Craftsman 3/8 flex head ratchet

[johnachak]

I needed a 3/8 flex head ratchet for changing a couple of hard to reach spark plugs. (Nothing heavy). I've been shopping around and they are pretty expensive. I have mostly USA made Craftsman, SK and SNAP on ratchets and sockets. I figured for just a few uses, the Craftsman would be fine even though it was marked; "Made in China". I feel so dirty... Just to get even, I went and bought two USA made screwdrivers which I know Ill use a lot. I am having remorse over having a Chinese tool in my tool chest. Is it just me?

 

[Doog]

Next time don't break the prozac in half....

 

[Chris142]

A-Zone sells a Snap-On copy. Made in Taiwan. Very high quality for the price. The newer Craftsman stuff is not well liked.

There are great imported tools. You just have to know what to get. The plastic ratchets that Harbor Freight sells are great! Very smooth and don't spark when you hit a battery with one. The HF Earthquake impacts are great too.

Ck out A-zone #73-871 for the good ratchet.

 

[GumbyJarvis]

Ive bought a Taiwan NAPA Metric Wrench set a few years ago at a thrift store, theyre not bad

 

[jsnyder49090]

I buy a lot of the craftsman pro line tools and find them comparable to the mid grade snap on or mac tools.Some of the air tools are made in japan where most of snap on and macs are made in Taiwan.

 

[JHZR2]

Sorry to hear that. Yeah, it stinks that Craftsman has gone to the dark side. I am liking what Ive been getting from McMaster-Carr, so would consider using them for a good priced, US made item.

 

[johnachak]

Yeah, I saw the Taiwan stuff too. I figured, just for spark plugs (seriously low torque) use, Taiwan, China, wherever, wouldn't make a difference. Chinese was $20, Taiwanese was $30, USA was $100+. How much difference would the 2 Chinese/Taiwan, whatever, ones be? If I need torque, I have American made ratchets and breaker bars to keep my knuckles intact. I was really tempted to get a $69 +shipping SK I found on the web but I just couldn't justify it. I'm still kicking myself in the butt though.

 

[sciphi]

Taiwan has Little League teams and buys lots of stuff made in the States. Reason enough to pick Made in Taiwan over Made in China.

I still will pick Made in USA over either, though.

HF is sourcing more of their stuff from Taiwan and other non-China countries these days. Too bad about Craftsman, as that was about the one reason I went into Sears anymore.

 

[tommygunn]

Don't worry, most of the American tools in there are probably Chinese too.

 

[Chris142]

another great imported tool are the made in taiwan flat black impact sockets. stay away from the black shiny ones from china. the Taiwan ones are as good as the name brand ones.

 

[tinmanSC]

Originally Posted By: Doog
Next time don't break the prozac in half....

 

[SIXSPEED]

I've set my sights on the Armstrong Maxx Locking Flexhead ratchet handles. Still made in the USA.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41cWJGOtMUL._AA1118_.jpg

 

[stephen9666]

Sixspeed beat me to it. The Armstrong Maxx locking flex ratchets destroy anything else in the price range.

I'll never go back to a non-locking flex. I hate it when a ratchet flexes when you don't want it to. You can use the ratchet locked or unlocked, so it can be used like a standard flex ratchet.

They're pricier than Craftsman, but they're made in the USA and you're getting somethign very, very close to the Matco locking flex that costs at least twice as much.

Here's a review with pics:
http://toolguyd.com/armstrong-maxx-locking-flex-head-ratchet-review/#comment-115781

It's $56 + shipping at Harry Epstein, one of the best tools stores ever.
http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/Ratchets/11-994.html

 

[ag_ghost]

Were you able to meet your objectives with the tool?

 

[demarpaint]

Shame Craftsman is being made in China. I have two of their American made flex head ratchets 3/8 and 1/2 inch both US made.

 

[NHGUY]

Sears Craftsman line and NAPAs "New Britian" line were KD tools sourced.KD no longer makes ratchets,sockets,screwdrivers...etc,so these customers had to shop elsewhere.Near the end,KD was making things like screwdrivers and pliers in Taiwan anyway,so they had gone to heck....seemingly when Danaher bought them out.

 

[Trav]

Napa's new line is all made in Taiwan is read. Much better than Chinese.

 

[Kruse]

Originally Posted By: johnachak
I needed a 3/8 flex head ratchet for changing a couple of hard to reach spark plugs. (Nothing heavy).


If the guilt is still bothering you, perhaps you could shop at a pawn shop and find an American made ratchet. Sometimes you can find some good ones at a reasonable price.

 

[stephen9666]

Originally Posted By: NHGUY
Sears Craftsman line and NAPAs "New Britian" line were KD tools sourced. KD no longer makes ratchets,sockets,screwdrivers...etc,so these customers had to shop elsewhere


NAPA's New Britain line was made by the now-defunct tool company New Britain.

http://home.comcast.net/~alloy-artifacts/newbritain-nonebetter.html

KD is owned by Apex Tool Group, made up of Danaher's and Cooper Tool's tool division, which were merged into the new company.

You're right that KD hand tools have pretty much been discontinued and replaced with imported GearWrench brand tools. But, Apex Tools still appears to make the USA made tools that were sold under KD, Allen and other brands. You can find them under the Mendard's Masterforce brand and with a few minor differences as Craftsman tools.

 

[VicVinegar]

It is tough. I am currently trying to find that happy medium where I can buy American made but not break the bank. Theoretically with hand tools, you may never need to buy them again if they are quality, especially if you are just a weekend DIY'er.