Good 1/2" drive ratchet under $30?

[logan09]

Long story short, I had a Companion tool set with a 1/4" 3/8" 1/2"(Sold by sears before craftsman switched to China) Well, my 1/2" ratchet disappeared. I used and abused that thing alot. Using it as a breaker bar with a cheater bar etc... and that thing lasted through all of it. Tried finding another but they haven't made them in a while.

I bought one from HF to replace it but not sure how much I can trust it. Only other thing I can think of is buying either an older craftsman for around $15 or buy a new one? Any other good options. I don't have a HF or Sears anywhere near me BTW.
This is the one I have bought in 1/2"

 

[Super Sport]

You do realize that Companion ratchet was probably made in China, right? If you trusted your knuckles to it, I don't see why you would have a problem with a Chinese Craftsman or HF ratchet.

 

[tweedlestan]

If you're careful you can find an older Snap on ratchet for $30. You should also consider a Proto 5449 which can easily be found for $20 used.

 

[Deadhead]

Go to HF and get the 1/2" extendable ratchet and you will be well pleased. I use mine every day and have now for 3 years with no problems

 

[Conductor562]

Check out Tekton. Similar or identical to HF but with a better warranty and awesome customer service. A member here, DaveR works for them and can help you out with any questions or issues that arise.

I like the used idea myself. Proto 5449's are near bulletproof

 

[CWP1616L]

Heres a 1/2'' Proto for $25 + $12 shipping. Good ratchet.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/proto-1-2-r...163?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3382f3936b

 

[Harrison2]

bluepoint, check eBay

 

[bart1]

I like the idea of used Proto or SK.

 

[Flivver250]

If cash is tight, wait until can afford a good new or used tool. There are plenty of Asian products you can't avoid buying because there aren't any or many domestic alternatives. Hand tools are not one of them.

 

[Scout Driver]

As far as new, I'd find a USA made Allen.

If you are looking for used, it will be hard to beat an SK. Otherwise, hold out for an older, used Snap On.

Scott

 

[CNGsaves]

Just watch CL like a hawk and something will show up.

I found an entire 1/2" drive Proto set for $40 on CL recently.

 

[exmaxima1]

If you're careful you can find an older Snap on ratchet for $30. You should also consider a Proto 5449 which can easily be found for $20 used.

I have a Proto 5449 (as well as its matching torque wrench) and compared to modern ratchets it seems very clunky. I found that the swivel head ratchets with the fine tooth mechanisms are handy and more pleasurable to use.

You can buy the Kobalt ratchet at Lowes for about $30 (on sale), or directly from eBay for less than $25:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kobalt-1-2-..._Automotive_Tools&hash=item233330756b&vxp=mtr

Another nice wrench is the Proto/Facom, made in Italy. I got the flex head version for $30 from the 'bay.

 

[byoungblood]

Look around for a used Wright or Williams S-52 (old round head style). I have a few others in my box, but those are the ones I use all the time. I may have spent $30 on both of them.

 

[Pumpman1968]

Just go on ebay, type in 42470 for S-K 1/2" drive. Oodles of them lightly used for around $20 shipped to your door. No frills. Same design for 70 plus years. Will last you a lifetime...........then pass it on to someone else.

 

[exmaxima1]

Look around for a used Wright or Williams S-52 (old round head style).

+1 on the old Williams! You can also find flex-head versions for less than $20!!

 

[Bull]

If you got to a HF, try out their 1/2 composite ratchet and see what you think. It feels NICE to me, both in terms of the tactile sensation from the grip as well as the smooth ratcheting of the 72 tooth mechanism. It's also dirt cheap and I believe has nearly 100% 5-star reviews on their site.

I'm going to grab a set next time I am there.

 

[MJB24]

Lots of good answers above.

What about Masterforce. Menards has MF12900 for $26.99

Made in USA. Lifetime Warranty

 

[tacomabob]

HF composite ratchet !

 

[d.mcfarland]

Cornwell 1/2 drive will hover around $20. If you ever break it their customer service is excellent.

 

[bonneyman]

I like the idea of used Proto or SK.

I found a used - but virtually NOS - S-K Wayne 1/2" for $1 at an estate sale. So, such deals are out there.

And you might consider Bonney. I paid $26 plus shipping on mine a few years ago. Very tough mechanism.
Seems ebay has several right now for around $30.

Here is my $1 rat on the top of my growing Wayne set.

 

[priceman1414]

Lots of good answers above.

What about Masterforce. Menards has MF12900 for $26.99

Made in USA. Lifetime Warranty

This, if you have a store in your area.

 

[reptilezs]

just get one on ebay. the standard 10-11'' handle ratchet will be like 30 bucks for most industrial type brands. it only gets more expensive with 15'' handle and flex heads

 

[mshell56118]

As far as new, I'd find a USA made Allen.

If you are looking for used, it will be hard to beat an SK. Otherwise, hold out for an older, used Snap On.

Scott

Master force from menards is built by Allen. Actually I just bought one at local menards that still said allen


Matt

 

[cburnscrx]

I have a Titan 1/2 which I love and tried actively to kill earlier in its life...couldn't! That would be my choice if I only had one.

The other suggestion would be the Husky 72 tooth ratchet at Home Depot. It's made by APEX (Gearwrench,Armstrong, ect) but at a much lower cost. I was actually going to buy the Gearwrench 120xp, but went with the Husky since it was a quick release. I suspect the internals on the Husky are a straight swap to the Craftsman thin profile.

 

[MJB24]

Cornwell 1/2 drive will hover around $20. If you ever break it their customer service is excellent.

You are talking used???

 

[diggerrick]

Go to HF and get the 1/2" extendable ratchet and you will be well pleased. I use mine every day and have now for 3 years with no problems

Absolutely the best bang for the buck ratchet I've ever used - got mine on sale for $9.99 when they first came out 3-4 years ago, and 72t also. Should still be less than $15 on sale or with coupon.

 

[logan09]

Thanks for the replies. I will look into all of them. Leaning more towards something used. Looks like I can get the Proto used for under $15shipped.

 

[Rico.]

Once you've got your nice ratchet, the next time you're in Harbour Freight plump up
10 of your hard earned dollars and pick up a breaker bar.... Then you will never have
to make your knuckles nervous again, and your shiny ratchet will also thank you..

 

[Ross/Kzoo]

I bought a HD Husky 3/8" set about a year ago. Has very nice action to the wrench, very well made.

 

[RRmech]

Sometimes, you can find off-brand or obscure NOS 1/2 inch drive ratchets, dirt cheap on flea-bay:

Herbrand, KAL, Truecraft, Giller, Fuller, etc.
You won't have a warranty, but for ten bucks....who cares?

 

[Outlander]

If you got to a HF, try out their 1/2 composite ratchet and see what you think. It feels NICE to me, both in terms of the tactile sensation from the grip as well as the smooth ratcheting of the 72 tooth mechanism. It's also dirt cheap and I believe has nearly 100% 5-star reviews on their site.

I'm going to grab a set next time I am there.

HF composite ratchet !

^^ this. I have the Canadian version from Princess Auto

 

[neurotic]

The other suggestion would be the Husky 72 tooth ratchet at Home Depot. It's made by APEX (Gearwrench,Armstrong, ect) but at a much lower cost. I was actually going to buy the Gearwrench 120xp, but went with the Husky since it was a quick release. I suspect the internals on the Husky are a straight swap to the Craftsman thin profile.

+Juan

FYI, the internals were identical (aside from the quick release) to the 60t internals from an Armstrong Maxx ratchet. So they should be the same as the Craftsman thin profiles, albeit 72 versus 60 teeth. Also, the Huskys seems to made in both Tiawan and China. I don't know if there is a difference, but it is something notable.

 

[ishiboo]

HF Composite or Kobalt. Same guts. The Kobalt 6-point shallow/deep sets often go on sale for $20, so you could come out with a ratchet, extension, and like 20 sockets for $20.

 

[zkling]

Once you've got your nice ratchet, the next time you're in Harbour Freight plump up
10 of your hard earned dollars and pick up a breaker bar.... Then you will never have
to make your knuckles nervous again, and your shiny ratchet will also thank you..

As usual Rico oozes wisdom.

I'd recommend a SK or possibly proto used 1/2" ratchet, possibly craftsman. Then get one of the large HF breaker bars for ~$10. Easily get both for under $40 and if you keep out a careful eye, probably both for under $30

 

[gearhead1]

Definitely check Craigslist or eBay for a US made SK, Snap-on, Mac, Craftsman, etc

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

My advice is to stop throwing money at cheap *** tools and buy something that is worth owning. Why spend $75 on 5 broken *********** ratchets when $50 will get you a nice one that will last a life time?

 

[scaron]

chalk up another vote for the bonney A-702K; i got mine for maybe $30 used on ebay and i love it. proto and challenger are also nice and you should be able to find an used example in good condition for <= $30 on ebay pretty easily as well. used S-K ratchets are fairly easy to find, probably similar price point <= $30. wright is nice but they tend to be much less common from my experience.

 

[nicksnothereman]

You do realize that Companion ratchet was probably made in China, right? If you trusted your knuckles to it, I don't see why you would have a problem with a Chinese Craftsman or HF ratchet.

It was definitely made in china!

Actually, the companion stuff isn't as awful as it should be. It should be dollar store quality but it's held up okay for the stuff I have. Anyway...1/2" ratchet under 30 I'd go kobalt or pittsburgh pro (both should be taiwan). Best bang for the buck and will hold up.

Most stuff in 1/2" will hold up regardless of manufacturer or coo because of the size. There won't be anything "low end" in 1/2" because it's not a traditional consumer size. I picked up a "blue hawk" 1/2" set from lowes on clearance and it has been good and the ratchet is decent but I prefer the taiwanese stuff. Kobalt has a lighted 1/2" for around 10 bucks which would be the way to go from their line (something on clearance). They have a twist ratcheting ratchet as well for a similar price. Both are taiwan. But the harbor freight composite would be what you use the most (or another one of their taiwanese ratchets) because they're cheaper and have better handles while being just as smooth.

 

[logan09]

You do realize that Companion ratchet was probably made in China, right? If you trusted your knuckles to it, I don't see why you would have a problem with a Chinese Craftsman or HF ratchet.

What I was trying to say was, I believe that Companion was what Craftsmans "Evolve" set is now. If that makes sense.

I ended up picking up a composite ratchet and extending ratchet from HF along with some other stuff I needed.

Also, I do have a breaker bar....Now. I have never broken a chinese ratchet. Although I have only used my companion set as that's all I have ever needed. I do have some "quality" tools. But I see no reason to spend $50 on a ratchet when I have been using mine since about 2003 with no issues.

 

[Flivver250]

My advice is to stop throwing money at cheap *** tools and buy something that is worth owning. Why spend $75 on 5 broken *********** ratchets when $50 will get you a nice one that will last a life time?

+1 Junk tools are just plain embarrassing.