3/8 Drive in 1/4" Body Experiences & Thoughts ?

[BigV]

I had a SnapOn FM70 that seems to have walked off.

I do not want to buy a new Snap On, and the FM70 isn't made any more- I know there is Mini-3/8" but not an FM70A. They're also damned difficult to find used, as well.

I would like to buy a mini 3/8 in both Flex Version, and fixed head.

I purchased a flexhead 3/8 Wright and while I like the ratchet function, I'm sort of afraid of it, as there is play side to side and it's more than what I'm used to or what or I'd really like- most of the ratchets I own have the screw and covers holding them together.

I'm kind of turned off on the Wright design for that reason.

-Matco is out, too hard to find used: I missed out on a used Matco in the For Sale Section(twice). I don't think I can afford a new one right now, either so I'm looking for alternatives.

-Wright is out. For the reason I posted above. I also don't like the whole "low torque" warning.

-Proto's is apparently made in Italy by the same company that is doing Facom's stuff. They're also apparently held in by screws, which is a plus. I've never owned any newer Proto stuff. So I'm leery but interested.

-SK's are in my price range, but I don't know if they'll have the wobble I felt in my Wright- they do have a similar design.

After getting screwed by Kobalt and TE on some stuff, I'm pretty soured on their tools, and after my early years were spent with Harbor F**ked knurled handled ratchets, I really don't want to go the Chicom or Taiwan route. I kind of doubt they make them, but I still don't want one.

Suggestions ? Question

 

[sk farmer]

get some. i have sk versions in regular long and flex. i also have a titan compact roto wich is a copy of the facom 72 tooth. all of them 3/8 in 1/4 bodies. i think you are giving to much worry about the wright versions. i have heard nothing but good about them and some of these guys are down right hard on stuff. i doubt using a small bit of common sense you would have a problem. you need to remember they are not for changing tires.

 

[OEXL16B]

MAC XR5MK is a 3/8'' drive compact ratchet.

 

[shampoop]

I have the proto 1/4" body 3/8" drive fixed head and love it! J5248S One of my favorite ratchets now. Very high quality, love the knurled grip, love how easy and simple it is to disassemble and clean/grease. I prefer using it over my 1/4" drive ratchets when possible because of how much nicer and easier it is to use 3/8" drive extensions. So much easier to finger turn them or hold them in place while using the ratchet vs the extremely skinny 1/4" drive extensions. And you can get it for only $30-$40

 

[Griff93]

I have the SK long 1/4 body with 3/8 anvil in it. I use it daily and really like it. I'd buy it again. In fact I've been looking for the short handled version.

 

[marnav1]

I have an older Matco dual pawl round head version. No issues so far. Would love to have an extra but I doubt this one will ever break.

 

[fivefochevy]

Blackhawk made these also. I have seen them on ebay for about $20. Buddy of mine uses one a lot and swears by it.

 

[gatewaysysop]

How important is fine tooth action? I think the older, US-made coarse (24?) tooth Proto model was available in a mini 3/8" version (using 1/4" body), and I do see them occasionally on eBay. I don't have the model # off hand, but someone else probably does.

I ended up on the Wright's that you mentioned and have both the flex and fixed version, they work fine for me so that sorta stalled my search for anything else. I never found one of the Protos so I can't comment on them personally. I'd still like to get my hands on one for comparison sake and just because I like that older style Proto.

 

[transittech]

If you want the best, buy a SO FCF72. Yes, I am biased. Yes, I have drunk the Kool Aid. Yes, I do have 12+ SO Dual 80 ratchets.

Am I a fan boy? Well; I don't have a Matco dealer, so I can't comment on them. I don't have an Armstrong, Wright flex head, modern Mac, Proto flex, or Matco. I can't recommend anything I haven't flogged good. But, I use this SO almost every day, and it works great, even while grunting on it for all you're worth. (I'm a bigger guy, 250lbs.).

Sometimes, if you want the best, it'll cost you. Sometimes, its even worth it. Not bashing or even worrying about bashing my knuckles is worth it for me. YMMV.


Just my 2 cents.

 

[transittech]

Blackhawk made these also. I have seen them on ebay for about $20. Buddy of mine uses one a lot and swears by it.

I have a few New Britain ratchets, and they are really nice! For daily hard flogging, "ride it hard and put it away wet" though, I don't think I would give them my TOP honors. YMMV. Still highly recommended though.

 

[Seanbev24]

If you want the best, buy a SO FCF72. Yes, I am biased. Yes, I have drunk the Kool Aid. Yes, I do have 12+ SO Dual 80 ratchets.

Am I a fan boy? Well; I don't have a Matco dealer, so I can't comment on them. I don't have an Armstrong, Wright flex head, modern Mac, Proto flex, or Matco. I can't recommend anything I haven't flogged good. But, I use this SO almost every day, and it works great, even while grunting on it for all you're worth. (I'm a bigger guy, 250lbs.).

Sometimes, if you want the best, it'll cost you. Sometimes, its even worth it. Not bashing or even worrying about bashing my knuckles is worth it for me. YMMV.


Just my 2 cents.

X2. I love my FC72

 

[franzdom]

Interesting, I had the exact same thoughts about the Wright, mine has pretty significant play, thought it was an isolated case. Unfortunately it is my first Wright tool. I have converted a comfort grip THL72 to 3/8" and am considering doing the same to a THLF72, the T72 (FC72) handle is quite small.

Off topic: I also really like the stubby FK80 & FKF80

 

[Gort the giant robot]

I have a Proto version. Bought mine from a company online called Restockit. They also have other Proto ratchets and repair kits for same.

Gort.

 

[justinmc]

I have the Snap On version... Love it. I've got a Wright as well and it's a pretty neat ratchet mostly because of how small the head is. Of course that Low Torque warning sort of defeats that purpose but sometimes you just need to be able to get into somewhere with almost zero clearance.

 

[plinker]

I have a S-O FC936 and use it fairly often. I made up a S-K version for my Brother and it's got a finer tooth count, but I prefer to have a selector switch I can easily use if I back myself in a corner as it were.

Newer S-K flex head ratchet's are reported to have a torx scew in the flex joint instead of a pin, so there's a plus there. I do have an S-K 1/4 drive pin type flex head ratchet but I have not used it much so I cant comment on it being floppy

Unfortunetly, Matco/Danaher does not make a 60 tooth version. That ratchet would be about perfect, if they did make one.

 

[Steevo]

I have a couple, one is an FM-70 and the other is a Matco BR5

Both are useful, if you don't torque too hard on them and bust a tooth.

 

[franzdom]

Have you bent the Matco or is it the wide angle? It looks to be made by Wright.

 

[Steevo]

It's not bent, that is the shape it has always had. I believe they were made by Wright, and branded Matco.

I bought it new off the truck in about 1981

 

[transittech]

It's not bent, that is the shape it has always had. I believe they were made by Wright, and branded Matco.

I bought it new off the truck in about 1981

Yup. (obviously)

 

[billymade]

Definitely, one of those ratchets you never... "thought you ever needed"; until you HAVE one!

 

[mixxmstrmike]

I have both of the SO versions, straight and flex... couldn't be any happier with those ratchets. It definitely is one of those tools with specific uses, but I find myself reaching it for just because of its size alone.

-Mike

 

[BigV]

Thank you all. This is a wonderful forum. I appreciate all the replies, experiences, and information.

 

[vga]

I have the SO 1/4 body flex head 3/8 80 tooth drive mini ratchet andI love it.

 

[franzdom]

I have the SO 1/4 body flex head 3/8 80 tooth drive mini ratchet andI love it.

For the record it is dual-80 in marketing speak but all 1/4" Dual-80 ratchets are 72 tooth.

 

[BigV]

How important is fine tooth action? I think the older, US-made coarse (24?) tooth Proto model was available in a mini 3/8" version (using 1/4" body), and I do see them occasionally on eBay. I don't have the model # off hand, but someone else probably does.

I ended up on the Wright's that you mentioned and have both the flex and fixed version, they work fine for me so that sorta stalled my search for anything else. I never found one of the Protos so I can't comment on them personally. I'd still like to get my hands on one for comparison sake and just because I like that older style Proto.

Thank you. I tried some 24 tooth Proto stuff today a friend owns and I liked it. He didn't have a mini, but he did have a 3/8 24 tooth. It honestly reminded me of my Snap On. I'm sure my SO was an FM70, but it felt very coarse, more like 20 teeth than 70.

If anyone knows what the PN was for Proto mini/midget 3/8 let me know.

 

[gatewaysysop]

Thank you. I tried some 24 tooth Proto stuff today a friend owns and I liked it. He didn't have a mini, but he did have a 3/8 24 tooth. It honestly reminded me of my Snap On. I'm sure my SO was an FM70, but it felt very coarse, more like 20 teeth than 70.

If anyone knows what the PN was for Proto mini/midget 3/8 let me know.

No problem. You can find some pics of one in this post.

The part # is 5248S.

Hope that helps!

 

[shampoop]

If anyone knows what the PN was for Proto mini/midget 3/8 let me know.

J5248S

The part number for the current model.

http://www.stanleyproto.com/default...c=3/8"+Drive+Miniature+Pear+Head+Ratchet

 

[BigV]

I actually meant the 24 tooth version of the Proto. Sorry not being specific. I may just break down and buy the 5248S for $25 and call it done.

And thanks for everyone's help- I did not want this post to seem ungrateful.

 

[gatewaysysop]

I actually meant the 24 tooth version of the Proto. Sorry not being specific. I may just break down and buy the 5248S for $25 and call it done.

The one in the pictures is in fact the 24 tooth version, in case that wasn't obvious from the photo or the context. If you end up getting one, please post up some pics and or review to let us know what you think of it. I'd still like to get my hands on one someday.

 

[mrborohachi]

This last Sunday when walking out of my local Pick-A-Part (junkyard) this guy was in the parking lot selling used tools $24 dollars I walked off with a load of Snap-On tools. 4 allen sockets, 7: 1/4dr metric sockets, a hard handled 1/4dr screwdriver extension and a FM70A. I OP said he wanted the FM70, leaving out the "A". I just wanted to ask what the A signifies.

Thanks GJ

 

[1950mercury]

This last Sunday when walking out of my local Pick-A-Part (junkyard) this guy was in the parking lot selling used tools $24 dollars I walked off with a load of Snap-On tools. 4 allen sockets, 7: 1/4dr metric sockets, a hard handled 1/4dr screwdriver extension and a FM70A. I OP said he wanted the FM70, leaving out the "A". I just wanted to ask what the A signifies.

Thanks GJ

The a signifies a revision.

 

[Stevenn1]

I would get a good one like Snap-on. Having 3/8" Anvil for bigger sockets (bigger bolts) means more strain on a tool with only a 1/4" body.

 

[bonneyman]

I have the SK long 1/4 body with 3/8 anvil in it. I use it daily and really like it. I'd buy it again. In fact I've been looking for the short handled version.

Is "anvil" the correct term for the the part? I always called the square drive with gear a "knuckle".

 

[48548]

Get the new 72 teeth snapon models. I think they are rated at 90ft lbs. I made my own out of t72 models and they work fine.

 

[martin666]

Have two Snap On and a Wright 3/8" in 1/4" bodies, also have two 1/2" in 3/8" bodies, use them all

 

[Adam.C]

I don't see why anyone needs these. You can get stubby 3/8" ratchets which are very handy. Otherwise, just use 1/4" drive.

 

[martin666]

I don't see why anyone needs these. You can get stubby 3/8" ratchets which are very handy. Otherwise, just use 1/4" drive.

Use the flex head for removing the right rear spark plug on older RWD Cadillacs. 1/4" drive with an adapter is to long but that ratchet with a standard spark plug socket is perfect. Just one example but once you have them you'll find many uses for them

 

[mikebaker1129]

No one mentioned the Williams with a 3/8 dr Snap on kit installed in it.
They come in standard and flex versions.

 

[mrjaw14]

I have the fixed head SK one and I really like it

 

[Strouty]

I would love to have a 3/8" ratchet with 1/2" guts. Those seem like they could be very handy.