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What is your "go to" ratchet.

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AmericanWorker

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May 14, 2017
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Like me I'm sure you have a bunch of ratchets, but which ratchet is your go to ratchet? Whether its an "old reliable" or a new piece that you just recently discovered? What do you like about it?

For me its been my trusty vintage S-K 45170. The s-k grips arent the best in my opinion but the overall weight and feel seems perfect 👌
 
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johndeereman

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Mar 28, 2014
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WILL COUNTY IL
I would say my go to ratchet would be my gearwrench 3/8'' 120xp comfort grip. It just feels good in the hand and so far it has been real strong.
 
R

rjvjeepster

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Aug 18, 2016
Messages
115
My Craftsman Premium (or professional, don't remember) 84 tooth 3/8" drive. But I've been playing around with my new HF roto ratchet too.

If I need something bigger I use my 1/2" dr. SK.
 
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jdlong

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Oct 2, 2016
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Kaukauna Wisconsin
These. Have had them for years. Hand got used to them so I guess you can say they are an old favorite. They are slender and get around engine bays nicely. Decent tooth count. Reverse flippers are embedded well enough I rarely trip them when grasping the head and speed wrenching. Are they the best? No. I just like them a lot and have no desire to upgrade.


Ratchets_zpscqycsark.jpg
 
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d.mcfarland

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Western PA
Depends on what you're doing obviously.

General stuff 3/8" is probably the most versatile so in that drive size its the FH80. I like the handle length vs the "normal" F80.

Pic for reference:

comp1.jpg
 
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bwringer

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Indianapolis
Harbor Freight 3/8" drive Pittsburgh Pro Composite Tear Drop. This is the slim black and red composite ratchet, not the fat black and gray one.

Small head
72 teeth
Plastic covered, so it won't scratch or dent stuff and feels nice in the hand
A bit longer than the standard 3/8" drive ratchet
Made in Taiwan

https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-drive-professional-composite-tear-drop-ratchet-62318.html


A close second, or on some jobs the very first one I grab, is the HF Pittsburgh Pro 1/4" drive swivel head. with a 10mm deep socket. This thing is insanely handy.

Sure, HF has a lot of junk, but these ratchets are jewels, and an amazing bargain.
 
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Cope

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Mar 8, 2013
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Location
Houston, TX
My 3/8" F723 is my main go to, followed by 1/4" TM730 and 1/2" S713A.
 

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jumbojak

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My favorite in 1/4 is an SK 40972. The flex head is very handy and to handle isn't so long it gets in the way. I have a Carlyle locking flex but it seems like it might be too long of a handle to be really useful. Time may tell.

In 3/8 it used to be another SK, the venerable 45170. I just love how smooth that SK is. Recently though I picked up a HF long 3/8 flex which is almost as smooth and the extra length gives plenty of leverage. The HF ratchets are tough to beat. I plan to grab one of their fixed head long 1/2 ratchets the next time I'm over that way.
 
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A

AmericanWorker

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May 14, 2017
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Location
Philly
bwringer said:
Harbor Freight 3/8" drive Pittsburgh Pro Composite Tear Drop. This is the slim black and red composite ratchet, not the fat black and gray one.

Small head
72 teeth
Plastic covered, so it won't scratch or dent stuff and feels nice in the hand
A bit longer than the standard 3/8" drive ratchet
Made in Taiwan

https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-drive-professional-composite-tear-drop-ratchet-62318.html


A close second, or on some jobs the very first one I grab, is the HF Pittsburgh Pro 1/4" drive swivel head. with a 10mm deep socket. This thing is insanely handy.

Sure, HF has a lot of junk, but these ratchets are jewels, and an amazing bargain.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip. I literally never bought anything from HF (just because of horro stories I've heard) but its nice to hear a positive review on some if their products
 
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AmericanWorker

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d.mcfarland said:
Depends on what you're doing obviously.

General stuff 3/8" is probably the most versatile so in that drive size its the FH80. I like the handle length vs the "normal" F80.

Pic for reference:

comp1.jpg
Click to expand...

I love snap on the products and customer service. IMO the extended grip is a must. Sometimes i wonder if they make wrenches without them just to make you upgrade because once you get the grip its rare you'll ever use a bare one again
 
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AmericanWorker

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jumbojak said:
My favorite in 1/4 is an SK 40972. The flex head is very handy and to handle isn't so long it gets in the way. I have a Carlyle locking flex but it seems like it might be too long of a handle to be really useful. Time may tell.

In 3/8 it used to be another SK, the venerable 45170. I just love how smooth that SK is. Recently though I picked up a HF long 3/8 flex which is almost as smooth and the extra length gives plenty of leverage. The HF ratchets are tough to beat. I plan to grab one of their fixed head long 1/2 ratchets the next time I'm over that way.
Click to expand...

I definitely became an SK guy. Not on purpose subconsciously i just end up buying their products.
 
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dr_clyde

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Jan 7, 2009
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Holland, MI
For 3/8" drive, Snapon F80. I honestly don't remember the part numbers of the rats I use most in 1/4" and 1/2", but I use a mid length snappy in 1/4" and an extra long flex head snapon in 1/2" dr.

I have a few SK and Mac ratchets that get occasional use, but the majority of my ratchets are Snap-on.
 
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AmericanWorker

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jdlong said:
These. Have had them for years. Hand got used to them so I guess you can say they are an old favorite. They are slender and get around engine bays nicely. Decent tooth count. Reverse flippers are embedded well enough I rarely trip them when grasping the head and speed wrenching. Are they the best? No. I just like them a lot and have no desire to upgrade.


Ratchets_zpscqycsark.jpg
Click to expand...

Those are great. Love the age and the fact that they are still being heavily used. Thats why i strictly buy "made in USA". I just wish craftsman was the same as it used to be.
 
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jumbojak

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Surry, VA
AmericanWorker said:
I definitely became an SK guy. Not on purpose subconsciously i just end up buying their products.
Click to expand...

The SK stuff I have is all very nice. I do wish they offered a nice long ratchet in 3/8 as most of my sockets fall in that drive size and their mechanism could certainly take it.
 
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AmericanWorker

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dr_clyde said:
For 3/8" drive, Snapon F80. I honestly don't remember the part numbers of the rats I use most in 1/4" and 1/2", but I use a mid length snappy in 1/4" and an extra long flex head snapon in 1/2" dr.

I have a few SK and Mac ratchets that get occasional use, but the majority of my ratchets are Snap-on.
Click to expand...

Sorry i should of specified the drive size. I use 3/8 on my machines so i naturally talk about 3/8s when im talking ratchets. I use a lot of mac screwdrivers and imo they are the best but i would lime to get a mac ratchet and see how it matches up to my SK. I have a few snap ons and i love them but i think ny sk been so used that it just naturally has that feel or fit to my hands. But theres days i will purposely use a different ratchet just to change it up.
 
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wmm2

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Cincinnati, Ohio
My favorite is my old Easco 3/8 drive from back in the late 70s or early 80s. It's a little longer than most ratchets of the time, so it has a little more leverage. It's plenty strong, and also quick release. I had it for a couple of months before I figured out what that button did. After that, I quit cursing it for how hard it was to remove sockets from it.
 
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AmericanWorker

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wmm2 said:
My favorite is my old Easco 3/8 drive from back in the late 70s or early 80s. It's a little longer than most ratchets of the time, so it has a little more leverage. It's plenty strong, and also quick release. I had it for a couple of months before I figured out what that button did. After that, I quit cursing it for how hard it was to remove sockets from it.
Click to expand...

Lol that sounds like something i would do. I think i would like a button release (after a few months of getting used to it)
 
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zendriver

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Indiana
3/8" Snap On, from 1976.

It's a little sloppy and quite a bit of the chrome is chipped off, but it's not going anywhere. :)
 
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LB-1911

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Mikeske

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Washington State
I am new here also so no worries :beer: My go to ratchet is what ever I grab first, generally with 5-6 different brand ratchets in each size it is what ever I grab. Maybe for old times it was my Bonney's now it does not matter, except for my 1/2" breaker bar, have three 1/2" and the Bonney breaker bar is far away my favorite. If I have to use a cheater pipe of course I use my Harbor Freight stuff.
 
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gdocktor3

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Apr 18, 2015
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Connecticut
Snap On dual 80s pretty much changed my life. Particularly flexhead quick releases. After that, I like the 45 tooth Proto quick release ratchets.
 
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Cope

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Houston, TX
AmericanWorker said:
Those are really nice. I really only used round heads but its not really a preference just what I've known and always ended up using
Click to expand...

I came upon the round head at a pawn shop. I have three Snap-on standard head 1/4" ratchets, but this became my go to. Still following tradition on 3/8" and 1/2". A side note, found a like new TM730 on eBay and bought it. Mentioned to the seller that my other copy needed a rebuild but I didn't know any dealers. He said to send it to him and he'd get his dealer to repair it. I shipped it from TX to NY, he had it fixed and returned it on his nickel.
 
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speed bump

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May 28, 2008
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Butte Montana
My Hitachi or DeWalt electric impact is my go to ratchet. Otherwise I grab whatever is on top of the ratchets in my cart which is an Easco, A proto spinflex, or a Snap-On rotohead.
 

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TURNA

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Oct 2, 2012
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135
Location
New York
1/2 inch is my Williams B52
3/8 is my Armstrong, the handle is just so comfortable
1/4 is either my Stanley 89-817 or my HF Snap On look a like
 
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CJM8515

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NJ
Old husky round head. If I need something else Ill grab my husky (gear wrench) quick release). For other work I have a variety of gear wrench, snap on, husky, stanley, and others.
 
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