Three Craftsman Slim Profile or Two 84-Tooth?

[iroc409]

Hi everyone! I have been reading the board here and there, but just decided to join, and I have a question.

I am looking at getting a couple new ratchets. I see Sears is doing a bit of an online sale right now, so I might save a few bucks.

Right now I have a set of the pear head Craftsman, that are about 4 years old. I am looking at either getting the 3-piece set of the Thin Profile ratchets, or just a 3/8" and 1/2" of the 84-tooth Premium series. I don't use the 1/4" a ton, so I figured I could do without. I do hear the thin profiles are nice, I haven't tried them but have seen them in the store. I've played with the 84-tooth a little, and it seems pretty nice.

The slim profile set is a few dollars cheaper than the two 84-tooth (like $15 I think).

I'm just a home DIY, but I try to do much of my own mechanical stuff. I do a few projects around the house as well.

Unfortunately, 15 years ago I had a pretty well-stocked tool box. The box pretty much got swiped, and I've been rebuilding ever since. I think my 15-year-old tools were a little nicer than my 4-year-old tools, but for what I do they generally get by.

Thanks!

 

[Fedwrench]

The thin profile is a proven ratchet if a little on the heavy side especially in 1/2 inch drive. There have been problems with the 84 tooth ratchet locking up.What happens is that under a high torque application the pintle will pop out under the edge of the pawl locking the ratchet up. You have to disassemle the ratchet to reduce the stoppage. Perhaps they need to machine the ratchet slightly smaller to prevent this from happening. It's happened to my 1/4 and 3/8 ratchets more than once. Because of this issue, I can't recommend the Craftsman 84 tooth premium ratchet. What's wierd it that the 84 tooth ratchet is a variation on a theme. the internals are basically the same at those found on the Danaher/Matco/Gearwrench 60 tooth, and 88 tooth ratchets. I guess 84 is an unlucky number.

 

[davesnothere]

With those options, the slim profile rats.
If you feel compelled to spend more, buy snap-on.

 

[Kirbot]

I think it comes down to whether or not you want quick release.

Keep in mind, there are a lot of other excellent option out there for around the same price.

 

[iroc409]

I think it comes down to whether or not you want quick release.

Keep in mind, there are a lot of other excellent option out there for around the same price.

What would be the good alternatives for a similar price? The 3-piece thin profile are $80 for the set right now.

If the 84's aren't worth it, at this point I'll get the thin profiles then--unless there is something better for about the same price. I don't want to spend more on something that I have to constantly tinker with or worry about it locking up. It also saves a few bucks.

 

[Kirbot]

What would be the good alternatives for a similar price? The 3-piece thin profile are $80 for the set right now.

If the 84's aren't worth it, at this point I'll get the thin profiles then--unless there is something better for about the same price. I don't want to spend more on something that I have to constantly tinker with or worry about it locking up. It also saves a few bucks.

Well, unless the price on the 84 ratchets has come down, you should be able to find some used snap on duel 80s on ebay or the classifieds for about the same price.

Other options would be duralast, or gearwrench if you don't mind Chinese (they really are good ratchets)

Williams seems to make a good USA ratchet, but I haven't used one.

Proto also makes good tools, but I don't much about the ratchets.


Too tired to think right now, I might think of more to post tomorrow.

 

[Skin]

I have both, the 84T are a bit better in terms of smoothness of action/resistance. The other advantage of the 84T is the cover plate is designed well and is sealed. The Thin Profiles use a recessed chintzy metal plate with a retaining ring which essentially acts like a scoup for all kinds of gunk. Its not that it causes any issues [yet], its just a cheap design.

While i had issues on both my inital 1/4" 84T like Fedwrench [i purchased multiples], my original 3/8" that i got back in november and replacement 1/4" that i switched in December are fine to this day. I used the 3/8 daily for about 8 months that i switched out in favor of a JR40 and still use my 1/4 every day so that has about 10 months on it. Both have been 100% fine. I believe Fedwrench purchased around the same time i did so i can only hope new stock has the issue essentially eliminated. In my experience if an 84T is going to have issues, it will show signs of locking during the first few uses.

 

[iroc409]

Hmm.. well good info for both sides (or "other" LOL).

Ending today, it's $80 for three thin profiles, or about $105 for two 84-T (3/8 & 1/2).

I've read some concerns about Sears being problematic warranting the 84-T ratchets, though. That would be a problem if they were broken. Did you have any problems with replacements?

How hard it is to open up the 84-T's and make them work better?

I can go either way on the quick release. It's a handy feature, but not mandatory. I don't think I've had any bad luck with them releasing when I don't want them to.

 

[plyhard13]

Ive had the 84t premium 3/8 and 1/2 for a few months now and they have been very solid. After hearing about the issues with locking up, I decided to test them. I took a mallet to the 3/8 to loosen caliper bracket bolts instead of using a breaker bar. It held up perfectly.

Hopefully they have the kinks worked out. I'm not a fan of the thin profiles because of the thin handles...that's more of a preference thing though.

The only problem is if one of the 84t breaks, it might take a couple days to get a replacement as most stores don't stock them.

 

[slipjointed]

I'm a fan of the 1/4" and 3/8" slim profile, but I think the 1/2" plain stinks.

It's just a blown up version of the two smaller ratchets, which makes it clunky and overly heavy, plus the ergos stink. The two smaller ratchets are great because you can hook your pinky on the top of the curved up "tail" with your thumb placed just below the head, but this doesn't work well on the 1/2" because it's so unwieldy.

What they should have done is instead of just blowing up the other two ratchets, is use the same handle size as the 3/8" with a slightly larger neck and head. Then it would have been an amazing ratchet just like the other two.

 

[Skin]

I've read some concerns about Sears being problematic warranting the 84-T ratchets, though. That would be a problem if they were broken. Did you have any problems with replacements?

How hard it is to open up the 84-T's and make them work better?

Walked in, handed them the ratchet, they got me a new one no questions asked. About a 60 second process. This is the way its suppose to work but of course your store may have imbeciles. Generally speaking i've had great luck with all my local sears when it comes to exchanges.

The cover plate is held on with 2 [1 or 1.5mm?] hex screws. Pop it out and then its just a few parts. Lever, spring, pawl, gear. I'd recommend opening them up even new and just giving them a good cleaning and a few fresh drops of oil. Never use grease in a floating pawl design.

Writing that actually reminded me that while i had a problem with both 1/4" ratchets i did solve one's issues by giving it a good cleaning.

I'd have to agree with slipjointed that the 1/2" premium is quite a heavy ratchet. The thin profiles arent much better though. Length wise the premiums and thin profiles are essentially the same.

If you have a local store that stocks the ratchets just buy them online with in store pickup. Go check them out and if you dont like them return them on the spot at that store. Couldnt be much easier.

 

[MAYOR28]

My good friend bought the new 84 tooth cman ratchets earlier this spring. Took forever to receive them (ordered online), and then when they got there the 1/2" felt like it was missing a tooth and would lock up in reverse. Had a hard time getting a new one, because very few stores had them on the shelves......he said that they had some sort of packaging issue, so the stores didn't put them out. I ended up taking it back for him, took the last one they off the shelf to warranty it.....not really a warranty issue, but if your local store doesn't carry them you could be in trouble....

Also, sears has their tools on sale online nearly every weekend....the $1000 40" toolbox has been on sale for like 8 months.....

 

[mrholeshot]

Great concept. It ends there

 

[bart1]

Are you open to other brands? You said you used mostly 3/8" and 1/2" and that you already had regular Craftsman versions of these. How about a compromise, that adds some additional "flexibility"? (I'm sure some here are expecting me to say Hazet)

I recently purchased a Snap On SLF80 (long handled, flex head, dual 80) ratchet off the classifieds section here. Considering tax/shipping, it was the same price or cheaper than the $80 set you mentioned. I haven't used it enough to really swear by it, but they have a stellar reputation and it seems like a very nice piece. The flex head is helpful in many situations obviously, the head is slim, the handle is long for leverage and of course with SO, you get great warranty.

 

[iroc409]

So, I kind of split the difference. I picked up a supposedly new Snap-On F80 from eBay, and bought a Thin Profile 1/2" drive from Sears on sale.

I've never owned Snap-On before, so we'll see how it goes.

What kind of oil should I use if I take apart the Craftsman right away? I've heard of people soaking ratchets with ATF. Is there a better way?

 

[pipsters]

I bought the 3 pc thin profile set a few months ago for under $55 on sale w/ coupons. I think it was $79.99, then $10 off with 2x $5 coupons, then 15% on that, minus 10% for price match. I did think about the 84T ones but they don't have quick release (which I really like). And for the money, the thin profiles are actually really good ratchets IMO (I only own one Snap-On, and it's a vintage one).

The only issue I have with the thin profiles is the 3/8" is just a standard length. Not short, just standard. Would've been nice if it was a bit longer like the 84T design, say 1"-2". Other than they, at first I did not like them and now I really do.

I wouldn't take them apart if they work fine. They come with a thin oil in them, and they are sealed with o-rings. If you must, maybe a 3-in-1 type oil would be good, but honestly, I wouldn't do it. Maybe after you've used them a bit and they've been broken in. Don't fix what ain't broken. Seriously!

 

[Sterff]

Use 3-in-1 oil. Sometimes the ratchets come dry with no lube. I personally would have looked for a used Matco 60 or 88, or the Snap-on 80s are nice.

 

[iroc409]

Do you need to oil Snap-On ratchets?

I did get a dual 80, but I couldn't really get another one right now and want something better. So, the thin profile for the 1/2" drive will get me by until I can find another one (and this will let me try out Snap-On without going whole-hog to make sure I like them). I'm sure I'll like the SO though.

 

[pipsters]

Use 3-in-1 oil. Sometimes the ratchets come dry with no lube. I personally would have looked for a used Matco 60 or 88, or the Snap-on 80s are nice.

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but I'm almost sure the Matco 60 tooths are the same internally as the Craftsman thin profiles, and are similar externally too, down to the same selector. I remember seeing on here how Snap-On was comparing the ratchets against each other, all different prices but pretty much the same.

Funny how people will think one is better than the other just by re-branding!

 

[Obie]

Marvel Mystery Oil is the OEM lube for the 84t premiums. A good cleaning and a few drops keep all three of mine working great.

 

[Sterff]

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but I'm almost sure the Matco 60 tooths are the same internally as the Craftsman thin profiles, and are similar externally too, down to the same selector. I remember seeing on here how Snap-On was comparing the ratchets against each other, all different prices but pretty much the same.

Funny how people will think one is better than the other just by re-branding!

I thought they are different. Im not sure.

 

[amolaver]

i've got both the thin profiles and the 84T in all 3 sizes. the 84T i've only had for a few months, but i've had no issues with them. the locking up others have mentioned happened to at least a few people here, so i'd guess that there was definitely an issue, hopefully resolved for newer stock. my thin profiles have seen the brunt of my mechanical work for a few years and i always liked them. that said, the QR has screwed me multiple times (dropping a socket into a deep dark hole, or the mud, or..) and i wanted ratchets without that 'feature'.

you might consider the gearwrench sets, like this one http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NI93JS/?tag=atomicindus08-20. $73 for all three. or $93 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NIEFO6/?tag=atomicindus08-20 for comfort grip i've been using the metal handle ones in my track box which doesn't get a ton of use, but its always rough duty. lots of dirt/sand/fluids, using 3/8 when 1/2 would be better, etc and they've held up perfectly. not quite as nice an action as the 84T, but not bad by a long shot.

personally, i LOVE the handle profile on the 84T ratchets, and thats why i reach for them first. waaay more comfortable to me than the thin profiles, although the round handles on the GW aren't bad either.

ahm

 

[05CarbonDRZ]

The Craftsman 84T are Junk,I sold all mine within 2 days of getting them.The ratcheting action is very rough compared to a SO Dual 80.

 

[PT Doc]

Matco 88 gears can go into the gear wrench 60t but I never heard of the cm thin profile having a rebranded counterpart.

 

[sporty_drew]

I like my slim profiles. I've tried others after having them, but I hate round handles. I've been thinking about trying a Marco 88 comfort grip, but for the money you can't beat the thin profiles.