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3/8 ratchet reccomendation

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gdpolk

Well-known member
Joined
May 16, 2016
Messages
238
This is the set of features I'm looking for. What's a good quality ratchet that'll meet my needs?
  • <$75
  • 3/8" drive
  • at least 80 tooth for a nice small arc
  • flex head that DOES NOT lock into those irritating pre-set angles
  • the thinner/smaller at the head, the better
  • good quality, it doesn't have to be top tier but I'm expecting better than Harbor Freight stuff too.
  • Lifetime warranty that's from a company that actually honors it
  • All metal - no built up plastic handles, soft grips, etc. Chrome or industrial finish makes no difference but I want something that can be wiped off and put away and be just as good 50 years from now as the day I bought it. Plastics become brittle with age and rubber/foams become unstable and fall apart. I just want plain old metal.
  • New or used makes no difference to me. I'd rather have a $50 investment in a top tier $100 used tool to use than a $50 investment in a $50 tool to use. That said, I have no aversion to buying new tools either.

Thanks in advance for your options.
 
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A

AmishFury

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Joined
Jan 22, 2015
Messages
872
person says no soft grips, let's recommend a set of soft grip ratchets...

you could always go with a FLF80... you can find them for under $75 used without much difficulty one on ebay right now for $66
 
C

Citation

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Jan 20, 2016
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3,228
Location
Indy
If you can accept a 72 tooth design, for $25 the Home Depot Husky flex head is basically a non-locking Gearwrench design for $25.
 
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Banana Man

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May 18, 2016
Messages
79
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Los Angeles
Snap On 72 tooth. Lightly used off eBay. You might even find a new one for around $80 bucks if you keep checking the "newly listed" Snap On listings, as the best deals get swooped up quick.
 
M

Mr.Nutcase

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Apr 23, 2009
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USA
Banana Man said:
Snap On 72 tooth. Lightly used off eBay. You might even find a new one for around $80 bucks if you keep checking the "newly listed" Snap On listings, as the best deals get swooped up quick.
Click to expand...

that does not exist? they are 80 tooth 3/8, the 1/4 are 72
 
K

kctyphoon

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Jun 9, 2014
Messages
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Jersey/Staten Island
AmishFury said:
person says no soft grips, let's recommend a set of soft grip ratchets...

you could always go with a FLF80... you can find them for under $75 used without much difficulty one on ebay right now for $66
Click to expand...

Hey, don't know if you noticed Sherlock - but if you actually read the post BEFORE mine, the OP declared "looks like we have a winner" -

which is why I wrote, "if you can part with ANOTHER $25" meaning,-
(in addition too / along with / after your initial purchase) as is, "if you already made a decision and found what you want, this is a great buy on two MORE ratchets, which still happens to fit within much of your 9 point wishlist, and for $12.50 a ratchet at that.. -

but then again, I could have always posted something much more constructive like "how bout a used snap on off eBay" cause it must take a person with a real superior intellect to think that one up.. :thumbup:
 
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Banana Man

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Joined
May 18, 2016
Messages
79
Location
Los Angeles
Mr.Nutcase said:
that does not exist? they are 80 tooth 3/8, the 1/4 are 72
Click to expand...

OP:

"3/8" drive
at least 80 tooth for a nice small arc
flex head that DOES NOT lock into those irritating pre-set angles"

SNAP ON

FF80

Dual 80® Technology Ratchet Features:
80 tooth gear
7 teeth in contact with gear to provide strength and durability
Ratchet Arc - Dual 80® Technology ratchet has 25% less ratcheting arc and requires the least amount of arc to engage the next gear tooth
Sealed Head keeps dirt and other contaminants out of the head mechanism.
 
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Banana Man

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79
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Los Angeles
kctyphoon said:
Hey, don't know if you noticed Sherlock - but if you actually read the post BEFORE mine, the OP declared "looks like we have a winner" -

which is why I wrote, "if you can part with ANOTHER $25" meaning,-
(in addition too / along with / after your initial purchase) as is, "if you already made a decision and found what you want, this is a great buy on two MORE ratchets, which still happens to fit within much of your 9 point wishlist, and for $12.50 a ratchet at that.. -

but then again, I could have always posted something much more constructive like "how bout a used snap on off eBay" cause it must take a person with a real superior intellect to think that one up.. :thumbup:
Click to expand...


I don't know why you're being a hater, :dunno: I'm just adding to the discussion.

Thanks for the rude and unnecessary comment. It's easy to talk like that online my friend.

Have a good night, pal.
 
K

kctyphoon

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Jersey/Staten Island
Banana Man said:
I don't know why you're being a hater, :dunno: I'm just adding to the discussion.

Thanks for the rude and unnecessary comment. It's easy to talk like that online my friend.

Have a good night, pal.
Click to expand...

None of that is directed at you, which is why nothing you wrote is quoted in my post... It's actually a response to a rude comment someone else made.. :wtf:
 
H

HomeTheaterMan

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Apr 3, 2016
Messages
493
If he hasn't already bought it, he may want to reconsider. The SO FF80 as posted above meets all of his requirements except for the price. If you shop around on eBay, you can come very close to that price as well.
 
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AmishFury

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 22, 2015
Messages
872
kctyphoon said:
None of that is directed at you, which is why nothing you wrote is quoted in my post... It's actually a response to a rude comment someone else made.. :wtf:
Click to expand...

my comment was mildly rude yours as i've seen often from you is outright hostile

calm down and don't take the internet so personally
 
L

LB-1911

ALLIANCE MEMBER
Joined
Sep 24, 2011
Messages
5,747
Location
Northwestern Il.
DeliveryGuy said:
Spend $6 more and get this. The Armstrong Maxx are 88 tooth, all metal, a thinner head than the Snap On, and the locking flex head unlocks so you just have a swivel head. I have all 3 sizes, and they're excellent. IMO better than Snap On.
Click to expand...

Pretty sure he went w/a Proto J5257F.

gdpolk said:
Looks like we have a winner. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Wes J said:
Proto J5257F.
Click to expand...

BK13 said:
Yup.
Click to expand...

mikebaker1129 said:
I agree with ^ but this ratchet has 72 teeth not the 80 you were looking for.
The Proto 5257f is a awesome choice.
Click to expand...
 
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W

Wes J

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Joined
Mar 13, 2016
Messages
457
Location
Peoria, IL
DeliveryGuy said:
The Armstrong Maxx are 88 tooth, all metal, a thinner head than the Snap On, and the locking flex head unlocks so you just have a swivel head. I have all 3 sizes, and they're excellent. IMO better than Snap On.
Click to expand...

It's a myth that when unlocked those are like a Snap On flex head. The locking device acts like a dentent but it's too weak. The only way to tighten the mechanism is to tighten the screw which sort of works but makes them tight in the middle and floppy at the extremes.

The real non detent flex heads from Snap-on, Wright, Proto, SK, Blackhawk, and others use a small spring that looks like a lock washer to set the drag on the flex mechanism. The screw just holds it together, it does not adjust the drag.
 
D

DeliveryGuy

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Joined
May 12, 2013
Messages
294
Location
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
kctyphoon said:
Do you like the wide metal handle over a rubber grip or hard handle?
Click to expand...

Yes. I prefer chrome handled ratchets. I can feel the hard handles on my Snap On's twist if I pull hard enough.

Actually, I use shorter ratchets and wrenches more frequently. I do use my Armstrongs a lot, but I have a standard length, non flex, Gray T8532 that I use mostly. I find that if I'm ratcheting with my wrist rather than pulling the handle, normal length ratchets are more comfortable.

The Armstrong Maxx locking flex are definitely my favorite long/flex ratchets, though.
 
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