Ratchet Backdrag put to the test!

[noid]

No messing with strings, or scales, or other foolery; we've got ourselves a certified and calibrated tool!

Tool (Seekonk, Made in USA and Calibrated by Productivity Quality Inc):


Test subjects:


V1 Results.


Update with ClientGraphics measurements



Want to send me a ratchet(s) to test? PM me, i'll do it for free.

 

[Ralf11]

Great!

How accurate is it?

and... will it do ratcheting screwdrivers?

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Cool. Haven’t seen many tests like this done before.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[noid]

Great!

How accurate is it?

and... will it do ratcheting screwdrivers?

Rated at +/- 3%

I don't have any ratcheting screwdrivers on hand to test, but could certainly do them.

 

[Dagny]

will I get it back?

 

[Formerjeeper]

Great question

 

[noid]

will I get it back?

Of course; as long as shipping is covered both ways.

 

[dede2897234]

No messing with strings, or scales, or other foolery; we've got ourselves a certified and calibrated tool!

Tool (Seekonk, Made in USA and Calibrated by Productivity Quality Inc):

Test subjects:

Hi noid,

Very cool way of testing ratchet back drag!

Would you mind explaining how the testing tool works with the ratchet?

I see that the ratchet is placed underneath the testing tool.

If it is not too hard, would you mind taking a picture from the bottom ratchet attachment point to the tool?

Thanks,

Dave

 

[KnurledNut]

Since that Gray performed so poorly, send it to me and I’ll properly dispose of it.

 

[superautobacs]

Cool, Noid!

The Kabo/Titan gearless is hard to beat!

 

[Fedwrench]

Didn't clientgraphics do a You Tube video on this?

 

[mike93lx]

Where are you located? I'd be curious to see an older craftsman USA and a HF Pittsburgh pro

 

[Kscardsfan]

So cool. Shoot me a PM and I’ll send some stuff your way to test.

 

[noid]

Hi noid,

Very cool way of testing ratchet back drag!

Would you mind explaining how the testing tool works with the ratchet?

I see that the ratchet is placed underneath the testing tool.

If it is not too hard, would you mind taking a picture from the bottom ratchet attachment point to the tool?

Thanks,

Dave

The tool has a female 1/4 end. To connect it to the ratchet I used a 3/8 socket to 1/4 male end. As you twist the top the beam clock wise or anti clockwise, it shows in inch ounces the force being applied.

Since that Gray performed so poorly, send it to me and I’ll properly dispose of it.

It pained me to see; its one of my favorite ratchets. The handle shape is worth the price of admission.

Didn't clientgraphics do a You Tube video on this?

Good find! Looks like he also used a seekonk, which isn't surprising considering its pretty well only Seekonk and a Japanese brand that make these (new anyways).

I've added his measurements to the cart.

Where are you located? I'd be curious to see an older craftsman USA and a HF Pittsburgh pro

Located in the Toronto area.

 

[measuredtwice]

Did you use a Ko-ken ratchet to zero the instrument between measurements??

If the spring is too strong on some of the ratchets, sometimes you can replace the spring or shorten it.

 

[noid]

Did you use a Ko-ken ratchet to zero the instrument between measurements??

If the spring is too strong on some of the ratchets, sometimes you can replace the spring or shorten it.

Cool, Noid!

The Kabo/Titan gearless is hard to beat!

Its all fun and games until the gearless ratchets show up.

To bad that they are always so gimmicky, either they are non reversible or non flex, not long enough, no QR or have huge heads.

Truly an under tapped market.

 

[Kev442]

It does show why people like their HP ratchets. They must use a very soft spring in them. I like the composites I have, but they can rust up internally really easy. Gotta keep them soaked in lube. Of course I tend to use them when brake fluid and other nasties are involved.

 

[KnurledNut]

Noid, a column stating Condition, New or Used, might be beneficial to your chart.

 

[zktk01]

wish he had a koken to test

 

[RoundedNut]

This confirms my own experiences. The ubiquitous 72 tooth Taiwanese ratchets with the two pawls has the lowest drag, especially when they are lubed from the factory dry state. I still use them alongside other, "better" ratchets.

 

[noid]

Noid, a column stating Condition, New or Used, might be beneficial to your chart.

Good idea, for now if there is nothing noted otherwise, assume used.

 

[teagueo]

Digging up an old thread due to my own research in low backdrag. Got this 3 oz-in torque screwdriver to measure the lower end of the ratchet backdrag spectrum - It's the lowest torque spec'd meter I was able to find. Only 4-5 ratchets were measurable within this range.



Snap-on FCF72
min 2.5 in-oz
max 3.0
72 teeth

Koken 3725ZS
min 1.85 in-oz
36 teeth

TRO Designs Superleggera
min 0.5 in-oz
max 0.7
36 teeth

Besides the Kokens, the 3/8" drive in a 1/4" body ratchets have some of the lowest backdrag I've found. The little Nepros is up there as well.

Video Proof:

 

[LogiLuddite]

Didn't clientgraphics do a You Tube video on this?

Yep, and Koken is absolute king.
36T = 2 oz*in
72T = 1.75 oz*in

 

[teagueo]

This little 3/8" drive in a 1/4" body Nepros (NBRC390FS) has very light backdrag as well.

Measured 1.5 to 1.7 oz-in of torque.

 

[Karibu]

Great! and as i live in Greece and yesterday i bought the new FACOM ratcheting(DUAL) screwdriver version, Facom Dual Ratcheting Screwdriver , which way can i test it (no access to Seekonk-but access to Facom's all torque testers). Any idea?

 

[teagueo]

Here are the back drag numbers from the most recent Project Farm test of 1/4" drive ratchets.

Ratchet	Back Drag Torque (in-oz)	Back Drag (grams)	Back Drag (oz)
TRO designs	0.74	36	1.3
Koken	2.05	99	3.5
Wera	2.42	117	4.1
Milwaukee	2.42	117	4.1
Nepros	3.14	152	5.4
Husky	3.41	165	5.8
Proto	3.47	168	5.9
Mac	3.51	170	6.0
Snap On	3.74	181	6.4
GearWrench 120	4.20	203	7.2
Crescent	4.32	209	7.4
Der Erwachte	4.92	238	8.4
SATA	5.00	242	8.5
GearWrench 90	5.95	288	10.2
Hazet	6.68	323	11.4
Duratech	6.92	335	11.8
Icon	8.49	411	14.5
Stahlwille	8.72	422	14.9

He uses a 7/8 inch socket (~1.17" OD for Proto) and a scale measuring force in grams. It's not the most accurate way of checking back drag, but it gives a decent indicator for comparing the ratchets.

Torque = Radius x Force

In this case the radius is the socket OD divided by 2 which is the lever arm. Example for Snap On:

0.585 in x 6.4 oz = 3.74 in-oz

 

[KnurledNut]

@teagueo
I wonder who he got that cheap looking TRO ratchet from?

I tease, I tease...
Impressive stuff, man.

 

[teagueo]

@teagueo
I wonder who he got that cheap looking TRO ratchet from?

I tease, I tease...
Impressive stuff, man.

Lol. Thanks man. The Titanium and Carbon survived pretty well above sea level aye ... With a cheater pipe on it and everything!

Speaking of @KnurledNut, we're scrapping the carbon fiber handle and going to full Titanium with an aggressively knurled grip.

Eliminates a few parts (and a bonding process) and will drop the price significantly.

 

[KnurledNut]

Lol. Thanks man. The Titanium and Carbon survived pretty well above sea level aye ... With a cheater pipe on it and everything!

Speaking of @KnurledNut, we're scrapping the carbon fiber handle and going to full Titanium with an aggressively knurled grip.

Eliminates a few parts (and a bonding process) and will drop the price significantly.

Full titanium version? I need this in my life!

 

[Madjik Man]

Lol. Thanks man. The Titanium and Carbon survived pretty well above sea level aye ... With a cheater pipe on it and everything!

Speaking of @KnurledNut, we're scrapping the carbon fiber handle and going to full Titanium with an aggressively knurled grip.

Eliminates a few parts (and a bonding process) and will drop the price significantly.

Can’t wait.

My wallet hates you though.

 

[merkyworks]

@teagueo full Ti sounds awesome

 

[Kuma601]

Some anodizing for some color too.

 

[teagueo]

Not to hijack this back drag thread, but we've been looking at a few design changes after the Project Farm test. The switch effort was one of them, but it wasn't improved before the test...

Yes, different coatings (colors) coming soon too

 

[Bradc1989]

Is the op still around? I’d be curious where my 90t proto and 90t sk fall as they’re opposite ends of the spectrum compared to each other,

where can I get more info on the titanium ratchet? that would be the ultimate one up with the shop, and I’m just that kind of guy

 

[teagueo]

where can I get more info on the titanium ratchet? that would be the ultimate one up with the shop, and I’m just that kind of guy

Not sure if it's kosher to post a link here, but for more info:

1/4

TRO Designs Superleggera is the Smoothest and Lightest Ratchet on the market. Engineered to be the lowest weight possible while having exceptionally low back drag. Not certified for depths below sea level. Features of the Superleggera Ratchet: Titanium Chassis CNC Milled from Ti-6AL-4V (Grade...

www.trodesigns.com