Whats so special about these C'man ratchets?

[Indy125]

Hello All,

Not sure if these are Craftsman Professional, or something else. The handle looks nice, but the head looks like classic Craftsman. This leads me to believe that its nothing special in terms of internals or manufacturer.? Is it just a nicer chrome handle? Thanks!!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/273268950321?ul_noapp=true&autorefresh=true

 

[HolyGrail]

They made these with 36 teeth. I also have the 1/4 version. Here is more info.

 

[Medwards]

They were craftsman professional at one time. I got one as a warranty replacement many years ago and still use it.

 

[thesilverone]

nothing

 

[Tallpilot]

Interesting as a historical artifact perhaps. Not interesting at all as a $60 tool. There are better ratchets available for half of that price. There are also phenomenal ratchets available for just a few dollars more.

 

[L.Cheapo]

A coarse tooth ratchet held together with a snap ring. Nothing special.

 

[AmishFury]

Interesting as a historical artifact perhaps. Not interesting at all as a $60 tool. There are better ratchets available for half of that price. There are also phenomenal ratchets available for just a few dollars more.

hell $60 can easily get you a used F80 and lunch

 

[kythri]

Exact same guts as the 36-tooth raised panel ratchets, but certainly, a nicer handle.

I never had a problem with the raised panel ratchets or their derivatives, and I've grabbed my longer handled version of this very ratchet often enough, but they're certainly not worth the more than 100% markup from what they sold for retail.

Looks like the eBay seller might be a newly registered member here:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/member.php?u=271773

 

[xin]

Exact same guts as the 36-tooth raised panel ratchets, but certainly, a nicer handle.

I never had a problem with the raised panel ratchets or their derivatives, and I've grabbed my longer handled version of this very ratchet often enough, but they're certainly not worth the more than 100% markup from what they sold for retail.

Looks like the eBay seller might be a newly registered member here:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/member.php?u=271773

100% markup - also is the REPAIR kits still available???

 

[kythri]

Probably not too hard to come by for a little while longer, at least. It is, of course, the most common repair kit.

 

[Fedwrench]

As others have said, nothing special, same classic 36 tooth ratchet mechanism in a different package.

As for repair kits, they're drying up quickly as demand and hoarding are increasing. The Taiwan made version and the older US made version repair kits aren't interchangeable.

I think the long handle 3/8 drive version was more popular.

Ebay is full of people that think US made craftsman is worth premium prices. It's almost as bad as the people who want Stanley to resurrect USA made Craftsman.

 

[Musicinabottle]

Ebay is full of people that think US made craftsman is worth premium prices. It's almost as bad as the people who want Stanley to resurrect USA made Craftsman.

It's that way everywhere with the Craftsman. I hit a second hand store and they had an older Craftsman ratchet for $29.99 or a very nice SK for $2.00

The SK isn't available now..... that I bought it, but it is stupid! The SK is a better ratchet, and was much less.

 

[ARFLY]

I have several of those ratchets. They look nice. I haven't and wouldn't pay $60 for one of those. I think the most I paid for one was $25.

 

[bobcatdan]

Full polish ratchet that came out in the 90's as part of the pro line. 36 tooth like the RP. From the ones I used, to me the tolerance were better then a RP and generally on par with the old 36 tooth matco ratchets which are basically the same thing. Generally were $5 to $10 more over the comparable RP.

 

[rijndael]

I'd gladly sell mine for $60. I'll throw in a 1/4" version too.

 

[GTO]

I have the stubby flex 3/8" version.
I like and use it for my stubby go to ratchet.

 

[ARFLY]

Those are also listed. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Craftsman-...000670&hash=item3fa01acc06:g:XYcAAOSwvUJbGYGN

 

[SS5150]

I have the stubby flex, soft grip flex, long handle, and bent handle flex's here at the house, all USA. They've been good but aren't special. Certainly many nicer ratchets out there these days. Probably use the stubby flex the most.

 

[uncwstudent]

Nothing special about them. I've had a few of them and they have all been below average. Definitely better than the raised panels but overall they aren't that great.

 

[BigBoreFan]

I have two of the 1/4" models. I love them. They fit my hands very well, perfect length for what I do, which is mostly work on motorcycles. I seldom use 3/8". And I would not pay big money for these unless it was just as a collector.

 

[Jtels85]

I bought a set (1/4, 3/8, 1/2) in a plastic pouch from Sears.com back in August of 2015 for $64 after points. They had them listed for a short time and then they disappeared. My guess is they had some left in the warehouse and needed to get rid of them. The handles are comfortable and the chrome is nice, but they’re no better than the raised panels. I used them once or twice and now they sit in the pouch in the back of my tool chest. Figured I’ll hang onto them because of what they are, but as far as using them... what’s the point? So many better Craftsman ratchets that are more functional.

 

[AmishFury]

It's almost as bad as the people who want Stanley to resurrect USA made Craftsman.

i was under the impression that is what SBD is planning to do... bring back US production of craftsman tools (though i wouldn't be surprised if the reality is "with global and domestic components")

right now the sets at lowes are the RP sets from china and the "lowes exclusive" gunmetal finish sets which are made in taiwan

 

[Andres26tnt]

craftsman usa commands the price because it has something some other brands don't sentimental value. it always starts with "my dad/grampa" lol, that ratchet is better then the rp ratchet just not 60dll better.

 

[ptgarcia]

I have the 3/8"-drive long-handle and love the feel, but the ratchet itself is only so-so.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

I have the long handle version, and thought despite the annoying lock thing that was a decent deal, but now I realize the price is each

 

[byoungblood]

I received one as a replacement for a 1/4" RP that gave up the ghost about 10 years ago. I was not very impressed with it. The finish inside the ratchet head is better than the RP ratchets, but the gear and pawl are completely interchangeable with the RP ratchets of the same era which means it has the same potentially sloppy mechanism.

I sold it on here about 5-6 years ago for around $10. That guy is delusional.

 

[ARFLY]

I received one as a replacement for a 1/4" RP that gave up the ghost about 10 years ago. I was not very impressed with it. The finish inside the ratchet head is better than the RP ratchets, but the gear and pawl are completely interchangeable with the RP ratchets of the same era which means it has the same potentially sloppy mechanism.

I sold it on here about 5-6 years ago for around $10. That guy is delusional.

Someone may be delusional, but it is not the seller. He only has 5 left so he has sold one already. Or did he start with 5 and not 6?

 

[lugnut71]

Not a damn thing

 

[BDT/NWMN]

36 tooth Craftsman ratchet with a fancier handle. Only worth what someone is willing to pay. Collectors are exempt.

 

[Schurkey]

A coarse tooth ratchet held together with a snap ring. Nothing special.

^^^ Winner.

I thought the same thing a thousand years ago when I was seeing Matco ratchets held together with a snap ring.

 

[dogdog]

It's a collector's item...

Craftsman, Classic, and Made in the USA... I think that is the selling point... well there is a Sucker ....(I mean collector) in every item...