HF Composite Ratchet, vs. Snap-on, Matco, Craftsman...

pfbz · Nov 16, 2009

(click picture for link)

One of my tool cabinets is a "junk free" zone. Mostly Snap-On, Mac, Matco, Wiha, Wera, (you get the idea) with Craftsman filling in for anything I haven't upgraded yet. I have plenty of Harbor Freight tools, but they don't live in this box. Except for this one...

In my 3/8" ratchet drawer, I have several handles from Snap-on (including the new 80 series), a newer Matco, a Craftsman Pro's, and this composite Harbor Freight...

I'm surprised how often this one is my go-to ratchet! It's light, sturdy, super fine toothed (72), holds sockets firmly, releases them easily, and I don't have to worry about banging the chrome up. I'm not giving up my top quality ratchets yet, but thought I'd pass along my thoughts on this little gem.

My ratchet is a slightly older version than the one pictured with a straight handle rather than the slightly offset handle, but I imagine the new one is just as good.

PS: the 1/2" model rocks as well!

DavidtheDuke · Nov 16, 2009

and @ 8.50 "banging the chrome up" isn't such a terrible thought, either

Danglerb · Nov 16, 2009

I've got the 1/4 drive and like it too. First time I picked one up I knew it was a good idea.

FuriousGeorge · Nov 16, 2009

I do like how much more comfortable this one is when it's cold. The switch is reversed from most of my other ratchets, but otherwise I like it.

tbone098 · Mar 16, 2011

I think they are great so far. Have 2 in 3/8 and will be getting full set soon. Been looking at all variations available. Haven't torqued real hard yet but expect them to hold up. Always thought standard ratchets were gravity torpedos anyway. That chrome can be nice but there are many advantages to plastic when done right. The possibilities are huge. Manufacturers haven't jumped on it yet. I predict they will soon. Who will do the Glock of ratchets first?

shampoop · Mar 16, 2011

Love my 1/4" model and use it almost as often as my SO, my 3/8" one is great too, but i very rarely ever use it cause my locking flex SO is much better..

Lomotil · Mar 16, 2011

I've been using the 1/4 for a year or so now, and I'm definitely going to add the 3/8 & 1/2 to the arsenal soon... I'll admit, I bought it just to see how long it would take me to break it, but it's stood up.

Aberdale · Mar 16, 2011

Yeah, I use mine more often than I would like to admit. It's comfortable. Nice grip and I like the handle offset. It's light, and doesn't feel as cold in the winter.

It's held up fine so far.

1931S/X · Mar 16, 2011

i bought one because the guys on the job were leaving my tools on the bottom flanges of beams. at first the one guy made fun of me i nthe dead of winter when i pulled it out, i figured it would at least be better then holding a freezinf steel ratchet. he says i give it 1 hr, 1 drop and it will be in pieces. he handed it back at the end of the day and said damn if it didnt say pittsburg, id swear that thing was a snap on or something comparable. my brother went back to work in the automotive field and i told him to check those ratchets out, he picked up a couple and told me by the end of the week they became his go to ratchets. everything else sits in the box. i have about 15 3/8 ratchets from HF to snap on and my favorites and most used are the elast expected. long flex head kobalt, HF composite and a set of 1/4 3/8 and 1/2 i bought at pep boys because they had a rebate and i figured theyd be good to keep in one of my cars. pro grade or somethign like that.

DanCo · Mar 16, 2011

Its a great ratchet for the money. I bought it after reading Mr. Holeshot's review on it, but I'll only use it when working on batteries/alternator wires/starters/whitaker cables on trucks. I needed a non conductive ratchet and didn't to pay Snappy prices or wrap a regular ratchet with electrical tape, I've dropped in real cold weather and never had a problem.

Theloniousmonk · Mar 16, 2011

I had no idea they were a fine-tooth... I use my 1/4" for work around sunroofs and glass (the composite is less likely to shatter glass if I slip)... IIRC, a few companies offered composite type ratchets a few years ago, but I can't recall the names.

I may be the only one, but my 1/4" is build backwards - direction selector is flipped to the right for tight and left for loosening...

They do seem to hold up though, had mine for close to 4-5 years now... not a single problem.

jeffk14 · Mar 16, 2011

I've got a 1/4 and 3/8 just like the one in the OP's pic. I can't believe how smooth they are. And how cheap they were! They're starting to show up rebranded elsewhere too. I saw the same 3/8 ratchet (different color) at Summit last year for $29.99, IIRC. :shocking:

mrholeshot · Mar 16, 2011

The 1/4 is an incredible ratchet and should hold up well. The 3/8 is stronger than a Craftsman raised panel but if you are going for the tough work you need to find something a bit stronger. The 1/2 is pretty much usless as it's just not strong enough for any heavy duty work where you would be using a 1/2 drive. I think the 1/4 drive is perfect for working around batteries, interior and such as that. While the outside is plastic the insides as still steel so don't throw it into the bottom of the boat and expect it to work. It is fine tooth and uses a seperate pawl for L and Right. Very smooth.

tbone098 · Mar 18, 2011

Check out the dual drive 1/4-3/8 stubby. Performance Tool by Wilmar.

GoBlue · Jun 17, 2011

i have been ashamed until now to talk about these but honestly they have displace my snappys and craftsman for common uses in 1/4. 3/8 and 1/2 inch. I have found them smooth, durable, light, and strong...damn chinese...

bczygan · Jun 17, 2011

Picked up the 1/4" a week or so ago on sale because I was in HF and had a 20% coupon and HAD to buy SOMETHING! First plastic ratchet. Like the feel in the hand and light weight and smoothness. I think I'll go downstairs right now and loosen and tighten some nuts just to get the feel of it.

OK,
Just went down and turned some nuts. Very smooth. Just like my GW 1/4", but lighter with quick release. Gotta get the 3/8 now!
............and I need some stuff to take apart and put together!

GoBlue · Jun 18, 2011

ya know...honestly i have been using them in a professional environment for a while now and they have held up great. Smooth to use and as strong as anything really. Just a real solid value as far as im concerned. I showed one to my snappy dealer and told him to get on board with an American equivalent! I hate to support the chicoms but they are on to something here

Altec · Jun 18, 2011

Has anyone broken one? If so, how did it break?

I'll be driving past HF tomorrow, and just asked the warden if we can stop in. She said yes! YAY!!!!

GoBlue · Jun 18, 2011

i have not...the bodys are scraped and scratched and marred from cheater bars but they have held strong...they definitely have good guts

Bull · Jun 18, 2011

Somewhere in the GJ tool universe, someone's head is exploding right now....

Altec · Jun 18, 2011

GoBlue said:
i have not...the bodys are scraped and scratched and marred from cheater bars but they have held strong...they definitely have good guts

Sounds good. Don't mind if it breaks, I just don't want to get sent to the ER for stitches if it does. :lol:

Jzytaruk · Jun 18, 2011

http://www.princessauto.com/components/com_virtuemart/shop_image/product/8341844.jpg

look like the same one? I might have to give them a try...

bczygan · Jun 18, 2011

The 1/4" is 7.99 right now and the 3/8" is 8.99. Use your 20% coupon.............

shampoop · Jun 18, 2011

The 1/4" is great, I would use it all the time if i didn't have my 1/4" drive SO. Seriously not much difference between the two in terms of how fine the teeth are and how much drag they have. My locking flex 3/8" SO however is much better than the 3/8" HF. Longer with less flex so much better at transferring power. Flex head gets into tough spots.

The 1/4" could easily replace my snappy, but the 3/8" never could. Couldn't imagine the 1/2" being useful at all.

rgeudy · Jun 18, 2011

I'll give another thumbs up for the 1/4" version. Damn cool little ratchet, its probably the best harbor freight tool i own.

Altec · Jun 18, 2011

Took a chance based on solely this thread, and walked out with one of the 3/8.

Here are some pictures. You can't tell much just by looking at it, but I don't feel like it is going to fall apart in my hand.

Best my cell could do with the lighting...

Gonna use it for a bit, then I might take it apart to see how the insides look. The drive feels butter smooth. The only thing I don't like is the push button release. I wish they skipped that. Hollowing out the square drive for that seems silly. And that is how most Craftsman ones I've seen break... But, what would break first on this? The drive, or the handle? Time can only tell...

Edit,

Oh, and the selector isn't backwards? I tried the 1/4, and it was right too.

Also- I'm not sure if it was just the set, but it seemed like the push button releases on most of the 1/4 drives were cracked?

canuckian · Jun 18, 2011

Jzytaruk said:
http://www.princessauto.com/components/com_virtuemart/shop_image/product/8341844.jpg

look like the same one? I might have to give them a try...

I think it's the same one. Have had it in my had a half dozen times but put it back thinking it was a waste of the few dollars it would cost. May have to break down and try one out. Worst that can happen is that I don't like it and end up giving it away.

bczygan · Jun 18, 2011

Went to get the 3/8" today but they were out. Gave me a rain check for the sale price for 2. I couldn't resist using my 20% coupon on the 1/4" one at 7.99 making it 6 something with tax. That gives me 2. Will put one in the truck. They sure are cute! Went to a few garage sales............another story!

Altec · Jun 18, 2011

Yeah, the regular display at my HF was bare of the composite ratchets short of the 1/4. But I was able to find a single 3/8, and a single 1/2 on the end of a isle.

d33pt · Jun 19, 2011

looks like they updated it a bit. mine is definitely backwards. it's also riveted together. can't take it apart.

snapmom · Jun 19, 2011

Monte · Jun 19, 2011

now that ratchet looks cool !
stealth ratchet

snapmom said:

tyndall · Jun 19, 2011

Altec said:
The only thing I don't like is the push button release. I wish they skipped that. Hollowing out the square drive for that seems silly. And that is how most Craftsman ones I've seen break... But, what would break first on this? The drive, or the handle? Time can only tell...

Then stop buying craftsman. :lol_hitti

I've been using quick releases for over 25 years. Never had the square drive fail, no matter what length of cheater. Always the gears or pawls broke first.

kms · Jun 19, 2011

Pretty sure these coupon codes still work.

20% off one item - tool20
20% off one item - shop10
10% off one item - spring10

I bought all three size last week; waiting for them to arrive.

BigAl62 · Jun 19, 2011

I haven't been to Harbor Fright (yes, I misspelled it on purpose) in a while, looks like a good time for a return visit. This ratchet looks good to me.

domain · Jun 19, 2011

Just bought the 3/8'' Composite Ratchet, SuperLube, and got two screwdriver sets (free). Seems to be good quality I may take it apart later and give it some SuperLube.

EDIT: I just took my ratchet apart. There was no lubrication in/on my particular one. Only a slight oily residue on the pawls. FWIW.

Altec · Jun 19, 2011

d33pt said:
looks like they updated it a bit. mine is definitely backwards. it's also riveted together. can't take it apart.

Glad they did. The backwards reverse was my number one concern! :lol:

tyndall said:
Then stop buying craftsman. I've been using quick releases for over 25 years. Never had the square drive fail, no matter what length of cheater. Always the gears or pawls broke first.

No worries! Never paid money for one! :thumbup:

domain said:
Just bought the 3/8'' Composite Ratchet, SuperLube, and got two screwdriver sets (free). Seems to be good quality I may take it apart later and give it some SuperLube.

EDIT: I just took my ratchet apart. There was no lubrication in/on my particular one. Only a slight oily residue on the pawls. FWIW.

Thanks for the heads up! Guess I might be pulling mine apart a little sooner then expected.

Altec · Jul 1, 2011

Update after using it a bit. Still liking it.

First, I must have been smoking some good stuff the night I said it wasn't backwards... It is bass ackwards...

Haven't really done anything serious with it... Simply using it to swap parts on a 4.7L Dodge engine. Nothing over a 15mm... Seems to transfer power well, no slipping, and I haven't felt any flexing.

The composite material seems to ding pretty easy. Like a couple light wraps on a smooth valve cover left marks... As far as dirt goes, with a wet cloth wipe it cleans up to like-new condition! Even with heavy grease that leaves the gray surfaces black.

I really feel this is a great light duty ratchet, and I wouldn't bat an eye picking up the 1/4". I haven't used it for enough heavy work to form a opinion about the usefulness of a 1/2"...

My conclusion so far is that it is a great ratchet for light duty work. Even handy for the pros. Cold weather, sensitive painted/finished areas, glass work, and anywhere else you may risk hitting something you shouldn't.

-Z- · Sep 1, 2013

Are these available in the UK anywhere?

IIRC, I've seen them in big multi-drive sets. Hazet has a budget brand (not sold as 'Hazet' - I can't remeber the name), which may have featured these ratchets.

The Ratchet Man · Sep 1, 2013

snapmom said:

Do you happen to have a part number?

HF Composite Ratchet, vs. Snap-on, Matco, Craftsman...

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