Ratchet insight, anyone?

[Will_Yetter]

I really like swivel/roto ratchets vs. flex-dead - maybe there are use-cases where a flex is needed vs. a roto I haven't hit yet.

I'm a fairly-active DIY'er, and have ratchets from Sunex, Tekton, Icon, Carlyle, Snap On and Craftsman. I tend to reach for the Icon and Snap On the most. The Tekton is also really nice. The fact that I paid as much for my SO F80 used as I did new for Tekton and Icon combined isn't lost on me, though I do like the handle and ratcheting mechanism on the SO better than either of the others. I can't say I think they're worth the list price to a non-pro doofus like me, but my SO ratchets were opportunistic buys and gifts to myself.

Net: If spending the money on a tool-truck-brand ratchet keeps you from buying other tools you don't have, I wouldn't do it - Tekton and Icon both make great ratchets that are very affordable. If it's fun-money, I dig the dual-80 mechanism and overall feel/handling of the SO a lot.

I actually checked out the Icons the other day. They seem really nice. I wish they made a locking flex and not just the swivel flex thing. Good advice thank you!


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[milwaukeephil]

I love the Snap-On Dual 80s. My favorite is the FLF80A. It just has a premium feel to the mechanism and is a joy to use.

I definitely go for the regular handle vs comfort grip -- Dual 80s last a long time, but rubber wears out.

 

[Will_Yetter]

I love the Snap-On Dual 80s. My favorite is the FLF80A. It just has a premium feel to the mechanism and is a joy to use.

I definitely go for the regular handle vs comfort grip -- Dual 80s last a long time, but rubber wears out.

That’s the long flex head right?
About the handle, that makes sense. I’m all chrome currently, but always been curious about rubber- probably not on a snappy though

 

[sk farmer]

Why don't you msg the OP and sell it to him for a nice price?

honestly i should sell it. i was in that same position as the op. i just felt i needed to buy into the hype of a dual 80. i bought a nice red hard handle 3/8 dual 80. the ratchet of my dreams as you might say. i tried to use and i have used it on occasion since thinking i may like it. as time goes on it has come to be in the top 3 worst tool purchases i made. why? because it is just a ratchet and it does nothing better or worse than any other ratchet other than it cost more.

i bought it with fun money so i don't need to sell it, at least not yet. for now it sits there as a good reminder that it is far more important to buy tools that are more useful, allow me to do more jobs and can earn their pay back.

i wonder how many guys will actually admit to doing the same thing as it isn't real popular for people to admit around here.

it's also funny that it is suggested that i should sell a premium ratchet at a "nice price". shouldn't a premium ratchet command top dollar? more proof that it is just a commodity that drops in price the minute you use it rather than an investment as they are often described. at the end of the day it is still just a ratchet. there is no magic in it.

 

[Ralf11]

It won't hurt for a DIYer to make friends with a local Tool truck guy. Call him up and be upfront with him, ask if you can meet him at one of his stops. Then look around his truck and let him take the lead.

If I could have only one ratchet she'd be a blonde

no wait, I meant FLF80

 

[visionguru]

My favorite is Snap On FHLF80A:

Hard to explain, Dual 80 mechanism has certain premium feel, GW 120XP is kind of close. All the 90T (Carlyle), 84T (GW), etc... ratchets I tried have similar clunky feel as the ubiquitous 72T ratchets.

Matco 88T is silk smooth, very nice, but I don't like the woozy grease comes out of the backing snap ring.

Get a Snap On, you will like it. Actually, any ratchets on the market probably will be more than good enough for a DIYer. Buying a premium ratchet gains almost 0 in terms of performance, only the pleasure in using them.

 

[toddmorr]

The SK DT upgrade kits are a good way to up your tooth count on the cheap.

but the backdrag goes way up too. for me, not even worth the small cost of the kit.

 

[m6z]

I'm happy with all of my recent 90 tooth comfort grip purchases. Carlyle, Icon and Gearwrench. The head on the 1/4 Gearwrench 90T is super thin.

I don't really worry about warranty on ratchets. I abused the old Craftsman RP ratchets for years and I don't recall ever breaking one. I certainly take better care of my stuff now.

https://www.gearwrench.com/gearwren...0-tooth-dual-material-teardrop-ratchet-6.html

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Matco locking flex head and Snap-on for ratchets and also SK has some nice ones too.


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[M635_Guy]

Getting rid of excess stuff makes it easier to organize the things you use regularly. Selling it puts more $$ in your wallet which most all of us enjoy.

Agree - when I reclaimed my garage, most stuff I knew I wouldn't use went on CL. No regrets

 

[d.mcfarland]

That’s the long flex head right?
About the handle, that makes sense. I’m all chrome currently, but always been curious about rubber- probably not on a snappy though

On a long handle ratchet the comfort grip is amazing because it's anti slip.

The other benefit is that as you apply more leverage it truly does help provide comfort in the hand.

 

[M6erfan]

I have S-o dual 80, SK, Proto, Facom, C'man 60t, Carlyle 72T locking flex, & Ko-ken. I too find S-o hyped up somewhat, they're good but nothing special IMO. I reach for the Ko-ken or Carlyle first.

My buddy who has a shop that I do work in from time to time has the Matco 88's locking flex. My next purchase will be the Matco. Great ratchet. If you want a tool truck ratchet I highly recommend the Matco 88 locking flex...

https://www.matcotools.com/catalog/hand-tools/ratchets/3-8-drive/eighty8-tooth/locking-flex-handle/

 

[M635_Guy]

i bought it with fun money so i don't need to sell it, at least not yet. for now it sits there as a good reminder that it is far more important to buy tools that are more useful, allow me to do more jobs and can earn their pay back.

i wonder how many guys will actually admit to doing the same thing as it isn't real popular for people to admit around here.

I understand the point. A lot of folks (including me) tend to develop an attachment to a tool and/or avoid dealing with a mistake. I'm trying to largely cure myself of traits like that.

it's also funny that it is suggested that i should sell a premium ratchet at a "nice price". shouldn't a premium ratchet command top dollar? more proof that it is just a commodity that drops in price the minute you use it rather than an investment as they are often described. at the end of the day it is still just a ratchet. there is no magic in it.

Sorry - I wasn't suggesting you give it away. I've gotten better-than-eBay-priced things from here, probably mainly because there aren't fees and it's a community price...

 

[setfocus]

I've got a snap-on F80, matco 88-tooth 12" lockingflex, and SK 10" roundhead flex with DT mech for 3/8 ratchets... and a clunky Companion ratchet at home

I think snap-on has the best ratchet mechanism and I actually like their lockingflex design too. There is definitely less slop in the snap-on dual 80 compared to the matco 88-tooth, despite having less teeth. Don't buy into the tooth count wars. I've heard the gearwrench 84 and 90 tooth are better than the 120 tooth.

FX80A is on my wish list but is a redundant tool when I've already got the matco, so I've yet to pull the trigger on one. The low profile head on the matco also comes in handy

The Mac axis ratchets feel really nice when playing with them on the tool truck, but never actually used one

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