"Build" a Matco swivel ratchet for $33

Ji m · Feb 28, 2018

start here for $25:

Edit,
new listing again (3/1/18 5:45pm), $29 now:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-MATCO-...OCKING-FLEX-FLIP-LEVER-COMPLETE/263526402120?

add one of these for $7.31

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00V3X3NJS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

add a small O-ring & a stainless 10mm flat washer in the recess on the head for tension,
bolt it together with one tiny drop of locktite, and its good to go.

Ji m · Feb 28, 2018

I put a small bend in the handle (yes, it did discolor the chrome a bit)
and am happy with the resulting new 13.5" long $33 3/8" handle:

btw,
the Capri breaker bar had no brand name insignia on it at all,
just a part number CR-V 40119 engraving that I oriented so that it was on the backside of the tool.

kctyphoon · Feb 28, 2018

That head might fit the HF breaker bar too.. you can do the same with one of the HF 3/8" breaker bars and their indexing ratchet too.

Ji m · Feb 28, 2018

Also,
the Matco head has "88" inside the Matco symbol,
but doesn't list COO anywhere on it.

I guess I'll assume USA, or maybe Taiwan unless someone says differenly.
Action feels great, and this is the type of ratchet with the little floating latching piece inside.

The Capri handle has COO listed as Taiwan, and a 159 ft-lbs rating on it's hanger card.

It feels quite nice,
has a spring loaded ball bearing to lock the head into position (which even my Snap-on FDLB 3/8" breaker bar is lacking)
though there is an Amazon review showing atleast one broken one.

I like it so much I plan to build a second one and not bend the handle on that one.

Ji m · Feb 28, 2018

kctyphoon said:
That head might fit the HF breaker bar too.. you can do the same with one of the HF 3/8" breaker bars and their indexing ratchet too.

The HF/Pittsburgh bar doesn't look like it has a spring loaded check ball to lock position:

https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-drive-17-in-breaker-bar-67931.html

but the Capri doesn't look to have it either, and it does.

The 17" Pittsburgh does appear to have PITTSBURGH deeply imprinted on one side,
and was $1 more so I went with the Capri.

The extra lenght of the Pittsburgh could be a plus if someone wanted a 19"+ overall length tho.

ihateminimumwage · Feb 28, 2018

Nicely done.

I read this and immediately started searching for the longest 3/8" breaker I could find, and then thought better of it. Working on that impulse control. :lol_hitti

kctyphoon · Feb 28, 2018

Ji m said:
The HF/Pittsburgh bar doesn't look like it has a spring loaded check ball to lock position:

https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-drive-17-in-breaker-bar-67931.html

but the Capri doesn't look to have it either, and it does.

The 17" Pittsburgh does appear to have PITTSBURGH deeply imprinted on one side,
and was $1 more so I went with the Capri.

The extra lenght of the Pittsburgh could be a plus if someone wanted a 19"+ overall length tho.

I assumed you gave up that option.. but that's even better.

Yarpo · Feb 28, 2018

Kinda cool, I'm actually in the market for a new 3/8th flex head, think this is the best ratchet for the money? I've already got the Capri breaker so might be kind of a fun little setup

Ji m · Feb 28, 2018

kctyphoon said:
I assumed you gave up that option.. but that's even better.

I was going to attempt to drill out the center of the bar for a spring and ball bearing,
but was (very) pleasantly surprised it already had one.

The check ball is fairly large and has great "action" with the new head.

I did have to clearance the outer edges of the handle receiver to allow the new head to fully flex without hitting

ball and clearancing should be visable here:

Instead of using a lockwasher in the recess on the side of the head,
I used a small O-ring & stainless washer to apply side pressure without digging in as a lock washer might.

Oil could effect the O-ring over time, but I can always replace it, or go to a lock washer as originally intended.

So far the way it is now feels much better than the other swivel head Matco's I was already using.

Ji m · Feb 28, 2018

Yarpo said:
Kinda cool, I'm actually in the market for a new 3/8th flex head, think this is the best ratchet for the money? I've already got the Capri breaker so might be kind of a fun little setup

As noted above, the inside of the Capri bar had to be clearanced a little bit,
to allow the head to fully pivot.

Contact was on the top inside edges of the bars opening when the head pivoted too far forward, or backward.

Not much had to be ground off, but I'm sure the chrome is gone in those 4 small locations now.

Either way, it was tough to resist buying the Matco kit for $25. :pimpflash

Ji m · Feb 28, 2018

ihateminimumwage said:
Nicely done.

I read this and immediately started searching for the longest 3/8" breaker I could find, and then thought better of it. Working on that impulse control.

lol,
I've spent more on tools in the 3-4 months since joining here than I had in the last 3-4 years :wtf:

Not a bad addiction if you have to choose one :thumbup:

Trying to fill in missing tool's slots with Ebay is the biggest killer,
so building a $33 ratchet makes me feel like I'm ahead (for today anyway).

motorhead12 · Feb 28, 2018

That's a really cool idea! It should be great for spark plugs etc.

Ji m · Feb 28, 2018

motorhead12 said:
That's a really cool idea! It should be great for spark plugs etc.

that's what I'm hoping,
I didn't want to put a bend in the handle of one of my "good" Matco's,
now this is my new favorite. :thumbup:

For what it's worth,
I don't know how many other places the Matco heads are available,
or how many the linked ebay seller actually has

but the auction showed 5 left when the thread started....
and now it shows just 2 :lol:

davethorik · Feb 28, 2018

Nice work!

I had to rebuild my Mac 24" breaker bar, it had a counterbore on one side of the drive plug where you put a pretty thick split washer to tension the joint with a hex head screw.

I like that so much more than the old school pins, or in the case of a Wright 3/8 I have, a roll pin! :eyecrazy:

motorhead12 · Feb 28, 2018

Yeah those pinned styles give me fits too. Once they're floppy, there's often not a lot you can do.

mmason7764 · Feb 28, 2018

Jim,

You got me thinking about the possibilities also. I wonder if I could do something similar with the SK 15" breaker bar:

https://www.harryepstein.com/index.php/3-8-drive-flex-15-long-xxl-sk-breaker-bar.html

I may have to order one and see. Already have a SK head from another ratchet.

The high end option would be a Snap-on flex head.

Mark

davethorik · Feb 28, 2018

mmason7764 said:
Jim,

You got me thinking about the possibilities also. I wonder if I could do something similar with the SK 15" breaker bar:

https://www.harryepstein.com/index.php/3-8-drive-flex-15-long-xxl-sk-breaker-bar.html

I may have to order one and see. Already have a SK head from another ratchet.

The high end option would be a Snap-on flex head.

Mark

Mark, idk if it will fit but HF has a 17" 3/8 breaker bar for $8.99. Possibly a less expensive option.

Mr Ratchet · Feb 28, 2018

Ji m said:
I put a small bend in the handle (yes, it did discolor the chrome a bit)
and am happy with the resulting new 13.5" long $33 3/8" handle:

Nicely done Dr Frankenstein!

Automag88 · Feb 28, 2018

This got the best of me and I had to order one. Can't decide if I want to make a stubby flex head or a long handle with it

NUTTSGT · Feb 28, 2018

Ji m said:
lol,
I've spent more on tools in the 3-4 months since joining here than I had in the last 3-4 years

Not a bad addiction if you have to choose one

Trying to fill in missing tool's slots with Ebay is the biggest killer,
so building a $33 ratchet makes me feel like I'm ahead (for today anyway).

Yeah, Welcome to GJ. It seems to happen to all of us. First, it's buying more tools than a bigger box and next is a bigger garage.

Great idea on the ratchet, I always like building custom tools for that one off job but this project does way more than that.

X1 Mike · Feb 28, 2018

Looks like I was a day late (or maybe an hour) and a dollar short, listing has ended sold out. :bs:

Ji m · Mar 1, 2018

X1 Mike said:
Looks like I was a day late (or maybe an hour) and a dollar short, listing has ended sold out.

seller put up a new listing

https://www.ebay.com/itm/263525008166?ViewItem=&vxp=mtr&item=263525008166

zorrox · Mar 1, 2018

Nice, I just ordered the parts!

bigair360x · Mar 1, 2018

Went to buy one and they look to be sold out now

Ji m · Mar 1, 2018

bigair360x said:
Went to buy one and they look to be sold out now

the seller put up a new listing this morning...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/263525008166?ViewItem=&vxp=mtr&item=263525008166

2 of 8 sold already :lol:

(I just updated the link in the first post)

edit,
BTW, I have no connection to this seller, other than finding him on Ebay and buying some of his stuff.
He does ship fast though :thumbup:

Tuc04 · Mar 1, 2018

Thanks OP.

I bought one and am going to try building my own version of the FLLF80 using the Harbor Freight breaker bar.

X1 Mike · Mar 1, 2018

I got the last one. :rocker:

Mohawk Dave · Mar 1, 2018

Re listed for 29 now.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/263526402120

Mohawk Dave · Mar 1, 2018

I have a HF 72t QR head on the HF 17" breaker bar.

Then I have an Armstrong flex head 3/8 (same head as Matco IIRC)

I'll put the new Matco head on the HF 17" handle. May need a small shim/washer as Armstrong/Matco head width is .3795" and the HF 72t I have in the handle now is .392".....or maybe the tangs will compress 12 thou nicely???

Ji m · Mar 1, 2018

Mohawk Dave said:
Re listed for 29 now.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/263526402120

lol,
I guess that's what happens when 15 of them get sold in 24 hours :lol:

The power of Garage Journal :beer:

(wow I hope everyone like this setup as much as I do :thumbup:

)

I edited the first post again with the new link, thanks!

Ji m · Mar 3, 2018

put the second one together....

The second Ratchet head arrived so I put a non-bent one together.

The newer Capri breaker bar was a bit different from the first one,
the 3/8" insert piece was completely different,
different size hole, different texture and finish, slightly wider (.383" vs .374")

^you can't see it in the pic, but even the ball bearing dedent was missing from this one. :dunno:

The second bar was also a little rougher, and needed more cleanup with the grinder and file to get the Matco head to flex nicely.

Overall it went together nice, just not as nice as the first one.

Overall, I'm still happy :pimpflash

yjWrangler · Mar 3, 2018

Just ordered one, may as well give it a shot. A new Matco is $150, after all.

doctordirt · Mar 4, 2018

Ok, got my stuff ordered, breaker will be delivered tomorrow. Wanted to go with a simple project, so I went with the capri. How did you over come the missing ball detent?

plinker · Mar 4, 2018

I had bought one of the ratchet heads in december for 30$, same seller. Put it on a S-K flex head torque wrench, had a 36 tooth Craftsman head on it. Works nicer now.

I find it a bit amusing that a thread about putting a Matco ratchet head on an inexpensive handle doesnt get blasted like the thread where the OP was going to put a Snap-on handle on a HF breaker bar. Must be a Snap-on thing. I find it interesting to see what can get adapted to work.

Automag88 · Mar 4, 2018

My ratchet head came yesterday and I bought the 17" Pittsburgh breaker bar planning to put it on that. The breaker bar is wider than the ratchet head and the screw in the breaker bar is way bigger than the hole in the head. Think I'll try the Pittsburgh ratcheting breaker bar instead. That looks like it might be closer in size to the Matco head and it has a detent ball and spring to hold the head in position

I think the 17" 3/8 drive breaker bar is the same size as the 1/2" drive in every aspect except the drive size

Ji m · Mar 4, 2018

doctordirt said:
Ok, got my stuff ordered, breaker will be delivered tomorrow. Wanted to go with a simple project, so I went with the capri. How did you over come the missing ball detent?

The hole, spring and ball were all in the handle, exactly where they need to be,
the missing dedent was in the little 3/8" pivoting piece that you discard.

So the missing dedent wouldn't effect indexing the Matco head at all.

The second handle I got was rougher than the first though,
and the issues took a little more time with a file and a bench grinder to clean up:

a thin ring of metal circled where the handle's screw hole is.
It that had to be knocked down with a file before the new Matco head would even fit inside
(handle #1 went together no problem).

The Matco head would then slide straight inside handle #2 with a little effort,
but the 4 corners at the top of the handle needed to be trimmed back to allow the head to pivot back and forth.
(same as handle #1)

^ bench grinder to zap the corners off did it for me
the first one needed less grinding than the second one did,
but they both needed some.

I think there was either two different batches of Capri handles, or they were made by two different manufacturers.
Each had packaging labeled Made in Taiwan, and both seem like decent handles, but quality control was completely lacking in the second one:

Even when it still had the original non-ratcheting 3/8 piece in it,
the action was sloppy, it would bind up as it pivoted, and wouldn't lock in the center position because of the lack of a dedent in the 3/8" flipper part.

FWIW,
when each was done,
the toughest part of both was getting the "action" exactly the way I wanted it.
I used rubber O-rings for tension instead of the lockwasher like the picture in the included directions show
(I didn't have a lockwasher that size here).

I varied the pivot screw tension to where it would pivot and click nice through the range without locking up,
then backed the screw off, put a drop of locktite on it, and tightened it back to that 'sweet spot' that felt best.

Good luck

Ji m · Mar 4, 2018

Automag88 said:
My ratchet head came yesterday and I bought the 17" Pittsburgh breaker bar planning to put it on that. The breaker bar is wider than the ratchet head and the screw in the breaker bar is way bigger than the hole in the head. Think I'll try the Pittsburgh ratcheting breaker bar instead. That looks like it might be closer in size to the Matco head and it has a detent ball and spring to hold the head in position

I think the 17" 3/8 drive breaker bar is the same size as the 1/2" drive in every aspect except the drive size

Good to know,
and explains why that 17" bar is longer than most.
Thanks.

You could buy a 1/2" ratcheting head to try in it(the same ebay guy had 1 Matco & 1 Armstrong one yesterday)
but those heads are $50 each, and that's a little more than I wanted to spend for something that 'might' work. :thumbup:

Ji m · Mar 4, 2018

plinker said:
I had bought one of the ratchet heads in december for 30$, same seller. Put it on a S-K flex head torque wrench, had a 36 tooth Craftsman head on it. Works nicer now.

I really like the action of these heads,
time will tell how durable they are, but the build quality seems spot on.

I had only seen the 'floating' style ratchet mechanism
(floating clicker inside the head that ratchets against the main gear) in less expensive heads.

Most of my "good" stuff is older now so maybe that explains why all of them have their ratcheting mechanisms solidly attached to the switching lever, and not floating
(^not sure if this is the best explanation)

plinker said:
I find it a bit amusing that a thread about putting a Matco ratchet head on an inexpensive handle doesnt get blasted like the thread where the OP was going to put a Snap-on handle on a HF breaker bar. Must be a Snap-on thing. I find it interesting to see what can get adapted to work.

Yeah,
I saw that thread too,
maybe that was seen as more "badge engineering" like putting a Ferrari badge on a Hyundai,

and this like finding Ferrari drivetrains cheap and gutting a Hyundai for parts to make them work.....

or not :lol:

doctordirt · Mar 4, 2018

Ji m, thank you for your quick reply.

RAS61 · Mar 4, 2018

What is the width of the ratchet head at the swivel point, wondering if some breaker bars I already own would work?

"Build" a Matco swivel ratchet for $33

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