Craftsman RHFT Ratchets On Way Out

[lauver]

Gang,

Has anybody else noticed the old school RHFT (Round Head Fine Tooth) ratchets are conspicuously missing from the new 2009-2010 Hand Tool catalog?

These ratchets are still listed on Sears.com, but there is zero inventory for some of the models. The low/no inventory situation has been like this since October or November of 2008.

Better get some now if you can; I think the "writings on the wall".

Such a pitty; these were arguably some of the best Craftsman ratchets ever made. For whatever reason, Sears failed to actively promote these fine ratchets from their introduction in the early 1970's.

Anybody got any theories on why Sears would adopt such a low profile marketing strategy for these ratchets? I can think of some, but they are not rational or logical.

EDIT: The RHFT ratchets I'm refering too are the old school ones with classic raised flat panel handles (not the newer style fully polished sorta round handled ones).

 

[Rigmaster]

what's RHFT?

 

[Mike83]

What is RHFT?

 

[Mike83]

Ha ha great minds think alike!

 

[walrus]

round head flex?? guessing

 

[kythri]

Round-head Fine-tooth.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...me=Tools&cName=Mechanics+Tools&sName=Ratchets

 

[Fedwrench]

The new catalog doesn't really list individual drive tools. Besides, it would only be a loss if they stopped making the round head fine tooth quick release ratchets. The regular Craftsman round head ratchet without quick release isn't that good. The new catalog refers you to sears.com/shoptools to shop for open stock items. I don't think the writing is on the wall yet for their demise. I think it's just the new stupid tool catalog not listing open stock or individual ratchets, wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers, etc. The new catalog *****.

 

[wrenchr]

Round-head Fine-tooth.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...me=Tools&cName=Mechanics+Tools&sName=Ratchets

We have a winner

 

[Joe B.]

I believe this is an example of the ratchets that lauver is referencing. (Not the one in the link above.)
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...me=Tools&cName=Mechanics+Tools&sName=Ratchets

 

[-B-]

They sell S&K the best round heads available hell it took SO 40 years to catch up. The S&K is the same price range as the CM so it is obvious which has to go.

 

[lauver]

I believe this is an example of the ratchets that lauver is referencing. (Not the one in the link above.)
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...me=Tools&cName=Mechanics+Tools&sName=Ratchets

Joe B,

You are correct, that is one of five RHFT ratchets. There were:

1/4" - drive, standard handle,

3/8" - drive, standard handle,

3/8" - drive, long flex handle,

1/2" - drive, standard handle,

1/2" - drive, long flex handle.

 

[a390st]

They sell S&K the best round heads available hell it took SO 40 years to catch up. The S&K is the same price range as the CM so it is obvious which has to go.

Are you serious? I have multiple of both types of ratchet, and I sure can't see how on earth the SK is so much better than the Craftsman/Easco/KD/Napa RHFT.

As for them being discontinued, they have been in and out of stock for a long while, not just the past few months. I take a look at the whole line every so often, and whenever they have been out of stock, they came back in within a month or so. They even some of the flex ratchets on sale several months ago.

 

[davestlouis]

Aw ****, that means the gut kits will become extinct at some point too. That bodes poorly for my Easco and Allen ratchets in the same style.

 

[kythri]

I wonder if they really are discontinuing them, or just not showing them in the catalog. As Fedwrench mentioned, they're not showing a bunch of stuff in there. The regular raised-panel teardrop ratchets aren't listed individually in there anywhere, and they're surely not cancelling those.

 

[gatewaysysop]

Aw ****, that means the gut kits will become extinct at some point too. That bodes poorly for my Easco and Allen ratchets in the same style.

Related question, does anyone know a source for these to obtain spares? I'm not having much luck getting them from any of the stores unless I've got a broken ratchet. If there's a way to order them from Sears directly, please point me to it. The phone reps I spoke with had no clue.

 

[davestlouis]

My local NAPA store can order them, occasionally has a kit in stock. They're about $13-14.

 

[Uncle Buck]

They sell S&K the best round heads available hell it took SO 40 years to catch up. The S&K is the same price range as the CM so it is obvious which has to go.

I have both the Craftsman RHFT and the SK in the three pupular drive sizes. Given the choice, I will grab the Craft RHFT over the SK's every time, I like the built in thumb wheel and quick release on the Craftsman RHFT ratchets, the SK's have neither feature, nor do they offer anything else the Craftsman RHFT doesn't. But then you know what they say.............opinions are like a holes, we all have them , don't we!

 

[davestlouis]

yeah Buck, and they all stink! I agree holeheartedly though, I can't stand S-K ratchets and am fond of the RHFT C-Man and the other Easco-based derivatives.

 

[Uncle Buck]

yeah Buck, and they all stink! I agree holeheartedly though, I can't stand S-K ratchets and am fond of the RHFT C-Man and the other Easco-based derivatives.

I don't mind my SK's, and I do use them from time to time, but given the choice I would never choose them over the RHFT Craftsman.

 

[MAD]

Anybody got any theories on why Sears would adopt such a low profile marketing strategy for these ratchets? I can think of some, but they are not rational or logical.

EDIT: The RHFT ratchets I'm refering too are the old school ones with classic raised flat panel handles (not the newer style fully polished sorta round handled ones).

They do not push these ratchets for a very simple reason. There are a lot of little parts in the head and it takes a lot more labor to assemble them compared to the other ratchets. It is just more profitable to sell the other models even though they are not as good.

 

[Merkava_4]

This is good news but we still have a ways to go - we need to get ALL the Craftsman ratchets on the way out.

 

[davestlouis]

Merk, these are really Easco ratchets, as you are well aware, and are very nice items. I'm nota big fan of C-Man tools, but these and the Thin Profile series are very nicely done. Sears, of course, is too stupid to push nice ratchets, instead they push **** ratchets...

 

[billymade]

My PMT guy at my store; complained that those ratchets were the hardest and the biggest "pain" to rebuild. Ease of manufacture, rebuilding; may have been a primary factor in the design change and move to pear head designs. I do think that these ratchets are/were the best of the older designs and would be a shame to see them go! On the other hard, there are so many better ratchets in the marketplace to choose from; right now! It might force some people to upgrade to higher quality ratchets and increase their enjoyment of using them in the process! The new thin profile, seems to be a decent head design that even Matco uses but I just don't care for the handle design/shape! I think the Matco handle shape and ergonomics is better!

 

[Merkava_4]

Sears, of course, is too stupid to push nice ratchets, instead they push **** ratchets...

You said a mouthful right there.

Sears is being run by some dudes that have never turned a wrench in their life.

 

[davestlouis]

billymade, in my experience, these are ratchets that come apart in 10 seconds, and take 30 minutes to get that circlip properly seated during reassembly. To complicate things, ideally you lubricated the gut kit before reassembly, so it's slippery and oily too...fun times!

 

[a390st]

...I do think that these ratchets are/were the best of the older designs and would be a shame to see them go! On the other hard, there are so many better ratchets in the marketplace to choose from; right now! It might force some people to upgrade to higher quality ratchets and increase their enjoyment of using them in the process! The new thin profile, seems to be a decent head design that even Matco uses but I just don't care for the handle design/shape! I think the Matco handle shape and ergonomics is better!

There aren't that many designs that are better. Those ratchets hold up. The thin profile ratchets are good, but have a pathetic front plate on them and terrible handles.

 

[gatewaysysop]

I don't mind my SK's, and I do use them from time to time, but given the choice I would never choose them over the RHFT Craftsman.

I will second (third?) that. I have 3/8" and 1/2" versions of SK round heads as well as the entire 5-piece RHFT Craftsman ratchet set. I like the SK, they're great units and solid ratchets, but in any drive size, I would never take them over the RHFTs!

 

[Tool Pants]

I have the Easco version in 3/8" drive flex head. Bought it about 20 years ago. The Craftsman version cost a few dollars more, so I bought the Easco.

A few months ago there was a thread on how to get a free rebuild kit from Danaher. I got one, but said I had a KD ratchet. This style ratchet is easy to take apart.

 

[cruiser808]

I bought the Easco 1/2" non-flex version from Wrenchr about two months ago and couldn't be happier with it. It's one fine ratchet.

 

[tcheat]

I'm a newbie here, but I've had the 3/8 Craftsman RHFT for over 20 years. After reading this board I bought a Snap On S936 (Craigslist--$20, shipped). It is really nice, especially after the Permatex assembly lube. I decided to lube all of my ratchets, including this old Craftsman. It is one of my favorites now. Understand, though, that I'm a home use only guy, so your mileage may vary.

I ordered the 1/2 and 1/4 Craftsman ratchets from Sears.com just last night. I had been watching these for a couple of weeks and the 1/4 was out of stock. It is back now for anyone that is looking for one.

 

[loubapache]

There are two RHFT listed. I think you are talking about the first one. Is the second one any good?

nickel chrome coating with quick release

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00944977000P?vName=Tools


polished, Non-quick-release

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00943176000P?vName=Tools

 

[old salvage]

loubapache
I've never used the second one but they are generally not liked.

 

[loubapache]

Thanks, old salvage.

Both have 45 teeth, according to the specs.

 

[Paladin]

Wow. Well, I am an SK fan, and I am thinking maybe I should offer a trade of my Easco 1/4" RHFT for ya'll's crappy SK 1/4" RH's. My Easco also has a brand-new KD rebuild kit in it I got from Danaher a few weeks ago...

 

[MAD]

Thanks, old salvage.

Both have 45 teeth, according to the specs.

Both have 45 teeth, but the double paw mechanism on the "Easco" style ratchet effectively doubles the teeth. You get 90 clicks for each revolution of the drive. I do not know of another ratchet with fewer degrees of turning distance between tooth engagement.

 

[vssjim]

For the guy who neds a kit just get one from a Sears store "PMT" the ratchet rebuilder guy or call Danaher and tell them its a KD ratchet and you will get one without too much trouble. They are a fine tooth double mechanisim head that have two pawls inside so there are alot of parts in those heads

 

[Uncle Buck]

There are two RHFT listed. I think you are talking about the first one. Is the second one any good?

nickel chrome coating with quick release

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00944977000P?vName=Tools


polished, Non-quick-release

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00943176000P?vName=Tools

loubapache
I've never used the second one but they are generally not liked.

I agree, the first one is a Cadillac, and the second one would rank as a Yugo. The second one will take less time to shoot craps than the time it took for you to drive the POS home!

 

[Uncle Buck]

Wow. Well, I am an SK fan, and I am thinking maybe I should offer a trade of my Easco 1/4" RHFT for ya'll's crappy SK 1/4" RH's. My Easco also has a brand-new KD rebuild kit in it I got from Danaher a few weeks ago...

Not for me thanks. I have one of the SK and one of the RHFT Craftsman in the popular drive sizes, so I will take a pass thank you.

 

[MAD]

Wow. Well, I am an SK fan, and I am thinking maybe I should offer a trade of my Easco 1/4" RHFT for ya'll's crappy SK 1/4" RH's. My Easco also has a brand-new KD rebuild kit in it I got from Danaher a few weeks ago...

I am a big fan of the original SK pro series ratchets, especially the 1/4" drives and compact 3/8" due to the super smooth 60 tooth action in that size. I have a pile of the 40970 1/4" drive 4.5" ratchets though, and would be happy to trade a nice one for your Easco if you like. I don't have a double paw RHFT ratchet in 1/4" drive.

 

[Paladin]

I am a big fan of the original SK pro series ratchets, especially the 1/4" drives and compact 3/8" due to the super smooth 60 tooth action in that size. I have a pile of the 40970 1/4" drive 4.5" ratchets though, and would be happy to trade a nice one for your Easco if you like. I don't have a double paw RHFT ratchet in 1/4" drive.

PM sent!