Value in Craftsman ratchets?

[Jon_E]

I have a couple of Craftsman ratchets that I bought new as part of a "mechanic's set" in the early 90's. I hate them so much that I don't even want them in my toolbox anymore. Is there any value to these or am I best off just gifting them to someone I don't like? I have a 1/2" and a 1/4", both typical teardrop ratchets, nothing special.

 

[blackwire]

The USA Craftsman tools do hold some value.

 

[exmaxima1]

The USA Craftsman tools do hold some value.

I see no value in the raised panel versions, but I do like the slim models.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

That was the problem with the 3/8" ratchets included in the sets I bought for spares and gift giving.. I would have been ashamed to give them to a friend or relative; and not tell them they were a piece of ****. Some of the socket sets were given to My Boys, but the ratchets were replaced with ProTo.

 

[blackwire]

I see no value in the raised panel versions, but I do like the slim models.

I meant dollar value, not personal preference. Looking at the sold listings on ebay, they seem to go for between $6-$15.

 

[sberry]

Good tool to give to enemies. That has to be statistically the worst tool in the world considering how many have been repaced,,, and still don't work.

 

[WWheeler]

Craftsman (Easco/Danaher) round-head-fine-tooth (RHFT) ratchets are great ratchets, and often go for well over $100 on auction sites, especially the flex heads if you can find one. Complete sets also can fetch a pretty penny.

The RHFT wasn't exclusive to Craftsman, but they are more sought after. Other brands include Proto, SK, Allen, New Britain, etc. They have a dual integrated floating pawl design that doubles the number of clicks to the number of teeth. You get the strength of a 45 tooth ratchet but the 4 degrees of travel between clicks of a 90 tooth ratchet. The darn things were very reliable. I've picked up many that are several decades old working just fine without any hint of a drop of lubrication left inside. Dry as a bone, as they say. IIRC the 1/2 are 45 tooth, the 3/8 are 41 tooth, and the 1/4 is 35 tooth, and they had 3 tooth engagement for each pawl.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fY3QwOUgdkQ" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I love mine. Still use them all the time.

 

[davethorik]

Craftsman (Easco/Danaher) round-head-fine-tooth (RHFT) ratchets are great ratchets, and often go for well over $100 on auction sites, especially the flex heads if you can find one. Complete sets also can fetch a pretty penny.

The RHFT wasn't exclusive to Craftsman, but they are more sought after. Other brands include Proto, SK, Allen, New Britain, etc. They have a dual integrated floating pawl design that doubles the number of clicks to the number of teeth. You get the strength of a 45 tooth ratchet but the 4 degrees of travel between clicks of a 90 tooth ratchet. The darn things were very reliable. I've picked up many that are several decades old working just fine without any hint of a drop of lubrication left inside. Dry as a bone, as they say. IIRC the 1/2 are 45 tooth, the 3/8 are 41 tooth, and the 1/4 is 35 tooth, and they had 3 tooth engagement for each pawl.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fY3QwOUgdkQ" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I love mine. Still use them all the time.

Well the OP asked about teardrop ratchets so I'm not really sure why you typed this all out, as he did not say round head ratchets?

Second, good luck trying to sell standard RHFT for $100 lmao...

Third, the type of ratchet you brought up was NOT made by Proto, SK, and New Britain. Those are 3 totally different ratchets.

Op...throw em on ebay for 99 cent starting bid auction...some poor misguided soul will buy them.

 

[bonneyman]

Any USA made tool is worth having, if nothing else to use. To resell and make $$$ - well, it depends on the item and the buyer.

I'm not a big fan of the Craftsman I-beam handle style of ratchets, though I have a MDF and LLTD version just for sentimental value.
The RHFT were made by EASCO as stated above, and I prefer their branded ones which have a knurled round handle.

 

[unslow1]

Those are the ones you toss in the loaner tool box. That way you can tell them to keep it if they like it. I'm not letting a good one leave the garage. They are great for that neighbor you really don't want to loan a tool to. When I was growing up a few guys loaned me that kind of stuff to work on my bike or lawnmower.

 

[freudianfloyd]

Honestly don't understand the hate for the raised panel ratchets. I have used them for years and until recently were my go to ratchets. I admit that this site has made me more of a ratchet snob than I used to be, but they have always served me well. My dad has been using them for decades and they are still his go to ratchets. I have never broken a 3/8" or 1/2" drive version, and only once has a 1/4" version slipped on me that I can remember.

Somebody please enlighten me as to why these are so terrible that you wouldn't even want them in your toolbox.

 

[L.Cheapo]

The Craftsman raised panel ratchets are the biggest crime perpetrated against the male hand since wedding rings. Personally, I sneak my old Craftsman tools into my dad's toolbox when he isn't looking.

 

[unslow1]

I really don't understand the ratchet snobs on here. I have several and use them. I would much rather use them when doing thing like bleeding brakes. I'd hate to get brake fluid in a more expensive ratchet. I was a little surprised when I saw Eric O. using one last week. I've also seen ETCG use them.

 

[vjquan]

The standard ratchets that were included in every "kit" was the workhorse of its time. It wasn't until the newer fine tooth offerings that really left it undesirable. In itself, it will get the job done.

 

[Bluedodge]

The Craftsman raised panel ratchets are the biggest crime perpetrated against the male hand since wedding rings. Personally, I sneak my old Craftsman tools into my dad's toolbox when he isn't looking.

I've used the same 1/2 and 3/8 Craftsman ratchets since Christmas 1982. Sears replaced the 3/8 in 199x when the original one started to freeze in either the left or right direction.

Honest question - what makes them so bad?

 

[BDT/NWMN]

The raised panel ratchets from the good old days should not be compared to the later USA raised panel ratchets with the troublesome plastic reverse lever.

 

[Fly YX]

They're worth whatever somebody will pay for them. Don't know what all the bs is about.

 

[L.Cheapo]

I've used the same 1/2 and 3/8 Craftsman ratchets since Christmas 1982. Sears replaced the 3/8 in 199x when the original one started to freeze in either the left or right direction.

Honest question - what makes them so bad?

The ergonomics (or lack thereof), the backdrag, the sloppiness, the low tooth count, the short handle.

I only used RP ratchets (1/4, 3/8, 1/2) until I tried my boss' Snap on many years ago. The difference is huge when you have to use the tool all day long.

Recently, I stopped by my FIL's to help him do some work on his car. I had to use a RP ratchet. I had forgotten how awful they are. He keeps his good ratchets in his box at work. Now I know what to get him for Fathers' Day.

 

[kb1982]

I dropped in at my uncle's house for a visit today. Mind you he is 78. He started replacing the original spark plugs in his 1996 F-150 staraight 6 a few days ago but then gave up. Since I was there, I figured I would get him squared away. After removing the second spark plug, his cheap Stanley 3/8" ratchet was starting to lock up. Luckily I had been passing him on some tools and remembered I had given him a 3/8" Craftsman v shifter. The ratchet felt like I had a dual 80 in my hand compared to the Stanley junk. After some pb blaster and getting the engine up to temperature, the Craftsman saved the day, and with some timely styling also.

Sent from my Z962BL using Tapatalk

 

[Fordman7795]

Is 6-15 the shipped price? Meaning actually $0-$8?

 

[Citation]

Honestly don't understand the hate for the raised panel ratchets. I have used them for years and until recently were my go to ratchets. I admit that this site has made me more of a ratchet snob than I used to be, but they have always served me well. My dad has been using them for decades and they are still his go to ratchets. I have never broken a 3/8" or 1/2" drive version, and only once has a 1/4" version slipped on me that I can remember.

Somebody please enlighten me as to why these are so terrible that you wouldn't even want them in your toolbox.

I have some of the later US made ones with the plastic selector. They work sufficiently well but I gather some versions had issues with skipping teeth. In my experience the design, which was sold by other brands such as Napa and Mac, worked ok. I didn't like that the selector moved as the ratchet was back driven. That and the large size of the selector made it easy to accidentally flip it when reversing. The ratchet also wasn't sealed this dirt could get in and gum up there works. Finally, my 3/8 drive had the shorter of the two common handles lengths. Fine when bills weren't tight but the extra handle length is nice when things get tight. I also like that, unlike some Kobalt, Pittsburgh Pro, Tekton ratchets the selector is "forward" (like SO, like Gearwrench), not reversed

Strength wise they are fine. You need a pipe or other cheater bar to break one.

Personally I see no reason why they aren't sufficient but nothing more. If you don't clean them from time to time they will skip. If you compare them to almost any other ratchet they just don't come across as a quality too even if they are totally sufficient. The current crop of Husky, Kobalt, Pittsburgh Pro, Tekton etc are just nicer feeling but no more expensive.

 

[bczygan]

I always liked the RP because they were stout enough to hit with a hammer, which you had to do, because the handles were short. Short handles allowed you to get into places.

If anyone wants to dispose of theirs, PM me.

Bill

 

[mikegt4]

I have Armstrong, Williams, a few other brands as well as Craftsman. My newest Craftsman is probably 20 years old, some are over 40. They all get the job done and when they die they go in the trash and owe me nothing.

 

[DadsTools]

I meant dollar value, not personal preference. Looking at the sold listings on ebay, they seem to go for between $6-$15.

This. With $15 + shipping being almost end-of-the-rainbow price unless it's a rare and highly desirable model.

As for their value as a user, it's kind of meh. Few would kick her out of bed, but there'd be a lot of other gals a fellow would want to pick up at the bar before this one.

 

[TT_Vert]

I'm also shocked to read people don't like certain craftsman ratchets. I've been using them for a good 25 years and while they do break on occasion, many of those occasions were me using a jack handle on them as a breaker bar so no fault of their own. On occasion I get a 1/4" ratchet that binds up but disassembling, cleaning the pawl and gear and reassembling has treated me well.

 

[kythri]

Craftsman ratchets are so bourgeois. Anybody who's anybody turns up their nose at them. Heaven forbid someone catches you using one.

 

[jd_1138]

Craftsman ratchets are so bourgeois. Anybody who's anybody turns up their nose at them. Heaven forbid someone catches you using one.

The bourgeois are the wealthy pigs so they'd be using snap on ratchets. Lol

I don't mind Craftsman ratchets, though I'd rather have the HF composites that are even less pricey and better. I have a neat little HF 1/4 roto ratchet in my trunk set. I have SK and vintage powr-kraft.

 

[Jim C.]

I've used the same 1/2 and 3/8 Craftsman ratchets since Christmas 1982. Sears replaced the 3/8 in 199x when the original one started to freeze in either the left or right direction.

Honest question - what makes them so bad?

Yeah, that’s about where I’m at too. My dad got me a small Craftsman set that included a 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 RP ratchet back in the early 1980s. I’ve used those three ratchets most exclusively since I got them. I stripped the gear on the 1/2 about fifteen years ago. I picked up a free repair kit from Sears, replaced the gear and have had no other problems. The standard Sears/Craftsman RP ratchets probably aren’t the best ever, but I sometimes think they get a bad rap that’s somewhat undeserved.

Jim C.

 

[Jim C.]

Yeah, that’s about where I’m at too. My dad got me a small Craftsman set that included a 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 RP ratchet back in the early 1980s. I’ve used those three ratchets most exclusively since I got them. I stripped the gear on the 1/2 about fifteen years ago. I picked up a free repair kit from Sears, replaced the gear and have had no other problems. The standard Sears/Craftsman RP ratchets probably aren’t the best ever, but I sometimes think they get a bad rap that’s somewhat undeserved.

Jim C.

As for dollar values (which is what the OP asked about), I should probably add that somewhere along the line, I started doing a little research on the classic Sears/Craftsman RP tear drop ratchets that were produced between 1956 and about 1993. (I stopped collecting them once the selector lever was made from plastic.....about 1993.) I concentrated only on the standard 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 drive ratchets. I can honestly say that I look at eBay prices almost every day. I'm pretty familiar with these ratchets and their approximate dates of manufacture. That being said, it seems that the earliest versions of the ratchets command the high prices (first photo on the far left), and they also seem to be the best in terms of quality. Those manufactured between 1956 and around 1976 are tanks (first photo). They're pretty durable considering their price point. 3/8 and 1/2 flex heads and the 15" longer version of the 1/2 drive can be very expensive depending on condition.

In direct response to the OP, first off, I'm sorry you hate your ratchets. As for prices, basic Cman RP ratchets from the early 1990s typically sell for between $7 and $12 depending on condition. In mint condition, a little more, like $10 to $20. One of the things that also effects the price with collectors is the manufacturer's code (see the last photo). Notice the -V-, -VE-, -VF-, VF and -VG- codes. Some of those codes, which started showing up in the 1990s, are tough to find. That can impact the price to some extent. The -V- code is the most common.

Jim C.

 

[JazzBlueRT]

Honestly don't understand the hate for the raised panel ratchets. I have used them for years and until recently were my go to ratchets. I admit that this site has made me more of a ratchet snob than I used to be, but they have always served me well. My dad has been using them for decades and they are still his go to ratchets. I have never broken a 3/8" or 1/2" drive version, and only once has a 1/4" version slipped on me that I can remember.

Somebody please enlighten me as to why these are so terrible that you wouldn't even want them in your toolbox.

It seems that the Craftsman RP ratchets in 1/4 and 3/8 made after the early 1990s have a tendency to randomly skip or reverse direction when used aggressively. The older Easco made RP (pearheads) do not seem to be affected by this.

 

[Rickster]

The CM tear drop ratchets aren't worth much. When you add in shipping, eBay and PayPal fees its not worth putting them up on eBay. Best to save them for when you have a garage sale. The CM chrome rats, the RHFT's and the flex-heads have value though.

 

[Jim C.]

The CM tear drop ratchets aren't worth much........

Generally speaking, that’s mostly true. You’re certainly not gonna make much selling them on eBay. But some of the early ones (from about 1956 to 1967) are worth a few bucks. In top condition, they can easily go for more than $25. That’s not too common because the early ratchets are usually well used and show their age. I do have a couple early examples that are in mint condition, and I had to pay for them. The bidding went a lot higher than I initially expected. When it comes to the earlier versions, condition is everything. As for the later versions (1980s to 1993), the price doesn’t change too much between a well used ratchet and one in mint condition.

Jim C.

 

[Citation]

It seems that the Craftsman RP ratchets in 1/4 and 3/8 made after the early 1990s have a tendency to randomly skip or reverse direction when used aggressively. The older Easco made RP (pearheads) do not seem to be affected by this.

I think that was just some of them. The plastic selector models seem to have several versions over the 25 years or so they have been around. It seems that only some have the revering issue. Mine aren't subject to that other than when I flip the large, easy to use lever during use.

I think the biggest issue with the RP stuff isn't the RP look, though I agree with others that it doesn't look as nice as other types. No, it's that decent ratchets are just so cheap these days. Take Tekton. Lot's of people talk about how they like Tekton ratchets. Well they are the same basic mechanism as HF, Kobalt and many others. For example, here is a $10 Walmart "hypertough" ratchet. Other than the color it sure looks like the Tekton.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hyper-Tough-3-8-Inch-Drive-72-Tooth-Ratchet-Handle/49944470
https://www.tekton.com/3-8-inch-drive-x-7-inch-polished-quick-release-ratchet-1481
If it feels as good then I would say it's probably better than the RP ratchet (other than the reversed selector).

 

[mudflap]

Craftsman ratchets are so bourgeois. Anybody who's anybody turns up their nose at them. Heaven forbid someone catches you using one.

Lol....Im caught using one all the time. There are a bunch of them in our service trucks. They do the job..and i like the feel of the RP handle.. It's the shiny ..slick chrome handle i cant stand...but i guess i'm in the minority on that.. I have used a couple over the years that liked to auto-reverse...but never broke one unless i was doing something stupid.. That all said..love my SK, and Carlyle ratchets.....

also....like to add that they typically have Zero backdrag...so if i am doing something where that is helpful..it's a go to.

 

[finn]

They are adequate, but not a preferred tool, and mine tend to migrate to stock lesser used tool boxes in more remote areas of the shop, or to the parking garage or basement.

Having said that, if I ever decided to purge them, i’d donate them to the local Habitat store.

Going the eBay route seems like a colossal waste of time and effort for minimal financial gain.

 

[Boilerhouse]

They are adequate, but not a preferred tool, and mine tend to migrate to stock lesser used tool boxes in more remote areas of the shop, or to the parking garage or basement.

Having said that, if I ever decided to purge them, i’d donate them to the local Habitat store.

Going the eBay route seems like a colossal waste of time and effort for minimal financial gain.

My thoughts exactly. Any tool which I no longer want, and approximate value is less than a hundred bucks or so, gets donated to the Restore.

 

[The Fall]

I always thought the sockets in the mechanic's sets were the real value. I'd rate those as very good in every way (value, quality, etc.). CMan RP wrenches were good. The RP ratchets were not so good. Especially when they started going to plastic selector switches. Just felt like a cheap and sloppy ratchet. I inherited a RHFT 3/8" flex head ratchet from a mechanic and it was awesome. That was a pro ratchet. In USA CMan's defense, they did offer pro ratchets and wrenches before 2011 that were very good. Nothing there was tool truck quality (well, maybe some of the SK offerings/Mayhew pry bars), but solid. Since offshoring, I've gone SK and Wright for sockets.

Everyone here is going to give a different opinion. For instance, I always thought USA CMan sockets were very good and I've used/abused them in a shop. I've busted one. Others claim to have broken them all the time. What someone mentioned about the RP ratchets being shorter/good for banging with a hammer -- that applied to CMan wrenches as well. That's what I have for 6 points. I don't see a point in selling USA CMan on eBay unless it's a NOS set or for the "collectors' market."

The guy who put together the Craftsman Ratchet History Project videos deserves some recognition for a job well done. Those are great.