New "indexable ratchets" at HF

trekgod3 · Mar 6, 2017

Hi, all. New member here. Been lurking and learning from the forum for a while. I'm a big Harbor freight fan and I have been slowly collecting most of their Pittsburgh ratchets. Today I picked up these two. Anyone have any experience with them? I haven't seen them discussed here on the forum.

Edit: I don't know why my pics aren't displaying so the item numbers are 62315 and 62316

Oldgloryfirearms · Mar 6, 2017

pictures

morgantm · Mar 6, 2017

trekgod3 · Mar 6, 2017

Pics attached

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-drive-indexable-head-ratchet-62315.html

LB-1911 · Mar 6, 2017

trekgod3 said:
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Edit: I don't know why my pics aren't displaying so the item numbers are 62315 and 62316

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=5631616&postcount=12

Locker537 · Mar 6, 2017

Saw them at the local HF. I don't really know what practical use case they address?

I do like the regular flex heads though.

Oldgloryfirearms · Mar 6, 2017

I use the regular and flex heads all the time and they work great. I have never used these and not sure i could find a reason why i would need to use them over another.

CarsonConcepts · Mar 6, 2017

I have a set I pieced together from clearance (1/4" & 3/8" Lowe's Black Hawk, 1/2" HF). I haven't used them often, but they can be quite handy. Last couple time's I've used them were on 3-Bolt exhaust flanges that were rather tight clearance in the exhaust tunnel. Let me reach around the exhaust pipe, but keep the ratchet handle pointed down for more swing room.

Certainly not a ratchet you reach for commonly, but damn handy when the need arises.

dnschmidt · Mar 6, 2017

A good ratchet made by William Tool in Taiwan. I don't find them to be particularly useful but maybe somebody else does.

ChrisLS8 · Mar 6, 2017

They've had em for a while, I use em sometimes for caliper mount bolts or upper ****** bolts

Keel · Mar 6, 2017

Same uses as a claw foot..

Greeny · Mar 6, 2017

Curious to hear feedback on durability. I'm skeptical looking at the pics above. I can see where these could be used to access fasteners without direct line of sight, but those indexing points don't look very strong.

mailpup · Mar 6, 2017

I have some indexible ratchets from both Blue Point and Armstrong. Although I'm just a DIYer, I've found them useful for getting around obstructions from time to time. Of course, they work fine as regular ratchets too.

nine4gmc · Mar 6, 2017

I have a Proto like that I picked up at a garage sale, haven't used it yet but I'm sure when the need arises it will be the only tool that will work.

Empty Pockets · Mar 6, 2017

Looks to me like a modern day obstruction wrench. My experience with HF ratchets is that they are a pretty good value for the money,

That said, if they break, HF will replace them. Good luck with them

vettex2 · Mar 6, 2017

a solution to an imaginary problem

Coach James · Mar 6, 2017

CarsonConcepts said:
I have a set I pieced together from clearance (1/4" & 3/8" Lowe's Black Hawk, 1/2" HF). I haven't used them often, but they can be quite handy. Last couple time's I've used them were on 3-Bolt exhaust flanges that were rather tight clearance in the exhaust tunnel. Let me reach around the exhaust pipe, but keep the ratchet handle pointed down for more swing room.

Certainly not a ratchet you reach for commonly, but damn handy when the need arises.

Lowes Black hawk? I have never seen that.

Coach

geartow · Mar 6, 2017

i have looked at these and think they would be helpful in removeing drive shafts on large trucks when i tow them . but have bot bought them i do not feel they have the stregth to break loose drive shaft bolts that have been locktited in.

Dr Stan · Mar 6, 2017

I have to admit to owning some "Pittsburgh" sockets, but when it comes to a ratchet I have a selection of vintage Craftsman, Wright, and Proto from which to select. Having a ratchet fail while putting some umph on it does not sound like fun to me.

ChrisLS8 · Mar 6, 2017

Dr Stan said:
I have to admit to owning some "Pittsburgh" sockets, but when it comes to a ratchet I have a selection of vintage Craftsman, Wright, and Proto from which to select. Having a ratchet fail while putting some umph on it does not sound like fun to me.

Not a problem you would face with the Pro ratchets

Ign · Mar 6, 2017

Armstrong has made a version for years, this isn't a new concept in general. New to HF? I have no idea.

Tonellin · Mar 6, 2017

Dr Stan said:
I have to admit to owning some "Pittsburgh" sockets, but when it comes to a ratchet I have a selection of vintage Craftsman, Wright, and Proto from which to select. Having a ratchet fail while putting some umph on it does not sound like fun to me.

Would love to see posts of a failed hf pro ratchet

DFB · Mar 6, 2017

That is different for sure...hmm now do I need one

nine4gmc · Mar 6, 2017

I've never had a HF pro ratchet fail on me when used properly, now if you have a cheater pipe on there, you deserve busted knuckles.

ecotec · Mar 6, 2017

I have had raised panel Craftsman skip teeth, and I have had two raised panel sheer the square drives right off.

The mechanism in the HF ratchets is pretty awesome. It is in the Tekton ratchets, and like 30-40 more import brands.

ecotec · Mar 6, 2017

nine4gmc said:
I've never had a HF pro ratchet fail on me when used properly, now if you have a cheater pipe on there, you deserve busted knuckles.

While that is a bit of a harsh way to put it... it is not wrong. This is what breaker bars are for.

Chaplian · Mar 6, 2017

ecotec said:
I have had raised panel Craftsman skip teeth, and I have had two raised panel sheer the square drives right off.

The mechanism in the HF ratchets is pretty awesome. It is in the Tekton ratchets, and like 30-40 more import brands.

Yep. I've had two Craftsman ratchets fail and zero HF Pro ones to date.

Granted, my most used ratchet is my flex head Snap-On and my GearWrench stuff.

Dr Stan · Mar 6, 2017

nine4gmc said:
I've never had a HF pro ratchet fail on me when used properly, now if you have a cheater pipe on there, you deserve busted knuckles.

Haven't had one fail as I will not buy one. It's that simple.

nine4gmc · Mar 6, 2017

Dr Stan said:
Haven't had one fail as I will not buy one. It's that simple.

You can lead a horse to water...

unslow1 · Mar 7, 2017

Chaplian said:
Yep. I've had two Craftsman ratchets fail and zero HF Pro ones to date.

Granted, my most used ratchet is my flex head Snap-On and my GearWrench stuff.

I've had a couple Craftsman fails. Never had a HF one go. If I'm really having to lean on it and a breaker bar won't clear I get out a truck brand. Honestly I use the HF ones more than the truck brands. Most of mine are older and working on mostly show cars now I like having the rubber handle.

Super Sport · Mar 7, 2017

Dr Stan said:
Haven't had one fail as I will not buy one. It's that simple.

I don't own any myself, but I don't feel the need to enter a thread to bash a product without any experience with it either.

The ratchet design they use has proven to be pretty solid, and I'd argue that it sure beats using vintage course tooth USA ratchets.

All that said, I own indexable ratchets from Mac, Blue Point, and Armstrong. Haven't run across a situation where I needed one but I can see them coming in handy.

rslaback · Mar 7, 2017

I have two of these in 3/8 and 1 in 1/2 and they are my go to ratchets. I like the way they feel overall and the index comes in handy more than you'd think. I especially like them for reaching around the front exhaust manifold when removing the oil filter on our hybrid Highlander.

gungatim · Mar 7, 2017

Coach James said:
Lowes Black hawk? I have never seen that.

Coach

think he meant Blue Hawk. lowes lower tier brand. they clearanced them out a bit ago. actually not bad sockets but the ratchets are a bit sloppy. they look almost identical to current Husky (I have a hard time telling them apart in my junkyard box)...

kctyphoon · Mar 7, 2017

I have those - the older version with grey handles I think they are.. they are not new to hf, they just finally changed the handles to match the others they sell. the 3/8 is actually perfect to get around an obstruction to drain the transfer case on my Honda.. they can eliminate the need for an extension to get around or over something small.

People like them also cause you can unlock the head and use the handle to spin the head+socket+fastener off faster. (Picture the drive wheels on an old steam train). I don't use mine much - but I do like them and they seem very well made. the old handles are very comfortable, but I can't comment on the new style.

Super Sport · Mar 7, 2017

kctyphoon said:
People like them also cause you can unlock the head and use the handle to spin the head+socket+fastener off faster. (Picture the drive wheels on an old steam train).

I never once though of using one like this. I'll have to give that a try! :beer:

Ign · Mar 7, 2017

The problem w these cheaper indexables is that you only get a few positions to choose from, looks like this might only offer 45 and 90 if the picture on the packaging is accurate. I had a Husky like this too, quite old.

The Armstrong is much more "fine tooth" and the options for positions thus far greater. I'll tell you too the Armstrong indexing mechanism itself is burly - if you managed to break it there you're Hercules.

I've never used mine but I can see where it could be a lifesaver in certain situations. Once on an Audi Allroad belt tensioner (not in "service mode") I was wishing for the ratcheting wrench equivalent- which does exist via Craftsman and I now own as a result of the Allroad incident.

Ign · Mar 7, 2017

Left to right: Armstrong 1/2" 12-996, Husky 3/8" 24900, Craftsman "elbow" wrench

NOTE HOW THE DESIGN OF THE HUSKY only allows two positions other than straight.

Ign · Mar 7, 2017

The Armstrong on the other hand provides 5 positions per side other than straight, one of them going past 90 a little. Here's the Armstrong mechanism:

Ign · Mar 7, 2017

This is the extreme for the Armstrong, slightly beyond 90. Now would you ever need that? I dunno.

I just like tools.

kctyphoon · Mar 7, 2017

I don't believe the hf is like those.. I can lock the head beneath the handle if I wanted to. Don't know exactly how many positions it offers, but I think it's more than just a 45 and 90

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