Tell me about this ratchet

[sikeward]

I was at my parents today and went to grab something from my dad's tool box and I saw this ratchet. It felt good in my hand and seemed to be very good quality. Didn't seem to be very old. Who made these for Craftsman? Is it a good ratchet? The number on it was 44814.

 

[sikeward]

https://goo.gl/images/jXbyZD

 

[sikeward]

I'm trying so hard to post a picture of the ratchet. Can't seem to get it.

 

[930dreamer]

Looks to be a new style Craftsman ratchet.

 

[WWheeler]

VT = Danaher, ca. 2002 - 2006

Craftsman Hand Tool Manufacturers & Date Ranges
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=84807

 

[sikeward]

I didn't realize what the letter meant. Thanks for the link. It is stamped VL so according to this link mid 90s.

So are these good ratchets?

 

[WWheeler]

It's not a 'bad' ratchet. Assuming it's not already been abused you're surely not going to break it unless you're doing something wrong with it like putting a pipe on it or hitting it with a hammer.

VL = Danaher, ca. 1995 means it was made in USA before the whole Apex / Bain capital BS took them offshore. I have quite a few Craftsman ratchets of that era that I won't part with but I don't really use them much any more.

All that said, ratchets have come a long way since then. Today's fine tooth ratchets are as strong or stronger and work much better in tight places.