The entire body is made in the USA. How USA do you want to get?
Apprenticeship ratchets
- Thread starter anthonyfilice
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The entire body is made in the USA. How USA do you want to get?
SKAutomotive
Well-known member
I wish I could find a good deal on a JR72 just so I can see what all the rage is.
Guts made here so they can stamp it USA of course.
SantaAna12
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Another vote for Snap On dual 80. Try EBay in the off hours.
BTW: A workers "value" is also shown by his knowledge of quality tools, and his commitment to this principle by owning them.
BTW: A workers "value" is also shown by his knowledge of quality tools, and his commitment to this principle by owning them.
Translation. Spend stupid amounts of money and people will take you more serious. Nice sentiment but entirely flawed. There is nothing higher quality about an F80 vs a GW 81211 full polish ratchet that justifies a 500% markup (just throwing a number out there but you get the point).
Same argument we've had in the past with new guys showing up with a 10k tool box with most of it empty and not knowing how to change an alternator without messing it up. Mechanic makes the tools work and sets the standards of quality of his tasks at hand. The tools don't do anything on their own and a bolt wont give a damn if your ratchet was made in USA town USA or China town China.
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smothers33
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snapon is my favorite by far for ratchets. matcos good but way overpriced. the armstrong locking flex is exactly the same ratchet except 60 teeth vs 88 for matco. armstrongs less than half what the matco sells for and if you really want the extra teeth you can get a rebuild kit and drop it into the armstrong.
other than that the other brands ive had and can account for are sk, gearwrench, craftsman.....
sk and gearwrench are both real good and the craftsman is average at best.
other than that the other brands ive had and can account for are sk, gearwrench, craftsman.....
sk and gearwrench are both real good and the craftsman is average at best.
SKAutomotive
Well-known member
Yes, but I'm not gonna be much of a good mechanic if I'm all pissed off because my cheap Chinese GearWrench ratchet starts skipping teeth and it's the only ratchet I have...
yep cause USA ratchets never have problems. in addition to my 2 swaps before I got a good Cman 84t I've had 1 Matco ratchet completely fail out of the package (free spun in 1 direction) and TWO T72s lock up, jump, then self reverse, one of those times my hand went into a manifold. It did not make me happy.
I like my USA tools, its all I try to buy when I can, but i'm under no delusions that something as simple as a ratchet cant be substituted for a quality import brand without any ill effects.
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SKAutomotive
Well-known member
Yes, but if you look at the general experiences with a Snap On ratchet, it is of people praising them, with one or two complaining...and then...
...there is things like this:
http://www.harborfreight.com/1-4-qu...2-half-inch-dual-drive-ratchet-set-94027.html
diesel research
Well-known member
I don't know where all the mechanics and techs who use Matco and Mac wrenches are, but in my 7 years in the field, I have seen a couple of constants and one of those is Snap On ratchets are used by most techs.
based on many factors, important one being there are far more snap on trucks in many areas, many being served by only snap on.
after that, its mostly who finances better that week.
in all my travels, ive met about 2 people who got nerdy enough to know model names, technical features, etc. when the rest wanted a tool, they got the first thing a tool man would finance. locally, more often than not, it was an imported bluepoint. the rooks come in with whatever they got from tech schools, which is more often than not, snap on.
lets not even for a moment claim that most went on the truck targeting a specific product/model/brand. for every 1 garage journal type, there are 15 more pro-techs that have very little knowledge of what they buy.
the local snap on man doesnt even bother pedaling much actual snap on hardline. in other areas of the city, the techs are using almost exclusively cornwell or matco....just because that is who services them or they had some rude experience.
the stats are largely insignificant. premium product? absolutely. the reason why they are chosen? not entirely.
64Trvlr
Well-known member
Here is a review from a satisfied customer on the HF site for this fine quality product.
"I bought these as an extra set to keep in my truck. They had the lifetime warranty so I figured if I broke them I could always get a replacement. Well I have used them only a few times because they come with what seems to be a pressure release mechanism. That is, if you put too much torque on the drive the gears slip, and you punch whatever you're working on. Then the drive gets stuck, and you think you've broke it. But alas, take a wrench, put it on the drive and the gears will pop back into place and the ratchet will live again for you to bust your knuckles on some other project. If your working on a hot wheels car, buy this set. If you do any type of work where you may put any type of torque on your ratchet, do not buy this product."
SKAutomotive
Well-known member
I understand what you mean, but I am not going that deep into it. All I am saying is SO has a reputation for quality. And as Ben Franklin said "It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation and only 1 to ruin it."
The "rats' I use daily are the Craftsman thin profile, but my original ratchets are old Blackhawk. I dont know for sure about the quality of them(Blackhawk) now, but the old Blackhawk round head ratchets are smooth as silk, and tough as hell!
Pumpman1968
Well-known member
Find yourself a couple of decent Williams or S-K ratchets......and don't be afraid of used on Ebay. You can get some for minimal investment and repair kits are cheap and plentiful. Then get to work. Once your out there, you'll have the opportunity to have some variety in your hands. Find out what feels right for you. I myself don't see the benefit of the truck brands. Seems to me that A LOT (but certainly not all) of the guys that buy (insert truck brand here) buy into it for bragging rights.....these are the same guys that had the louvers and non-functional hood scoops on their Camaros in the 80's. That stuff made them go MUCH faster right?
Once you have found out whats out there, buy (insert truck brand here) if it works for you. Its worth the investment. If you decide on an S-K.........hey, they have been making virtually the same round head ratchet for 70 years with little change.....its your choice. Pocket the extra money....I'm sure your gonna need it.
My intention is meant in no way to bash the truck brands........I just found what works for me. Not an opinion..........its my personal preference.
Once you have found out whats out there, buy (insert truck brand here) if it works for you. Its worth the investment. If you decide on an S-K.........hey, they have been making virtually the same round head ratchet for 70 years with little change.....its your choice. Pocket the extra money....I'm sure your gonna need it.
My intention is meant in no way to bash the truck brands........I just found what works for me. Not an opinion..........its my personal preference.
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Hyster Gareth
Well-known member
I was an apprentice once and cost is a big issue when you are just starting out in your chosen field.
Please dont get into the cycle of accruing debt.
Williams ratchets are very nice and will serve you well. They are the old Snap On 936 ratchets.
I have dual 80's they are great ratchets but my go to ratchet is my old Snap On 830. Much of it is personal preference become skilled in your field and then upgrade.
Please dont get into the cycle of accruing debt.
Williams ratchets are very nice and will serve you well. They are the old Snap On 936 ratchets.
I have dual 80's they are great ratchets but my go to ratchet is my old Snap On 830. Much of it is personal preference become skilled in your field and then upgrade.
foreverfalcon40
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I know this is going to break your wallet, but I am as cheap as it comes with tools. Most of my box is Craftsman...heck that is the heart and soul of my box that started it all. I even have the new Cman Low Profile Professional 80 teeth ratchet wrenches...they look brand new from the day I got them (I broke my old ones on purpose to warranty them out to get these) THEY LOOK brand new. I NEVER USE THEM.
I use my Snap On Ratchets...comfy handle at the end and Extra long handle for the Leverage. I am a Diesel Tech for a career and work on anything with a Motor on the side. I have Snap On 1/2 Drive 25" Flex Head with Comfy Grip (got it used for $150 shipped off Ebay) Got the 3/8 Drive non Flex head with Comfy Grip $99 new off EBay...can get used cheaper. 1/4in drive flex head with comfy grip used for 40 via Craigslist.
My first SO tool period with 3/8 ratcher wrench...you want to know how good it is. I used that with a series of Comboination Wrenches to Remove my transmission and transfer case out of my 99 Tahoe!
I use my Snap On Ratchets...comfy handle at the end and Extra long handle for the Leverage. I am a Diesel Tech for a career and work on anything with a Motor on the side. I have Snap On 1/2 Drive 25" Flex Head with Comfy Grip (got it used for $150 shipped off Ebay) Got the 3/8 Drive non Flex head with Comfy Grip $99 new off EBay...can get used cheaper. 1/4in drive flex head with comfy grip used for 40 via Craigslist.
My first SO tool period with 3/8 ratcher wrench...you want to know how good it is. I used that with a series of Comboination Wrenches to Remove my transmission and transfer case out of my 99 Tahoe!
Nitroinsane
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First, I am a snap on ***** I am very hard on all of my tools. I have only had one ratchet issue so far. 1/2 inch long handled ratchet. The head bolts would loosen causing the ratchet to give a stripped like feeling. Snap on revised the head design and my dealer gave me the new design. I recently purchased a triple set of of gearwrench ratchets.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000NI93JS/ref=mw_dp_mpd?pd=1 I love these things so far. Comfortable profile, thin head, no push button, and they are pretty inexpensive
I strongly urge you to stay away from Mac ratchets. I have broken 2 different ratchets which have caused me to be spun into a world of pissed off.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000NI93JS/ref=mw_dp_mpd?pd=1 I love these things so far. Comfortable profile, thin head, no push button, and they are pretty inexpensive
I strongly urge you to stay away from Mac ratchets. I have broken 2 different ratchets which have caused me to be spun into a world of pissed off.
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tank4114
Well-known member
this is a simple question get a second hand t72 for $30 and a f80 for $45 off ebay problem soved
Just checked out the MAC. It's pretty nice looking. Is it made by Titan?
I have a 72 tooth 1/4 snappy w/ comfort handle that i ripped off the handle on...by using it to remove one Cummins exhaust manifold bolt...with a 2 foot cheetah pipe...otherwise, i love my snappys...except that the locking flex 3/8 likes to lock whenever it feels like it...
I don't think it's uncommon to see a person with a full set of SO ratchets...except the locking flexes, which are Matco
crewchief888
Well-known member
SO or matco
i have 2 long handle flex ratchets, one a SO, the other a duralast.
i have 2 long handle flex ratchets, one a SO, the other a duralast.
i have the coveted dual 80 with a red hard handle. i will take the abuse it 's not that great of a ratchet. my personal favorite right now, armstrong 88 tooth aerospace and 60 tooth locking flex. same mechanism as the gearwrench, matco and some cman ratchets. i also have a gearwrench with an 88 matco kit. all good ratchets but i prefer the armstrong and gearwrench handles.
KnurledNut
Well-known member
Buy a Plomb, and call me in the morning.
joebachor
Well-known member
buy anything american made. i collect ratchets and own more then i care to count and i reach for my matco 88's most often. the 88's are cool because of the slim heads and high tooth count and the way they balance in the hand. they are also easy to maintain and i've not broken any so far, even after some very heavy use. my job supplies tools to us and all our ratchets are proto, the techs i work with totally abuse them and they hold up impressively. all that being said, snap on is my favorite because im a collector and for guys like me the date codes and parts availability and various models make snap on pretty cool.
I like my armstrong ratchets more than I liked the snap on's i used in the military. I like the weight, they way they feel in my hand, the sound, the finish, the logo lol. I'm pretty sure if I had a snap on truck at my disposal on a regular basis id have more snap on. I like my snap on combination wrenches going back to cman was painful. A lot of it is feel, I've had to many craftsman rats granted not the high end, be total terds.
You don't have to go snap on out the gate, but to quality. Professional wrench turners learn quick once that cheap ratchet strips out and their knuckles find every sharp, hard, painful thing in the general area lol. Give armstrong a try. Cheap enough to not hurt if you want to replace them after a few months, nice enough to last a lifetime if you fall in love with them like I have.
You don't have to go snap on out the gate, but to quality. Professional wrench turners learn quick once that cheap ratchet strips out and their knuckles find every sharp, hard, painful thing in the general area lol. Give armstrong a try. Cheap enough to not hurt if you want to replace them after a few months, nice enough to last a lifetime if you fall in love with them like I have.
Steinmetz
Well-known member
Agree with this. Or buy Snap-On and forget about buying groceries for the week.
64Trvlr
Well-known member
I don't have any SK in any of my tool boxes.ihateminimumwage
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I bought the dual 80 Snap-On ratchets and now can never go back. I like my Gearwrench and Kobalt stuff, but it just doesn't compare. Matco's are good too, but I just love my SOs.
TheGrooveking
Well-known member
High end USA: Snapon dual 80
Mid range USA: WILLIAMS (previous generation snapon 936 series)
Good quality Import: GearWrench
USED: never discount buying used tools on a budget; many good older/industrial brands (Proto, Williams, Armstrong, Wright etc.), pro brands (Snapon, Mac, Matco) can be gotten for next to nothing at the flea market and garage sales, happy hunting!
+1.
TheGrooveking
darkk
Well-known member
^^^X2 I have many many SK tools, That's the majority of my tool collection. I have SK tools from the mid 60's that I have used through out my working carreer. I couldn't see spending money just for the shiney shiney finish and smooth look. They hurt my fingers anyways...too skinny. Antways...I have almost all Sk And they have proven to be a great investment. Regardless of what the truck tool guys tell you, SK is not a second class tool...they have served me well for over 45+ years.
