Craftsman Premium Grade Ratchets

[Bigpigdave]

I really want to try these also. I like the looks of them from the pics (digital images??). I am wanting to buy a new 3/8" and 1/2" ratchet and have been looking on Ebay for a good deal on some dual 80's but am now going to wait for these before I buy. I hope they're good!!!
Thanks, Dave

 

[Ben Iv]

Im in the market for some new ratchets, ive been looking at so on ebay but id rather buy these if they are good. Im just curious if that USA means made in or assembled in? Im guessing the latter but its as good as its gonna get these days it seems. Plus as stated you cant get an 80 tooth so that says usa on it.

 

[wrenchr]

I will buy the 3/8 and 1/4. I do not need another standard length 1/2. Now if they offer these in different versions then who knows..........

 

[Sterff]

I think I will buy all three when they are available. The gear selectors look exactly like Gearwrench if they aren't already the same.

 

[KEH]

I checked with local Sears today and they hadn't heard of them. H couldn't find them in th eon line catalog either, but said it took a while for new products to get down to the local store.

I'm another one who likes the quick release ratchets. I like the thin profile ratchets and have been looking for a local deal on a 1/2 inch to go with my 1/4 and 3/8.

KEH

 

[Skin]

I think I will buy all three when they are available. The gear selectors look exactly like Gearwrench if they aren't already the same.

also the same on the craftsman thin profile.

 

[Chris_R/T]

Went to the local sears and they didn't have them, nor did anyone working there know what I was talking about. Wanna see how they fit/feel in my hand.

 

[wrenchr]

I just placed an order at the store for a 3/8 and I will give a review once I have it.

 

[ace028]

Looking forward to your review, I really need to replace my current craftsman 1/2, its full polish but *****!

 

[wrenchr]

The confirmation said my order is being processed, who knows how long it will take to deliver. I will order the 1/4 and 1/2 to if I like the 3/8, even though I do not need or want another 1/2.

 

[stricht8]

I went to my local sears today and couldn't find them. I did notice that they were clearancing out the SK 1/4 in flex head ratchet that they had for $39.99. It's now $29.99. I might wait till they reduce it further.

 

[Old Donn]

I'm sure as time goes by and if they do well you will see more and more configuration based on the same head ratchet like soft handle, flex, extra long, etc. One thing that hurt the thin profile ratchets as good as they are is they just look stupid. I've almost pulled the trigger on a few 3 pc sets but they (the 3/8 annd 1/2) and too short and **** *** ugly. The grip doesn't feel good in my hand. It's a poor design as far as asthethics. I picked up the 1/2 drive and the balance of the ratchet (something I have never thought of on any other ratchet) was just all wrong. It felt more like I was holdlig the wrong end when I had one in my hand. hard to pinpoint but it just didn't have the right feel for me. If it turns out to be a great ratchet I'll probably end up owning one of every one they make and thin out some others that I have to my kids. Personally I can't wait to buy one and try it out.

Re:the new ones. I agree, but I'm waiting for the set. $50, $60 and $80 individually? Don't want/need um that bad. Re:thin profiles. I disagree. One thing I've gotten used to was the traditional I-beam C-man ratchet handles. The thin profiles have that basic shape. Better balance IMHO. Never liked the round handled Snap-on and all their clones. Too top-heavy, especially the 1/2" drive, again MHO. Not talking or debating superior quality of the other brands, just how they feel in my hand.

 

[oldtools]

Look nice, but a little pricey for a Cman. For that price, I rather take an Armstrong. Sale wise, I don't think it will do well as Cman customer base are price sensitive.

 

[phi2039]

84 Teeth...We rounded to 4.5, because 4.3 seemed like a funny number...

 

[phi2039]

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.

Flex-heads are on the roadmap after we see how these do...

 

[phi2039]

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

It is a real photo. The 'subjects' are sitting on my desk

 

[phi2039]

Any word on when they will arrive in the stores. I have a few hundred dollars burning a hole in my pocket. I love the length and shape of the handle. Sears may find out shorty that USA built quality will sell better than crappy *** cheap no good usa built ratchets

In-store by early November. They will not launch to all stores (unfortunately), but are available via catalog or online.

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

84 Teeth...We rounded to 4.5, because 4.3 seemed like a funny number...

so GM is funny..... 4.3L
nOT REALLY......

 

[stricht8]

It is a real photo. The 'subjects' are sitting on my desk

Cool. So tell us your honest impression of these bad boys. Would be nice if a flex head version were available at some point.

 

[mrholeshot]

I want then and I want them now, lol

A 1/4 and 3/8 flex and a long handle 1/2 with the three regular ones. Now about the pro quality sockets?

 

[phi2039]

Whoops...DP

 

[phi2039]

Cool. So tell us your honest impression of these bad boys. Would be nice if a flex head version were available at some point.

We set out to build a flagship ratchet for the Craftsman brand...and I think we succeeded. These feel great, look great, and perform fantastically. I am very excited to see them hit the market after 3 years of development, and look forward to feedback from the community. The sealed head and handle are the key features, and I can guarantee that each and every part in these ratchets, down to the hang-card they come on, is made in the USA.

-C

 

[mrholeshot]

We set out to build a flagship ratchet for the Craftsman brand...and I think we succeeded. These feel great, look great, and perform fantastically. I am very excited to see them hit the market after 3 years of development, and look forward to feedback from the community. The sealed head and handle are the key features, and I can guarantee that each and every part in these ratchets, down to the hang-card they come on, is made in the USA.

-C

Thats great news. maybe when Craftsman gets their **** together it won't look like a Ghost town down at Sears Freight Import Service

 

[Theloniousmonk]

We set out to build a flagship ratchet for the Craftsman brand...and I think we succeeded. These feel great, look great, and perform fantastically. I am very excited to see them hit the market after 3 years of development, and look forward to feedback from the community. The sealed head and handle are the key features, and I can guarantee that each and every part in these ratchets, down to the hang-card they come on, is made in the USA.

-C

Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie !!!

How is the heft? Compared to , oh... say, the Arm. Maxx (my fav. 1/2" next to some no-name german rat.).

And will the cards be printed on bio-soy ink, or solvent? - J/K!

 

[phi2039]

Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie Gimmie !!!

How is the heft? Compared to , oh... say, the Arm. Maxx (my fav. 1/2" next to some no-name german rat.).

And will the cards be printed on bio-soy ink, or solvent? - J/K!

They are 'sturdy' but the feel is pretty nice. It's a good heavy...

 

[mrholeshot]

They are 'sturdy' but the feel is pretty nice. It's a good heavy...

Hell. my wife may buy a set

 

[dankicksass]

Are there comfort grip soft handles in the future? Long handles?

 

[stricht8]

We set out to build a flagship ratchet for the Craftsman brand...and I think we succeeded. These feel great, look great, and perform fantastically. I am very excited to see them hit the market after 3 years of development, and look forward to feedback from the community. The sealed head and handle are the key features, and I can guarantee that each and every part in these ratchets, down to the hang-card they come on, is made in the USA.

-C

Can't wait to check them out!

 

[phi2039]

Are there comfort grip soft handles in the future? Long handles?

Depends on how these do...you'd better pick up a set to help the cause

 

[Stuey]

We set out to build a flagship ratchet for the Craftsman brand...and I think we succeeded. These feel great, look great, and perform fantastically. I am very excited to see them hit the market after 3 years of development, and look forward to feedback from the community. The sealed head and handle are the key features, and I can guarantee that each and every part in these ratchets, down to the hang-card they come on, is made in the USA.

-C

That sounds great! I really like the Cross-Force style aspect ratio of the handle.

My only concern is that the price will be distracting for many Craftsman customers. I've stopped by my local Sears quite a bit, and the two thin-profile ratchet sets they have locked on a peg have been collecting dust for quite some time.

 

[dankicksass]

Depends on how these do...you'd better pick up a set to help the cause

When they land on the shelf at Sears, I'll be looking at them.

That sounds great! I really like the Cross-Force style aspect ratio of the handle.

My only concern is that the price will be distracting for many Craftsman customers. I've stopped by my local Sears quite a bit, and the two thin-profile ratchet sets they have locked on a peg have been collecting dust for quite some time.

Those sit at the Sears Hardware I used to like too. The cost is overcomeable if they're good enough but keeping everything locked behind glass and having untrained, rude sales staff is a deterrent in a lot of Sears stores in my opinion.

 

[Travisnd]

When will these be in stores?

 

[billymade]

The thin profile did or does not move very well; the price jump from the standard to the thin profile... killed many sales. I always tried to show the different levels of quality of ratchets available on the floor; especially, to customers that complained about the continual failure of the standard ratchets. While, I think these new ratchets look great (with tried/true head design, will be great quality); I would assume from my experience with the thin profile models, then new ones will move even slower.

 

[phi2039]

When will these be in stores?

Early November, but not in every store. We are hoping to get demos in the non-stock stores, but no decision on that yet.

 

[myers212]

I'm on the fence with these. I don't really need them right now, but I want them. Maybe I'll put them on my Christmas list.

 

[mrholeshot]

Early November, but not in every store. We are hoping to get demos in the non-stock stores, but no decision on that yet.

The only thing I worry about is they will show up at my store and the employee with the release key won't put them out.

Funny thing. I asked the girl at the cash register where the water filters for the refridgerators were. She say " Just go up the escolator and look to you left" I looked her in the eye and said " Do you think my wheelchair will fit?" "Yeah I think so" I just busted out laughing.

 

[Skin]

Early November, but not in every store. We are hoping to get demos in the non-stock stores, but no decision on that yet.

any word on a trio pack for a discount? you guys "developing" any high quality round heads as well?

 

[bursty]

can we see some real pics if they are sitting on your desk right now?

 

[dankicksass]

I've had this on my mind all evening and my baseball team is still putting up the big 0 on the board so it's probably a good time to write. It's frustrated me that Craftsman only offers three ratchets in the thin profile series and now with only three in the new 84T series I hope they remedy that in the next catalog. I have a lot of Craftsman in my box partly due to the lazy truck guys around here but mainly because Craftsman has represented good value in a quality American-made tool for generations. I mentioned comfort grip handles earlier, but as a professional I ask a lot of my tools and don't always look at my regular-length ratchets first. A long-handle 3/8 rat is one of my favorites, but I'm going to want to replace it sooner than later. The flex rats, the stubbys and the hard handles are all important too. I like that Craftsman is looking to give professionals what we want but frankly I want it all. I know if I can go to Sears and get what I want in store I'm far more likely to do so than order in the catalog because Sears shipping is really slow. I hate slow. If this 84T ratchet is all it's said to be, I'm sure I'll have one but I'd much rather have seven.

 

[jkeyser14]

The thin profile did or does not move very well; the price jump from the standard to the thin profile... killed many sales. I always tried to show the different levels of quality of ratchets available on the floor; especially, to customers that complained about the continual failure of the standard ratchets. While, I think these new ratchets look great (with tried/true head design, will be great quality); I would assume from my experience with the thin profile models, then new ones will move even slower.

That's a real shame, I love the thin profile ratchets, they feel great. I'll have to give these new ratchets a try when I get back from my honeymoon at the end of November.