New Craftsman ratchets.

[Jeremy77]

MIT (Made in Taiwan), as is all current and in the past few years higher tooth Craftsman-brand ratchets.

I now have a Craftsman Extreme Grip 3/8”, 72 teeth, #1178-L-AG, made in 2017 in Taiwan by Lea Way Hand Tool Corp per the packaging (a subsidiary of Apex Tools), #11678 (per packaging) or 25923 (on-line). You can buy it right now for $10.84:

https://www.sears.com/craftsman-3-8...lerId=SEARS&prdNo=20&blockNo=20&blockType=G20

As is, it's okay (just okay), but be forewarned that it has no lubrication inside, so it will be noisy and a bit rough. It has the typical RP Craftsman internal snap ring that opens the inside of the ratchet to add lubricant. I did, took me a total of 10 minutes to add Super Lube. What a world of difference it made to quiet the ratchet and make it work smoothly! I used it along with some other tools during a major project this weekend. No complaints at all.

This is actually a hidden gem in the Craftsman lineup. I’ve had it several years now with absolutely no complaints. I could do without the grip but that’s just a personal preference as I don’t care for it on any ratchet.

 

[giants]

Unfortunately, Craftsman will not be selling that version of ratchet any longer. Good thing you got them when you did.

Thanks. Where did you hear that? Are the RPs going to become collectors' items?

 

[giants]

This is actually a hidden gem in the Craftsman lineup. I’ve had it several years now with absolutely no complaints. I could do without the grip but that’s just a personal preference as I don’t care for it on any ratchet.

I saw one, and only one of those darlings at Sears today. However, I don't need a bunkmate for my current one

 

[Jtels85]

Thanks. Where did you hear that? Are the RPs going to become collectors' items?

Stanley/Craftsman still sources certain tools from Apex who made Craftsman tools for Sears. The 3/8” 10” and 1/2” drive 15” breaker bars, 1/4”, 3/8, and 1/2” raised panel ratchets and the raised panel wrenches are all Apex sources. The same goes for the chrome sockets (not the gunmetal) and impact sockets. Everything else at Lowe’s appears to be rebranded, existing Stanley items.

Stanley Craftsman introduced their own new versions of ratchets, including flex heads when they began expending the lineup at Lowe’s... thus becoming clear that specific models would not longer be made. Raised panel flex heads are gone, the 84T ratchets are gone... it’s evident at Ace Hardware as well because as these specific items sell, they are not being replaced with the same SKU. The Stanley/Craftsman tools are now infiltrating Ace stores and slowly replacing the old “Sears” stuff.

I doubt the raised panel ratchets will gain anymore collector status than they already have. I predict that once Stanley/Craftsman begins producing their mechanics tools in the USA next year, the collector prices of the old USA Sears/Craftsman tools will plummet and the desire to own them will fade. All in all, those ratchets take a lot of **** on this board but I like them and I’d say hang onto the ones you have. They’re a good, solid tool!

 

[giants]

Stanley/Craftsman still sources certain tools from Apex who made Craftsman tools for Sears. The 3/8” 10” and 1/2” drive 15” breaker bars, 1/4”, 3/8, and 1/2” raised panel ratchets and the raised panel wrenches are all Apex sources. The same goes for the chrome sockets (not the gunmetal) and impact sockets. Everything else appears to be rebranded, existing Stanley items.

Stanley Craftsman introduced their own new versions of ratchets, including flex heads when they began expending the lineup at Lowe’s... thus becoming clear that specific models would not longer be made. Raised panel flex heads are gone, the 84T ratchets are gone... it’s evident at Ace Hardware as well because as these specific items sell, they are not being replaced with the same SKU. The Stanley/Craftsman tools are now infiltrating Ace stores and slowly replacing the old “Sears” stuff.

I doubt the raised panel ratchets will gain anymore collector status than they already have. I predict that once Stanley/Craftsman begins producing their mechanics tools in the USA next year, the collector prices of the old USA Sears/Craftsman tools will plummet the desire to own them will vanish. All in all, those ratchets take a lot of **** on this board but I like them and I’d say hang onto the ones you have. They’re a good, solid tool!

Thanks. I also read that StanleyBlack&Decker plans to repatriate Craftsman production to the US next year. However, it might be "Made in the USA of Global Materials," which could mean cheap Chinese steel, so I'm not sure whether the quality will be there.

 

[Jtels85]

Thanks. I also read that StanleyBlack&Decker plans to repatriate Craftsman production to the US next year. However, it might be "Made in the USA of Global Materials," which could mean cheap Chinese steel, so I'm not sure whether the quality will be there.

Time will only tell, but I want to believe that it can’t be any worse than the Craftsman tools we’ve been subject to for the last decade.

In my opinion, the current Craftsman under Stanley is worse than the stuff Sears was peddling. I know Sears screwed they pooch with the Western Forge/Ideal contract and the USA made pliers and screwdrivers went away in 2017. It just saddens me how we went from buying those terrific, black handle USA made pliers to the wobbly, clunky, thick handle, cheap looking Craftsman pliers found today at Lowe’s. It doesn’t surprise me considering Stanley now sources their MAC Tools pliers from China. They used to be USA made and top notch quality.

 

[bubinga]

This is actually a hidden gem in the Craftsman lineup. I’ve had it several years now with absolutely no complaints. I could do without the grip but that’s just a personal preference as I don’t care for it on any ratchet.

Went ahead and ordered one, we don't have a Local Sears anymore.
Might want to check you account, have to proceed to check out I think,
But I had some kind of $5.00 bonus points.
so it covered my shipping.

 

[giants]

Went ahead and ordered one, we don't have a Local Sears anymore.
Might want to check you account, have to proceed to check out I think,
But I had some kind of $5.00 bonus points.
so it covered my shipping.

Great. Let us know your experience with it. As mentioned above, it will be coarse and noisy, no lubricant from the factory. Get a pair of snap ring pliers and some Super Lube to lubricate the inside. It's easy with this style of pliers and you'll really notice a world of difference.

 

[bubinga]

Great. Let us know your experience with it. As mentioned above, it will be coarse and noisy, no lubricant from the factory. Get a pair of snap ring pliers and some Super Lube to lubricate the inside. It's easy with this style of pliers and you'll really notice a world of difference.

Ok, I will, thanks.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

 

[bubinga]

MIT (Made in Taiwan), as is all current and in the past few years higher tooth Craftsman-brand ratchets.

I now have a Craftsman Extreme Grip 3/8”, 72 teeth, #1178-L-AG, made in 2017 in Taiwan by Lea Way Hand Tool Corp per the packaging (a subsidiary of Apex Tools), #11678 (per packaging) or 25923 (on-line). You can buy it right now for $10.84:

https://www.sears.com/craftsman-3-8...lerId=SEARS&prdNo=20&blockNo=20&blockType=G20

As is, it's okay (just okay), but be forewarned that it has no lubrication inside, so it will be noisy and a bit rough. It has the typical RP Craftsman internal snap ring that opens the inside of the ratchet to add lubricant. I did, took me a total of 10 minutes to add Super Lube. What a world of difference it made to quiet the ratchet and make it work smoothly! I used it along with some other tools during a major project this weekend. No complaints at all.

This is actually a hidden gem in the Craftsman lineup. I’ve had it several years now with absolutely no complaints. I could do without the grip but that’s just a personal preference as I don’t care for it on any ratchet.

Great. Let us know your experience with it. As mentioned above, it will be coarse and noisy, no lubricant from the factory. Get a pair of snap ring pliers and some Super Lube to lubricate the inside. It's easy with this style of pliers and you'll really notice a world of difference.

Ok, I will, thanks.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

OK, This is Crazy, I just wrote,
The picture fooled me, I thought it was a plastic comfort grip/
I really like how this ratchet is machined.
This is odd,
Here 1st pic, is the picture from the sears website,
2nd is the one I got. (sorry for poor photo)

 

[bubinga]

here's the one they sent me.
https://www.sears.com/craftsman-3-8-inch-drive-universal-ratchet/p-00924967000P?rrec=true

 

[giants]

OK, This is Crazy, I just wrote,
The picture fooled me, I thought it was a plastic comfort grip/
I really like how this ratchet is machined.
This is odd,
Here 1st pic, is the picture from the sears website,
2nd is the one I got. (sorry for poor photo)

No! Your photo is the 3/8" universal ratchet, a $20 piece of junk that wouldn't fit a 3/8" universal socket, which it was designed for, that I tested it on over the weekend. I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy (Fast Eddie) and I would return that piece of junk.

Mine has a plastic handle, which I'm not thrilled about, but I tricked out the ratchet mechanism so it's smooth as butter.

 

[giants]

On a related note, I was at my local Home Depot on an unrelated purchase when I saw four Stanley trucks parked outside. I caught them as they were about to leave. I asked one rep about Craftsman's repatriation to US Made. He said that they're building a hand tool manufacturing facility in Fort Worth, Texas, and a couple of other manufacturing facilities that I can't recall.

Now, I'm not holding my breath about Stanley and its history of broken promises.

For example, cynical me thinks the 2021 Craftsman COO labels will say, "Made in the USA of global materials;" "global materials" means cheap metallurgy of Chinese steel and the only domestic manufacturing being attaching the plastic backs to the tools.

 

[bubinga]

Just to see, I thought they might help me, I wrote them,
They told me to donate, dispose, or use the current one, sending me a refund too!
I sort of like this one too.

 

[bubinga]

No! Your photo is the 3/8" universal ratchet, a $20 piece of junk that wouldn't fit a 3/8" universal socket, which it was designed for, that I tested it on over the weekend. I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy (Fast Eddie) and I would return that piece of junk.

Mine has a plastic handle, which I'm not thrilled about, but I tricked out the ratchet mechanism so it's smooth as butter.

Yeah, It does have some bad reviews,
Oh well, It was free,
I might get the other one too.

EDIT
Why are they calling it A Universal Ratchet?

 

[bubinga]

No! Your photo is the 3/8" universal ratchet, a $20 piece of junk that wouldn't fit a 3/8" universal socket, which it was designed for, that I tested it on over the weekend. I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy (Fast Eddie) and I would return that piece of junk.



Mine has a plastic handle, which I'm not thrilled about, but I tricked out the ratchet mechanism so it's smooth as butter.

Are you referring to this type of ratchet?
Because, mine has a regular 3/8" anvil, to take any 3/8" drive socket.
The anvil on mine is not shown on the sears site, or in my picture.
Is this the type you have?


Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk

 

[paulsomlo]

Mine has a plastic handle, which I'm not thrilled about, but I tricked out the ratchet mechanism so it's smooth as butter.

So, what did you do to it?

 

[giants]

EDIT
Why are they calling it A Universal Ratchet?

It's a universal flop.

 

[giants]

So, what did you do to it?

I opened up the inners; there was NO lubricant inside. I cleaned the inners with brake cleaner, then saturated everything with Super Lube. It was an experiment, because I had never tried Super Lube. It ratcheted smoother and almost as quiet as a church mouse then and up to now.

 

[Ton ton]

I opened up the inners; there was NO lubricant inside. I cleaned the inners with brake cleaner, then saturated everything with Super Lube. It was an experiment, because I had never tried Super Lube. It ratcheted smoother and almost as quiet as a church mouse then and up to now.

Thanks for the response.

 

[bubinga]

It's a universal flop.

I opened up the inners; there was NO lubricant inside. I cleaned the inners with brake cleaner, then saturated everything with Super Lube. It was an experiment, because I had never tried Super Lube. It ratcheted smoother and almost as quiet as a church mouse then and up to now.

Thanks for the response.

I actually sort of like the one they sent me, and hey, it's free.

l can't get a good picture of it, but is the one you had like the one l posted, or had a regular 3/8" anvil?
Haven't really used it yet though.

Supposed to return my $5.00 in points too!

 

[powertrip]

On a related note, I was at my local Home Depot on an unrelated purchase when I saw four Stanley trucks parked outside. I caught them as they were about to leave. I asked one rep about Craftsman's repatriation to US Made. He said that they're building a hand tool manufacturing facility in Fort Worth, Texas, and a couple of other manufacturing facilities that I can't recall.

Now, I'm not holding my breath about Stanley and its history of broken promises.

For example, cynical me thinks the 2021 Craftsman COO labels will say, "Made in the USA of global materials;" "global materials" means cheap metallurgy of Chinese steel and the only domestic manufacturing being attaching the plastic backs to the tools.

The Fort Worth Texas location is happening and is common knowledge on this site.

 

[Saberman84]

I'm kinda of late to the party, but I happened to run across one of the Craftsman that had a plastic selector. It was a 1/2 inch 44809, Made in USA. I had cleaned it and put in some new grease for my uncle. The part of the switch that you flip is metal, but somehow the inner rod that runs through the paw is plastic so I have no idea why they thought that would be a good idea. Great feeling ratchet and it has some heft to it but that selector is it's achilles heel.