New Craftsman SBD Ratchet teardown.

[woody 73]

I know my last post moved rather fast about the pull strength test between the different 3/8 ratchet models with one of them being the new SBD 3/8 Ratchet and the other was the HF model.

So what does the inner guts look like on that new SBD ratchet coming from Stanley look like ? The following video gives us a look into the inner workings of that new design, hope you enjoy it on this nice Saturday morning.

 

[mrjaw14]

man that's a no-go for me. I couldn't use a ratchet I can't take apart and lube. Every craftsman ratchet I've ever had needed lubrication, and I've also had to take them apart to clean old dried lube. But I guess joe homeowner won't be doing that, and that's their target market

 

[woody 73]

Yep planned obsolescence at it's best...

 

[thesilverone]

that's unfortunate

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Am I the only one who has never had to take a ratchet apart?

Tommy

 

[eschoendorff]

That’s a deal breaker. Of course, I don’t need any more ratchets so it’s a moot point.

 

[Wrench97]

I've put a few back together but can't recall purposely taking one apart...................

 

[Fedwrench]

That you tube video is from 2018

I believe it made the rounds here more than awhile ago

Unfortunately, SBD Craftsman isn't the only manufacturer doing that to their ratchets. Wera, and some Facom models are also not serviceable.

It's probably no worse than the design of a ratcheting wrench. You could soak it in ATF or marvel mystery oil if needed

Most people would never care. only in garage journal land do some people hop up their ratchets by trimming pawl springs, stretching pawl springs, using special lubes, or otherwise modify their ratchets.

 

[Coach James]

Am I the only one who has never had to take a ratchet apart?

Tommy

Nope. I've never had to either. I did once, just because I was curious how the inside looked, but I didn't need to.

Coach

 

[zendriver]

Am I the only one who has never had to take a ratchet apart?

Tommy

No.

I have a 3/8 Snap On I stupidly purchased on time payments in 1976, with my $3 hr part time pump jockey job.

Never been apart, just spray some lube around where the gear rotates, seems to still work just fine. Do the same will all ratchets.

Never understood the obsession with ratchet maintenance, but I could be missing something.

 

[finn]

I have had to take apart three Snapon ratchets and install new kits in them. Apparently the seals failed and grit entered the mechanism on two, and the third was just plain rusty inside. Another seal failure I guess.

Had one Craftsman replaced, so I don’t know if that counts, as getting it replaced seems better than me having to rebuild it.

 

[Wrench97]

That's what snap on dealers are for, hand the ratchet to him and let him rebuild or replace.
If you are not using that service you are paying too much for the ratchet.

 

[finn]

That's what snap on dealers are for, hand the ratchet to him and let him rebuild or replace.
If you are not using that service you are paying too much for the ratchet.

Don’t have a dealer

 

[measuredtwice]

Unless you are just generating views for the Youtubers and promoting their channels when you post all of these videos, it would be helpful to readers here on Garage Journal if you summarized the content that's of interest. That way people don't have to waste time watching 6 minutes of video.

There are FOD ratchets that are permanently fixed like the Snap-On T72FOD. With the Craftsman it's more likely intended to keep those who don't know what they are doing from causing trouble.

 

[Ton ton]

Unless you are just generating views for the Youtubers and promoting their channels when you post all of these videos, it would be helpful to readers here on Garage Journal if you summarized the content that's of interest. That way people don't have to waste time watching 15 minutes of video.

There are FOD ratchets that are permanently fixed like the Snap-On T72FOD. With the Craftsman it's more likely intended to keep those who don't know what they are doing from causing trouble.

I agree with your first paragraph.

 

[Wrench97]

Don’t have a dealer

Look one up one the web site and be willing to meet him somewhere, doesn't hurt to buy something you need while you're there.

 

[finn]

Look one up one the web site and be willing to meet him somewhere, doesn't hurt to buy something you need while you're there.

He’s 100 miles away, and I really don’t have the time or inclination to chase him down. When I have a SnapOn ratchet that needs a kit, I have been able to get that kit sent to my doorstep via UPS.

When a SnapOn ratchet had no kit available, they sent me a brand new, current model.

I assume the SBD policy is the same. If a sealed ratchet fails, contact SBD and they will replace it.

I don’t see any advantage at all to make something like a ratchet serviceable when a solid replacement policy is in place.

Sort of like shoes. I used to have my shoes and boots rebuilt with new soles and heels, because that’s how it was done in the old days.

Haven’t done that in twenty years, and don’t miss the service.

Franchise tool trucks are an obsolete business model in the day of the internet.

 

[dnschmidt]

If it's Craftsman I don't tear it down, I throw it out. I never liked their stuff and I sort of actually hate it now.

 

[USAMatt]

This was like click bait. I was hoping for a tear down or insight of the literal 'new' Craftsman ratchets. As in 2020, like the upcoming USA models. This is old news. Like others I rarely tear my ratchets apart. Usually a quick soak in transmission fluid will smooth things out if needed. Sears-Craftsman in the old days, Stanley-Craftsman in the new... I'm actually excited now as Stanley appears to be attempting to make Craftsman a major force again. I'm even hoping they've been delaying the V12 launch to make it more competitive with Milwaukee's 12v line as it appears they're finally taking V20 serious now.

I'm waiting for the USA tools before I make any major purchases but I do own the 3/8's non swivel head and actually like it. Do I view it as a premium ratchet like many of my old USA models? Nope. I do tend to grab it most often for quick repairs though.

 

[Jtels85]

That craftsman gunmetal ratchet is also apart of the new 282 piece gunmetal master socket/wrench set at Lowe’s. Retail is $350, on sale for $250 right now. The gunmetal sockets and wrenches look amazing, but these ratchets alone were a deal breaker for me. Serviceable or not, the heads are way too big and the ratcheting mechanism is clunky. I fiddled with some open stock versions of them at Lowe’s and wasn’t impressed at all. Considering Stanley kept some of the same suppliers Sears had for certain Craftsman tools, they would have been better off using the 84T thin profile ratchet. Those things were beasts.

So if you’re out these reading this Craftsman, these ******** ratchets are the sole reason why I didn’t jump on buying a $250 mechanic set. Otherwise, I’d love to have that set.. but you f’d it up. Good job.

 

[Legion Prime]

Buh mo teefs iz mo bedduhs!

 

[DadsTools]

If it's Craftsman I don't tear it down, I throw it out. I never liked their stuff and I sort of actually hate it now.

My Dad would be in total agreement with this.

 

[seber]

That ring is removable. The person who cut it just didn't have the knowledge of how to do it. There is a cutout at the end of the ring for inserting a screwdriver to pull it out of the groove.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

That ratchet is a Craftsman branded import stocking stuffer on Aunt Martha's Christmas get list. Dear Aunt Martha remembers when Her Uncle Buck took Her on shopping trips to Sears as a child. Her Family had high regards for the Craftsman name. The bean counters at SB&D realized how large Aunt Martha's extended family is; and that may be why they paid so much for the Craftsman name. Sadly; stamping Craftsman or any other name on a bargain import tool does little to improve the quality. Please don't say anything negative about Craftsman tools; it would hurt Dear Aunt Martha's feelings.

 

[Al Borland]

We don't take apart ratchets because we NEED to, we take apart ratchets because we are Garage Journal and it's what we do.
MORE Videos!!!

 

[JatoTheRipper]

That video is about 2 years old. Is it even applicable anymore to the ratchets still in production?

Am I the only one who has never had to take a ratchet apart?

Tommy

No, you're not the only one. I think most people have never had to disassemble a ratchet.

 

[ChevyEFI]

That ring is removable. The person who cut it just didn't have the knowledge of how to do it. There is a cutout at the end of the ring for inserting a screwdriver to pull it out of the groove.

You forgot to post that video