SBD Craftsman Iconic Ratchet CMMT44808 availability status

[milky2k]

Hello all, I've been trying to get a hold of SBD version of the old Craftsman RP ratchet at Lowes because I have a few USA made ones that I would like to warranty out for the same style. I understand Lowes will warranty it out if its the same part number, however, the Lowes in my area have been out of stock for many months. I contacted SBD to warranty one out hoping they would give me the CMMT44808 but they are giving me a CMMT81748 72 tooth instead and said the 44808 was discontinued long ago. Idk if he meant the Sears version or SBD version so I wanted to know if anyone has been able to buy or see one in stock at Lowes in the past year or two and if they were made in China or Taiwan. Before anyone says "try Tekton" or "I wouldn't use anything but Snap On", I have other ratchets available, I grew up with this ratchet style so I like having them around especially for loaners, junkyard duty and truck tools etc. I don't mind waiting a little longer if its just taking time for inventory to build up around the country. I am in the Los Angeles area. Thanks

 

[Oil leak]

What's wrong with your old ones? If it just needs rebuilt buy a kit off ebay or other sites on the internet. Better to have an old one than the Chinese ones.

 

[milky2k]

I have one with a broken tooth, two with a weak ball catch so the sockets come off without pressing the quick release and another where the quick release is jammed open. I've found repair kits on ebay but the prices are unreasonable. Currently the cheapest one is $27 + 5.85 for shipping. For that price I can buy a whole new ratchet. Multiply that times four and it gets expensive.

 

[four.cycle]

^ Try holding the detent ball on the anvil down with a pair of pliers and feeding some sort of penetrating lubricant in there. I use MMO or "Knock-r-Loose". I've gotten a few sticky ones to free up that way. Some of them require multiple applications over the course of several days.

 

[milky2k]

Yeah, I've already tried several sprays and oils and ultrasonic cleaning. It doesn't budge at all. I don't want to drill in to it either and risk getting a warranty claim rejected.

 

[dnschmidt]

To whom is the CMMT44808 Iconic? I don't think we're talking about Snap-On Dual 80's here. Pedestrian, Run of the MIll, Common as Dirt, yea I'd agree with all three of those descriptions but ICONIC?

 

[Garcky]

To whom is the CMMT44808 Iconic? I don't think we're talking about Snap-On Dual 80's here. Pedestrian, Run of the MIll, Common as Dirt, yea I'd agree with all three of those descriptions but ICONIC?

Probably to Craftsman fans. There are plenty of them on DJ. Nothing wrong with that.

 

[milky2k]

That's what SBD is calling it.

 

[Skyman]

Exercising a warranty on Craftsman these days will net you a chinesium replacement for your USA-made original. I made that mistake with my 40+ year-old 1/2" drive flex ratchet a few years ago. Wish I hadn't done it. I'd gladly pay for a repair kit if I still had the original tool.

 

[joel_400]

When it comes to this I'm glad I bought about 5 bucks worth of 25 cent craftsman rebuild kits at a flea market years ago. Just about the time all the Sears stores were closing in my area. I've used up all the common ones rebuilding a few for myself and some ratchets for friends and coworkers. All I've got left are some oddball part numbers now, but still worth their weight in gold if they're needed! Just a bummer that all the newer ratchets still carry such a high price point for what you're getting in my eyes. If you're going to sell Harbor Frieght quality stuff, price it accordingly.
Joel

 

[Fedwrench]

Ok, here's a slightly lower cost option than the repair kits. Cripe Distributing on ebay sells the US Made Kobalt 22316 or 22800 3/8 drive ratchet for like $8.00 plus shipping. Internally, it's the same 36 tooth Danaher made ratchet guts as your classic Craftsman raised panel ratchet. I don't think you're going to see the return of the 36 tooth Craftsman ratchet at Lowes or Ace Hardware. I think they've moved on to the 72 tooth series ratchets but, I could be wrong. If you add say two of the Kobalt ratchets to your ebay cart, you can request a combined total from cripe and usually they'll cut the shipping in half for the second item.
It's not a perfect solution but, with the kobalt ratchets, you avoid the ebay crazies and get your beloved Craftsman ratchets fixed. I'm kind of surprised you can't find them locally at a flea market/swap meet for a few bucks a pop though.

 

[joel_400]

Seems anymore in my area people are trying to charge out the nose for the USA craftsman ratchets. Dang near what they cost when new! Sometimes more. I've never paid more than 5 bucks a piece for them myself...but haven't bought any for a few years.
Joel

 

[milky2k]

Ok, here's a slightly lower cost option than the repair kits. Cripe Distributing on ebay sells the US Made Kobalt 22316 or 22800 3/8 drive ratchet for like $8.00 plus shipping. Internally, it's the same 36 tooth Danaher made ratchet guts as your classic Craftsman raised panel ratchet. I don't think you're going to see the return of the 36 tooth Craftsman ratchet at Lowes or Ace Hardware. I think they've moved on to the 72 tooth series ratchets but, I could be wrong. If you add say two of the Kobalt ratchets to your ebay cart, you can request a combined total from cripe and usually they'll cut the shipping in half for the second item.
It's not a perfect solution but, with the kobalt ratchets, you avoid the ebay crazies and get your beloved Craftsman ratchets fixed. I'm kind of surprised you can't find them locally at a flea market/swap meet for a few bucks a pop though.

This is fantastic info I didn't know, thank you. I'll be ordering a couple for sure. Are there any other ratchets that had the same internals? I do hit the flea markets from time to time, maybe I could add some others to my list to look out for.

I also feel the need to post my ratchet drawer. The ratchets needing repair are the blue tagged pile on the lower right. The long handled Gearwrenches are my newest acquisitions and they are starting to win me over, but Craftsman was my first, so I have a sentimental attachment to them. Thanks again!

 

[milky2k]

Any craftsman/NAPA/Allen 36 tooth quick release ratchet repair kit would work. The variations between ratchets is the handle shape. The ratchet flex heads are all the same internally.

The ratchet pictured was made by danaher back in the day and was second generation Kobalt. The first generation Kobalt tools were made by Williams.

Hello Fedwrench, I think you already answered my question about other ratchets to look out for. I just found one of your posts from another related thread about Kobalt ratchets. Thanks!

 

[Fedwrench]

Glad to help, One thing to keep in the back of your mind is that, although the imported Craftsman raised panel ratchet closely resembles the USA made version, their guts don't interchange.

 

[Jtels85]

To answer your question, yes. SBD/Craftsman discontinued making the raised panel, 36 tooth ratchet nearly a year ago and whatever stock remained on the shelf at Lowe’s has been soaked up by warranties.

Despite the hatred for that particular style Craftsman ratchet in general, the versions sourced under SBD’s reign were not as good as the China made versions that Sears was peddling, and that’s not saying much. I received one from Lowe’s as a warranty that had metal burr’s on the handle. The switch would move itself into neutral position so the anvil would spin freely. It was a true work of art. They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but SBD/Craftsman managed to imitate those ratchets (and even the raised panel wrenches) in the worst way possible. Not that it should surprise anyone…

Get yourself some USA rebuild kits from eBay, set aside time one afternoon and make it a project to rebuild the ones that you have.

 

[wifetrained]

If you're in need of just the gear to fix your ratchet, I have several used ones in great mechanical shape. If you send me your address, I'll mail you one.

 

[benzbasher]

Sent you a pm about this @wifetrained , my 44808 gear broke and I'm trying to replace/fix.

 

[benzbasher]

For some reason I cannot reply to any conversations, nor start new ones - everything just says 'sorry, looks like spam'. Can anyone help with this? Sorry @wifetrained

 

[wifetrained]

Having problems on my end as well. Tried to post some repair kits in the classifieds and they disappeared after a day.

 

[four.cycle]

You sure you posted them in "classifieds"?
I am seeing posts removed where people are posting stuff for sale in the "General Tool" or "Vintage" forums.

I found these last night when I was searching for info on that Taiwan ratchet:

Craftsman Ratchet Repair Kit Match-Up Guide

Craftsman Ratchet Repair Kit Match-Up Guide

 

[Cruzan80]

Having problems on my end as well. Tried to post some repair kits in the classifieds and they disappeared after a day.

Probably because you first posted them in Vintage Discussion, then tried to post the exact same in the Classifieds as a first post. Hang around, be part of the community, then sell stuff.

 

[seber]

I understand why you would want to make those old ratchets work but to be honest, the new Chinese replacements are better in every way. I've warranteed a number of them for the newer stuff and been much happier with those.

 

[wifetrained]

Probably because you first posted them in Vintage Discussion, then tried to post the exact same in the Classifieds as a first post. Hang around, be part of the community, then sell stuff.

Been a part of this forum for 2+ years, though not a very active member. Yes, I did screw up in my first post but corrected it by posting in the classified section. It's not my first time posting in the classifieds, though not too active there either. This forum is great for the info and the stories.

 

[wifetrained]

For some reason I cannot reply to any conversations, nor start new ones - everything just says 'sorry, looks like spam'. Can anyone help with this? Sorry @wifetrained

Sent you another PM, let me know if you receive it. I have a gear and a pawl (just in case) ready to drop in the mail.

 

[benzbasher]

Has anyone been getting the below message when trying to send a direct message? In any case @wifetrained can you reply to my message with your email and I'll contact you that way? Sorry, seems I can receive messages but not send them.

 

[RTM]

Has anyone been getting the below message when trying to send a direct message? In any case @wifetrained can you reply to my message with your email and I'll contact you that way? Sorry, seems I can receive messages but not send them.

new members can't send PMs until they get to 5 (or more) posted messages (I think)

 

[benzbasher]

Got it - yeah I couldn't find that issue mentioned anywhere but explains my problem.
How do these craftsman ratchets compare to some of the Harbor Freight Icon series models? Looks like they use a 90T

 

[wifetrained]

Has anyone been getting the below message when trying to send a direct message? In any case @wifetrained can you reply to my message with your email and I'll contact you that way? Sorry, seems I can receive messages but not send them.

My email address is [email protected].