snap-on tzero gearless 1/4 ratchet

[hautpot]

anyone got their hands on one yet?

 

[hautpot]

well looks they they finally hit the floor. Photos from instagram.

 

[Skin]

$150 for a 4" ratchet? I bought 10.

 

[Mr_B]

I been using gearless 1/4 and 3/8 standard and stubbies for years and indeed not 150bucks a pop .
Sure the snappy ones are proper made but doubt I want pay much over 50bucks for a 1/4

 

[davethorik]

Wasn't the fzero a big flop? Why even keep trying? Like an answer that doesn't have a question

 

[dkroth]

.

 

[d.mcfarland]

I saw that on Instagram and just can't see them being a big success. The price is way too high for someone to just swap over from their current 1/4" ratchet that has worked fine for them.

 

[Skin]

I just don't understand why they're only doing small ratchets. Zero degree swing would be noticed more in longer lengths. Plus half the justification of a larger round head roller ratchet is the improved max torque.

 

[mudflap]

Lowes (Kobalt) has a gearless 3/8s ratchet. I dont think there anything new..

 

[Schurkey]

First Guess: They have a huge head because the gearless mechanism ihas inherently low-torque-capacity.

If they made it a reasonable size, the thing would slip.

If they put a long handle on it, the thing would slip.

Mac had a gearless ratchet for awhile. I don't think they could sell 'em, either.

 

[RedneckWelder]

It's an answer to a question that nobody has asked IMHO

 

[Skin]

First Guess: They have a huge head because the gearless mechanism ihas inherently low-torque-capacity.

If they made it a reasonable size, the thing would slip.

If they put a long handle on it, the thing would slip.

Mac had a gearless ratchet for awhile. I don't think they could sell 'em, either.

This 1/4 model isn't nearly as large compared to the 3/8. It also wont slip. One way bearings function on friction, the higher the torque the greater the friction (grab) since the rollers just keep getting squeezed.

Its a proven idea, just poorly brought to market in this case with a horrible price.

 

[matt_i]

Caveat: not had one but worked on sprags and one-way clutches.

It seems interesting because it might reduce the propensity of drag in the traditional ratchet mechanism to fail to tighten the fastener (iow have to put a couple of fingers on the extension to get it to ratchet backwards).

Getting the mechanism precisely made with very reliable roller diameters & precision ramps would be of high importance to me, as well as getting everything thoroughly hardened...basically on the same level of quality and precision as a rolling element bearing.

 

[davethorik]

Like an answer that doesn't have a question

It's an answer to a question that nobody has asked IMHO

Is there an echo in here?

 

[Citation]

Lowes (Kobalt) has a gearless 3/8s ratchet. I dont think there anything new..

Had one.

I bought one and it's need but honestly I don't use it much. The zero backlash doesn't help me that much. The head of the ratchet is larger than my roto ratchet and my Husky/GW ratchets. The thing isn't easy to reverse compared to the teardrop ratchets with a thumb switch. I think the biggest reason is just that I'm more likely to use my roto head ratchet or my flex head, extending ratchet vs this one. Nothing wrong with it but not enough of an advantage to use it vs my alternatives.

 

[adbanshee]

I had a look at them on the SO truck last week. I would not necessarily use one to break a fastener loose, but I can definitely see a use in several situations, spark plugs on ZX12, ZX14 and ZG14s and cam caps on shim under bucket models. I didn't buy one, but if they did a tzero version of the TS72 I would be all over it.

https://store.snapon.com/Round-Head-Chrome-1-4--1-4-Drive-Finger-Tip-Round-Head-Ratchet-P754722.aspx

 

[nelstomlinson]

I have one of the old MAC 3/8 gear-less ratchets. It works OK, but the head is kind of big and until I took it apart and oiled it it was slightly sticky backdrag. I don't mind using it, but almost nver reach for it. It just doesn't fill a need that the standard ratchets don't fill.

Even if these are better than the MAC version, the head looks big, and why?

 

[Jason280]

I have a couple 3/8" Kobalts and a set of MAC in 3/8 & 1/4", neither of which I ever reach for when I grab a ratchet...doubt it would be much different if I had the Snap On.

 

[Mr_B]

I use a 1/4 standard length and 3/8 stubby gearless ratchet a lot, the 1/4 is pretty small head and virtually no drag thus super useful in tight areas .

 

[Schurkey]

This 1/4 model isn't nearly as large compared to the 3/8.

Of course. Who would expect otherwise?

It also wont slip. One way bearings function on friction, the higher the torque the greater the friction (grab) since the rollers just keep getting squeezed..

Tell that to the one-way clutches used for starter drives on a Honda CB1100F. Infamous for slipping.

I had a Turbo 400 transmission with a weak one-way clutch. Hit the gas in first gear (Drive) and the whole car shook like a dog shitting razor blades.

One-way clutches work great...until they don't. And they need more mass 'n' bulk to match the torque capacity of a traditional geared ratchet. Which is why the "ratchets" using one-way clutches have such huge heads.

 

[Wamsutta]

I just don't like the sand casting marks on the top dial; it should be smooth in my opinion.

 

[7avalon7]

Lowes (Kobalt) has a gearless 3/8s ratchet. I dont think there anything new..

I like my Kobalt 3/8 ratchet. I think it was $10-15 iirc. The head is larger than regular ratchet, so may not work on tight space.

 

[Skin]