My new Proto/Facom ratchets

Kirbot · Mar 2, 2015

I know we have a "show your ratchets" thread, but I thought deserved a post of their own since they so rarely get mentioned.
Made in Italy, lifetime warranty. You can also buy them branded as Mac, and Facom.

The 3/8" is really the sweet spot with these.
It's by far the most compact head I've ever seen on a 3/8" ratchet, and plenty smooth enough for any job.

I don't have an F80 anymore, but IIRC they have about the same size head as the Gearwrench, just a lot thicker.

Youngguns · Mar 2, 2015

No link?

Kirbot · Mar 2, 2015

Youngguns said:
No link?

These guys seem to have the best prices on most of them.

http://stores.ebay.com/Zoro-Tools/_i.html?_nkw=proto+round+ratchet

dede2897234 · Mar 2, 2015

Kirbot said:
I know we have a "show your ratchets" thread, but I thought deserved a post of their own since they so rarely get mentioned.
Made in Italy, lifetime warranty. You can also buy them branded as Mac, and Facom.

The 3/8" is really the sweet spot with these.
It's by far the most compact head I've ever seen on a 3/8" ratchet, and plenty smooth enough for any job.

I don't have an F80 anymore, but IIRC they have about the same size head as the Gearwrench, just a lot thicker.

Kirbot,

Thanks for starting this thread! I too like the compact head and the 72 teeth of the Proto 3/8" ratchet.

Do own own any late model automobile(s)? If so, do you personally work on them? Please report back how well that Proto ratchet with the thick head (versus that Gearwrench ratchet) works within the confines of a tight engine bay.

Thanks,

Dave

Loscaldazar · Mar 2, 2015

I'll agree that those 3/8 ratchets are by far the best ones, followed by the 1/4 and the 1/2. I think the only other ratchet that comes close to them in size are the old Stanley Mini ratchets (or something like that). But those stanley microtough ratchets were built for low torque situations, despite having a regular length handle on them. I've also got a Facom 3/8 long handle w/ comfort grip and quick release for sale right now. Very nice ratchets

Kirbot · Mar 2, 2015

dede2897234 said:
Kirbot,

Thanks for starting this thread! I too like the compact head and the 72 teeth of the Proto 3/8" ratchet.

Do own own any late model automobile(s)? If so, do you personally work on them? Please report back how well that Proto ratchet with the thick head (versus that Gearwrench ratchet) works within the confines of a tight engine bay.

Thanks,

Dave

I mainly just work on my Jeep, tractors and motorcycles. No late model cars.

It is on the thick side, but remember the Gearwrench 84 tooth is an especially thin ratchet.
A 120xl, or an f80, or really most any other ratchet will be quite a bit thicker.

I'll compare it and get some pictures with an old SK round head a little later tonight.

dede2897234 · Mar 2, 2015

Loscaldazar said:
I'll agree that those 3/8 ratchets are by far the best ones, followed by the 1/4 and the 1/2. I think the only other ratchet that comes close to them in size are the old Stanley Mini ratchets (or something like that). But those were built for low torque situations, despite having a regular length handle on them. I've also got a Facom 3/8 long handle w/ comfort grip and quick release for sale right now. Very nice ratchets

Loscaldazar,

Why do you say the mechanism in the above Italian made ratchets is built for low torque situations? Can you please share at approximately what ft-lbs for each ratchet model the ratchets should not be used to increase longevity?

Thanks,

Dave

Loscaldazar · Mar 2, 2015

dede2897234 said:
Loscaldazar,

Why do you say the mechanism in the above Italian made ratchets is built for low torque situations? Can you please share at approximately what ft-lbs for each ratchet model the ratchets should not be used to increase longevity?

Thanks,

Dave

Sorry, I mean that the Stanley microtough ratchets (the only ratchet that compares in head size) are built for low torque. These Italian Facom/Proto ratchets are stupidly strong. They have around 17 teeth engaged at one time.

Squankum · Mar 2, 2015

Every ratchet has its pluses and minuses. Lately, my favorite ratchets are... HF composites.

But, today i used my Facom 3/8", and here's what I've always loved about it:

That handle has no flex in it. It's stupid-stiff. Grip is fairly nice, too. Could be bigger, but I've got big hands.

Kirbot · Mar 2, 2015

Loscaldazar said:
These Italian Facom/Proto ratchets are stupidly strong. They have around 17 teeth engaged at one time.

Gotta agree there.
I had a 3/8" Mac long handle version a while back, and I did stupid things to it... (like busting lug nuts) and it never broke.

After about 2 years the teeth did eventually round out and start slipping though. Thankfully Mac and Proto have great warranties and a rebuild kit should never be more than a phone call away.

BJ42LX · Mar 2, 2015

Kirbot,

Is that the 7" or 9" handle on the 3/8" ratchet?

lilcraigford · Mar 2, 2015

Those italian Proto's look very very nice. I like the dark finish; looks nicer than the black oxide on the pear head ratchets, going off of pictures in this thread anyway. Geez, the times I can think of where I could have used something that compact!

Kirbot · Mar 2, 2015

Here's some more pictures....

First is the 3/8" drive, then the 1/4".
The 3/8" Proto is roughly the thickness of the SK. Maybe just a hair thinner.

I think the 1/4" is really the lame duck in the Proto line up personally.
It has by far the most back drag, and the biggest head compared to an SK, an 84 tooth Gearwrench and a 60 tooth Carlyle.

The 3/8" and the 1/2" are the opposite story with much smaller heads than anything else I've compared to.

Kirbot · Mar 2, 2015

BJ42LX said:
Kirbot,

Is that the 7" or 9" handle on the 3/8" ratchet?

[/IMG]

That's the 7" (7 and 3/8" to be precise)
Actually if I had realized there was a 9", I'd have bought that one without a second thought...

pauls_workshop · Mar 3, 2015

I'd be curious of what those internals are like as the small dia head is very reminiscent of the older New Britain ratchets. Stanley owns all those old designs and patents since the 80's and has been known to use them in a few places since. Very nice looking ratchets here! - Paul

Loscaldazar · Mar 3, 2015

If you get the SK versions (Non palm control), they are even smaller than the proto/facom ones too.

arz71 · Mar 3, 2015

Kirbot said:
I know we have a "show your ratchets" thread, but I thought deserved a post of their own since they so rarely get mentioned.
Made in Italy, lifetime warranty. You can also buy them branded as Mac, and Facom.

The 3/8" is really the sweet spot with these.
It's by far the most compact head I've ever seen on a 3/8" ratchet, and plenty smooth enough for any job.

I don't have an F80 anymore, but IIRC they have about the same size head as the Gearwrench, just a lot thicker.

How much were they?

Kirbot · Mar 3, 2015

Loscaldazar said:
If you get the SK versions (Non palm control), they are even smaller than the proto/facom ones too.

IMO the palm control is well worth it though.
Not being able to keep pressure with my fingers on the back of the ratchet head is my main beef with most round heads. It's especially a pain with thing like torx bits, or really small fasteners

arz71 said:
How much were they?

I got two of them in trade.
But Zoro has them for, $21.30 for the 1/4", $31.51 for the 3/8", and $35.96 for the 1/2"

And finally, here's a few pictures inside.
I really love how simple and beefy these things are.

balrog · Mar 3, 2015

Kirbot said:
IMO the palm control is well worth it though.
Not being able to keep pressure with my fingers on the back of the ratchet head is my main beef with most round heads. It's especially a pain with thing like torx bits, or really small fasteners

Kirbot-

What is the purpose of the "palm control"? I haven't had the opportunity to handle one of these ratchets.

Kirbot · Mar 3, 2015

balrog said:
Kirbot-

What is the purpose of the "palm control"? I haven't had the opportunity to handle one of these ratchets.

That silver plate on the back spins freely over the top of the selector.

With most round heads (like these SKs) you can't really keep any sort of pressure on the back of the ratchet head, because the selector is in the way. And you'll end up reversing it, or just tearing your fingers up on the selector.

These give a nice surface to keep your hand/fingers pushing on.

balrog · Mar 3, 2015

Kirbot said:
That silver plate on the back spins freely over the top of the selector.

With most round heads (like these SKs) you can't really keep any sort of pressure on the back of the ratchet head, because the selector is in the way. And you'll end up reversing it, or just tearing your fingers up on the selector.

These give a nice surface to keep your hand/fingers pushing on.

Thanks for the explanation!

Qualitytools · Mar 4, 2015

I have Facom Ratchets (plural) and Love them, in fact I really like the Facom wrenches also especially the Finish! Glad you started this new thread

My new Proto/Facom ratchets

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