3/4 drive ratchets

[drewvdw]

Who makes a good 3/4 drive ratchet besides Snap-On? I love the interchangeable head/handle, but I don't particularly want to pay the Snap-On price of I don't have to. Especially if there is something just as good or better out there.

Background: heavy equipment technician by profession. Big equipment, big tools, would get used fairly frequently.

Thanks

Edit: longer is better. 40" or so and no extendable handles.

 

[mech-tech]

Almost every one I see is a proto. They last forever and the only thing I have even seen go wrong with them is one of the two screws in the ratchet head will usually fall out over the years of getting knocked around. Wright also makes a good one, not to mention the craftsman version has always been a good ratchet to me. The cheap round head ratchets that come with the cheap sets at the auto part stores are worthless.

 

[Itinerant]

Wright, Proto and Williams come immediately to mind.

 

[martin666]

Picked up this one this past summer for $50 off Craigslist. Have seen a few more posted at around same price since then. If you're not in a hurry I'd watch Craigslist for awhile. If you want it now I think the Williams is a great ratchet too

 

[drewvdw]

Been watching craigslist, fleabay, and 2 different Snap-On trucks looking for a good deal. There's been a couple on ebay, but went for a bit much.

 

[Sterff]

Williams...

http://www.industrialsupplydenver.com/wi3rerachmai.html

http://www.toolsdelivered.com/Ratchet-Drive-Tools_c_2727-3.html

 

[mech-tech]

From my experience I would say get the craftsman since I've never seen the 3/4" drive version give any problems and it's made very similar to the armstrong...and also invest in a proto/wright/williams breaker bar and let that take the abuse of the cheater pipe.

 

[four.cycle]

current production: Wright, Proto, S-K, Williams

check Ebay: KAL (US made, supplied US Gov. contracts), JS Tool (Alpharetta, Georgia - US Govt contract supplier), Duro-Chrome, Indestro, and the oft-maligned Thorsen (US). all good bang for the buck, and you won't have to take out a loan.

 

[Avplayer]

I ordered this....seller accepted $40 shipped

http://www.ebay.com/itm/361421073405?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2648&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

[drewvdw]

None of them are very long, are they? Hell, my 1/2 drive ratchet is longer than most of them. Anyone make something like the 40" Snap-On one?

 

[mech-tech]

Williams does, but you will spend over $200 for the head and handle.

 

[MaineGuide]

None of them are very long, are they? Hell, my 1/2 drive ratchet is longer than most of them. Anyone make something like the 40" Snap-On one?

I think Wright does, but without the interchangeable head?

 

[drewvdw]

Williams website says head and handle length of 24 and 11/16" is the longest they've got.

 

[shockwave]

I like the older kd/Allen/Napa/Matco USA made ratchet that are single pieced
And beta 3/4 ratchet looks nice too

If you have an interest my coworker might be selling his 3/4 snap on if you would like I can ask him his has 18-20 inch handle too

 

[Tree Cutter]

Here you go. http://gearhead.tools/products/wright-42-3-4-driver-railroad-track-ratchet

 

[mech-tech]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007YRDC9I/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[drewvdw]

Oooh, I like that...more teeth and a shorter ratcheting angle than Snap-On. I'd prefer chrome, but meh. I've got nothing against industrial finish.

 

[Parabellum]

I ordered this....seller accepted $40 shipped

http://www.ebay.com/itm/361421073405?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2648&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Also same thing as the NAPA USA made version, have one.

Its light, must be alloyed steel

 

[drewvdw]

I want nothing to do with those extendable handles. I don't care who makes them or how high of "quality" they are. I wouldn't trust it as far as I can throw it.

 

[Coach James]

I have a Craftsman that has been fine the few times I used it. Got it for $20 brand new. A friend of mine started diesel school, bought a bunch of tools then changed his mind after a couple weeks. I offered him $20 for the ratchet and he took it.

Coach

 

[flmng42]

I have three sets of 3/4 drive ratchets with interchangeable handles. Gray tools from canda, cornwell, and snap on. Snap on is far and away the best in my opinion, but the cornwell and gray are great too. The handle diameter is just smaller on those two.

The gray tools numbers are 4254-57 for the long handle with head. Their phone number is 800-567-0518.

Check ebay, as i got my cornwell set there for $75 a few years ago. It also has a matching 1" drive head that uses the same handles.

 

[bcradio]

Proto

 

[supertooljunkie]

I have both an older Craftsman, and an older Armstrong that have both served me well. I have Snap on handles with the breaker bar heads, but not the ratchet head. I have used the breaker bar handles with 10 foot cheater pipes with no problem.

 

[white 450]

I have a couple Wright 6400(2) and they are awesome. Both scored on Ebay brand new from $47-$60 shipped. 24" ish handles have been fine for anything I've used them for. Anything else just pull out the 40" Tekton breaker and be done with it.

 

[Hammell]

I used cheap china 3/4 ratchets and broke them. Then I bought a 3/4 wright, they come in two lengths, 24 inchand 42 inch? I bought the 24inch. It is really tough and I had very long snipes (8ft) on it. No issues. Highly recommend Wright, I too work on heavy equipment.

 

[fras_auto]

Armstrong......check the Carlyle too I sell a lot of the Carlyle with great feedback
Part number is R34


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

IIRC Cornwell makes a pretty long one, or Wright if you looking for a long one.

I love my SK, just wish it was longer

 

[drewvdw]

I think Wright is the way to go for my wants/needs. Thanks guys.

 

[tool_scrounge]

The 20" long Blackhawk 69945 round head ratchet is pretty smooth action and built like a tank. The current version (69945B) looks to be a re-labeled Proto.
I like the original. Photo from Ebay.

 

[BK13]

IIRC, Wright makes a 42"er... I want one bad, but have no earthly reason for having one...

 

[Tenex]

I just received a Wright 6400 that I ordered on eBay. The seller accepted my $45 offer and I got free shipping. For those that have one I'd like to know how to disassemble it so I can lube it up.

 

[drewvdw]

I just received a Wright 6400 that I ordered on eBay. The seller accepted my $45 offer and I got free shipping. For those that have one I'd like to know how to disassemble it so I can lube it up.

I haven't held one in my hand yet, but from the rebuild kit pictures, it looks like it's just a snapring on the drive side. The assembly pops out and the rebuild kit is a whole new one.

 

[Tenex]

I haven't held one in my hand yet, but from the rebuild kit pictures, it looks like it's just a snapring on the drive side. The assembly pops out and the rebuild kit is a whole new one.

The snap ring on the 6400 is not like a typical snap ring that can be removed with pliers. It's more like a key ring that loops back on itself.

 

[bobcatdan]

Cornwell has the interchangeable handle in 20" and 36". Little cheaper then SO and no annoying Loxosocket. The ratchet looks like it was designed in the 30's. Very strong. One thing, the head is held on by a roll pin vs a lock button on the SO. Once you use a 36" ratchet, you will find little use for a 20" long 3/4" ratchet.

 

[drewvdw]

Comes off the same way as a traditional snap ring, just needs a diner tip on the pliers. But a cheap one and modify.

 

[Strouty]

One thing I have found about the long 1/2" drive versus the shorter 3/4" drive is that the 1/2" drive stuff doesn't allow the torque to transfer as well. I don't use my 3/4" drive stuff much, I tend to use 1" drive more often because I know I can pretty much abuse the stuff and not have to worry about it breaking.

I know this is a breaker bar, but I did the tightening with a ratchet and the same pipe. 3" pipe 10' long, no problems, not sure I would do that with my 3/4" drive set.

 

[cowboy73]

I have an S-K 3/4" drive ratchet I got off ebay for $20.

View media item 37764

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Probably need a torque multiplier, and if working in the field without air, a SWENCH. A ratchet head with interchangeable handles would be the way to go, as swinging a long handle all the time, when you don't really need it, is a real pain.

Pics Strouty shows above is the ideal situation for a torque multiplier.

I have a satin chrome version of the Blackhawk shown above, it is a nice ratchet, most likely Taiwan made.

Charles

Charles

 

[Strouty]

You can see my SWENCH in the second picture, if the part is not mounted solid, you need a big pipe, the SWENCH just bounces.

 

[colin39]

Mmm i have , williams bluepoint and facom