u118224
Well-known member
What is the feedback on these ratchets? It appears they're still made in the USA. BTW, the forum search function doesn't help because it doesn't allow phrases to be searched.
Craftsman Pro Ratchet
- Thread starter u118224
- Start date
shoturtle
Well-known member
if you mean the 84t premium ratchet. It is a very good ratchet from multiple reviews across the net.
Last edited:
Steevo
Well-known member
Try this search method:
Go to google
Type in:
site:http://www.garagejournal.com "craftsman pro ratchet"
With no underline, that is just what GJ does to web addresses when you type them in.
Go to google
Type in:
site:http://www.garagejournal.com "craftsman pro ratchet"
With no underline, that is just what GJ does to web addresses when you type them in.
Last edited:
They are high quality and work very well. They are a bit longer for applying more torque and have a smooth mechanism. I only have the 1/2" and 3/8" drive. I did buy the 1/4" mail order but Sears sent me their thin profile ratchet attached to the premium packaging card so I returned it. Don't know if I'll buy the 1/4" since I already have the thin profile ratchets ... I'd rather get a set of Armstrong Flex ratchet handles. You can sometimes find the premium ratchets at Sears.com for a good discount.
NC-Fordguy
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 10, 2012
- Messages
- 1,391
Very good ratchets. I bought mine when they first came out. No complaints
ijason
Well-known member
i have the 3/8 it's good but putting them side by side i like my snap-on more but it dose cost bit more
Brownsfan
Well-known member
I have all 3. They are very nice. Very smooth and have held up well for me. I also wish a flex head was available. I also own Snap On and Cornwell and these Craftsman are every bit as good. They are also lower in cost. Although Cornwell is close.
Umclemrbig
MEMBER EMERITUS
I have them and they sho' look nice but I haven't put a socket on either yet.
Chadwilliam1
Well-known member
I have all three... best ratchets I own but I only own craftsman ratchets. I have snap on ratchets at work. I prefer the handle design of the craftsman to any other ratchet I have used. much easier on my hands.
My favorate rachet out there right now. The handle design is perfect.
My only complaint is the 1/4" Ratchet will hiccup every now and then. I am also on my 4th 1/4" ratchet but that being said the last one was not really broke I was just being picky. The first 2 were actually designed a bit different and the redesign seems to have fixed most of the problems I experienced with them.
My only complaint is the 1/4" Ratchet will hiccup every now and then. I am also on my 4th 1/4" ratchet but that being said the last one was not really broke I was just being picky. The first 2 were actually designed a bit different and the redesign seems to have fixed most of the problems I experienced with them.
mooman
Well-known member
What was redesigned on the ratchet? This is the first time I've heard of this.
Not sure but it only deals with internals and maybe just the oil or cleaning before assembly. The first two i had sucked and were pretty much unusable after only a few hours.
Used my 1/2 drive for the first time today on an oil change on a tractor. Ratchet would not break the drain plug loose out of the aluminum oil pan and I wound up getting a 3/4 breaker bar with a 1/2 inch adaptor. This is no reflection on the ratchet or my admittedly weak arm function, but rather part of working in a confined space where I couldn't apply my full strength. After 1/2 turn with the breaker bar the ratchet turned the fastner fine. Action of ratchet smooth, reversing lever smooth, handle comfortable. Real good ratchet.
No, I wasn't tempted to put a cheater pipe on the ratchet.
KEH
No, I wasn't tempted to put a cheater pipe on the ratchet.
KEH
NC-Fordguy
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 10, 2012
- Messages
- 1,391
I was in my local Sears Hardware Store yesterday looking for items totally unrelated to tools, but since I was there, I figured I'd take a walk down the tool isles anyway. Expecting to see tools that I already have and don't need, and/or tools that were made in china that I will not buy, I did happen to notice the Craftsman Premium Ratchets. I picked up the 1/4" drive and checked it out. I immediately noticed that it was made in the USA and the quality seemed better average. I looked closer at the package expecting to see that it was made in the USA from "global components" but was pleasantly surprised to see that no mention of that was made. Could I assume that the entire ratchet was manufactured in the USA? For $39.99, I figured I'd take a chance on it. Then I picked up the 3/8" drive priced at $49.99. It was pretty nice too. Then I started to rationalize the ninety dollars I'd be spending on two ratchets. Made in the USA, I just found five bucks out in the parking lot as I was walking in the door, I have about nine dollars in Sears points........ Anyway, I ended up buying both. My initial impression of these ratchets is pretty good. We'll see how they hold up.
Jim C.
Jim C.
Last edited:
Chadwilliam1
Well-known member
soon you will have the 1/2 drive too. the handles on the ratchets are perfect IMO. I opened them up to make sure they were lubed properly and they were.
You know, I also looked at the 1/2" drive and it was just as nice as the 1/4" and the 3/8" drives. It was priced at $59.99. With the five bucks I literally found walking in the door, and my Sears points, I ended up getting both ratchets for about $80. I was glad to keep the cost relatively low, but to be honest, I walked away from the 1/2" drive because I just don't use that size too often. Of the three sizes, 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2", I use my 1/2" drive stuff the least by far. I couldn't justify even paying $60 for it because I know I wouldn't use it. I might get the bug for it later, but then it would be strictly a "want" versus a "need" purchase that was made purely on impulse.
Jim C.
dsmnickk90
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 24, 2011
- Messages
- 711
I have the 3/8" and 1/2" and love them so far. I don't know if I want to jump on the 1/4" I keep hearing things about it auto reversing.
I love the extra length of them I use my 1/2" a lot less now since the 3/8" is about as long as the RP 1/2"
I love the extra length of them I use my 1/2" a lot less now since the 3/8" is about as long as the RP 1/2"
Chadwilliam1
Well-known member
I have never had any my ratchets auto reverse.
I don't use them too often but I love them.
I don't use them too often but I love them.
dsmnickk90
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 24, 2011
- Messages
- 711
I've only heard about the 1/4" DR doing it.
beemerguy
Member
I bought the 3/8" and brought it to work. I showed my coworkers and before I knew it, it was gone and there was a $10,000 ransome note. It was returned by the end of the shift and I have since purchased the 1/2" and 1/4" drives with the $10,000 I saved.
I have all 3 as well. Very nice, feel great in my hand. Love the extra length.
There so dam purdy though i hate to use them and went out and bought the cheap HF composite ones for when i wanted to throw stuff around
ANd of course if a neighbor wants to borrow a ratchet...
There so dam purdy though i hate to use them and went out and bought the cheap HF composite ones for when i wanted to throw stuff around
ANd of course if a neighbor wants to borrow a ratchet...Chadwilliam1
Well-known member
I have all 3 as well. Very nice, feel great in my hand. Love the extra length.
There so dam purdy though i hate to use them and went out and bought the cheap HF composite ones for when i wanted to throw stuff around
same here, I grab a raised panel ratchet to beat on.
Can anyone tell me definitively who makes these ratchets for Sears? They're certainly a step in the right direction. The ratchets appear to be above average in quality, and proof that Sears/Craftsman can sell a top notch tool, that was manufactured in the USA, for a somewhat reasonable price. I don't mind paying a little more for that type of tool. I'd like to see more tools like that on the shelves at Sears.
Jim C.
Jim C.
thehazmatguy
Well-known member
I'm glad there are so many positive reviews on these ratchets. I've looked at them a couple of times in Sears and I thought they have a good feel. When I checked the reviews on Craftsman.com I was turned off. I've got several panel ratchets in each size, so I don't have an immediate need. Maybe these ratchets will be on my Christmas list.
I want to say I've seen the three ratchet set (1/4, 3/8 and 1/2) for about $130 online?
BTW - This is probably common knowledge but my local Sears stores will match sears.com pricing, even when the website says, "online only." I was warned by a sales person that sometimes they can't match an online only deal though. I use my smartphone to check each item before I buy it locally. I've saved a lot of money on tools I didn't really need by checking the online price first.
I want to say I've seen the three ratchet set (1/4, 3/8 and 1/2) for about $130 online?
BTW - This is probably common knowledge but my local Sears stores will match sears.com pricing, even when the website says, "online only." I was warned by a sales person that sometimes they can't match an online only deal though. I use my smartphone to check each item before I buy it locally. I've saved a lot of money on tools I didn't really need by checking the online price first.
I'll fix that ... you can see them in this picture vs the CM thin profile line. You can purchase on-line at lower than in-store prices with free shipping (until Sept 16) or pick-up at your local store, that's assuming they have them in stock. None of my local Sears stores stock them right now.
Last edited:
Yeah I think the consensus is the Craftsman Premium ratchets are very good value for the money, the overall feel and look of the ratchet is actually very nice and Yes they are Made in the U.S.A. They are a Danaher product so from what I have heard the internals are extremely similar to the Matco 88's minus four teeth. But I will say this I have had some problems with my 1/4 premium due to it skipping and sometimes getting jammed and the forward/reverse lever will easily slide out of position. But I still am a big fan of the ratchet.
The Craftsman premium has a really nice handle and feel but I would not compare the internal mechanisms against a Snapon Dual 80 . After looking at both it's quite obvious the Dual paw 80 has a much stronger and smoother design internally compared to the Cman premium.
The Craftsman premium has a really nice handle and feel but I would not compare the internal mechanisms against a Snapon Dual 80 . After looking at both it's quite obvious the Dual paw 80 has a much stronger and smoother design internally compared to the Cman premium.
I'd say they are better than above-average quality.
Danaher makes them, unless my memory has failed me.
I just filled that empty spot in the drawer with 1/4" premium ratchet. Price was $33.99 on-line and $39.99 in store. Local store had one in stock but it did not show up in the on-line inventory so I could not purchase it at the on-line price even after going to the store and using their kiosk. What a pain; finally convinced the salesman to call the manager to do a price match.
TwoInch
Well-known member
nothing kobalt makes compares to these mechanisms in my opinion.