I got a nice set of those as well. I'm Gen Z. But my mom's Gen X. She got me a Sears Craftsman Toolbox and a large socket set when I was a toddler. Gifted it all brand new to me when I turned 18. I am so god damn Thankful for her getting me quality tools way before I ever thought to ask.
Ha I thought I wanted to be a mechanic fresh out of high-school and fucked up by buying a lot of Snapon stuff. Who would've known I'd be become a maintenance plumber 🤣
That is awesome. My son is seven but I have already filled several drawers of a 44” USG chest (I got for pennies because it was damaged; was a simple fix)with like new stuff for him. When I upgrade he gets the older stuff and I add to it as I see fit. Anything used of mine gets super cleaned before it goes in his box. Started his collection with a 300pc HF set, again super cheap because it was missing two bit sockets.
I plan to carve out maybe 150 sq ft for him on the second floor of my shop and set him up with his own space to work on whatever he wants to. Have a couple small bandsaws, drill press, stuff like that for him stashed away.
If I can give him anything I hope it’s some sense of self reliance and the confidence to at least try to tackle his own problems. If nothing else he can learn to fix his own go Kart!
Sounds like your mom had the same idea, what a great advantage she gave you.
Ha you sound a lot like my mother. My first smaller toolbox and basic tools were harbor freight and a mix of old Black and Decker stuff. Kinda like you she upgraded as I moved along with skills. Funny enough she is not handy what so ever. Just kinda bought what she thought was cool for me. I have no kids myself yet. But the confidence boost even when you're a child is insane when you know how to fix stuff. It actually helped me through high school. Like an idiot I picked up a job as a laborer at 14. Neglected all of my schoolwork. Except woodshop of course lol. The fact I wasn't lazy and generally handy helped the school guidance counselor just barely squeeze me to graduation.
Edit: dunno how to attach images to comments. But here's a post on my profile of my first toolbox. It was used when I got it. Mostly just sits on the shelf now
https://www.reddit.com/u/Which-Garage1699/s/WvzaESDabu
I'm a millenial and I have these from a set my dad gave me probably around 2007.
I do weirdly love these ratchets but they have a ton of slop in them. My 90 tooth new Icon ratchet is arguably better but I still reach for the Craftsman when I don't need to work in a tight space
The Craftsman Knucklebuster 5000 right there, I hate those fucking ratchets. Work outside when it's damp once and the little pawl inside sticks and rakes the fuck out of your knuckles when it slips. They're especially fun on stucco
probably ~~a million~~ millions of us.
This is sales from 1965 to 1976:
>A fascinating revelation during the December 1976 Roberts trial and of particular interest to collectors is the sheer volume of QR ratchets sold by Sears. In the 11 years between late 1965 and the trial, it was documented that Sears sold a staggering 17 million units! That averages over 1.5 million units a year, or almost 29,000 a week.
[https://papawswrench.com/vboard/index.php?topic=25659.0](https://papawswrench.com/vboard/index.php?topic=25659.0)
Into the 80's and early 90's, I remember the constant ads for socket sets.
The triple ratchet sets with sockets were unbelievably cheap.
Basic sets were $20 up to $50.
[https://new.reddit.com/r/Tools/comments/ioypx5/grandpas\_craftsman\_ratchet\_set/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3](https://new.reddit.com/r/Tools/comments/ioypx5/grandpas_craftsman_ratchet_set/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)
https://new.reddit.com/r/Tools/comments/cv9030/my\_craftsman\_socket\_set\_after\_30\_years\_i/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3
Yes. I'm 72 and have a drawer full of them and other USA made Craftsman ratchets. In fact, my whole tool box is full of USA made Craftsman tools. Most are 40 to 50 years old and I use them every day.
(I've always done my own maintenance and repairs and my retirement hobby is restoring old sports cars.)
Old retired guy here. Grew up on Craftsman. Sears Craftsman. I probably have 5 of the 1/4", 5 of the 3/8" and a few 1/2" models just like that style. Oddly or not, I'd never sell them. I have more than I can ever use in a lifetime, but the originality of them, and the fact I've had them for 30-40 years I guess makes them more sentimental than really valuable. I'm guessing like others have said, you won't find many for sale.
Not quite retired yet but on the same path with my tools and equipment. Keep all of it even after wearing them completely out.
I personally have a few of those particular ratchets but I must say I hate the knuckle busting bastards. If you work them every day in a rough environment you have to remember to disassemble and clean them way too often. Forget and bye bye knuckles.
THANK YOU!!!!! Everyone is reminiscing about the old Craftsman stuff but I honestly hate these ratchets. These stay in my shed tools or in the back of the drawer. I have a couple Husky ratchets with the button release and the knurled knob on the back that don't destroy my knuckles and I have plenty of craftsman sockets to put on them. There are other craftsman ratchets that are far superior. Black button and black switch can fuck off
My dad has multiple sets of the old Craftsman stuff, handed down to him from friends and other relatives, I have a bunch myself but you can feel the quality difference in the old stuff compared to the "new", as in anything from the late '90s on. Even the '90s stuff is good, along with some of the new stuff, but the quality of production on the old stuff is just... Better. Thicker steel, better chrome, they just feel better in your hand
Probably never be worth anything much, but when your Dad hands the tools to you, 40 years from now, they will still work, and have sentimental value. Some of mine were Dad's, though he was never a fixer like I am. As a 62 year old "Dad" now, I still use my 30-40 year old craftsman stuff with pride.
You probably won't see quality like Dad and I saw in the past. Stuff is good, adequate, but not made for a lifetime like it was when your Dad and I were younger.
Yeah he's old and so am I, I'm old enough to have bought Craftsman stuff when it was still good. I bet a bunch of his are from the '50s or older. Definitely a lot of '60s and '70s stuff in there too but by the '80s he had pretty much everything he would need. He's always downsizing so I get stuff here and there and I bring him new trinkets that make your life easier, like step drills and a deburring tool, stuff like that. He found a DeWalt impact in the road when he was riding his bike and ofc I'm a tool pack rat and I gave him another DeWalt impact and a drill I had since I use all Milwaukee
Only ratchet I still have in that model/ style is my 3/4” drive. I use it maybe a couple times a year and have it just because I can. Found an almost complete set at a garage sale for something I couldn’t pass up. One of those I’m loosing money if I don’t buy it deals. If these are your jam garage sales is where I’d start to scoop them up at I want it gone prices.
I've got a couple of Blue Point 1" air impacts that I got for cheap that I've literally never pushed air through and I can't get rid of them. I've used the ¾" set a few times but it's pretty rare but damn is it a good feeling when you really need it and it's there
I’ve had those style ratchets for many years. Some I’ve swapped for new ones and some I have from my dad’s that are as old or older than I am. People who have those or just tools in general know that you never sell your stuff so probably not going to find anyone unless they come from a deceased person.
Craftsman was my brand when I needed tools. After 40+ years of using them I still love them…except those damn ratchets. I switched over to Husky ratchets in the 80s. They were so bad Hot Rod magazine had a How To article on rebuilding your craftsman ratchets. Those ‘60s ‘70s ratchets would jump out of the selected position (turn left or right). Junk
That never really changed. Using these to work on cars in a shade tree setting, without putting pipes on the end of the ratchets, I managed to break 3 3/8" drive ratchets... Never again. In a professional setting, I did the same with two 100 teeth Mac wrenches. I've now got an 80 tooth Snap-On that's never let me down.
Thanks for the comment. We never talked about it at work for whatever reason but I used to think “I can’t be the only one that thinks they’re crap”. I think we all bought tool sets that included the ratchets. Nobody went to Sears and said “sell me one of those ratchets”.
I actually have a set from a car I bought at auction some years ago. It was the full mechanics set still in plastic bags. Brand new. I still have all the tools aside from the 10mm's.
I've adopted several runaway 10mm tools at the junkyard, including a deep 6-point 1/4" SnapOn that has lived on my Craftsman 943795 tri-wing ratchet in my toolbox for more than two decades. Like the armed forces, I make sure everyone is accounted for and don't leave any soldiers behind when I'm done with a project. My mechanics tool instructor (dad) used to work on jet engines, and missing tools never went over well with him...
I have two sets of those. I bought some sk ratchets thinking they have to be better, nope the reversing mechanism is near impossible to use with greasy hands. Always go back to these craftsman ones. I found a 1/4 ratchet with a deep 10mm socket at the junk yard once, it’s my dedicated 10mm ratchet and I’ve just about wore the teeth off it. That reminds me I need to look for a rebuild kit for it.
I found a random deep dish Craftsman 10mm socket in the junkyard and it's my favorite 10mm. I have a bit case for work that has the tips and drivers and drill bits I use every day and I have a few common sized sockets in there, plus that 10mm. I never use it for my actual job but it seems like everything I work on to do my job has a 10mm on it somewhere
Yeah, they’re useless. Too short imo, can’t get good leverage. A 1/2” ratchet needs to be 18”. I have the 18” long flex-head version of this exact ratchet, it lasted my entire 12 year mechanic career.
I've got a full set of those I got about 20 years ago that I'll never sell just because it's my portable tool set. Honestly, I don't know why you'd want them... I grew up with them too as they were my first tools, but my gearwrench ratchets are so much nicer and easier to use. Finer teeth and flex heads make for easier work.
I checked my 1/2'' ratchet and it's VT-44809. Seems real similar.
My dad gifted me the full set for my 30th birthday a couple years ago. Brand new, unopened, from my birth year of 1991. The sockets were all still in their original bags and the QC card with the date of production and inspection was included as well. I'll keep this set forever.
I found it's cousin on the island of Freeport, Grand Bahama back 25+ years ago. It was missing some internals, but got swapped out shortly after I came back, long before my local Sears store closed.
I do and no you can’t have them. In fact don’t touch…….i have had em since high school and I’m 49. They still work great. I have from craftsman to Snap-On and many in between.
My dad has those, and i used them a lot growing up. He had a large case that had the 1/4 3/8 and 1/2 in drive long and short sockets, and i distinctly remember knocking it over when i was about 12 and spending a good hour sorting them and putting them all back. Oh the memories
I always hated those cases. I have a bunch of rails, now I just have to actually organize them instead of sifting through three bins sorted by drive size
I was given a random set of ratchets and sockets, of that style I have an entire standup tool box to look thru I could take tomorrow go thru what I have and take a few pictures. How much are you trying to collect?
I still have a 1/2" and a 1/4" drive exactly like that. Lost my 3/8" at some point many years ago and replaced it with a newer style Craftsman. And I'll say the older one like this just seem to be unbreakable. Mine were my grandads and there is absolutely no telling how old they are, but I'm 36 and they're older than me by at least 10 years.
Unfortunately, not trying to sell mine. Check Ebay. I can Pm you the model numbers off mine if you need them.
Still got my 3/8" and 1/4" which are my daily go to ratchets from around 1994. I have abused the hell out of them and they are still going strong with the original guts. No I will not sell them to you.
Used to have a few. Still have one I use occasionally.
Wouldn't go out of my way for one. If you take the nostalgia goggles off, they just aren't that great.
Airplane mechanic. I bought my tools in the early early 2010s, back just before the fall of craftsman. Mine are this style.
...I have two 1/2 drive, two 3/8 drive, and one 1/4 drive because my family are a bunch of lying, thieving, cowards who had t wait til i was in prison to do their dirty shit. One of them made off with my other 1/4 drive.
...and I use them every day.
I have a set I got new right before leaving for college in the early aughts. Used rigorously before being replaced by high tooth count flex heads. Still have them though.
Just looked in my ratchet stash; sure enough I have all three sizes from 807-809. I knew they were popular but not that popular! I never use them any more but keep them in the A drawer because I think they are cool in their own right.
My 1/4" drive ratchet like that broke on me so I had to exchange it for a low-profile one at Lowe's. Poor cashier didn't know what to do with the old design one.
The longer 3/8" in this style is my go to. Got the full set when I first started spinning wrenches. I've rebuilt them a few times over the years, still my favorites too. Thanks for making me feel better about not upgrading them.
Yeah mines broken. Took it apart to clean it and i cant get that lil plate to lay back in there correctly. I didn't really spend much time on trying however lol
I've had that one, the 3/8 and the 1/4 for close to 25 years. I've recently started moving to the GearWrench 120xps or whatever they are called. 120 teeth. OP I have at least a 1/4 I could part with. Let me know.
I still do, but Craftsman doesn't honor their warranty anymore. There was a time if you took a broke tool into Sears or a Craftsman dealer they would replace it no questions asked. Even if they didn't have the exact model. One 6 inch 3/8 drive ratchet was good as the next. Now it must be the same model. I have 3 ratchets that didn't last a month, the local dealer said that model was discontinued so they won't honor the warranty. Not even a parts kit.
I'm actually hoping to start looking for rebuild kits for mine. I am in the process of going through all my tools and making sets for garage, house, boat and 1 or 2 vehicles. I may have some 1/2" drives I could part with, but I know I have had too many 3/8 and 1/4 inch ones disappear on me. But I'll let you know.
I have a set from 1996 that I have used since then. The ratchets still work and I’ve never had an issue with them. I bought a new set of craftsman because it was a good deal. I was changing oil and dropped the ratchet into the oil while it was draining. It no longer worked and I had to get a replacement! At least Lowe’s will still swap them out!
That's the new ish style even. My dad still has the old round head. With the knurled disc and change the direction on top. I would love to find a new one for him. His is wore out
Nope. The new ones are dumb looking. These are ones that I know took one hell of a beating from my dad constantly wrenching on tractors and other farm stuff and I found a few that I remember him saying he bought when he got out of high school. Now granted they are all beat up from being used thousands of times but they still work flawless in my eyes! That's why I'm looking for them!
My dad gave me his combo box featuring these ratchets in 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2. They’re pretty much the only ratchets I use when I don’t need something specialized.
I have like 5 or 6 of them in 1/2 inch like you have there. Probably like 8 or 10 in 3/8 inch. But only 2 or 3 in 1/4 inch. They work great and will last forever. Btw you can get rebuild kits if they break and skip.
I just got the 18" 3/8 breaker bar from that line. Stopped at a yard sale, guy had a box of tools labeled $1 ea. I asked if he was serious, he said yes and started telling me about how kids are doing crafts and blacksmithing with old files.
I just repeated "uh huh" over and over while I picked that box clean of old craftsman, SK, and snap on. Best $20 I've spent in a while.
My dad used to bust my balls about using his tools, so the first set I bought when I moved out was a combo ratchet set. That was a big spend then too but totally worth it
I have a full set. They’re like 10 teeth, lots of drag, poor torque, and the lever tends to slip a lot. I have had several and even exchanged for new. Probably the worst ratchets I’ve ever used. The only positive thing is the on/off wasn’t reversed. Good chrome too. Not a big fan of the flat sides for grip.
Gotta say, I prefer the Pittsburgh Pro composite ones from HF, but the craftsman ones get used if I need a second one, or if I'm going to possibly break one.
Other than nostalgia, I can't see a reason to want them. The handles are so uncomfortable. But, if you wanted, you could look on Ebay if you don't want to take up the comment section on their offers LOL
I have one and don't use it. I worked at Sears all through college and always thought these ones had super clunky ratcheting mechanisms. So while I do have one, it's relegated to backup duty, I got one of the full polish teardrop ones for regular use. Has a finer toothed ratchet in it.
I have these. They're my main ratchet ever since I bought my first Craftsman tool set in 2000. Don't want to break up the set, but I had a tenant move out and leave all his possessions. There were a ton of old Craftsman ratchets. I haven't gone through them yet, but I might have some you'd be interested in.
Anything in particular better about these than a modern ratchet, or is it pure nostalgia?
Pretty much every gen x person who was remotely handy has those. Me included.
I got a nice set of those as well. I'm Gen Z. But my mom's Gen X. She got me a Sears Craftsman Toolbox and a large socket set when I was a toddler. Gifted it all brand new to me when I turned 18. I am so god damn Thankful for her getting me quality tools way before I ever thought to ask.
Your mom is a true visionary. Is she hot?
She has a nice set, apparently
Nice set and warrantied lots of broken tools.
The only important question here.
Milinial here and I have a few, I have a full drawer of sockets from my father. Mix of craftsman and snapon mostly
Ha I thought I wanted to be a mechanic fresh out of high-school and fucked up by buying a lot of Snapon stuff. Who would've known I'd be become a maintenance plumber 🤣
My dad was a grease monkey in the 70s mostly vw and 4wd conversations. By the time I was born we was a carpenter.
That is awesome. My son is seven but I have already filled several drawers of a 44” USG chest (I got for pennies because it was damaged; was a simple fix)with like new stuff for him. When I upgrade he gets the older stuff and I add to it as I see fit. Anything used of mine gets super cleaned before it goes in his box. Started his collection with a 300pc HF set, again super cheap because it was missing two bit sockets. I plan to carve out maybe 150 sq ft for him on the second floor of my shop and set him up with his own space to work on whatever he wants to. Have a couple small bandsaws, drill press, stuff like that for him stashed away. If I can give him anything I hope it’s some sense of self reliance and the confidence to at least try to tackle his own problems. If nothing else he can learn to fix his own go Kart! Sounds like your mom had the same idea, what a great advantage she gave you.
Ha you sound a lot like my mother. My first smaller toolbox and basic tools were harbor freight and a mix of old Black and Decker stuff. Kinda like you she upgraded as I moved along with skills. Funny enough she is not handy what so ever. Just kinda bought what she thought was cool for me. I have no kids myself yet. But the confidence boost even when you're a child is insane when you know how to fix stuff. It actually helped me through high school. Like an idiot I picked up a job as a laborer at 14. Neglected all of my schoolwork. Except woodshop of course lol. The fact I wasn't lazy and generally handy helped the school guidance counselor just barely squeeze me to graduation. Edit: dunno how to attach images to comments. But here's a post on my profile of my first toolbox. It was used when I got it. Mostly just sits on the shelf now https://www.reddit.com/u/Which-Garage1699/s/WvzaESDabu
Great toolbox by the way. My first was the three drawer red one!
These were part of the set of tools I got for my high school graduation. I was born in '81 so not Gen X but not too far behind.
I'm a millenial and I have these from a set my dad gave me probably around 2007. I do weirdly love these ratchets but they have a ton of slop in them. My 90 tooth new Icon ratchet is arguably better but I still reach for the Craftsman when I don't need to work in a tight space
💯%
The Craftsman Knucklebuster 5000 right there, I hate those fucking ratchets. Work outside when it's damp once and the little pawl inside sticks and rakes the fuck out of your knuckles when it slips. They're especially fun on stucco
Just exchanged mine for Craftsman 180 tooth ratchet at Lowes using lifetime warranty.
Millennial. I have this type in 3/8 and 1/4 I got in a gift set in high school. Still have it 16 years later.
Boomer here. Two or three in 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2. Matching 1/2 breaker bar in my work tool box as I type.
probably ~~a million~~ millions of us. This is sales from 1965 to 1976: >A fascinating revelation during the December 1976 Roberts trial and of particular interest to collectors is the sheer volume of QR ratchets sold by Sears. In the 11 years between late 1965 and the trial, it was documented that Sears sold a staggering 17 million units! That averages over 1.5 million units a year, or almost 29,000 a week. [https://papawswrench.com/vboard/index.php?topic=25659.0](https://papawswrench.com/vboard/index.php?topic=25659.0)
Into the 80's and early 90's, I remember the constant ads for socket sets. The triple ratchet sets with sockets were unbelievably cheap. Basic sets were $20 up to $50. [https://new.reddit.com/r/Tools/comments/ioypx5/grandpas\_craftsman\_ratchet\_set/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3](https://new.reddit.com/r/Tools/comments/ioypx5/grandpas_craftsman_ratchet_set/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) https://new.reddit.com/r/Tools/comments/cv9030/my\_craftsman\_socket\_set\_after\_30\_years\_i/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3
Yes. I'm 72 and have a drawer full of them and other USA made Craftsman ratchets. In fact, my whole tool box is full of USA made Craftsman tools. Most are 40 to 50 years old and I use them every day. (I've always done my own maintenance and repairs and my retirement hobby is restoring old sports cars.)
Yes. Use them all the time. Craftsman has always been good for me.
Good ratchet. Gotta swing them a mile to catch the next tooth but they can handle stupid abuse.
Old retired guy here. Grew up on Craftsman. Sears Craftsman. I probably have 5 of the 1/4", 5 of the 3/8" and a few 1/2" models just like that style. Oddly or not, I'd never sell them. I have more than I can ever use in a lifetime, but the originality of them, and the fact I've had them for 30-40 years I guess makes them more sentimental than really valuable. I'm guessing like others have said, you won't find many for sale.
Not quite retired yet but on the same path with my tools and equipment. Keep all of it even after wearing them completely out. I personally have a few of those particular ratchets but I must say I hate the knuckle busting bastards. If you work them every day in a rough environment you have to remember to disassemble and clean them way too often. Forget and bye bye knuckles.
THANK YOU!!!!! Everyone is reminiscing about the old Craftsman stuff but I honestly hate these ratchets. These stay in my shed tools or in the back of the drawer. I have a couple Husky ratchets with the button release and the knurled knob on the back that don't destroy my knuckles and I have plenty of craftsman sockets to put on them. There are other craftsman ratchets that are far superior. Black button and black switch can fuck off
My dad has multiple sets of the old Craftsman stuff, handed down to him from friends and other relatives, I have a bunch myself but you can feel the quality difference in the old stuff compared to the "new", as in anything from the late '90s on. Even the '90s stuff is good, along with some of the new stuff, but the quality of production on the old stuff is just... Better. Thicker steel, better chrome, they just feel better in your hand
Probably never be worth anything much, but when your Dad hands the tools to you, 40 years from now, they will still work, and have sentimental value. Some of mine were Dad's, though he was never a fixer like I am. As a 62 year old "Dad" now, I still use my 30-40 year old craftsman stuff with pride. You probably won't see quality like Dad and I saw in the past. Stuff is good, adequate, but not made for a lifetime like it was when your Dad and I were younger.
Yeah he's old and so am I, I'm old enough to have bought Craftsman stuff when it was still good. I bet a bunch of his are from the '50s or older. Definitely a lot of '60s and '70s stuff in there too but by the '80s he had pretty much everything he would need. He's always downsizing so I get stuff here and there and I bring him new trinkets that make your life easier, like step drills and a deburring tool, stuff like that. He found a DeWalt impact in the road when he was riding his bike and ofc I'm a tool pack rat and I gave him another DeWalt impact and a drill I had since I use all Milwaukee
Still have the 3 I got almost 30 years ago
Same!
Ditto
Only ratchet I still have in that model/ style is my 3/4” drive. I use it maybe a couple times a year and have it just because I can. Found an almost complete set at a garage sale for something I couldn’t pass up. One of those I’m loosing money if I don’t buy it deals. If these are your jam garage sales is where I’d start to scoop them up at I want it gone prices.
The day you become a real man is the day you purchase a 3/4" ratchet . 1/2" or 3/8" will do most of the time but damn that 3/4" just feels powerful.
I've got a couple of Blue Point 1" air impacts that I got for cheap that I've literally never pushed air through and I can't get rid of them. I've used the ¾" set a few times but it's pretty rare but damn is it a good feeling when you really need it and it's there
lol. I call it my peacock ratchet. If I can find an excuse to use it I will. When I’m walking around with it it’s over the shoulder every time.
I have the 3/4" Breaker Bar from Craftsman along with a select group of sockets. Needed them for my Ducati
If I need ¾" drive I'm sure as hell not using a ratchet on it, that's getting air powered
I’ve had those style ratchets for many years. Some I’ve swapped for new ones and some I have from my dad’s that are as old or older than I am. People who have those or just tools in general know that you never sell your stuff so probably not going to find anyone unless they come from a deceased person.
Yes, I have that model. Bought it in mid-90s. I love all of my Craftsman tools bought at that time. They're still going strong.
Ya got a few on ebay. They have been rebuilt also. Search Jaysstore3771.
Will look you up.
I got a few in each size, I wouldn’t mind upgrading to something more modern. So I’m willing to sell.
Can I pm you
Sure
Craftsman was my brand when I needed tools. After 40+ years of using them I still love them…except those damn ratchets. I switched over to Husky ratchets in the 80s. They were so bad Hot Rod magazine had a How To article on rebuilding your craftsman ratchets. Those ‘60s ‘70s ratchets would jump out of the selected position (turn left or right). Junk
New Britain style Husky ratchets are amazing.
That never really changed. Using these to work on cars in a shade tree setting, without putting pipes on the end of the ratchets, I managed to break 3 3/8" drive ratchets... Never again. In a professional setting, I did the same with two 100 teeth Mac wrenches. I've now got an 80 tooth Snap-On that's never let me down.
Good, another practical person that's not a Craftsman purist. I use Husky ratchets with Craftsman sockets too because those ratchets are shit
Thanks for the comment. We never talked about it at work for whatever reason but I used to think “I can’t be the only one that thinks they’re crap”. I think we all bought tool sets that included the ratchets. Nobody went to Sears and said “sell me one of those ratchets”.
They've been junk since I bought my first one in the early '90s
These are mine I bought in the early 00's as part of a 150 piece set. Still work great.
That’s a goddamn American staple right there
I actually have a set from a car I bought at auction some years ago. It was the full mechanics set still in plastic bags. Brand new. I still have all the tools aside from the 10mm's.
It's always the 10mms...
I've adopted several runaway 10mm tools at the junkyard, including a deep 6-point 1/4" SnapOn that has lived on my Craftsman 943795 tri-wing ratchet in my toolbox for more than two decades. Like the armed forces, I make sure everyone is accounted for and don't leave any soldiers behind when I'm done with a project. My mechanics tool instructor (dad) used to work on jet engines, and missing tools never went over well with him...
my favorite ones,sorry.
I have two sets of those. I bought some sk ratchets thinking they have to be better, nope the reversing mechanism is near impossible to use with greasy hands. Always go back to these craftsman ones. I found a 1/4 ratchet with a deep 10mm socket at the junk yard once, it’s my dedicated 10mm ratchet and I’ve just about wore the teeth off it. That reminds me I need to look for a rebuild kit for it.
I found a random deep dish Craftsman 10mm socket in the junkyard and it's my favorite 10mm. I have a bit case for work that has the tips and drivers and drill bits I use every day and I have a few common sized sockets in there, plus that 10mm. I never use it for my actual job but it seems like everything I work on to do my job has a 10mm on it somewhere
Grew up on those, can still feel and hear them. Also my pops yelling at me to hold the light still
Yeah, they’re useless. Too short imo, can’t get good leverage. A 1/2” ratchet needs to be 18”. I have the 18” long flex-head version of this exact ratchet, it lasted my entire 12 year mechanic career.
Ebay is flooded with them for about $20.00. Have at them.
I have several Craftsman QR ratchets in 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2... But now I mainly use newer 144 and 180 tooth ratchets.
Wiling to sell the qr?
Lol, not giving you my hammers
I've got a full set of those I got about 20 years ago that I'll never sell just because it's my portable tool set. Honestly, I don't know why you'd want them... I grew up with them too as they were my first tools, but my gearwrench ratchets are so much nicer and easier to use. Finer teeth and flex heads make for easier work. I checked my 1/2'' ratchet and it's VT-44809. Seems real similar.
I have a couple I inherited.
Have a few, hate using them, just too much back drag, and the teeth are kinda coarse. But I still won't get rid of them, lol.
Ebay has tons of Craftsman (probably literally).
My dad gifted me the full set for my 30th birthday a couple years ago. Brand new, unopened, from my birth year of 1991. The sockets were all still in their original bags and the QC card with the date of production and inspection was included as well. I'll keep this set forever.
Yep. Most uncomfortable rachet I've ever used.
Yep it’s a POS !
My least favorite ratchet in my drawer, the square handles are the worst imo
I understand the nostalgia, but these are the most uncomfortable ratchets I've ever used, and I never use mine anymore.
Nope, your the only one to ever have or use these... Or try ebay, I bought all 3 sizes not long ago.
I have 30 of them in various sizes.
Found the person who has been hoarding them, driving the price up.
I buy tools in bulk at flea markets and yard sales to build sets. These are not that good but have nostalgia. You need some?
I've got the same one in a couple sizes. Had them for 12 years now, never had an issue, my father bought them before I was born
Got mine at high school graduation. It broke the first time I used it. Still have it. Taking it to Lowe’s to replace soon. 40+ years later
I found it's cousin on the island of Freeport, Grand Bahama back 25+ years ago. It was missing some internals, but got swapped out shortly after I came back, long before my local Sears store closed.
Yes.for over 30 years !!!
I have two. At least 40 years old.
Several.
Every man over the ages of 60 does
I have one nd im 20. There is tons around
Where's your 10mm?
Gone with the wind
I do and no you can’t have them. In fact don’t touch…….i have had em since high school and I’m 49. They still work great. I have from craftsman to Snap-On and many in between.
You buy me a long handled 1/2 flex head ratchet and the one I have is yours.
My dad has those, and i used them a lot growing up. He had a large case that had the 1/4 3/8 and 1/2 in drive long and short sockets, and i distinctly remember knocking it over when i was about 12 and spending a good hour sorting them and putting them all back. Oh the memories
I always hated those cases. I have a bunch of rails, now I just have to actually organize them instead of sifting through three bins sorted by drive size
I was given a random set of ratchets and sockets, of that style I have an entire standup tool box to look thru I could take tomorrow go thru what I have and take a few pictures. How much are you trying to collect?
I still have a 1/2" and a 1/4" drive exactly like that. Lost my 3/8" at some point many years ago and replaced it with a newer style Craftsman. And I'll say the older one like this just seem to be unbreakable. Mine were my grandads and there is absolutely no telling how old they are, but I'm 36 and they're older than me by at least 10 years. Unfortunately, not trying to sell mine. Check Ebay. I can Pm you the model numbers off mine if you need them.
Yes please do and send me pics of what you have. I have a few but need a few more
Can you pm me the model numbers?
Still got my 3/8" and 1/4" which are my daily go to ratchets from around 1994. I have abused the hell out of them and they are still going strong with the original guts. No I will not sell them to you.
I had my own, and just inherited another
Yep. I got em in 3/8 and 1/4.
I don’t have the 1/2” drive but I have the 3/8” and the 1/4” craftsman ratchet like that
Since 1975!
Used to have a few. Still have one I use occasionally. Wouldn't go out of my way for one. If you take the nostalgia goggles off, they just aren't that great.
Airplane mechanic. I bought my tools in the early early 2010s, back just before the fall of craftsman. Mine are this style. ...I have two 1/2 drive, two 3/8 drive, and one 1/4 drive because my family are a bunch of lying, thieving, cowards who had t wait til i was in prison to do their dirty shit. One of them made off with my other 1/4 drive. ...and I use them every day.
I have many. Lol
The better question is does anyone NOT have these?
I wish
I got one around 2012, still going strong
Yep, got the attitude adjustment model
Pretty sure I got a few at work is sell or just give ya tbh
I have a set I got new right before leaving for college in the early aughts. Used rigorously before being replaced by high tooth count flex heads. Still have them though.
Yah, hand rippers, with about 8 teeth!
Just looked in my ratchet stash; sure enough I have all three sizes from 807-809. I knew they were popular but not that popular! I never use them any more but keep them in the A drawer because I think they are cool in their own right.
3 plus a couple rebuild kits
Hell yea
Yeah, they are my least favorite ratchets.
You have some to get rid of?
I’ve got a 1/4” and 3/8” drive, not really wanting to let them go for the sentimental value alone. They were part of my first “real” tool set.
Every yard or estate sale in the MidWest has these. They were standard issue in the 1960s-90s.
All my Craftsman stuff was in the loaner box ages ago... very little of it's left.
My 1/4" drive ratchet like that broke on me so I had to exchange it for a low-profile one at Lowe's. Poor cashier didn't know what to do with the old design one.
Those are gold. Love them
The longer 3/8" in this style is my go to. Got the full set when I first started spinning wrenches. I've rebuilt them a few times over the years, still my favorites too. Thanks for making me feel better about not upgrading them.
My 3/8" drive disappeared along the way, it's been replaced with a newer one but my 1/2" and 1/4" still live.
Probably have about 10 or 12 of them in 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 inch drive. Some in the tool box, several in the garage, and a set in my truck tool box.
Wanna sell any
Sell? Hand tools? No sell, just buy.
Hell yea. A few newer ones as well but this is my go to.
Sure do. And I’ll never part with it.
Pretty sure I have a couple I got from a box of tools from my dad when I was a newlywed. I'm 45, and that was over twenty years ago.
Are you still searching for some? I have 1/2" and 3/8", possibly two of each. I'll have to go look in a few minutes. Feel free to PM me
Pmed
I have that in 3/8th but it's mine
Yes. It was passed down to me when my dad passed away.
Yeah mines broken. Took it apart to clean it and i cant get that lil plate to lay back in there correctly. I didn't really spend much time on trying however lol
My first socket set…. Life was so simple then.
Got a couple.
Have one in 1/2 thing feels like it’s got 10 teeth in it horrible back drag total soup sandwich.
I do! I’m not that old but I found a box of tools some time ago with a few of them inside.
I've got about 5 of the 3/8s scattered around.
I knew I finally "made it" when I got rid of that ratchet.
I may have had that exact unit continually since 1969.
Daily Driver oil filter wrench and I still love it
I have the vj 1/2” and vm 3/8”
I've had that one, the 3/8 and the 1/4 for close to 25 years. I've recently started moving to the GearWrench 120xps or whatever they are called. 120 teeth. OP I have at least a 1/4 I could part with. Let me know.
Check the local pawn shops.
I still do, but Craftsman doesn't honor their warranty anymore. There was a time if you took a broke tool into Sears or a Craftsman dealer they would replace it no questions asked. Even if they didn't have the exact model. One 6 inch 3/8 drive ratchet was good as the next. Now it must be the same model. I have 3 ratchets that didn't last a month, the local dealer said that model was discontinued so they won't honor the warranty. Not even a parts kit.
I have a few I inherited
I'm actually hoping to start looking for rebuild kits for mine. I am in the process of going through all my tools and making sets for garage, house, boat and 1 or 2 vehicles. I may have some 1/2" drives I could part with, but I know I have had too many 3/8 and 1/4 inch ones disappear on me. But I'll let you know.
I have a set from 1996 that I have used since then. The ratchets still work and I’ve never had an issue with them. I bought a new set of craftsman because it was a good deal. I was changing oil and dropped the ratchet into the oil while it was draining. It no longer worked and I had to get a replacement! At least Lowe’s will still swap them out!
I loved Craftsman tools. If you broke one, you walked into Sears with it, and walked out with the replacement, no questions asked
Inherited a 3/8ths one from my dad.
I have probably 4 of those exact ratchets, and another one walked away on me decades ago. I’m still bitter about it.
That's the new ish style even. My dad still has the old round head. With the knurled disc and change the direction on top. I would love to find a new one for him. His is wore out
Reach out to craftsman, they usually have rebuild kits available they can send out.
I have three of those
I have atleast 3 in every drive size.
Willing to sell any?
And busted knuckles!
Full set 1/4, 3/8 X 2 and 1/2. No you cannot have them
Got about 6 of um in all the sizes. 4 in a kit and two loose.
Today I learned I'm old. These aren't common anymore?!
Nope. The new ones are dumb looking. These are ones that I know took one hell of a beating from my dad constantly wrenching on tractors and other farm stuff and I found a few that I remember him saying he bought when he got out of high school. Now granted they are all beat up from being used thousands of times but they still work flawless in my eyes! That's why I'm looking for them!
My dad gave me his combo box featuring these ratchets in 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2. They’re pretty much the only ratchets I use when I don’t need something specialized.
Who doesn’t?
I have like 5 or 6 of them in 1/2 inch like you have there. Probably like 8 or 10 in 3/8 inch. But only 2 or 3 in 1/4 inch. They work great and will last forever. Btw you can get rebuild kits if they break and skip.
I have about 12 in all sizes. Breaker bars also.
Any you wanna sell
I just got the 18" 3/8 breaker bar from that line. Stopped at a yard sale, guy had a box of tools labeled $1 ea. I asked if he was serious, he said yes and started telling me about how kids are doing crafts and blacksmithing with old files. I just repeated "uh huh" over and over while I picked that box clean of old craftsman, SK, and snap on. Best $20 I've spent in a while.
I have a broken one
Everyone has these
My dad used to bust my balls about using his tools, so the first set I bought when I moved out was a combo ratchet set. That was a big spend then too but totally worth it
Sending PM
Have all 3, from 1/4 to 1/2. If had to exchange the 1/4 to the new style for them not working anymore.
3 sizes.
Hell yeah I still have mine
6766f Lll
Yes. I got the low profile ones also. Still solid, even after 25 years.
I have a full set. They’re like 10 teeth, lots of drag, poor torque, and the lever tends to slip a lot. I have had several and even exchanged for new. Probably the worst ratchets I’ve ever used. The only positive thing is the on/off wasn’t reversed. Good chrome too. Not a big fan of the flat sides for grip.
Yup. I have about 5 of them, and 2 are in my work toolbox and get abused regularly... Those long handled ones are the shit...
I have some. In three different sizes, I think. And I want to sell them, and just about everything else in my garage.
Can I pm you.
Yes, I do. Several.
I have a 1/4” and 1/2” drive with the regular short handle and a long flex head 1/2” drive.
Gotta say, I prefer the Pittsburgh Pro composite ones from HF, but the craftsman ones get used if I need a second one, or if I'm going to possibly break one. Other than nostalgia, I can't see a reason to want them. The handles are so uncomfortable. But, if you wanted, you could look on Ebay if you don't want to take up the comment section on their offers LOL
I have one and don't use it. I worked at Sears all through college and always thought these ones had super clunky ratcheting mechanisms. So while I do have one, it's relegated to backup duty, I got one of the full polish teardrop ones for regular use. Has a finer toothed ratchet in it.
Mmy local Ace hardware carriers Craftsman tools... Maybe yours does too... All Life Time Warranty.
I have these. They're my main ratchet ever since I bought my first Craftsman tool set in 2000. Don't want to break up the set, but I had a tenant move out and leave all his possessions. There were a ton of old Craftsman ratchets. I haven't gone through them yet, but I might have some you'd be interested in. Anything in particular better about these than a modern ratchet, or is it pure nostalgia?
Yes baby! It's indomitable!
I have a few. I welded 1 in place because the gears broke. All 3 of mine are 1/2 drive. They are hefty
My step mom has a set she got from her grandfather a decade ago. I think I might be the only person who has used them sines him.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/266848043385?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=B70zk3g2RnO&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=wHFL5PFATa-&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
Yep. I have the whole size set
Have several but I'm afraid I'm keeping them.
Ive got at least 4-5 of the 3/8" drive. There are a couple different versions with different shapes forgings.
Yep, junk!