Stubby Ratchet 3/8

[Deafautotech]

Everyone I know that has a Wright likes it. SK also has some neat stubby ratchets too. That said, I've got a FC72, FCF72, FK80, & FKF80. They are the cats *** IMO.

umm.. did you get a SKF80 as 1/2drive stubby flex ratchet???? I DO!!!

 

[wreckercologist]

umm.. did you get a SKF80 as 1/2drive stubby flex ratchet???? I DO!!!

Nope, not yet. My dealer quit but I am watching one on Ebay. I'm not sure if I'll bid or not.

"They" said 30 days until we get a new dealer but I'm not going to hold my breath. I'd guess closer to 60 or 90 days

 

[mrholeshot]

I think the Gearwrench Stubby looks like the best all around deal @25 dollars. 60 teeth is plenty

 

[Beerman]

One of my best finds ever, was a box of tools at a pawn shop that was almost too heavy to lift. I was digging through it, found a bunch of stuff I wanted and bought the whole think for $15 + tax. Inside was a RHFT 1/4 C'man in like-new condition, along with a stubby Mac 3/8 (XR1 I think). Ratchet has been one of my favorites ever since. I like Snappy's stuff, but I'll take this Mac one over their's any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

I ended up taking the box I bought, after removing the tools I wanted and selling it to another pawn shop for $20. Is this a great country or what????


Beerman

 

[dankicksass]

I use the stubby flex Craftsman full-polish 36T quick release a lot. I'd probably go for the flex Gearwrench at $29 if I wanted another one.

 

[MrMark]

I think the Gearwrench Stubby looks like the best all around deal @25 dollars. 60 teeth is plenty

That's what I am thinking after all these responses. I don't know if this is one of those tools that you wonder how you got by without it, or not, but at this point the Gearwrench seems hard to beat.

The SO used on Ebay are high, so no deals there.

 

[MrMark]

Now the only issue is whether the flex is a desireable feature to have on this particular model.

Probably couldn't hurt.

 

[MrMark]

I bought the GN flex shorty, 60X2 dual pawl 3/8". Used it 3 times before using it as parts to repair 2 other ratchets I actually use.
It was smooth and had an excellent ability to get into tiny spaces and work.
It felt totally wrong in the hand - gripping it was uncomfortable and the handle moving made it a challenge to use long term.

Now I have a standard 3/8" dual pawl ratchet and the handle and stripped head of this one. I would rather have the non-flex stubby or use an extention to get into the tight spaces. Or just use a ratchet wrench if possible.
For whatever my opinion is worth.

That's my concern with the flex handle on this size ratchet. Thanks for your opinion.

 

[Hiball]

The SO used on Ebay are high, so no deals there.

Yep... Snap on Stubbies for some reason hold higher than average Used prices via Ebay. Its not uncommon to see the Dual 80 Flex's bring more than retail..

 

[DonL]

I use the stubby flex Craftsman.

 

[jsonic6]

I'm quite fond of the 3/8 stubby flex ratchet from Gearwrench that I own... Cheap and very low profile for tight spaces...

 

[jay50]

Now the only issue is whether the flex is a desireable feature to have on this particular model.

Probably couldn't hurt.

SO dual 80, flex, is the cats a$$ for the stubby ratchet.
Expensive, but well worth it IMHO

 

[corradoABA]

no snap on, got with the wright 3430

awesome ratchet and around $30

Another vote for this little wonder, so compact for a 3/8 and such fine tooth action, you'll find yourself using it more and more and wondering why you didn't buy it before.

 

[MrMark]

Where's a good place to get this little Wright? I would like to support American workers so why not buy this over the Gearwrench. The Amazon link does look good.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

How about a really compact stubby? Snap-on TMK39 + FCF739 (I think?) rebuild kit:

 

[mrholeshot]

Now the only issue is whether the flex is a desireable feature to have on this particular model.

Probably couldn't hurt.

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. I find I use a stubby non flex much more than the flex. I have the 936 stubby non flex and the 720 non flex. I really live the handle on the 936. Very easy to pull in tight spaces with the flare on the bottom, Duralast builds a near identical copy of this ratchet. I still think the overall winner in the stubby in the bang for the buck is the gearwrench. The head is thinner, the selector much lower profile and there isn't much a 60 tooth wont do.

 

[mrholeshot]

Where's a good place to get this little Wright? I would like to support American workers so why not buy this over the Gearwrench. The Amazon link does look good.

You have to remember that the wright is a compact head 3/8 and not really a stubby and 4.75 inches. Being it uses a 1/4 drive internal it wouldnt take the torque that the larger internals will. compact heads are good to a degree but have a low threshold to busting bolts loose. The Gearwrench is thinner but larger and overall length is 4 1/4 the Snap-On is thick but length is 4 1/8. The duralast is the same length as a snap-On 936 stubby. The site list it at 6 1/5 inches but I've had on in my hand and it about 4 inches. The downside to that ratchet is the thick head. All have pros and cons. Just think the gearwrench is the overall best for a good tooth count, thin head, cost.

 

[Mike83]

Hmmm, didn't notice that. Just ordered one from that seller. I'll have to report back when I get it (ordered from him before,- great seller). I have a gearwrench stubby flex too from tooltopia. I'll check it when i get a chance.

Just ordered one as well. Was thinking of going with another TL72 and throwing in the 3/8" drive repair kit for kind of a one-off compact 3/8 ratchet, but the Gearwrench is a far cheaper route.

 

[plinker]

I have an FC936, I mainly use it w/ bit sockets (most of mine are 3/8 drive). That being said I have also have used it with several large sockets for low torgue need and/or access. I used a 15/16 6pt when adjusting the new jaws on my bolt cutters.

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

I have a Gearwrench stubby (81209) which I have upgraded to an 88 tooth. I use it quite often over my longer ratchets. Its the perfect size for my hand and works well. I use it most with a philips bit socket.

That is a very good ratchet, I bought a Advance auto for 9 bucks a year ago

I'm glad you posted that. $25 is very tempting. What's the tooth count? Is it upgradable to the 88 matco kit.

36 teeth, and not upgradable to the 88 matco kit

Is that Taiwan or China on that?

My ratchet was made Taiwan, I think the new ones are made in china.....
but they are still a good value...................

 

[Sterff]

That is a very good ratchet, I bought a Advance auto for 9 bucks a year ago

I got mine for free from tooltopia when I bought my 1/2" torque wrench

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

I got mine for free from tooltopia when I bought my 1/2" torque wrench

how? I was thinking of buying the Gearwrench 1/2 torque wrench from
20-250 ft...

 

[Sterff]

I guess it was a promotional deal or something. I got the 20-250 torque wrench and got the ratchet and the gearwrench keychain for free.

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

I guess it was a promotional deal or something. I got the 20-250 torque wrench and got the ratchet and the gearwrench keychain for free.

so you have the gearwrench torque wrench, you have pics?
I wondered how they look, are they 60th tooth too?

 

[Sterff]

so you have the gearwrench torque wrench, you have pics?
I wondered how they look, are they 60th tooth too?

No I believe it is 36. Ill have to take some pictures.

 

[Hiball]

pics of my stubby ratchets

I take it you dont have any? LOL

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

I take it you dont have any? LOL

here you go..
(ADD MORE PICS)
1st is Dulalast
2nd is Snap On
3rd is the GearWrench

 

[mrholeshot]

here you go..
first one is dulalast
2nd is Snap On
3rd is the gearwrench

Duralast got that Snap-On copy down pat

 

[Hiball]

Duralast got that Snap-On copy down pat

I was thinking the same thing... I Wonder if they ever thought about any Legal action, Thats borderline Silly.

 

[Unearthed]

Hmmm, didn't notice that. Just ordered one from that seller. I'll have to report back when I get it (ordered from him before,- great seller). I have a gearwrench stubby flex too from tooltopia. I'll check it when i get a chance.

I think those are seconds. I wonder how these ebay sellers end up with loads of Armstrong or Gearwrench, for example. I think a lot of the stuff are seconds that gets snuck out by unscrupulous employees and sold.

I had a gearwrench stubby flex in a box at another location that I checked for the rings today. It does NOT have them. I bought that ratchet from tooltopia early this year. I dunno, kinda blows the seconds idea out of the water, at least for me. Just different production runs maybe? I dunno. If you look at the gearwrench stubby in the pictures Mr Nutcase posted it has one ring.
Mine had a -J- on the handle.

 

[mrholeshot]

I was thinking the same thing... I Wonder if they ever thought about any Legal action, Thats borderline Silly.

They probably put the checkering around it to avoid (or at least slow) a lawsuit. But then again the patent ran out on that design some years ago. Snap-On no longer makes the 36 tooth version so I guess the style was wide open. The internals as just differant enough not to interchange. I think Duralast is walking a fine line. Still a jam up deal for 20 dollars

 

[MrMark]

They probably put the checkering around it to avoid (or at least slow) a lawsuit. But then again the patent ran out on that design some years ago. Snap-On no longer makes the 36 tooth version so I guess the style was wide open. The internals as just differant enough not to interchange. I think Duralast is walking a fine line. Still a jam up deal for 20 dollars

Trade dress infringement would be the issue with no patents but most features of a ratchet are functional features and are not protectable. The design asthetics yes, the functional features no. One could argue that virtually everthing about that ratchet design is functional, from the size and shape of the head to the curve of the handle at the end. That's not to say that there aren't non-functional design features, but they are relatively few in number there.

 

[Bran Diezel]

FCF72

i use mine for almost everything i can't see

 

[billymade]

I've always been amazed, at how blatantly obvious it was that they copied the 900 series of Snap-On ratchets; when the first came out, I glanced at them and could have sworn they were selling Snap-On @ Autozone! Then, upon closer inspection; they weren't but the similarity is undeniable.... who ever designed them, must have had a full set of Snap-On right next to them as they were drawing them in CAD! LOL! I can see the boss talking to the CAD guy; "um, can you copy these as close as possible without us getting a lawsuit?"..... that would have been a interesting day @ work!

 

[mrholeshot]

Billy at least they did the 900 series justice

 

[Dallus]

A bit late but I've been looking for a good stubby 3/8" ratchet for quite a bit. And after borrowing a guy at work's Cornwell TRP32 palm ratchet to do some rear bank plugs on a Grand Caravan I decided I needed one STAT. So the MAC guy decided to show up and I bought a nice little ratchet from him. It's a XR4C. It's a pretty stout piece and the guy said it was like 40 bucks and when it rang up for 60 he was kinda upset. I told him I'd prolly pay 45 for it and he said DEAL. But if you want I can post pics of it in the morning. I like it so far for the 4 hours I've owned it.