What's your go to ratchet and why?

[bonneyman]

In 3/8 I think my favorite is SK , but lately I've been using a Craftsman with the built-in thumb wheel.

I've been using add-on spin discs like this with my S-K 45170 for years. I've used both plastic and steel - really helps out on those too-loose-to-ratchet fasteners.

 

[MarkH]

In small sizes
1/2 Wright 4426
3/8 Wright 3490
1/4 Wright 2429

For those odd places
3/8 SK 3870 with with out the 2X package
We bought a fair amount of NOS of these years ago and do not want to give them up.

 

[64merc]

For the 1/4 I just grab whatever I see first. It doesn't really matter too much. Actually...now that I think about it again, I tend to grab the ratcheting wheel style that fits in your palm (not sure what it's called).

For 3/8 I tend to grab my SK roto head style first. I like it because it kind of acts like a flex-head and you can also use it screwdriver style to start or finish the removal.

For 1/2 I tend to grab a long flex-head if space permits. Usually it's my Pittsburgh Pro or whatever it's called. I very rarely use a short 1/2 drive ratchet. In this size range leverage counts.

With all this said, I am using manual ratchets less and less. I'm always reaching for cordless tools now.

 

[RustyBuckets]

I've been using add-on spin discs like this with my S-K 45170 for years. I've used both plastic and steel - really helps out on those too-loose-to-ratchet fasteners.

I had one, a Snap-on, don't know where it is.

 

[DadsTools]

I use SK round heads on 1/4 & 3/8. I have a pile of 3/8 ratchets of all kinds, but I keep going back the the SK--it just feels better than the others. On the 1/2 I ususally go to the New Britain Kilness round heads. They can have all kinds of brand names on them because NBM made them for a bunch of companies. What's unique about them is that the 1/2 has the same size head as the 3/8 and uses the same size core but with a 1/2 stud, which makes them lighter, almost wand-like compared to the clunkier SK or others. I keep these old girls working fine by never using them to break tough nuts (that's what the breaker bar is for, right?).

 

[BarryWells]

Time for a bumparoo. I went through it a month or so ago. No filing, no buffing. Just a night in the vinegar and a bit of honing stone action on the pawls.A shot of Ptex anti-gray. Slick as my Koken on backdrag. Makes my Matco and S80 feel like I need some Cobra for backdrag.
3/8 go to lately is an F80 shorty. But the Matco 88 is slicker(non flex tho)

 

[SteadyC]

Usually the longer ones to break loose. If I have to/want to change over to the shorter length. Here are 1/4 drive x 2 and 3/8 x2.

 

[threewood]

Gear Wrench long handle flex head. Seems to be right in the sweet spot of not too long and not too short. Plus the flex comes in handy more often than non flex.

 

[Brandon_Lutz]

Lately I've used my Armstrong 11-992 more than any other ratchet. I've been having to do a lot of work on my old truck and I've been using it to do most of the work under the hood. Its only got 60 teeth, but it feels good in my hand and always gets the job done for me.

 

[FSUwelder1212]

My go tos are:

1/4” = snap on THLF72
3/8” = snap on THLF72 that I frankensteined a FC72 kit in.

My absolute favorite ratchet is my snap on FHLLX80, but due to length it’s not great for most stuff so not really a “go to”

 

[nbpt100]

1/4" VIM ROTO- NIce feel - low back drag.

3/8" Kobalt long Roto. good leverage - does the job.

1/2" what ever is handy. Hardly use one.

 

[Pasha]

SK used to be my go to until I got a Koken Zeal. You get the best of everything with Koken.

 

[roofdweller49]

The SK 45170 feels like the GM square body of ratchets in that classic Americana way, but I also find it head heavy and a bit chunky sometimes?

 

[Pexto]

SK used to be my go to until I got a Koken Zeal. You get the best of everything with Koken.

You might be right. I've got multiple SK 45170 and 40970, and they've been favorites for some time. And then not too long ago I bought a 2725Z and a 3725Z. I still pick up the SKs, but mostly for nostalgia. The Kokens are just damn near perfect. I also have a Nepros NBR290 and I definitely prefer the Koken, never mind that it was half the price.

 

[Madjik Man]

Tekton comfort grip.

Not the greatest ratchet mechanism/back drag/etc but easily the most comfortable handle/grip I’ve ever had.

Close second are my Koken 72 tooth’s. Best mechanism/back drag/etc I’ve ever used it’s just that the grip is a bit small for my XL hands.

 

[General Geoff]

1/4" - SK roundhead, 40970 (came with my 1/4" drive super set from ~12 years ago)
3/8" Koken 3725Z short handle
3/8" KTC BRSW3L roto ratchet long handle
Snap-On SL80A 1/2"



The Snap-On because it's the smoothest, lowest backdrag action in the strongest 1/2" long handled ratchet I could lay my hands on. Incredibly, it ties for the lowest backdrag of any ratchet I own with the little SK 1/4" shown, which both have even less backdrag than the pictured Koken. The Koken 3725Z is light in backdrag and equals that of the KTC roto ratchet shown. I choose either one depending on if I need a short or long handle.

 

[M635_Guy]

Two and a half years later and my answer is pretty much the same -

My Icon and Snap On 1/4" rotos get a lot of work

My F80 does a lot of the 3/8" stuff, but is now sharing time with the Matco locking flex and I'm enjoying the SK LP90 too. It had a slow start, but it's 'broken in' now, and feels really good.

 

[boom_bap]

Capri flex heads 1/4, 3/8 and my fav 1/2. Maybe one day I'll pony up for a snap on.

 

[engineer2]

Old Snap-On 3/8 flex head bent handle.

 

[Catcher1984]

1/4" - SK roundhead, 40970 (came with my 1/4" drive super set from ~12 years ago)
3/8" Koken 3725Z short handle
3/8" KTC BRSW3L roto ratchet long handle
Snap-On SL80A 1/2"



The Snap-On because it's the smoothest, lowest backdrag action in the strongest 1/2" long handled ratchet I could lay my hands on. Incredibly, it ties for the lowest backdrag of any ratchet I own with the little SK 1/4" shown, which both have even less backdrag than the pictured Koken. The Koken 3725Z is light in backdrag and equals that of the KTC roto ratchet shown. I choose either one depending on if I need a short or long handle.

How do you like the KTC Roto ratchet? I’m thinking of getting the short and long versions.

 

[General Geoff]

How do you like the KTC Roto ratchet? I’m thinking of getting the short and long versions.

It's my favorite 3/8 Drive. Can't recommend it highly enough!

 

[joel_400]

At work I usually grab either my 1/4 or 3/8 Carlyle roto ratchet. At home I've got an old sk roto ratchet and a Snap on roto ratchet. For 1/2 inch I've got the 24 or so inch Snap on flex head for both home and work. About 90 percent if the time I have some sort of flex head is my favorite!
Joel

 

[housewolf]

SO FHFD80A
I probably don’t have as many as most of you guys but I‘ve got a fair assortment of 3/8” ratchets. This one seems to get the job done under most circumstances.

 

[subroc]

Whichever one comes to hand. I probably like my old SK ratchets best for the 1/4 or 3/8 stuff. For the 1/2 I expect I favor my long handle Proto. That said, I like all 3 sizes of my Craftsman ratchets as well.

 

[WWheeler]

I use a cordless ratchet somewhere around twice as much as I do any traditional ratchet any more. I've gotten to where I'll reach for a cordless or an impact and only go for a regular ratchet in instances where either of them won't work or I know I'm going to have to reap on it to break something free or torque well above the 100 or so foot lbs I'm comfortable doing with a cordless. And of my cordless I tend to use my extended as much or more than my shorter ones combined.

 

[isb cornbinder]

SK. I have lots of them. The picture is a selection.
I always buy any SK I find languishing in a second-hand store.

 

[Old Donn]

3/8th GearWrench 120xp.

 

[lardy1]

SK. I have lots of them. The picture is a selection.
I always buy any SK I find languishing in a second-hand store.

I have quite a few SK roundheads, also. I've wasted a lot of time and money chasing better ratchets and I have better ratchets. But theres just something familiar and comforting to me in an SK roundhead. I particularly like the flex versions.

I've had to put my ratchet obsession aside. There's always a new, better, slimmer, smoother ratchet coming out.

 

[Zeus36]

Cornwell:

Got a bucket of them before they got melted down. Very comfortable handles, all metal, solid ratchet selector that does not inadvertently switch direction.
They want a 100 bucks for these now...

 

[lardy1]

Those Cornwell ratchets are pretty awesome in their own way. I have a couple and they feel so solid.

 

[MattGarage]

I haven't seen a mention of Tite Reach here so worth checking out. I have used my Craftsman old school ratchets in 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 on thousands of things but the vast majority of my assemblies now are a 12v impact wrench with the help of a 90 degree or Tite Reach extensions as needed.

 

[71goldss]

HF 3/8” composite. Same ratchet as the Tekton composite. I love this thing! Super light weight, and doesn’t chip paint off anything when using quickly and aggressively. Plus, very inexpensive and lifetime warranty.

Btw, I often see it used on Finnegan‘s Garage videos, so it’s cool to see others who could easily afford much higher priced ratchets using it as well!

 

[Crazyjake8493]

Out of about 15 ratchets, the two I can't live without are my 1/4" drive swivel head, and the 1/2" drive extendable ratchet. Both Harbor Freight cheapos.

 

[Catcher1984]

It's my favorite 3/8 Drive. Can't recommend it highly enough!

Cool, I was thinking of replacing my SO FHLFD80. I loved my original FLF80 but for some reason I don’t really like the version with the hard handle. I think I’m gonna give the kTC a try thanks!

 

[vga]

Any Matco or Snap On I pick up

 

[Marvin Berry]

I've just discovered my go to ratchets in 1/4 and 3/8: