bowmard
Well-known member
On page 116 in the October, 2013 issue of Hot Rod Magazine, staff members conduct failure lab tests on eleven 1/2" drive ratchets. By failure test I mean force is applied to the ratchet mechanism until point of failure. All ratchets were priced around $20. A couple were used ones picked up from swap meets but most were brand new.
The best performer was a new Duralast 72-126 ratchet, made in Taiwan and purchased from AutoZone. The socket mount failed at 890 ft/lbs of torque. This ratchet strongly resembles a newer Snap-on tear drop ratchet
The worst performer was the Chinese made Powerbilt 642505 round head ratchet bought at CARQUEST. Its internal mechanism seized at 632 ft/lbs
A new Craftsman Chinese made 44809 ratchet went to 808 ft/lbs before its socket mount broke.
A Taiwanese made Kobalt flex head 0337327 ratchet went to 828 ft/lbs before the socket mount twisted off.
The Chinese made Harbor Freight Pittsburg 69347 tear drop went to 794 ft/lbs before the socket mount twisted off.
An early '60s vintage Craftsman tear drop ratchet with questionable innards went to 333 ft/lbs before it skipped a tooth.
A used Proto 5449 tear drop ratchet went to 659 ft/lbs before it skipped a tooth internally.
Please see the article for full details on the other ratchets tested. If you ever wondered how good these ratchets are here's your chance to find out.
All in all, as much as I hate to say it, the current crop of foreign made tear drop style ratchets are very good, the round heads not as good.
The best performer was a new Duralast 72-126 ratchet, made in Taiwan and purchased from AutoZone. The socket mount failed at 890 ft/lbs of torque. This ratchet strongly resembles a newer Snap-on tear drop ratchet
The worst performer was the Chinese made Powerbilt 642505 round head ratchet bought at CARQUEST. Its internal mechanism seized at 632 ft/lbs
A new Craftsman Chinese made 44809 ratchet went to 808 ft/lbs before its socket mount broke.
A Taiwanese made Kobalt flex head 0337327 ratchet went to 828 ft/lbs before the socket mount twisted off.
The Chinese made Harbor Freight Pittsburg 69347 tear drop went to 794 ft/lbs before the socket mount twisted off.
An early '60s vintage Craftsman tear drop ratchet with questionable innards went to 333 ft/lbs before it skipped a tooth.
A used Proto 5449 tear drop ratchet went to 659 ft/lbs before it skipped a tooth internally.
Please see the article for full details on the other ratchets tested. If you ever wondered how good these ratchets are here's your chance to find out.
All in all, as much as I hate to say it, the current crop of foreign made tear drop style ratchets are very good, the round heads not as good.
