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Favorite ratchet and why

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bsaint

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Joined
Apr 26, 2010
Messages
5,109
Location
Manchester, CT
I love my Snap-On F732 bent handle flex head. Ok its not modern 80 - 90 teeth, but its that old snappy weight and nice dull worn in chrome. Its like pure USA Snap-On. I even like it better than my FBF80 I lost and bought this ratchet used to replace it.
 
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R

reptilezs

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 23, 2010
Messages
1,015
i really like my 1/4 dr roto head from gear wrench. the 3/8 is nice but the head is kind of big. other favs are the round head fine tooth models from craftsman and williams
 
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bobcatdan

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Joined
Jan 4, 2011
Messages
9,948
Location
Kaukauna,WI
1/4" and 3/8 SO roto ratchets. I really like the old school hard handles and the other then that, they are just my go to ratchets. I own two of the 1/4". Next to those, I have a 1/4" SK converted to 3/8", great with tap sockets.
 
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KnurledNut

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Joined
Jan 28, 2011
Messages
8,166
Location
n/a
Old faithful 3/8 Easco/Craftsman Flex-head RHFT
Williams Superratchet

both have an smooth unique solid action.
 
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johnachak

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 12, 2012
Messages
88
Location
NY
My Armstrong 3/8 locking flex head 60 tooth ratchet. I love the 88 tooth Aerospace Armstrong too, but, the longer handle for extra torque is sweet. Whenever I have plenty of space, I use the flex. The Aerospace is one fine looking tool though.
 
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William Payne

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Joined
Mar 15, 2010
Messages
7,758
Location
Wanganui, New Zealand
Snap-on f936, comfortable, tight fitting for sockets and other attachments, sometimes a little too tight to be honest as no release button. Big thing for me is the gears are nice there is absolute minimal to no slop in the gears. I hate sloppy gears.

Deffinitly my favourite ratchet out of the ones I have used.
 
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Chadwilliam1

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Joined
May 13, 2012
Messages
2,789
Location
Cincinnati
johnachak said:
My Armstrong 3/8 locking flex head 60 tooth ratchet. I love the 88 tooth Aerospace Armstrong too, but, the longer handle for extra torque is sweet. Whenever I have plenty of space, I use the flex. The Aerospace is one fine looking tool though.
Click to expand...

x2...hey I recognize that name.

in a tight spot the Sk 45178 is my go to ratchet.
 
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shampoop

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 12, 2009
Messages
1,947
Location
SW Washington
My 3/8" locking flex dual 80. Because it can do just about everything, is super strong, the extra length gives great leverage, and gets all of the small quality details just right. Things like the reverse lever and handle shape being just perfect.

FHX80.jpg
 
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TDWendt

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 17, 2012
Messages
346
Location
Toledo, OH
Im really liking my 3/8 craftsman premium 84t right now.

As far as 1/4 drive, I like my Matco one think it's like 60t idk I bought it as a set with a 3/8in and 1/2in ratchet also about 5yrs ago. Someone walked off with my 3/8 in Matco(it's ok I like the one mentioned above better anyway)
 
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Mr Ratchet

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Joined
Mar 3, 2011
Messages
930
Location
Michigan
Was my Matco 1/4" drive that is 8" long. I like it's length, yet it's still smaller and light weight. Now that I have 3/8" and 1/2" Armstrong Maxx locking flex heads, it's a toss up. They are on the longer side with 60T counts. You can use them in their locked positions or in the unlocked/friction positions. They also have quite a few locked positions. Handles feel good to my hands.
 
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TwoInch

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Joined
Mar 29, 2012
Messages
2,828
Location
NW INDIANA
mine would have to be the JH Williams B-52s and the S-52 and 53s... something about those old ratchets just feels right in the hand.

i really like my gearwrenchs with the 84t craftsman kits in them recently..
 
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wxm

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Joined
Dec 15, 2008
Messages
901
Location
NJ
Proto 5249 for 3/8, it is low profile; can fit in back pocket; the big head can be used as palm ratchet. For 1/4, I like the duralast flex head; it's long and strong, I pretty much never use the 1/4 breaker bar anymore.
 
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Hammell

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 7, 2012
Messages
296
Location
Canada
Wright 6400, 24in, 3/4 drive, because when you need it, you need it.:D
Husky 18in Flex head 1/2 drive, so dam handy. Used most often, broken twice, but the design is great, might upgrade to Snap On or Wright if or when she goes again.
Proto 3/8 Flex head, j5257f. Good for the tight spots. very nice.
1/4 drive, too small to care, used the least.
 
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Gregg33

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 13, 2011
Messages
777
Location
Port Colborne, ON, Canada
I love my SO pears. My 1/2" is an older made in Canada model that is probably a 20 tooth. I rescued it from a used tool store for $20. SO dealer rebuilt it for me and I cleaned it up. Love the feel of it and it's as tough as nails. I also have a newer SO 3/8" pear, that has is much smoother. I bought this one used, but it's in like new condition. Great for tight places (lots of teeth), and has a great feel and good styling.

In my track box I have an older Gray 1/2" pear ratchet, much like the 1/2" SO it doesn't have many teeth but it's tough as nails. Also in the track box I have a 3/8" Bahco with a rubber grip. Look's futuristic and works great, # of teeth is between fine and course.

Those 4 are my "go-to" rats. For 1/4" I have 2 different (Danaher) Kobalt pears I use, but I'm not as keen on those, don't like the lever style or the handles much. I probably have a dozen other ratchets in brands ranging from Mastercraft to SK but they rarely get used.
 
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IndyGarage

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 29, 2010
Messages
9,713
Location
Indy
Wera Zyklop.

I love the 1/4 inch - with a bit driver in it, it handles exactly like the best ratcheting screwdriver you've ever used. Then you can close it to 90 degrees and turn something down tight.

The 3/8 and 1/2 are identical in function. The 1/2 is much much more comfortable to use than a metal handle ratchet. It feels really solid and the action is finer than any other ratchet I've used.
 
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transittech

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 27, 2012
Messages
299
Snap On FHLFD80. Comfy handle, lots of leverage, and fine teeth and flex handle to avoid the obstructions caused by the long handle.
 
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ndoran

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 23, 2011
Messages
496
I have a Britool 1/4 in drive with a snap on hard handle on it, I have used it for 32 years and it is the first ratchet I grab. Just wish I could find a repair kit for it for when it needs rebuilding
 
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carterbeauford

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 2, 2011
Messages
1,550
Location
NW PA
Craftsman USA 3/8 thin profile, fits great in my hand, feels great to use and takes a beating. I took an entire John Deere B apart with it.
 
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CORTEZSS69

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 24, 2011
Messages
313
Location
Kansas City
SK 45170, been a great ratchet, feels good in my hand and I'm kinda an old school guy, just had my local dealer put a new head kit and it works even better now. My dad bought a new 1/2 drive deep Wards Power-Kraft Ratchet set back in the late 60s it had a old Wright ratchet with the Tootsie roll handle and as a kid I used it all the the time. For years I have tried to get him to sell it to me or gift it to me with no luck. Well I just happen to have a grandfather that loves going to garage sales and buys lots of what must people call junk, then resales what he doesn't need. Early this year he bought a box of sh!t and I was looking in the bottom of the box and found a like new Power-Kraft(Wright) 1/2 Tootsie roll ratchet. You would have thought I find the winning power ball ticket, I asked him what he had to have for it, well he said nothing, so I bought breakfest that morning. It still brings a smile to my face everytime I use it and see it in by box.:D
 
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dandan111

Well-known member
Joined
May 2, 2012
Messages
1,623
Location
Indiana
SK tuff one. Best I got. Cheap,made in the USA and fine tooth.
Feel better quality than my craftsman ratchets.
 
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