Craftsman recently launched new 72T Low-Profile ratchets that have a thinner head depth compared to their standard ratchets.
The new 1/4″ and 3/8″ ratchets are up to 25% thinner*, and the 1/2″ ratchet is up to 10% thinner.*
All three new Craftsman ratchets have 72T gearing for a 5° minimal swing arc.
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- 1/4″ low-profile ratchet (CMMT86721)
- 3/8″ low-profile ratchet (CMMT86722)
- 1/2″ low-profile ratchet (CMMT86723)
Craftsman – a ToolGuyd sponsor – sent over a couple of sets for review consideration. I liked them, and purchased a 256pc set on the spot when I first saw it at Lowe’s over the holiday season.
Compared to the Craftsman Overdrive ratchets, the new Low-Profile have a thinner head depth and also have shorter handles.
Despite the thinner head, the quick release and direction selection switches are comfortable to toggle.
One of the sets Craftsman sent over is a 61pc mechanics tool set, with 3/8″ ratchet, a mix of shallow and deep sockets, and a couple of added accessories.
I found this to be a well-equipped “grab and go” type of minimal tool kit that can handle many around-the-home maintenance or assembly tasks.
Craftsman also sent a 159pc mechanics tool set with 1/4″, 3/8″, and 1/2″ ratchets, sockets, accessories, and wrenches.
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This is a classic type of “one stop shop” set.
I also went out and bought this Craftsman Low-Profile 256pc mechanics tool set with 2-drawer tool box for $99 at Lowe’s.
Or rather, I saw this set at Lowe’s and couldn’t pass it up.
The bottom drawer comes with 3/8″ and 1/2″ ratchets, a mix of 6pt and 12pt shallow and deep sockets, a single extension, and a couple of wrenches.
The top drawer comes with a 1/4″ ratchet and sockets, screwdriver spinner handle, extension, and hex keys, nut drivers, and a couple of dozen screwdriver bits.
The 256pc set comes with 3 ratchets, 65 standard sockets, 21 deep sockets, 28 long arm hex keys, 16 short hex keys, 12 nut driver bits, 8 combination wrenches, 2 extensions, 1 spark plug socket, 1 bit driver, and 99 insert bits.
The 256pc set has fewer deep sockets than the 159pc set, but also a lower price. I also found the 2-drawer case appealing.
I mainly bought it as a portable home kit, so I can bring just one box with me for mixed projects rather than armfuls of tools, but the form factor works just as well on the road.
I’m finding that there’s always something to install, repair, or assemble when visiting friends and family. I like to think that I’ve done a great job of buying everyone screwdrivers and pliers, but not socket sets yet. I bought everyone hex keys last year after we couldn’t find one to fix a wobbly dining room table leg. Maybe I’ll leave this set on my next visit and pick up another.
I feel that the low-profile ratchets are an instant upgrade over Craftsman’s standard ratchets.
They’re a good complement to the new Craftsman Overdrive ratchets I have also been testing. The Overdrive ratchets have finer gearing, but the low-profile ratchets are thinner and also shorter.
The new ratchets are available individually.
They are also included in several new sets.
*1/4″ CMMT86721 and 3/8″ CMMT86722 ratchets are up to 25% thinner compared to CMMT81747 and CMMT81748. 1/2″ drive ratchet CMMT86723 is up to 10% thinner head for access in tight spaces as compared to CMMT81749.
Badger12345
The low profile ratchet head is really attractive! Some jobs, like changing spark plugs on a Subaru 6 cyl boxer engine, require a very thin ratchet head due to the small between between the cylinder head and the body frame. Probably the best thin ratchet on the market is one from Snap On, but it costs way too much for a home wrench turner. Maybe this one will work instead at much lower cost. Nice.
Jared
That’s a big difference! I assume the Overdrive ratchet is a dual-pawl design though? Not really apples to apples in that case. Nevertheless, 72 teeth is plenty for standard-length ratchets in my opinion, so I would probably prefer the new one for the clearance advantage.
Joe E.
I’ll have to check those out!
I do wish Craftsman would make a comprehensive mechanics tool set in a blow mold case with no skipped socket sizes and wrenches ranging from 7mm-19mm and 1/4″ – 3/4″. Throw in an assortment of extension bars. More useful tools and less filler like keys and bits to drive up the count.
That would be a real mechanics tool set. The stuff they over today is underwhelming.
eddie sky
I Like! Would consider the 256 piece to keep in truck/SUV. Wish they could offer an extra/spare 10mm socket. 😉
I’ll be a Lowes tomorrow, getting more “ice melt” and might pickup the $99 159pc set! Thanks Stuart!
eddiesky
Yeah, not happening. Not in stock, is $199, and have to sign up online for notice. And what was at my Lowes… more like $257 and not the new ratchets.
Oh well. Maybe next sale…
BTW, lowes associate was really cool. I was looking for ice melt in 50lb bags and the front of store was emptied of it all! This guy told me to get the 7300 stuff, which is from last year but there are half a pallet left, tucked away in an area… How bout that!
Got home with two bags, all ready for tonite 1-4″ prediction and … I had found I had TWO bags tucked away in my garage. Eh… not like I not gonna need it!
Stuart
It’s still available in my region, and at the $99 price.
If it sold out at your Lowe’s, try selecting a different store online. Lowe’s will sometimes revert a product to its regular price if it sells out a store. Other times their pricing can change according to zip code.
I hope you have a warm night!
Andrew
I swear I got these same ratchets years ago in something like a 300 piece kit. Use the kit every week. Great kit and love the ratchets. My neighbor bought the same kit a few months later and it was totally different. Different tools and the ratchets were not slim.
Bill
Wow, have an old set of Craftsman ratchets totally disorganized in drawer of my rolling tool cabinet. Made in USA so hate to replace them. Any chance at all that some of this is made here?
Joe E.
Taiwan and China on these sets.
Craftsman raised panel wrenches are now made in India.
Stuart
No, but if If USA-made is a high priority for you, I can very heartily recommend Proto.
(Proto is part of Stanley Black & Decker, a ToolGuyd sponsor.)
If you have older Craftsman ratchets, there’s no need to replace them unless they break. Even then, rebuild kits might be available.
I ordered a couple more Proto ratchets to fill in some sizes for specialty needs, and they’re top-notch. I sometimes replace stop-gap purchases I made a while ago, but other purchases and upgrades fit within my existing tools.
Organize your current tools and then determine what you might need/want.
For example, I bought Proto ratchets quite a few years ago, and they’re coarse-toothed compared to today’s standards, but I’m never getting rid of them. The strength and also handle shape come in handy at times.
I still have older Craftsman low-profile ratchets as well – I believe an 80th anniversary set – and I’m never parting with them.
TC
What’s old is new again.
In the Sears days, Thin Profile Ratchets were the best of the bunch – originals were made in US and had 60 tooth mechanism – so they were considerably thinner than the raised panel ratchet, had more teeth, and a nice polished finish. Those are still my most used and favorite Craftsman ratchets.
When the offshore tools began, the thin profile ratchets remained high quality and received an 84 tooth mechanism.
Thanks for the review; the sets and tools look like winners.
Jonathan
I wish they made more stuff in the “gunmetal chrome” color
Philip+Proctor
The problem with Craftsman is how do you warranty it? Lowes will only swap out the exact model. Maybe that’s why they’re coming out with so many types of ratchets. Break it and you’re SOL.
TC
No, you call SBD/Craftsman and they send you another.
Nathan
Question if you have them in hand, how much wobble and back drive lash is in the new ratchet?
I took think 72 tooth is plenty with 90 being slightly better but only if it is a single pawl design
Joe H
Hopefully they come out with flex handle versions of the low profile ratchets. If these sell well and they probably will then I’d consider a set of flex handles.
JoeM
I genuinely looked at the lead picture and said “They’re not kidding around with this Low Profile thing! It looks like it would only be a decorative model if it got any thinner!” and not in my head, out loud. I’m not really into the point where I want to replace my Sockets and Ratchets yet. Plus, if and/or when I am ready, I’m thinking of other companies. (Mostly Gearwrench, and Wera for certain kinds of wrenches.) But it does make me very happy to see an SBD brand make serious progress into improving their designs. Perhaps even to the point they become Heirloom quality again?
I harbour a strong hesitation with regards to Craftsman being part of SBD. I know they’re capable of producing quality products, I have zero doubts there. But, maybe I’m just hoping for too much, maybe I’m crazy (I likely am.) But I want to see Craftsman return to the Heirloom Quality we saw when they were endorsed by Bob Villa. I saw the huge cabinets in the Sears catalogue back when I was a kid in the 80’s, I saw the commercials with him in it… Maybe it’s unreasonable to ask for a return to that, maybe not, I don’t know… Seeing the new low-profile products here… It just fuels my hope that some retailer ends up taking over a classic Sears-Style program of lifetime warranty and sales system for Craftsman tools. That the old Craftsman Red can be proudly seen in garages for generations at a time again. If that happens? I would happily double up on all my socket and wrench tools, plus the storage cabinets, to have my Craftsman backups/assist set, as well as my higher end sets for primary use. Aiming for a full workshop, ultimately.
I am very happy to see Craftsman make this slick move, whole-heartedly.
Saulac
Do people use through socket wrench to get the low profile they need?
Neighbor Joe
Surprised SBD invested 98 million to build a factory in Fort Worth that failed when the economy of savings of using their Proto plant to make higher quality Craftsman rachets/tools would have made sense and promised cost containment is event the product failed like at Fort Worth. Looks like after the Fort Worth disaster SBD is going full out with production in Taiwan and China.
Doug Fisher
SBD needs to make the craftsman or their V series ratchets in one of their USA MAC plants. I picked up the snapon low profile ratchet and socket set off ebay. Definitely worth the price used and saved myself headaches working on the Buick.