What's better round head or tear drop ratchets??

[AmericanPreferred]

When I think pro wrench I am thinking of automotive and heavy truck tech's. There are brands (Snap On, Matco, Mac, Cornwell) that direct market to them, come right in the shop where they work. They also have online catalogs, if you go to any on their sites you will find the pear heads vastly outnumber the round heads, usually at least a 10 to 1 ratio. And you may also note that the rotators that have to be round head are serviced with a whole new head instead of a pawl kit. I may have stepped on some toes, but one is better than the other by design. A few more of the advantages are, they are usually thinner, and have less back drag than the round heads. This is likely to be about the most used tool you will have, I say get the best you can afford.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

How often have you seen round head ratchets with the teeth in the head worn out? I've bought and sold many ratchets and I can't remember a single one I've had where the teeth in the head were too worn to work.

I have had some where the overall machining in the head is worn so the mechanism can move around a little, but they were very old.

In theory it could happen, but it seems more like a theoretical issue than something that happens in the real world very often.

Never seen it myself but this being GJ somebody has and chances are it's in the dozens, perhaps hundreds, if not more

 

[AmericanPreferred]

If someone will help me post some pictures I have found an example of this seeming rare phemonon.

 

[Hiball]

When I think pro wrench I am thinking of automotive and heavy truck tech's. There are brands (Snap On, Matco, Mac, Cornwell) that direct market to them, come right in the shop where they work. They also have online catalogs, if you go to any on their sites you will find the pear heads vastly outnumber the round heads, usually at least a 10 to 1 ratio. And you may also note that the rotators that have to be round head are serviced with a whole new head instead of a pawl kit. I may have stepped on some toes, but one is better than the other by design. A few more of the advantages are, they are usually thinner, and have less back drag than the round heads. This is likely to be about the most used tool you will have, I say get the best you can afford.

Im not sure about that 10-1 comment, as far as that goes I know its not a good representation in regards to what tool trucks are Offering, Now if your talking about what Techs prefer. I agree its probably 10-1 in favor of Pear versus Round.

I question the Back drag comment, I don't think you will find a mechanism with a lighter back drag than a SK Round head. A broken in Dual 80, would definitely give it a run for the money. Of course that's just my Opinion based off my Experiences. YMMV..

 

[Hiball]

Never seen it myself but this being GJ somebody has and chances are it's in the dozens, perhaps hundreds, if not more

It Happens.. tools Wear out/break, Why some people seem to get there knickers in a bunch is beyond me.

 

[AmericanPreferred]

Im not sure about that 10-1 comment, as far as that goes I know its not a good representation in regards to what tool trucks are Offering, Now if your talking about what Techs prefer. I agree its probably 10-1 in favor of Pear versus Round.

I question the Back drag comment, I don't think you will find a mechanism with a lighter back drag than a SK Round head. A broken in Dual 80, would definitely give it a run for the money. Of course that's just my Opinion based off my Experiences. YMMV..

It is actually more than 10 to 1 on all the sites I mentioned except Mac.

 

[eleblu05]

well i own both styles of ratchets and prefer pearhead ratchets. imo the pear head ratchets are stronger and better design. i have a snap on round head ratchet with a broken tooth in the head. of all the ratchets i own my favorite ratchet is an sk round head with an offset handle and it skips now, ill have to take it apart to see where the damage is on that ratchet.so in short if i was in a remote location and had only one ratchet it would be a pearhead.

 

[KinzeMech]

I'm going to step on both sides of this argument, so everyone can flame me

I've had a round head (craftsman 1/2 RHFT) that broke two teeth in the head. And I don't care. I don't know why anyone cares. Instead of new ratchet guts, I got a whole new ratchet. I am assuming anyone passionate enough about their ratchets to post in this thread, would be buying a name brand backed up with a warranty. Any reputable tool warranty I've ever heard of would replace a non-rebuildable ratchet with a new one.
I know there's the argument that a ratchet can go out of production, while a rebuild kit is still available, but that really isn't that frequent, and usually results in replacement with a comparable new model.

 

[Hiball]

It is actually more than 10 to 1 on all the sites I mentioned except Mac.

I'm not gonna argue, if people want to do the research they can... Snap on offers a variety of round heads in standard head, roto and its nowhere near 10-1 even with all there options. (I just double checked via Snap On, Even with them counting every variation they offer in chrome, comfort, Quick Release and Industrial) its still doesn't equal 70 to offset the 7 roundhead options they offer).

Matco is now offering the 100 tooth round heads similar to carlye, just running the numbers in my head. I'm not seeing it...

Cornwell.. Again offers the same Carlyle lineup, I'm not seeing 30 ratchet options to strictly offset the 3 roto's.

Btw.. This is a silly discussion.

 

[Hiball]

I'm going to step on both sides of this argument, so everyone can flame me

No Need for Flaming.. Its all about Preference, its what makes life interesting.

 

[AmericanPreferred]

Its 30 and 2 at Cornwell

http://www.cornwelltools.com/webcat...e-Tools/3{47}8"-Ratchets&page=1&sort=featured

 

[Hiball]

Its 30 and 2 at Cornwell

http://www.cornwelltools.com/webcat...e-Tools/3{47}8"-Ratchets&page=1&sort=featured

Again silly.. But for clarity, did you count every handle variation? If so I see 6 round heads via the link you posted.

 

[AmericanPreferred]

You are right it is silly. I don't like being called a lair though. Maybe I have just had bad luck of the draw on ratchets, but worn round heads have been common in my experience, can I make them work good enough to pawn off on someone else? Sure I can. Do I? Hell No. The OP asked which is better, I believe there is a clear cut, though not popular answer to the question. I have found one of my personal round heads that shattered a pawl, and went almost exactly a quarter turn before I could stop it. The teeth in this area are flattened, since it was attached to an expensive torque wrench (Utica) I replaced the pawl, does it ratchet? Yes. Is it damaged still? Absolutely.

 

[Hiball]

You are right it is silly. I don't like being called a lair though. Maybe I have just had bad luck of the draw on ratchets, but worn round heads have been common in my experience, can I make them work good enough to pawn off on someone else? Sure I can. Do I? Hell No. The OP asked which is better, I believe there is a clear cut, though not popular answer to the question. I have found one of my personal round heads that shattered a pawl, and went almost exactly a quarter turn before I could stop it. The teeth in this area are flattened, since it was attached to an expensive torque wrench (Utica) I replaced the pawl, does it ratchet? Yes. Is it damaged still? Absolutely.

Why get worked up? I most certainly didnt call you a liar. You are entitled to you opinion on what is better, round or pear. That doesn't mean everyone who disagrees or has a differing opinion is wrong.

(Breathe)

I'd be willing to bet there are very few mechanics who don't have both options in there arsenal, again variety is the spice of life.

 

[AmericanPreferred]

Such BS you spew. I have repaired at least two SK ratchets that had broken teeth on the pawl. New kits fixed them. The head of the ratchet was not irreparably damaged or really damaged at all. Broken teeth in the head could happen, but I don't think it's nearly as common as you're claiming.

If you don't like round head ratchets, that's fine. But don't make up reasoning to back up your claims.

But anyway, you can keep hating on round head ratchets if that's how you get your jollies. I'm done with your shenanigans and this thread.

Those of us that have seen the light will keep using and enjoying round head ratchets.

I have both round head and pearhead ratchets. There are designs of both I like. As I said before, neither is really "better."

====================


I know I said I was done with this...

I don't "sell" one kind or the other, I'm not a tool dealer. When I get bored with a tool I sell or trade it off so I can try something new, no matter what tool it is or what ratchet design it is.

I already refuted your other points. See above for answers.

This seems pretty much like being called a lair to me.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

It Happens.. tools Wear out/break, Why some people seem to get there knickers in a bunch is beyond me.

This ->

 

[Hiball]

This seems pretty much like being called a lair to me.

Well first and foremost, I don't want to speak for someone else. I was under the impression that you thought I was calling you a liar in regards to the ratio of pear to round head ratchets offered by truck dealers. I have no doubt that round head ratchets wear, its the nature of the beast. IRC wright recommended that after 2 gut swaps the ratchet should be discarded. IME only I've witnessed far more pear ratchet failures versus round, that obviously doesn't mean that is the gospel, only my experiences. I'm now the owner of my grandfathers SK Wayne tools that where used when farmers actually worked on there Tractors/implements, there condition speaks volumes for me. Hopefully the OP pulled enough info from the thread to forge a decision, even then it won't be the "best" ratchet only the best option for him.

 

[Hiball]

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go put a new belt on one of my mowers. I think I hear a Wright round head ratchet calling my name...

I hope you have better luck than I did today, my JD 185 was having clutch engagement issues. After some further investigating the bolt that holds the clutch to the crank shaft had broken off, allowed the clutch to drop a inch, which in turn mucked up the wiring. I spent 2 hours drilling and extracting the the old bolt.. Now I've got to see if I can fix the wiring..

 

[AmericanPreferred]

How can they be like new when way less than half the teeth were replaced?