3-Pc Ratchet Set

[Tucker99]

For the home DIY guy don't think you can beat the HF swivel head ratchets. Problem is they don't sell them in a set. Does anyone know of a 3-pcs set, 1/4, 3/8 & 1/2 in padded or bare handles at the HF price?? Really on a tight budget.

 

[AceofSpad3s]

For the home DIY guy don't think you can beat the HF swivel head ratchets. Problem is they don't sell them in a set. Does anyone know of a 3-pcs set, 1/4, 3/8 & 1/2 in padded or bare handles at the HF price?? Really on a tight budget.

Just go buy a hf composite in each size, You are not going to find a set of roto heads for hf price besides hf. You can always look for used stuff though, I have bough quite a few ratchets from garages sale and my tool connection.

 

[zcbauer89]

Unfortunently not at Harbor Freight prices. Why don't you just buy them separately at Harbor Freight, use a 20% off coupon and walk out the door?

 

[MrGiggles]

What's the big deal about a set?

You'll have to either bring the kids or buy the ratchets at separate periods to use a 20% on each of them, unfortunately.

 

[unslow1]

Unfortunently not at Harbor Freight prices. Why don't you just buy them separately at Harbor Freight, use a 20% off coupon and walk out the door?

That's how I did it. Except I used 25% off coupons while they still had them. I like them better than my Gearwrench ones. Plus you can get 3 freebies.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I can't stand those ratchets. I would spend a few extra dollars and get the Husky roto ratchets. The HF have ridiculous backdrag and fat, stumpy handles.

 

[BK13]

I can't stand those ratchets. I would spend a few extra dollars and get the Husky roto ratchets. The HF have ridiculous backdrag and fat, stumpy handles.

Kind of what I was thinking... I'd throw in the Kobalt as well.

 

[Engine]

I can't stand those ratchets. I would spend a few extra dollars and get the Husky roto ratchets. The HF have ridiculous backdrag and fat, stumpy handles.

I'll second that.

I'm looking for some roto head ratchets and I checked out the ones at HF today. They definitely have a lot more back drag than the regular ratchets.

The only place I could find the Gearwrench rotos to get some "hands on" experience with them was at Sears. They had a lot of back drag too, but not nearly as bad as the HF ones. Also, they were $62 per set of two.

My local HD didn't have any Husky rotos but the Lowes had a Kobalt that seemed good -- at $25 for the 1/4" drive.

I was hoping the HF ones would be good, but while they are tempting because of the low price, they just won't cut it with all that back drag.

 

[XxToolAholicxX]

I advice going to Harbor Freight and taking somebody with you and a few 20% coupons and buy one of each and you will have a set cheap. A friend of mine is a Pro and he uses those ratchets and this guy is strong and hard on those ratchets and had them for few years now and yet to break one. You wont go wrong plus they have lifetime warranty.
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I am a ToolAholic,Sometimes I regret it,Especially when the Toolman wont give me no credit

 

[scooternut]

Umm flex head, swivel head , or roto head? He said swivel, we all jumped to roto. I understand the back drag on the roto at HF, I own one. However, the new flex style ones seem prettynice, other than the backward A** adjuster that is

 

[nicksnothereman]

For the home DIY guy don't think you can beat the HF swivel head ratchets. Problem is they don't sell them in a set. Does anyone know of a 3-pcs set, 1/4, 3/8 & 1/2 in padded or bare handles at the HF price?? Really on a tight budget.

Gearwrench has a set like that if I'm not mistaken but more expensive (probably from the same factory). Honestly if you want a "case" you can kind of make your own from a blow molded case and foam (I think a "how to" exists on here). If you can sew (or know someone who does) you can stitch one up; sleeve or roll up; typically I use denim but could potentially scratch if that matters to you.

 

[gungatim]

if they offered a set, you'd only get to use one 20% coupon and get one free flashlight. buy them seperately and get 20% off each one, a free tape measure and a free screwdriver set to boot! Which is exactly what I did, same with the flex heads...offer the freebies up to friends and co-workers who will use them...

 

[Tucker99]

I'll second that.

I'm looking for some roto head ratchets and I checked out the ones at HF today. They definitely have a lot more back drag than the regular ratchets.

The only place I could find the Gearwrench rotos to get some "hands on" experience with them was at Sears. They had a lot of back drag too, but not nearly as bad as the HF ones. Also, they were $62 per set of two.

My local HD didn't have any Husky rotos but the Lowes had a Kobalt that seemed good -- at $25 for the 1/4" drive.

I was hoping the HF ones would be good, but while they are tempting because of the low price, they just won't cut it with all that back drag.

Well holy smoke! I was going into this blind and after reading all the reviews of their pro series I was going to buy them unseen. If they have an appreciable amount of back drag how come guys say they're good! Also, I'm not entirely sold on the padded handle but figured that was the way of the future and I would grow to like them. Being on a tight budget, what are my options for bare handled ratchet sets with swivel heads. And...I'm not a huge fan of the lever to change directions, kind of prefer the roto head.

 

[Askme42]

Well holy smoke! I was going into this blind and after reading all the reviews of their pro series I was going to buy them unseen. If they have an appreciable amount of back drag how come guys say they're good! Also, I'm not entirely sold on the padded handle but figured that was the way of the future and I would grow to like them. Being on a tight budget, what are my options for bare handled ratchet sets with swivel heads. And...I'm not a huge fan of the lever to change directions, kind of prefer the roto head.

I don't know what you work on normally but there are a ton of situations where roto ratchets won't work.

I want some rotos bad but they will be some of the last ratchets I add to my collection.

 

[AceofSpad3s]

Well holy smoke! I was going into this blind and after reading all the reviews of their pro series I was going to buy them unseen. If they have an appreciable amount of back drag how come guys say they're good! Also, I'm not entirely sold on the padded handle but figured that was the way of the future and I would grow to like them. Being on a tight budget, what are my options for bare handled ratchet sets with swivel heads. And...I'm not a huge fan of the lever to change directions, kind of prefer the roto head.

The pro ones are fine, the rotos are the meh ones

 

[Adam.C]

Really, the cheapest ratchets in the world are too expensive? How about a 3/8" drive ratchet and some adapters? Why does a homeowner looking to buy the absolute cheapest need the convenience of 3 ratchets? Each of these tools is roughly the cost of dinner for 2 at McDonalds.

 

[Tucker99]

What do I work on??
My car & truck
Wife's car
Children's cars
2 X Yamaha boat engines and big *** boat trailer
1 X Euro motorcycle (KTM)
1 X Euro motorcycle (Triumph)
1 X American motorcycle (Harley)

And Adam some of us may not be as financially well-off as you and may desire, and hope to find something cheap and convenient.

 

[MrSmiley]

What do I work on??
My car & truck
Wife's car
Children's cars
2 X Yamaha boat engines and big *** boat trailer
1 X Euro motorcycle (KTM)
1 X Euro motorcycle (Triumph)
1 X American motorcycle (Harley)

And Adam some of us may not be as financially well-off as you and may desire, and hope to find something cheap and convenient.

If you have all that to work on you are more financially well-off than most/some people

 

[ChevyEFI]

I don't know what you work on normally but there are a ton of situations where roto ratchets won't work.

I want some rotos bad but they will be some of the last ratchets I add to my collection.

lol. Everytime I see someone complain about a job that required insane access but I have done it without issue, it was done with a 3870 or other roto.

They offer the most dynamic access when you have multiple swing arc obstructions.

To the OP, great neck offered 1/4 through 1/2 roto ratchets. Not the smoothest but they work well. A snapon 72 tooth roto is smoother and te comfort grip helps handling.

 

[abk241]

If you have all that to work on you are more financially well-off than most/some people

What he said!...
But if money is really that tight for you, why not take the suggestion above and buy a 3/8" drive ratchet and adaptors to step up and down to 1/2" and 1/4" until you can put together a more complete set of tools.

 

[Adam.C]

What do I work on??
My car & truck
Wife's car
Children's cars
2 X Yamaha boat engines and big *** boat trailer
1 X Euro motorcycle (KTM)
1 X Euro motorcycle (Triumph)
1 X American motorcycle (Harley)

And Adam some of us may not be as financially well-off as you and may desire, and hope to find something cheap and convenient.

Oh the irony!! So, big speed boat, three bikes, 4+ cars and looking for deals on a $12 ratchet. I think we've been had. I was thinking college student choosing between beer and tools. Thanks for the laugh.

For serious queries, I recommend AGAINST the std size ratchets for people starting out on automotive and on a limited budget. Buy ratchets that provide needed capability. When you need something to remove something stuck, you want l o n g. When you don't need the torque, you want the smallest possible ratchet. Check out my specific recommendations here:
ref:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=4616783#post4616783

 

[Tucker99]

Oh the irony!! So, big speed boat, three bikes, 4+ cars and looking for deals on a $12 ratchet. I think we've been had. I was thinking college student choosing between beer and tools. Thanks for the laugh.

For serious queries, I recommend AGAINST the std size ratchets for people starting out on automotive and on a limited budget. Buy ratchets that provide needed capability. When you need something to remove something stuck, you want l o n g. When you don't need the torque, you want the smallest possible ratchet. Check out my specific recommendations here:
ref:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=4616783#post4616783

If I was as well off as you guys thought I wouldn't be working on all this stuff. And, it's fairly old and that's why I have to work on it. Appreciate all the constructive guidance guys.