Still? Man it’s been over a year now since they said they’d be making 1/4 and 1/2”
New SK Teardrop Ratchets
- Thread starter Jedwin414
- Start date
Still? Man it’s been over a year now since they said they’d be making 1/4 and 1/2”
Wamsutta
Well-known member
When I heard that Ideal bought S-K, thinking that Ideal is such a rich company, I thought they would buy all new machinery and start cranking out flawless tools quick; boy was I wrong.
Preaching to the choir. I feel like they hire an R&D guy for 1 weekend a year.
Still waiting for a double boxed X-frame.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Yeah, it really *****. I was hoping SK would come out with something new in time for Epsteins day this year but, no such luck. i really can't understand why it's soo hard for them to release new products. Oh well, i'll spend my money elsewhere. 
R_einan
Well-known member
Any news on the 1/2 or 1/4 versions? I like the 3/8 a lot, would be interested in the 1/2...
mikebaker1129
Well-known member
I am looking forward to the flex heads ,especially the 1/4 drive.
ChevyEFI
Well-known member
Maybe a I can invent a new roto design using the 90T SK piece before they release the new stuff.
JBradley500
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 19, 2013
- Messages
- 781
They probably should have started with a locking 3/8” flex that’s ~12” long. That probably would cover 50% of peoples needs, then they could add the equivalent 1/4” and 1/2” models later on. Even as a ratchet addict, I will admit that those three ratchets would cover about 95% of all mechanics needs.
ldg397
Active member
I just picked up an lp 90 and a breaker bar for my SK socket set. I love it. It is really nice granted my only ratchets for the last 20 years have been all raised panel craftsman’s. Need to grease it a little the switch lever is a little tight but I am sure that will improve.
Also just noticed the dt80 drop in kits for the standard ratchets. Has anyone upgraded their ratchet with a kit and would you recommend it.
Last question is will the dt80 fit in the thumbwheel ratchet.
Also just noticed the dt80 drop in kits for the standard ratchets. Has anyone upgraded their ratchet with a kit and would you recommend it.
Last question is will the dt80 fit in the thumbwheel ratchet.
They made kits for the round heads.. there is a post full of info....
looking for a pebble 4766 or any 47xx pebble hinged handle
https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?ur...share_tid=156810&share_fid=20318&share_type=t
looking for a pebble 4766 or any 47xx pebble hinged handle
looking for a pebble 4766 or any 47xx pebble hinged handle
M_George
Well-known member
I have the drop in kits for 3/8 and 1/2 inch. They work great.
You can get the best price at Harry Epstein tools.
https://www.harryepstein.com/index.php/tool-brand/sk-tools/sk-ratchets.html
Here's my post on the DT upgrades. I really like them in my 3770, 3870 and 40170. The believe the 3/8 thumb wheel has a smaller mechanism than the other 3/8 drive ratchets. If I recall correctly, the one in the thumb wheel is the 3/8 drive in the 1/4 body.
Edit: forgot the link, https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=386936
Edit: forgot the link, https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=386936
Actually, the 3/8 drive thumbwheel uses the the same cartridge as the compact "slim" 3/8 ratchets (1/4 ratchets with 3/8 anvil) and only interchanges with them. The mechanism is the same size as the 1/4 but with a larger 3/8 anvil. I made my own slim ratchet after purchasing a used 1/4 ratchet at the flea market and swapped in the 3/8 thumbwheel cartridge from a spare thumbwheel I ended up with.
You can't swap a 3/8 thumbwheel mechanism into a regular 3/8 ratchet such as the 45170 as it has a smaller diameter.
Actually, the 3/8 drive thumbwheel uses the the same cartridge as the compact "slim" 3/8 ratchets (1/4 ratchets with 3/8 anvil) and only interchanges with them. The mechanism is the same size as the 1/4 but with a larger 3/8 anvil. I made my own slim ratchet after purchasing a used 1/4 ratchet at the flea market and swapped in the 3/8 thumbwheel cartridge from a spare thumbwheel I ended up with.
You can't swap a 3/8 thumbwheel mechanism into a regular 3/8 ratchet such as the 45170 as it has a smaller diameter.
That's what I was thinking since the 45170 and the 3/8 thumb wheel has two different part numbers for replacement mechanisms/cartridges.
3baygarage
Well-known member
Farmer, are you talking about the old spinner kits like the Craftsman RHFT ratchet? That’s what I thought of.
Ah, I see what he means now. I'm talking about the round, smaller than your palm sized ratchet and he's talking about the regular mechanism with the added thumbwheel like the CM RHFT ratchets.
R_einan
Well-known member
Got an email for SK Customer Service in response to an inquiry about the 1/2” LP90. They informed me that they are currently looking at Early October. I am looking forward to the 1/2 standard and flex, as well as the 1/4 flex.
You'll be lucky to see flex anything before 2020.
Not be a jerk, i did buy a green selector version, but this is why i buy koken or snapon... proto etc... they are lagging, i am still waiting for stubby x frame wrenches and 35° versions.... they are going to fold if they cant step up...
looking for a pebble 4766 or any 47xx pebble hinged handle
ldg397
Active member
I should have been more clear. I was wondering if you could put a dt80 upgrade kit in the 3/8 thumbwheel 45172. Or if they make a kit that will upgrade it.
No you can't put the upgrade kit in the thumbwheel ratchet.
well... you can... but it will be 1/4" drive... no DT for the 3/8" thumbwheel/slim ratchet though
R_einan
Well-known member
I agree, they are very slow to bring product through to actual sale. I honestly wish they were better about sticking to the timelines they set and putting out product on a more reliable schedule. Their lp90 ratchets are a good design from what I can tell, but they should have released the next model in the series every 6 months or so to keep the consumers interest. I want a better standard length 1/2 and a flex 1/2 in the near future, but if they can’t produce them by the end of the year, I’ll take a harder look at the Proto precision 90s. Those look to be a comparable product and are fairly readily available.
Eppy's fall catalog shows SK low profile flex heads as a sale item. It doesn't show up on their web page though. I've seen nothing from anyone else saying these flex ratchets are now available.
The catalog was only good through October and I don't have the current one. I love my SK tools, including my LP90. But, my gosh they are slow bringing new product to the market.
The catalog was only good through October and I don't have the current one. I love my SK tools, including my LP90. But, my gosh they are slow bringing new product to the market.
Sanny81
Well-known member
Those ratchets were in the Eppy’s catalog back in April too. Haven’t heard a thing about them since.
There's an eppy's catalog.
There's an eppy's catalog??
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
This is Garage Journal, there isn't anything wrong with that
I have enough flex head ratchets to do an episode of Hoarders but, as soon as Epstein's has the SK 90 tooth flex heads in stock, i'll order the 1/4 and 3/8 drive versions. I'm a sick, sick, man.
Sick, indeed. And contagious as hell.
I've had worse habits.
jgromada
Well-known member
This is Garage Journal, there isn't anything wrong with that
I have enough flex head ratchets to do an episode of Hoarders but, as soon as Epstein's has the SK 90 tooth flex heads in stock, i'll order the 1/4 and 3/8 drive versions. I'm a sick, sick, man.
But my question is: why no love for the 1/2 size?
Brand *****? Never heard of that phrase before.
But it does seem to apply to alot of folks.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Rarely use 1/2 drive sockets with a ratchet. 1/2 drive is usually on an impact wrench.