I was missing some 1/4 in old Craftsman sockets in a plastic case set, it was cheaper to buy a full new set than to replace individual sockets. The new 1/4 drive ratchets are complete garbage, the mechanisms locked up after a few uses. So the old ratchets have been put in the new sets. I also found a use for my 1/2" Craftsman ratchet, I cut the handle down in a band saw and made a 1/2" drive stubby.
Craftsman ratchets?
- Thread starter Bonnewagon
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I have also found the newer craftsman to be a disappointing product. i have an assortment of pittsburgh ratchets which for the price are great. composite ratches are an awsome deal in the colder weather. they dont get cold like a steel handled ratchet. also have some tekton and loaded up on 84t and 120xp gearwrench ratches. i personally will never use my craftsmans again.
dollar for dollar the pittsburgh are great .And gearwrench are a great value. especially if you shop around and catch them on sale.
dollar for dollar the pittsburgh are great .And gearwrench are a great value. especially if you shop around and catch them on sale.
Only the so called top of the line Craftsman ratchets are USA the rest are all China.
That being said they are junk huge heads, uncomfortable and heavy.
Most of your 80 tooth ratchets are all Taiwan
Yes even the older Snap Off's FL80 since Taiwan held the patent for them.
No USA stamp!!!!
The newer ones are USA
The shop guys were pissed when they realized they were paying close to $200.00 for an overseas tool.
That being said they are junk huge heads, uncomfortable and heavy.
Most of your 80 tooth ratchets are all Taiwan
Yes even the older Snap Off's FL80 since Taiwan held the patent for them.
No USA stamp!!!!
The newer ones are USA
The shop guys were pissed when they realized they were paying close to $200.00 for an overseas tool.
My original Craftsmans I have picked up in the early '90's with my original big set all have been replaced atleast once. The newer USA ones seems to "skip" gears every so often. Haven't used the new China ones yet (but that day may not be too far off.) Now the best I have is the old non release button 1/2" drive that I got from my grandfather. I had it sit in a flooded tool box for a month & still works. I treat it like a b*tch & comes back for more.
I hit the garage sales, estate sales, and flea markets for what I call "ODG" tools.
Usually can find lightly used quality older sockets, ratchets etc for pennies on the dollar compared to new.
Grew up using Barcalo Buffalo and VLcheck wrenches and abused the crap outta them, never had an issue.
Newer Crapsman ratchets, don't. Notchy, lock up, skip teeth, the 1/4" stuff is crap.
S-K set from the 80's I have still smooth as silk.
Usually can find lightly used quality older sockets, ratchets etc for pennies on the dollar compared to new.
Grew up using Barcalo Buffalo and VLcheck wrenches and abused the crap outta them, never had an issue.
Newer Crapsman ratchets, don't. Notchy, lock up, skip teeth, the 1/4" stuff is crap.
S-K set from the 80's I have still smooth as silk.
I started my first set of Craftsman tools (1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" drive socket sets) wrenches (including ignition)screw driver set, ball peen hammers, on and on. I kept them in a Craftsman cantilever tool box. That was over 50 years ago and I still have the tools AND the tool box! I My best guess as to getting a tool replaced would be maybe 6 tools or sockets. My tools get used A LOT and not abused. IMHO, any hand tool newer than 30 years old is of lower quality.
Doug
Doug
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I guess my experience w/ USA Craftsman is different in that I have had very limited issues with the rachets. In 30 years I have probably only broken 2 3/8" rachets, 1 1/2" rachets and 1 1/4" rachet. I will not buy any of the China crap Craftsman and very saddened that Sears went into the Sh!tbox on almost everything... Which is a good indication of why they are slowly going out of business. I will agree the replacements have always been crap, which is why I always demanded a new off the shelf replacement. I every case that I have broken a Craftsman tool it was because I was using it in a manner or torque load that was beyond what it should have been used for. Now the China crap that stuff break just looking at it or dropping on the floor. Hell you can just look at a China made Craftsman and a USA made tool and visually see the difference;.
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