Dual 80 or Matco 88 or??

[Appleyard]

So after reading all the praise of the Snap On Dual 80 ratchets I've seen on this forum and after perusing the classifieds, I found a FH80 and a SH80. I already had a Matco BFR118TG (I know most members aren't familiar with Matco numbers, so that's an 11" 3/8 drive green handled 88 tooth ratchet)

The SH80 I love, but to be fair, it replaced my craftsman 1/2. Nothing special. But having both my 88 tooth and the Dual 80 side by side, I like the way my Matco ratchet feels much better than the Dual 80. In fact I'm going to sell my FH80 to a coworker.

So my question is, why is their so much love for the Dual 80s VS. The 88s? Have a lot of you not tried them or are you brand loyal to Snap On? No Matco distributor in your area? Is their something about the Snappys that I'm missing or does it all boil down to personal preference? Is there another high tooth count ratchet that you love that I missed? Not trying to start an argument, just looking for different perspectives.

 

[Sterff]

I have both 80's and 88's. I like both but, the Matco's are my favorites. It is more of a personal preference. In 1/4" drive the winner hands down is the 88.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

air ratchet

 

[Hiball]

So my question is, why is their so much love for the Dual 80s VS. The 88s? Have a lot of you not tried them or are you brand loyal to Snap On? No Matco distributor in your area? Is their something about the Snappys that I'm missing or does it all boil down to personal preference? Is there another high tooth count ratchet that you love that I missed? Not trying to start an argument, just looking for different perspectives.

Its all Personal Preference, Just because it works for 1 person doesnt mean it will for the Next Person. I personally own both and Prefer the Matco comfort grip to the Snap on but its really doesnt matter, They are both damn fine Ratchets.

 

[earlthegoat2]

I think there is a lot of brand loyalty even if one does not want to admit it.

However it is quite easy to be brand loyal to the truck that shows up where you work and not any of the other ones.

 

[Toolhorder]

Already a thread on this....

 

[bobcatdan]

I don't have any 88s, havn't seen the inside of a matco truck in years, but have a 60 tooth 24" 1/2 and it is a very good ratchet. I also have a 80 tooth SO. I like both ratchets, but the SO with the small screws in the back have pissed me off so many times, next time it breaks, there are new style heads for it and maybe then then that ratchet will be the **** it is suppose to be. I would say the matco maybe stronger, snapped the drive off the SO on the first pull of a job, the matco finished the job. The lock on the matco is very niced, never liked the lock on SO's.

 

[Hiball]

I don't have any 88s, havn't seen the inside of a matco truck in years, but have a 60 tooth 24" 1/2 and it is a very good ratchet. I also have a 80 tooth SO. I like both ratchets, but the SO with the small screws in the back have pissed me off so many times, next time it breaks, there are new style heads for it and maybe then then that ratchet will be the **** it is suppose to be. I would say the matco maybe stronger, snapped the drive off the SO on the first pull of a job, the matco finished the job. The lock on the matco is very niced, never liked the lock on SO's.

A Little dab of Loctite will solve your frustration with the Snap on Ratchets. It ***** sometimes that you have to improve on a poor design but if all it tooks was some loctite to prevent me from being "Pissed off so many times" i would surely do it. Life is too short to get Upset over small things..

 

[bobcatdan]

After 680 didn't hold them after 242 and 272 didn't, I don't know what will.

 

[Hiball]

After 680 didn't hold them after 242 and 272 didn't, I don't know what will.

Thats Amazing..

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

air ratchet

No gear FTW

I have not tried 88, but I am happy with 80.

 

[Toolhorder]

For the record I have both types and like them both. I actually like the 88 1/4 long chrome handle for timing covers and areas where I need a small angle of arc and it's hard to reach. Snap-on's dual 80 rats are only 72 tooth in 1/4 drive.

 

[warmpancakes]

Matcos are a lot cheaper used

 

[Altec]

air ratchet

I wish all jobs had the room... I wouldn't own a ratchet then...

I haven't had the pleasure of using a 88. Don't know anyone with one... Might just have to bite the bullet, and get one.


Craftsman also has the 84. On my list as well, and is priced to try...

 

[Hiball]

Matcos are a lot cheaper used

Very True....

 

[bobcatdan]

I think I'm alone in thinking this, but I still like the old 36 tooth SO better then all the 80's I got. My 3/8 SO's have been bullet proof, just the 1/2" has problems. I bought just about every style of36 tooth used guys traded on off80's. Once again, I don't own any 88's, but the five 60 tooths I have are miles above the old matco 36 tooth.

 

[canuckian]

all about personal preference and the application that it's used in. I can't speak to the 1/2 Matco's (trying to find one) but the 1/2" SO's are great ratchets in any application I've used them in. for 3/8 in a normal sized ratchet, the Matco wins when space is tight but when there's room, I like the dual 80's better. I also have the SO 3/8 low profile for applications where i have low clearance and I don't need the leverage the longer Matco gives me. for 1/4 standard ratchets, I think the matco shines. I have a standard length comfort handle Matco88 and when it'll fit, I pick it every time. I just **** the handle better. the chrome handle T72 SO's in my box have only been used a couple times. The handles are just too small IMHO. when I really need to squeeze into a tight place (under-dash work) my TK860 blows them all out of the water. Love that little wee thing!

 

[Altec]

all about personal preference and the application that it's used in. I can't speak to the 1/2 Matco's (trying to find one) but the 1/2" SO's are great ratchets in any application I've used them in. for 3/8 in a normal sized ratchet, the Matco wins when space is tight but when there's room, I like the dual 80's better. I also have the SO 3/8 low profile for applications where i have low clearance and I don't need the leverage the longer Matco gives me. for 1/4 standard ratchets, I think the matco shines. I have a standard length comfort handle Matco88 and when it'll fit, I pick it every time. I just "ike" the handle better. the chrome handle T72 SO's in my box have only been used a couple times. The handles are just too small IMHO. when I really need to squeeze into a tight place (under-dash work) my TK860 blows them all out of the water. Love that little wee thing!

 

[canuckian]

um....huh?

 

[Altec]

um....huh?

You have a bit of a typo hidden in your post... Lets just say that I see your point on liking the handle better...

 

[canuckian]

LOL...think I see what you mean. I'll have have to start re-reading before I hit post

 

[MattPersman]

I will have to try an 88 when it's on sale next. I got tired of Matco's high prices so I have been only buying from snap on for the last couple years. That said I like the 80 3/8" drive snap ons as well as the 72 1/4" drives.

 

[znowaczyk]

88's. All but one ratchet that I currently use at work is a MATCO 88. I love them.

 

[ngk22r]

I only have a 1/4 drive Matco 88 with the green handle, the rest is all snap-on. But I will say I do like the 88, works really well. It comes down to which you like better.

 

[nato]

Only ***** I have w/ my 88's over my Dual's is that at an extreme angle, with a lot of user torque, the drive gear seems to 'flex' and bind a little compared to my Dual 80's, making a hard spot or sometimes making it lock in position. I've noticed this a lot more w/ my longer handled 1/4" 88 than the 3/8". It binds & gets tough very easily when enough pressure is put on it.

I think overall, the snap ring will shift a very slight amount in its' groove in the 88's vs. the drive gear actually moving itself or causing the screwed down retainer plate to move (if any) and allow the driver gear to stick in the Dual 80's

 

[greasemonkey44]

heh i have the 3/8 long handle 88; its very nice, smooth and robust
however i usually use an impact or air ratchet
i also have a 3/8 36 tooth snapon; that thing is tough, i use it all the time and it never misses a beat

 

[Griff93]

I think I'm alone in thinking this, but I still like the old 36 tooth SO better then all the 80's I got. My 3/8 SO's have been bullet proof, just the 1/2" has problems. I bought just about every style of36 tooth used guys traded on off80's. Once again, I don't own any 88's, but the five 60 tooths I have are miles above the old matco 36 tooth.

You're not the only one. I broken an FTX936 (long locking flex) after years of hard use at the yoke of the handle. I was given a 80 as a replacement. It would continually slip. It wouldn't make it a week. After I got it made up three weeks in a row my snap on man swapped me out for another one. It made it a week or two then slipped causing me to punch the back of a BMW Z4 headlight. I got it made up again. I had to have it made up two more times shortly after that as well. It was bad enough I went out and bought an armstrong ratchet in order to have a 3/8 long ratchet that I could use. This last kit seems to have done the trick though. So far it has held up for several months. I haven't had the opportunity to try a Matco 88. Our only local Matco dealer broke his neck and due to him being laid up in the hospital Matco pulled his franchise.

 

[tbobbo]

I was not going to try a new 80 ratchet. I have older ones from like 1996 ? They served me well. Well the chrome is to hard to ignore, and I bought a dual 80 3/8 long handle flex head. I LOVE it. I have hung from that ratchet and it will not break. (I am 6'0 290lbs) I have not matco dealer in my area so I cant compare. I do not regret the snap on purchase.

 

[GoBlue]

Never mind

 

[Hiball]

I like the Snappys better. They have held up better for me under tough use, have a much higher resale value, and are made in the U.S across the board. It seems a lot of the newer Matcos are made overseas. I wont pay U.S.A prices for China Dahner. I buy as much as i can from my Matco guy because he is by far my best tools salesman, however i tend to shy away from Matco hard goods like wrenches, ratchets, etc. Snappys are the same price and made by Snappy in the U.S. I buy my Dahnner at Sears for the most part and even there i stay with American goods (rp's, sockets, etc...).

Well... Today you can buy a Matco 88 Ratchet and it will have the USA stamp.. UNLESS it has a comfort grip on it. I find it extremely odd that they cant find a US company who can supply them with a the Grip but thats the facts. The Snap on Dual 80's have stopped putting the USA stamp on there Ratchets/Ratcheting Wrenches/Pliers for quite awhile now, They say its a globalization Movement and honestly thats good enough for me. I really wish they wouldnt have dropped the USA tag but thats neither here nor there, They make a Great Tool and they stand behind it.

 

[archirelic]

This is actually a very timely thread, b/c I've been in the market for a more top-of-the line ratchet and was having a hard time deciding on whom to go with. Please continue on with the discussion.

 

[bowtie3]

Our only local Matco dealer broke his neck and due to him being laid up in the hospital Matco pulled his franchise.

That sounds like a real stand up company. Makes me even happier that I don't buy their waaaaaaay overpriced Danaher/Craftsman/Gearwrench tools.

 

[dan1120]

88's. Had a buddy that bought a 1/4" SO 80 tooth flex ratchet wit soft handle. I have the same but matco with 88 teeth and locking mechanism. My 88 was a tad bit more smooth and it was a locking flex head. Big thing to me. Ive got 88 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" ratchets with locking flex head and soft handles. I wouldnt buy anything else unless I needed a pear head ratchet, which I would probably turn to mac for.

 

[tbobbo]

I almost forgot.......I have never bought a comfort grip ratchet. I am glad. One of the guys at work did........he bent it. Inside that rubber handle is necked down. The only advantage I see is the swivel head style ratchets, and only then it would be better at strait on ratcheting. I dont recomend the comfort handle in any brand for a heavy use ratchet.
As far as the no USA stamp on the tool.................I think the dual 80 is the best ratchet availible to me, so I will buy more of them. They say they are made in the USA, I dont know, I really dont care so much that I will buy a lesser tool that will make my job even harder. If given the choice.....I would prefer they were made in the USA.

 

[Appleyard]

I've got 3 88 ratchets myself. 1/4, and 2 3/8. I've been using my longer 3/8 with no grip lately. It's nice having that extra leverage. I think when I go back to work next week, I'll ask to see one of the 1/2 88's. Maybe I'll end up selling both of my Dual 80's. Does anyone else have a SH80? The whole thing is massive. A coworker thought it was a 3/4 ratchet just by the overall size.

 

[treasureseeker]

I believe the reason that Snap on is not putting USA on their dual 80’s is the same as why the CCO isn’t on their ratcheting wrenches and don’t have a problem with a some parts not made in the USA, at least they are being honest about it.

 

[Appleyard]

I almost forgot.......I have never bought a comfort grip ratchet. I am glad. One of the guys at work did........he bent it. Inside that rubber handle is necked down. The only advantage I see is the swivel head style ratchets, and only then it would be better at strait on ratcheting. I dont recomend the comfort handle in any brand for a heavy use ratchet.
As far as the no USA stamp on the tool.................I think the dual 80 is the best ratchet availible to me, so I will buy more of them. They say they are made in the USA, I dont know, I really dont care so much that I will buy a lesser tool that will make my job even harder. If given the choice.....I would prefer they were made in the USA.

My Matco's are stamped USA

 

[Hiball]

My Matco's are stamped USA

Mine Aren't..

 

[Appleyard]

Mine Aren't..

Hmm. I've got the one second from the top and it's stamped USA. I bought it maybe a year ago? I know the 15" no grip I just bought 3 weeks ago is stamped USA. Unless it was just old stock...

 

[Hiball]

Hmm. I've got the one second from the top and it's stamped USA. I bought it maybe a year ago? I know the 15" no grip I just bought 3 weeks ago is stamped USA. Unless it was just old stock...

Yes.. the Chrome Handle Ratchets still have the USA stamp. Its only the comfort handle that Lose the USA stamp.