ratchet Wrench Repair

[sign216]

I've got an old Craftsman (made in USA!) 1/2" wrench.  Action is sluggish, so I took it apart to replace the internals w a repair kit.
But...the kits are ... uncertain.  Lots of sizes/diff models, and not sure if they'll fit, and a little pricey too.  It looks like if I repair the ball bearing and clean things up on the orig wrench, it might be okay.

What's the board's experience?  Do these repair kits "make it like new" or are the kits a crapshoot?

Joe

[RinkRat II]

 As long as all the wear parts are replaced it will work as new. They used to give you a repair kit instead of handing you a new wratchet but they quit doing that in the 80's. Ace hardware carries Craftsman and will hand you a new wratchet if you want to go that route. Still lifetime warranty on their hand tools.

        Paul B

[larrys]

If the teeth aren't too torn up, you may get by with a clean-up and lube. Have had limited success filing and stoning the teeth. I would wouldn't trade it in on a new one, they're hecho en China junk.
Larry

[Perazzimx14]

Why buy tools with a warranty if you not going to use it?

 

 

[sign216]

Why buy tools with a warranty if you not going to use it?

Trading in a vintage, genuine made-in-USA wrench for a Chinese replacement is no warranty.
It's better to repair it, and keep it as is.  Blemishes, dings, and all.

You know that, I'm just reminding you of it.

[Perazzimx14]

Trading in a vintage, genuine made-in-USA wrench for a Chinese replacement is no warranty.
It's better to repair it, and keep it as is.  Blemishes, dings, and all.

You know that, I'm just reminding you of it.

Is a broken made in the USA ratched as good as a marginal quality operational made in guadalawhothehellca res ratchet?

Heck I have some "no name" rachets that feel better than 80's and 90's era Craftsman.

[lucian]

Joe, you gotta stop putting 3' pipe handles on those and use your 1/2" breaker bar.   

[sign216]

Joe, you gotta stop putting 3' pipe handles on those and use your 1/2" breaker bar.   

Dave,

When I was a kid, I returned a wrench to a store for breaking.  It must have been Sears because I couldn't afford anything better, and the
salesman actually accused me of damaging the wrench by using a breaker-bar. 

First time I've ever recounted that story.

He still made good on the guarantee.   And I never used the breaker bar.
Joe

[Bob Wegman]

Maybe the lifetime warranty applies to the expected lifetime of the ratchet and not a human life.  Time to spring for a new one.

[Chuck in Indiana]

All you have to do is look at a 50s Craftsman combination wrench compared to a new one. I have 3 or 4 of Dorcia's dad's old Craftsman wrenches. Forged, delicate, Snap on or Matco quality. I'd as soon have a HF special as the clunky made to pass warranty design of the new ones. Fix your old stuff, if that is any indication at all..

[Markcarovilli]

What Chuck said....

I turned in my old 3/8 drive Craftsman ratchet and wish I hadn’t.  No comparison with the old  - still have the 1/2 inch.

Mark

[John Ulrich]

I'm liking the 84 tooth slim head Craftsman's.  I received my second 1/4" off Ebay today.  I now have 3/8" & 1/4" at both locations.  One is marked USA and the other is an import.

[lucian]

I'm with you Joe on repairing the old one, they offered lifetime warranties on a lot of products back then as a reflection of there confidence in the quality of their product. Now a lifetime warranty generally has less to do with the product quality and more to do with customer acquisition costs .

[larrys]

All you have to do is look at a 50s Craftsman combination wrench compared to a new one. I have 3 or 4 of Dorcia's dad's old Craftsman wrenches. Forged, delicate, Snap on or Matco quality. I'd as soon have a HF special as the clunky made to pass warranty design of the new ones. Fix your old stuff, if that is any indication at all..

I've collected a bunch of the old nickel plated Craftsman ratchets and sockets. Not just to have, but to use. My 1/2" drive stuff was Dad's. Top quality stuff. When visiting tag sales, estate sales and the like, old tools and fishing tackle are primary targets.
Larry

[sign216]

Based on everyone's responses (except for you, Perazzimx) I'm going to clean up the orig. internals, replace the ball bearing, and try it out.
NOS rebuild kits are really expensive, so I'm trying to avoid that. 
They are just as much $ as an old wrench, which makes no sense.

Joe

[John A]

Try getting to the top nut on the N2 governor half way up a ladder, doing a circus act and finally getting your 5/16 open-end Craftsman on it only to have it stretch.  sure they exchange it but it only stretches again.  Same experience with the bigger size open end wrenches where you cant a box end on it. just sayin

[harry h]

I found this set on Craigslist and couldn't pass it up for $500.  Unopened 1400 pieces. I have had a chance to use a lot of the tools and think the fit and finish is above average to very good except for the small wenches in the bag, they are crap.  The 84 tooth ratchets are of very good quality.  Photos were for organizers I needed to order, several drawers missing.  Never organized my tools before...

[sign216]

Update:  I cleaned the wrench's internal parts, removed some rust w naval jelly, and replaced the ball bearing.  Lubed, and the wrench works great now.

The ball bearing was pretty beat up, and I think replacing that was the biggest improvement.

Joe