Comparison of SnapOn F80 and Gearwrench Low-pro 3/8" ratchet

biggsean · Apr 23, 2008

Hey guys, per the request of PoorOwner, I just wanted to post up some comparison pictures between a Snap On F-80, and a Gearwrench low profile 3/8" drive ratchet. The results that I discovered were actually quite surprising. The GearWrench ratchet bears a striking resemblance to the SnapOn F80, and is even slightly lower profile than the SnapOn, as the pictures will illustrate! In terms of the drive mechanism, the GearWrench uses a 60 tooth gear, vs. the 80 tooth gear of the F80. For somebody on a budget, this GearWrench ratchet certainly appears to be a very worth option, especially in light of the fact that it comes with a full set of sockets/extensions. The SnapOn is a superior tool in terms of strength and durability I'm sure, but don't knock GearWrench for what they've been able to accomplish here!

Here is the link to my prior review of the GearWrench ratchet kit:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16960

The GearWrench ratchet was $54 shipped from Amazon, and included a full set of metric sockets, and extensions.

On to the comparison pictures.

GearWrench on top:

GearWrench ratchet on the right:

PoorOwner · Apr 23, 2008

wow, thanks for the pictures!

ImportTuner · Apr 23, 2008

Wow ... a poor man's Snap On ... how interesting ...

PoorOwner · Apr 23, 2008

maybe for poor me

biggsean · Apr 23, 2008

I just found a link on Amazon for the ratchet by itself. It's $35.45, without the sockets and extensions. Personally, I think it's worth the extra $19 to get the two extensions, blow mold case, and a full set of metric sockets.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000O3KDSW/?tag=atomicindus08-20

biggsean · Apr 23, 2008

Here's the flex version for the same price!

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00150145Y/?tag=atomicindus08-20

PoorOwner · Apr 23, 2008

Thanks Sean, I am mainly trying to get a standard issue 3/8" and also a long 3/8"

and I found for $106, (slightly cheaper elsewhere) I think there is a choice of

set of 3 with the rubber handles,

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NI93E8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

or
a set of 4 with all drive size in flex and extra 3/8" stubby

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000V5G7LU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

seems like the set of 4 flex is the best value. But I still don't get the regular ratchet though..

biggsean · Apr 23, 2008

I'd go for the set of 4, and then purchase the 3/8" standard separately for $35. You'll have a nice comprehensive set of ratchets for only $141.

PoorOwner · Apr 23, 2008

Since you have both.. I am sure you can tell the difference between 60 and 80 teeth, but is it a BIG difference?

biggsean · Apr 23, 2008

PoorOwner said:
Since you have both.. I am sure you can tell the difference between 60 and 80 teeth, but is it a BIG difference?

I wouldn't say it's a huge difference, but it is definitely noticeable.

If you don't want a spend a ton of money, I don't see how you could go wrong with the GearWrench offerings.

l_bilyk · Apr 23, 2008

Yeah but I bet you the snap-on is going to be stronger. The way the pawls grab is a really good design... AFAIK the gearwrench uses a more conventional setup

biggsean · Apr 23, 2008

l_bilyk said:
Yeah but I bet you the snap-on is going to be stronger. The way the pawls grab is a really good design... AFAIK the gearwrench uses a more conventional setup

I have no doubt that the SnapOn is a stronger design, but for the occasional wrencher I'm sure that the GearWrench is more than enough for most people.

That said, you can't pry the dual 80 series ratchets from my hands.

PoorOwner · Apr 23, 2008

I noticed the snap on is truly sealed and the gear wrench just pretends to be, on one side? A snap ring in the back like everything else, I guess so don't go dipping in cleaners now

sjotis · Apr 28, 2008

PoorOwner said:
I noticed the snap on is truly sealed and the gear wrench just pretends to be, on one side? A snap ring in the back like everything else, I guess so don't go dipping in cleaners now

The S-O isn't truly sealed either... "DO NOT IMMERSE IN FLUIDS" is clearly legible on the coverplate.

wrenchr · Apr 28, 2008

sjotis said:
The S-O isn't truly sealed either... "DO NOT IMMERSE IN FLUIDS" is clearly legible on the coverplate.

I think what they are getting at is some chemicals will eat the seals up.

dxdexter · Apr 28, 2008

The Snap-on ratchet may or may not be stronger, but under normal or intended use, I'm sure neither of then would ever break. The quoting of torque specifications achieved during testing are more of an advertising gimmick rather than an real world expectation.

On a side note: A person would have to be blind not to notice that all the Snap-on knock offs that are flooding the market of late. They shamelessly copy the over all design of the head and handle even copying the sealed head look. These copies are quite prevalent in the big box stores.

nissan_crawler · Apr 28, 2008

dxdexter said:
The Snap-on ratchet may or may not be stronger, but under normal or intended use, I'm sure neither of then would ever break. The quoting of torque specifications achieved during testing are more of an advertising gimmick rather than an real world expectation.

My sentiments exactly. Most of the people I see that have had "crappy" ratchets fail had a 1/4" drive ratchet with a 9/16" socket and were yanking on it, when they had all the room in the world for a 3/8".

Likewise, I'll watch people with a 3/8" ratchet and a 7/8" socket sit and yank repeatedly on a bolt, rather than picking up the 1/2" ratchet.

Common sense goes a long way.

64merc · Apr 28, 2008

nissan_crawler said:
My sentiments exactly. Most of the people I see that have had "crappy" ratchets fail had a 1/4" drive ratchet with a 9/16" socket and were yanking on it, when they had all the room in the world for a 3/8".

Likewise, I'll watch people with a 3/8" ratchet and a 7/8" socket sit and yank repeatedly on a bolt, rather than picking up the 1/2" ratchet.

Common sense goes a long way.

Well said!! It's good to be reminded of this now and then.

old salvage · Apr 28, 2008

dxdexter said:
On a side note: A person would have to be blind not to notice that all the Snap-on knock offs that are flooding the market of late. They shamelessly copy the over all design of the head and handle even copying the sealed head look. These copies are quite prevalent in the big box stores.

I was in an auto parts store last week and saw a wall full of 'Duralast' ratchets. For an imported tool they werent that cheap either.

64merc · Apr 28, 2008

old salvage said:
I was in an auto parts store last week and saw a wall full of 'Duralast' ratchets. For an imported tool they werent that cheap either.

Yeah, you said it. Not bad stuff, if it were dirt cheap!!

old salvage · Apr 28, 2008

64merc said:
Yeah, you said it. Not bad stuff, if it were dirt cheap!!

I think they put too much effort into making the things look nice.
If i buy a tool at an auto parts store (and i have) I'm doing it out of convenience/desperation and at that point I could care less about aesthetics.
But then whats that old saying ..?... "Most lures are designed to catch fisherman not fish"

eschoendorff · Apr 28, 2008

From my experience with GearWrench products, i would not hesitate to buy some of their ratchets.

edit: I do not know how the "thumbs down" icon got up there... my mouse has been acting up a little lately....

dxdexter · Apr 28, 2008

eschoendorff said:
edit: I do not know how the "thumbs down" icon got up there... my mouse has been acting up a little lately....

Man ,for some reason I couldn't help but laugh at your edit. :lol_hitti

I put on the thumbs down on purpose. :thumbup:

Merkava_4 · Apr 28, 2008

I predict there will be some buy-it-now F80's for $54.95 in the future once they start getting more abundant in numbers.

Comparison of SnapOn F80 and Gearwrench Low-pro 3/8" ratchet

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