Sears Sells Reman. Ratchets as New!

[Uncle Buck]

These RHFT are the only, and I mean only Craftsman ratchets that I'll own, period. I've tried a lot of others, either in store or at someone's house or whatever, including the new 60 tooth ones, and there is no comparison whatsoever. Not in strength, not in design, not in reliability and not in ratcheting action.

Frankly, I would take my RHFT over even my 'Dual 80' series Snap On ratchets any day of the week, without a second thought, but that's as far as my loyalty to Craftsman ratchets goes. I have no issue with your statement as applied to any other Craftsman ratchet, but the RHFT are a cut above the rest (by a long shot).

And where have you been hiding so long laddy? You are indeed a smart fellow, I totally agree and could not have put it better myself!

 

[walrus]

. I had a set of the 70's version ones,:

I still have my 70s ones, no flex heads but 1/2, 3/8, 1/4, all original, never replaced, never taken apart, all work well.

 

[autoace]

I still have my 70s ones, no flex heads but 1/2, 3/8, 1/4, all original, never replaced, never taken apart, all work well.

You are lucky! When I was in my 20's and started buying Snap-on tools, I had the misconception that Craftsman wasn't good enough, and I sold them off cheap. Hind site is 20/20, to bad I couldn't go back to my 20's and redo my decisions, that is, if I could go back knowing what I know now.

 

[lethallyinjected]

You guys are so adamant about these I picked up a 1/2 and 3/8 today, hopefully I'm impressed at work tomorrow!

 

[gatewaysysop]

And where have you been hiding so long laddy? You are indeed a smart fellow, I totally agree and could not have put it better myself!

Long time lurker, even longer time RHFT fan.

 

[walrus]

You are lucky! When I was in my 20's and started buying Snap-on tools, I had the misconception that Craftsman wasn't good enough, and I sold them off cheap. Hind site is 20/20, to bad I couldn't go back to my 20's and redo my decisions, that is, if I could go back knowing what I know now.

I like Snap on stuff but I must admit those particular ratchets are tough as nails. I work outside so my stuff gets rained and snowed on. I don't lube them with the red lube of love, I might spray some pb balster on them. I don't take them apart and caress them, I just use them. Of course I treat Snap on Ratchets the same way, they work for me I don't work for them

 

[Uncle Buck]

I like Snap on stuff but I must admit those particular ratchets are tough as nails. I work outside so my stuff gets rained and snowed on. I don't lube them with the red lube of love, I might spray some pb balster on them. I don't take them apart and caress them, I just use them. Of course I treat Snap on Ratchets the same way, they work for me I don't work for them

Another brother shows up!

 

[stricht8]

Did you buy them online? I ordered them online a few days ago. Waiting patiently to see if they are worth all the hype. Let us know what you think when you start using them.

You guys are so adamant about these I picked up a 1/2 and 3/8 today, hopefully I'm impressed at work tomorrow!

 

[lethallyinjected]

I bought them at my local sears, I'm pretty sure most sears stock these unless there's another version that looks exactly the same. I only used them a few times today but they feel awesome, not quite snapon 80 tooth but its almost like the snapon ones are too fine of teeth, if that makes any sense. I'm really impressed, I'll probably buy another set for at home.

 

[charlie_nj]

I bought them at my local sears, I'm pretty sure most sears stock these unless there's another version that looks exactly the same. I only used them a few times today but they feel awesome, not quite snapon 80 tooth but its almost like the snapon ones are too fine of teeth, if that makes any sense. I'm really impressed, I'll probably buy another set for at home.

I didn't think any Sears store stocked the RHFT quick release ratchets, I thought they were a catalog / online only item. I've seen their other round head ratchet in the stores and it's nothing like the RHFT quick release one. Completely different. My local stores don't stock the RHFT ratchets, if yours does, you're lucky, no shipping charges.

After reading some of this thread I took a closer look at my recently purchased RHFT ratchets. They are definitely brand new, not rebuilt, not remanufactured. I'm basing this on the fact that there are is no fine scratching on the polished chromed areas of the ratchet head. I would expect even minimal use would result in scratching in this head area. I don't think that sales associate who said that they are all rebuilt was correct.

 

[wrenchr]

I picked up a brand new 3/8 for $8.00 at the fleamarket!!

 

[lethallyinjected]

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00943175000P?vName=Tools&keyword=fine+tooth

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00943176000P?vName=Tools&keyword=fine+tooth

I'm 99.9997% sure those are the part numbers I bought yesterday, mine aren't the quick release variety. And I'm leaning towards they're all rebuilt as well. All the ones on the shelf had the barcode stickers like the reman stuff they trade out for warranty, and some had marks on them that looked like they were from abuse before(or else they have really shoddy quality control for gashes in them like that to get through)

 

[charlie_nj]

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00943175000P?vName=Tools&keyword=fine+tooth

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00943176000P?vName=Tools&keyword=fine+tooth

I'm 99.9997% sure those are the part numbers I bought yesterday, mine aren't the quick release variety. And I'm leaning towards they're all rebuilt as well. All the ones on the shelf had the barcode stickers like the reman stuff they trade out for warranty, and some had marks on them that looked like they were from abuse before(or else they have really shoddy quality control for gashes in them like that to get through)

Those aren't the same as the RHFT quick release. They don't have the same double pawl ratcheting mechanism, which effectively doubles the number of teeth. The RHFT quick release has a 4 degree minimum arc as opposed to the 8 degree. I'd return them and order the quick release ones online, I bet you'll like them better and they're only a few dollars more.

 

[lethallyinjected]

I might have to do that and save them for at home if they're that much better, I'm really pretty happy with those for my work setting(I've had too much stuff come up missing from either 5 finger discounts or just idiots that borrow stuff and set it down wherever they want). So the others sound like they're effectively twice as good?

 

[ImportTuner]

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00943175000P?vName=Tools&keyword=fine+tooth

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00943176000P?vName=Tools&keyword=fine+tooth

I'm 99.9997% sure those are the part numbers I bought yesterday, mine aren't the quick release variety. And I'm leaning towards they're all rebuilt as well. All the ones on the shelf had the barcode stickers like the reman stuff they trade out for warranty, and some had marks on them that looked like they were from abuse before(or else they have really shoddy quality control for gashes in them like that to get through)

These aren't worth wasting your money on ...

 

[autoace]

I received my replacement ratchets today, they were perfect. At least getting replacements was easy. Better service than the truck tools. I took them all apart and lubed them up, ratchet perfection! Now I have a complete set of these round head, fine tooth, ratchets

 

[gatewaysysop]

I received my replacement ratchets today, they were perfect. At least getting replacements was easy. Better service than the truck tools. I took them all apart and lubed them up, ratchet perfection! Now I have a complete set of these round head, fine tooth, ratchets

Good to hear there are still good experiences with these. Was starting to worry. I also have the complete 5 piece set, doubles on the 1/4 and 1/2 flex version even. Couldn't be happier with them.

Now just to snag some rebuild kits in each size and squirrel them away.

 

[HandyManny]

I agree that quality at Dahner and the Craftsman brand has gone down hill to some extent. I've seen a few Prfessional full polish combo wrenches on the shelf with the sticker still on them and the whole tool was literally feathered with flaking and peeling chrome. Fresh from the factory. Also noticed the driver part of almost all new breaker bars looks like no attempt was made at the factory to deburr or square them out. It just seems like not much pride is going into those tools lately. I'd rather try to find older Craftsman tools that are in good serviceable condition at garage sales or flea markets. What I do buy new at Sears I look over it real carefull before buying it.

 

[gatewaysysop]

I agree that quality at Dahner and the Craftsman brand has gone down hill to some extent. I've seen a few Prfessional full polish combo wrenches on the shelf with the sticker still on them and the whole tool was literally feathered with flaking and peeling chrome. Fresh from the factory. Also noticed the driver part of almost all new breaker bars looks like no attempt was made at the factory to deburr or square them out. It just seems like not much pride is going into those tools lately. I'd rather try to find older Craftsman tools that are in good serviceable condition at garage sales or flea markets. What I do buy new at Sears I look over it real carefull before buying it.

I do the same, with respect to checking quality carefully for any Craftsman that I buy in-store. I too have seen dinged, gouged, scratched, bent, off-centered (box end) wrenches, rusted up sockets, broken palm ratchets, you name it. I got one off the shelf, already jamming and skipping one time.

I think, rather than quality going down, it's an issue of quality control going down (way down!). When I get a good Craftsman tool, they're fine and I have no issues. It's getting a good one that's becoming trickier.