new craftsman 1/4 drive flex head

[billymade]

New tools... typically, trickle out with the stocking shipments; probably will take a little while for all the stores to get them. The fact that it isn't on the website; also, indicates to me, this is a very new tool; typically, a number of new tools are released as we get closer to the holidays...

 

[jjarrell4]

Good call billy, that makes sense

 

[otis66]

headscratI think that price is wrong. The 3/8 drive Pro flex-head ratchet cost less then this.

 

[otis66]

I think that price is wrong. The 3/8 drive Pro flex-head ratchet cost less then this.

 

[otis66]

ask and you shall receive Im headed out now to give it the "mallet" test

The head on the ratchet looks like Matco. Notice the lip on the face of the ratchet. Also notice that the packaging does not have Made In USA on it. I noticed this when I was at sears last night. You can see that this ratchet is made in USA but sometimes you cannot see USA on the tool because of the way it is packaged. The china pro wrenches have this type of packaging you cannot see were the tool is made and it is not on the packageing but if you could turn the tool around that is in the package you would be able to see that it is made in China.

 

[warmpancakes]

the tool is made here the package is made in china

 

[dankicksass]

I like flex head ratchets... but at $40? I bought the 2-pack 3/8 full polish teardrop long handle plus stubby flex head kit a while back at around $25, still under $35. Bought the Gearwrench 3/8 plus 1/4 swivel kit two weeks ago at $25, and a Proto-Blackhawk locking flex head 1/4 plus 3/8 kit with interchangeable heads and a half dozen SAE ratcheting drivers for $31 on Amazon this week. In the world of flex head ratchets, $40 for a raised panel 1/4in isn't setting the value bar really high.

 

[mrholeshot]

the tool is made here the package is made in china

Yeah, I saw the big USA on the handle.

 

[otis66]

I can get a wright flex-head 1/4 drive ratchet for $48.00 and since Craftsman and Matco are going down hill I'll buy the Wright ratchet. I was at Sears last night and I do not like the direction that Craftsman is going. Every tool I see is made in China. Sears is eliminating the pro mechanic from there stores. Everything you buy seems to be in a set. While I was there last night a customer wanted a 30mm deep socket but it was only availible in a set. I told the guy to go to Lowes or Autozone. Autozone seems to have more loose stock then Sears. Also while I was there a guy tried to have his Craftsman Evole ratchet warranted but he did not have a recipt. WOW, what if this guy was from out of state and this is the tools he had in his car.

 

[Fedwrench]

I'm thinking the price is wrong. Some clerk just stuck the same price tag on the Craftsman 1/4 flex head that was on the SK 1/4 flex heads they sold because the part number didn't show up in the computer yet..
Seriously though, for those of you worried about Craftsman and Matco going downhill, just buy the Gearwrench 60 tooth 1/4 drive flex head ratchet For less than $30 if you shop around.

 

[HandyManny]

The only 1/4 drive flex head Craftsman offered previously was made by SK.

That must be the reason for the $40. I had seen a few S-K 1/4 drive ratchets at Sears within the last year or so that were going for $39.99. I own a couple 1/4 drive ratchets but don't use them very much if hardly at all. Mine are both Proto and one mini made by Chapman Tool Co. I didn't pay nearly that much for even the Proto one. Truthfully I've found that around the garage most fasteners small enough to warrant 1/4 drive tools can easily be taken care of with either the approriate sized nut driver or a 1/4 drive extention handle with a socket.

 

[Givl Reggin]

The local Sears finally has this in stock - the first thing I noticed was that the handle is the same one that is used in the 1/4" breaker bar, they just put a flex head ratchet on it - that explains why the overall length is so long. Fit and finish is standard Craftsman quality, nice to see it's USA made. They only had 2 in stock.... well, only one now!

 

[boro_boy70]

I still don't see how they are getting $40 for this thing. I went to Sears on Monday, and this ratchet was the most expensive ratchet in the store. (except 3/4 drive) How can they charge $40 for a 1/4 flex ratchet, and $32 for a 1/2 drive flex ratchet? I think someone screwed up when they entered the price in the computer.

 

[troop231]

I work at Sears as an mca in the hardlines divisions (tools, electronics, and lawn and garden) and these ratchets aren't even supposed to be out on the shelves yet. We got (2) of these ratchets in a few weeks ago and myself and the managers shook our heads what to do with them lol, they're in the back stock room at the moment until a updated aisle sheet (planogram) comes out. If anyone else has questions about Craftsman tools or anything Sears related, feel free to ask me. Thanks. P.S. Normally the sales guys don't know jack, but it's the unsung behind the scenes workers (mca's) who know more about the merchandise, so don't always trust the sales guys.

 

[Givl Reggin]

I still don't see how they are getting $40 for this thing.

Would you rather have a $20 Chinese made Craftsman ratchet? I don't see $40 bucks for a USA made ratchet as that bad, the 1/4" flex head SK ratchet they sold was around $40 bucks too and I don't remember anyone complaining about that.

Where are all the supporters that said Craftsman should raise their prices to keep their products made here in the USA as opposed to moving production to China?

 

[boro_boy70]

I work at Sears as an mca in the hardlines divisions (tools, electronics, and lawn and garden) and these ratchets aren't even supposed to be out on the shelves yet. We got (2) of these ratchets in a few weeks ago and myself and the managers shook our heads what to do with them lol, they're in the back stock room at the moment until a updated aisle sheet (planogram) comes out. If anyone else has questions about Craftsman tools or anything Sears related, feel free to ask me. Thanks. P.S. Normally the sales guys don't know jack, but it's the unsung behind the scenes workers (mca's) who know more about the merchandise, so don't always trust the sales guys.

What about the guys here who bought them at $40? When they are "officially" released, and priced at $15-$20(guess) will they get the difference refunded?

 

[mrholeshot]

Would you rather have a $20 Chinese made Craftsman ratchet? I don't see $40 bucks for a USA made ratchet as that bad, the 1/4" flex head SK ratchet they sold was around $40 bucks too and I don't remember anyone complaining about that.

Where are all the supporters that said Craftsman should raise their prices to keep their products made here in the USA as opposed to moving production to China?

If the quality was as good as SK I wouldn't have a problem with paying 40 for it. 24.99 would be a good price

 

[boro_boy70]

Would you rather have a $20 Chinese made Craftsman ratchet? I don't see $40 bucks for a USA made ratchet as that bad, the 1/4" flex head SK ratchet they sold was around $40 bucks too and I don't remember anyone complaining about that.

Where are all the supporters that said Craftsman should raise their prices to keep their products made here in the USA as opposed to moving production to China?

No, I wouldn't want a $20 chinese Craftsman ratchet. I also wouldn't pay $40for a $17 Craftsman ratchet.

What I meant was A 3/8 flex is $20, a 1/2 flex is $32, it just didn't fit in with Sears current prices. Right now, this new ratchet is the same price as 1 of the 1/2 drive, thin profile, 60 tooth ratchets. It doesn't add up.

 

[troop231]

What about the guys here who bought them at $40? When they are "officially" released, and priced at $15-$20(guess) will they get the difference refunded?

Yes I believe so, they might have to ask for a manager though because the sales guys are clueless.

 

[billymade]

You have 14 days after your purchase date for the price match policy:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/nb_10153_12608_NB_CSpricematch

New stock comes off the truck; even "new" items that are on the new planogram, many times, these get put on the floor anyway... this is probably why you are seeing them "trickle" out to the floor and not at every store.

 

[troop231]

I hate planogram resets

 

[SCscoutguy]

I went to sears today to warranty a few tools and they did not have any 1/4" breaker bars in stock. The lady grabbed my broken 1/4" breaker bar and came back with the 1/4" flex head ratchet and said "will you take this instead"? Needless to say I agreed and I have to say that while this little 36 tooth ratchet is nice for what it is there is no way I would ever pay the $39.99 price they are asking for it. If it were priced somewhere around $30 or less I would have no problem buying one though.

 

[pipsters]

What disturbs me the most with that ratchet is no "Made in USA" on the front of the packaging. Don't all full line Craftsman ratchets have that stamped on the front of the plastic packaging?

 

[SCscoutguy]

What disturbs me the most with that ratchet is no "Made in USA" on the front of the packaging. Don't all full line Craftsman ratchets have that stamped on the front of the plastic packaging?

It says "Made in USA" in big letters on the back of the packaging and the handle of the ratchet has USA machined into it.

 

[Buckgnarly]

I wish they dropped the price on that...anyone ever see it online? I've thought about tossing it in the cart during sales a few times but can never findit,

 

[Tool Pants]

Being a Crafty guy I had to have one, but did not want to pay $39.99. They were not showing up at the flea market. Found one on ebay about 5 months ago for $29.99 including the shipping.

Took the flex head and a current 1/4" ratchet apart, to see if I could put the quick release gear from the ratchet into the flex head, but you can't. Other than the pawl and the plastic selector, no other parts interchange.

The flex head is 34 teeth and the 1/4" ratchet is 36. The diameter is not the same so they cannot be swapped.

Strange that Danaher came up with a new gear for the flex head, rather than just using the gear from the 1/4" ratchet.

 

[SCscoutguy]

Being a Crafty guy I had to have one, but did not want to pay $39.99. They were not showing up at the flea market. Found one on ebay about 5 months ago for $29.99 including the shipping.

Took the flex head and a current 1/4" ratchet apart, to see if I could put the quick release gear from the ratchet into the flex head, but you can't. Other than the pawl and the plastic selector, no other parts interchange.

The flex head is 34 teeth and the 1/4" ratchet is 36. The diameter is not the same so they cannot be swapped.

Strange that Danaher came up with a new gear for the flex head, rather than just using the gear from the 1/4" ratchet.

I wonder if they used the gear from the old Matco 1/4" ratchet. I think those were either 34 or 36 teeth before they switched to 60.

 

[GoBlue]

eh...

 

[ajchien]

So the head size is smaller than the standard 1/4. Nice.

Being a Crafty guy I had to have one, but did not want to pay $39.99. They were not showing up at the flea market. Found one on ebay about 5 months ago for $29.99 including the shipping.

Took the flex head and a current 1/4" ratchet apart, to see if I could put the quick release gear from the ratchet into the flex head, but you can't. Other than the pawl and the plastic selector, no other parts interchange.

The flex head is 34 teeth and the 1/4" ratchet is 36. The diameter is not the same so they cannot be swapped.

Strange that Danaher came up with a new gear for the flex head, rather than just using the gear from the 1/4" ratchet.

 

[SCscoutguy]

Just proof that those who dislike Craftsman will always dislike craftsman...improve the product, raise the price and they still *****. I want one...l will have one.

Haters ****...best of luck with your Chinese Mac

No one is hating on Craftsman they are just stating the obvious that this ratchet while being a decent tool is not worth near what Sears is asking for it. If it were priced at $30 or less then I am sure many more people would buy them.

 

[ibedayank]

i paid $32 for a 1/2 drive raised panel flexhead
I sure as hell won't pay more than that for a 1/4 drive raised panel flexhead
Sears needs to pull their head out of their ###

 

[GoBlue]

i was crabby last night...point taken

 

[SCscoutguy]

I went to Sears to buy one of these ratchets for my brother in law since he liked mine so much and they didn't have any of them. I asked the guy at the counter and he said that Craftsman stopped making them and they would no longer be stocked. So I guess if anyone wants one of these you better go and see if you can find one in your local store because I doubt they will ever make any more since they are now making the RP ratchets in China.

 

[IDidntDoIt]

I still don't see how they are getting $40 for this thing. I went to Sears on Monday, and this ratchet was the most expensive ratchet in the store. (except 3/4 drive) How can they charge $40 for a 1/4 flex ratchet, and $32 for a 1/2 drive flex ratchet? I think someone screwed up when they entered the price in the computer.

Their 1/4'' drive premium ratchet is $35. Depending on the ratcheting head they used, plus flex head, I can see $40 out of it.

 

[BigAl62]

I just looked at one of these today, feels nice, but I can't bring myself to pay $40 for a Craftsman ratchet (USA or not). I'll stick with my Duralast 1/4" flex head! (Yes, I know it's made in Taiwan, but it works great!)

 

[IDidntDoIt]

Duralast are very good tools. I'd rate their quality up higher than craftsman. Craftsman is getting lazy. They're definitely not the same as they used to be. Duralast tools look much like snapon stuff, except it's made in taiwan, but at least it's not made in china. Taiwan makes some good chit. Duralast would be my go-to guys if they had a more complete selection.

 

[billymade]

I guess now; the question is whether they will continue to support it with rebuild kits.

 

[bobcatdan]

As to the talk of the diffrent guts in the ratcher, it is the same ratchet as a stanard tooth 1/4" matco flex. The matco flex has the same head design and lower tooth count then a non flex 36 tooth 1/4" ratchet.

 

[BigAl62]

I guess now; the question is whether they will continue to support it with rebuild kits.

I don't see Craftsman going away even if Sears goes under. The way I see it, Craftsman at Ace Hardware, Menards and Summit Racing means that they are shopping the brand around. If Sears goes, I bet someone continues Craftsman. I don't see Danaher (spelling?) letting it die, they seem to have a lot invested in the brand and could force Sears to let them move the sales end to someone else.

 

[Lomotil]

I've seen these at the store, don't remember the exact price, but it was enough for me to **** an eyebrow and move on...