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3/8 Ratchet Recommendations

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BTJHP

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Jan 13, 2021
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209
Location
TX
I've given up hope that Tekton will make a 12" non-flex 3/8 ratchet so I would like to hear some recommendations for the following criteria.

3/8 drive quick release
11 or 12 inches long
Less than $50
fixed head, non-flex
72 tooth or greater
selector lever to the left for "on"
repairable / able to disassemble
not made in PR China, Taiwan is fine

basically I'm wanting Tekton to ODM a non-flex version of their 12" flex head ratchet
 
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Rabid Badger

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Apr 2, 2018
Messages
1,338
BTJHP said:
I've given up hope that Tekton will make a 12" non-flex 3/8 ratchet so I would like to hear some recommendations for the following criteria.

3/8 drive quick release
11 or 12 inches long
Less than $50
fixed head, non-flex
72 tooth or greater
selector lever to the left for "on"
repairable / able to disassemble
not made in PR China, Taiwan is fine

basically I'm wanting Tekton to ODM a non-flex version of their 12" flex head ratchet
Click to expand...
1) Buy the 18" Tekton.
2) Lop off the handle.
3) Epoxy on a handle from a donor tool.
 
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bonneyman

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Apr 22, 2010
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8,754
Location
Desert SW
I'd try thinking outside the box.
A good used truck brand tool might be had for a not too steep a price as mechanics are always upgrading. Pawn shops and estate sales turn up nice pieces sometimes. Epstein's or ebay are also good checking spots.
 
OP
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BTJHP

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Joined
Jan 13, 2021
Messages
209
Location
TX
Rabid Badger said:
1) Buy the 18" Tekton.
2) Lop off the handle.
3) Epoxy on a handle from a donor tool.
Click to expand...
I've considered it. I've put Tekton hard screwdriver handles on several ratchets but if I could find a Tekton ratchet softgrip to use I'd be on board.
 
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RAS61

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Sep 14, 2012
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538
Location
Low Country, SC
Chrome Vanadium Cody said:
slightly above your budget at $56.48 but if you can swing for it I highly recommend this... Koken 3/8" drive 11" long quick release ratchet: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BXCY8DJZ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

The one thing is I'm not sure which way the selector lever points. But I have a non qr regular length one and can check at work tomorrow
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This one is head and shoulders superior to any of the Taiwan options. Don't know why issues like the selector lever or quick release is so important to the OP, but if quality and minimal back-drag are the top priorities here's the answer
 
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Kscardsfan

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Apr 28, 2020
Messages
1,650
Location
The Little Apple
bonneyman said:
I'd try thinking outside the box.
A good used truck brand tool might be had for a not too steep a price as mechanics are always upgrading. Pawn shops and estate sales turn up nice pieces sometimes. Epstein's or ebay are also good checking spots.
Click to expand...
Got my Mac 90 tooth 3/8 long handle for $75 delivered on eBay a year or 2 ago. Imagine if you walk on the truck with cash you could do even better on trade in stuff.
 
OP
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BTJHP

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Jan 13, 2021
Messages
209
Location
TX
I'm not opposed to USA made ratchets but I've come to appreciate quick release on ratchets. I still have my Wright 3425 10" 3/8 ratchet that is in my avatar but just don't enjoy using round head non quick release ratchets that much. I guess I see it as more of a "only if I really need it" ratchet and I'm looking for more of a daily use ratchet, which has been the Tekton 12" flex head quick release so far. Sounds like that might change next month.
 
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BTJHP

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TX
Chrome Vanadium Cody said:
Ok checked mine and selector L = off on Koken z series. So nix that
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Yeah, it's not that I dislike Koken but I just like having all my ratchets the same. I've had ratchets where the lever was like that and I just never used them and got rid of them over time. I guess we'll see what Tekton comes out with next month. Glad I started this thread, I was pretty close to getting something else or customizing my own.
 
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Steve_P

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Sep 15, 2010
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5,181
I never understood the obsession with the direction lever orientation, but that's probably because I primarily used round head ratchets for 30+ years until modernizing a few years ago. I'm used to just putting on a socket, grip the socket, rotate the handle to see which way the ratchet's set, and then change if necessary- without even looking at it prior. At some point I will learn to look at the lever first; all of my newer (last two years) ratchets are "correct" and what the OP likes- Tekton, GW, Matco, SO....
 
OP
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BTJHP

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Messages
209
Location
TX
Steve_P said:
I never understood the obsession with the direction lever orientation, but that's probably because I primarily used round head ratchets for 30+ years until modernizing a few years ago. I'm used to just putting on a socket, grip the socket, rotate the handle to see which way the ratchet's set, and then change if necessary- without even looking at it prior. At some point I will learn to look at the lever first; all of my newer (last two years) ratchets are "correct" and what the OP likes- Tekton, GW, Matco, SO....
Click to expand...

A lot of times I'm working with other people or teaching young people and I like being able to either hand them the ratchet with the lever flipped in the right direction or sometimes they will hold it up and ask if it looks right. Of course it's nice to give them a long explanation of how things work and how to check it themselves but sometimes I just don't have the time.
 
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milkovich

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Akron Ohio
Crescent CR38, 8.5" 72 teeth has county of origin listed as Taiwan. It's pretty very inexpensive. One think I've noticed about Apex is that the anvil in the crescent is usually as strong as the anvil in the gearwrench product, but with fewer teeth than the 90 or 120 tooth product.
 
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BTJHP

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Jan 13, 2021
Messages
209
Location
TX
milkovich said:
Crescent CR38, 8.5" 72 teeth has county of origin listed as Taiwan. It's pretty very inexpensive. One think I've noticed about Apex is that the anvil in the crescent is usually as strong as the anvil in the gearwrench product, but with fewer teeth than the 90 or 120 tooth product.
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It's not 12 inches long though. Not sure why a fixed head 12" is hard to find. Almost all are flex head or non quick release.
 
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seber

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May 31, 2016
Messages
4,189
Location
Deep East Tx.
Steve_P said:
I never understood the obsession with the direction lever orientation, but that's probably because I primarily used round head ratchets for 30+ years until modernizing a few years ago. I'm used to just putting on a socket, grip the socket, rotate the handle to see which way the ratchet's set, and then change if necessary- without even looking at it prior. At some point I will learn to look at the lever first; all of my newer (last two years) ratchets are "correct" and what the OP likes- Tekton, GW, Matco, SO....
Click to expand...
I don't look at the lever. It is an intuitive thing. Grab the ratchet, thumb the lever and apply to fastener in a single move.
 
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RAS61

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Sep 14, 2012
Messages
538
Location
Low Country, SC
seber said:
I don't look at the lever. It is an intuitive thing. Grab the ratchet, thumb the lever and apply to fastener in a single move.
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I never think of where the lever is. just grab the socket and rotate in my hand first to make sure it's in the right direction, probably waste a few seconds each time, just one of many reasons I could never pay the bills as a pro wrencher ;)
 
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Steve_P

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Messages
5,181
BTJHP said:
A lot of times I'm working with other people or teaching young people and I like being able to either hand them the ratchet with the lever flipped in the right direction or sometimes they will hold it up and ask if it looks right. Of course it's nice to give them a long explanation of how things work and how to check it themselves but sometimes I just don't have the time.
Click to expand...

I think day one is lefty loosie, righty tighty. If they can't master that, they don't get a ratchet. If all they had was a round head ratchet to work with, WTF would they do?
 
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mjdarg

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Mar 29, 2023
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Location
Raleigh, NC
Steve_P said:
I think day one is lefty loosie, righty tighty. If they can't master that, they don't get a ratchet. If all they had was a round head ratchet to work with, WTF would they do?
Click to expand...
Look on TikTok for a video of how to change the ratcheting direction and then get distracted after 30 seconds
 
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richfinn

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Jan 29, 2011
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4,809
Location
Leeds, Yorkshire, England
I've been looking for a multipurpose 3/8 ratchet so I only need to carry one tool in my bag so I bought this one to try out as I couldn't decide if it was just a gimmick (I really like it BTW), I know you really want a fixed head and this version is a flexhead, but I believe a fixed head version is available.

You can make it whatever length you like within reason 😉

 
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