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Craftsman premium ratchets

chipper

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Feb 1, 2013
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Williamsburg, va
I just saw a set go for $244 on ebay and not much more inventory.....i have a barely used set is there a reason i shouldn't sell them....i like them but their not my go to.....and also i really dont need the money but those prices are crazy
 
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PureLeaf

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Because Ryan won't let user's control their own posts for editing, deleting, etc
 
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Gila Monster

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Jan 2, 2016
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I would sell them if you can get a good price. As was stated earlier, the warranty is meaningless as you would be given a disposable ratchet in its place , and if you don't care for them all that much, might as well unload them.

My issue with tools I don't really like anymore is the resale is not worth the trouble.
 

Fedwrench

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They're the same things as the Armstrong maxx ratchets. Same Internals as I recall too... I'd sell them, buy a set of armstrongs (maybe 120 bucks), and pocket the difference. .

Yes & No. Yes the premium ratchets use the floating pawl design common in the Maxx series ratchets & Gearwrench. However unlike those ratchets, the premium ratchets have a screw retained gear cover instead of the thin stamped steel and snap ring gear cover. The shape of the handles are completely different from the armstrongs too.

There is no rhyme or reason as to what some people will pay for certain US made Craftsman tools on eBay. However, there can be decent money to be made. I sold my premium ratchets at a substantial profit last year.

If you don't use them and don't love them, why not sell them?
:dunno:
 

drink

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Nov 18, 2015
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Confused State
Years ago I put together a small set of Craftsman / Craftsman Professional hand tools. It was to be my own collector's tool kit and it has a 3/8" drive Craftsman premium ratchet in it. So far none of the tools in it have been used because I just wanted to preserve it as a piece of history. I have seen some of the Craftsman tools listed on eBay with very high prices and I can not believe how much money some of the sellers want for them. Now I am wondering how much my set would sell for.
 

Gear Wolf

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Feb 25, 2015
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Years ago I put together a small set of Craftsman / Craftsman Professional hand tools. It was to be my own collector's tool kit and it has a 3/8" drive Craftsman premium ratchet in it. So far none of the tools in it have been used because I just wanted to preserve it as a piece of history. I have seen some of the Craftsman tools listed on eBay with very high prices and I can not believe how much money some of the sellers want for them. Now I am wondering how much my set would sell for.

With Sears putting the Craftsman brand up for sale, it seems that people are buying the tools as collectibles and as a last ditch effort to buy affordable quality made tools. I've really noticed the uptick in prices a few years after the US production of Craftsman tools more-or-less went defunct in ~2011/2012.

The Craftsman brand has always been more ethereal than corporeal, where various US tool manufacturers had their hand in producing pieces for the brand since its beginning. Over the years there have been some Craftsman tool examples that would be on par with professional grade and those that have been decent.

It ***** that the tool brand that was the middle of the road in terms of price, accessibility, and quality is now a memory.
 

M6erfan

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With Sears putting the Craftsman brand up for sale, it seems that people are buying the tools as collectibles and as a last ditch effort to buy affordable quality made tools. I've really noticed the uptick in prices a few years after the US production of Craftsman tools more-or-less went defunct in ~2011/2012.

The Craftsman brand has always been more ethereal than corporeal, where various US tool manufacturers had their hand in producing pieces for the brand since its beginning. Over the years there have been some Craftsman tool examples that would be on par with professional grade and those that have been decent.

It ***** that the U.S.A.tool brand that was the middle of the road in terms of price, accessibility, and quality is now a memory.

Fixed it
 

jdlong

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Oct 2, 2016
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Kaukauna Wisconsin
Back in the day, at least the way I remember it, Craftsman was your only real choice for in between mechanic tools if you wanted decent quality and great selection at DIY prices. Everything else was bulky pig iron and wasn't worth the packaging it came in. That has all changed. The importers of pig iron have gone to quality alloys and the choices amongst decent affordable tools is mind boggling.
 
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Fordman7795

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Mar 31, 2011
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Bay City, MI
New sets have gone even higher with sale prices at $300, $280 and $261. I rounded up a set when Craftsman was shipping a lot of hard line stuff overseas. I may have to sell them now...
 

gdocktor3

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Apr 18, 2015
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Keep them for another 10 years and maybe that price will go even higher. Then again, when something is hot, it's usually best to take advantage right then and there.
 

GTO

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May 8, 2009
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NJ,FL
Years ago I put together a small set of Craftsman / Craftsman Professional hand tools. It was to be my own collector's tool kit and it has a 3/8" drive Craftsman premium ratchet in it. So far none of the tools in it have been used because I just wanted to preserve it as a piece of history. I have seen some of the Craftsman tools listed on eBay with very high prices and I can not believe how much money some of the sellers want for them. Now I am wondering how much my set would sell for.

Could go up,could go down in value....:headscrat
 

Jim C.

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Jan 8, 2010
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A few years ago, I bought the 1/4" and 3/8" individually at a local Sears Hardware Store that had them on sale. They didn't have the 1/2" at the time. Later I'd see the 1/2" at full price but I never bought it. For some reason it just looked big and clunkly to me and I didn't want to spend the money. Looking at the current eBay prices, I probably should have bought the 1/2" too. Ahh whatever. Shoulda, woulda, coulda..... That's the way it goes.

My original intent was to use the ratchets on certain reassembly projects, but shortly after I purchased them, it became apparent through an assortment of things I had read and heard, that the Cman premium ratchets were going out of production. At that point they became more "collectible" than useful to me. I guess somewhere in the back of my mind, that was kind of my thinking when I bought them, because I saved original cards/packaging that came with them. Now days, they're packed away in my "collectible tool" box probably never to be used again. If you're a Craftsman collector, that makes sense.

Jim C.
 

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LB-1911

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Northwestern Il.
I just saw a set go for $244 on ebay and not much more inventory.....i have a barely used set is there a reason i shouldn't sell them....i like them but their not my go to.....and also i really dont need the money but those prices are crazy

Sell'em

:see:

New sets have gone even higher with sale prices at $300, $280 and $261. I rounded up a set when Craftsman was shipping a lot of hard line stuff overseas. I may have to sell them now...


There is no rhyme or reason as to what some people will pay for certain US made Craftsman tools on eBay. However, there can be decent money to be made. I sold my premium ratchets at a substantial profit last year.

If you don't use them and don't love them, why not sell them?
:dunno:

Sell'm! For that kind of money I'd rather have 2 or so dual-80s in sizes that you need.
 

Rileysan

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Sep 11, 2015
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Milwaukie, Oregon
No idea why people are so wound up about those ratchets.

I doubt very much that the people buying these are doing so out of need. These are collectibles to the Craftsman nuts and those ratchets were not on the shelf very long. There are plenty of really great ratchets out there for less money and I doubt very much that those buying these are putting them to use. For that matter, I doubt very much that those selling these on eBay need to buy replacements (that is, they probably have enough ratchets to meet their needs) - but that's just one man's opinion.

Brian
 
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bonneyman

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Apr 22, 2010
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Desert SW
I was so close to pulling the trigger on a trio of those - just couldn't justify the cost at the time with all the other stuff I'm "collecting".

Would I pay $200+ for them? Nope.
 

Tellingthem

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Nov 6, 2013
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Traverse City, Michigan
I have a set in storage and one I use. I like them fine but as others have said of you don't care that much sell them and get the cash. Heck I'm close to doing it myself.
 

DSLTRK

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Jan 7, 2012
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PHELAN, CA
If I had a set, I'd flip them and buy a set of Dual 80 comfort grips, much better ratchets.
When I first saw the CM Premiums, I really didn't see the quality difference, and many jammed up new in the package. Not worth keeping since replacement parts are now almost impossible to get at sears.
 

Super Sport

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Jun 30, 2011
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West Michigan
I have a set and I like them, but I don't see prices for USA Craftsman going any higher than they are now. Once Sears spins the brand off who knows how that will affect prices, but I don't see it driving them higher.

I like my set, and since I have used them, I wouldn't be much (if any) ahead if I sold them and replaced with dual 80s. That said, if they were new or I didn't care for them, they would already be listed!
 

Derek420

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Sep 28, 2016
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Southern Indiana
Sell those paperweights and get something worth using. I have tools that are collectibles but all they are is paperweights when all you do is look at them and won't use them.
 
OP
C

chipper

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Feb 1, 2013
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Williamsburg, va
Im gonna sell...i think i'll push for $250 just to see what happens. Ive bought a bunch but never sold on ebay i hope its painless
 

Ike4160

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Feb 18, 2014
Messages
29
There were something like 8 different revs of the pawl in that ratchet set. I like them but have never used them. I find myself going to my tried and true RP -V- series ratchets. The RP's are the only ratchets I don't care about scratching on my cement floor in my garage.
 

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cliftonbros89

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Jun 2, 2015
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Missouri
I have 2 full sets of the Cman Premiums. One set in the shop box and one set in the service truck box. The ones in the shop box were a gift from my dad. But I never use them cuz I always use my Snap On's in the shop. The ones in the service truck box rarely get used cuz I also have Armstrong and SK ratchets in there. They get used before the Cman's ever do.

I've just never cared for them. I'll say they're better than any other Craftsman ratchet I've used. But I don't think they compare to other brands.

Also, the Craftsman premium can't be the same as the Armstrong Maxx. For one the Cman is 84 tooth the Armstrong is 88. Having both I can definitely tell a difference between the 2. The Armstrong works better. But I'd still choose a Snap On or even a simple SK over either the Cman Premium or Armstrong. Not to mention I've never had a problem with any of my SO or SK ratchets. The Cman Premiums and Armstrongs have both locked up on me multiple times.

I intend to just set both sets of Premiums aside just for spares. Plus maybe have something for my nephew to start out with in the future.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

mikebaker1129

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Oct 16, 2014
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Huffman,TX
I just got word from Sears that my repair kit for my premium is in.
The kits are available,they just have to order them.
 

cliftonbros89

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Jun 2, 2015
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Missouri
I just got word from Sears that my repair kit for my premium is in.
The kits are available,they just have to order them.



Lucky. I took one to Sears since they didn't have one of the shelf anymore they told me there was nothing they could do I would just have to contact Sears directly.


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Ike4160

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Feb 18, 2014
Messages
29
I asked an employee at a local sears hardware if they had a rebuild kit in stock for a premium 1/4' ratchet. They had one and gave it to me for free.
 
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