Craftsman ratchets

[Anonymous-0]

I bought 2 of the Craftsman 84 tooth ratchets and so far I really like them. I had some gift cards that were burning a hole in my pocket and I thought I could always use another ratchet. I got the 1/2inch drive first because that was all they had. $80 seemed like a lot for a Craftsman ratchet but what the heck it was a gift. I was really impressed with the 1/2 so I bought the 3/8 when they got one in the store. I'm even more impressed with the 3/8. Seems like that is the first thing I grab out of the tool box now. Doubt if i will buy the 1/4 because I don't use that size much and $50 really seems like a lot of money for one that size. Anyway just wondering if any of you guys have tried them yet?

 

[Greenday]

Its good that they have came out with a better rachet because the last rachets I replaced with them are total crap.

 

[John Niolon]

now... here's what you need to make it really smooth...

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=85494&highlight=red+lube

these guys on garageforum.com obsess over tools... they even fine tune the spring inside the ratchet... I don't go that far but I do lube them occasionally.. I'm real fond of the fine tooth S&K and Protos... haven't tried the Crapsman

john

 

[Anonymous-0]

Most of the older Craftsman ratchets that I have are the round head quick release(fine tooth) type. I liked them but now I'm told that repair kits are hard if not impossible to find. I had a few of the old (obselete) teardrop ratchets that Sears replaced with a newer style teardrop ratchet that wasn't much better. I like the new 84 tooth ratchets even better than my old fine tooth ratchets.

 

[John A.]

Red Pete, I have no less than 3 of them 1 i go new 25 yrs ago when I bought my first Craftsman too set and 2 I have picked up at Pawn shops for $10 to $15 over the yrs, then drove to Sears and swapped for a new one.
They work well, I do not cut them slack, I did say I still have my original one. O usually make my pawn shop rounds in various towns. It is still amazing what you find for about half or waaaay less
when you spent 10 minutes every now and then.
I get Craftsman Screw drivers All the time for $1 or less, O do admit I am a screw driver junkie. LOL, Craftsman tool have been a great investment for me as far as tool go go U use them when they break bend or get destroyed I take them to Sears and get a new one NO Questions asked.
Later,
John A.

 

[Fred Martin]

Here comes some honesty or comedy , take your pick. I kinda get a kick out of the guys breaking their Sears ratchets and taking them back for a free replacement because I have never broken one...ever! But, I didn't tell anybody because they'd call me a snob or worse...I just smiled and went about my business. Well, I bought a set of Craftsman sockets with all three of them, 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2" ratchets in it at a pawn shop, they looked like they were brand new. And when I went to use the 1/4"er, someone must have swapped in an old one cause it had a stuck ball on the front and a lot of slop in the gearing. Thats what I get for smiling at you guys. Oh, by the way, do any of you younger mechanics own a breaker bar? I have a limit on how much stress I will put on a ratchet...then change to a breaker bar. If you don't have one, go buy it and just maybe you can claim to have not ever taken any Craftsman tool back for a replacement freeby. If someone don't remind you, you will break them forever. And if you think I'm just a little weakling, at 53 years old, they had the local champ (you know the type) arm wrestler at my brother's house and he went to bragging about it till someone said "Fred used to arm wrestle" He looked around at old me and said "Put down $20" "old man" I didn't even have $20 but, someone in the crowd knew me and threw it down for me and smiled...I was trapped! Needless to say, he never offered to wrestle anyone there again...buy a breaker bar, it isn't strength, its using your gourd. ohfred

 

[ASEguy]

Amen on the arm wrestling Fred. You taught the young man a lesson and got 20 bucks to boot. Gerard

 

[Lyndon - AB]

Hey Fred,

I'm a 21 year old Ag mechanic, with a lot a tools. I used to have breaker bars, but never use them any more. I usually turn to my 1/2 drive Snap-on long ratchet. If that doesn't work, put a snipe on it. I've had it for about 3 years and only broke the thumb tab for the lock for the flex head. And that was only because I pinched it in a bad spot. Anything bigger than a 1-1/4 socket I go with a 3/4 drive Proto ratchet or extendable Ez-Red ratchet - with snipe as necessary. Never had a problem with any of them. On a side note though, I do take them apart from time to time to clean and lube up the mechanism.

Never tried Craftsman though.

Lyndon

P.S. Good job on the arm wrestling! Sometimes us young pups need our pride knocked down a notch!

 

[landlord7012]

I once broke a craftsman 1/2" breaker bar trying to remove a trailer hitch ball. Grabbed a 1/2" craftsman ratchet and a cheater pipe and broke-er-loose. Just sayin'...

 

[Fred Martin]

Lyndon
As I see it, some younger mechanics have kind of a built in "horse sense" and some don't. Some keep on breaking them clear up into their 30s and 40s. I'm not degrading the good young wrench turners, just trying to get them to think as they work...right tool for the right job. I guess they're the reason that ratchets nowdays cost eighty bucks. I don't think Sears wants to pay for them....so the buyers do.
But, there are cases where a fellow is way back in a field or out on the road where he doesn't have the option of having a breaker bar with him and has to chance it. I reckon the reason Sears started warranting their tools was to get more tool buyers. I've seen guys at yard sales/flea markets buy used/broken Sears wrenches for cheap and taking them back and getting a new one. Sometimes I think they are the fellows that have the most breakdowns. They used up their good luck the way they buy tools. If I have a flat tire, it most generally has been within reach of the air hose. Don't get me wrong, I'm not perfect but, I have my good luck in other directions. I sure respect a young man with good morals in this direction. ohfred

 

[sflem849]

...2 I have picked up at Pawn shops for $10 to $15 over the yrs, then drove to Sears and swapped for a new one...

I think this phrase right here might have some merit to raising the prices as well. He never even tried them, just took them right back so he could have a new, shiny one.

I broke a Craftsman 1/4 drive. It would jump out of gear every now and then and I got sick of it. I used it everyday as a boat mechanic and didn't really abuse it.