Craftsman USA Ratchet History: Tear Drop Professional Full Polish Ratchets
2989 29 11
Welcome to the Craftsman USA Ratchet History Project!The fundamental design and patent for these ratchets was done by Easco as they were being acquired by the Danaher Corporation.This video features the USA made Craftsman “Professional” Full Polish Tear Drop Ratchets, which were offered through Sears stores, physical Sears flyers, digital Sears Catalogs, and the sears.com website from 1995 through 2011.All derivatives of this specific ratchet series sport a 36 tooth gear with a 3 tooth engagement per side pawl.These were also made in tandem with the USA and after the final USA production in 2011 in Taiwan. Product numbers for each ratchet:1/2” = 448123/8” = 448131/4” = 448143/8" Extended Length = 448333/8" Flex Stubby = 448343/8" 22 Degree Offset = 448353/8" Flex Ergonomic Grip = 44836Repair kit numbers for each ratchet:1/2” = 434443/8” = 434341/4” = 43424[NOTICE: All special 3/8" variants use the same 43434 kit as the standard 3/8" Full Polish Ratchet][NOTICE: There are USA and Taiwanese versions of these ratchets. Repair kits between these two variants are NOT cross compatible!]If you are interested in exploring the US Patents affiliated with this specific ratchet series please explore the following:61349915178047Appearance of USA Craftsman ratchets from end to beginning:Premium Grade Ratchets [Final USA made Craftsman Ratchets]Thumb Wheel RatchetsWrench Socket SeriesThe Next Generation Thin Profile RatchetsTear Drop Professional Full Polish RatchetsRound Head RatchetsTear Drop Ratchets (4th Gen. Raised Panel)Stainless Steel / Lifetime RatchetsWrist RatchetRound Head Fine Tooth (RHFT) RatchetsQuick Release Ratchets (3rd Gen. Raised Panel)Intermediate Ratchets (2nd & 3rd Gen. Raised Panel Hybrid)Long Lever & Butterfly Ratchets (2nd Gen. Raised Panel)1/2” Breaker Bar Ratchet AdapterBoxhead Ratchet Wrenches (1st Gen. Raised Panel)Circle U RatchetsBM / Circle K RatchetsBE & Circle H Ratchets (Multiple varieties)BT RatchetCraftsman Vanadium RatchetsC-XX Ratchets [1st USA made Craftsman Ratchets]Introductory questions that I sought knowledge on, regarding Craftsman Ratchets:1) When was X ratchet 1st introduced & discontinued, if applicable?2) What was the ratchet called by Sears? (i.e. special name/feature other than ratchet)3) Does the tool have a nickname from the professional/DIY community?4) How much did each ratchet size cost when it came out?5) Did a particular ratchet set have all sizes known today? (1/4", 3/8", 1/2", 3/4” [any or all?])6) Where there variants vs. the standard sizes? (i.e. special color/plating, flex heads, etc.)
The powdered metal pawls have been used in Craftsman ratchets since the late 60s with their introductions of the RHFT. Powdered metal is actually longer wearing than the forged/machined version and is found in high end ratchets like Snap-On's Dual 80 series ratchet pawls.
In late 1999, Danaher redesigned the pawl to facilitate lower drag. Unfortunately, this new pawl also led to easier "freewheeling" and poor tooth engagement, especially on the 1/4" and 3/8" variants. With poor engagement, the gear would strip teeth and pawls would chip.
So in short, it wasn't the material, it was the pawl design.
The plastic reversing levers were also introduced in mid to late 1999. The plastic is a strong blend of fibers and High-density polyethylene. These almost hardly fail, and are probably less brittle than the zinc levers they replaced.