24 inch ratchet

[bayoutoolguy]

I had posted previously about a 1/2 drive ratchet, and Ive looked at the armstrong maxx ratchet, which is 18 inches long, but I figured why not just go for the 24 inch, Ill have it when i need it. I talked to my cornwell dealer, who just recently switched from Matco, to see if he had any 24 in Matco 88's left over. He didnt, but he mentioned to me that he sells EZ Red 24 inchers. The reviews Ive read about them have been good, but I just wanted to get another opinion. Which ratchet would be better for strength and durability, and less chance of breaking when the force is really put to it. Id mainly be using this ratchet for really tight bolts, lug nuts, and anything that really justifies using a 1/2 drive ratchet, where 3/8 drive wouldnt work or just wouldnt be strong enough, as that is the drive size I use the most. Im not concerned about price at all, as I dont mind spending more onthe Matco if it will do the job and do it better. Strength (pawl, gear teeth, overall handle strength) and durability are the key things im looking for.

http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/CFR248LFTG/1-2-DRIVE-88-TOOTH-LOCKING-FLEX-RATCHET/

http://www.tooltopia.com/ez-red-mr1224f.aspx

 

[rusty65]

I would get a long cornwell not fine tooth ,but darn near bullet proof and how often do you use 1/2 in tight spaces anyways.

 

[Anotherrcguy]

I just purchased the SHLF80A and I believe the figures below are correct if I did my match correct. I didn't see the Matco stats but I gotta think it is more in line with the Snap On than the EZ Red. I also believe the Titan and Mac are all made by the same Manufacturer as the EZ Red.

EZ Red = 458 ft. Lbs.
Snap on = 700 ft. Lbs

 

[OEXL16B]

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Snap-on has a 24 inch flex-head ratchet:

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=682694&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog


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[Chadwilliam1]

where is the ez red made?

 

[davesnothere]

Shlf80a. No brainer.
One of the last things you want to cheap out on is a 24" ratchet.

 

[X1 Mike]

I have that 24" Matco flex with the same green handle in the first post and when that comes out of the box I think the fasteners are sufficiently scared that they don't usually put up too much of a fight.

It's a beast and I would not go cheap on that big of a ratchet.

 

[Quick01GT]

I love my Matco CFR248LFT locking flex 88 tooth, got it over snap on because the locking mechanism on the snap on can't compare to matcos design.

 

[purplezr2]

I love my Matco CFR248LFT locking flex 88 tooth, got it over snap on because the locking mechanism on the snap on can't compare to matcos design.

ditto, that said I have broken on

 

[BajaBound]

I like the matco 24" locking flex better than the snap on cause the locking mechanism is better and flexes less.

This is where my money is going

http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/CFR248LFT/1-2-DRIVE-88-TOOTH-LOCKING-FLEX-RATCHET/

I prefer the chrome handle for my ratchets as I have really yarded on some and and ended up on my *** with just the handle in my hand.

 

[BajaBound]

The ez red looks damn near identical to the lowes 24" with a different handle.

 

[smogtech]

Shlf80a. No brainer.
One of the last things you want to cheap out on is a 24" ratchet.

Trust me if your using that thing to break a really tight bolt and your applying a ton weight to the ratchet. The last thing you want happening is the head snapping off and you ramming your hand into something.

 

[Chadwilliam1]

I use a breaker bar to break bolts loose.

 

[Notwerk]

I use a breaker bar to break bolts loose.

This. I still can't figure out why I people on this forum insist on breaking tough bolts with ratchets. In the long term, all you end up with is a really nice, broken ratchet. Breaker bars are for breaking. They're cheap, too.

 

[smogtech]

Ever tried releasing some of these belt tensioners on some newer vehicles some got a **** load of tension on them. 09 V6 accords with VCM are specifically one. There isn't alot of room to work with to move back and forth. Breaker Bar will not allow you the correct angle to release that tensioner. You fit the socket on and ratchet back as far as you can then push.

Another area where I found a breaker bar did not fit was the caliper bolt on a 02 Mazda B250. Incorrect angle everytime. EZred 18in ratchet did the job though.

 

[Skin]

This. I still can't figure out why I people on this forum insist on breaking tough bolts with ratchets. In the long term, all you end up with is a really nice, broken ratchet. Breaker bars are for breaking. They're cheap, too.

so let me get this straight, if you put a ratchet on a bolt and find it tight you don't put all your strength into it but instead place the ratchet aside, go to your box, retrieve a breaker bar then try again? Get real. If you find a tight bolt and you're holding a 2ft ratchet you're going to give it all you got.

 

[adamsredlines]

Love my SLF80!

 

[whitedevil]

Heavy equipment mechanics and transit mechanics routinly use 24" flex ratchets for braking loose nuts and bolts. Some situations a braker bar just wont do. Front air bags on 45' MCI (bus) comes to mind.

 

[OEXL16B]

The Matco does have a nice handle. I tried to find a soft grip 24 inch ratchet on the SO site but couldn't find one.

 

[Hetman]

I would get 3/4" plus adapter. Which I did .

For tight places I'd like sth. that can be locked in both directions, but is there any ratchet like that?

 

[franzdom]

The Matco does have a nice handle. I tried to find a soft grip 24 inch ratchet on the SO site but couldn't find one.

SHLF80A as previously mentioned. Or were you looking for non-flex?

 

[5mall5nail5]

Breaker bars work great when you have room. A 6 pt socket and a breaker bar only allows for a few different angles. A ratchet, especially fine tooth, is another story.

 

[Roots]

I have that 24" Matco flex with the same green handle in the first post and when that comes out of the box I think the fasteners are sufficiently scared that they don't usually put up too much of a fight.

It's a beast and I would not go cheap on that big of a ratchet.

+1. When you're applying that much force on a fastener, I really wouldn't want a cheap ratchet. There's a big difference between that EZ-Red and more premium ones. I have had Matco, Snap-On, and Armstrong 24" Flex Ratchets and like them all. Generally I use the Matco though, just because of the grip.

 

[osborn.ozzy]

The ez red looks damn near identical to the lowes 24" with a different handle.

Same oem

 

[OEXL16B]

SHLF80A as previously mentioned. Or were you looking for non-flex?

I was looking for the flex-head. Thanks for the part number.

 

[Hetman]

Breaker bars work great when you have room. A 6 pt socket and a breaker bar only allows for a few different angles. A ratchet, especially fine tooth, is another story.

You can rotate socket on square by 90* and you get new positions in between old ones - so you have position every 30* with a bit of effort - the same as 12pt without rotating.

 

[John316]

This. I still can't figure out why I people on this forum insist on breaking tough bolts with ratchets. In the long term, all you end up with is a really nice, broken ratchet. Breaker bars are for breaking. They're cheap, too.

Because, we can!
Actually, there are some situations where I'll use a breaker, but ratchets are just convenient, and a HQ ratchet will generally stand up well to being thrashed on. Once the bolt is loose, you can ratchet it off instead of switching drive tools.

Rebuild/renewal kits are free to cheap usually.

 

[Slingshot Engage]

I have the 24" matco. I use it on sockets up to 2" with an adapter. It's never let me down.

The one thing I can say is the lock teeth are getting a little mashed up from pulling off kilter with it locked.

 

[bayoutoolguy]

sorry guys, it took a while to reply. I didnt consider the snap on version at first cause I heard that the screws in the head like to pop out sometimes. I wouldnt want to be pulling hard on something and have it fail for that reason. But, after thinking, I have 3 snap on dealers who could service my ratchet quickly and easily if need be, and I used tto have a Matco dealer,who switched to Cornwell, so i could only order it online and would have to ship it back for servicing. While it would be easier to get the snap on, heres the question now. Who here has both a Matco 88 24 inch and a dual80 24 inch, and which do you think is stronger? I wont go the EZ RED route, yall are right, i may as well get as high quality as i can, something I can count on to last.

 

[DiscoBerry]

I have the matco minus the rubber handle and its a great ratchet love it

 

[OEXL16B]

I didnt consider the snap on version at first cause I heard that the screws in the head like to pop out sometimes. I wouldnt want to be pulling hard on something and have it fail for that reason.

I believe Snap-on has fixed that by moving the screw heads back topside like they used to be on the 936 series. Now it looks like two big giant eyes looking up at you.

 

[BajaBound]

I have used both in the same application and the Matco is a lot better in my opinion but I like the Snap On 80 better for the other ratchets.

 

[otis66]

I would get a long cornwell not fine tooth ,but darn near bullet proof and how often do you use 1/2 in tight spaces anyways.

What is the part number of the Cornwell 24" long 1/2" drive ratchet?

 

[d_rock]

You can rotate socket on square by 90* and you get new positions in between old ones - so you have position every 30* with a bit of effort - the same as 12pt without rotating.

Cause fumbling around turning a socket on a breaker bar is an effective way to work under flate rate..........

 

[chris6278]

Id say go with the matco one. I use the **** out of mine and has never let me down

 

[bayoutoolguy]

any premature wear on the Matco 88 gear with hard use being it has small teeth? or do they last awhile as long as theyre lubed up?

 

[Skin]

They last regardless. Matco ratchets just need to be cleaned and oiled (no grease) every once in awhile. I usually service mine once or twice a year. Snap-On dual 80s definitely have a far superior design in terms of sealing/keeping dirt and debris out. Matco wins in size and smoothness though in my opinion. Switched all my ratchets to 88s. I dont think you could go wrong with either though, but im in agreement with others that i do far prefer the Matco locking flex system if thats the style you're looking for.

 

[d430]

The Matco does have a nice handle. I tried to find a soft grip 24 inch ratchet on the SO site but couldn't find one.

the SO book has it as a SHLF80A. They list it for $209.95. My local guy does a "$100 table"on the top of whatever box he has at the time and I picked one up for $100 and love it. I use it a lot on Honda 3.5 belt tensioners and to turn the crank with for timing belts.

 

[BullfrogJohnson]

any premature wear on the Matco 88 gear with hard use being it has small teeth? or do they last awhile as long as theyre lubed up?

I have owned both snap on on and matco. I broke the matco 3 times before I bought a snappy. I have yet to have any issues with it. I agree 100% that matco has a better locking flex design. But with the abuse I put my ratchets through on a daily basis, snap on will always get my vote.

 

[chris6278]

I have owned both snap on on and matco. I broke the matco 3 times before I bought a snappy. I have yet to have any issues with it. I agree 100% that matco has a better locking flex design. But with the abuse I put my ratchets through on a daily basis, snap on will always get my vote.

Im the other way around. Broke my snap on one a few times an then got a matco an havnt had any problems