Craftsman Premium Grade Ratchets

[myers212]

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

 

[Skin]

looks like a Matco head with a matco price, not much of a surprise, except maybe the price part. Not a fan of sharp corners so the handle doesnt really appeal to me.

They need to bring back a good roundhead.

 

[fordbroncodave]

i don't think i have ever paid $49 for a craftsman tool or set for that matter.

 

[fordbroncodave]

they are just getting greedy when trying to compete with the tool truck companies

 

[JSBriggs]

The problem I see is (in my opinion) they tend to change designs too often and then warranty 'down' to a lower level.

-Jeff

 

[kab00m]

I immediately thought gearwrench.

 

[mrholeshot]

I immediately thought gearwrench.

As did I, I wonder where it's made

Just did a close up and it says USA but the head is identical to gearwrench. It actually looks pretty good.

I will say I'm happy to see Craftsman come out with a quality USA built ratchet of a good design with a dececnt lenght and good looking handle. It's fine tooth, Made in the USA, I know the handle is comfortable (I have a few with the same basic style) and it sealed. For me it's a move in the right direction. It's still 50 dollars cheaper than the Snap-On it will compete with. My money says it will be a great ratchet. Can't wait to pick up a 3/8 version. I'll bite when they come out. A US worker is counting on me to buy ay least one.

 

[myers212]

As did I, I wonder where it's made

USA stamped on the head.

 

[JayL]

This is interesting. A USA made ratchet w/ a cross force type handle. I purchased a set of Gearwrench X-beam wrenches and am beginning to like these. This CM ratchet might be good for aging hands like mine.

Thinking of getting a 1/2" drive as soon as I get more feedback from owners here.

 

[a390st]

That is a nice addition. I just don't understand why it isn't 88 tooth like Matco. I do like the fact that it isn't a quick release. I have a couple of sets of the Thin Profile Next Generation ratchets. I don't care for the handles or the quick release, but they are good ratchets. I have to admit I thought of Gearwrench, too, when I saw it. It is too expensive for the normal Craftsman purchaser, though. I just wish they would have more tools like this rather than the cheap garbage they have been coming out with lately.

 

[mrholeshot]

Well I hear everybody crying over the lack of quality over at Craftsman. maybe this ratchet is testing the waters for a real professional line of tools. Sears get lots of complaints over the new China stuff and people tell them they are willing to pay for USA quality. Less than 2/3 the cost of Snap-On and looks ready to compete. The only thing that could hurt the sale of this ratchet is the fact that Craftsman hit bottom outsorcing to China os so many items. In a day when Snap-On won't put USA on their ratchets and new player from the USA hits the market with an easy to warranty ratchet may change things. If the 3/8 looks good I'll own a entire set. All the flag wavers should run out and buy at least one.

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

For that price I would buy a armstrong or cheaper a gearwrench...

 

[warmpancakes]

For that price I would buy a armstrong or cheaper a gearwrench...

or a dual 80 off ebay

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

or a dual 80 off ebay

Agreed... I have seen the Armstrongs go cheap online

 

[sk farmer]

something does not make sense. they look like gearwrench, armstrong or matco wich would make them 60 or 88, not 84 tooth. 4.5 degrees would be 80 tooth. maybe just more idiots who don't know what they are talking about.

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

I guess they are 60th tooth....

 

[Bolster]

I like the looks of them.

I would not kick them out of my tool drawer.

Neither will I replace my current Cman thin profile rats with these, because I LIKE the quick release.

 

[stricht8]

Those look pretty darn nice. Might have to try one out.

 

[Fedwrench]

Funny, I immediately thought Armstrong when I saw the USA on the head. I'd like to see the pear shaped retaining plate on the underside. Too bad none of my local stores have them. I would take the 1/4 and 3/8 to give them a shot. Too bad there aren't any premium flex heads.

 

[Joe B.]

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.

 

[Keep]

I thought of Armstrong as well. The head looks a lot like the torque wrench I picked up a couple weeks ago.

Of course they are not available to us up here. :|

 

[dankicksass]

Those are nice looking ratchets. I was eyeing up some Matco-esque sealed Gearwrench drivers in Advance today when I was picking up a couple magnetic spark plug sockets there.

 

[otis66]

The problem I see is (in my opinion) they tend to change designs too often and then warranty 'down' to a lower level.

-Jeff

This has never happened with me started with my 1/4 drive Pro Round head Rathet. Sears never had them in stock so I was given the Craftsman Pro Stanless steel ratchet When that ratchet broke and was no longer available I was give the 36 tooth Crome Pro rathet. Also I broke a #2 Pro screwdriver and It was replaced with the new Craftsman Pro screwdriver.

 

[otis66]

I will buy theses Ratchets as soon as I see them. I thought I had no reason to go to Sears. As long as the ratchet is made in USA I will buy it. They remind me of the Matco 88 I just bought.

 

[Skin]

Well I hear everybody crying over the lack of quality over at Craftsman. maybe this ratchet is testing the waters for a real professional line of tools. Sears get lots of complaints over the new China stuff and people tell them they are willing to pay for USA quality. Less than 2/3 the cost of Snap-On and looks ready to compete. The only thing that could hurt the sale of this ratchet is the fact that Craftsman hit bottom outsorcing to China os so many items. In a day when Snap-On won't put USA on their ratchets and new player from the USA hits the market with an easy to warranty ratchet may change things. If the 3/8 looks good I'll own a entire set. All the flag wavers should run out and buy at least one.

i'd rather complain about the price of this new domestic ratchet and how craftsman is going to hell with outsourcing.....

in all seriousness i'm pretty surprised at the price. The 3 piece thin profile is as much as the single "premium" 1/2". Unless its Stainless Steel or something i dont quite get it. I suspect we'll see an online only 3 piece set for $120-$140 at some point?

 

[otis66]

I wonder why there is no part# on the ratchet. The more I look at the new at ratchet it looks like a gearwrench/Matco cross.

 

[Honda 1]

My first impression when I viewed this ratchet style was Gear Wrench. I would like to see the actual wrench in the store before purchasing it.

 

[Joe B.]

I wonder why there is no part# on the ratchet. The more I look at the new at ratchet it looks like a gearwrench/Matco cross.

It does not look like a real photo. Maybe a nicer computer rendering.

 

[mrholeshot]

something does not make sense. they look like gearwrench, armstrong or matco wich would make them 60 or 88, not 84 tooth. 4.5 degrees would be 80 tooth. maybe just more idiots who don't know what they are talking about.

They have 84T on the ratchet. Chances are they rounded it up from4.285714285714286?

 

[dankicksass]

The problem I see is (in my opinion) they tend to change designs too often and then warranty 'down' to a lower level.

-Jeff

I've gotten that too, individuals who work there and don't understand the purpose of the warranty or how to retain a customer are frustrating. The good outweighs the bad by far for me with Sears though, at least so far. Not talking about China, just CS.

 

[Stuey]

Spotted these last night, don't know quite what to think yet.

It does not look like a real photo. Maybe a nicer computer rendering.

http://s.sears.com/is/image/Sears/00925479000?hei=2000&wid=2000

I don't think it's a rendering, but could be.

 

[00pewter]

Hmm. i wonder if they'll stock these or they'll just be a special order item...

 

[sk farmer]

They have 84T on the ratchet. Chances are they rounded it up from4.285714285714286?

possible but i doubt it. hard to believe with 60 and 88 tooth parts available that they would put together completly new guts.

 

[mrholeshot]

possible but i doubt it. hard to believe with 60 and 88 tooth parts available that they would put together completly new guts.

I thought thay maybe it's a Matco design but to seperate it as the same ratchet they knocked it down 4 teeth. It could have been and infingement on the Matco design if they are built by the same company. I does look a lot like the Matco.

 

[bmwpower]

I think I like the handles.

 

[mrholeshot]

I think I like the handles.

I like everything I see on these.

 

[GTO]

USA stamped on the head.

My Dual 80 doesn't have that.

 

[blue dog]

I look at this as a good thing. I want to have faith that the company that has been making tools that i have been playing with for over 20 years has a few people that make decisions that will benefit the company in a positive manner in the way of designing and manufacturing tools that are made in the USA that are of quality and a price that is reasonable. I will check my local sears on saturday for these units, if they have them, i will purchase them, if not, i will order them. I Want nothing more then to be as proud of the craftsman tools that i purchased when i purchased my first 100 piece set when i was 15 years old and building my first Baja bug.
I will not evan hesitate to let these ratchets sleep right next to my armstrong, sk and Matco ratchets.

 

[myers212]

Funny, I immediately thought Armstrong when I saw the USA on the head. I'd like to see the pear shaped retaining plate on the underside. Too bad none of my local stores have them. I would take the 1/4 and 3/8 to give them a shot. Too bad there aren't any premium flex heads.

Photo of the retaining plate. I just took a photo with my cell phone of the catalog page so it's not the best.

 

[jjarrell4]

I want !! I want!!