New Proto Ratchets

[chevy302dz]

Just curious has anyone tried the latest generation of Proto ratchets yet? Are the guts the same as the Big Dawgs, or is this a whole new design?

http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNSRIT?PMPXNO=12911410&PMT4NO=55797452

[cruiser808]

It's a whole new design. I have the 1/2" version and while it's quite nice with a great fit and finish, I feel it's kind of heavy and not as well balanced as the big dawgs. Also, not as many teeth as the big dawg. Now, if Stanley were to combine the finish of the new ones and use the guts of the big dawg, that would be an awesome ratchet.

[eschoendorff]

It's a whole new design. I have the 1/2" version and while it's quite nice with a great fit and finish, I feel it's kind of heavy and not as well balanced as the big dawgs. Also, not as many teeth as the big dawg. Now, if Stanley were to combine the finish of the new ones and use the guts of the big dawg, that would be an awesome ratchet.

It really would... the styling of the new Protos is quite slick.

[chevy302dz]

That's too bad, they looked to be quite nice to use. MSC lists the ratchets as having 45 teeth same as the Big Dawg, so I wonder if they went to a singe pawl design for this one.

[cruiser808]

That's too bad, they looked to be quite nice to use. MSC lists the ratchets as having 45 teeth same as the Big Dawg, so I wonder if they went to a singe pawl design for this one.

Don't get me wrong, the new Proto ratchet is very nice and I don't think you'd be disappointed with its the overall performance and durability. But I just feel that for the retail price point of the Proto's, there are better alternatives available. Now if you can get a deal like I did, don't hesitate to grab one up, you'll be happy with it. :thumbup:

[gotmud13613]

I picked up this (new) version in 1/2" drive off Ebay at a decent deal, Very stout (heavy) ratchet. Great finish, and comfortable to use. I wouldn't mind getting it in a 3/8" drive. Mine really woke up with the permatex lube treatment.

Everytime I grab for a ratchet I try to grab a different one, unless I need an 80 series SO for tight spots, Lately I been grabbing my Cornwell's more than others.

[cruiser808]

I picked up this (new) version in 1/2" drive off Ebay at a decent deal, Very stout (heavy) ratchet. Great finish, and comfortable to use. I wouldn't mind getting it in a 3/8" drive. Mine really woke up with the permatex lube treatment.

Ahhhha, Merk's red lube of love, works every tme. :spit:

[gotmud13613]

Ahhhha, Merk's red lube of love, works every tme. :spit:

:lol_hitti

It works good in corse tooth ratchets (messy though) :lol_hitti
IMO it's to thick for the fine tooth stuff.

[T00lJunk1e]

i would really like a set of the protoblack big dawgs.
maybe this weekend....:thumbup:

[Bolster]

Reminds me of when you see a lady with a pretty face, sitting at a table, and when she stands up, you realize she is seriously overweight from the waist down.

[Fedwrench]

Here's a picture of the inside of a long handled 1/2 drive model 5450XL. The ratchet has two sealing methods. The first is the light blue o ring and second is a rtv like seal on the back side of the cover plate. The ratchet has 45 teeth unlike the 52 teeth of the old Big dawgs. 7 teeth on the pawl engage the head gear. They are beefy ratchets. The 3/8 model seems heavy compared to my other ratchets. The 1/2 drive models seem to have better balance. Although, I'm probably shooting myself in the foot, they show up on ebay from time to time. The ratchet is stamped USA.

[bchee]

hey I dont' remember coming across this thread. Thanks for the picts of the guts. The details are good and you can see the teeth well-engaged.

[Fedwrench]

hey I dont' remember coming across this thread. Thanks for the picts of the guts. The details are good and you can see the teeth well-engaged.

Yeah, nobody remembers the stuff I post until Merkava reposts it.:spit: