EASCO Ratchet

[goodfellow]

Today was a sad day. After replacing brakes and shocks on my '95 Rodeo I noticed that my trusty old EASCO flex head ratchet was starting to skip in the counterclockwise direction. I took it apart, cleaned and lubed it, but no amount of lube would remedy the situation. It's obvioulsy ready for a rebuild.

This ratchet is 25 years old and it's the best darn rachet design I've ever used. Silky smooth, has a nice feel, matt-finish, and made in USA

BTW-I just bought the Craftsman chrome offset flex head ratchet (see pic) and it's a POS compared to the feel of this old tool.

Does anyone know where to get a rebuild kit for EASCO ratchets, or better yet, whether they are still being warrented.

I'll get a pic and model number when I get back home this evening.

 

[Blacknwhitepit]

Today was a sad day. After replacing brakes and shocks on my '95 Rodeo I noticed that my trusty old EASCO flex head ratchet was starting to skip in the counterclockwise direction. I took it apart, cleaned and lubed it, but no amount of lube would remedy the situation. It's obvioulsy ready for a rebuild.

This ratchet is 25 years old and it's the best darn rachet design I've ever used. Silky smooth, has a nice feel, matt-finish, and made in USA

BTW-I just bought the Craftsman chrome offset flex head ratchet (see pic) and it's a POS compared to the feel of this old tool.

Does anyone know where to get a rebuild kit for EASCO ratchets, or better yet, whether they are still being warrented.

I'll get a pic and model number when I get back home this evening.

I know what you mean about the old Easco Ratchet. I have lauded my love of the Easco ratchet on this board before. (MY PROPS to Easco Post) I have one of that vintage and it is the Smoothest ratchet I have ever worked with; I don't know how to describe it, but it damm near glides when you ratchet it. I have never felt another ratchet like it. It is old and is not pretty or shiney, but Damm, it is an Awesome Ratchet.

Wish you luck finding the rebuild kit.

-BWP

 

[MAD]

The Easco name is owned by the Danaher Tool group. I would contact them about getting a kit.


If the Easco ratchet has a double paw mechanism it may be nearly the same as this Craftsman:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00942794000P?filter=Brand%7CCraftsman&vName=Tools&cName=Mechanics+Tools&sName=Ratchets

These are very smooth ratchets. Most Sears stores do not carry them though.

 

[Merkava_4]

I've checked all the Danaher sites and nothing comes close to that except a KD flex-head with a quick release; and I don't think you want a quick release.

Give me the EASCO part number and I'll email Danaher and ask them if there's a kit available for it.

 

[krusty the clown]

I've checked all the Danaher sites and nothing comes close to that except a KD flex-head with a quick release; and I don't think you want a quick release.

Give me the EASCO part number and I'll email Danaher and ask them if there's a kit available for it.

my guess is it'll be the same as the sears that mad posted since easco was the manufacturer of craftsman and kd along with others.

 

[Merkava_4]

my guess is it'll be the same as the sears that mad posted since easco was the manufacturer of craftsman and kd along with others.

That Craftsman ratchet doesn't even come close to the quality of that old EASCO. I'll tell you what I'd do: if Danaher didn't have a kit available, I'd make them replace it with an Armstrong; that's the only ratchet of Danaher that will be of descent quality.

 

[wrenchr]

From the looks of that ratchet head I would bet a SK kit would work.

 

[krusty the clown]

From the looks of that ratchet head I would bet a SK kit would work.

i would doubt it but i havn't seen it in person.

 

[goodfellow]

I've checked all the Danaher sites and nothing comes close to that except a KD flex-head with a quick release; and I don't think you want a quick release.

Give me the EASCO part number and I'll email Danaher and ask them if there's a kit available for it.

Thanks to all you guys for helping shed some light on this.

Thanks Merkava_4 for taking the time on this.

The part number is 721412

It's silly I know, I have several other 3/8" drive ratchets (Craftsman, Snap-on, MATCO, MAC, and SK), but none of those compare to the smooth action of this old EASCO. I keep checking around hoping to find another, but they are scarce.

 

[Merkava_4]

Thanks Merkava_4 for taking the time on this.

No problem, I'll get right on it.

It is the weekend and those big outfits don't work on the weekends; so I may not have an answer for you until early next week.

 

[GT crew]

Danaher...descent quality.

Unintentional I'm sure, but funny as hell in a sad sort of way.

 

[eschoendorff]

I fyou cannot find a rebuild kit for your ratchet, you may want to give these guys a call:

REB Enterprises
3155 Richfield Rd
Flint, MI 48506
(810) 736-1772

They are a small, family owned mom-and-pop type of tool store and they have a lot of new old stock stuff (Easco, KD, SK, etc....). I'd be willing to bet that Jason has one of those kits laying around.

 

[MAD]

That Craftsman ratchet doesn't even come close to the quality of that old EASCO. I'll tell you what I'd do: if Danaher didn't have a kit available, I'd make them replace it with an Armstrong; that's the only ratchet of Danaher that will be of descent quality.

I do not own either the EASCO or the double paw fine tooth Craftsman ratchet so I am not 100% certain, but I have used both and I do believe their product line overlapped. Do not confuse the double paw Craftsman fine tooth ratchet with the round head Craftsman ratchets that they stock in the stores. The double paw fine tooth ones are very smooth, strong, durable ratchets. Knowing Sears, they will discontinue them altogether soon. These should also be the same as the KD double paw round head ratchets with the quick release. Here are a couple of pictures of an Easco ratchet. Notice the selector on this Easco is the same as the Craftsman. I think the Easco one that a coworker had was like these but were like goodfellow's selector without a quick release. It has been a while since I have played with either ratchet so again I am not 100% certain. In any case, those Craftsman double paw round head fine tooth ratchets are (or at least were) nice ratchets. It is just so typical Sears for them to be rarer than hen's teeth.

 

[Merkava_4]

I can't understand why Sears is still specifying those raised panel wrenches; those are the most uncomfortable to use. What they should do instead is offer a non-polished version of their pro wrenches.

 

[MAD]

Thanks to all you guys for helping shed some light on this.

Thanks Merkava_4 for taking the time on this.

The part number is 721412

It's silly I know, I have several other 3/8" drive ratchets (Craftsman, Snap-on, MATCO, MAC, and SK), but none of those compare to the smooth action of this old EASCO. I keep checking around hoping to find another, but they are scarce.

The part number (721413) for the KD version of the double paw fine tooth ratchet is almost the same as goodfellow's Easco (721412). I believe the tooth #/arc swing info in the KD description is wrong though. If you look at the non-flex version it has the right info. They list a repair kit on the KD site. I don't know if the quick release is a problem though. It would depend on what parts it includes.

http://www.kd-tools.com/721413.htm

http://www.kd-tools.com/721109.htm

 

[GT crew]

Do not confuse the double paw Craftsman fine tooth ratchet with the round head Craftsman ratchets that they stock in the stores. The double paw fine tooth ones are very smooth, strong, durable ratchets. Knowing Sears, they will discontinue them altogether soon...In any case, those Craftsman double paw round head fine tooth ratchets are (or at least were) nice ratchets. It is just so typical Sears for them to be rarer than hen's teeth.

Seconded. It was the strength and reliability of those ratchets (43187-1/4 regular, 43781-3/8 regular, 42794-3/8 long flex, 44977-1/2 regular, 44983-1/2 long flex) that sold me on the quality of Craftsman. Since they have always been available exclusively through the catalog, they never really saw widespread usage. The last ones I ordered from Sears were still VV series (2001), so it may be NOS from earlier production runs by EASCO. (I think they made ratchets for Craftsman at one time but am not sure.) Until my tools followed someone else home, those were my go to ratchets. How the mighty have fallen with the polished 'professional' line being so poorly executed. I doubt any of their recent offerings will ever last 25 years in the field as the round head fine ratchets did.

 

[Uncle Buck]

If you go to sears and get a copy of the tool catalog then turn to the ratchets and pay very close attention you will see that you can still get an exact duplicate of that ratchet, but only as a catalog order, never ever in the stores! Until recent years this was the sears best ratchet going back into the 1970's when I got mine at least! BTW, I have that ratchet in the three popular drive sizes and have never had one take a dump on me. So yes you can get the exact same model today if you pay close attention and follow my directions!

 

[Coach James]

That C-man fine tooth ratchet really is an A+ ratchet. It's beyond me why they do not have them in the stores as I would bet my house that they would sell in enough quantity to justify the shelf space. Sears should remove the cheapo round head C-man ratchets from the shelf and put the fine tooth in its place. A buddy of mine bought one of these, because he was too cheap to buy the raised panel ratchet(Hard to believeI know).

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

That ratchet was 100% pure junk. They make the raised panels look like Snap On.

Coach

 

[Merkava_4]

I don't know if anyone is interested, but apparently Danaher acquired EASCO in 1990:

New York Times

 

[goodfellow]

RANT:

It's "kinda" sad, anytime a large conglomerate buys a specialty manufacturer, the quality suffers. I guess Danaher is a holding company and they will market to the lowest common denominator -- make it cheap and "good enough" for increasing market share.

I guess that when white collar guys, who don't know the business take over, market share and return on investment become the drivers and the original culture of the the company just goes in the toilet.

I just looked over the ratchet section on Sears' website -- OMG they must have over 30 options on 3/8" drive alone (marketing gimmicks for the most part). Who the heck needs a "gold plated" ratchet? Not one of them are as good as the few ratchet options they sold in the 50's and 60's.

 

[AutoTech]

I have the same Easco ratchet that GoodFellow has, I bought it from a local hardware store that no longer sells easco tools and say they can't get any rebuild kits for the ratchet! it was a great feeling ratchet very smooth and I was looking for a fine tooth ratchet at the time. I tried using it for everyday use in the shop and it didn't hold up very well, only lasted a few months till it was slipping badly! I loved the ratchet just didn't hold up very well. I will probably order a Craftsman out of the catalog and just use it when I needed a fine tooth ratchet in confined spaces!

 

[Uncle Buck]

Funny thing about the old Sears Best ratchet we are speaking of; even years ago, many moons before gold plated ratchets and before Sears had anything that was smooth handled called "Professional" or high polished all the old timers will remember that the best of whatever item you chose in their tool line was simply called "Sears Best" there was no guessing game and it was that simple. Another interesting note is that even during that time finding this ratchet in the stores was few and far between indeed! The reason I have mine is that my pop set me up really well when I turned 16; as part of that he ordered me all the basics to get me on my way to building my tool set and that 1/2" ratchet was part of what he catalog ordered!

 

[Uncle Buck]

I have the same Easco ratchet that GoodFellow has, I bought it from a local hardware store that no longer sells easco tools and say they can't get any rebuild kits for the ratchet! it was a great feeling ratchet very smooth and I was looking for a fine tooth ratchet at the time. I tried using it for everyday use in the shop and it didn't hold up very well, only lasted a few months till it was slipping badly! I loved the ratchet just didn't hold up very well. I will probably order a Craftsman out of the catalog and just use it when I needed a fine tooth ratchet in confined spaces!

Perhaps you got a dud! I have that style of ratchet in the three popular drive sizes that I have used extensively since the mid 1970's and I have never had one shoot craps!

 

[Merkava_4]

goodfellow,

I just got off the phone with some woman named "Sally" at Danaher Tools customer service at (1-800-688-8949) and she said your ratchet EASCO 721412 has been discontinued since 1996 and that there are no rebuild kits available for it.

I then asked her if the kit for a KD 721413 would work for it.

She said that ratchet has been discontinued also.

I then asked her if I could get an Armstrong replacement for it.

She said no, it has to be the same brand name.

I then asked her why I couldn't have an Armstrong since Armstrong, KD, and EASCO are all brands owned by Danaher.

She said I can't have an Armstrong unless the ratchet being replaced says Armstrong on it.

 

[lbgradwell]

What brand/model did she offer to replace it with?

 

[Merkava_4]

That's just it, she said there is no replacement for it.

 

[lbgradwell]

I think they should be compelled to do something for you. It was/is a Lifetime Warranted tool from a company that Danaher acquired. I believe they inherited that obligation (by law) with the purchase of Easco's assets.

I can see them not giving you an Armstrong (or not wanting to) but they cannot escape their obligation just because the model you have is no longer manufactured! That's not a Lifetime Warranty; that's a warranty for the product run.

I'd follow-up with them. Aggressively, if need be.

 

[Uncle Buck]

I think they should be compelled to do something for you. It was/is a Lifetime Warranted tool from a company that Danaher acquired. I believe they inherited that obligation (by law) with the purchase of Easco's assets.

I can see them not giving you an Armstrong (or not wanting to) but they cannot escape their obligation just because the model you have is no longer manufactured! That's not a Lifetime Warranty; that's a warranty for the product run.

I'd follow-up with them. Aggressively, if need be.

You have nothing to lose!

 

[MAD]

If you really like the ratchet I would try to get a repair kit for one of the Craftsman double paw ratchets and see if that works. I bet if you posted a picture of the guts of your ratchet someone with a Craftsman double paw RHFT ratchet could confirm that they are similar. If they are the same and you can't get a kit, you could get the whole ratchet (new or used) and use the parts to bring back your old friend. You could even take the donor handle back to Sears for a new one if that does not cross the line for you. You would likely have to request that they mail the ratchet to you in order to get the same kind though.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00943781000P?filter=Brand%7CCraftsman&vName=Tools&cName=Mechanics+Tools&sName=Ratchets

 

[Merkava_4]

I think they should be compelled to do something for you. It was/is a Lifetime Warranted tool from a company that Danaher acquired. I believe they inherited that obligation (by law) with the purchase of Easco's assets.

Agreed! That's exactly what I thought too.

 

[MAD]

If the craftsman kit looks like it would work and your local Sears preventative maintenance technician (the person who rebuilds clean looking returned ratchets) can’t / will not help you, you could ask Adam on

http://www.craftsmantooltalk.com/BBS/

to see if he can help you out. He seems to have a soft spot in his heart (and perhaps his head) for bringing old ratchets back from the dead.

 

[Uncle Buck]

goodfellow,

I just got off the phone with some woman named "Sally" at Danaher Tools customer service at (1-800-688-8949) and she said your ratchet EASCO 721412 has been discontinued since 1996 and that there are no rebuild kits available for it.

I then asked her if the kit for a KD 721413 would work for it.

She said that ratchet has been discontinued also.

I then asked her if I could get an Armstrong replacement for it.

She said no, it has to be the same brand name.

I then asked her why I couldn't have an Armstrong since Armstrong, KD, and EASCO are all brands owned by Danaher.

She said I can't have an Armstrong unless the ratchet being replaced says Armstrong on it.

What about trying to use a gut kit from an old Sears fine tooth round head that I described above? Perhaps a perfect fit?

 

[MAD]

I think they should be compelled to do something for you. It was/is a Lifetime Warranted tool from a company that Danaher acquired. I believe they inherited that obligation (by law) with the purchase of Easco's assets.

I can see them not giving you an Armstrong (or not wanting to) but they cannot escape their obligation just because the model you have is no longer manufactured! That's not a Lifetime Warranty; that's a warranty for the product run.

I'd follow-up with them. Aggressively, if need be.

I am sure they will give you a nice KD/Gearwrench brand Chinese Ratchet. I would try to rebuild it if at all possible considering how much you like the ratchet.

 

[MAD]

Ok, I did a little digging and found out this

1: Although the similar KD 721413 ratchet has been discontinued you can still get the same ratchet. The new part number is KD 721413C. It is the same ratchet but it comes packaged on a card instead of in a cardboard box.

2: There is a new part number for the repair kit. The new number for the kit is 11908. It is not listed for your Easco but I think it would fit. They do not have repair kit listings for discontinued ratchets.

To get either the whole ratchet or the kit under the warranty you need to go through a KD tool dealer. Danaher does not do it directly to the consumer.


Best of luck.

 

[Merkava_4]

Good Job MAD.

 

[goodfellow]

Ok, I did a little digging and found out this

1: Although the similar KD 721413 ratchet has been discontinued you can still get the same ratchet. The new part number is KD 721413C. It is the same ratchet but it comes packaged on a card instead of in a cardboard box.

2: There is a new part number for the repair kit. The new number for the kit is 11908. It is not listed for your Easco but I think it would fit. They do not have repair kit listings for discontinued ratchets.

To get either the whole ratchet or the kit under the warranty you need to go through a KD tool dealer. Danaher does not do it directly to the consumer.


Best of luck.

MAD, Merkava_4, my sincere thanks to both of you for taking the time on my behalf. Much obliged -- it's guys like you that make this a great board.

 

[goodfellow]

Just a follow-up. I emailed the KD customer support folks and was pleasantly surprised that I actually got an e-mail back.

Quote:

To keep from giving you the run around please send me your address and I will send out a replacement head kit for the ratchet.

End Quote:

This was sent from one of the Danaher tool company customer support agents. I used the info that MAD and Merkava_4 uncovered on this thread.

It's my opinion that they made the decision to send out the repair kit because I had all the info on part numbers and alternative applications. Needless to say I was overjoyed with their response -- thanks Danaher!!! A big conglomerate stepped up to the plate -- "who would have thunk it".

 

[lbgradwell]

Good news! Happy to hear that...

 

[64merc]

Goodfellow, sorry to bring back an old thread, but I was wondering if the KD repair kit ended up fitting your Easco ratchet? If it did, can you please tell me what model number your ratchet is, so I can keep an eye out for one. I saw an old Easco flex-head at a pawn shop the other day and I remembered this thread about yours. Thanks

 

[goodfellow]

Goodfellow, sorry to bring back an old thread, but I was wondering if the KD repair kit ended up fitting your Easco ratchet? If it did, can you please tell me what model number your ratchet is, so I can keep an eye out for one. I saw an old Easco flex-head at a pawn shop the other day and I remembered this thread about yours. Thanks

64merc -- The EASCO part number is 721412, and due to some fine detective work from MAD and Merkava_4, I was able to get a rebuild kit directly from Danaher -- no charge


As fellow member "hholmberg" and others had speculated, the rebuild kit is exactly the same as for the Danaher/Craftsman fine tooth flex-head. Just to be absolutely sure, I switched the mechanisms from my EASCO and and an older fine tooth Craftsman - they are interchangeable.