3/8 & 1/4 long handle ratchet recommendations.

[bluechevy94]

I'm looking to buy a 3/8 and 1/4 drive long handle ratchets and was wondering what you guys would recommend.COO doesn't really matter to me as long as it gets the job done.I would love to buy snap on but they are out of my budget for right now.I have been looking at the gearwrwnch cushion handle ratchets and really like the looks of them.Any other brands I should check out?

 

[boostedgt]

Carlyle is the future of quality hand tools

 

[franzdom]

Flex or non-flex?

 

[NC-Fordguy]

I have both a snappy and crafty long handle 3/8 drive ratchet

The snappy is by far smother but the crafty will get the job done. IIRC it's around 20 dollars

If you're wanting a flex, lots of options. I like the armstrong locking flex

 

[Hiball]

Sk is time tested and can be had very reasonable...

 

[mudflap]

carlyle is the future of quality hand tools

lol......

 

[bluechevy94]

I can see that the Carlyle tools is what everyone should have LOL.Honestly I don't see what all the fuss is about with them.There are other brands out there that are cheaper but just as good.I try to stay out of threads like those.They just get people all rilled up over something.

To be honest I would like to have one of each flex head and fixed head.

 

[cascivic]

Love my fixed head gear wrench. Smooth operation high tooth count ,thin profile head and you can't beat the price

Flex..I'm saving up for the Armstrong locking

 

[boostedgt]

you can get decent prices on used snap on/matco if you watch the classifieds,flea markets,craigslist ect

 

[franzdom]

If you would love to buy SO perhaps you should do just that, they can be found a lot cheaper than retail if you are patient. You will not regret it...

 

[jjjrmx5]

There are other brands out there that are cheaper but just as good.I try to stay out of threads like those..

Yep. 'Cause cheaper's where it is at.
But yet you mock those that are cheap and unproven yet. Hmmmm.
Yet more hypocracy. Odd.

Snap-On T72 long handle std. or flex if you have the coin for the 1/4".

If not, S-K, Armstong or hell, even Duralast in flex (Taiwan COO but course tooth.)

For 3/8" lots of choices.

Good luck.
And I mean that here on GJ.

 

[bob15]

Snap on (e-bay or the classifieds here), SK, Armstrong and Wright would be the companies I would look at.

bob

 

[Jim85IROC]

My most used ratchets are my 3/8 flex head bent handle Snap On, and my 1/4" flex head Gearwrench. I like that Gearwrench so much I just bought the matching 3/8 flex to hold me over until I can grab a Matco or Armstrong. I like my Gearwrench ratchets. The indents in the flex head work well.

 

[purplezr2]

matco/armstrong locking flex would be the way to go, you can use it a both a flex and long handle. The locking mechanism on these are awesome.

 

[marnav1]

Just got a Matco AFR8TM off Ebay for $33. Fairly long for a 1/4 drive. I thought for the money Genius ratchets were worth looking at .........

 

[Anotherrcguy]

Look and you can find good deals, I just picked up a brand new 3/8 matco long handle locking flex head for $70 + shipping on eBay.

 

[shoturtle]

proto 45t they have long handle ones.

 

[OEXL16B]

How about this Williams long 1/4'' Dr. flex-head?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-JH-WILL...ltDomain_0&hash=item414d9937a7#ht_2315wt_1348

 

[SCscoutguy]

Honestly when I need a long handle 3/8" ratchet I normally reach for my trusty old Craftsman full polish. Really for the price you can't beat it.
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-3-8-...p-00944833000P?prdNo=7&blockNo=7&blockType=G7

 

[SMKS]

For the 3/8" drive, I'd recommend the Armstrong 11-972 locking flex ratchet.

You can lock it and use it like a standard ratchet, or unlock it and use it like a regular flex ratchet. You can also lock it in several other positions.

I have one and it is awesome.

There are several places to get them, here's just one:
http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/Ratchets/11-994.html

 

[Hiball]

How about this Williams long 1/4'' Dr. flex-head?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-JH-WILL...ltDomain_0&hash=item414d9937a7#ht_2315wt_1348

Another Good Choice.. I think the Handles are a wee bit thin but Nice Ratchet

http://www.amazon.com/SnapOn-B-52EHLA-Williams-Enclosed-Ratchet/dp/B001DNRPH4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&m=A1G7UTDO1VZW46&qid=1341706860&s=generic&sr=1-2

http://www.amazon.com/Drive-Flex-Head-Ratchet/dp/B001DNT37Y/ref=sr_1_67?ie=UTF8&m=A1G7UTDO1VZW46&qid=1341706929&s=generic&sr=1-67

Check this Reseller out for more Williams Goodness, Ive bought from them before and they are good to deal with and Carry a large selection of Williams Ratchets.

 

[bluechevy94]

Another Good Choice.. I think the Handles are a wee bit thin but Nice Ratchet

http://www.amazon.com/SnapOn-B-52EHLA-Williams-Enclosed-Ratchet/dp/B001DNRPH4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&m=A1G7UTDO1VZW46&qid=1341706860&s=generic&sr=1-2

http://www.amazon.com/Drive-Flex-Head-Ratchet/dp/B001DNT37Y/ref=sr_1_67?ie=UTF8&m=A1G7UTDO1VZW46&qid=1341706929&s=generic&sr=1-67

Check this Reseller out for more Williams Goodness, Ive bought from them before and they are good to deal with and Carry a large selection of Williams Ratchets.

Those look nice I added the links to my bookmarks.I may end up going with the Williams ratchets.

 

[Jim85IROC]

For the 3/8" drive, I'd recommend the Armstrong 11-972 locking flex ratchet.

You can lock it and use it like a standard ratchet, or unlock it and use it like a regular flex ratchet. You can also lock it in several other positions.

I have one and it is awesome.

There are several places to get them, here's just one:
http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/Ratchets/11-994.html

wow... I had no idea those were so cheap at Epsteins!

 

[franzdom]

I can't wait to check that ratchet out, got one on the way from the 7/4 orderfest. Locking flex is one that I haven't fallen in love with Snap-on. Perhaps it's perceived weakness of the shaft by having all that stuff in it.

 

[Jim85IROC]

I've never used the Snap On locking flex, but after using my Craftsman bent handle flex with the detents for so long, I've been finding a lot of situations where my non locking non detent Snap On flex ratchet is a bit of a pain in the ***. That's why I tried the gearwrench. It's more like my trusty Craftsman. If I find that I use it a lot, I'll probably spring for the Armstrong in the future.

 

[plinker]

I would reccomend S-K "pro" series, Williams 36 tooth "Snap-on 936 clones" or Danaher's 60 tooth ratchet's labled under many brands (Armstrong, Gearwrench ete...).

 

[franzdom]

Funny thing about the detents, you either like them or you don't. I don't care for them but they do seem quite popular.

 

[jjjrmx5]

I would reccomend S-K "pro" series, Williams 36 tooth "Snap-on 936 clones" or Danaher's 60 tooth ratchet's labled under many brands (Armstrong, Gearwrench ete...).

LOL Mssr. plinkrer.

I've got both flex head 936 3/8" and 1/2" in Snap_on in both sizes with the stamped USA heads on both that just sit in my toolbox all day long as back ups once the F80's and S80's came into the game back in 2007/2008.

1/2" drive in 36 tooth is OK. Kinda.

But once I used the F and S80's, it all was a mute point.

Heck, I even have a 936 in 1/4" that I use in a pinch. But it it is a crude tool if compared to teh T72's IMHO.

Buy and use what ya like. Maybe I;m spoiled.

 

[plinker]

I mainly use S-K's in 1/4 and 3/8, Started out with them. But my 1/2's are 36tooth for the most part. I have not used anything finer then 60 tooth in any drive size, so I may or may not be missing out, but I'm happy with what I have.

Thinking about it though, 36 tooth is a bit coarse these day's, but still usable, just not prefferable compared to anything finer. I would consider it a minimum tooth count though, in any drive size. YMMV applies as always.

 

[nucklebuster]

If not, S-K, Armstong or hell, even Duralast in flex (Taiwan COO but course tooth.)

For 3/8" lots of choices.

+1 on Duralast, have a soft grip regular length 3/8 drive and it's on the top of the pile of ratchets to grab. While it's similar to a Snappy, I realize it isn't, however there isn't much of a difference between it an and F80 minus a little tighter tolerances and more polishing IMHO (and the whole USA v Taiwan obviously... )

 

[Skin]

I'm looking to buy a 3/8 and 1/4 drive long handle ratchets and was wondering what you guys would recommend.COO doesn't really matter to me as long as it gets the job done.I would love to buy snap on but they are out of my budget for right now.I have been looking at the gearwrwnch cushion handle ratchets and really like the looks of them.Any other brands I should check out?

how long do you consider "long"?

 

[bluechevy94]

Well I just purchased a Gearwrench 81215 flex head on eBay for 24.99 with free shipping.Did I do good?

 

[reptilezs]

the kobalt ones are quite long. i am not a fan of the proto style head or grips

 

[JASTECH]

I ordered 3x 3/8" drive, teardrop, angle, long shaft, cushion handle GWrench's fron Stears and so far 4 weeks nothing on my door step. The mgr. is now trying. I may tell them I will settle for Armstrong Maxx and go with a 1/2", 3/8" and 1/4" set to call it even.

 

[plinker]

Well I just purchased a Gearwrench 81215 flex head on eBay for 24.99 with free shipping.Did I do good?

That's a decent price for it. I have the same one, along woith the 1/4 drive version.

 

[crewchief888]

at work i have SO and an old round head CM clone
at home duralast

 

[Fedwrench]

Well I just purchased a Gearwrench 81215 flex head on eBay for 24.99 with free shipping.Did I do good?

You did fine. They usually run about $45 plus shipping. The only way to beat your price would be to happen upon a Sears mega Gearwrench sale. A couple months back Sears had the 1/4 drive flex head Gearwrench rachet with comfort grip on sale for $12.49.

 

[stonesfan68]

I'm looking to buy a 3/8 and 1/4 drive long handle ratchets and was wondering what you guys would recommend.COO doesn't really matter to me as long as it gets the job done.I would love to buy snap on but they are out of my budget for right now.I have been looking at the gearwrwnch cushion handle ratchets and really like the looks of them.Any other brands I should check out?

I have a SK and a Gearwrench and like them both.

 

[RCL]

Another vote for the Armstrong.
Got mine from Epstein.

 

[wrh3]

I have the Matco/Armstrong twin locking flex head ratchets, but I seem to pick up my Gearwrench long flex head more often. It doesn't lock but has detents (doesn't work in some cases, that's why I have the locking twins) and it is a few inches longer. I think I picked this up on clearance a few months ago as the 88 tooth ratchets are phased in and the 60 tooth are purged from inventory.