my favorite HF purchase this year

[ajchien]

Ive had it since it first came out a few years ago. I haven't used it as often as I thought I would.

It certainly is the lowest profile ratchet I have.

Turns out there's not as many applications for me as I thought there would be. When I'm lacking space for a ratchet/socket, although this is overall thinner than any other ratchet/socket combo, a ratcheting wrench still fits easier.

I seem to use it more on tight space, recessed bolts. Like things where 60degree offset wrenches usually are used. that isn't that often for me.

 

[SASORacing]

Yellow ball peen 5pc hammer set for $16. Incredible.

I bought some gloves, thin black ones with rough rubber dipped hands ( not shiny type but matte black). I think they are discontinued now, but boy they are the best mechanic gloves ever, wish I bought more than 2 pairs.

Also I really like the 15 grinder. Great, can't tell the difference between a expensive one. It grinds good what else.

 

[Canoe50]

See, that's always my worry with anything flex that's non-locking. This thing is so long (relatively), if you're reaching it down into the abyss where you truly can't fit your hand behind it and you try to guide it onto a fastener only to have the head flop back, what do you do? Sounds like an exercise in frustration.

Does anyone have the part # for the non-flex?

Non-flex is #67993

 

[MikeF2316]

For Canadians, Princess Auto has this under their Pro-Point name. Or at least, they used to, I couldn't find it with a quick search of their website. Here is a side shot of mine next to my Craftsman RP.

 

[Acuratechva]

I got one of those when they came out.....and broke the quarter inch head.

Anyone know how if at all warranty works ?

 

[AndrewV]

Just bring it in

 

[f575gtc]

Is that how it works?

I thought they want proof of purchase with a receipt.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Damn! Out of curiosity, how hard were you pulling on it?

 

[wild cowboy]

I got one of those when they came out.....and broke the quarter inch head.

It's a ratchet - those, along with gear wrenches are not for breaking fasteners loose - use them once the fastener has been broken loose with a flex handle or box end wrench!

 

[BirdMobile]

Damn! Out of curiosity, how hard were you pulling on it?

Judging from the photo, it looks like he didn't have the socket all the way on the ratchet shaft. Sheered at the quick release bearing line.

 

[oldtools]

I bought four of them. Gave one to my brother and one to my BIL. Kept two for myself. One as backup. I use it mainly in tight space or when I need leverage. I like the thin head. In open space, I just use regular ratchet.

 

[unslow1]

Jarhead,
Not freaking me out. HF and Snap On happily co-exist next to each other in my boxes... along with Carlyle, Husky, Matco, Armstrong, SK, Craftsman, Etc. ****** Etc.!
My world is tool-centric, not brand-centric.

I'm the same way. I was doing wheel cylinders last week and my brother mentioned that about the tools that were out. Snapon adapter and spring tools, Proto ratchet, Lisle bleeder wrenches and Craftsman line wrench and sockets. With a HF Earthquake impact jack and stands. If it works use it.

I have been waiting for that double ratchet to go on sale for more than a year. I finally picked it up last week because of all the good reviews.

 

[BirdMobile]

I'm the same way. I was doing wheel cylinders last week and my brother mentioned that about the tools that were out. Snapon adapter and spring tools, Proto ratchet, Lisle bleeder wrenches and Craftsman line wrench and sockets. With a HF Earthquake impact jack and stands. If it works use it.

I have been waiting for that double ratchet to go on sale for more than a year. I finally picked it up last week because of all the good reviews.

Yeah... I have a friend who's die-hard Snap On, I give him Snap On wrenches on the rare occasions that I find them used. He's commented on my mish-mash of tooling before, I just shrug it off and think to myself how great it is to own mine outright, while he's making payments.

Those HF double ratchets never go on sale, from what I've seen.

 

[unslow1]

Yeah... I have a friend who's die-hard Snap On, I give him Snap On wrenches on the rare occasions that I find them used. He's commented on my mish-mash of tooling before, I just shrug it off and think to myself how great it is to own mine outright, while he's making payments.

Those HF double ratchets never go on sale, from what I've seen.

They are on sale right now for the first time that I have seen. That's why I picked it up.

 

[Skin]

It's a ratchet - those, along with gear wrenches are not for breaking fasteners loose

Meanwhile, back in the real world....

 

[JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN]

It's a ratchet - those, along with gear wrenches are not for breaking fasteners loose - use them once the fastener has been broken loose with a flex handle or box end wrench!

what?...

 

[Ign]

Meanwhile, back in the real world....

LOL, I gotta agree with this. I'm guilty of using my SK ratchets and ratcheting wrenches for breaking fasteners more than I should. Although at some point I do bring out a breaker bar. I'd be less likely to abuse HF though.

Non-flex is #67993

Thank you!

 

[rmsg0040]

For Canadians, Princess Auto has this under their Pro-Point name. Or at least, they used to, I couldn't find it with a quick search of their website. Here is a side shot of mine next to my Craftsman RP.


its a catalogue or online item but I actually found one in the store the other day, part # 8356156

 

[mopar01]

Meanwhile, back in the real world....

Ya my thoughts exactly. Guess I should have broke the lugs loose on a burb I did some front end work today with a breaker bar insted of my snappy ratchet.

 

[stage20]

Cornwell sells the same one with their name laser etched on it, for 68 bucks... good tool. I saw that last time I was at HF, and it is on my want list. Definitely one of the jewels at HF. It is re-branded by many. Wonder who makes it, lol....

The selector is similar to some mac stubby ratcheting wrenches I once had. I'm not sure who else does the side to side slider.

 

[mrvm]

Picked up my first HF ratchet HF# 67994 long, thin, flex ratchet yesterday. Expecting it to be a useful addition because I need another ratchet like another hole in the .... Skipped the composite but may consider the new flex head 3/8" that looks like a SO clone. Will put the 67994 to the test this weekend. Seems well built, nice chrome and fine toothed, long shaft and ratchet spun smoothly. Noticed an annoying trait while spinning the 1/4" end with a short extension. The directional selector tended to vibrate enough to engage the opposite direction and lock up. Reset the selector, spin, making the clicky-click noise and the selector moves again, locking up. Not a great first impression but anyone else notice this? Hope this is not an issue while in actual use or under a load.

 

[Acuratechva]

Meanwhile, back in the real world....

Anyhow, the socket was on all the way, the weak spot is in the center of the head where the quick release is.

Exchanged it the other day with no problem.

One that broke was over year old, don't know if anything changed, BUT the clicker on the replacement is quite bad. Very rough and tight.

I'd say it will loosen up over time, but i rarely use it. For me its become a specialty tool to do belts and M starter's. Length gives it just enough leverage to brake bolts loose and it so slim my snap-on comfort grip ratchet would never make it down there.

 

[Acuratechva]

Noticed an annoying trait while spinning the 1/4" end with a short extension. The directional selector tended to vibrate enough to engage the opposite direction and lock up. \

Funny, that was first thing i noticed on the way back from store to the car. Very aggravating!

 

[jonti48310]

Wish I had this damn thing doing my blend door actuator on my 93 Chevy. PITA job!

 

[steed andersen]

Yeah... I have a friend who's die-hard Snap On, I give him Snap On wrenches on the rare occasions that I find them used. He's commented on my mish-mash of tooling before, I just shrug it off and think to myself how great it is to own mine outright, while he's making payments.

Those HF double ratchets never go on sale, from what I've seen.

I have those guys in my shop too. But they never have a problem borrowing my cheap specialty tools, (ones they don't own because they are still paying off basic stuff.) A tool can be cheap and still do the job.

 

[stage20]

not that its a screaming deall, but ive never seen it go on sale. my local store has the slim dual flex for 27.99. a whopping 2 bucks off!

 

[dnschmidt]

I have one and love it. However the Allen head screw appears to do nothing regardless of how much you tighten it and I agree that the flopping around is an issue. However, when you need it you need it. I'm pretty up on Taiwanese tools and it looks to me like this tool is made by a company named KABO. The switch mechanism looks like one of theirs. They make most of NAPA's Carlyle tools.

 

[mrvm]

not that its a screaming deall, but ive never seen it go on sale. my local store has the slim dual flex for 27.99. a whopping 2 bucks off!

Don't forget to use the 25% off coupon

 

[bart1]

The EZ Red 1/4 stick is 1/4 drive on one side and a 1/4 inch bit holder on the other side. The HF unit pictured is 1/4 square drive on one side and 3/8 square drive on the other end.

...

I picked up on of these based on some rave reviews here and I could definitely see a use for it, but I was thinking I would rather have the other end be a bit holder. I'll try to find the EZR.

did this markedly improve the back drag?

Mine has a lot of back drag, anybody find a good way to reduce it?