This ratchet set has a LOT of benefits, the biggest thing to me was the flex head ratchets, including the flex head ratchet with a bent handle at the bottom. Since I didn't have any flex head ratchets, I have a variety of wobble head adapters, however, sometimes adding a wobble adapter and a socket makes the extension too long to fit at where I am trying to get at, thus, having a flex ratchet is a big benefit. There's no question that the Craftsman of today is not the same as the Craftsman our grandfathers (and probably great grandfathers now as I'm getting old) were using when they came back from World War II. But, these also are listed as saying they are backed by a lifetime warranty (although I haven't read the fine print on that). Also, there is no mention on any of the boxes or tools themselves of where these are made, although the description in the ad does advise Taiwan, which is one step up from you know who. Let me get into the good and the bad of these: First, what you get is not exactly the same as what is currently in the picture for this ad! Although, if you read the contents, it does say "3 Bi-Material Grip Ratchets." I was surprised when I opened these to see three ratchets having a plastic grip on them. I tried to emulate the manufacturer photo with the contents so you can see what you get. As near as I can tell, this was the only variance in the photo displayed for this ad which shows all metal handled ratchets. Having said that, I'd like to list out for you what size ratchets you get with this, since the ad doesn't list them out: 1/2" Drive: - 2 Breaker Bars [long and medium] - 6 Ratchets (4 Solid [2 normal, 1 long, 1 plastic handle], 2 Flex [long and short]. - 1 Speed Handle 3/8" Drive: - 1 Breaker Bar [short] - 9 Ratchets (4 Solid [2 normal, 1 long, 1 plastic handle], 4 Flex [long, medium, short, and bent handle], 1 swivel-head - 1 Speed Handle 1/4" Drive: - 4 Ratchets (3 Solid [2 normal, 1 plastic handle], 1 swivel-head The Good: - The finish on these is excellent and looks good and markings are solid. - One package says 72T ratchet set, (they all seem the same) small incremental positive clicks. - All levers and buttons seem to function well and smoothly. - The variety is the best thing (also can be a con in the bad section), with the focus for me being the flex heads and swivel heads. The swivel heads allow you to break a nut, then swivel and twist like a screwdriver, or twist in like a screwdriver, then tighten the last bit harder. - The flex heads have positive locks at different angles. This is beneficial, because flex ratchets that don't have this are always a bugger when you're trying to get them into position, then they flex out of the angle you want. - It is the name brand of Craftsman, so if you're into Craftsman it fits. - It fills a standard tool drawer well, and ultimately means you shouldn't need to get any other ratchets. The Bad: - The cost and redundancy associated. While there are benefits with the variety, there are essentially 3 solid sets of ratchets for each size. One is the plastic handle, and the other two are normal metal handles. Along with this, the size of the metal handled sets are nearly identical, and I can't tell much of a difference between the two other than one seems to have a slightly different assembly on top and slightly more beef on the handle, but the lever and buttons are the same. This is a big factor with the cost, because you're also paying for these, when one good set is all you should really need (but still nice to have a backup). - The breaker bars to me just feel slightly lighter than I would think by looking at them. This is not an issue to me, because I already have a large breaker bar, and most likely won't use the breaker bars for much of anything. If I'm using a breaker bar though and can't get it with hand strength, that's when I bring on the mallet, and I'm not sure if it would take that real abuse. - The design of these is the push and hold the back, put the socket on, then release. I found on ALL the 1/4" ratchets, this mechanism did not hold my older Made in USA 1/4" sockets. Although it made them slightly harder to remove, they all came off without pushing the button in. However, the mechanism did function correctly on 3/8" and 1/2" drive ratchets. - Since these literally are just the tools in boxes, you really should have your own tool chest or place to put them as they don't come with any container. This is one of those do-all sets that is real nice to have for when the situations arise, as they will if you do your own work and repairs. But, you should really sit down and realize what you may need out of this set versus what would be extra to justify the cost for the entire set. In that case, you may want to find just the most beneficial items within this set.
