I have a bunch of different brands. Craftsman was never a favorite. I like SK and Proto red handled ratchets the most. I bought a few on ebay about 10 years ago.
Craftsman ratchets?
- Thread starter Bonnewagon
- Start date
- Status
I love my craftsman tools, all are USA and I make sure to buy them used or remanned at the swapmeets. When something breaks I always make sure to have them exchange it for a remanned USA tool. On the occasions they don't have one, they have rebuilt mine for me.
I haven't broken many, but usually it was due to misuse.
I haven't broken many, but usually it was due to misuse.
Yeah, indirectly why I'm mildly concerned about all of those new expensive rear end parts all made overseas now too. See my Eaton Detroit [made in Taiwan] Truetrac rant . . . or not. Old news . . .
I never bought Craftsman myself back when it was likely still USA made and good. Had SK stuff back then that was hit/miss. Then recently got a complete Husky set as a gift. Got rust on a lot of the pliers in the set already but rust does not appear to be covered as they figure you apparently left them all out in the rain. NOT! Happened on the black handle versions of vice grips, slip pliers, pliers, snips, dikes, and clippers. That's pretty much the whole set. The rusting problem on the pliers set is just crap coating. The non rubber handle versions at least appear to have a better coating.
The 1/2" rachet mechanism snapped the first time I used it taking my old suspension off and I damn near broke my wrist. I did take the 1/2" rachet back [the one in the tool kit was the cheaper standalone one you can buy] but elected to instead buy the standalone 72 tooth version instead and I have not broken it yet. It seems quite solid. The 3/8" is so far so good though it is the cheaper [kit] one too which I may replace. The 1/4" is quite sloppy for such a tiny rachet. Feels like it only has 4-6 rachet teeth inside it or something? There is a better more expensive version of it too though I may get. I bought one of those flip side 3/8-1/4 combo rachets. Don't waste your money.
If I were buying, I would avoid the kits and sets. Just get the socket sets and buy the more expensive rachets separately. But, when it's a gift, whatayagonnado? Though some have quite higher prices compared to the kits, like one slip nose pliers is nearly 1/2 the price of the entire kit set, I do not know if the different variants of the higher dollar rubber handled pliers are any better on the rust problem?? So, when I go to get a better 1/4" rachet and likely will grab the better 3/8" while there, I may grab a few of the more expensive rubber handle pliers/dikes and see if they don't rust?
Will report accordingly . . .
When you win the lottery . . . https://www.mactools.com/en-us
I never bought Craftsman myself back when it was likely still USA made and good. Had SK stuff back then that was hit/miss. Then recently got a complete Husky set as a gift. Got rust on a lot of the pliers in the set already but rust does not appear to be covered as they figure you apparently left them all out in the rain. NOT! Happened on the black handle versions of vice grips, slip pliers, pliers, snips, dikes, and clippers. That's pretty much the whole set. The rusting problem on the pliers set is just crap coating. The non rubber handle versions at least appear to have a better coating.
The 1/2" rachet mechanism snapped the first time I used it taking my old suspension off and I damn near broke my wrist. I did take the 1/2" rachet back [the one in the tool kit was the cheaper standalone one you can buy] but elected to instead buy the standalone 72 tooth version instead and I have not broken it yet. It seems quite solid. The 3/8" is so far so good though it is the cheaper [kit] one too which I may replace. The 1/4" is quite sloppy for such a tiny rachet. Feels like it only has 4-6 rachet teeth inside it or something? There is a better more expensive version of it too though I may get. I bought one of those flip side 3/8-1/4 combo rachets. Don't waste your money.
If I were buying, I would avoid the kits and sets. Just get the socket sets and buy the more expensive rachets separately. But, when it's a gift, whatayagonnado? Though some have quite higher prices compared to the kits, like one slip nose pliers is nearly 1/2 the price of the entire kit set, I do not know if the different variants of the higher dollar rubber handled pliers are any better on the rust problem?? So, when I go to get a better 1/4" rachet and likely will grab the better 3/8" while there, I may grab a few of the more expensive rubber handle pliers/dikes and see if they don't rust?
Will report accordingly . . .
When you win the lottery . . . https://www.mactools.com/en-us
Last edited:
The early 90's 1/4", 3/8" and probably 1/2" ratchets that came in sets were not breaking, jamming was the issue. The only I broke one was with a pipe. Switching directions and ratcheting in general was not smooth. I replaced the guts in both my 3/8" since I broke it with a pipe and the 1/4" drive, I believe. Another mechanic I worked with had the same issue and the guts needed changing often to work properly. Unfortunately I have Chinese ratchets that work much better. Personally, I would pay no more than a dollar for any of those ratchets. Honestly, the the real cheap ratchets in cheap sets that I keep in cars fo emergencies work much better. The sockets in those sets suck, I have stripped and broken them. The Craftsman socket didn't break, just their terribly designed ratchet gave out. I have some old Gray, Made in Canada 1" drive stuff of Dad's, very well made, also a SK socket mixed in as well. I use the swing bar, wish there was a ratchet, with the 1 1/8" socket to turn over all my Olds V8's manually when lining up torque converter bolts, adjusting valves on the ones with aftermarket rockers and setting TDC or degreeing a cam. It is just much more solid than a 1/2" bar. I have one of those in a ratchet swing bar, the ratchet lasted one use.
I hope Mac and Snapon go out of business, that is greed at it's finest. They could at least employee American's in manufacturing while they rape us for tools. I hope people are wise to this and don't buy from them.Be careful with MAC Tools alot of overseas items with MAC on them on the trucks
41 buxx for China pliers!!!
I just went and looked at my collection of ratchets and sockets that have survived 50 years of my abuse. Williams, Thorsen, Mac, Snap-on, Proto, Husky, S-K, Pittsburgh, and Sears all stood up in varying degrees. None were indestructible, but I blame myself. Like when I broke a favorite Sears 1/2" breaker bar on a front wheel drive axle nut because instead of using a 3/4" bar I used a cheater pipe. Oddly, I still have an ancient cheap 3/8" ratchet/socket set I bought in the 60's. It was made in Japan when Japan was still a joke. Yet it is still in use. Judging from the responses it looks like Sears secumed to the same China creep as many others. It's apparent to me that anything with threads or a precision mechanism is best avoided if made in China. Looks like I will keep watching the swap meets and auctions.
That's exactly the problem with my 1/4" Craftsmans. I shot them with a little PB Blaster out of the box and they still jammed up. I have Snap On's Mac and Matco ratchets in addition to some Craftsman. I have some US built pro series Craftsman I like and some older Snap On I despise. My problem with many of my ratcheting tools is if they're bolted together they fall apart just vibrating around in a service truck. Threre's nothing more frustrating than showing up at a jobsite and the flipper is gone off your ratchet.
I dissemble my ratchets when purchased clean them and use this on the internals works wonders!!!
- Status
