Ratchet Comparo

[Mike83]

Just because this came up earlier today, I'd like you folks to take a look at these two photos of ratchets opened up and see if you can tell me which one is a Duralast and which one is a genuine Snap-On. And even if you can tell, you have to admit they are pretty damn close!

Check it out:

[Mike83]

Btw, one has RLL and the other has Park bike lube in it.

[greenreese]

Left is SO?

[krusty the clown]

the one made in the USA is the snap on.........

[HandyManny]

Even if they look similar are use the same design, there is a huge difference. The Snap-On will use much higher quality steel and it will be heat treated and tempered differently, as to be stronger and more durable. Just because some knock-off copies the design doesn't mean they are the same. They may look the same, but that matters little when using it. And I'm no Snap-On freak either. I own very little from Snappy. I'm just saying, that's all.

[wrenchr]

Left is duracrap!!

[Bull]

The awesome thing to do would be to put each through the same tests, side by side, and see if the Duralast fails or performs noticeably more poorly.

Even if they look similar are use the same design, there is a huge difference. The Snap-On will use much higher quality steel and it will be heat treated and tempered differently, as to be stronger and more durable. Just because some knock-off copies the design doesn't mean they are the same. They may look the same, but that matters little when using it.

[J.A.F.E.]

The one on the left is SO.

[Bull]

Uh-oh, people are disagreeing about which one is which!

[MadMark]

I'd say the one on the right is a SO flex.

Older armstrong ratchets have the same rebuild parts as these also.

[Mike83]

Even if they look similar are use the same design, there is a huge difference. The Snap-On will use much higher quality steel and it will be heat treated and tempered differently, as to be stronger and more durable. Just because some knock-off copies the design doesn't mean they are the same. They may look the same, but that matters little when using it. And I'm no Snap-On freak either. I own very little from Snappy. I'm just saying, that's all.

Now wait one minute. I understand that what you say may be true, but lots of people have come to realize that companies like Gearwrench and Toptul that source materials and manufacturing in Taiwan can put out a nice product that lasts and performs. You're also right that looks aren't everything, but the Duralast ratchet works well, and because the design is similar to a known quality brand, I would expect it to perform similarly to the Snap-on.

That being said, I look at the country of origin of just about every item I buy, so don't call me a commie or something. Just want to make a point that I thought the Duralast is a sleeper ratchet and would make a suitable substitute for a Snap-on costing 4x as much.

Oh, and the Snap-on is on the right :)

[scooby074]

Left is SO

Edit: Crap... i knew i should have waited before posting

[Tool Pants]

I am going to say Snap-On is on the right, because the other one looks like it has a screw for the pawl to lever, on the pawl side.

I only have one Snap-On ratchet in that style, made for the Trex bicycle company, and it the screw for the lever and pawl is on the lever side.

But then someone said the Snap-On design changed over time.

But that is my guess.

[krusty the clown]

I'd say the one on the right is a SO flex.

Older armstrong ratchets have the same rebuild parts as these also.

yep......i have posted that before. i suspect they all souce internal parts from one mfr.

[Mike83]

The awesome thing to do would be to put each through the same tests, side by side, and see if the Duralast fails or performs noticeably more poorly.

The mechanism is the same for both ratchets. When pressure is applied through the square drive the gear pushes the pawl against the wall of the ratchet. I would expect both tools to perform in a similar fashion.

Also, there were some rumors that Snap-on now sources their 80 tooth gears from Taiwan or China or Turkey or Argentina, so who knows maybe the Duralast will come out with a Dual 80!

The reason I put Park lube in the Snap-on was that the RLL bled all over the place. The RLL stays put in the Duralast :thumbup:

[olds394]

I think the one on the right is SO. My F720 doesn't have a hex screw in the center of the pawl.

[Mike83]

Some more Duralast p@rn :bounce: ha ha

[Bull]

I dunno...it looks like a nice finish and a comfortable handle, and now we know the guts look the same. Kind of want to try one.

[babzog]

Just because this came up earlier today, I'd like you folks to take a look at these two photos of ratchets opened up and see if you can tell me which one is a Duralast and which one is a genuine Snap-On. And even if you can tell, you have to admit they are pretty damn close!

Check it out:


Haven't read down the thread, but I'm going with Snap-on on the right.

Did I win? Did I win? (Hell, did I win the lottery last Fri? Gonna go check that...)

[fordbroncodave]

if its not made in the USA i am not buying it. my motto and i am sticking to it. though it gets very expensive, i do not complain about any of it. lasts way more longer then anything foreign (excluding some german and canadian stuff)

[wrenchr]

I was right. Or left ;)

[64merc]

I dunno...it looks like a nice finish and a comfortable handle, and now we know the guts look the same. Kind of want to try one.

I have a 1/2 drive Duralast and I can tell you that it has a really hefty feel to it, and the fit and finish is fantastic. I bought it used in a tool deal. It seems to be a good quality ratchet, but I haven't used it yet.

[The Muffin Man]

Some more Duralast p@rn :bounce: ha ha

That Duralast handle looks mighty comfortable :drool:

[Mr.Nutcase]

THEY SUCK......... Dulalast...... I had one, piece of crap broke while changing spark plug...
The cover fell off....

[arkangel06]

ill say the one on the left is SO

When do we get to know?

[The Muffin Man]

ill say the one on the left is SO

When do we get to know?



Oh, and the Snap-on is on the right :)

plus ten :)

[caper]

He said the snap on has park lube in it so that makes it the one on the right.

[krusty the clown]

the OP stated in post#11 it was the one on the right we're on post 27 and you guy's are still guessing? :lol_hitti

[chadster1]

Its the one in the middle.

[Mike83]

Trick question - its neither!

jk

[djd99]

Trick question - its neither!

jk

Lol now we no mike can't be trusted..... So witch is it mike you allready said the one with lube is the so, just not the so in the pic.... lol funny I still don't know.

[krusty the clown]

Lol now we no mike can't be trusted..... So witch is it mike you allready said the one with lube is the so, just not the so in the pic.... lol funny I still don't know.

read people! look at post 11 :spit:

[djd99]

read people! look at post 11 :spit:

I did krusty it was mikes post #30 i was talking about, he said it was a trick question. In post #11 the said the one with the lube but that could be not in the pic. So it's possible btw mike how much are the duralast ratchets?

[krusty the clown]

Now wait one minute. I understand that what you say may be true, but lots of people have come to realize that companies like Gearwrench and Toptul that source materials and manufacturing in Taiwan can put out a nice product that lasts and performs. You're also right that looks aren't everything, but the Duralast ratchet works well, and because the design is similar to a known quality brand, I would expect it to perform similarly to the Snap-on.

That being said, I look at the country of origin of just about every item I buy, so don't call me a commie or something. Just want to make a point that I thought the Duralast is a sleeper ratchet and would make a suitable substitute for a Snap-on costing 4x as much.

Oh, and the Snap-on is on the right :)

the last line...........post #30 had j/k, meaning just kidding :thumbup:

[Mike83]

I should have made a separate post clarifying the answer. The Duralast is on the left, Snap-on is on the right.

The Duralast cost me about $25 a year or two ago. By comparison, the Snap-on FLF936 in the photo cost me about $50.