whatever it is. Or if they do it's a floor model and beat to hell and back.

 

[mtkst19]

big head? Did you look at the right ratchet? Its easily one of the most compact head designs out there.

see post 84 of this thread. thats what i seen in the store. i assume those are what we are talking about. thickness, they are slim profile. however, they are wide head. kinda like a proto ratchet. at least that's my take on them

 

[Skin]

dont need to see a stock photo, i own them . They dont taper off toward the handle if thats what you mean but the head is by no means "big".

I say this as someone who generally avoids teardrop ratchets. In my palm they make my round heads feel large although i must say the C-Mans do feel heavier. I've only been using them for a couple days now but thats my take on them anyway.

If it says store has 1 in stock on Sears.com...then that store doesn't have any of whatever it is. Or if they do it's a floor model and beat to hell and back.

Pretty sure stores getting 1 of each is the norm. In addition to my local store that i cleaned out which read only 1 i have 2 more stores 30minutes away that are also registering only 1 each.

 

[phi2039]

They used to have a floor demo; when the thin profiles came out.... I believe they had pics comparing the "thinness" of the the ratchet head compared to Snap-On and other pro brands....
Although, I think that this "less parts" is kinda lame marketing; they should be promoting some sort of "benefit" to the use over the Dual 80s; come on, they have to be able to say some other then this (compared to Snap-On)! I think our resident Danaher rep; showed the ratchets being thinner.... why didn't they crow about that? Sears marketing has never been that great; I guess I shouldn't expect them to be any different now! Come on; get these ratchets out in the public, market them like crazy (effectively) and make more variations that all the pro's need, from stubby all the way up to 24" swivel head 1/2" ratchets!!!!!! I still think they should have a introductory promotion with a ratchet trade in program (the tool trucks do this!) which would give you a discount and get the new products in your customers hands.... MORE future sales! Are you LISTENING Danaher/Sears development and marketing teams?

Yes...listening...

 

[phi2039]

Those internals looks identical to Gearwrench with the addition of the O ring. Thanks for the great pictures, Skin.

You can't lube these type internals with Super Lube. I found this out recently, as it is too sticky and makes the pawl stick to the side causing erratic operation and jamming. I remember the Armstrong guy saying as much, and stating that 3 in 1 oil works well. I just used some Break Free after I got the Super Lube out. 3 in 1 is pretty lame, if you ask me. I would prefer a more serious recommendation.

LOL! Touche...

We use Marvel Mystery Oil in the plant as well as in the repair kits, so use that if you want 'OEM' lube.

3-in-1 works and is widely available, so I usually recommend it first.

 

[Jack90210]

I consider myself fairly well plugged in, and yet I missed this entire thread.

As much as I despise Sears, I'll buy some of these to check them out. At least it seems like someone there is trying to move in the right direction. I really want them to become something again.

We need a place where the average guy can walk in and expect good old made in the US tools that are of high quality. I hope this is a good omen. At least it is clearly marked USA on it. Could it be that someone out there actually gives a ****? I certainly hope so.

Bingo. This is a big, important step in the right direction.

I'm actually a big fan of the thin profile ratchets; they feel good in my hand and the action is smooth and "positive" with the right lubricant. If these are better I'll definitely pick up a set even though I don't need 'em!

 

[MrMark]

LOL! Touche...

We use Marvel Mystery Oil in the plant as well as in the repair kits, so use that if you want 'OEM' lube.

3-in-1 works and is widely available, so I usually recommend it first.

OK, well let's stick to OEM recommendations. This is Garage Journal, not Fine Housekeeping, after all.

 

[Steve_P]

Well, when I worked @ Sears; the OHC (on hand count) was off all the time! What you might do is buy them online and do a "in store pickup"; this will send a order to the back and it will force them to find them, setting them aside for you to get them in the pick up area. If they can't find them; you should get a email saying they are not in stock....

Sears has to be the most inept store to deal with; I bought a top tool chest online to pick up locally, they showed it as in stock at my local store. The next day they call me and say they don't have it. Sorry, but if they don't know if they have a tool box that's half the size of a washing machine there's no way you'll get accurate inventory on a small item w/o doing the above. Two wks ago they showed the tool chest in stock in 21 days. Last wk it was something like 14. This wk I checked again and it's somehow back up to ~21 days

On the plus side, almost all of their employees have been nice to deal with (although they're generally clueless 18 yr olds), and the multiple times I've called their 800 number for help I've always spoken to people in the US.

 

[billymade]

Like I used to say when I worked there for 7 years..... "welcome to Sears.... welcome to hell!"; LOL! I always tried to do the best for my customers but the inventory system has been screwed up for so long, I don't know if they will ever fix it.... seems to be an endemic problem! This was a primary frustration and anger producing issue; it sounds like nothing has changed! Sorry, to hear it but unfortunately, it doesn't surprise me! If you think in store inventory is a problem; I could tell you some stories about the appliances and the division that ships, installs them.... it would make your head spin!

 

[stricht8]

I just placed an in store order for the 3/8" premium ratchet today. They said they'll have it in a week. No shipping charges of course since I pick it up in the store. Pretty excited to check this thing out!

 

[mrholeshot]

My ratchets will be here Friday Yaaaaaaa!!!!!

 

[Steve_P]

Like I used to say when I worked there for 7 years..... "welcome to Sears.... welcome to hell!"; LOL! I always tried to the best for my customers but the inventory system has been screwed up for so long, I don't know if they will ever fix it.... seems to be an endemic problem! This was a primary frustration and anger producing issue; it sounds like nothing has changed! Sorry, to hear it but unfortunately, it doesn't surprise me! If you think in store inventory is a problem; I could tell you some stories about the appliances and the division that ships, installs them.... it would make your head spin!

I don't deal with sears a lot (try hard to avoid) but what little I have, the company seems to be grossly mismanaged. Like I said, the workers have all been nice but everything is a mess from their website down. If you go to their site and search for something like "17 mm craftsman professional wrench" you get 500 matches- wrenches, sockets, drills, etc. WTF? And if you order a tool chest that they have (but not in a store) it takes 6 wks to get which is crazy. I've bought a bunch (don't ask) of cman tool chests in the last yr (great bargain) and of the nine (?) I have unboxed, about a third of them have been damaged and I've returned them. After bringing several back I started just opening them before even loading them and doing a thorough inspection to save myself the trouble of bringing them back. Now, any competently managed company would say, "gee, we're getting 20% returns due to damage on these larger products; something is wrong in our handling process and we need to change something to address this because we're losing a lot of $$." But, evidently there isn't any concern because this seems to be a common problem from what I've read in their reviews and has been going on for a while. So, to sum it up, I can't see how sears will survive another decade.

Oh, and what's funny is the tool chest that was shown in stock at my local store, but wasn't, is still shown as in stock on sears.com!

 

[patrickw10]

i ordered a black side cabinet the one with 4 drawers a shelf and a door enclosing it all from sears they told me it would take 2 weeks for around 4 months until i got pissed and got my money back and bought a hf 7 drawer side cabinet that arrived on time.

 

[Skin]

I don't deal with sears a lot (try hard to avoid) but what little I have, the company seems to be grossly mismanaged. Like I said, the workers have all been nice but everything is a mess from their website down. If you go to their site and search for something like "17 mm craftsman professional wrench" you get 500 matches- wrenches, sockets, drills, etc. WTF? And if you order a tool chest that they have (but not in a store) it takes 6 wks to get which is crazy. I've bought a bunch (don't ask) of cman tool chests in the last yr (great bargain) and of the nine (?) I have unboxed, about a third of them have been damaged and I've returned them. After bringing several back I started just opening them before even loading them and doing a thorough inspection to save myself the trouble of bringing them back. Now, any competently managed company would say, "gee, we're getting 20% returns due to damage on these larger products; something is wrong in our handling process and we need to change something to address this because we're losing a lot of $$." But, evidently there isn't any concern because this seems to be a common problem from what I've read in their reviews and has been going on for a while. So, to sum it up, I can't see how sears will survive another decade.

Oh, and what's funny is the tool chest that was shown in stock at my local store, but wasn't, is still shown as in stock on sears.com!

i agree the sears market place searches popping up is annoying however it usually only happens if you are vague. 'Craftsman professional 17mm wrench', for example, actually works. The top 3 finds are the stubby, double box, and the long pattern combo. If you just search for '17mm wrench' though, all bets are off.

Generally when searching for tools i either use the complete part number or go through www.craftsman.com which excludes all the market place bs.

 

[Buckgnarly]

Saw one of each in stock at the store 1hr from me. Took a chance, but to no surprise the salepeople had no clue, searched for them after I showed them as having them in stock online, but no luck. Guy was clueless, kept looking at all the black friday stuff saying "I put everything out myself"....he did not even know what 84 tooth meant....

So, being resourceful I go downstairs, hop on a Sears computer, place my order (using two 5 off discounts) and low and behold they magically turn up after I return from dinner about 1.5hrs later.

My take, not bad but not SO smoothness. They are a nice mid length, small head, and much better action than any other Craftsman I own. They jsut don't have that SOLID action that my S80 has, though they are longer and thinner.

 

[billymade]

I always say to do a "in store pickup" via the web; this forces the issue and gets them to find the stock. The order goes back to the stockroom; the "receiving" department looks and sets this item aside for the customer, the sales people have nothing to do with this process. Your average sales person; deals with the stock on the floor and doesn't necessarily deal with the storeroom as much as receiving does. On the other hand; many sales people, can't find the stock on the floor anyway, much less stock in the warehouse... The person who is supposed to know the stock better is a "MCA"; again it all depends on the person and how much they care about things. Receiving, many times puts things away and it is almost impossible to find; ask me how I know! Screw ups are common but "in store pickup"; is generally the best way to get a stocked item to you... less hassle as well!

 

[stricht8]

Just got my 3/8" ratchet. It's nice! Comfortable and solid. I love the low profile head too. Smooth but not as smooth as SO dual 80. I don't think that tooth count is the only thing that determines smoothness. For example the 72 tooth Facom ratchets are way smoother than a dual 80. it's almost as if they have no teeth at all. I bet that if a thicker lube gets usedthen this CM ratchet will be at least as smooth as a dual 80. But again nothing can beat the smoothness of the Facoms.

 

[cide1]

I bought the set of three, and am thrilled. It feels like they have smoothed out some with use, which makes me like them that much more.

 

[billymade]

phi2039, any updates? How has the roll out gone; are you guys going to expand into other types of ratchets? Inquiring minds want to know!

 

[DiyType]

I plan on getting the Craftsman Premium Grade Ratchet 3pc Set when it goes on sale

 

[fordgasm]

I plan on getting the Craftsman Premium Grade Ratchet 3pc Set when it goes on sale

as do I, whenever that is....if ever.