1/2 long ratchet options

[RandyRanderson]

In the past I had always used older flea market items that I picked up on the cheap. Now that I actually have a place to store my tools (instead of in my truck) I always find an excuse for more tools. Pictured is my Thorsen 1/2 ratchet. I added a few inches to it using an old push mower handle. Its heavy and it works, but I think I want something purpose built with a long handle. I don't want to spend a fortune. So far, I narrowed it down to a Proto 5450 and a Williams sb52.

Which would you choose? Should I consider something else in that price range?

Thanks

 

[5ktq]

I always used the long proto (round head) but it died after many years. Pear head like the 5450 is probably more robust?

 

[Alaniho]

This Teng is a good value option, its been in my wishlist for a while just have not quite puled the trigger yet. The Williams is a good shout though.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CYLRNTE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

or a flex head;

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000YPLY7E/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Mr Ratchet]

For the money, I like the Gearwrench long handle locking flex head in 84 tooth.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00X8PLM1U/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Richard Cranium]

I agree the gearwrench is a better value, but of the two you said I would go with the proto

 

[Fbmoose48]

All these unsolicited suggestions directed at someone who owns a Thorsen and is inquiring about Proto vs. Williams seems to be missing the OP's likely COO concern, at least read between the lines and suggest a Snap On or something else US made if you're going to go off the rails and offer unsolicited suggestions.

 

[davethorik]

All these unsolicited suggestions directed at someone who owns a Thorsen and is inquiring about Proto vs. Williams seems to be missing the OP's likely COO concern, at least read between the lines and suggest a Snap On or something else US made if you're going to go off the rails and offer unsolicited suggestions.

First off no one reads posts here anyway, lol... 2nd we get UK members who always make suggestions that would make more sense for them, but they don't bother to read to see most of us here are American.

I don't care if they did give Ryan a free tool set, I would never buy Teng or any of these other Asian tool brands that seemingly appeared overnight. Might as well just go HF, because it will be cheaper.

 

[WWheeler]

For under $50 really can't go wrong with either a Proto 5450 or Williams SB-52EHLA.

 

[RandyRanderson]

Thanks for the replies thus far.

COO is a factor, but not a deal breaker. I own and like Tekton. However, Tekton's long handled ratchet may be too long at 24". I really dont want to spend $40-50 on a new tool and then run it under a chop saw lol.

 

[Mr_B]

I would be inclined go for one with extendable handle perhaps .
williams quite nice and often can be had pretty cheap .

 

[unslow1]

I have more expensive ratchets but the best bang for the buck would probably be the HF 1/2 extendable. It's currently $18 then you can also use a 20% off on it.

 

[Mr Ratchet]

All these unsolicited suggestions directed at someone who owns a Thorsen and is inquiring about Proto vs. Williams seems to be missing the OP's likely COO concern, at least read between the lines and suggest a Snap On or something else US made if you're going to go off the rails and offer unsolicited suggestions.

How about reading the OP's whole post and pay attention to the bold part.

In the past I had always used older flea market items that I picked up on the cheap. Now that I actually have a place to store my tools (instead of in my truck) I always find an excuse for more tools. Pictured is my Thorsen 1/2 ratchet. I added a few inches to it using an old push mower handle. Its heavy and it works, but I think I want something purpose built with a long handle. I don't want to spend a fortune. So far, I narrowed it down to a Proto 5450 and a Williams sb52.

Which would you choose? Should I consider something else in that price range?

Thanks

 

[General Geoff]

In the past I had always used older flea market items that I picked up on the cheap. Now that I actually have a place to store my tools (instead of in my truck) I always find an excuse for more tools. Pictured is my Thorsen 1/2 ratchet. I added a few inches to it using an old push mower handle. Its heavy and it works, but I think I want something purpose built with a long handle. I don't want to spend a fortune. So far, I narrowed it down to a Proto 5450 and a Williams sb52.

Which would you choose? Should I consider something else in that price range?

Thanks

eBay Snap-On SL80A. Can be had for less than $100.

 

[scubadoober]

I would consider the 5450XL or the 5457F (or 5454F in non-flex) as well. More teeth and MUCH smaller head than the 5450. They are all within $5 of each other.

 

[03protege]

For the money, I like the Gearwrench long handle locking flex head in 84 tooth.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00X8PLM1U/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I went with Gearwrench for the 1/2", Snap on in the 3/8" and 1/4"

Honestly the Gearwrench is about as nice as the Snap On

 

[MrGiggles]

How long? Tekton 15013 is a good one, 24" handle.

 

[Mr_B]

carlyle CHT R12L90 is nice if in the flyer sale, overpriced otherwise .
williams ratchet pretty nice for price if happy with lower tooth count .

 

[AceofSpad3s]

I would probably go with the Williams out of the two for the extra tooth count. I was using my proto knock off hf torque wrench to install some some brake stuff and while I love the proto pear heads, the low swing arc was really awkward once you have a long handle.

 

[Mr_B]

For the money, I like the Gearwrench long handle locking flex head in 84 tooth.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00X8PLM1U/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I do like the 84T GW ratchets, not sure how good the locking mechanism is but for under 40bucks it a very usable ratchet that gets even better after some break-in time followed by a lube .

 

[paulsomlo]

I agree w/Scubadoober - the Proto 5450xl gets you 45t vs. the 24t 5450. If it's anything like the 3/8" version, it will be incredibly robust, with an easy to actuate selector that's nicely recessed.

I see one on ebay, $50 OBO includes shipping.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

My SK long handle was $15 at the flea market.

 

[Wamsutta]

$57.51 shipped.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Williams-S...637926&hash=item3f8ba89aae:g:WDEAAOSwYc5aBywD

 

[Mgdoug3]

Out of all my long handle 1/2" drive my favorite is the Carlyle R12LQR. I like it better than the GW 120xp and Allen I have. I do want a SK 40170 next though.

Edit: GW and Allen are flex handles. I like the straight handles better.

 

[ssdave]

I have three long handle 1/2's: Proto 5450 pear head at 16", SK round head, and Proto J5450 Premium at 15".

Of the three, the Premium is the nicest, and the finest tooth. It's a pleasure to use it. The SK seems to be the most robust, but I've never broken any of them. The 5450 pear head is the least expensive of the three, but the SK is a close competitor. Buy them on ebay for under $35 shipped pretty easily. At $75 to $90 new from ebay or Zoro, the premium one is a bit more expensive. Make sure you get the 15" version, they make both long and short. I used to use the SK a lot because I trusted it to be robust, but I've got a lot more confidence in the Proto's after using them for a while and not having a problem with them either.

I don't find the coarse tooth count a detriment; generally if I want a long handle for leverage, I'm not particularly concerned with swing angle. Nice marketing advantage to have high tooth count, but doesn't add up to much FOR ME in real world use. If you have to use 1/2" drive in tight areas for high leverage bolts, it would be an advantage to you.

I have a couple of extra NEW 5450 Proto Premium ratchets that I'd sell for $55 each and pay the shipping on them if you're interested in that model.

 

[RandyRanderson]

Looks like I got some googling to do. Thanks everyone.

 

[markw365]

I like the Gearwrench 81306P 1/2 flex head. Overall length is just shy of 20". Got it with a 4 piece set which was and still is a smoking deal. I was surprised at the 1/2" size.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BTEXPNU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Mgdoug3]

Here are some pictures of the GW 120xp flex and the Carlyle. If I need to bust something loose I'll use a strong arm or impact first. The GW is longer but I like the smaller head and the strength of the Carlyle. The thickness of the head is same.

Edit: the tape measure starts at the bottom of the ratchets so you can see how long they are and the difference. The Carlyle is a 50 tooth ratchet I believe.

 

[markw365]

Here are some pictures of the GW 120xp flex and the Carlyle. If I need to bust something loose I'll use a strong arm or impact first. The GW is longer but I like the smaller head and the strength of the Carlyle. The thickness of the head is same.

Edit: the tape measure starts at the bottom of the ratchets so you can see how long they are and the difference. The Carlyle is a 50 tooth ratchet I believe.

Bah, misread the literature, 16.929" for the gearwrench thought it said 19.929. Either way, it works great. I don't have the Carlyle.

 

[mudflap]

I have more expensive ratchets but the best bang for the buck would probably be the HF 1/2 extendable. It's currently $18 then you can also use a 20% off on it.

we have one of these on one of the service trucks...it has been beat to death for a while now..it wont die...lol.

 

[Wamsutta]

How about a long handle round head?

$56.24 shipped.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Williams-S...076478103?epid=1325235810&hash=item3f94a06097

 

[AceofSpad3s]

http://www.toolsdelivered.com/Willi...rive-Tools-1-2-Inch-Drive-Ratchet-Drive-Tools
45 after shipping abouts

 

[Wamsutta]

http://www.toolsdelivered.com/Willi...rive-Tools-1-2-Inch-Drive-Ratchet-Drive-Tools
45 after shipping abouts

Maybe you should buy that ratchet. You never did buy that long handle ratchet you were intending on getting did you?

 

[Mr_B]

Here are some pictures of the GW 120xp flex and the Carlyle. If I need to bust something loose I'll use a strong arm or impact first. The GW is longer but I like the smaller head and the strength of the Carlyle. The thickness of the head is same.

Edit: the tape measure starts at the bottom of the ratchets so you can see how long they are and the difference. The Carlyle is a 50 tooth ratchet I believe.

Only downside with the GW is indeed bulky head.
that carlyle is 48tooth, the do long handle in the 90tooth version too .

 

[unslow1]

we have one of these on one of the service trucks...it has been beat to death for a while now..it wont die...lol.

I originally bought one to toss in the trunk so I could put an expensive one back in the garage. It turned out to be a really good one so I bought another.

 

[JBradley500]

eBay Snap-On SL80A. Can be had for less than $100.

That’s the way I’d go. Just wait for a good deal on one of those. A broken in Dual 80 ratchet in 1/2” drive is extremely nice to use.

 

[kb1982]

The Proto 5450XL is a nice 15 inch ratchet. It's built solid and with plenty of heft. And if you ever open one up, it is super simple. I just finished lubing mine up a few days ago. The other 15 inch ratchets I have are the SK Tuff 1 which is a 72 tooth round head, and and Armstrong 12-973. The 12-973 really has a tank like esque to it. Almost to the point as a self defense weapon if need be. I have a 24 inch Tone flex head also, and it works great but the handle has some flex to it. I'd like to get the 24 1/2 snap on flexhead, but 200 plus is a lil much. Waiting for the right ebay deal.

Sent from my Z962BL using Tapatalk

 

[Mgdoug3]

Only downside with the GW is indeed bulky head.
that carlyle is 48tooth, the do long handle in the 90tooth version too .

My only other complaint is that the pivot has a little slop to it. I don't notice it much in the stubby or 1/4 flex and the 3/8 seems the worst. Other than that, with a little Super Lube the ratchets are great and hard to beat for the price.

 

[AceofSpad3s]

Maybe you should buy that ratchet. You never did buy that long handle ratchet you were intending on getting did you?

I'm waiting for toolsdelivered to get the M-52EHFA, back in stock before I place my order. I got the SB-52EHLA, M-15A and a B-70 in my cart but the M-52EHFA is out of stock and I don't want to do 2 different shipments since it's about $15 per order no matter what is in the cart.
Mulling over throwing a B-52A in too but I need more 3/8 round head ratchets like I need holes in my head.

 

[Wamsutta]

I'm waiting for toolsdelivered to get the M-52EHFA, back in stock before I place my order. I got the SB-52EHLA, M-15A and a B-70 in my cart but the M-52EHFA is out of stock and I don't want to do 2 different shipments since it's about $15 per order no matter what is in the cart.
Mulling over throwing a B-52A in too but I need more 3/8 round head ratchets like I need holes in my head.

I recommend the TMS4EK or the F4LBK instead. I have the F4LBK and with that ********* ergonomic knob, I can put maximum pressure on a bit socket for driving screws. The rest of your shopping cart has good stuff.

 

[AceofSpad3s]

I recommend the TMS4EK or the F4LBK instead. I have the F4LBK and with that ********* ergonomic knob, I can put maximum pressure on a bit socket for driving screws. The rest of your shopping cart has good stuff.

That looks like a comfortable set up, but probably something I'd have to find used since bit more than I'd want to spend for something like that from the snap on man. I do see a koken with a metal knob on them. All these different regional amazon sites are going to get my into trouble with the bank .
I might give some thought to a T-handle one for 1/4 as I already have a few 3/8 speed handles but no T-handles. Seems like sears still has the mach ones which have the handle on them. I'll probably end up with an excess of both soon enough knowing how things go when you spend too much time on this website .