Any comments on 3/8" & 1/2" ratchets to buy

   / Any comments on 3/8" & 1/2" ratchets to buy #41  
_RaT_ said:
Thanks, good to know that about Lowes brand stuff. I may have to try a ratchet.

Unfortunantly - its not that way any more. Per my above post the Kobalts are now (the last three years or so) made by the same company that makes Craftsman (Daniher Tool Company in MD). From looking at the newer tools (but never using them) they appear to be much more similar to the Craftsman than the older ones made by "Williams a subsidiary of Snap-On". I think the problem was that people automatically assume the tools from the big box stores are cheaply made and are not willing to pay a little more them (not realizing what a bargain the older Kobalts really were). The older Kobalts were only little more expensive than the price you would get from Sears but no where near what you would pay if you got them from MAC or Snap-On.

Joe
 
   / Any comments on 3/8" & 1/2" ratchets to buy #42  
It's a coarse tooth ratchet, and I just laid it out on the work bench a few minutes ago. I've repaired/rebuilt lots of air ratchets, but almost no experience repairing the manual ones. However, I'm going to take it apart in the near future (maybe even today) and then decide whether it's worth fixing or whether I'm going to trash it.:)
 
   / Any comments on 3/8" & 1/2" ratchets to buy #43  
Bird said:
It's a coarse tooth ratchet, and I just laid it out on the work bench a few minutes ago. I've repaired/rebuilt lots of air ratchets, but almost no experience repairing the manual ones. However, I'm going to take it apart in the near future (maybe even today) and then decide whether it's worth fixing or whether I'm going to trash it.:)
I understand your frustration with this tool. Twenty five years ago I had 2 of them - original and the free replacement. I then traded up to 1/2" paying the difference. I thought Sears had just reached too far in strength considering the long handle they have. The 1/2 started skipping teeth too and I cant remember whether I just gaveup or couldnt find them after that, but it sat retired in my toolbox until I saw them again in Sears several days ago. They had about 10 on the shelf. I sorted them by ratchet feel until I found the "best" one and took my broken ratchet and it to the counter and exchanged it no question. I took it home and put the drive in the milling machine vise and leaned on it hard. There is a little windup as the pawl seats fully, but it heldfirmly both directions without any change in feel of the mechanism. Considering the 16" handle I figure I had 200ft-lb on it. Maybe its a good one - Ill know more next time I need a ratchet with built in cheater bar! Ill try to remember to post findings.

Id say exchange yours. Sort the actions if you have the opportunity - some are notchy and vary feel between direction.
larry
 
   / Any comments on 3/8" & 1/2" ratchets to buy #44  
That's probably a good idea to just see if I can exchange it instead of trying to fix it.
 
   / Any comments on 3/8" & 1/2" ratchets to buy #45  
I have a 25 year old craftsman ratchet that I have used as a hammer and many other things it was not designed for and it still works fine... just looks horrible!

mark
 
   / Any comments on 3/8" & 1/2" ratchets to buy #46  
Bird said:
That's probably a good idea to just see if I can exchange it instead of trying to fix it.

That's just not as much fun as taking it aprt to see the gizmos and do hickies inside :D It really is hard sometimes; take it back or have the fun and adventure of tearing it open...
 
   / Any comments on 3/8" & 1/2" ratchets to buy #47  
RobertN said:
That's just not as much fun as taking it aprt to see the gizmos and do hickies inside :D It really is hard sometimes; take it back or have the fun and adventure of tearing it open...

A man after my own heart, Robert. I figured, even if I was going to try to exchange it, I wanted to see what it was like inside. Hmmm, it was dirtier than I expected, but when I got it all apart, cleaned everything with generous amounts of WD-40 (no parts washer anymore like I had in the country), used the wire wheel on the bench grinder to clean and polish the ratchet pawl, and put it back together with plenty of grease, it works pretty well again. Anyway, I just finished with it.:)
 
   / Any comments on 3/8" & 1/2" ratchets to buy #48  
jwstewar said:
Sears decision not to replace tools must be based on locale or just the store manager or who is working. I've had to have a couple of my ratchets replaced at Sears lately. Walk in hand it to them and they hand you another one, no questions asked. Just did one about 2 weeks ago. You might want to try another Sears store.

I agree. I'm surprised Sears still has that guarantee for their Craftsman tools. 40 years ago my Uncle was breaking their tools with regularity. (It's amazing what you can do with a six foot pipe over the end of a wrench. ;) )
 
   / Any comments on 3/8" & 1/2" ratchets to buy #49  
One of the problems with Sears replacement guarantee is that if the piece is only available as part of a set - many stores won't break up the set to replace the piece. They used to. I guess they just don't want to do it anymore (probably has to do with how return credits are handled with the front office).

Joe
 
   / Any comments on 3/8" & 1/2" ratchets to buy
  • Thread Starter
#50  
I kind of take these life time gurantees with a grain of salt anymore. Its kind of like the rebates you get with some products where you cut the UPC off the box mail it and the rebate form, wait the 8-10 weeks for the rebate and life is good. Well, I avoid the whole rebate deal when I can. The same thing is kind of like the tool gurantee. I can see a tool breaking once, maybe twice in its life time, but I just don't enjoy going to Sears and the likes to return the product. I'm a horrible shopper, there is simply no joy going to the store for me. When a tool breaks, I'm typically covered in grease, irritated and have no desire to run off to get the guaranteed tool replaced. I suppose that is what is at the heart of my post. I want a very good, high quality ratchet set. I think MAC or SnapOn will get the order. I can always give the tools to my kid so he can loose them in the grass and I'll run over it with the lawnmower, much like my Dad did with me. :)
 

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