New Craftsman ratchets, Not happy with them.
- Thread starter thightower
- Start date
metaleltr
Well-known member
Take them apart and lubricate them, you will be amazed of the difference.
Bullitt427
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- Dec 18, 2011
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If you hate the 3/8 you'll despise the 1/4" ratchet.
Josh
Josh
thesilverone
Well-known member
3 in 1 oil , marvel mystery oil, superlube and rll will go a long way in that ratchet
OP
thightower
Well-known member
I need to lube them, that's got to help. But I remember the days of quality tools. When you could pull them from the package, go to work and not worry about them failing. I have a Craftsman and a S-K in my box also. Both are about 30 years old and I've never had them apart. Bought new ones cause them 2 were showing signs of wear.
SMKS
Well-known member
All the ratchets with the regular Craftsman 36 tooth mechanism aren't great.
mrjaw14
Well-known member
anyone know the torque ratings on the raised panel ratchets? I've got all 3 sizes of C-man that I use when I don't want to risk my nicer ratchets. I haven't broke one yet, but I'd like to know where they typically break loose at. want to get a torque wrench out and 'feel" where the difference between drive sizes should be so I know when I'm coming close to risking the ratchet so I get the next drive size out or a breaker bar
Yup they reach fail just when you put all of your erse into it and then rip the skin off of your knuckles when it slips. Get the next generation or the premium or the RHFT ones and you will be set.
Last edited:
SMKS
Well-known member
What are your "nicer" ratchets? Depending on what they are, they could very well be less likely to break than a Craftsman.
RatchetMan
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- Sep 23, 2011
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Buy yourself a Snapon f80 for Christmas and never look back.
mrjaw14
Well-known member
Nicer set is Armstrong MAXX so I think I'm ok 
was going to get a flex head dual 80 but couldn't justify the price for a DIY'er
was going to get a flex head dual 80 but couldn't justify the price for a DIY'erfirebox40dash5
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This, and from a guy who's not a big "tool truck" fan.
Used Snap-On or Matco/Armstrong/GW is infinitely superior. Hell, now that I have flex-head and extra-long ratchets, I use the standard length fixed ones once in a blue moon, I don't even own a 10" 1/2, nor have I ever missed it.
03silvergt
Well-known member
Nicer set is Armstrong MAXX so I think I'm ok
The FLF80 is such a nice ratchet, I have one at work and one at the house. Its my go to ratchet at work (Toyota Technician). Once you use one you wont want to go back to a CM or any other ratchet for that matter. Definitely worth the cost.
How's that gonna keep it from switching directions or going into neutral? If anything, lubing it's gonna make it easier to switch directions.
TwoInch
Well-known member
How's that gonna keep it from switching directions or going into neutral? If anything, lubing it's gonna make it easier to switch directions.
thats actually not true.
superlube is where its at with these ratchets. its smooths them considerably, and the light grease keeps the pawl and gear slightly "stuck" in place, helping it to not jump out of place.
ive never had a problem with the 36t mechanism breaking or being weak at all.
It probably has a real weak pawl spring in it; either that or the whole ratchet is just designed sloppy.
TwoInch
Well-known member
from my experience, the spring usually need to be clipped a bit, and a thicker than oil type lubricant be used, and they will work proper.
if the spring is "weak" you just give it a little stretch, and good as new. the polished 36t ratchets arent terrible, the ratchet housings are machined much better than the RP housings.
if the spring is "weak" you just give it a little stretch, and good as new. the polished 36t ratchets arent terrible, the ratchet housings are machined much better than the RP housings.
TwoInch
Well-known member
there are a ton of options for other ratchets that dont cost much more. the gearwrench ratchets are primo, and very close in price.
OP
thightower
Well-known member
The reason I bought them. I was having problems with my old ones, wanted new ones. But the wife was in the middle of christmas shopping. So I bought what I could afford at the time. I'm looking at S-K after the holiday season is past. The CM ratchets will be my backups then.
OP
thightower
Well-known member
I've got 2 of their rachets that are about 30 years old. As far as I'm concerned they are one of the best tools I have ever owned. So yes, I'm used to the knurling, Keeps them in my hand when they are greasy and oily
vssjim
ALLIANCE MEMBER
The SK standard pro series ratchets are very good and hard to beat for the money, no matter who owned the company these have stayed the same for fifty years and see no reason to change them.