1/4" Ratchets

[Pontiac787]

I got fed up with my raised panel USA Craftsman ratchet this weekend. It kept switching directions. Went to my backup (much older Craftsman RP) and it was doing the same thing. It's time to put them out to pasture. I was thinking about replacing them with either an SK 3860 (or other SK) or the Armstrong 10-992. I know other 1/4" SKs get high marks. Does anyone have experience with the 3860? I didn't turn up anything in the search. Any thoughts on the SK vs. the Armstrong?

 

[L.Cheapo]

I believe Armstrong is either done or about to be done as a brand and production. Don't know if that has any bearing on your decision. Pretty much anything will be an improvement over the ergonomic disaster that is a RP ratchet. I have not used the SK ratchet you mentioned.

 

[gdocktor3]

SK 40970. Do it.

I don't think the 3860 is available these days and Armstrong is dying, so you may as well get something that will have cheap/free parts readily available. Armstrong repair kits will skyrocket shortly after their demise I'm assuming.

 

[jakemac]

Armstrong is a dead brand as of March 31, so take that into consideration.

I have older SK 40970 ratchets that are ok, but I'm not a round head/round handle guy so they don't see much use. The best thing about that model is that if you buy 2, you can easily convert one to 3/8dr with a drop-in replacement kit. It makes a great mini 3/8 for tight spots.

While you're making your decision, try taking the CM ratchets apart and giving them a good cleaning and relube with SuperLube. That may solve your problem, or at least get you by until you find a new one that you like. If you already have plenty of lube in there, try taking some out. The high tooth 1/4dr ratchets don't like too much.

 

[Loscaldazar]

Aren't going to go wrong with either one. I might just buy the Matco version of the Armstrong one. Will have a warranty and if you buy a new one, it will be the better AJM made units, not the Apex made ones.

 

[M6erfan]

SK round heads are fine, try one out and see how you like it.

If you like QR, you might want to check out Carlyle, they're nice ratchets too plus they have a much smaller/thinner head than the SK

 

[ecotec]

I would go SK before Armstrong, because Armstrong has been shuttered. Consider Snap-on if you are just buying one or two. They are spendy, but wonderful. I would not shy away from Pittsburgh Pro as a budget option. I have a lot of both brands, and they are both very good.

 

[CJM8515]

Personally a cost effective and nice ratchets are the huskys. Basically gear wrench.

 

[1950mercury]

Get the hf comfort handle non flex...72 teeth and much nicer than a sk rathet

 

[ecotec]

Get the hf comfort handle non flex...72 teeth and much nicer than a sk rathet

I agree with every word.

If you are going budget, buy these two...

 

[nbpt100]

I agree with every word.

If you are going budget, buy these two...

I have heard ok things about the Pittsburgh (HF) 72 tooth ratchets for the value.
How does the Lifetime warrantee work with them. Do they replace it or do they give you a repair kit?

 

[ChrisLS8]

They swap it out no questions asked, grab a new one and go

 

[jumbojak]

I have the SK 1/4" flex head, the model number escapes me. It is by far my favorite ratchet. The Pittsburgh ratchets seem pretty nice too though. I have a 3/8" long handle that's quite nice.

 

[M6erfan]

I have the 1/4" HF Pittsburgh Pro composite. It's OK, the head is pretty big...

 

[ecotec]

I have heard ok things about the Pittsburgh (HF) 72 tooth ratchets for the value.
How does the Lifetime warrantee work with them. Do they replace it or do they give you a repair kit?

I actually do not know about the warranty. I use my Snap-on the vast majority of the time, and I have yet to break a HF ratchet. I am, weirdly, just as happy using the HF. The mechanism is really quite great, as is the ergonomics. I am amazed that you can get such a good ratchet for so cheap.

If you can afford to splurge, the equivalent Snap-on is the TL72. So maybe, buy the TLL72 (my favorite ratchet), the T72 (my most often used ratchet), and the HF.

 

[chrisnazzy]

Get the hf comfort handle non flex...72 teeth and much nicer than a sk rathet

I have more Snap-on ratchets than anything else but I 100% agree here. I also have the black and red composite 72 tooth HF ratchet and it is a great ratchet for the money. I prefer it by far to knurled handle round head ratchets.

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

 

[tonyciambrone]

Pittsburgh composite is pretty darn good imo.

I also have an extra long 3/8 on one side 1/4 on the other from HF that I am a big fan of.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

I got fed up with my raised panel USA Craftsman ratchet this weekend. It kept switching directions. Went to my backup (much older Craftsman RP) and it was doing the same thing. It's time to put them out to pasture. I was thinking about replacing them with either an SK 3860 (or other SK) or the Armstrong 10-992. I know other 1/4" SKs get high marks. Does anyone have experience with the 3860? I didn't turn up anything in the search. Any thoughts on the SK vs. the Armstrong?

That SK teardrop isn't made anymore, and looks to be similar/the same as all the Danaher-era 36 tooth QR ratchets of the time (Craftsman RP, Kobalt, Allen, Armstrong, Napa, Matco). I may be wrong, but

If you decide to go with SK, one of the 60 tooth round heads will be miles ahead of what you're used to. SK 40970 (4-1/2"), SK 40971 (6-1/2") or SK 40972 (6-1/4" Flex Head).

As others have said, Armstrong is going the way of the dodo at the end of the month, although those MAXX ratchets are really nice and well regarded around here. There's concern over warranty, but seeing as the 60 tooth and 84 tooth Gearwrench kits will work in them, and supposedly the new Matco kits, it doesn't seem to be that big of a deal. Both of those companies are easier to work with as far as warranty than Armstrong is anyway.

 

[ecotec]

SK seems like settling, In a world with Snap-on and HF.

It's like fine tooth of yesteryear, with yesteryear's ergonomics.

I got a Wright two weekends ago... I do not prefer the round head... but it looks like jewelry...so it gets a spot in my ratchet drawer. It is also a dual pawl 45 teeth, so 90.

 

[mikebaker1129]

That SK teardrop isn't made anymore, and looks to be similar/the same as all the Danaher-era 36 tooth QR ratchets of the time (Craftsman RP, Kobalt, Allen, Armstrong, Napa, Matco). I may be wrong, but

If you decide to go with SK, one of the 60 tooth round heads will be miles ahead of what you're used to. SK 40970 (4-1/2"), SK 40971 (6-1/2") or SK 40972 (6-1/4" Flex Head).

As others have said, Armstrong is going the way of the dodo at the end of the month, although those MAXX ratchets are really nice and well regarded around here. There's concern over warranty, but seeing as the 60 tooth and 84 tooth Gearwrench kits will work in them, and supposedly the new Matco kits, it doesn't seem to be that big of a deal. Both of those companies are easier to work with as far as warranty than Armstrong is anyway.

This guy nailed it the SK teardrop will be the same as your current Craftsman, I would go with the SK round head. They really are a huge improvement over the Craftsman in 1/4dr.

 

[PJNJ]

I have the SK 1/4" flex head, the model number escapes me. It is by far my favorite ratchet. The Pittsburgh ratchets seem pretty nice too though. I have a 3/8" long handle that's quite nice.

I have it also and it's a very good ratchet. The model no. is 40972.
Here's a link -
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00061SN70/?tag=atomicindus08-20

It's 60 tooth with no detents on the flex.

Another very good ratchet is the Gearwrench 120xp comfort handle flex.
Link -
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BTEXVCK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I got it as part of the two piece, 1/4 and 3/8, set.
Link -
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BTEXUY4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[bczygan]

Give your C'man RP's to some deserving person who is willing to get them rebuilt, which they do free at many Sears stores. Or send them to me.

Bill

 

[ecotec]

Bill, what suburb are you in?

Do you not have ratchets?

 

[dale500]

Here's my favorite.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-1-4-in-Drive-Quick-Release-Ratchet/3381176

Nice smooth gears and feels good in your hand. The slight rise in the handle helps prevent banged knuckles. I have the 3/8 version also.

 

[bczygan]

Bill, what suburb are you in?

Do you not have ratchets?

Ecotec,

I'm in Detroit. NE corner right below Harper Woods. We'll have to meet up sometime!

No 1/4" drive RP. And I know people who could use them.


Bill

 

[Local]

I went on a splurge of spending but one of the best bang for bucks is crescent ratchets. Very smooth with no back drag. I did break the 1/4 but I have a feeling it would have broken any 1/4 ratchet regardless of brand. For 8 bucks you can't go wrong. The sk 40970 is good too, it's really short which works for tight spots .

 

[Sticks McGee]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HNMZ3G4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I am not sure how I even came to pick one of these up. I had it in my home box for quite a while. I brought it to work a couple months back and it has been my go to. It's not a small ratchet by any means but it works great. Very solid. I'm not one for quick release or anything but all metal handles but I really dig this one.

 

[Tom.C]

Pittsburgh's have less back drag than my snap on, significantly less actually, I have been using them for a couple years with no problems and the metal one is lower profile then the composite one.

 

[four.cycle]

best deal today on a 40970 S-K from Ebay:

S-K 40970 1/4" drive RHFT ratchet and two deep-well sockets and 1-1/2" extension
listed as used. (ratchet looks new)
$14.99 + $7.15 shipping OBO "buy now"
http://www.ebay.com/itm/S-K-1-4-rat...079780?hash=item1a2727f524:g:M3sAAOSw3v5YtF2p

The least I've paid for one (on Ebay) was an NOS unit a couple months ago for $15.00 incl. shipping. You should be able to score one in the $15-$20 range any day of the week.

 

[Pontiac787]

Thanks for all the great info. I'm leaning towards the 40970. Are all of them 60 tooth or just the newer ones? I will get around to cleaning/rebuilding the Craftsmans eventually.

 

[gdocktor3]

All the 40970 ratchets are 60 tooth. That is my favorite 1/4" ratchet and I have quite a few including Snap On T72's.

 

[Mhyde52]

My current daily use favorites are the Pittsburgh Pro 1/4" standard length and the Snap On THLL72(?) super long length. The really long snap on ratchets seem ridiculous, until you use one in an awkward spot, and all that leverage just brings a smile to your face!!

 

[Empty Pockets]

SK 40970 is a good ratchet. Stay away from Armstrong, as Apex is eliminating the brand.

Carlyle Quick Release are also readily available, at a fair price. You might want to check one out at your local NAPA store.

Cleaning and lubricating the RP CM ratchets might help them work better, but they will still be CM RP ratchets

 

[FlushingDIYer]

I want to chime in on the SK 40970. It is an amazing little ratchet. Smooth with barely noticeable backdrag. It is rather small though. A good set has more than just that in the arsenal.

For example, I had to crack a knock sensor bolt on our Nissan Altima the other day (it's behind the engine, above the oil filter) and I couldn't get to it with my 40970, it wasn't long enough! I had to use my Toptul flexhead 1/4 ratchet.

But that being said, the action on the SK is significantly smoother than on the Toptul.

 

[pistolpete1313]

It was easier to get some of my 3/8 together but the feelings are the same for the 1/4's. Just smaller.

Not pictured proto and hf composite.

Best value is hf after lubing it, extremely smooth

Proto is the smoothest

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f105/christianrifle/protoratchets.jpg

Snap on is my go-to for no particular reason but the craftsman thin profile is probably my all around favorite, again for who knows why.

Never liked the sk's, they always seemed sloppy.

 

[VolvO)))]

I suggest the Matco 8 inch. It has the absolute thinnest head out of all my 1/4 stuff, and it seems to be my go-to when I have any clearance. It's excellent.

Then, if I need a flex - old faithful:

I also have a massive Cornwell which I use... never:

 

[1950mercury]

Thanks for all the great info. I'm leaning towards the 40970. Are all of them 60 tooth or just the newer ones? I will get around to cleaning/rebuilding the Craftsmans eventually.

Sk used to make a tuff ratchet that had more teeth. I believe they are 72 tooth. A much nicer ratchet in my mind esp in 3/8 and 1/2

 

[M6erfan]

Is the tuff1 the same as Facom 72t?

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Thanks for all the great info. I'm leaning towards the 40970. Are all of them 60 tooth or just the newer ones? I will get around to cleaning/rebuilding the Craftsmans eventually.

As gdocktor3 pointed out, they have had the same mechanism pretty much forever (SK Wayne, diamond logo, etc.), except for the "Tuff1" series. The newer ratchets definitely have some smoother edges and a cleaner finish versus the vintage ratchets.

I suggest the Matco 8 inch. It has the absolute thinnest head out of all my 1/4 stuff, and it seems to be my go-to when I have any clearance. It's excellent.

Welcome to the GJ! Just to let you know, Imgur doesn't work here (something with the classifieds section). Switch over to Photobucket (or whatever else is out there now) if you'd like your pictures to be seen.

Also, is your "handle" based off of Sunn O)))?

 

[1950mercury]

Is the tuff1 the same as Facom 72t?

Same guts