Older Craftsmans

[kreck]

Picked up a few older craftsman ratchets and a breaker bar at an estate sale ($12 for the lot) haven't used them yet, but my initial impression is that they feel considerably better in the hand than the more recent pre-China ones that came in a kit I bought.

 

[sberry]

We had some round head fine tooth quick release Sears was proud of must have been from the 70's that were pretty good and without thinking traded them in and its been downhill all the way including every single new one we have got since.
Considering the sheer numbers of producing a faulty tool for so long its go to be a world record for warranty on a single item. Even HF figured out they had to find a better ratchet,,, how hard could it be?
They used the same pos design in the new China ones, must have shipped the tooling with the job.

 

[sberry]

The new Sears sockets are as good or better than the 1980's +, the ratchet is still a loser after 35 yrs,,, ha Those are probably worth what you paid though.

 

[theoldwizard1]

We had some round head fine tooth quick release Sears was proud of must have been from the 70's that were pretty good and without thinking traded them in and its been downhill all the way including every single new one we have got since.

I never was a big fan of the "fine tooth" Craftsman ratchets, although I have one in 1/2". My 3/8" looks like the second from the top. From the late 60s.

My 3/8" flex head started acting wonky a few years ago. It probably needed a good cleaning or a repair kit. Traded it in. Boy was that a mistake !

 

[RogueFab]

Nice. I just inherited some of that same vintage (round ones) from my late stepfather. My son can have them when they put me in the ground.

 

[Toyota mechanic]

What is in that pic, is worth 100 to 130 bucks on ebay..............

 

[bonneyman]

I never was a big fan of the "fine tooth" Craftsman ratchets, although I have one in 1/2". My 3/8" looks like the second from the top. From the late 60s.

My 3/8" flex head started acting wonky a few years ago. It probably needed a good cleaning or a repair kit. Traded it in. Boy was that a mistake !

I, too, could not get into The RHFT rats. Now, that top one is a MDF (Moore Drop Forge) version.

 

[kreck]

I like that the 3/8 has the wheel to thumb turn. Off the 4, that's probably the one that I'll actually use. The others I got because they were available and cheap, and I like old USA stuff. Maybe they'll push my other craftsmans to the travel bag. I rarely have a need for 1/2 and use the extendable HF when I do.

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

I would have bought them for that price.

I really like the RP breaker bars, would love to get a RHFT, but for what they go for on eBay you can almost get a used snap on dual 80 if your patient

 

[d.mcfarland]

That 1/2 drive =v= is nice, but it only has one tooth engagement if i remember correctly. Cool design for sure.