Proto 90-Tooth Precision Pear Head Ratchets

Fedwrench · Sep 2, 2017

usually when tools show up on MAC's website but can't be ordered on their website, they're usually brand new and aren't available even on dealer trucks :wtf:

They should come up with a coming soon section :lol:

Fielding this ratchets has got to be one of the slowest releases in history
Zoro pricing makes MSC prices look cheap. These ratchets will die on the vine at those prices. :dunno:

I think the push button locking mechanism design on the flex head required to change to the handle fork. :beer:

turnthewrench · Sep 2, 2017

Fedwrench said:
I think the push button locking mechanism design on the flex head required to change to the handle fork.

That's what I thought, makes it a lot easier than reinventing the wheel.

As far as Zoro prices, I don't know. PROTO may be trying to cater to all the big industrial contracts first with the get-ready-for-the-Vaseline-prices, before worrying about the rest. Weird, MAC lists the same ratchet online for 129.99. Go figure.

Loscaldazar · Sep 2, 2017

If you can't free flex the ratchet without it locking in (when you need it), it's a fail of a locking mechanism. That looks like you have to hold the button down if you want it to free flex.

mmason7764 · Sep 3, 2017

Bacon Man said:
Industrial suppliers are the worst places to buy tools, but it comes down to need/want and limited options for the Tech...........

Luckily, the industrial tool supplier in my small town is a pleasure to deal with. I can get single drill bits, etc whenever the need arises. They give me a discount from retail. Locally owned and run.

I paid more but purposely purchased all my Makita tools from them, 8 in all. Asked how the warranty worked. The answer "you bring it to us". The one time I had to warranty a Makita (my fault) I had it back in a week. It never left the store, they ordered the part and did the repair on the back workbench.

They are also the Proto supplier. Took a couple ratchets to them and asked for a pair of snap ring pliers to disassemble. They did the sizing and I left with a Proto branded pair for $20. I was happy.

Industrial supply houses may have traditionally been close to list pricing, but corporate purchasing departments have been in love with national suppliers like Granger. So now it's compete or die.

On the other end of the spectrum I only use the big box store as an absolute last resort. When they drive most or all of the local competition out of business then they own the market and quality of merchandise lowers even further. The convenience of everything under one roof is just not worth it to me, but sometimes they are the only option.

Mark

stercorarius · Oct 15, 2017

bimmer630 said:
I sat there and stared at your comment, tried to read it in several different ways, before commenting.. And I came to the conclusion that you were simply someone who wasnt aware of the proto-stanley-mac connection, because plenty of guys out there dont know (or care) who makes certain tools. I suppose reading things in print can cause the reader to misunderstand the context. Sorry man

Sorry sometimes I'm a **** and by sometimes I mean most of the time. You were being reasonable.

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-OSIS- · Nov 6, 2017

While the axis ratchets are nice, I spun a 3/8 dual 80 the other day. I will be selling or trading or bringing home ALL of my Mac ratchets.

stercorarius · Nov 6, 2017

-OSIS- said:
While the axis ratchets are nice, I spun a 3/8 dual 80 the other day. I will be selling or trading or bringing home ALL of my Mac ratchets.

Let us know if you are going to sell them. Might be interested.

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JohnDeere1 · Nov 6, 2017

I like my Mac 90t ratchets slightly more than my snap on but both are equally strong and nice really I just like the look and feel of the Mac's better. I hate that Proto has pretty much just copies of the Mac's but love that the prices are cheaper and you get the same thing don't mind the color change just got the titanium 3/8 air ratchet used for $25 off ebay free shipping looks brand new wad listed as needing repaired haha a little oil and greased the head it's fine just locked up lol score in my book.

Jaysreal · Nov 21, 2017

So I finally got my hands on one of these (Borrowed from a friend) to review in video form. It seems I've underestimated the true impact the knurling on the handle would have, I have to say I am going to get one for myself. The internals seem to be pretty stout but for some reason the chrome appears to scratch easily or maybe my camera is just picking up the micro scratches better. But anyways, for anyone interested:

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KWtech90 · Nov 21, 2017

I'm not sure if I have a bad mac dealer or if these ratchets just aren't built very well, but it seems pretty easy to strip the pawl out on these ratchets. I've had mine rebuilt 4 times within the last 2 months. It's just hard to use it confidently anymore.

Ign · Nov 21, 2017

KWtech90 said:
I'm not sure if I have a bad mac dealer or if these ratchets just aren't built very well, but it seems pretty easy to strip the pawl out on these ratchets. I've had mine rebuilt 4 times within the last 2 months. It's just hard to use it confidently anymore.

Really? What drive size? Proto or MAC?

I really want one but can’t justify it ATM.

Jaysreal, really enjoyed the video BTW

stercorarius · Nov 21, 2017

Yeah scuffs pretty easy. Not any more than any of my other ratchets. My only real dings are when some ****** decided he was going to borrow it and hammered on the head to get a socket onto a bolt instead of taking the socket off first.

stercorarius · Nov 21, 2017

No issues with any stripping on the 1/2".

Jaysreal · Nov 21, 2017

Ign said:
Jaysreal, really enjoyed the video BTW

Thanks, just trying to put videos to tools no one ever shows, ya know?

stercorarius said:
Yeah scuffs pretty easy. Not any more than any of my other ratchets. My only real dings are when some ****** decided he was going to borrow it and hammered on the head to get a socket onto a bolt instead of taking the socket off first.

Now, that's the type of stuff I can't handle, what kind of tech does stuff like that??

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Jaysreal · Nov 21, 2017

KWtech90 said:
I'm not sure if I have a bad mac dealer or if these ratchets just aren't built very well, but it seems pretty easy to strip the pawl out on these ratchets. I've had mine rebuilt 4 times within the last 2 months. It's just hard to use it confidently anymore.

I too would like to know the details, got a model number? do you have multiple? Does it happen in all your Axis ratchets?

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stercorarius · Nov 21, 2017

Jaysreal said:
Thanks, just trying to put videos to tools no one ever shows, ya know?

Now, that's the type of stuff I can't handle, what kind of tech does stuff like that??

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The kind of tech that's a truck driver.

apdxyk · Nov 21, 2017

B_Bimmer said:
I'm going to be needing one or several of those.

'I am going to be needing one of each of several of those' is the new politically correct way of stating this to your dear and lovely wife.

SS5150 · Nov 21, 2017

I had to get my 18" 3/8 Mac rebuilt once in a year (2 weeks ago actually). The cover works loose pretty regularly, the head works loose frequently, and the seal deformed on it shortly after I got it. I was going to switch to the soft grip 18" Snap On when it shows up but not 100% after seeing the price of the SO.

I have a 1/4" Mac flex as well and it has been no trouble at all, about a year old too.

mmason7764 · Nov 22, 2017

Jaysreal,

Another great video. You keep things moving and hit all the important points. Your videos are a pleasure to watch.

Mark

Aqua-Andy · Nov 22, 2017

I have the 3/8" long flex head. The ratchet mechanism seems nice but the flex joint is ****. They cheaped out and used a thin wave washer to hold the head tension. I don't use the ratchet that often but every couple of months I have to snug up the bolt and there is a fine line to find the proper tension. In turn Snap On uses a round split ring that fits into a recess in the handle. When I was working as a tech in a dealership my SO ratchets would go years without needing adjustment. I need to try and get a SO tension ring and mill a recess into the Mac ratchet head to fit it.

Ign · Nov 22, 2017

mmason7764 said:
Jaysreal,

Another great video. You keep things moving and hit all the important points. Your videos are a pleasure to watch.

Mark

This. Just the right mixture of editorial and facts, too. And not staying in one spot for 5+ minutes and just talking, talking, talking.

It looks like a ton of work went into taking all those various shots of the ratchet, too

KWtech90 · Dec 2, 2017

Ign said:
Really? What drive size? Proto or MAC?

I really want one but can’t justify it ATM.

Jaysreal, really enjoyed the video BTW

I have the long handled fixed head 3/8 mac axis. I just stripped the pawl out again this morning. It lets go every time I exert a moderate amount of force on it maybe 150 ft lbs at the most.

mikebaker1129 · Dec 2, 2017

I ordered the 1/4 Mac version with out the handle.
He had to order it.

BUSA · Dec 12, 2017

I bought the 1/4 MAC off eBay for a deal and the overall feel and arch of the ratchet are way cool!! I have used it yet, but it doesn't seem like your average MAC knuckle breaker

65k10 · Jan 1, 2018

Napa's flyer for the first 3 month's of 2018 just came out. On page 17 they list some sale prices for several models of 3/8, and 1/2 drive Precision 90 ratchets. Prices don't looks too bad. For example: J5450HTCF for 129.99 and J5250HTCF for 94.99.

Jimithing616 · Jan 1, 2018

Good to know about the proto, I wasn't aware there was now a 90t version available. I had been pricing out some sets or single ratchets in 1/2 and 3/8 from SK, Proto, Armstrong, Williams, etc.... I was interested definitely in the newer high tooth SK

For anyone who has used or owns both the new SK and th new Proto or th Mac I suppose, which would you recommend ? I've heard there may be some issues with the SK as well so it may be better just to go with a used SO 80t .... although I'm only a MC tech so I don't have the giant nuts/bolts that require huge amounts of torque, tbh a 1/2 set is a want, not a need anyway haha

Fedwrench · Jan 1, 2018

Jimithing616 said:
For anyone who has used or owns both the new SK and th new Proto or th Mac I suppose, which would you recommend ? I've heard there may be some issues with the SK as well so it may be better just to go with a used SO 80t .... although I'm only a MC tech so I don't have the giant nuts/bolts that require huge amounts of torque, tbh a 1/2 set is a want, not a need anyway haha

I own the MAC version, the Proto version, and the SK 90 tooth.

Of the three, i like Proto's handle the best. The twin bands of knurling combined with the shape of the handle makes it a winner-winner-chicken dinner.

I haven't experienced any ratcheting action issues but, that's just me. People have reported the really thin cover gasket separating on Mac versions but, I haven't experienced that either.

To be honest, in 3/8 drive the F80 series is a pretty nice problem free ratchet.

Just to confuse things more, i also really like the Carlyle 90 tooth ratchets but, they only come in comfort grip models. :beer:

jumbojak · Jan 1, 2018

For those interested NAPA has the Proto 90 tooth ratchets in their Real Deals flyer this quarter. I'm not sure how good the prices are - seemed to be in the $80-100 range - but it might be a good option for rebuilds if you're worried about that and don't want to send them in.

RAS61 · Jan 1, 2018

Seems like a beautiful wrench, and I love the handle, but man, talk about pricey!!! :yikes:

Why is this wrench so expensive, is that 90 tooth gear made out of unobtainium? I have an Armstrong teardrop RW with an 88 tooth gear, I love it, but it cost about 1/3 of this Proto, what am I missing?

Fedwrench · Jan 1, 2018

RAS61 said:
Seems like a beautiful wrench, and I love the handle, but man, talk about pricey!!! Why is this wrench so expensive, is that 90 tooth gear made out of unobtainium? I have an Armstrong teardrop RW with an 88 tooth gear, I love it, but it cost about 1/3 of this Proto, what am I missing?

I've complained about PROTO keeping the prices of their precision 90 ratchets artificially high since their release. In some cases, the Proto version costs more than the MAC version :wtf:

Simply compare the price of a similar Proto premium pear head ratchet to a precision 90 series version and the price difference is huge for an additional 45 teeth :lol:

xin · Jan 1, 2018

M6erfan said:
There will NEVER be a "last buy" for ratchets!

I agree, seems like there is always a new one and one always wears out.

Jaysreal · Jan 12, 2018

jumbojak said:
For those interested NAPA has the Proto 90 tooth ratchets in their Real Deals flyer this quarter. I'm not sure how good the prices are - seemed to be in the $80-100 range

Seriously thanks for that. I picked up this beauty for about $80 and I just had to get that Carlyle flex head too!

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Wamsutta · Jan 12, 2018

Fedwrench said:
Here's a few crappy photos comparing a longer MAC 3/8 drive flex head to the PROTO.

Which handle do you like better? The MAC has two grooves cut into it and the PROTO has two bands of knurling.

Skin · Jan 12, 2018

Wamsutta said:
Which handle do you like better? The MAC has two grooves cut into it and the PROTO has two bands of knurling.

Fedwrench said:
I own the MAC version, the Proto version, and the SK 90 tooth.

Of the three, i like Proto's handle the best. The twin bands of knurling combined with the shape of the handle makes it a winner-winner-chicken dinner.

..

Fedwrench · Jan 12, 2018

I hate being predictable :wtf:

but, i like the Proto handle best and the new MAC comfort grip least. Now if someone offered the MAC/Proto 90 tooth ratchets with the classic Old style red rectangular hard handle, i might have to reconsider... :lol:

1foxracing · Jan 13, 2018

Jaysreal said:
Seriously thanks for that. I picked up this beauty for about $80 and I just had to get that Carlyle flex head too!

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Video soon I hope?

Jaysreal · Jan 14, 2018

1foxracing said:
Video soon I hope?

It'll show up in another video but I already did one on them:https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=6845050

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Fedwrench · Jan 14, 2018

Hey, how do you feel about there being no unlocked mode on the Carlyle?
Just curious :headscrat

davethorik · Jan 14, 2018

Fedwrench said:
Hey, how do you feel about there being no unlocked mode on the Carlyle?
Just curious

The Proto/Mac 90t locking flex are the same way. Idk if I would like that.

Jaysreal · Jan 14, 2018

Fedwrench said:
Hey, how do you feel about there being no unlocked mode on the Carlyle?

That aspect of it has no effect to me, I bought that Carlyle Ratchet to finally replace my hated Harbor Freight flexhead ratchet and will only live in my "Periodic Maintenance" tool bag it will get used when some ***-hat has over tightened a drain plug, when I need to disassemble something during a PM, or when I'm working on something basic 50+ yards from my service van. Ive got 9 other Ratchets in my service van so it's really only going to see use when I pull out the PM bag.

I think the only ratchets that would truely fulfill that specific requirement would be the Husky/Matco/gearwrench/Armstrong ratchets.

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