Craftsman Premium Grade Ratchets

[phi2039]

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

Nope and Nope....Sorry...

 

[phi2039]

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.

Good news and bad... These have longer-than-standard handles, but not quite 'long', so they should help on that front. To be able to develop more variety in the platform, we need all of you enthusiasts to get out and drive the volume of these through the roof. We have a great line-up on the roadmap, but need to see how these do first...

 

[mspecperformance]

I really want to see what these look like. Any "actual" photos instead of the one glamored up pics from the cman site?

 

[HandyManny]

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

Yeah I agree. Those tool truck companies are greedy enough as it is!

 

[phi2039]

I really want to see what these look like. Any "actual" photos instead of the one glamored up pics from the cman site?

Well...it doesn't get much more real than the camera on my phone...
(My original 3/8 donated its body to science, so the one in the photo is a prototype)








Compared to Good 'Ol...


Thinner than a Dual 80...

 

[otis66]

I cannot see the face plate. Are there screws in the face plate or does the face plate have a snap ring like the other ratchets?

 

[posaune]

I cannot see the face plate. Are there screws in the face plate or does the face plate have a snap ring like the other ratchets?

Screws. Check post 39 in this thread for a better pic.

 

[a390st]

I just got the big CMan catalog today, and they are in the front section on page 11.

 

[a390st]

One thing I've noticed about the newer CMan ratchet designs is that the heads are thinner, but the drive (what the socket goes on) is much longer than the older designs. This one looks that way, too. Just an observation.

 

[King Bojack]

Any one know if CMan will be launching an equally high quality socket line up to match these ratchets?

 

[wrenchr]

Got it today and it is smoove!!!!!!!!!!! It is long........

 

[mspecperformance]

looking goooood!

 

[padronanniversary]

So can anyone do a break torque test ?

 

[ngk22r]

Its sad for matco that the craftmans new ratchet looks to be built better than matco's ratchets..

I will keep my eye out for these ratchets, even if I dont need them it more like I want one.

 

[a390st]

How does the handle feel compared to the F80? Does it feel much heavier? Thanks for the great pictures.

 

[mspecperformance]

Its sad for matco that the craftmans new ratchet looks to be built better than matco's ratchets..

I will keep my eye out for these ratchets, even if I dont need them it more like I want one.

they definitely look like hefty ratchets however i have to say, my favorite tools from Matco has always been their ratchets.

 

[DARKSCOPE001]

good job jerks now I want some They look really nice I hope craftsman releases a flex head version. I would be stoked. Im not super thrilled about compfort grips. I mean i like them but a pita to clean and once you drop them they are never the same.

THANKS
Sean Scott

 

[stricht8]

This ratchet gets nicer and nicer. Damn. I really want one now.

 

[wrenchr]

The 3/8 has some heft but mostly in the handle, Comparing to an F80 is not an exact match up since lenght is much differant.

 

[thesilverone]

me want me want!

 

[Fedwrench]

Its sad for matco that the craftmans new ratchet looks to be built better than matco's ratchets..

Naw, they look the same down to the orangish o ring.
What's sad is the price comparison. However, Matco still wins in the variety of lengths, styles, and comfort grip handles for now.
I would like to see Matco lose the thin cover plate with snap ring and use the thicker looking plate with screws that the premium ratchet has.

 

[shovel]

When I first saw this thread, I was thinking I didn't need any more Craftsman ratchets, I dont care how good they are. After seeing the pics, well, I've changed my mind. Thanks to phi2039 and wrenchr for the detailed photos. phi2039, thank you for the "inside" info. Please keep us informed. I like that I can buy a superb USA tool at Sears. If I want cheap, Chinese, I'll buy from HF and save the $.

 

[phi2039]

Got it today and it is smoove!!!!!!!!!!! It is long........

Wow...those just shipped, so you may the first to have them. Great to hear that you love them!!

 

[a390st]

I have SO F80 and T72 ratchets and don't think I've used them since I bought them. I always pick up the Thin Profile or RHFT ratchets. The little T72 is so tiny it just feels like a toy. I don't know why I never pick up the F80. These ratchets look a little more substantial feeling. I can't wait to try these ratchets. They look a little longer than the other standard length ratchets which should be a nice change for some jobs.

 

[kythri]

What's the timeline for store delivery? All of my local stores are showing "out of stock".

 

[wrenchr]

November was mentioned........

 

[BB26]

Wrenchr: Can you give us a length measurement on that ratchet?

 

[kythri]

November was mentioned........

I suffered a reading-earlier-posts fail. Thanks for the repeat, good sir!

 

[Ben Iv]

Im definatly gonna get a set , not shur if i will get em online or wait and get them in store. I have been worried about the future of craftsman tools, but these give me a glimer of hope. Im definatly going to do my part to help keep quality american products on the shelves.

 

[Cumminst100]

I'm going to do my part and buy these u.s. made ratchets hopefully most on here will jump on the band wagon. I also request the flex head that would be great

 

[mrholeshot]

Cant wait to get me some

 

[stricht8]

Thought you were having heart surgery? They have Internet in the ICU now?

 

[ngk22r]

Thought you were having heart surgery? They have Internet in the ICU now?

there is wifi, but the hospital my wife was at 2 years ago when we were have our baby had internet access.

 

[blue dog]

Wait, MRHOLESHOT has a heart? He does have an avatar changing addiction lately.
Sorry MRHOLESHOT, could not resist. I will miss your posts if you are gone for a bit. Hope all works out well. Take care from me and the blue dog.

 

[blue dog]

phi2039, Not sure if you are only on the development side of manufacturing for Danaher, but can you give us some insight into what tools Danaher manufactures for Craftsman currently or as of recently that the COO will become china. For example, i keep hearing about pro line wrench sets that are showing up on the shelf at sears that are made over seas.

 

[mrholeshot]

Thought you were having heart surgery? They have Internet in the ICU now?

I did have it yesterday from 1pm to 7pm was released today at noon. Got home at 4pm. I have to keep my info on me for a week in case they have to fly me back to Charleston. But acutually they had a computer with access in the room. I wasn't in the mood

 

[stricht8]

Looks like all went well! In a other day or two you'll be testing some more ratchets for us

 

[mrholeshot]

Looks like all went well! In a other day or two you'll be testing some more ratchets for us

Was a rough surqury. I can't lift my arm more than shoulder high for 2 months,Can't lift anything over 8lbs for 2 months, can't drive for a month and can't bath or shower for 2 weeks(hello sponge baths). Waht started out to be a couple of hours turned out to be 6 hours of wide awake morphine that wasn't cutting the pain. went 27 hours with no food. I'm down for the count for awhile.

 

[ngk22r]

hope you have a quick recovery, there are more ratchets out there that need to be tested!

 

[a390st]

Was a rough surqury. I can't lift my arm more than shoulder high for 2 months,Can't lift anything over 8lbs for 2 months, can't drive for a month and can't bath or shower for 2 weeks(hello sponge baths). Waht started out to be a couple of hours turned out to be 6 hours of wide awake morphine that wasn't cutting the pain. went 27 hours with no food. I'm down for the count for awhile.

Well, depending who gives the sponge baths, that could be uplifting.