Got My Proto Ratchets From Grainger

[oldtools]

I received my Proto ratchets from Grainger. The top two ratchets have no "PROTO" logo stamped on the head at all. The images from Grainger show the logo. Also, the 1/4 has no "USA" stamped on it. The 3/8 flex clevis joint spread quite far apart and very loose (it has "USA" stamped on it). The two on the bottom do not look like those images shown in Grainger. When I check their website, the part number are correct, but the images are incorrect. Also, the 1/2 chrome is very sandy. Anybody has the same problems.

These are coarse ratchets!!!

[Merkava_4]

The 3/8 flex clevis joint spread quite far apart and very loose

What do you mean by that? :confused:

[WHT]

Everyone seemed excited by these ratchets so I picked up the flex 1/4 and 3/8ths. PROTO products are usually high quality, but these are not very impressive. The torx screw holding the reverse lever was backed out on the 1/4 ratchet, the chrome plating is poor and the storage tubes were crushed. I will probably give these to my son.

[sk farmer]

these ratchets when opened are completely dry. rll them and they wil be much better. my 1/2 is the smoothest 1/2 with lube i have ever had. don't give them away yet. the spin flex and indexing rats are not big dawgs but also respond well to the lube. i mentioned the spin flex as being odd looking in a differant thread earlier. i think they could be better but you can not beat the price.

[fatfillup]

Lube will help. My chrome was all good (12). The spinflex head on one was loose and one real tight. Stiil price was right!

[forceyoda]

Mine are headed for ebay, i was a little disapointed as well.

[bchee]

that's weird. They look like blanks ready to be stamped Proto or MAC. Those would probably be ideal candidates for permatex

[speed bump]

I got mine about a week ago. The 1/4" for my dad was perfect as is the 3/8" for me was a little stiff and the spinflex handle is on nice and tight but some lube and it should be just fine.

[Merkava_4]

These are coarse ratchets!!!

I've got three MAC 30 tooths and the RLL makes a massive difference in the way they feel and operate. Open by removing the face plate and DRENCH it with RLL!! You'll never call them coarse ratchets again.

[bb1970]

I liked all of them. And was thrilled with the price.

[fatrhino]

what is the grainger part number for the 1/2"?

[sk farmer]

the 1/2 big dawg ratchet from grainger is a 3ub96. inventory on this number is more than likely in the single digits. price 11.12 pretax i ordered one for a freind several days ago and it has not arrived yet. ups says monday. i hope it shows. if you have not yet, order one of everything except the round head and the flex indexing. cost per rat will average in the low teens and that is a bargain even if the finish is not 100% as some say.

[Fedwrench]

Although the spinflex is still sold by Mac, the other ratchets may have been the end of the production run and not quite the same quality as the initial run. They may have even been sold that way to Grainger. I know the ones I picked up from ebay were in great condition a year or so ago. Even Mac 30 tooth flexhead ratchets are loose at the flex joint when new. I found the addition of a thin wave washer will greatly reduce the floppy head syndrome.:beer:

[oldtools]

I was kinda happy with the two splinflex ratchets considering the reduced prices. I would not be too happy if I was to was to paid full price. I was a little disappointed that the "PROTO" was not stamped on the head. If the "PROTO" and "USA" markings rubbed off from the plastic handle, no one will know the brand and where it is made.

I was disappointed with the two on the bottom (non flex ratchets) especially the 1/2 with its sandy chrome. I will give those two away as gifts.

I will lube the two spinflex ratchets with Permatex (as suggested by Merkava) and hopefully it would not sound so coarse.

[Big Bad Jon]

I was kinda happy with the two splinflex ratchets considering the reduced prices. I would not be too happy if I was to was to paid full price. I was a little disappointed that the "PROTO" was not stamped on the head. If the "PROTO" and "USA" markings rubbed off from the plastic handle, no one will know the brand and where it is made.

I know what you are saying. I can not believe that MAC gets over $200 for the two ratchets. I do not even think Snap-on would charge that much :bounce:

[HandyManny]

When you see a deal like this, you have to ask yourself: Maybe there is a reason why Grainger is selling these off so cheap?

Maybe there is a reason why Proto no longer carries this line too.

[Vulturej]

When you see a deal like this, you have to ask yourself: Maybe there is a reason why Grainger is selling these off so cheap?

Maybe there is a reason why Proto no longer carries this line too.

I looked over all the Proto ratchets I received after reading comments in this post and could not find any flaws. I happy with the purchase, 6 new ratchets for $90.00.

The reason there selling them so cheap is that Proto discontinueed the line. Grainger has the new ratchets Proto makes, and they cost more than the Big Dawgs did.

[Garage_Mahal]

My tubes looked very shelfworn. A sign that the they have been in inventory for a long time. A business like Grainger hates having old stock around. It gums up the works.

[Speed-Racer]

I wish my order came in the tubes, they smashed into one another the whole way to my house. I will not be giving these away as presents, it is a shame. I do not have a problem with scratches from use, but this was careless packaging. A couple pieces of tape would have prevented this, for the price I am not complaining.

[autoace]

I noticed the last set of Spin-flex ratchets I ordered were a little off. I really like the design, but the quality is questionable these days. I have an older set that seemed much better.

[Islands62]

I am none too impressed either, even considering price. I was much happier when my Wera Zyklop came at 4x the price. The Spin flex feel so cheesy, but I'll keep them. The 1/4" non flex was only $7 but feels so lame I don't even want to keep it. It's going back tomorrow and I'll pick out something else. I work right acrossnthe street from a Grainger.

I am not too sure about the indexing one yet. I can't really think of a situation where I would need it.

[GT89mustang]

Anyone know if these are the same price in-store (if they have any stock) I might stop in my local grainger tomorrow if they have any.

Edit: I called the 1800# and they said the store didnt. Just dont want to pay $12 for shipping.

[sk farmer]

they seem to only be in large warehouses. last month had free shipping for orders over $50 wich was easy to do if you ordered one of each ratchet.

[GT89mustang]

they seem to only be in large warehouses. last month had free shipping for orders over $50 wich was easy to do if you ordered one of each ratchet.

Yea there are some in stock at other locations but their both pretty far from me. I really only need the one flex head 3/8 so im not over a $50 order.

[Joe Mamma]

I know what you are saying. I can not believe that MAC gets over $200 for the two ratchets. I do not even think Snap-on would charge that much :bounce:

I got some of the Proto ones from Grainger to replace an old Mac brand Spin-Flex that was stolen from me. I was so happy with the Mac one that I wanted to take advantage of the low priced Protos and get extras to be given away as gifts.

But, after receiving my Protos, I can say that there is a HUGE quality difference between the Mac one and the Proto ones. The quality of the Mac one was excellent, with no quality problems. The Proto ones all have multiple quality problems. I won't bore everyone with details, but these Protos are such poor quality that I'm not sure that I would even give them away.

By the way, is there a way to remove the plastic handle to access the inside to lube that area? Thanks in advance for any information.

Joe Mamma