2 ft ratchet, soft jaw pliers

[Danglerb]

I think I am close to buying some kind of 2 ft 1/2" drive ratchet. I'd love to have a SHLF80 or 936, but I'm just too cheap. Almost snagged a couple for $65 to $75, but one thing or another killed the deal, and I am getting tired of looking and waiting for one to pop up. I haven't stopped looking, but I am starting to think about the Titan or the EZRed ratchets that sell new around $50 or maybe less in one of the sales. If I get a 2ft ratchet, will it replace my breaker bar for a lot of tasks?

Other tool I am after is a pair of soft jaw plumbers pliers, also known as Cannon Plug pliers. Sort of channel lock looking things with a reverse curve to the handles so they are closer together. ATi is a common brand I think in aviation use, but SK, and several others all make similar looking pliers. Specific use I have in mind are the old crusty aerators on my faucets, getting old ones off is no big deal, wrecks them with steel jaws, but so what. Unfortunately I am finding most of the time I need to take them off, clean out the little filters and put them back unharmed. Price is holding me back a bit, but nobody local seems to carry them so I don't trust that they will actually work as planned for me or that there are different types.

Those are my top two hunted tools for now.

 

[APEowner]

I'm a little skeptical of a $50.00 2 ft long 1/2" drive ratchet. If that thing comes apart while you're leaning on it there's a good chance that some pain will be involved.

 

[mrshaun]

pwc52a is the snap on part number for the cannon plug pliers. I sell tons each year and no one has broke them yet. jaws are 7.95 for replacement.

 

[bry@n]

I came across two of the 2 foot long ratchets recently and both new. The shlf80 I have and the slf80 another member on here has. They are great. I've seen some on ebay but the used ones go for $130ish.

 

[Jbullfrog]

I use a $5 Craftsman strap wrench for removing and installing aerators. Cannon pliers don't do well with standard aerators, as they don't close tight enough to grip them.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I came across two of the 2 foot long ratchets recently and both new. The shlf80 I have and the slf80 another member on here has. They are great. I've seen some on ebay but the used ones go for $130ish.

I'll have too, soon!

My dealer couldn't believe what i paid, it's less than his cost price.

 

[bry@n]

Wonder how that happened.

 

[Mike83]

Just ask Nissan Crawler how to make a 2ft ratchet!

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Wonder how that happened.

I spoke to some people i know, they spoke to some people they know..

 

[wildmanben]

I bought the SHLF80 not too long ago and love it. Havent touched my 1/2" breaker bar since. I got a Snap On hooded sweatshirt to go in with it, so that sweetened the deal too

 

[bry@n]

I spoke to some people i know, they spoke to some people they know..

Cool...so You got some people. Gotta try that some day.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Cool...so You got some people. Gotta try that some day.

My people, they're the men and women in white coats.

 

[Danglerb]

Used prices for the Snapons do get crazy, but a few still sell well below $100 for almost new tools. Titan and EZred are both good brands, and how would anybody get away with selling a 24" ratchet that you couldn't hang from? I would expect every one they sell to be put to the test in short order. I suspect that is why so few brands offer them.

Thanks for the tip on the strap wrench, I'll check that out. Seems like it might not put that much force in the twist, but looks like I should have one regardless. Same for the Cannon plug pliers, too neat not to have.

 

[MotoDave]

Personally I think a 24" ratchet would be really unwieldy. I have a 24" breaker bar I use for breaking bolts loose, then I switch to a regular 1/2" drive ratchet to spin them off. I bought my breaker bar new from a tool supplier that sells Proto for about $40-45

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Personally I think a 24" ratchet would be really unwieldy. I have a 24" breaker bar I use for breaking bolts loose, then I switch to a regular 1/2" drive ratchet to spin them off. I bought my breaker bar new from a tool supplier that sells Proto for about $40-45

I've had suspension bolts on cars (one that comes to mind is MK V Golf front subfram bolts) that needed a 36" ratchet to get the bolts in. They weren't threaded or damaged, just needed a lot of torque to get them all the way in. I've had plenty of time i needed a 24" ratchet, when the bolt is still stubborn after breaking it loose.

A friend of mine who's a diesel tech says his SHLF80 is his most used ratchet.

 

[pirana]

I've got this Proto monster. It's 1" drive but it is 24" long. I tried to sell it a few weeks ago in the classified section but nobody showed any interest. I realize it's probably not of much use to the average hot rodder.

[/IMG]

 

[Moose-LandTran]

My 3/4" ratchet is 36" long. For 1" drive i'd be looking for 48" long.

 

[nissan_crawler]

Just ask Nissan Crawler how to make a 2ft ratchet!

$9 24" ratchet.

Broken Craftsman 1/2" torque wrench, plus $9 HF breaker bar. I use it for lug nuts, trailer balls, etc.

For cannon plug pliers, check out http://www.yardstore.com/

 

[Danglerb]

One task I have for the big ratchet is turning the crank on my V8 in small increments during timing belt and cam alignment. With a breaker I have to keep taking the socket off the crank bolt, and its a PITA for some steps that require two revolutions between measurements.

Thanks for the Yardstore link, I've found a few of the $15 new pliers, but add shipping and I'd rather find a better grade used tool, cheaper maybe total shipped.

 

[Danglerb]

Bought a couple high quality strap wrenches at HF, the big rubber band seemed husky enough, but didn't move the aerator. I'm gonna see if I can find a Klein or something with the nylon strap. I figure the HF is made for larger items too.

More later.