I spotted two new Craftsman swivel-head ratchets over at Amazon. Long-time readers might know that I have a soft spot for swivel-head ratchets, finding them to be quite versatile in a wide range of applications.
The new Craftsman swivel-head ratchets feature 72T gearing and are available in 1/4″ and 3/8″ drive sizes. Both ratchets have full-polish finishes.
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They’re currently out of stock but can still be ordered.
1/4″ ratchet: CMMT99421
3/8″ ratchet: CMMT99422
Price: $30 for 1/4″, $35 for 3/8″
Buy Now(1/4″ via Amazon)
Buy Now(3/8″ via Amazon)
Discussion & Alternate Options
Gearwrench was my first swivel-ratchet, and I’ve posted about them before, with the first mention being 10 years ago. I still use my Gearwrench swivel-head ratchets, although my Wera Zyklop locking swivel-head ratchets see quite a bit more use.
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The Gearwrench 2-ratchet set is currently $40, which saves you a bit of money compared to buying both Craftsman ratchets separately. Or, if you just want one size, I think that Tekton’s are safe buys.
Buy Now(Gearwrench Roto Ratchet Set via Amazon)
See Also(Tekton 3/8″ Swivel Ratchet via Amazon)
WHY buy a swivel-head ratchet? Well, you could use them as flex-head ratchets, or at least non-locking flex-head ratchets, although most do allow for friction adjustments. Swivel-head ratchets can be used at intermediate angles, allowing them to reach fasteners in tight spaces or over obstructions.
My favorite way to use swivel-head ratchets is with sockets and bit sockets as a spinner. I adjust the ratchets so they’re inline, space permitting, and use them in a screwdriver-like fashion to quickly drive or remove loose fasteners. The ratchets can swing to 90° mode, or a close-enough angle, and be used for final tightening or initial loosening. In this type of use, swivel-head ratchets can be faster than traditional ratchets, at least without having to reach for more tools or spin sockets and bit sockets by hand.
The Craftsman design looks reasonably good. I can’t comment further without trying it out firsthand, but there’s nothing that would stop me from buying one as my first swivel-head ratchet unless I wanted one with a cushion grip.
The price is cause for hesitation though. Why buy the two sizes of ratchets for a total of $65 when Gearwrench’s 2pc set is $40? Tektnon has a 3pc set (1/4″, 3/8″, 1/2″) for $65, or you can buy 1/4″ and 3/8″ sizes for a total of ~$49. It’s possible that Craftsman will come out with a money-saving 2pc set, or the prices on individual ratchets could be flexible and subject to change, perhaps with seasonal promos.
There’s also the possibility that the Craftsman ratchets are better tools, but Gearwrecnch is a good mid-priced brand, and Tekton has greatly improved their reputation in recent years.
These new Craftsman ratchets will serve the needs of customers wanting a swivel-head ratchet with full-polish finish and no comfort handle. But if that’s not a priority to you, you can get similar functionality at lower pricing from other well-known mechanics tool brands.
Joe
First 😉
Oops, I meant to say that I’d rather use the Craftsman version that’s all metal, then the ones with plastic over the handle.
Wayne R.
I agree. Part of acquiring tools can be the heritage/heirloom aspect, and full-polish tools are easier to return to a pristine appearance if you like, especially in wrenches.
But if I used them day in, day out, I might have a different attitude.
Flotsam
These look nice. I have a VIM version of this Roto Ratchet. I like that one because you can lock in an angle that the head is at. I paid a comparable price for that one.
Jerry
I have the same one and really like the locking feature.
Gary
So this design is not currently offered by DeWalt.
SBD now has two mechanics tool brands sitting between Proto/Blackhawk and Stanley, with seemingly no rhyme or reason as to which brand will carry which tool.
Stuart
Well, apparently they did but Dewalt says they’re discontinued. 1/4″ was DWMT81099, 3/8″ was DWMT81153.
It looks like these ratchets were in Dewalt’s Fall 2018 full-line catalog, but I can’t find any online product listings for them aside from Dewalt.com “sorry this product is discontinued” notices.
Gary
I did not know that about the DeWalt swivel-heads … thanks!
So DeWalt has discontinued the swivel-head ratchets, ASD combo wrenches, and its USA-made (Duratek-ish) screwdrivers … is the writing on the wall for the future of DeWalt mechanics tools?
David Zeller
Since some brands are exclusive to some channels (vendors), I would expect there to be some overlap, or else the different vendors would be left with gaps.
I’m also not sure why SBD can’t have multiple offerings in the same range. Several people comment about whether it “makes sense,” but I’m not sure it has to for us. It could be as simple as crowding out competitors, leveraging scale of manufacturing, or leveraging brand loyalties.
Does any of that make sense?
Joshua Latham
I have an old 3/8 SK swivel head ratchet with a longer handle. I LOVE that ratchet! I will have to take a look at these craftsman ones.
Julian Tracy
The handles of these look overly large kindof like the earlier combination wrenches that folks took to referring as lobster claw wrenches.
The overbuilt nature of those I assume was due to basically using cheaper steel and adding material to make them strong enough.
But considering the harbor freight versions are about $17-22 each and very nicely finished with a bullet proof warranty and made in Taiwan, not sure why anyone would buy anything made by Craftsman these days. There’s just no good reason anymore.
Cheap ass tools, lots of gimmicks, garish packaging and a confusing retail operation.
If you have a problem or defective tool – is Ace hardware going to replace? Sears, Lowe’s, Target? I’d bet you’ll get some hassle at one or all of them.
Jim Felt
Stuart. Do we know where exactly these are made? COO?
And truly what and where will any so called “Craftsman” Life Time be honored? Obviously, Amazon won’t.
And with Lowe’s just today announcing thousands of local store layoffs will they even exist in a few years?
fred
Lowes is still predicting EPS of over $5.50 – but was hoping for over $6 – hence the store closings and layoffs. That said, their financials still look OK -but what would be troubling to me is how far off they were in their predictions of first quarter earnings. That probably says that management did not have a great handle on things. Sales promotions can be good – but you can’t make up poor margins by increasing volume. Quite the reverse is often true if you run lots of loss-leaders that do not generate increased sales on higher margin items. Laying off folks (looks like less than 1% of the workforce) who may be a drag on the bottom line – and closing underperforming stores may help – but it also sounds like they need to get a better handle on sales revenue versus costs.
Stuart
Digging deeper, there’s a YouTube video that says they’re made in Taiwan. If they were made in the USA, online product marketing would definitely mention it.
Here’s the latest on the warranty: https://toolguyd.com/craftsman-hand-tools-warranty-information-update/
Craftsman’s website says:
Should you have a product that requires repair or replacement under warranty, simply return the product to the original place of purchase for repair or replacement. If you have questions or concerns, call us.
Amazon HAS had special return policies for different brands before, but there’s no telling yet how things will work with Craftsman tools.
Chris
I don’t know if this link will work, but if you like swivel head ratchets, you may want to check out this deal on the WERA’s.
https://slickdeals.net/f/13278310-50-off-select-wera-tools-wera-zyklop-8000b-3-8-drive-ratchet-43-wera-16-piece-interchangeable-1000v-vde-screwdriver-set-41-50-more-amazon-germany
Brian A
Way overpriced, unless they are going to be always on sale.
I feel like SBD is just trying to milk older Craftsman fans into buying all the “new” offerings, but in a few years the brand will be dying like Harley Davidson. You cant survive focusing on one customer demographic.
What they could of done is something like the C8 Vette, do something wildly different looking to attract new buyers to the brand at a value price.
While it looks like a nice ratchet, the price for an educated buyer is going to scare them away.
Matt
It doesn’t have to die. Stanley needs to get on the ball though. This is a great tool but I still can’t bring myself to buy a Craftsman hand tool of any kind that doesn’t say Made in USA. I refused to do it from Sears (like many) and Stanley is no different. I know better things are to come when the Texas factory is up and running. Yet I can’t for the life of me understand why they didn’t tap into their Proto operations for a few things at launch. Like the iconic Craftsman wrench..
I do know the Lowe’s here is handling Craftsman warranties just like Sears did so that’s a plus. I had a friend buy a new ratchet that was faulty and they replaced it no hassles. They also replaced a couple of broken Chinese sockets that were purchased at Sears. If Stanley is serious about pushing Craftsman up the ladder for mechanics, I really hope they get some unique high quality USA brushless impacts coming soon. Milwaukee gets more tempting each day.
I agree on the C8! Although, I think everyone is pleased. The younger generation no doubt but the older generation equally. I know guys in our local Corvette club and at least 10 that I’m aware of have already put down the required deposit. My understanding is they’re are sold out for 1 build year at the moment. Guys there from 40-80 years old have been waiting on the mid engine to become a reality for decades. It was Zora’s dream after all. 🙂
chad w
How is $35 a scary price for anyone? The good ones are at least $70, the cheaper ones (tekton, hf) are rough as hell, the gw/crescents suck so bad.. this ratchet is one of the few current cman offerings worth it.
Allen
I got the Wera swivel ratchet based on a recommendation here. Very good tool.
jason gloekler
My wife bought me the 3/8″ one in the picture. Its really nice and balanced well. Issue is its to loose for me and to keep proper torque on it at certain angles is a real challenge.
Stuart
If there’s a set screw, and it looks like there is, you can probably tighten it to adjust swivel head friction. That won’t lock it in place, but might make it a little tighter.
Michael Papero
Been using my Hf swivel heads ( all three – 1/4, 3/8, 1/2) for about ten years now.
My first two 1/2 came apart after rebuilding two Ford explorer motors – abused the heck out of them. Took them back to HF for replacement. Absolutely no hassle!
The store manager just asked me what I was using them for and how long they lasted.
Koko The Talking Ape
I notice that these wrenches have a split head, or more precisely, a split or forked bracket that holds the swivel head. The split extends a good distance down the shaft. I suppose it allows the bracket to spread to allow the head with its two pivot ears or lugs to be installed. Then there is what looks like a split pin that bridges the fork.
I wonder why they do this, instead of using two short shafts that are installed in a solid bracket, and protrude into a swiveling head.
And is there any loss in strength or durability?
Stuart
My feeling is that if the split were not as long there would be greater stress if you tighten the swivel friction just a little bit. Maybe it helps with assembly too?
The Wera Zyklop Speed has fasteners on both sides of its swivel pivot, and a locking mechanism, and so it doesn’t need a long split shaft. But for the other swivel-head ratchets I’ve seen, that split and the pivot components are basically a screw-tightened clamp.
Is there a better way? I don’t know. Wera’s Zyklop Speed confirms there is a better way, but their ratchet is also shorter and the locking mechanism has its pros and cons.
As for reduced strength, most if not all mechanics tools must be sufficiently strong to meet or exceed ASME performance specs. I would be surprised if SBD and Craftsman released any tools that failed to meet strength standards.
My swivel-head ratchets are shorter than my flex-head ratchets, which is why I keep both in my tool box.
Looking online (sorry, it’s too late to take a measuring tape to my ratchet drawer), Gearwrench’s 3/8″ swivel-head ratchet is 9.84″ long. Their 3/8″ 120XP ratchet is 8.38″ long, and their standard 3/8″ drive ratchet is 8.39″ long. Their 3/8″ cushion grip ratchet is 9″ long. The 3/8″ 120XP flex head ratchet measures 11.47″ long and their standard cushion grip flex-head ratchet is 13″ long.
chad w
Its the easiest and cheapest way to assemble the head and shaft. And it allows the user to tighten/loosen tension on the head.
Toolfreak
I had the Gearwrench set but got rid of them since they didn’t work as well as a flex head ratchet, at least for automotive and general home/construction/jobsite use. I also read about the plastic covers popping off, the pawls getting messed up with no way to fix, and the plastic handles getting gummy or falling apart.
As for the Craftsman stuff, I don’t really care for ANY of the SBD ratchets, much less these swivel-head copies of the Apex/Gearwrench design. I’ve seen and handled the stuff at Lowe’s and these just scream low quality, even though they are big and heavy. The chrome is shiny and sure, the beveled squarish handle is more comfortable than the raised panel design, but these do not strike me as something I’d consider buying, even in a pinch for half the shelf price.
It’s been suggested on other posts that perhaps SBD is offering these Taiwan ratchets as a placeholder for the new USA-made stuff, hence the high price despite the quality. That seems about right, and maybe the USA-made design is pretty close to these Taiwan versions too, or at least the handle is even if the ratchet heads are ultimately different.
The What?
At this point I don’t think it really matters if craftsman is made in Taiwan or Texas. Sbd shouldn’t have released any craftsman tools until the Texas plant was ready for production. Bottom line. They really fkd up when they released all made in China tools after they made the pledge that craftsman was coming back to the US. They chose to go about reestablishing the brand in the worst possible way by not having
one single USA made tool when they launched the brand under their ownership and announced that Lowes will be selling their products. Nothing has changed between sbd owning craftsman and Sears owning craftsman. I can understand the half assed place holding for the power tools, but there’s no reason why they didn’t hold off on mechanics tools until they were ready to follow through on what they said. I think because of that it has ultimately effected Lowes in a bad way.
Nathan
so you answered the COO question I was going to put out.
But are these going to be part of the SBD craftsman line up – and IE coming to a lowes near me. Or are they part of the “other ran” craftsman line up.
Handle looks a bit like the Lowes/SBD ratchets – and interestingly they have a higher tooth count. also they seem to run fairly smooth the ones I’ve picked up.
Meanwhile interesting find.
Stuart
These are SBD products.
Jared
I really like swivel ratchets. I bought the 1/4″ and 3/8″ Husky versions awhile ago to try out without breaking the bank – they’ve become my most-used ratchets since. Considering how much I’ve used them, I think an upgrade might be in order soon. Not in a rush though since the Husky ones haven’t had any issues. I tightened up the tension screws on both, but I think I might like to try a locking one like the Wera next. I would really like to add a 1/2″.
These Craftsman ones have a good-looking design, but I really like the cushion handle on mine. I’d prefer to see that on the Craftsman too.
Also, has no one come out with a swivel-head bit ratchet? I haven’t seen one – but I’d sure like to!
Stuart
I use 1/4″ swivel ratchets with bit adapters. If the ratchet were any smaller, inline torque delivery would be greatly diminished.
Jared
Just FYI, I discovered a swivel-head bit ratchet today from Titan. Model number 11317. Since I asked for it, I think I’m obliged to buy it.
You were right by the way – the Titan bit ratchet is obviously based off the 1/4″ square drive model (11316). Probably not a huge advantage to just using a good bit socket on the standard ratchet. I hope for a slightly lower profile though, since it’s all one piece.
Jared
Apparently there are Snap-on and Carlisle versions now too!
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=422347
Personally I like the look of the Titan better because it appears to be much smaller – closer to what I imagined a swivel-head bit ratchet would look like. I wouldn’t think a bit ratchet would need to be as strong as a 1/4″ square-drive ratchet but the Snap-on and Carlisle just look like their existing ratchets with bit holders permanently attached.
Stuart
I’m surprised, but I agree – the Titan does look better, whereas the Snap-on and Carlyle look as you described – seemingly standard 1/4″-sized heads with bit holders instead of square anvils.
$23 and change seems quite fair, too. Hopefully it’s decent quality.
Looking deeper, Titan also makes a swivel head “micro” ratchet that the bit driver is based on.
Jared
I’m hopeful it will be good. 90-teeth in a micro ratchet head seems like a feat – and it has an aluminum handle – but again, I don’t think this needs to have the same strength a socket-turning ratchet would.
Because the handle appears to be pretty skinny, I think the concern you raised about having enough torque when using it in-line is valid (the knurling looks like it might help though). Since it’s for turning screws, backdrag could also be an issue. Still, I’m hopeful.
Jared
I’ve done that too, but I just thought it could be made was smaller than my 1/4″ ratchet if it was a bit holder only.
I’m envisioning something like the ratcheting box end of my current bit ratchets, but captured between the forks of a swivel-head handle. That way the bit holding end would be a lot skinnier than a regular round-head ratchet. I suppose that’s not that different than a flex-head bit ratchet… maybe I just answered my own question. Still swivel head style would put the bit holder right in-line with the handle. That would be nice.
I understand your point though that you couldn’t apply near as much torque in the in-line position because the handle diameter would be small. No good for wood screws were you need moderate torque the whole way down – but maybe for machine screws where there’s lots of spinning before you cinch it down at the end.
Jim
Looks really close to the S-K 3870 ratchet I purchased in the mid 1970;s.