swivel head ratchets

[lightning02]

new snap on-

used carlyle-

whats everyones take on this? i dont own either so im not taking sides. just looking for discussion.

 

[rice rocket]

Why do tool testers always have the longest videos.

edit: I take that back. The gun and knife nuts are the crazies who will take an hour to "review" a fixed knife with no features. The tool nuts are a close second though.

 

[F4GIB]

They go on forever.

 

[MilwaukeeFish]

Pretty much pointless. Cranking on a hex fastener welded to a table to see if it breaks the ratchet is useless. Reef on any ratchet over and above the rated limits and it will break. I don't care what name is on it. How much force did he apply to either ratchet?

Grunting while bouncing on the handle is about as unscientific as it gets. He claims that the Carlyle held up whereas the Snap-On failed, with absolutely no empirical data to back that up: just his opinion and some grunting. Purely anecdotal. Thus meaning that the quantity of force exerted on either ratchet was not measured. Therefore there is no way to even remotely compare apples to oranges.

His postulation is based purely on observation of a sampling of both ratchets that is at a bare minimum: one of each. Had he repeated the test multiple times with multiple ratchets while measuring force exerted, then there might some basis to make a claim of better performance characteristics.

Add to that the fact that the Carlyle ratchet tested was 'used' versus the new Snap-On ratchet, and that he was the one using it, introduced a bias into the testing.

Even better he goes on to 'vouch' for the Carlyle ratchet after he bends the shank using a cheater bar. Brilliant

I will not lay a claim to which is the better ratchet, nor will I start the COO war for the one-bazillionth time on the forum. I have one of the two ratchets in my toolbox and I couldn't be happier with it.


Oh yeah... I edited this after thinking about if for a couple of hours.
--

 

[Know Wosad]

YAY. No-can-weld dude breaks some 3/8 ratchets.What a stud.

 

[gdocktor3]

I say buy the Crescent roto ratchets from Cripe for $19 and forget about those other brands. I own and have personally used and compared the 1/4" HF roto ratchet with the Crescent/Gearwrench and the HF is junk in my opinion.

http://www.cripedistributing.com/review/product/list/id/14473/category/261/

 

[Fedwrench]

If someone wants to break something, they can. Followed closely by, use the right tool for the job

In the real world are you going to use a 3/8 roto head ratchet as a breaker bar?
If it's the only ratchet you have, maybe. If a tool works and serves you well, it doesn't matter whose name is on it, only that you're happy with it you're the one that bought it

 

[bobcatdan]

I'm impressed his weld held for the duration of time I watched.

 

[outdoorspace]

Take what you will, RomanAutomotive is very hostile towards Snap-On.

I personally wouldn't subject anything that fine-toothed to that amount of torque.

 

[maxpower_hd]

It was pretty long winded and I agree it wasn't probably a very good test.

All I KNOW is I recently through out a 1/4" drive Craftsman ratchet because I am sick of bringing them in for warranty and having them break in a week. So I got an Armstrong instead.

Oh...and I use my 1/2" 36" breaker bad for that kind of stuff. It is a SO but I didn't buy it so I like it. It was a gift from my father who got it from a friend of his. Has to be about 30 years old. That's my test.

 

[gdocktor3]

All I KNOW is I recently through out a 1/4" drive Craftsman ratchet because I am sick of bringing them in for warranty and having them break in a week. So I got an Armstrong instead.
.

Why throw it out though? Now "if" you break the Armstrong you'll have to wait weeks at best for a replacement instead of driving to Sears/Ace that same day. In all seriousness, I've never broke any 1/4" ratchet and only once broke an older 3/8" Craftsman because I was abusing it. All tools have their limits and its up to the user to know what they are. Perhaps a 1/4" breaker bar or even a 3/8" drive in 1/4" body ratchet should be used once that limit is reached. Craftsman ratchets aren't the best, but not the worst either. I've been extremely impressed with my 3/8" 84t low profile craftsman ratchet. I plan on picking up the 1/4" version next time it's on sale.

 

[dnschmidt]

The Harbor Freight roto-ratchets are made by William Tool in Taiwan. They are a quality ratchet manufacturer and frankly just about everybody (including TOPTUL) buys these from William Tool. If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck and walks like a duck it's probably a duck.

 

[gdocktor3]

The Harbor Freight roto-ratchets are made by William Tool in Taiwan. They are a quality ratchet manufacturer and frankly just about everybody (including TOPTUL) buys these from William Tool. If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck and walks like a duck it's probably a duck.

Looks like they make all HF ratchets. Evidentially they also helped make the electronics in the CDI electronic torque wrench as well as the Stanley rotator ratchet.

 

[Adam.C]

Wow this screwdriver is the worst chisel I've ever used! So dull. And the chisel I used as a pry bar to open paint cans broke! Whoda thunk it!

This imbecile doesn't understand the function of a roto ratchet.

 

[Adam.C]

The Harbor Freight roto-ratchets are made by William Tool in Taiwan. They are a quality ratchet manufacturer and frankly just about everybody (including TOPTUL) buys these from William Tool. If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck and walks like a duck it's probably a duck.

Are you saying this because they look alike or because you know this to be fact? The Chinese govt doesn't recognize intellectual property rights. So chinese manufacturers (yes including Taiwan) all copy each others' stuff. There could be 20 companies making identical looking tools.

 

[jacked_72]

why would you weld all over your table like that

 

[Olafur]

Waste of two fine ratchets. Left me with no information what so ever.

 

[Adam.C]

There is a William Tool Co in Taiwan that make ratchets. http://www.wtools.com.tw
Not to be confused with the US firm Williams that Snap On owns and that sources some of their tools from Taiwan or China.

I really doubt a single company can corner a market over there. There is no legal protection. Any other company can steal William Tool's pictures off their website and offer similar tools for sale. They can buy a William Tool ratchet, reverse engineer it, and go into production. If they can produce for $.01 less, they can get the HF contract or Blue Point or whatever, especially if they have better hookers for the US buyers. Its dirty pool.

Consequently, there are tons of companies producing stuff in a race to the bottom for cost, and consequently quality.

Of course there are two sides to this story. My feeling is, if you have a strong opinion about global trade (or trade unions) you don't understand it.

Back to roto ratchets, do we need to start a thread about what ratchets are used for what tasks? The guy in the video was pretty clearly confused about the use of the tool he was testing. Tools are complicated.

 

[Al Borland]

Comparing a William-sourced Kobalt side-by-side with a Harbor Fright ratchet, the HF ratchet is similar, but coarser. Like they used William tooling after William discarded if as worn out. Maybe HF gets the factory seconds???
Kinda like comparing a Proto Big Dawg to my China-made, imitation Big Dawg, (But not as bad/blatant)

 

[Know Wosad]

Comparing a William-sourced Kobalt side-by-side with a Harbor Fright ratchet, the HF ratchet is similar, but coarser. Like they used William tooling after William discarded if as worn out. Maybe HF gets the factory seconds???
Kinda like comparing a Proto Big Dawg to my China-made, imitation Big Dawg, (But not as bad/blatant)

Big Dawgs were a fail too.They would fail quite often without being pushed too hard. That's why they axed them and later brought in the XL which seem OK so far.Damn shame. Big Dawgs are ****.LOL
I've seen some broken XL on ebay from time to time ...not that that means anything.It's mechanical. It can be broken.

 

[Olafur]

If anyone is interested in actual numbers the Japanese magazine "Factory Gear" tested several ratchets - including the Snap On FHNF100. In my opinion it performed rather well!

 

[Al Borland]

Big Dawgs were a fail too.They would fail quite often without being pushed too hard. That's why they axed them and later brought in the XL which seem OK so far.Damn shame. Big Dawgs are ****.LOL
I've seen some broken XL on ebay from time to time ...not that that means anything.It's mechanical. It can be broken.

Disagree on fail. Works O.K. as a ratty, and heavy enough to make a good hammer
AND big enough to use as a ping-pong paddle!!!

 

[MattVette89]

Those videos were horrible and I want my clicks back!

 

[Al Borland]

This is exactly what the situation is. I just came back from Taiwan and seen thousands of copycat tools.

In fact if you look up the roster for the Taiwan Hand Tool Manufacturers, You will find no trace of Williams. If you want your products outsourced to Taiwan, you will go here.

Actually, if you click on "English" at the top, you will see search option. Search "William" and
William Tools Co. LTD
No. 8 Keya Rd., CTSP.
Taichung 428, Taiwan
Website: WWW.wtools.com.tw

Comes right up.

 

[M6erfan]

If anyone is interested in actual numbers the Japanese magazine "Factory Gear" tested several ratchets - including the Snap On FHNF100. In my opinion it performed rather well!

Olafur, interesting article...what exactly does it say? Looks like the Koken ZEal did pretty well? Thanks

 

[ChevyEFI]

The video of the SO in the OP shows what happens when the SO round-head ratchet is used while not fully engaged in off or on direction.

I did that to my TH737 once; I bet the newer 3/8 100t and 1/4 72t do the same thing.

 

[outdoorspace]

Olafur, interesting article...what exactly does it say? Looks like the Koken ZEal did pretty well? Thanks

Basically, the table on the bottom of the first page shows the angle and breakway torque each ratchet broke at and by what percentage it exceeded DIN (Deutsches Institut für Normung, German equivalent to ANSI) requirements.

 

[outdoorspace]

The Harbor Freight roto-ratchets are made by William Tool in Taiwan.

That is not the same Williams tool company you are talking about.

I think there's some confusion.

 

[Adam.C]

Olafur, interesting article...what exactly does it say? Looks like the Koken ZEal did pretty well? Thanks

Snap On was strongest, tying with, ... Er, Snap On. The f100 that the numbskull broke in the video essentially tied with dual 80 (bit of a surprise there). Next nearest Koken and nepros were 20% weaker.

BUT, as I mentioned earlier, tools are complicated. The chief attribute of a ratchet isn't always strength. Some ratchets are good for cracking parts free. But not EVERY ratchet is designed for maximum strength. That's why reviews like that Japanese magazine (which I can't read) sometimes fall short in my mind. It's like rating cars by their 0-60mph times. It's something adolescent boys do.

 

[Know Wosad]

Snap On was strongest, tying with, ... Er, Snap On. The f100 that the numbskull broke in the video essentially tied with dual 80 (bit of a surprise there). Next nearest Koken and nepros were 20% weaker.

BUT, as I mentioned earlier, tools are complicated. The chief attribute of a ratchet isn't always strength. Some ratchets are good for cracking parts free. But not EVERY ratchet is designed for maximum strength. That's why reviews like that Japanese magazine (which I can't read) sometimes fall short in my mind. It's like rating cars by their 0-60mph times. It's something adolescent boys do.

I'll need to agree here. A damn ratchet is made for ratcheting.
A breaker is made for breaking. As bad as that sounds......ITS TRUE
You want some slick ratchet grab some Tuff 1-Proto-Facom stuff. Those things are slick.I like thumb switches but must admit those round head hi-tooth pieces are nice too.
I have ratchet-itis. I don't even know how many.
Most of the users are on a magnetic strip on the wall but I grab some out of the box at random.....for the heck of it.
We have about 30 bikes(2-3-4 wheel) and I'm the same way.
Drove a trail 90 to the hardware today.I love that thing
Maybe the v-max to take the bulb back.
I bought he wrong one(she says on purpose). HMM ?

 

[maxpower_hd]

Why throw it out though? Now "if" you break the Armstrong you'll have to wait weeks at best for a replacement instead of driving to Sears/Ace that same day. In all seriousness, I've never broke any 1/4" ratchet and only once broke an older 3/8" Craftsman because I was abusing it. All tools have their limits and its up to the user to know what they are. Perhaps a 1/4" breaker bar or even a 3/8" drive in 1/4" body ratchet should be used once that limit is reached. Craftsman ratchets aren't the best, but not the worst either. I've been extremely impressed with my 3/8" 84t low profile craftsman ratchet. I plan on picking up the 1/4" version next time it's on sale.

I've had so much bad luck with them I just don't want them any more to be honest. I have it in my barrel if you want it and another in my box to go with it. I'll ship them to you...seriously. PM me. I don't abuse them and they just wear out. I have one more good one in my truck I will use until it wears out but they just aren't worth the trip to the store any more if they only last for three uses and strip out. There is a reason I have three. It's because at least one is always broken. I have two in each box at work and home other than these so I have others should one break. One of which is a SO and he has them on the truck.