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Best ratchet for the price?

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Gavin.reid

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I've been doing some research trying to figure out what ratchet is the best for the price I am currently using mastercrafts and I'm looking for an upgrade that isn't quite as much as snapon or mac! Thanks

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gte718p

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Gavin.reid said:
I've been doing some research trying to figure out what ratchet is the best for the price I am currently using mastercrafts and I'm looking for an upgrade that isn't quite as much as snapon or mac! Thanks

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Do you prefer Ford or Chevy? Coke or Pepsi?

There is no such thing as a best for the price. Depends on what you want, your personality, and what you are willing to spend. Everything form HF to Craftsman to Snap On is a correct answer to your question.
 
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Gavin.reid

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Okay well then which 3/8 ratchet is the best for under $75?

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Gavin.reid

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maintguy said:
Gear wrench gets a lot of love here. So does the harbor freight composite
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I just ordered a 84 tooth gearwrench actually do you have one? Couldn't find many reviews so am curious if its any good?

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Musicinabottle

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Hit the Pawn Shops. There, you can find something quality for not too bad. Keep your eyes open for stupid people. Twice in my life I've seen someone break a snap on ratchet and throw them in the garbage, and what can I say..... I'm a garbage hound!
 
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MrGiggles

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Yeah, you can pick up a Dual 80 of almost any variation on eBay for that money.

Most bang for your buck would be HF or Tekton. Gearwrench a very close second.
 
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mikebaker1129

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The 84 tooth Gearwrench is a decent ratchet.
I have the Matco 88,Armstrong 88,Craftsman professional 84 and a beat to hell Gearwrench that I upgraded with a rebuild kit from 60 to 84 teeth and they are all pretty much the same to me.
The parts on these pretty much interchange,so I would save $ and roll with the GW.
 
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M6erfan

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Impossible to answer, way to many variables...Flex, locking flex, long, normal, stubby, quick release???

For the money, I'd look hard at Carlyle (Napa) or Ko-ken (frankstools)

FWIW, I never met a Gearwrench I liked....
 
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Tenex

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Could anyone with an FLF80 measure the head thickness for me?
 
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foghorn1966

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O.P. by your comment "I am currently using mastercrafts" I take it you are here in Canada. Dont know what version of mastercraft (canadian tire) ratchets you have, but they are better than the clunky raised panel Craftsman ones I grew up wrenching with. For in-expensive you cant beat the composite Pro-Point ones at Princess Auto, they are nice to use in the cold. Although I now have Snap-On, dual 80's now.
 
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ChrisPace

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Yes a used snap on dual 80 will hold its value. Gearwrench 120's are good and cheap used too


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Ty.

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Local said:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H1JIRNA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I don't have a gearwrench to compare but plenty of others and these crescents are hard to beat for the price. Smooth, little back drag and plenty of teeth. I need to get my hands on a dual 80 to try and see how it compares to the crescent ratchets.
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I just picked up the stubby 3/8 drive from the link that you posted to try out. for $8 and change we will see how it works out. Im usually not a fan of the push button socket release, but for a stubby it should not really mater. thanks for posting them!
 
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weg_guy

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Snap on dual 80 gets my vote!

I have the regular length dual 80 3/8" bought used off the truck for $50 and you see them on ebay all the time around that price.

I also have older snap on ratchets that once broke in are smooth and reliable although with coarser teeth. You can get pretty much the same thing (older style snap on internals) from williams off of toolsdelivered very reasonably. Durable and tough to beat but not nearly as many teeth as a dual 80 design.

I also have the long handle flex 1/4" dual 80 ratchet and the same thing with the 3/8" drive in the 1/4" head and I like them a lot. I also have a coarse 30 tooth older long snap on 3/8"

If going on the cheap HF's pro line are pretty good and 72 tooth count. I have one and its not bad at all.

I still think that that snap on chrome is addictive. I think it leaches something into your bloodstream. Apple computers do the same thing so that you like them more and want to buy more and use them exclusively. Of course I have no proof of this its only a theory. LOL :)
 
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Gavin.reid

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I got a question too you all what is considered a dual 80 people say there are mutiple models

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Missfire

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Gewrwrench...but honeslty cant beat mountain double spline box end flex head ratchets..10-19mm. Very slim with a lip on each thst grabs bolts ranging from 6pnt 12pnt torx...holds and and never slips. With this set u really will never neef a traditional toothed pearhead type ratchet. You will break the swivel pin 100x before you ever slip on a bolt/nut.
 
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Parrothead

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Husky 72t 3/8 ratchet

If you're not going Snap On quick release then the Apex made (i.e. Gearwrench clone) makes a lot of sense. Slim head with a flush quick release. Seriously, check it out.
 
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Al Borland

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Parrothead said:
Husky 72t 3/8 ratchet

If you're not going Snap On quick release then the Apex made (i.e. Gearwrench clone) makes a lot of sense. Slim head with a flush quick release. Seriously, check it out.
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^^^This^^^
They work great, inexpensive and indestructible (so far...)
I have a 1/2" one as well, and use it more than my old New Britains.
I do have the HF composite, and although it's nice, a bored border collie CAN seriously damage the handle.
 
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Empty Pockets

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If price is your main consideration, the Harbor Freight Pittsburgh Pro ratchets are really inexpensive, and are decent quality, for homeowner use, although I have seen some guys in the various shops using them, as well.
 
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Gavin.reid

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Empty Pockets said:
If price is your main consideration, the Harbor Freight Pittsburgh Pro ratchets are really inexpensive, and are decent quality, for homeowner use, although I have seen some guys in the various shops using them, as well.
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Not necessarily I just can't really see why snap on is worth so much so I'm curious if there is anything that's the same quality or close too

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M6erfan

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Gavin.reid said:
Not necessarily I just can't really see why snap on is worth so much so I'm curious if there is anything that's the same quality or close too
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Snap On is "worth it" because of the warranty and door to door service that their tool trucks provide.

Snap on makes very high quality hand tools and a lot of R&D dollars are built into the price. Along with quality metal and forging processes. It all adds up.

Bottom line is, only you can know for yourself what is "worth it".

Any wrench will turn a bolt, or socket, with hardly any issues, for many years of regular homeowner use. As far as other tools that are "similar in quality or close too"? Well, that question has been debated here on the forums, ad nauseam, for years...
 
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Gavin.reid

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M6erfan said:
Snap On is "worth it" because of the warranty and door to door service that their tool trucks provide.

Snap on makes very high quality hand tools and a lot of R&D dollars are built into the price. Along with quality metal and forging processes. It all adds up.

Bottom line is, only you can know for yourself what is "worth it".

Any wrench will turn a bolt, or socket, with hardly any issues, for many years of regular homeowner use. As far as other tools that are "similar in quality or close too"? Well, that question has been debated here on the forums, ad nauseam, for years...
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Fair enough thanks for the information so will a snap on truck sell to just a home mechanic? Don't need to have a shop they will help you out?

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dmftoy1

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Gavin.reid said:
Fair enough thanks for the information so will a snap on truck sell to just a home mechanic? Don't need to have a shop they will help you out?

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Your best bet is to contact local shop and ask them when the tool truck typically shows up. Most franchisee's won't bother with you on your own, but are happy to see you at one of their stops. I know where local guy eats lunch on thursdays so that's what I do.

You can find deals on eBay if you're patient and know what you want.


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