RAM ratchet made by SK?

[jl4c]

Fished this one out of the 'bay a week or so ago; got it for < $10 delivered. It looks like an SK-made ratchet. It's pictured here with one of my SK 45170 ratchets for comparison. The ratcheting mechanisms definitely interchange. The diameter of the handles are markedly different and the knurling is much more aggressive on the RAM ratchet than the SK. The only marking on the ratchet is RAM--which was definitely made before the handle was chromed, so it's factory. Is RAM a tool company selling rebranded SK, or do you think this was an contract run from SK for a company who didn't want their employees wandering off with company tools?

 

[bob15]

Did you actually swap the internals between ratchets? I ask because the heads are different as are the handles.

 

[kythri]

While they look visually similar, they certainly do not look identical.

I doubt that ratchet is built by SK.

Also, while we know it's not entirely true, a general rule of thumb is, if it's not marked USA, it's not made in the USA.

I've seen plenty of round-head Asian knock-offs that look similar to an SK round-head.

 

[bbrins]

I have one similar to yours, with the same profile when compared to a newer SK 45170. Mine is marked "Craft". The mechanism in mine will swap with other SK ratchets. I will try to dig mine out and post a picture later today.

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[SMKS]

The basic SK ratchets have had multiple small cosmetic variations and changes made over the years. That would account for some of the minor differences between them.

I suspect it is very likely the ratchet was made by SK. They did a lot of contract production.

Open them up and you'll know for sure. The exterior changes they made over the years didn't affect the mechanism.

 

[SMKS]

Here's an example. The older SK ratchets used a different direction switch and the shaft was a little thinner and more tapered. The contract production ratchet the OP had looks like the older SK body design.

 

[jl4c]

Did you actually swap the internals between ratchets?

Yes, they are absolutely interchangeable. The shift lever in the RAM unit is made of a heavy plastic and the shift lever cover plate (direction switch) is narrower, but otherwise identical.

I ask because the heads are different as are the handles.

Yes, I made a point of noting that the handles are markedly different in my original post.

 

[jl4c]

While they look visually similar, they certainly do not look identical.

True, but there is also some slight variation between the three genuine SK 45170 ratchets that I have. They've been producing essentially the same ratchet for decades with minor tweaks.

I've seen plenty of round-head Asian knock-offs that look similar to an SK round-head.

Perhaps, but if so they did a good enough job that the internals interchange easily--both ways (RAM in SK and SK in RAM).

I doubt that ratchet is built by SK.

You could be right. Not sure how we'll ever know sans someone at SK confirming or denying. There is no doubt that it's a less-expensive build (plastic internal shift lever, smaller shank, more aggressive knurling) than something sold under the SK label.

 

[outdoorspace]

It's a knockoff, just of an older SK design.

Ram Tools was a rebranding of Cummins Industrial Tools, cheap imports.

 

[T45]

People seem to forget that most ratchets were knockoff designs, even name brand ones.

There was another thread earliet about Hazet, and they are not a cheap brand, but obviously copied first SK and then Facom over several generations of round head...propbaly for 40-50 years all told they were using copied designs.

 

[SMKS]

If it has a plastic direction switch then it wasn't made by SK.

But are you sure it's plastic and not some light cast metal that's then machined? I would be surprised if it was plastic.

 

[jl4c]

It's a knockoff, just of an older SK design.

Ram Tools was a rebranding of Cummins Industrial Tools, cheap imports.

Coincidental, Cummins and RAM coming together in a tool. Maybe I'll keep this in the toolbox in my DODGE.

 

[woody 73]

Back about 100 years ago (slow moving day for me) , around the 70's and up through the 1980's you could buy ram tools at the traveling tool shows. Mind you anything they sold from those motel tent sales came from China.

As some GJ member put it..."30/30" 30 seconds or 30 feet away and the warranty was kaput.

 

[jl4c]

If it has a plastic direction switch then it wasn't made by SK.

But are you sure it's plastic and not some light cast metal that's then machined? I would be surprised if it was plastic.

Prepare to be surprised. Looks like Nylon or Delrin. I'm talking about the direction switch lever itself, not the "direction switch cover plate." Barring this, it seems to be a well-executed copy. Even the chrome is nice.

My only complaint is the roughness of the handle knurling. Definitely not what one would expect from SK. But then again, compare the knurling on an Husky "Kilness pattern" RH ratchet with a New Britain of the same era and you can sometimes feel the Husky is rougher, even though made in the same plant.

 

[jl4c]

One thing I like BETTER about the RAM ratchet is the legs on the retaining clip, which I circled in red. They turn outwards, unlike the SK which are more straight. The outward curvature makes them easier to grip without "launching them into Narnia" to quote another GJ'er.

I still like the ratchet. At worst I overpaid $7.

 

[3baygarage]

Thank you for the pics. I agree with some of the others.

I have seen a few Ram ratchets and although I don't have any, have long thought them to be a knockoff. A good one, but not identical to SK.

Ram wrenches are obviously cheap imports. If you look around and find those with a v notch open end, the funny thing is Craft wrenches also have the v notch open end. I have a Craft around my desk in fact that I'll have to find and post up. It looks quality but the v notch makes made me think Bonney type knockoff.

I have wondered about the Craft ratchet too. Can anybody post one?

 

[sk farmer]

Prepare to be surprised. Looks like Nylon or Delrin. I'm talking about the direction switch lever itself, not the "direction switch cover plate." Barring this, it seems to be a well-executed copy. Even the chrome is nice.

My only complaint is the roughness of the handle knurling. Definitely not what one would expect from SK. But then again, compare the knurling on an Husky "Kilness pattern" RH ratchet with a New Britain of the same era and you can sometimes feel the Husky is rougher, even though made in the same plant.

i have never seen a plastic part on an sk made ratchet. there have been many contact sk ratchets. gambles, kraueter, craftsman, mac, western giant, channellock and others.

as far as the knurling of the handle. imop, deeper, sharper knurling is more costly and takes longer to make than the shallower knurling. what the sharper, deeper knurling tells me is that it is older production. think pre ideal and possibly pre facom era. i will take the older sharpen knurling any day.

without handling i can't say if it was sk made or not an then it may not be definate. use it and be happy if you like it.

 

[raiderhillbilly]

My Thoughts:

The knurling and slender handle look 60s or older S-K
The head is much too thick indicating that the metal is foreign and weaker.
The base of the head has no letters indicating where it was forged and just looks different.
The internal operating lever appears to be nylon. I have some rebuild kits that have plastic levers from S-K but made of more modern plastics.


Based on what the "Peg Pack" era S-K Custom ratchets look like inside, I don't think it is American S-K, possibly foreign made during the Facom ownership. (just a guess)

It is cool and likely very sturdy. I would buy one, they interest me.

 

[6PTsocket]

It's a knockoff, just of an older SK design.

Ram Tools was a rebranding of Cummins Industrial Tools, cheap imports.

Is that the same Ram that made really cheap power tools back in the day? I have an old Ram saber saw. The shank that holds the blade is just a reformed tube bent into an I beam and tapped for 2 screws. I saw another of their tools on ebay recently.i probably got it in the 50s or 60s.

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[bbrins]

Here are a couple of pictures of my Craft ratchet. Except for the selector detent, mine was was all metal inside, I have seen those plastic detents before in ratchets that were marked SK, Kraeuter, JC Penny, etc.

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[3baygarage]

Here are a couple of pictures of my Craft ratchet. Except for the selector detent, mine was was all metal inside, I have seen those plastic detents before in ratchets that were marked SK, Kraeuter, JC Penny, etc.

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Thanks. The Craft looks just like the Ram to me.

 

[SMKS]

The internal operating lever appears to be nylon. I have some rebuild kits that have plastic levers from S-K but made of more modern plastics.

I thought the OP was referring to the switch on the back of the ratchet, not a plastic part in the mechanism.

I, too, seem to remember seeing a plastic part like that in some of the many SK ratchets I've opened, but now my memory is foggy.

 

[firworks]

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[jl4c]

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Wow Fir, that SK diamond logo ratchet is very close, including the size of the handle. Could you post a view from the other side to see how the head thickness compares? That looks like the same ratchet that SMKS posted above. But to really appreciate the similarity to the RAM ratchet, you have to see it next to other SK 45170 ratchets.

I'm still not 100% convinced the RAM and craft ratchets aren't SK contract production but I'm leaning that way. If copies, they are very good copies.

 

[jl4c]

I thought the OP was referring to the switch on the back of the ratchet, not a plastic part in the mechanism.

They are both probably plastic, but I was referring to the internal lever, as shown in the photo with the ratchet disassembled, not the cover plate. I tried to be clear about this in post #7 and #14.

I'll check the cover plate later today and report back.

EDIT: The cover plate is metal--maybe zinc or zinc alloy. Not the internal direction shift lever, the cover plate.

 

[jl4c]

My Thoughts:
The head is much too thick indicating that the metal is foreign and weaker.

That is a lot of "fact" to infer based on that single detail. The same "look" could be achieved simply by belt sanding a little less around edge of the head during shaping, leaving a thicker margin around where the mechanism is inserted. However, in this case the head actually is about 0.050" wider overall. Good eye, even though I don't necessarily agree with your conclusion.

 

[derosa]

Look like the round head **** that was left in my barn, which are a variation of the round head junk my parents would buy at fairs and festivals. Basically the stuff I broke so easily as a preteen that, until I found this forum, left me assuming all round head ratchets were garbage. Always good to loan out to someone you dont really want to loan a tool to.

 

[raiderhillbilly]

That is a lot of "fact" to infer based on that single detail. The same "look" could be achieved simply by belt sanding a little less around edge of the head during shaping, leaving a thicker margin around where the mechanism is inserted. However, in this case the head actually is about 0.050" wider overall. Good eye, even though I don't necessarily agree with your conclusion.

Upon Further Review (I have about 50 of these 45170 ratchets) I did find an SK Wayne that has an almost identical shape to this generic ratchet.

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[wvrailroader]

Here are a couple of pictures of my Craft ratchet. Except for the selector detent, mine was was all metal inside, I have seen those plastic detents before in ratchets that were marked SK, Kraeuter, JC Penny, etc.

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I think I read somewhere the SK licensed some stuff to be made in Japan by Craft. Of course, I could be wrong and often am. I have a couple of Craft sockets that have the exact same part numbers that SK sockets do for the same size. They seem to be pretty well built sockets.

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[jl4c]

It's a knockoff, just of an older SK design.

Ram Tools was a rebranding of Cummins Industrial Tools, cheap imports.

Do you have any examples of other RAM tools?

 

[outdoorspace]

Do you have any examples of other RAM tools?

Unfortunately, no. The internals of the Ram are very interesting.

There is a lot of resemblance to SK-Wayne era ratchets, retaining ring aside.

 

[HanShotFirst]

I've seen plenty of round-head Asian knock-offs that look similar to an SK round-head.

From the '70's to the early 2000's, it seems that the SK design was what Taiwan copied most often...on the better Taiwan ratchets at least.

Now everyone copies the Snap On, and I have to admit, the Harbor Freight/Pittsburgh is a VERY nice ratchet. Not it's not a Snap On, but it's a damn good ratchet by any measure, and when you throw in what you pay for it, it's an outstanding ratchet.

 

[firworks]

Wow Fir, that SK diamond logo ratchet is very close, including the size of the handle. Could you post a view from the other side to see how the head thickness compares? That looks like the same ratchet that SMKS posted above. But to really appreciate the similarity to the RAM ratchet, you have to see it next to other SK 45170 ratchets.

I'm still not 100% convinced the RAM and craft ratchets aren't SK contract production but I'm leaning that way. If copies, they are very good copies.

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Enough detail? Need more?

Head is 0.675" thick and ~1.4" in diameter.

 

[jl4c]

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Enough detail? Need more?

This is perfect Fir, thanks. I should have said "width" and not "thickness" but thankfully you measured both.

On my RAM ratchet this measurement is 1.44" On my SK's it's about 1.39".

I want to thank everyone who chimed in. I learned a few things I didn't know before, and that's about all anyone can hope for each day.

 

[3baygarage]

Here's that CRAFT wrench. I think Craft and Ram are about the same.

Link to a RAM wrench:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ram-1-2-inch-combination-wrench-12-point-WE-177P-/201838411948?