Craftsman rp ratchets feedback

[oilfieldtrash4]

I've read here they are sorry ratchets. I have a set in all sizes I bought recently and was wondering if they are safe to use. I really hate more than anything wrenches or ratchets that slip and you bust your hand open. Which is why I will pay for quality when it comes to ratchet and wrenches. What is the reason they are so hated here?

 

[gsmornot]

My guess. They are so common everyone has a story to tell about the one's they have used. Many good, some bad. In general, I have used a RP Craftsman over the last 20 years and until I pulled it apart and clipped the internal spring it was fine. I have added other brands to my collection in the last few years so I don't use the RP any longer, at least not like I used to. You will be fine. You might still bust up the knuckles but not because the ratchet is unsafe.

 

[Hiball]

I can't/won't comment on any of the New stuff, but my first ratchet set from the early 90's served me well, even thru the learning curve that comes with knowing what drive size to use, when to grab the torch etc... I don't recall when it started, somewhere in the late 90's.. I started having issues with them self reversing and slamming your hand into hard objects, I had them rebuilt/replaced and it got better long enough to make you comfortable and then "Wham!!". I finally gave up on them (still have them somewhere) and stepped up to SK and now its borderline silly in regards the amount of brands/styles I own.

 

[jeremy v]

I've read here they are sorry ratchets. I have a set in all sizes I bought recently and was wondering if they are safe to use. I really hate more than anything wrenches or ratchets that slip and you bust your hand open. Which is why I will pay for quality when it comes to ratchet and wrenches. What is the reason they are so hated here?

You can always break them open really quickly and see if they need the pawl modded to prevent the auto reversing and slipping issue. Not all of them have the inferior pawl shape, but many do (mostly 3/8" drive), and a quick reshaping with a hand file or Dremel has solved the problem completely for me on all the Danaher (Craftsman, Kobalt, Allen, etc.) pear head ratchets that I have (about 7-8).

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=178652

 

[jjjrmx5]

I got my first raised panel set back in the 90's after I had already owned a set of the Taiwan made C'man Tri-wings which I still have. The quality and durability of the tri-wings far surpassed the RP's to me.

Add in the uncomfortable grip design RP's and they were always the last to be used. But they were one of only few cost effective ratchets for a home DIYer back then.

i have had times where they skipped thus I upgraded them for the chrome C'man pear heads in the late 90's and never looked back.

They were always an entry level ratchet but 90-99% of the time they did get the job done.

With Sears offshoring them to China there really are now many many laternatives that are = or better in that $$$ range I feel but with eq. warranty backing.

I picked up a 209 pieces C'man set years ago as a back up, and had my tool box broken into by co-workers later that year.

They only took a couple of items but they did take the C'Man RP ratchets in the box. I still LOL at that as I do not miss them in the least.

HF composties, Duralasts and even Kobalts (especially the roto's) would be higher on the list for me than the RP's.

If I did come across them used at flea mkts or garage sales for a good price I would not hesitate to scoop them up for backups, trunk tool rolls or messy low torque jobs.

The fear of skipping and the crappy handle ergonomics still rank highest to me as their pitfalls.

 

[Super Sport]

I've never had a modern Cman RP ratchet slip on me while putting pressure on it. I often see them auto-reverse or other issues, but I've never experienced one slipping. However, I try to use a breaker bar when possible.

They are, however, very coarse and terrible to use once you get used to a finer tooth ratchet. I keep a set for backup or dirty work, but I don't use them often and I don't enjoy using them.

 

[Stooge]

the last time i used a craftsman RP wrench for anything was july 2011 trying to unbolt an upper link arm on the rear of my tahoe, the teeth decided to disengage and i slammed my knuckles into the lower link arm and screwed my hand up nicely, (broke 2 fingers). i didnt really like them before as far as feel and efficiency, and just dont even look at them now.

 

[rick carpenter]

They are hated because for so long Sears Craftsman = USA and now they've done what other tool companies have done and gone offshore to the PRC for a lot of their lines. I like my CM-USA RP ratchets and sockets.

 

[oldtools]

They are coarse and unrefined. They also look low quality. I have the 3 piece set, but they are in my car for emergency only. I am thinking of replacing them with better brands.

 

[cide1]

They are coarse and unrefined. They also look low quality. I have the 3 piece set, but they are in my car for emergency only. I am thinking of replacing them with better brands.

This is exactly how I feel. I probably have about 12 of them between my main box and four emergency kits. They are reliable....but I have grown used to the feel of an F80 for torquing things and any kind of delicate work. I think people rip on them because almost everyone started with a Craftsman set with RPs.

I do like the RP wrenches enough that I completed the set of US made ones in both SAE and metric a while back, and have not replaced them with a more premium wrench. The ergonomics are not great, but the reliability is. I do prefer a socket on a good ratchet over a wrench whenever possible.

 

[bobcatdan]

Newer craftsman are real hit and miss. Go out and use them before you listen to all us say they are junk.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

My experience is some of the 3/8 drive ratchets do have auto reverse problems. Seems to have showed up when the plastic reversing lever. I have 8 or 9 of these ratchets and IIRC the issue showed up on 2 of them.

As stated in another posts there is an easy fix to improve the reliability of these ratchets. I haven't experienced any issues with them since conducting the modification.

I bought some of the outsourced ratchets when they first came out and have been using them extensively and haven't had any issues. It appears this problem may have been fixed now. The pawl design on these ratchets looks like the pre plastic lever design of old.

As far as ergonomics, junk, unrefined, course and blah blah blah it's a matter of personal preference. There are likely more crafty ratchets turning fasteners in the real world than anything else.

If you're happy with them use them. Like something else better use that

 

['52Chevy]

I would definitely not say that they are unsafe, but I would not say they are the best. You're best bet(advice from my father) is to never try to break torque while pushing, always try to pull to break torque. Not always possible but it will save your knuckles a lot of pain if you can do it.

They do get the job done though. I have moved to finer tooth ratchets and rarely use them(except that my 1/2" long handle flex is a RP 36 tooth, and my 3/8 flex is also a 36 tooth(not RP but same gears)).

 

[CWP1616L]

the last time i used a craftsman RP wrench for anything was july 2011 trying to unbolt an upper link arm on the rear of my tahoe, the teeth decided to disengage and i slammed my knuckles into the lower link arm and screwed my hand up nicely, (broke 2 fingers). i didnt really like them before as far as feel and efficiency, and just dont even look at them now.

That should be proof right there that that RP ratchets aren't to be trusted.

 

['52Chevy]

That should be proof right there that that RP ratchets aren't to be trusted.

I wouldn't trust any ratchet with that much force. If I am putting enough force on it to break a finger or two then I use a breaker bar. That's a possibility with any ratchet. Am I doubting that the RP wasn't very strong no. I have broken teeth on them before. Learned from that.

 

[wrh3]

You can always break them open really quickly and see if they need the pawl modded to prevent the auto reversing and slipping issue. Not all of them have the inferior pawl shape, but many do (mostly 3/8" drive), and a quick reshaping with a hand file or Dremel has solved the problem completely for me on all the Danaher (Craftsman, Kobalt, Allen, etc.) pear head ratchets that I have (about 7-8).

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=178652

This was an easy but solid fix, Thanks for sharing

 

[Loscaldazar]

I've never had a problem with a RP CMAN ratchet, but there are so many better ratchets out there for the same price-so much better.

 

[t4runner]

I have seen Guys break teeth on Snap-on, Mac, Matco and Craftsman [Craftsman more than most] ratchets are just that ratchets not breaker bars.

 

[Stooge]

I wouldn't trust any ratchet with that much force. If I am putting enough force on it to break a finger or two then I use a breaker bar. That's a possibility with any ratchet. Am I doubting that the RP wasn't very strong no. I have broken teeth on them before. Learned from that.

doesnt take much to break a finger if you hit it right. said ratchet was 1/2 dr, probably about 15" or so. bolt wasnt seized on there, just kind of a fluke accident, and after dropping the ratchet on the floor, it mustve re-engaged or something and it seemed to work fine. i aliken stopping using them kind of to when you eat taco bell or something and get sick from it, your going to be a little weary of eating it again. i still use the craftsman RP combination wrenches, not my first pick but get used enough and work just fine

 

[4x4gearhead]

I know that I have had my share of bad luck with them but, theyre not the worst rartchet you could end up with as a home owner. If you are going to use the **** out of it I would suggest maybe finding a better quality one but if its every once and awhile it shouldnt matter.

 

[rick carpenter]

Off to the Dremel I go, thanks Jeremy V (and thanks wrh3 for reposting)!

 

[sberry]

I am not a prima donna and willing to use what works but that ratchet was the real start of the downfall. I got 2 or 3 that have 5 minutes use, regret letting the old round heads get traded but out of half a dozen none work and gave up. Buy the 309 pc set, list the cman ratchet on ebay, buy hf, break even now if you can. hahaha... We just dont bother with them, worst tool sears ever made and for so long, by the millions.

If they would have kept the quality round head with the button they would still looik like a tool leader even with the rest of the junk but the one tool you match with every socket they cheapen to junk.

 

[Hootbro]

I know that I have had my share of bad luck with them but, theyre not the worst rartchet you could end up with as a home owner. If you are going to use the **** out of it I would suggest maybe finding a better quality one but if its every once and awhile it shouldnt matter.

You either trust a tool you are working with or you do not. If a ratchet is faulty, weekend use is inconsequential in the law of averages when you slip and break a finger.

 

[wrh3]

I can honestly say I have not had a RP ratchet slip and cause me physical harm......yet. I started buying Craftsman tools when I was ~11 and that was when the Tri-Wing round head was new. I later bought some RP ratchets and this was my core tool set along with some sockets and other small collection of tools for ~10 years. Then I got hooked on Gearwrench tools after the KD intro of Gearwrenches.

I agree the most recent examples of the RP ratchets are sub par, but with a little work on the pawl and spring tension followed by some SuperLube work great. Gearwrench makes some nice ratchets for a price point just a bit higher but its nice to be able to get these RPs working better and more reliably.

I also have a collection of NOS RHFT ratchets, those are the days of bygone Craftsman though.

 

[metaldad]

o get
I also have a collection of NOS RHFT ratchets, those are the days of bygone Craftsman though.