Ratchet suggestions........new tool guy....

[kippieland]

I would buy the Armstrong 88 11-992 ratchet since they are the exact same ratchet as the Matco 88 but WAY cheaper at $40. Epsteins has a good deal on them.

http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/Ratchets/11-992.html

I love that ratchet but I do prefer my Snap-on F80 I got off ebay for $45...just a bit smoother.....but both are great. Other then that, I like the Kobalt 72 tooth but its not quite as smooth as the other two, but good for the money. I love the old Matco 60 tooth ratchet and you can find them on ebay every now and then. Wright makes a good one as well. SK's aren't fine tooth, but they feel great and are super strong. Great high torque bolts. Plus at $30 bucks new, you can't beat that.

Good luck!

 

[Squankum]

This one's made in Taiwan. Lots of folks here dig it:

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-8-eighth-inch-quick-release-swivel-head-ratchet-96782.html

It's quality/price ratio is quite surprising.

I lived for 25 years with Sears raised panel ratchets. They'll work. But... there are many nicer things out there, and if you hang around GJ for long, you'll get corrupted.

I also recommend the basic Wright 3/8" chrome handled ratchet that you'll find at Epsteins. Model 3490C. It's very nice, esp. for $25.

These Wrights have been sitting since the mid 90's, however, so disassemble and lubricate, then they go from nice to loverly.

Now... do you have a breaker bar?

 

[kippieland]

Sometimes a certain odd tool just does it for you. Probably my most used 1/4 ratchet is a round head fine tooth that says "Craft Japan".

Bruce

My friend has one of those true craft ratchets from Japan....he didn't even know what it was until I pointed it out. Its beat to Sh*t but its a great ratchet....very smooth. It looks a lot like an SK. Funny how we don't always know what we have!

 

[BrokewrenchLS1]

Are the premium ratchets going to continue to be US made? I wouldnt be surprised if they werent considering the chrome stuff all went import.

I think one of the non-RP Craftsman ratchet sets went to China production, but I can't remember if it was the low-profile design or the other type.

Given what the current RPs are like, the production switch might not be a bad thing.

 

[EmptyWallet]

What's out there on the adjustable/flex locking position ratchet market? The Wera has three adjustable points, the SO has 9?

 

[EmptyWallet]

Ok, so I narrowed it down to what I'm looking for.

1/4 & 3/8 flex head locking ratchets. The SO variety goes for about $100 a piece on ebay, that's a little steep. 9 Positions though. Wera are about $50 a piece, 3 positions.

I'd like them to be fine tooth if possible, above 70? (Wera are 72 and SO are 80).

 

[franzdom]

What's out there on the adjustable/flex locking position ratchet market? The Wera has three adjustable points, the SO has 9?

Look at the Armstrong at Harry Epstein, that is a very tempting ratchet with locking flex head. It used to be 60T but I think now it is likely shipping as an 88T.

 

[billymade]

Bahco, is another option that is a Snapon dual 80 head design; with a different handle... grip. Cheaper then Snapon but you still get the dual 80 goodness...

Snap-on Industrial Brand BAHCO 6950 1/4 Inch Drive Enclosed Head Ratchet

Snap-on Industrial Brand BAHCO 7750 3/8 Fine Tooth Bi Mold Comfort Grip Enclosed Head Ratchet

Snap-on Industrial Brand BAHCO 8150-1/2 10 1/5 Inch Fine Tooth Bi Mold Comfort Grip Enclosed Head Ratchet

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006MHEFWY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.google.com/search?q=BAHC....,cf.osb&fp=921e708cb96b652f&biw=1280&bih=856

Read about a fellow GJ member who got some and what he thinks...

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=119127

Never dealt with them but MRO Center; you can get all three Bahco dual 80 rachets (1/4, 3/8, 1/2) free shipping, no tax, for Sub-Total: $84.13! Seems like a great deal to me!

https://www.mrocenter.com/

 

[EmptyWallet]

Bahco, is another option that is a Snapon dual 80 head design; with a different handle... grip. Cheaper then Snapon but you still get the dual 80 goodness...

Snap-on Industrial Brand BAHCO 6950 1/4 Inch Drive Enclosed Head Ratchet

Snap-on Industrial Brand BAHCO 7750 3/8 Fine Tooth Bi Mold Comfort Grip Enclosed Head Ratchet

Snap-on Industrial Brand BAHCO 8150-1/2 10 1/5 Inch Fine Tooth Bi Mold Comfort Grip Enclosed Head Ratchet

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006MHEFWY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.google.com/search?q=BAHC....,cf.osb&fp=921e708cb96b652f&biw=1280&bih=856

Read about a fellow GJ member who got some and what he thinks...

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=119127

Never dealt with them but MRO Center; you can get all three Bahco dual 80 rachets (1/4, 3/8, 1/2) free shipping, no tax, for Sub-Total: $84.13! Seems like a great deal to me!

https://www.mrocenter.com/

THIS is perfect. I can't seem to find the products on MRO's website though. How are they as a seller?

 

[EmptyWallet]

Found em!

https://www.mrocenter.com/p/2219499/snap-on-6950
https://www.mrocenter.com/p/2202894/snap-on-7750
https://www.mrocenter.com/p/2229010/snap-on-2282769

Alright, so that takes care of regular ratchets. Everyone is suggesting Armstrong for flex/locking?

Or does Bahco make flex/locking?

 

[cascivic]

Does bahco have a flex head ?

 

[EmptyWallet]

Does bahco have a flex head ?

Oh Lord help me if they do.

 

[shoturtle]

I would just get a locking flex head fine tooth. Since they lock you will not need to have a fine tooth standard ratchet. It does both jobs.

 

[shoturtle]

By the way, with flex head. the round ones and the pear shape each has their advantages. So depending on the application a flex round head or a flex pear head might be better.

Unless you are going to be a pro uses. It make little sense to add a fine tooth standard, if you are going to add a fine tooth flex locking head. It is just tool collecting.

 

[EmptyWallet]

By the way, with flex head. the round ones and the pear shape each has their advantages. So depending on the application a flex round head or a flex pear head might be better.

Unless you are going to be a pro uses. It make little sense to add a fine tooth standard, if you are going to add a fine tooth flex locking head. It is just tool collecting.

Hmmm, this is true.

What applications might a flex round head be better than a flex pear head, and vise versa?

 

[shoturtle]

in certain tight area, the added length of the pear head gets in the way. Each has their advantages and disadvantages. But since you can get both round and pear in locking. they will work just as well as a standard fine tooth.

You can use the saving of not getting a fine tooth standard and use it to get a good flex locking fine tooth ratchet instead.

 

[emeraldcoupe]

This one's made in Taiwan. Lots of folks here dig it:

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-8-eighth-inch-quick-release-swivel-head-ratchet-96782.html

It's quality/price ratio is quite surprising.

i bought that ratchet about a month ago. i've used it a few times so far and it's pretty nice for the price.

 

[EmptyWallet]

in certain tight area, the added length of the pear head gets in the way. Each has their advantages and disadvantages. But since you can get both round and pear in locking. they will work just as well as a standard fine tooth.

You can use the saving of not getting a fine tooth standard and use it to get a good flex locking fine tooth ratchet instead.

I know you're pro Wera, but any comments on the 9 position locking Armstrong?

 

[shoturtle]

I like the armstrong tools, they are well made. And the flex locking maxx is an excellent ratchet. It is 60T, but you can put in the matco 88 kit to increase the teeth count. But that is just more money into the ratchet. The 60T is a very good setup as is. And it is a longer ratchet.

 

[Scout Driver]

Used Snap On or Cornwell. Wright dual-pawl ratchets are nice too!

Scott

 

[EmptyWallet]

I like the armstrong tools, they are well made. And the flex locking maxx is an excellent ratchet. It is 60T, but you can put in the matco 88 kit to increase the teeth count. But that is just more money into the ratchet. The 60T is a very good setup as is. And it is a longer ratchet.

Gotcha, so if I'm looking at fine tooth flex locking, Wera & SO might be my only two options?

 

[shoturtle]

The 60t is really good, the snap on is just as long with their flex locking head.

If you want to spend snap on money I would get the matco locking flex head with the 88t.

 

[kippieland]

Bahco, is another option that is a Snapon dual 80 head design; with a different handle... grip. Cheaper then Snapon but you still get the dual 80 goodness...

Snap-on Industrial Brand BAHCO 6950 1/4 Inch Drive Enclosed Head Ratchet

Snap-on Industrial Brand BAHCO 7750 3/8 Fine Tooth Bi Mold Comfort Grip Enclosed Head Ratchet

Snap-on Industrial Brand BAHCO 8150-1/2 10 1/5 Inch Fine Tooth Bi Mold Comfort Grip Enclosed Head Ratchet

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006MHEFWY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.google.com/search?q=BAHC....,cf.osb&fp=921e708cb96b652f&biw=1280&bih=856

Read about a fellow GJ member who got some and what he thinks...

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=119127

Never dealt with them but MRO Center; you can get all three Bahco dual 80 rachets (1/4, 3/8, 1/2) free shipping, no tax, for Sub-Total: $84.13! Seems like a great deal to me!

https://www.mrocenter.com/

I got my Armstrong MRO center. It was on back order but didn't have any problems with them. Plus, I got it for total $40.

Bahcos are sweet as well.

 

[thejudges69]

I personally have been looking at williams and armstrong, I do however like the grip that gearwrench offers.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-4-DR-RAT-...CI%2BUA%2BFICS&otn=21&pmod=120888517892&ps=54

I have an older mac with the big screwdriver like handle on it, and its a nice piece, not a high tooth ratchet but works 'ok' it seems to fail quite often.

I'm going to look into Bahco. I did buy some williams sockets and screwdrivers, The drivers are nice, I have not received the sockets yet. still waiting.

 

[fivespdcat]

Gotcha, so if I'm looking at fine tooth flex locking, Wera & SO might be my only two options?

As far as I know the new Armstrongs are 88 tooth...

 

[shoturtle]

The maxx flex is 60T not a 88t. It can accept the 88t kit.

The standard ratchet is 88t form armstrong.

 

[EmptyWallet]

The maxx flex is 60T not a 88t. It can accept the 88t kit.

The standard ratchet is 88t form armstrong.

Hmmm.

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=130377&page=2

From that thread it looks like ALL Maxx Flex is now 88t?

 

[familyfun]

i bought that ratchet about a month ago. i've used it a few times so far and it's pretty nice for the price.

Yeah, but come on, from Taiwan? Bacho tools are from Sweden, will probably last you a lifetime.
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[shoturtle]

Hmmm.

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=130377&page=2

From that thread it looks like ALL Maxx Flex is now 88t?

Not sure that the flex are 88t, I know that allot of the online armstrong dealers still list the maxx flex as a 60T.

 

[EmptyWallet]

Not sure that the flex are 88t, I know that allot of the online armstrong dealers still list the maxx flex as a 60T.

Yup, saw that. I think I might just call Armstrong tomorrow.

 

[fivespdcat]

Not sure that the flex are 88t, I know that allot of the online armstrong dealers still list the maxx flex as a 60T.

Yeah, it seems as though there is a lot of confusion on this one. I'm not really sure it matters though, the 60 tooth is pretty fine either way.

 

[shoturtle]

The armstrong catalog I have said 60t for the flex. And it is the 2012 catalog.

 

[shoturtle]

Yeah, but come on, from Taiwan? Bacho tools are from Sweden, will probably last you a lifetime.

Taiwan makes a very good tool, will last just as long as the swedish tool I don't doubt. They make the majority of the ratchet wrenches on the market. And are consider excellent quality. The Proto set I have are great quality.

 

[EmptyWallet]

That clears it up. Thanks! Still looks like a great ratchet. I'm going to pick one up I think.....1/4 or 3/8...Hmmmm.

 

[shoturtle]

It is a very good ratchet. But being so long, it make it a bit tough to use in confined spaces. You might still need to get a standard fine tooth.

 

[EmptyWallet]

It is a very good ratchet. But being so long, it make it a bit tough to use in confined spaces. You might still need to get a standard fine tooth.

I bought all three of the Bahco's up there. For $85, couldn't pass it up.


Got a Gearwrench Stubby 3/8, 60T for $14.50, that I'm going to swap the 88T Matco kit into.


I really really want to like the Armstrong, but I'm afraid the handle is too long.

Still on the hunt for a decent fine tooth locking flex ratchet.

 

[shoturtle]

On a stubby, the 88t will not be noticeable really. You are better off saving the 20 bucks. With such a short arm, the 6 degree arch is less noticeable. We are talking about >1mm of travel.

 

[EmptyWallet]

Really? It won't make hardly any difference at all?

 

[Bull]

I would think that if you are using a stubby, then space is tight. If space is tight, then more teeth and less swing to engage the next one might be important.

Am I off on that thinking?

 

[EmptyWallet]

I would think that if you are using a stubby, then space is tight. If space is tight, then more teeth and less swing to engage the next one might be important.

Am I off on that thinking?

See that's what I thought also.