AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2025
Was it the raised panel? Or that other style they had out that kinda had the odd shaped handle?
Chraftsman, USA vs. China
- Thread starter 007
- Start date
- Status
Whatever was in the $9.99 on sale sets they used to sell in either metric or sae.
AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2025
Yeah I think that was raised panel ones. Yeah definitely not the best. I used a China made one today the anvil just wobbled so much couldn’t hardly use it I was just trying it out.
AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2025
Got some warranty replacement tools today. Was supposed to be a 1/2 ratchet and 3/8 ratchet but they sent 2 3/8 and then one flat head screwdriver they sent me 2 Phillips the screwdrivers are Taiwan made and don’t feel the same as the old USA ones and the ratchets are pretty rough on the edges too but for free I’m not complaining one bit.
I sold all my later USA made (2008-2009) craftsman stuff on ebay about 6 months ago. For the price people paid for USA stuff I was able to replace almost all of it with better tools. Ended up with tekton sockets, sunex impacts, snap on ratchets, vessel screw drivers, and wright grip wrenches.
It did take me awhile to look around and find deals as to not have to add to much out of pocket.
It did take me awhile to look around and find deals as to not have to add to much out of pocket.
AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2025
The later stuff wasn’t too good. Just today I broke one of the laser etched only ones working on an engine. It wasn’t mine and I felt bad but took it to Lowe’s and got a new one for the guy. He was happy.
Don't have any craftsman ratchets, but I have found the made in china ratchets I have didn't contain any grease, assembled dry. The EU made ratchets had what looks like a graphited grease in them.
The chinese ratchets benefitted a lot from some grease in them
The chinese ratchets benefitted a lot from some grease in them
AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2025
The Chinese ratchets have preformed better for me as much as I hate to say it. On my USA i greased it up and it spins and ratchets nicely but the socket is still hard to pull off when using the quick release I’ve had to pry it off many times so I don’t even use mine anymore. The new Gunmetal ratchets are pretty nice and don’t hurt your hand like the raised panel ones do. I rarely use my Craftsman ratchets anymore I mainly use my Capri and Matco ones.
Have you tried squirting some oil into the quick release? My old 1/2 inch was bunged up but a drop of oil past the ball set it up nicely. Then lubed the gears and it's better than new.
Last edited:
AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2025
No I haven’t tried that. I heard spraying that stuff wasn’t good for the internals lol.
It might not be good for it but if it's already broke it can't do much harm!
AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2025
LOL. True and they already gave me the replacement for it too. I greased up the internals and it works really good just need to work on that detent ball. It doesn’t do it with the double detent sockets.It might not be good for it but if it's already broke it can't do much harm!
You can also buy a rebuild kit on Amazon for $25. About the same cost as a whole new ratchet!
AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2025
Yeah that was free when Sears was in business LOLYou can also buy a rebuild kit on Amazon for $25. About the same cost as a whole new ratchet!
Excellent list! I thought I'd test it against a known bit of Craftsman hardware. I bought my first Craftsman tools in late '77 - a 1/2" drive ratchet, and an SAE socket set (7/16" up to 1-1/4"). The sockets are marked with a "V", so Easco 1968 - 1986, which is completely consistent with your list. Haven't broken any of the sockets yet!
Here are some of my ratchets. The newer ones are from a socket set i bought to have in my travel trailer. The new ones suck!! I would look at HF before buying these. I wish i had not, but i needed a set at the campground.
Good ratchet( I don't remember the age)
Oil port usa craftsman.
USA non oil port craftsman
Really sad clunky china craftsman.
BAD!
Here is a pic comparing them.
1/2 left to right. Blackhawk(proto)
New craftsman
Oil port craftsman
Non oil port craftsman
3/8 comparison with a snap on flex head.
Good ratchet( I don't remember the age)
Oil port usa craftsman.
USA non oil port craftsman
Really sad clunky china craftsman.
BAD!
Here is a pic comparing them.
1/2 left to right. Blackhawk(proto)
New craftsman
Oil port craftsman
Non oil port craftsman
3/8 comparison with a snap on flex head.
Last edited:
AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2025
Those ones are Taiwan made actually or at least they are now same with the gunmetal ones. Maybe you got them when they were still China ones. The Gunmetal ratchets are the only ratchets I’d buy from them now.
The box says china.
The heads on the new ones are ridiculously large very clunky, they don't feel good in the hand at all. My favorite so far are the blackhawk proto ratchets.
They have nice small heads, fit in tight spaces and feel very good in your hand.
The heads on the new ones are ridiculously large very clunky, they don't feel good in the hand at all. My favorite so far are the blackhawk proto ratchets.
They have nice small heads, fit in tight spaces and feel very good in your hand.
AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2025
Oh ok you must have the older ones then. The newer ones are Taiwan now. Yes those Blackhawk are nice. I wish Blackhawk wouldn’t of been discontinued and replaced.
You can still get them.
- Status
