If you're implying that they still are today with your "even back then," then you would be mistaken on that part. It's pretty low end and has been for quite a while, whether we're talking Danaher/Apex or Stanley. Would take it over no-name stuff, but you can buy much better tools (without having to step up to "pro brands" that cost WAY more)
@@korgied I already own brands like snap on my guy 😃 I was only meaning to say I was impressed at how a lower end product was built so well back then compared to how they are now 😁
I found my Grandpa’s 1/2 normal length ratchet several months ago and decided to restore it. Had tons of gunk all built up inside. Took it apart, greased it, put it back together and works like brand new! My grandpa would be proud that I did maintenance on his tools. I’m going to cherish it forever
Catus, I don't recall if I have commented to you before or not. When I first started watching you, I wasn't overly impressed, but you touched on some subjects I liked. The more I watch this channel the more I like it These reviews of older pieces are impressive. I love the teardowns and your attention to little details, like the differences in lube on these vintage craftsman. Just wanted to let you know that the job you are doing is appreciated. God bless you, and God bless the USA
Those ratchets were among the best without question. Super strong, no glitches, thick chrome finish, great handle, metal directional switch, and 60T is really a nice sweet spot. In more than 2 decades of ratcheting there have been maybe a small handful of situations where I needed a tighter swing arc than a 60 tooth offers. 99% of the time, its perfect.
The old USA made Craftsman ratchets were made to last a lifetime. I've had mine over 40 years and never had them fail. Sears downfall was outsourcing to China. Profit over quality.
The 1970s and 1980s saw steep inflation in the country, long recessions and high unemployment rates. Sears is overall a budget company, they have to sell product to stay afloat and the customers were being priced out , so what did Sears do? they outsourced. At the end of the day they did what they could to sell product in a had economy and that is the right thing to do. It's not Sear's fault the country was stuck in an inflation cycle it's was the job of the US government and FED to manage that situation. All Sears could do is try and make it all work and keep the lights on.
@@drscopeify Keep what lights on? The lights in the marketing office and the import office at the port? Outsourcing IS shutting the lights off, exporting expertise, equipment and profits overseas.
I have the 1/2 regular length like yours with the machined ring and got it from my grandpa, thought it was broken but just had to be cleaned and greased! He gave it to me and now it’s happily sitting in my collection.
I still have this ratchet. I used to lube all my ratchets with Rotunda (I worked for Ford) distributor cam lube. It did not break down and get waxy like chassis lube. Once I final ran out of that, I started using Super Lube and it works even better. I also use it in my reels, firearms, and wife's Kitchenaid mixer. It is also food safe.
I just found one of those in a 1/4” version at my grandma’s house. She gave it to me, but It was so gunked up that it practically spun around freely instead of engaging. I ran wd-40 through it and a bunch of black oil came pouring it out. Now it sounds amazing and I just got myself a new/old 1/4” ratchet.
Bought my set in 87, still using all 3 ratchets to this day. I've replaced the 3/8 once under warranty, and it was long after they quit making the teardrop style. They had a box of rebuilt ones at my local Sears and just swapped. Now 40 years later my 1/2 drive is skipping, i'll be searching for a rebuild kit, but i own two, so I'll get by. Great video!
That style was from late 70’s and early ‘80’s and I believe were made by New Britain Tools in Connecticut. I used them until the paw and anvil gears wore out and had the ratchets replaced for free at the local Sears store. Since then I’ve gone through about 25 newer Craftsmen ratchets,…all were junk. I’ve actually had better service from HFT ratchets than the newer Craftsmen ratchets,…and I began using break-over bars long ago for busting bolts loose. I only use ratchets when I need “spin” in low torque situations.
My dad used the 3/8" version of this for work daily as his only 3/8" ratchet for over 30 years. Eventually the quick release button fell off so I bought one of these used on ebay and took the anvil out and put it in his...good as new.
I love these Easco made Craftsman ratchets. Very similar to Cornwell with the independent cover plates which makes servicing the anvil a breeze. Double tooth pawl engagement is also a nice feature.
Thanks to you after seeing your video I ran to my roll away and grabbed my four vintage Craftsman ratchets three of which are the same ones you just showed on the video but mine are 10 and 1/2 in and 6 and 3/4 inch, my favorite a five and a quarter inch number 43166 as luck has it I have a half inch a 3/8 inch and a 1/4 I got them when I was in my late twenties to early thirties and I'm 60 now and still using and loving them
i like the old reliable round head fine tooth craftsman ratchets they are built like tanks and are very reliable keep your eyes out for those they do not disappoint vintage usa craftsman goodness
This ratchet is from the 70's, in the 80's they dropped thr oil port. These are great but the best Craftsman ratchet design is the RHFT. I quite like 60's flying V ratchets, because they're so classy looking and because the handles were rounded better and more comfortable. You really can't go wrong with any of the MDF / Easco ratchets though, whether made for Sears or under their own brand.
I have the 3/8 standard handle version of this ratchet. It had never been cleaned so I disassembled, cleaned are relubed it with engine assembly grease. And it now has almost no backdrag. It's my favorite ratchet.
Catus love your reviews! If you want to take a look at and possibly review another top quality Craftsman, take a look at the Craftsman 84T Professional ratchet. They're quite rare now, so you're looking at $150-$200 on ebay, but it is a reminder that the quality didn't go downhill universally across the product line in later years. They just had to compete with the Huskey's and Harbor Freight's of the world, so they needed to offer shittier cheaper ratchets (like the 36T quick release with the black plastic directional switch which most people picture when someone says "Craftsman ratchet") which ended up giving them a bad name, but wrongfully so. These Professional ones, however, were non-quick release (which gives the anvil more strength) , had a fully sealed head with an actual face plate held on with screws, a great handle with width designed for applying some real torque, an 84 tooth strong mechanism that consistently tests stronger than Snap On's dual 80 and Matco's top ratchets, and were just overall a top notch build. Try one of those before claiming this antique is Craftsman USA's best built ratchet! They are lower profile, much tighter swing arc, much better head seal, far better handle for hand pressure, better chroming, and can handle much more torque before breaking than this one! Not that this wasn't good, but it is most definitely a product of times gone by and is more of a collectable than a daily driver for most people. It was actually released around 2010 IIRC (and cancelled shortly thereafter) and was a last ditch effort by Craftsman at getting into the tool truck space. The price is a little absurd now...but for the target market (people buying Snap On/Matco/Mac/Cornwell/etc) they were a great price, and even at today's prices are comparable for what you'd pay for a new dual 80. Given, you can't warranty them anymore, but repair kits can still be had for 15-20 bucks, although the stock is running dry (partly because of people like me with half a dozen repair kits on hand).
I’ve got the 1/2” USA Made K6AD 44809 I actually found and even though it’s a little tricky putting it back together with that ball bearing and all, it’s one of my favorite ratchets!
Those are great ratchets. I'd guess those came out in the mid 70s but I couldn't swear to it. A little assembly lube is good for getting all those little parts in and pretty good for ratchets in general. I get some called Federal Mogul at NAPA.
Those what they used to call low profile ratchets like that one were definitely well made. Just rebuilt one with a NOS USA rebuild kit that itself was at least from the ‘80s. Kind of a good feeling to bring the tool and the kit together after all these years haha. My personal favorite is the RHFT.
RHFT is also one of the best Craftsman ever sold! Catus seems to like the other roundhead craftsman (which is actually seen as one of the shittier ones among craftsman collectors) so someone really needs to send him a RHFT! The dual pawl mechanism and with the ~80 position and strength it offers blows every other round head craftsman sold out of the water.
That is a very nice ratchet compared to other craftsman ones and it's built to last. To install spring/ball/pawl, I clamp body (handle) vertically in vise, and use an old steak knife with the perfect tip for pushing the ball down and still providing enough room to install the pawl. A dab of grease to help stick the ball to the top of the spring might also help with reassembly.
Nice ratchet, although I don't really rate the 36 tooth. I find quick release mechanisms really handy when you just can't have the socket coming loose, usually they lock on tighter than most detents unless you smack that button.
Hey Catus I love this kind of Encyclopedia of ratchets you're making here. I'd love to send you Craftsman's best round head ratchet if you'd like to see how it compares to the others in your collection.
I hear that white lithium grease spray is the best for hand tools unless plastics or rubber are involved, then it's silicon based stuff that's best. Molybdenum disulfide for power tools
My go to is a Tekton 3/8 17inch rachet saved me on a job today taking out a 3/8 female plug on a front differential, didn't have enough leverage with my 9inch rachet. Was scared the tekton was gonna break since it's quick release and 90 tooth but it held up, it's also nice for gettting off fuel filters and oil drain plugs for when people put them on to tight
I have this same design ratchet in standard length but no oil port. A few of the gear teeth stripped out. I wanted to fix it but the rebuild kit is $37. I may as well buy a new one.
Craftsman offered this style of quick release ratchets from 1967-1993. That’s most likely one from the 70s since the oil port was from the earlier side of the model run.
@@marioman971 This style ratchet last appeared in the Sears catalogue for 1993. But most likely was still sold and possibly produced a little after that. I think VG was the last run.
I have a 70’s craftsman my dad owned. He passed when i was 16 and dude i cherish that ratchet so much some of my best memories are him and i working on his chevy truck
At One time they were nice ratchet but now if it break's toss it in the garbage. Unfortunately if it's a model that's not in production they won't fix or send another. Been Tru it called the # they give at Lowes maybe your luck is better than mine get snapon proto harbor freight anything else but crapsman.
