Thinking about grabbing this sk ratchet set?

[Rogers954]

Wanted to pick up a sk 40970 after tons of reading on here and the overwhelming support it got in the “best 1/4 ratchet” thread, stumbled upon this set on eBay really thinking about pulling the trigger but as always wanted to ask you guys what you thought. Thanks

https://www.ebay.com/itm/S-K-1-4-3-...681570?hash=item287270b7e2:g:pB8AAOSw0rdcK~eO


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[Andres26tnt]

go for it, its cheap enough to "test out". If you don't like the 3/8 sell it for that price or upgraded the mechanism. 1/4 doesn't need a upgrade its smooth, i bough the upgrade and did not like the feel.

 

[KBATN]

Wanted to pick up a sk 40970 after tons of reading on here and the overwhelming support it got in the “best 1/4 ratchet” thread, stumbled upon this set on eBay really thinking about pulling the trigger but as always wanted to ask you guys what you thought. Thanks

https://www.ebay.com/itm/S-K-1-4-3-...681570?hash=item287270b7e2:g:pB8AAOSw0rdcK~eO


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damn... maybe I should grab this

 

[Rogers954]

No one??? Really i guess what I’m really trying to get at since i couldn’t find any info thought the millions of post on the 40970 is this older model the same as the new ones as far as tooth count? If I’m better off getting a newer 40970 then I’ll go that route, the fact that this set also came with a 45170 and they both look really nice for the price of less than a brand new 40970 was what really got my attention.

 

[Rogers954]

go for it, its cheap enough to "test out". If you don't like the 3/8 sell it for that price or upgraded the mechanism. 1/4 doesn't need a upgrade its smooth, i bough the upgrade and did not like the feel.

Thanks i went ahead and pulled the trigger $35 shipped to the house is worth the gamble to me, and i like the fact that it’s an older set, only have a few other older tools but anytime i can pick up somthing more classic and make it work for me just seems a lot cooler than new stuff.

 

[Andres26tnt]

No one??? Really i guess what I’m really trying to get at since i couldn’t find any info thought the millions of post on the 40970 is this older model the same as the new ones as far as tooth count? If I’m better off getting a newer 40970 then I’ll go that route, the fact that this set also came with a 45170 and they both look really nice for the price of less than a brand new 40970 was what really got my attention.

Same ratchets, no difference. like i said before they are cheap and you can upgrade them if you want with a DT kit.

the 1/4 is 60T and with the DT kit(not worth it in my opinion) 120t
the 3/8 is 40T but i would deff get the DT for that one makes it 80T.

the kits are cheap 15dlls for the 3/8 or 1/4 inch on HJ.

 

[Andres26tnt]

No one??? Really i guess what I’m really trying to get at since i couldn’t find any info thought the millions of post on the 40970 is this older model the same as the new ones as far as tooth count? If I’m better off getting a newer 40970 then I’ll go that route, the fact that this set also came with a 45170 and they both look really nice for the price of less than a brand new 40970 was what really got my attention.

Thanks i went ahead and pulled the trigger $35 shipped to the house is worth the gamble to me, and i like the fact that it’s an older set, only have a few other older tools but anytime i can pick up somthing more classic and make it work for me just seems a lot cooler than new stuff.

awesome i have several 1/4 SK ratchets, my favorite are the Tuff versions they have 72t and smaller heads. i also upgraded one but the smoothness changed and din't like it. One thing i liked is that you can make handles easy if you want more length.

 

[Rogers954]

Same ratchets, no difference. like i said before they are cheap and you can upgrade them if you want with a DT kit.



the 1/4 is 60T and with the DT kit(not worth it in my opinion) 120t

the 3/8 is 40T but i would deff get the DT for that one makes it 80T.



the kits are cheap 15dlls for the 3/8 or 1/4 inch on HJ.

Appreciate the info sir, i will most likely order the kit for the 3/8’s after [emoji106][emoji41]


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[mikebaker1129]

I think the older 40970's are smoother.
Maybe it is just that they are broke in more or it could be in my head and they are the same.
I buy any of the SK 1/4 ratchets I find.

 

[ChrisLS8]

No one??? Really i guess what I’m really trying to get at since i couldn’t find any info thought the millions of post on the 40970 is this older model the same as the new ones as far as tooth count? If I’m better off getting a newer 40970 then I’ll go that route, the fact that this set also came with a 45170 and they both look really nice for the price of less than a brand new 40970 was what really got my attention.

It was like 31 minutes since you posted. People don't live on the forum all the time

 

[plinker]

I think the older 40970's are smoother.
Maybe it is just that they are broke in more or it could be in my head and they are the same.
I buy any of the SK 1/4 ratchets I find.

I dunno, the 40970 I use all the time is quite smooth (gets rebuilt about once a year or so from use). I converted an Ideal production 40970 to 3/8 drive and the Ideal 40971 I have are both pretty smooth as well, not much difference to me. The pre-ideal 40972 flex head I have does have a bit of a high/rough spot though.

The OP made a good buy, those look pretty nice.

 

[bbrins]

Those look nice, I don't think you will be disappointed. Use them for a while before you try the DT kit, you might find that you like them the way they are. Those ratchets are probably 60 years or so old, so don't be surprised if you need to tear them down to regrease.

 

[montanafordman]

Those look nice and I think you did alright for the price and the vintage/unique factor for the markings and slightly different reversing lever style but the mechanism, form, and feel is virtually unchanged. I would disassemble them, clean them with a toothbrush and mineral spirits, dry them and put a dab of oil or super lube on them. You'll be surprised at how much you like them, the smoothness, and how they hold their own against much more expensive modern designs.

 

[Mgdoug3]

I have 5 DT kits. I believe the kits actually work better in a well used ratchet. My well used 3870 has very little back drag compared to a brand new 45170 with the DT80.

I never have tried the DT120 because the 40970 is already perfect to me. I do like the DT100 since it has 4 teeth of engagement on the pawl instead of 3. It works good on the 42470 but even better in the long handle 40170.

 

[Rogers954]

I dunno, the 40970 I use all the time is quite smooth (gets rebuilt about once a year or so from use). I converted an Ideal production 40970 to 3/8 drive and the Ideal 40971 I have are both pretty smooth as well, not much difference to me. The pre-ideal 40972 flex head I have does have a bit of a high/rough spot though.

The OP made a good buy, those look pretty nice.

Those look nice, I don't think you will be disappointed. Use them for a while before you try the DT kit, you might find that you like them the way they are. Those ratchets are probably 60 years or so old, so don't be surprised if you need to tear them down to regrease.

Thanks fellas, I'm excited to get my hands on them

 

[Indexmill]

Those 2 ratchets are awesome and just as good if not better than current or recent SK. And for $35.00, you did not go wrong. You will probably lovge them and they will outlast you and your kids if not abused.

 

[Andres26tnt]

I have 5 DT kits. I believe the kits actually work better in a well used ratchet. My well used 3870 has very little back drag compared to a brand new 45170 with the DT80.

I never have tried the DT120 because the 40970 is already perfect to me. I do like the DT100 since it has 4 teeth of engagement on the pawl instead of 3. It works good on the 42470 but even better in the long handle 40170.

correct, the DT kit works better in used ratchets, i loved the 3/8 and 1/2 versions. the DT120 is not a big improvement, i only would get it if you want a 1/4 inch for very tight spaces.

 

[Rogers954]

Well yesterday was a good day for tools, managed to source some Wiha screw drivers that i love that we’re discontinued a while back and got them supper cheap.....and I got a delivery [emoji119]

Both of these are in really good shape the 3/8’s handle has a little marring and grease on it as you can see, but the 1/4 if it weren’t for a little grease or dirt around the drive i would honestly think it was new because it looks perfect. To all the members on this post that told me about the DT kit thank you because i can now guarantee I’ll be ordering up one for that 3/8 ratchet, the teeth feel a little clunky on that one to me (probably could use a clean up and lube) the 1/4 however is smooth and now i understand why it’s so popular on here i didn’t expect it to operate as good as it does, for $35 I’m a happy camper. Thanks to everyone on here for all the good info.


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