Craftsman RHFT

[EOC_Jason]

I'll have to dig mine out and see all the ones I have...

Man, now I want one of those ridgid's or easco/napa's...

 

[TheGrooveking]

I always told myself that I would buy the Craftsman back in mid 80's and instead bought Matco (Wright), The Matco are still working great but I should of bought those Craftsman too.

TheGrooveking

 

[kythri]

Picked this up at the local hock-shop for $6 yesterday:

Dad didn't have one, so it went to his collection.

 

[r_olson_06]

a few examples

Never understood why Craftsman never made a 15" 1/2 drive in RHFT. I have never seen or heard of the ridgid version will have to keep an eye out for that one.
Thanks for sharing.

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[thesilverone]

anytime! Download the pic before photobucket craps on it

 

[r_olson_06]

Here is what I have for extras. Also have a set of standard ones in the work box.


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[thesilverone]

that 1/2" flex

 

[r_olson_06]

that 1/2" flex

Picked it up at a garage sale for $80 with a 15" =v= Craftsman and =v= 3/4 Craftsman ratchet with a few mixed extensions and adapters. The only one I have ever seen.

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[uncwstudent]

I don't want to sound like a dummy but what does the "RHFT" stand for?

 

[thesilverone]

Round Head Fine Tooth

 

[aspireguy95]

I need a 1/4 craftsman one still. If anyone has an extra they want to sell let me know thanks

 

[d.mcfarland]

I need a 1/4 craftsman one still. If anyone has an extra they want to sell let me know thanks

I think the 1/4" and the 1/2" are the RHFT stars of the show personally. You'll like it.

 

[uncwstudent]

Round Head Fine Tooth

Ah okay, thanks!!

 

[PowderKeg]

Cool!!! A fully polished smooth handle NAPA version to watch for now.

I don't want to sound like a dummy but what does the "RHFT" stand for?

Technically speaking, RHFT refers to this specific head/gut design patented by Moore Drop Forge (MDF) and mostly produced by Easco (who bought MDF to get the Craftsman contract). It's been produced for a number of brands but Craftsman is far and away the most common. It can be found in both a quick release (QR) and a non-release version (Craftsman only offered QR models), with QR the most common type.

Some folks in some posts will incorrectly refer to any round head ratchet design by any manufacturer as RHFT - that's blasphemy and the guilty parties should have all their ratchets confiscated until they admit the error of their ways...

 

[r_olson_06]

Cool!!! A fully polished smooth handle NAPA version to watch for now.



Technically speaking, RHFT refers to this specific head/gut design patented by Moore Drop Forge (MDF) and mostly produced by Easco (who bought MDF to get the Craftsman contract). It's been produced for a number of brands but Craftsman is far and away the most common. It can be found in both a quick release (QR) and a non-release version (Craftsman only offered QR models), with QR the most common type.

Some folks in some posts will incorrectly refer to any round head ratchet design by any manufacturer as RHFT - that's blasphemy and the guilty parties should have all their ratchets confiscated until they admit the error of their ways... [emoji38]

What's you count at now PK?

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[PowderKeg]

What's you count at now PK?

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I may have just passed 700 - not sure as I don't add a ratchet to the "official" list until it's been cleaned out, lubed, and re-assembled. I've got quite a few waiting for re-assembly, more apart and soaking, and still more recently acquired and waiting for cleanup. OCD is a ***** I tell ya....

I've had a post mostly written for a long time with stats and other stuff, but constantly get delayed and sidetracked on completing pics and such. Maybe someday I'll kick myself in the @ss to get it done.....

 

[r_olson_06]

I may have just passed 700 - not sure as I don't add a ratchet to the "official" list until it's been cleaned out, lubed, and re-assembled. I've got quite a few waiting for re-assembly, more apart and soaking, and still more recently acquired and waiting for cleanup. OCD is a ***** I tell ya....

I've had a post mostly written for a long time with stats and other stuff, but constantly get delayed and sidetracked on completing pics and such. Maybe someday I'll kick myself in the @ss to get it done.....

That is getting up there. I look forward to seeing some pics.

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[JohnDeere1]

I wish I had a 1/4 all I have is a 3/8 and it's smooth as butter it's a old one from the first years bought it with 4 others for $5 total. Would love the flex head 3/8 or 1/2 I bet they are nice.

 

[Fedwrench]

I don't want to sound like a dummy but what does the "RHFT" stand for?

It should actually be Round Head Fine Tooth Quick Release Ratchet because there were versions that didn't incorporate the quick release feature. Two examples in the photos above would be the master mechanic ratchet in post #44 and in post#46 the NAPA ratchet second from the bottom on the left doesn't have the quick release feature but, they still had the thumbwheel.

Additionally, Craftsman, KD, and Armstrong made a different round head fine tooth ratchet later without the thumbwheel that basically sucked.

The round head fine tooth quick release ratchet is still used and liked in these modern days of 80 or more toothed ratchets if you've got the operating space that is.

 

[aspireguy95]

I think the 1/4" and the 1/2" are the RHFT stars of the show personally. You'll like it.

So far I got the 3/8 and 1/2 and really like them. So now I just got to find the 1/4 to add to the set. I might have to look on eBay. Thanks

 

[kythri]

Giant swap meet in Albany, OR today (sponsored by the local chapter of the Model A Club). Snapped this up for $5 (3/8" drive):

He was asking $10, I only had a fiver on me, so he made the deal.

 

[thesilverone]

excellent purchase

 

[davethorik]

Figured I'd dig up this old thread. Great pic from silverone.

Just got this Master Mechanic USA 1/4 set. It has the non-QR action like other MM examples. No. T1060. I was gonna take a pic with all 3 of my 1/4 RHFT but I traded my Craftsman 43187 earlier this summer. So that put me down to just my Allen 10904, and now this MM.

I also have a NOS Easco 3/8 flex, and a NOS Allen 1/2. Not much interest in Craftsman but I'm keeping my eyes out for Armstrong and Ridgid.

 

[Fedwrench]

I have the Armstrong 3/8 drive round head fine tooth quick release ratchet. It's pretty sweet with being fully polished and having the Armstrong handle.

 

[kythri]

I have the Armstrong 3/8 drive round head fine tooth quick release ratchet. It's pretty sweet with being fully polished and having the Armstrong handle.

Post a pic or few!

 

[sk farmer]

I have the Armstrong 3/8 drive round head fine tooth quick release ratchet. It's pretty sweet with being fully polished and having the Armstrong handle.

Post a pic or few!

ha......i have all three drive sizes.

 

[AngryBeaver]

I understand people collect everything, but why on earth would someone buy a 200 dollar craftsman 1/2 flexhead when a snap on 24" finer tooth ratchet could be had much cheaper and is a much better ratchet?? guess i need to sell off my RHFT ratchets....

 

[Fedwrench]

I understand people collect everything, but why on earth would someone buy a 200 dollar craftsman 1/2 flexhead when a snap on 24" finer tooth ratchet could be had much cheaper and is a much better ratchet?? guess i need to sell off my RHFT ratchets....

I don't know either but, when the ebay crazies started paying stupid money for the flex head RHFT's, i let mine go. I still have easco and KD versions with nice knurled handles though.

Here's a couple of pictures of the Armstrong version in 3/8 drive. Part# 11-915.
I've only seen photos of the 1/4 drive version from people asking waay too much money for them.
Towards the end of Armstrong's run, they release the round head fine tooth without quick release versions. Those turn up occasionally on ebay but, unlike the older easco/master mechanic version, i think they ****.

 

[sk farmer]

here ya go. the unicorns, armstrong 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 drive rhft-qr ratchets.

 

[mikebaker1129]

Nice!

 

[bonneyman]

I don't know either but, when the ebay crazies started paying stupid money for the flex head RHFT's, i let mine go. I still have easco and KD versions with nice knurled handles though.

Yeppers!

 

[WWheeler]

here ya go. the unicorns, armstrong 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 drive rhft-qr ratchets.

Man those look so sweet.

I've posted my RHFTs here on GJ before, but apparently not on this thread. So here ya go.

 

[kythri]

Here's a couple of pictures of the Armstrong version in 3/8 drive. Part# 11-915.
I've only seen photos of the 1/4 drive version from people asking waay too much money for them.:

Interesting.

11-915 shows on eBay as the other style of round-head we saw under Craftsman.

Makes me curious if one could swap the guts between the two - I've never actually tried on my Craftsman RHFT and RH-not-FT.

 

[plinker]

Interesting.

11-915 shows on eBay as the other style of round-head we saw under Craftsman.

Makes me curious if one could swap the guts between the two - I've never actually tried on my Craftsman RHFT and RH-not-FT.

The insides of the that type of RHFT (non thumb wheel) is very similar to an S-K Tuff-1.
I was never impressed with them. The action feels cheap.

 

[thesilverone]

fedwrench and sk you guys are killing me with those armstrongs!!!

 

[mikebaker1129]

I have never seen an Armstrong RHFT in the wild,we see a good bit of Army stuff around here due to the refineries and chemical plants.

 

[Fialaja]

Got a couple craftsman in all the drive sizes, 2 of the easco 3/8 flex heads, a 1/2 drive Ridgid long handle and 2 Armstrong 1/2 drives

 

[Fialaja]

Armstrong RHFT on EBay 1/2 size 40+shipping

 

[bluebolt]

Interesting.

11-915 shows on eBay as the other style of round-head we saw under Craftsman.

Makes me curious if one could swap the guts between the two - I've never actually tried on my Craftsman RHFT and RH-not-FT.

That would be great if they did, I have about 20 RHFT rebuild kits!

 

[kythri]

Why the hell are you still buying Craftsman at garage sales, then?