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Entry-level but solid feeling ratchet?

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DadsTools

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ChaseDE said:
When I see constantly people acting like these tools don't break it is a little unnerving....the little old SK was literally my favorite ratchet of my grandads and I was actually sad for a minute when it broke...
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Gee, that was pretty good spin. Now you're seemingly endorsing the SK...but not really, since your mention of that lone wrench was obviously meant as a knock (everyone caught that). Have you ever had any other ratchets break? Why not mention them too? Or is your SK the only ratchet that ever broke on you? Then you're doubling down again on the Pittsburgh Pro. But wait...you say you've never owned a Pittsburgh Pro, and you're going by reviews and how it looked in the store? Um...looks like the used SK has gotten a lot of positive reviews in this thread, more than the PP, and from folks who actually own and use them. Ever check the reviews on the SK RHFT ratchet? Like....reviews spanning over the last 60+ years??? Anyone ever find a comment anywhere that PP was a better rat than SK?

Gosh, I'm looking all through this thread and can't find anyone talking like tools don't break. Can't imagine you're referring to the mentions of SK ratchets, since, at least in my posts, I've continuously mentioned the warranty, which is a pretty strong indication that they can indeed break.

Can you refer us to the post where anyone was "constantly" indicating that SK (or any other) tools don't ever break?

Sorry, but when I see people constantly using subterfuge to bolster what would otherwise be a weak point, it is a little unnerving....
 
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ku17

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The Proto Premium Pear Head Ratchet is a great middle-of-the-road ratchet. It has a decent tooth count at 45 teeth, is backed by a lifetime warranty, and is a good value at approximately $40 on Amazon. It's received praise from some of the more knowledgeable members of GJ, like Fedwrench.

I don't personally own one but I used one at work in 3/8" drive for about two years. It was able to survive life as a shop tool and as a loaner tool to infantry Marines that were notoriously tough on the tools that a I would lend to them. It survived, without issue, where ratchets from Paramount, Stanley, and Crescent failed.
 
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ChaseDE

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One more time for the cheap seats and I am bowing out here, its quite hilarious how riled up you are.

The OP is a home mechanic who states he might use the tool a few times a month which is very similar to my tool usage personally.

I own and have used probably every ratchet mentioned in this thread personally. I very much enjoy all of them but sometimes they do break. I'll attach another picture of a dissasembled 1/2" vintage snap-on just for you.

SK is a fine ratchet also.

For the price and use case, if it were me, cause I was giving MY advice, I would go buy a PP from HF and see how it worked out. They seem to get good reviews here too.

Have a great day :beer:
 

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tonyciambrone

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DadsTools said:
Gee, that was pretty good spin. Now you're seemingly endorsing the SK...but not really, since your mention of that lone wrench was obviously meant as a knock (everyone caught that). Have you ever had any other ratchets break? Why not mention them too? Or is your SK the only ratchet that ever broke on you? Rah Rah Rah Rah Angry Angry Angry
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Back away from the keyboard sir...

My vote goes to HF. Yes I own a little round head SK. If was picking one to start with I would get a flex head, in both 1/4" and 3/8" flavors. I own HF, Toptul, Armstrong, Snap-On, Craftsman, Stanley etc etc... For this purpose, Pittsburgh Pro all the way for me
 
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DadsTools

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ChaseDE said:
One more time for the cheap seats and I am bowing out here, its quite hilarious how riled up you are.

The OP is a home mechanic who states he might use the tool a few times a month which is very similar to my tool usage personally.

I own and have used probably every ratchet mentioned in this thread personally. I very much enjoy all of them but sometimes they do break. I'll attach another picture of a dissasembled 1/2" vintage snap-on just for you.

SK is a fine ratchet also.

For the price and use case, if it were me, cause I was giving MY advice, I would go buy a PP from HF and see how it worked out. They seem to get good reviews here too.

Have a great day :beer:
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Still waiting to find out who in here was "constantly" posting that ratchets don't break. It's not there. Also like to know how you figure "riled up" when someone is simply refuting your fake points. That's not there either. I get it though. It's an old college debate tactic called "poisoning the well" and can be used to great effect on an audience not savvy to it (it's used an awful lot by politicians). Instead of addressing point with counterpoint in a reasonable manner, the person tries to discredit the other side, and through that underhanded dart-throwing hopes to discredit everything that's being said without ever having to respond the actual substance of the points being made. So you first tried to poison the well with the "sad" story about the broken SK, then again by trying to paint me as riled up and how laughable it is. All the while never really addressing the substance of a single point being made. I like the photo if the broken Snap-ON, as if somehow this addresses the points being made and explains your "sad" SK story. Laughable.

If you just mentioned your suggestion of the PP, that's fair. But you had to start with throwing a stone at the SK, which you seemed to feel somehow that it made your argument for the PP stronger, or that all the talk of SK put a bee in your bonnet for some reason.

Voicing an opinion is one thing. But if you're going to start peddling poo, you should be called out on it. If you want to paint the other person as "riled up" because he called you on the poo, then so be it.

Like I commented on another thread by someone concerned about how to answer those ridiculous job interview questions,

Greatest Weakness: I have very little tolerance for BS.
Greatest Strength: I have very little tolerance for BS.
 
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Al Borland

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HF Composite feels solid. Dirt cheap too.
Husky pearheads from Home Despot are solid and cheap.
 
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tonyciambrone

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DadsTools said:
Still waiting to find out who in here was "constantly" posting that ratchets don't break. It's not there.
Greatest Weakness: I have very little tolerance for BS.
Greatest Strength: I have very little tolerance for BS.
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Are you trolling? he said constantly acting like. he did not say people are literally posting that SK ratchets are indestructible and made from unobtanium...talk about Its not there...

I don't know if you smashed your keyboard and monitor into a fine dust yet, but seriously, is this really that important?
 
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HanShotFirst

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I guess I just don't get why there's a big debate about HF or not HF going on when someone very early posted a $30.00 Williams...seems like a no-brainer to me!

I have had great luck with HF ratchets, they're way more ratchet than you're paying for. But come on, a US made Williams for just a little more than a HF? How is there still any debate going on?
 
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DadsTools

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tonyciambrone said:
Are you trolling? he said constantly acting like. he did not say people are literally posting that SK ratchets are indestructible and made from unobtanium...talk about Its not there...

I don't know if you smashed your keyboard and monitor into a fine dust yet, but seriously, is this really that important?
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No one was "acting" like that either, "constantly" or otherwise. Show me where it is. And that was "unnerving?" As if we're all idiots. Please.

Is it that important? I don't know. Seems to have gotten your involvement, so....maybe?
 
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DadsTools

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HanShotFirst said:
I guess I just don't get why there's a big debate about HF or not HF going on when someone very early posted a $30.00 Williams...seems like a no-brainer to me!

I have had great luck with HF ratchets, they're way more ratchet than you're paying for. But come on, a US made Williams for just a little more than a HF? How is there still any debate going on?
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If you're committed to buying new, then this.
 
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American Locomotive

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HanShotFirst said:
I probably have more SK than anything else...And if I were the OP, I'd buy the new Williams, not a used SK.
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..and I'd just pony up the extra $20 over the Williams for the SK 90T. It's a $57 one time investment for an American made tool that will likely out live several of its owners. It's less than 50% of the cost of a comparable Snap-On ratchet and likely every bit as strong and durable.
 
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Yarpo

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jshillin said:
Yep, for the money, you won't do any better... This is a great deal.
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Agreed, I think the Williams posted is also a good price and a good ratchet, but he gets both sizes here, with the bonus of having flex heads right on budget. I love my 1/4" GW stuff, probably my most used ratchet. I might buy this set and have duplicates
 
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7avalon7

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GearWrench 3/8 and 1/4 roto ratchets both for $30 (lowest price I have seen). I just got mine last week. Very happy with how it look, feels and perform.

http://www.sears.com/gearwrench-2-p...sellerId=SEARS&prdNo=3&blockNo=3&blockType=G3

Craftsman Extreme Grip 3/8 $15 (I have seen it as low as $12). This is becoming my go to ratchet now.
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-3-8-...sellerId=SEARS&prdNo=9&blockNo=9&blockType=G9

If you play points, the above can be cheaper, or free. Nothing beats free btw :)
 
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bigjeff94

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That Williams ratchet is a tank. I prefer the feel of my SK but I wanted a pear head and bought the Williams in the normal and long handled setup. For 30 dollars you can not go wrong. I would recommend either depending on whether you prefer round head or tear drop.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
 
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theoldwizard1

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I still use my 50 year old Craftsman 3/8" a couple times a month. Solid feel, but it is the 50 year version !!
 
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Fender1325

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sk farmer said:
will they last for a lifetime with daily use in a pro environment? hell no and neither will any other brand, they all wear out eventually.

for they guy who wants a nice ratchet at an economical price? several of them listed hold up to heavy use and will give a lifetime of occasional use.

his requirements clearly state occasional use, why recommend a high end ratchet when he more than likely does not need or want one?
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I'm not recommending a high end however I'm also not going to recommend an HF ratchet as somebody's only ratchet. If OP wants one do it all ratchet then I recommend gearwrench
 
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Citation

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7avalon7 said:
GearWrench 3/8 and 1/4 roto ratchets both for $30 (lowest price I have seen). I just got mine last week. Very happy with how it look, feels and look.

http://www.sears.com/gearwrench-2-p...sellerId=SEARS&prdNo=3&blockNo=3&blockType=G3

Craftsman Extreme Grip 3/8 $15 (I have seen it as low as $12). This is becoming my go to ratchet now.
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-3-8-...sellerId=SEARS&prdNo=9&blockNo=9&blockType=G9

If you play points, the above can be cheaper, or free. Nothing beats free btw :)
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Both of those are good choices and I "almost" have both. The roto ratchet you linked is identical (I believe same OEM) as the Crescent Roto set that many of us bought off Ebay for around $25. I think there is a set labeled as Napa as well. Highly recommended regardless of the brand.

The Extreme Grip Cman appears to be another Apex ratchet based on the basic GW single pawl (72-88T depending on version). The Husky's are my choice there simply because HD is close to me. My HD has this driver set with the 3/8" ratchet for $24. Not sure why on line I can only find it without the ratchet...
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-3-8-in-Drive-Master-Bit-Socket-Set-37-Piece-H3DBS37PC/204759235
 
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panknuckshovel

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Fender1325

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bcradio said:
I do :thumbup: based on what you said.
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What, that it's hilarious to say an HF ratchet will last his lifetime and the lifetime of his children? You've deducted that you have more experience than me because of that statement?
 
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D-Vice

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Gear wrench on amazon.
30-50 depending on model you get in 3/8
I got the rubber grip handle flex head and I love it.
Full polished is cheaper.
 
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bcradio

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Fender1325 said:
What, that it's hilarious to say an HF ratchet will last his lifetime and the lifetime of his children? You've deducted that you have more experience than me because of that statement?
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Did you actually read how much use the ratchet will get? Rhetorical question because obviously you did not.

I deduced that based on many of your posts that i have read... not just in this thread.
 
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Fender1325

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I read the OP. Having literally just bought a Pittsburgh pro ratchet a couple days ago I can say with confidence, that it MIGHT last him a long time if he plans to use it once every couple of months to do basic low torque stuff around the house. Even then, no, it won't last his lifetime and his children's lifetime, as if it's some family heirloom. That's laughable.

What's also laughable is that you stalked me and searched through my posts to gauge my experience and compare it to yours.

I don't care who you are or what your experience level is. You're sorely mistaken.
 
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bcradio

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Fender1325 said:
I read the OP. Having literally just bought a Pittsburgh pro ratchet a couple days ago I can say with confidence, that it MIGHT last him a long time if he plans to use it once every couple of months to do basic low torque stuff around the house. Even then, no, it won't last his lifetime and his children's lifetime, as if it's some family heirloom. That's laughable.

What's also laughable is that you stalked me and searched through my posts to gauge my experience and compare it to yours.

I don't care who you are or what your experience level is. You're sorely mistaken.
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Not real hard when you start threads asking about chrome types on wrenches.

Again your lack of experience using hand tools shows big time and I could care less what you think about it. I'm just trying to warn the original poster of the this thread to watch out listening to what you have to say. I don't want him to get misinformation from you.

Is the Harbor Freight ratchet the best ratchet out there? Absolutely not! But with the usage of the OP, he has nothing to worry about.

The only thing laughable is you giving advice
 
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Fender1325

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I work in a restoration shop on old cars every day. I have not owned a full polished wrench set and merely asked about pros and cons. A stranger to ratchets and using tools I am not.
 
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619DioFan

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ab0mination said:
These were the first I checked out this week since I was in the store. Felt pretty nice but hadn't yet done the research if they were one of those HF things that should be left alone.
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The pittsburg pro ratchets are definantly worth the money. so is the 25inch breaker bar and the pro impact sockets and chrome sockets. I use them all the time with no issues .
 
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turnthewrench

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bcradio said:
Is the Harbor Freight ratchet the best ratchet out there? Absolutely not! But with the usage of the OP, he has nothing to worry about.
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+1. It's just a chunk of steel with some rubber on it. The mechanism is the same as the venerable Plomb/Proto 24T, some of which have been used since WWII and before.

And for those who don't know it: 2017 Taiwan CrV Steel >> 1945 USA CrV Steel. It's not like the industry has been dormant for half a century.
 
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onarant

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lincwelder225

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ab0mination said:
I need to use a 3/8 socket a few times a month. My current Channelock from a Sam's Club set 15+ years ago has a bunch of slop, so I'd like to replace it.

Not looking for SK or Snap-On type performance (or price). I'm willing to spend $30-40ish dollars if need be, but I do not care about brand, country of origin, flex—unless those factor into what makes it a good choice.

Also—for a barely-hobbyist like me, what's the argument against just a 'nicer' 3/8 ratchet and a step-down for the once or twice a year I need a 1/4?
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To the op... All the previous b.s. aside, which ratchet did uou end up choosing and why?
 
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