I need help choosing a ratchet

[KBennett]

I am thinking of getting a 1/4" and 3/8" ratchet for Christmas. I like Craftsman but I am not sure I like their ratchets. How is their Pro line? I have a friend that has a 1/4" S-K that is about 15 years old but is very smooth and tight. Any suggestions? Who sells S-K these days?

 

[Will24]

I also would have no problem recommending the SK, I have a bit of SK tools and they are of the highest quality (yeah, the snap-on - mac - matco level)



Actually Sears Hardware stores do sell a limited amount of SK tools, they may be worth a try...





Anyway, I generally buy mine through my local Napa store, try different small parts stores in your area, someone will have them





-Will

 

[Gray Ghost]

Don't buy Chinese Sears crapola

 

[KBennett]

Thanks for the replies.

Is Craftsman made in China now? Thats not good but it looks like a lot of companies are headed that way these days. I represent several companies and one of them is deciding to put a plant in China to do some low end manufacturing. Can you believe that they can save 80% of manufacturing in the US!!! I guess that's why the Dodges are built in Mexico.



I did find some good deals on S-K ratchets on Ebay.



Thanks again.

 

[mcoleman]

All of my Sears rachets say made in usa. I've broke a few but normally I was using a 4 foot long cheater bar when I did.

 

[Will24]

I have taken out 9 craftsman 3/8 ratchets in 3 years, they are the ratchet I loan to people to use... My S/K, wright tool, snap-on, matco etc stay in my box unless I am using them...

 

[fkovalski]

For the 3/8 drive, I would recommend getting two: one straight handle and the other a flex or pivot head with a slightly curved handle. The latter is very handy! I like Mac Tools.



Getting two of this scenerio for the 1/4 drive is nice too.

 

[JDailey]

I really like the new gearless ratchets from Mac. I have quite a few ratchets from 1/4"-1". You get what you pay for. SK is good, although I think their quality has gone gown since they were bought by Falcom or whoever. Craftsmen is junk. You can't go wrong with Mac, Matco, Snapon, Wright, or Cornwell.

 

[JohnE]

Sears Craftsman®

Armstrong

Matco

Allen

KD-Tools

Holo-Krome

NAPA®

SATA





All part of Danaher.

But all tools are not created equal. Some are made in the USA and vary from great to garbage. Some are made in other places (off shore is the PC corporate term) and also range from great to garbage.



Most Craftman tools are nowhere near the quality of Armstrong.



I bought a set of the GearRatchet pass thru sockets. Those are really slick.

 

[DaveN]

I'd avoid craftsman. Seems like every one I've got recently, the ratchet freewheels after a bit of use. So when you're under a vehicle with sand dropping into your eye, with your knee holding the part up, one hadn holding the ratchet, and the other hand holding yourself out of the oil puddle that's creeping toward you, then all of a sudden your ratchet stops ratcheting. This has happened to me with all of the ratchets I've bought since the late nineties. I'm too cheap to actually buy a different one, I keep taking them back and getting a new one. but it's kind of like shooting yourself in your own foot. Over, and over and over... .

 

[RustyJC]

My late uncle who was a professional mechanic all his life gave me a new set of SK Wayne combination wrenches almost 40 years ago - they're still the first wrench I grab in my toolbox!



If their ratchets are anywhere as good as these wrenches have been, I'd buy one in a New York minute.



Rusty