Craftsman stainless/lifetime ratchet

[posaune]

I finally got over to a tool shop that I had been avoiding for awhile ('cause I didn't want to spend any money). Unfortunately a couple of these happened to follow me home. I just couldn't pass them up.

They look to be unused. Any suggestions for what to do with them? They feel great, but I can't see myself using one before my Protos and I usually reach for a long ratchet if I need 1/2" drive anyway. Iirc, these get decent money on ebay, so I'm thinking at least one will go there...

 

[Bull]

The only thing I would ever do with one of those if I got it would be to sell it. They are almost universally derided for being poor ratchets, but they command some decent bucks on eBay.

 

[filtered]

Hopefully you got them cheap enough you can make a couple bucks ebaying them. When I first starting buying tools, I had Craftsman ratchets. I hated them then and I hate them even more now that I have Armstrongs and Snap Ons. I just wish someone would have told me sooner about truck brands etc.

 

[webscrounger]

I have a couple of sets of those I bought when they first came out. I though they were cool. But I never use them. They're relegated to drawer queens that just get taken out mostly as conversation pieces.

Nothing inherently wrong with them, they work fine and are thin which is sometimes an advantage.

I just have so many other rats/brands that are functionally better to use as regulars the Cman Stainless don't get used.

If you like them, use them, or just keep them for the heck of it and start a collection.

 

[porksoda]

I have a 3/8' stainless ratchet in almost as good of shape. I was going to ebay it depending onabout how much I could get for it.

 

[mkdive]

I love buying ratchets, but I couldn't ever seeing myself buying one of those. It would collect dust if I owned it. Looks like it was never used! Hopefully you got a great deal on it. I would turn it on ebay like the other members suggested.

 

[posaune]

Well, ebay it is then. I bought them originally because I remembered that they bring good ebay money, but I just wondered if it would be worth keeping one.

Bull- why are they considered bad ratchets? I'm just curious...

 

[Bull]

Bull- why are they considered bad ratchets? I'm just curious...

I can't remember, but if we search the archives here we will find the answer. These come up a few times a year, and I have often seen people on here relate that they are not very good. If I recall correctly, they break easily...? But I'd have to search for the details.

 

[mkdive]

Its not a bad ratchet IMO. Its just not a great one. They do fetch a good price on ebay. Most agree it is not as special as one would expect for the money they bring at auction. I think yours are about as good condition as any I have ever saw. You should do pretty well on ebay with them.

 

[atari]

It looks really cool but it does not look like it feels really cool. The handle is kind of wide.

 

[mkdive]

I would also think about listing here in the Classifieds.

 

[rsanter]

I used to have one of the 1/4 drive versions of them
I loved that thing, wish I had it back
the larger ones I never took to very much

to me they look like the ratchet you MUST use if you are working on a Delorian

bob

 

[sinuhe69]

maybe prototipe

 

[eyeboltman]

I used to have one of the 1/4 drive versions of them
I loved that thing, wish I had it back
the larger ones I never took to very much

to me they look like the ratchet you MUST use if you are working on a Delorian

bob

They right they are junk best to send them to me I will take them for 20.00 $ Man o man

 

[HookWorse]

I've got a 3/8 and a 1/4 of those that I like because the head is so thin you can get it into places most others won't fit. But, no rebuild kits for them anymore.

 

[Capri driver]

I have that same 1/2 drive ratchet and have been using it regularly for 20 years or so. I really like it a lot and it suits my needs.

I am not a pro, but maintain all my own vehicles and that is the only 1/2" I own. I also had a 1/4" at one time, but it broke many years ago and was replaced with whatever Sears had as their top of the line back then.

 

[jrodc455]

I sold two on eBay for 26 a piece. They weren't in great shape so you could prob get a bunch for em.

 

[mark swinney]

They came with stainless socket sets with a rubber grip ring around them, my son in law has both sets, ok as ratchets but I wouldnt use it for a beater set, they scratch very easy, the 1/2 ratchet alone usually sells for $80 or so on ebay, I even have a few Cman stainless screwdrivers around here somewhere, very hard to find, they say "stainless steel" right on the handle, don't know when they were made but looks like newer manufacture.

 

[Duker]

We had another thread going on the list talking about these...
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13279&page=3

I have the 1/2",3/8", and 1/4" ratchets, sockets and extensions. They have served me well. However, a I posted in the previous thread due to my now inordinate amount of time in this forum I have caught the dreaded SO disease and am the proud owner of three Snap-on ratchets all bought off of members on the board. I am keeping my Sears however, as this was my first real "quality" tool purchase and there are some memories embedded in those tools.

 

[SMKS]

Well, ebay it is then. I bought them originally because I remembered that they bring good ebay money, but I just wondered if it would be worth keeping one.

Bull- why are they considered bad ratchets? I'm just curious...

I think they have a pretty delicate mechanism that breaks easily.

 

[posaune]

Wow, somebody brought this one back from the dead. I might as well update though...

I finally gave in and sold both of these on ebay for some more tool money. They both brought in between 80 and 90 dollars. I thought they were pretty cool ratchets, but $160+ can buy a lot of other cool things!

 

[Toolhorder]

I have a 3/8 drive "lifetime" ratchet if anyone is interested.

 

[4x4gearhead]

Just sell them, they werent bad but werent great very fat head width like a proto (which is better to admire inside your toolbox) I dont care what anyone says, those wide headed ratchets are like wet blankets in the world of professional wrenching.

 

[Michael T]

So, what did you end up doing with the stainless craftsman ratchets? I bought the 1/4" and 3/8" with their matching plastic-clad sockets in, I think, around 1980. Still have the 1/4", but some "friend" never returned the 3/8" ratchet. If you still have them hanging around, I'm interested.

 

[Michael T]

I just saw that they were sold...sorry, missed that first time around.......

 

[Toolhorder]

I sold my "lifetime" ratchet for $31.00. Not the greatest deal ever. I think I paid $10 for it at the flea.