Rebuild kit for C'man RHFT

[Indy125]

Hello All,

I am looking for a rebuild kit for my new to me, 3/8 RHFT ratchet model # 43788. The QR function isn't working, and the teeth in the mechanism are in bad shape. I have referenced the chart made by fellow GJ member, and seems the kit I need (43436) is out of stock, and not made anymore.

Any suggestions or advise regarding if another manufacturer rebuild kit will work, or where to find the proper rebuild kit?

Side note, if I can't find a rebuild kit, are there any modern ratchets similar to this one, with the knurled thumb wheel on the bottom (closest to the socket) of the ratchet like the Craftsman?

Thanks so much!

 

[d.mcfarland]

Can buy one from the classifieds or eBay or wherever and replace the guts in your ratchet.

 

[Indy125]

Thanks for the reply.

eBay doesn't have the correct kit, and google doesn't turn up much more either. Would rather not buy a donor ratchet for the parts, considering it isn't worth much to begin with and no guarantee that it will be functional as well... But might be the only option. I will keep my eyes open in the classified section.

 

[d.mcfarland]

They haven't made the kits in a long time. What I'm saying is unless you find the new old stock holy grail, you won't find a kit.

 

[thesilverone]

best of luck in your quest

 

[WWheeler]

If you can't find a Craftsman rebuild kit, you may still be able to find a kit from one of the other RHFTs that will fit it, but may not be one with a quick release.

Craftsman, Easco, K-D, Allen, RHFT ratchet kit chart
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44430

I have made a list of all the Round Head Fine Tooth(RHFT) ratchets with the knurled speeder on the bottom, and all the repair kits are interchangeable. I have tried a couple and they are the same. Some of the older craftsmans have a through post quick release design, and that is no longer in use, other wise kits are the same, still available from Sears, Danaher. Also some of the older Easco, K-D ratchets were non-quick release(NQR) and if you get a current rebuild then ratchet will now be quick release. I have seen rebuilds from K-D, Allen, Napa on line, if you cannot get a warranty from either Sears or Danaher. If there are other models that I don't have listed let me know, these ratchets have been in production for 40 years so there may be some odd balls out there. Also added a Ridgid, it is sold with a 960 roll groover to operate it, but is an Allen brand clone, and can be bought buy it self online or through Ridgid. Also another Ridgid sold with a 915 is a 1/2 long handle with a 90 degree bend on the end of the handle.

Allen 1/4 model# 10904, repair kit#10908
Armstrong 1/4 model#10-915, repair kit 10-963
Craftsman 1/4 model# 43187,43178, repair kit#43426
Easco 1/4 model#711106, repair kit#10908
K-D 1/4 model#711106, repair kit#10908
Master Mechanic model#T1060(NQR)
Napa 1/4 model# NHT NM-47, repair kit#10908

Allen 3/8 model#11904, repair kit#11908
Armstrong 3/8 model#11-915, repair kit#11-963
Craftsman 3/8 model#43781,42794(Flex),42792(Flex),43788, repair kit#43436
Easco 3/8 model#721109,721413(Flex),721412(Flex), repair kit#11908
K-D 3/8 model#721109,721413(Flex), repair kit#721103(old),11908(new)
Master Mechanic???
Napa 3/8 model# NHT NB-47, repair kit# 11908

Allen 1/2 model#12804,12806(LH), repair kit#12809
Armstrong 1/2 model#12-915, repair kit#12-963
Craftsman 1/2 model#44977.44983(Flex),44944,44973(Flex),44978, repair kit#43446
Easco 1/2 model#731112,731111, 731116(LH), , repair kit#12809
K-D 1/2 model#731111,731116(LH), repair kit#12809
Master Mechanic 1/2 model#T1660, T1661(NQR)
Napa 1/2 model#NHT NS-47, repair kit#12809
Ridgid 1/2 model#70437(LH), 92202 (LH90), repair kit not available from Ridgid, send in for repair.

NQR- non-qiuck release
LH- Long handle non-flex
Flex-Flex handle
LH90- Long handle bent 90 degrees on the end
All other ratchets are quick release, and standard length

 

[davethorik]

Thanks for the reply.

eBay doesn't have the correct kit, and google doesn't turn up much more either. Would rather not buy a donor ratchet for the parts, considering it isn't worth much to begin with and no guarantee that it will be functional as well... But might be the only option. I will keep my eyes open in the classified section.

A lamp with a Genie in it would probably be easier to find than an original kit, and you still have 2 wishes left...

 

[WWheeler]

According to Draftpick's list this should fit that craftsman 3/8 RHFT ratchet model # 43788. A bit hard to make out the images though.

Currently $7.50 shipped from Cripe:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Allen-1192...390861302972?_trksid=p2385738.m4383.l4275.c10

 

[WWheeler]

Well, this listing wasn't here when this thread started, but noticed it earlier today. There was 3 available when I first saw it, but just 1 now.

CRAFTSMAN RATCHET REPAIR KIT 43436 FOR 3/8" DRIVE 43781 42794 (flex head)
https://www.ebay.com/itm/223016113575

Good luck. Even if you miss out on this one, just goes to show they still can show up from time to time.

 

[plinker]

The kits Cripe has are for the tri-wing ratchets like this one,

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Craftsman-9-23803-3-8-Drive-Round-Head-Fine-Tooth-Ratchet/323300104636?epid=1800396418&hash=item4b463019bc:g:y68AAOSwxupbIV88

 

[mikebaker1129]

What were you looking to spend on a 43436 repair kit?
This was one of Craftsmans best made ratchets!

 

[WWheeler]

The kits Cripe has are for the tri-wing ratchets like this one,

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Craftsman-9-23803-3-8-Drive-Round-Head-Fine-Tooth-Ratchet/323300104636?epid=1800396418&hash=item4b463019bc:g:y68AAOSwxupbIV88

i guess that means Draftpick's post that I quoted above, may not all be correct? if that's the case I'll probably necropost as much on that thread just so the next person that digs it up in search of an answer won't also be led astray.

What were you looking to spend on a 43436 repair kit?
This was one of Craftsmans best made ratchets!

I'm hoping it was worth the ~$19 the kit I linked above was asking and he got one, because those kits are gone now.

And IMHO it was Craftsman's best made ratchet. That 3/8dr the OP has is 41 tooth with a floating double pawl design that doubled the # clicks per tooth, so 82 clicks per revolution (iirc 1/2"dr was 45t and 1/4"dr was 35t), which afforded it exceptional strength and reliability for it's day and the ~4° of travel of some of today's best ratchets. Properly lubed they have a super-light backdrag, and once you get used to using the thumbwheel it becomes something missing on other ratchets. I've been using mine for decades.

 

[jsmeece]

Nice collection there WWheeler. I have one each in 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 drive, but I do not have any of the flex head versions. I really do not use them anymore, but have no intention of selling them either, great ratchets.

 

[thesilverone]

those 1/2" flexes

 

[RandyRanderson]

EBay is pretty much the only option nowadays (as far as I know) for Craftsman repair kits. Spent $20 last week for the only one of its kind that I could find. Rachet really isn't worth it, but it was one of my favorites.

 

[Schurkey]

The big problem with the RHFT Craftsman ratchets is the internal machining inside the head--the steel is soft.

When I was using my 3/8 professionally, the guts would last about six months. The head was good for two sets of guts.

Six months, get a guts-kit. Six more months, guts AND head are wiped-out, so I need a new ratchet. Six months, get a guts kit. Six more months get a new ratchet.

I got off that merry-go-round when I bought a Snap-On pear head. That ratchet lasted the rest of my career (13 years), plus five more years of hobby use before I had to put a guts kit in it.

I still have the Craftsman. I put a guts kit into it, and then put it in my "road box". It's the third kit in that head, it's loose and wobbly, but of course Sears can't honor the warranty any more.

 

[Fialaja]

You might get a comparable ratchet as a donor...Armstrong, easco, napa, master mechanic, KD, Allen and even Ridgid made ratchets with this mechanism