60 or 88 tooth count ratchet ? Need Help

[CORTEZSS69]

Looking for some help and information. I need a new 3/8 ratchet with the flex head and locking head option. I have been reading on here that a ton of people are really happy with the Armstrong 11-994 from Harryepstein for around $60.00. Which I live here in KC and have been down there to pick up other stuff and I have seen and played with this ratchet and it is super nice.

But I was on the Matco truck this week and he had the BFR128LFT which is their version with 88 teeth and it runs $100.00 out the door. So here's the question, there is about a $35.00 difference in price, Is it worth the extra money to have the higher tooth count. Will I really be able to tell that much difference. I just work on stuff around the house, I have an old S&K 45170 and a Napa NB57 and I think those are around 36-40 tooth and never had any issues. So have I missed something, is it really something I need . I don't mind spending the extra money for a nice tool if needed.
Thanks Guys.

 

[Mickey O]

I have both the 60 tooth Armstrong and the 88 tooth Matco, I prefer the 60 tooth Armstrong, I like the handle better on the Armstrong and I prefer the 60 tooth over the 88. Get the Armstrong you'll love it, it's my most used ratchet.

 

[metaleltr]

Well as far as swing radius your talking about almost 2 degrees difference, barley noticeable. but it may make a difference in how smooth the ratchet operates.

 

[dandan111]

If it felt good buy it and save the $30. Armstrong is good stuff.

 

[SMKS]

I would also say that the 60/88 tooth difference is actually smaller than you would think at first.

The Armstrong MAXX locking flex ratchets are awesome. It's the single most expensive tool I've bought, but it was totally worth it. It's my most-used ratchet.

 

[shoturtle]

it is very small difference 1.4 degrees only. The 60t is a very smooth. If you like the feel of the armstrong. You will not regret it.

 

[Slingshot Engage]

I have both the 60 and 88. the action is so close I think deciding factor would be the shape of the handle. In that case I would still choose Armstrong.

My Armstrong is my most used ratchet.

 

[willhollin]

I understood Armstrong were changing them all to 80t?

 

[shoturtle]

only on the standard ratchets, the flex is still a 60t.

 

[SMKS]

I understood Armstrong were changing them all to 80t?

Only the new "Aerospace" ratchets are 88 tooth. Currently, they only offer the non-flex 1/4" and 3/8" in Aerospace variety, so those are the only ones with 88 teeth.

The flex heads and all the 1/2" drive ratchets are still 60 tooth.

 

[chris6278]

I put matcos 88 tooth rebuild kits in all my armstrong locking flexheads, alittle overkill? Maybe but theres has been a few situations where the extra teeth have helped. However in most cases theres hardly any difference between the two

 

[sk farmer]

armstrong from harry!

-uck the truck!

 

[Sterff]

I like the 88 for 3/8" and 1/4" ratchets. All of my 1/2" including my 24"er are 60 tooth.

 

[OEXL16B]

But I was on the Matco truck this week and he had the BFR128LFT which is their version with 88 teeth and it runs $100.00 out the door. So here's the question, there is about a $35.00 difference in price, Is it worth the extra money to have the higher tooth count?

It's not worth the extra money for more tooth count, but it might be worth the extra money if you like the Matco handle better...

 

[CORTEZSS69]

Thanks for the help, My thought was go for the Armstrong and that would leave me the extra cash to buy the 3/8 CDI torque wrench for $50.00 bucks they have on closeout.

 

[OEXL16B]

Did the Matco you were looking at have the metal handle or the plastic handle?

 

[woody 73]

I placed an order for a wright 3440 it has a 3/4 swing arc, 45 teeth,a head dia. of 27/32 and the overall length is 5 1/2 inches long. I realize the op wants a Matco or armstrong but I thought this ratchet looked very nice.

 

[cascivic]

Did the Matco you were looking at have the metal handle or the plastic handle?

Yea is that Matco part number comparing apples to apples ? Cause I know the Matco soft grip flex that's similiar length retails for like 180 no?

 

[Fedwrench]

I have said it before but, 28 teeth spread out on a gear the size of a quarter doesn't offer much improvement over the same design with 60 teeth.
If you really want the 88 tooth action, you could get the Armstrong flexhead ratchet from Epstein's, buy an 88 tooth repair kit from your Matco dealer, and still have money left over for pizza and beer.

 

[shoturtle]

Think that is just a waste of a perfectly good gearing. It is like trying to keep up with the jones with tools.

 

[TwoInch]

I have said it before but, 28 teeth spread out on a gear the size of a quarter doesn't offer much improvement over the same design with 60 teeth.
If you really want the 88 tooth action, you could get the Armstrong flexhead ratchet from Epstein's, buy an 88 tooth repair kit from your Matco dealer, and still have money left over for pizza and beer.

60 teeth on a 1" gear is the same as 60 teeth on a 12" gear. nothing changes. the degree of swing does not change with diameter

that said, i would go armstrong most definitely.

 

[kippieland]

I have both an 88 Armstrong and a two Matco 60. I prefer the 60 since they are a bit (small bit) smoother. 88 has a bit of a drag but I am being picky. My top in the 3/8 is a SO F80 (IMO smoother then both.) In the 1/4 my 88 matco is by far the top. I would go with whatever is cheaper. Both the 60 and 88 are great ratchets...can't loose!

 

[Mr Ratchet]

I can vouch for the Armstrong Maxx locking flex heads. I have one in 3/8" and 1/2" drives and like them a lot. They have the 60T and I don't plan on switching to the 88T. Even though my cost of the 3/8" ratchet ($45.00) and upgrade would still be less than what most will pay for the ratchet alone. I'm with Fedwrench in that you can do the upgrade later on if you feel you need to.

I was not sure how the handle on the Armstrong would feel. It feels fine at least to my hands

 

[CORTEZSS69]

Did the Matco you were looking at have the metal handle or the plastic handle?

It was the metal, I think its about $20.00 more for the plastic handle. Are you a fan of plastic handles? I have never owned any on a ratchet.

 

[CORTEZSS69]

I have said it before but, 28 teeth spread out on a gear the size of a quarter doesn't offer much improvement over the same design with 60 teeth.
If you really want the 88 tooth action, you could get the Armstrong flexhead ratchet from Epstein's, buy an 88 tooth repair kit from your Matco dealer, and still have money left over for pizza and beer.

Thanks. I might look into that later down the road. How did you know I like pizza and beer.

 

[bart1]

I ordered the 1/2" flex head Armstrong with 60 teeth from Epstein. Seems like a great ratchet. My old Wright Tootsie Roll and Snap On Dual 80 are a fuzz smoother, but I can imagine many situations where the tooth could would make very much difference. I think I'm going to really like the atmstrongs locking head.

 

[Griff93]

I recently bought a 60 tooth armstrong 1/4 regular ratchet. I really like it and would gladly buy it again. I use it daily. I also have a long 3/8 maxx ratchet that I really like. The locking flex works great on it. I have one of the blue handled long 3/8" that has held up great. I've been using it daily for years. I have yet to have to put a kit in it. These are tough as any body else's ratchets.

 

[2oolhound]

Swing radius may not be important to everyone but if you've managed to get your socket and ratchet on a bolt only to find there is not enough room between obstructions for your ratchet to re-bite for another turn then the swing radius is very important. If you find yourself in that situation you will think "would an extra 1.4 degrees have caught the next tooth?"

I couldn't find the swing radius on the armstrong site but lets say for 60 teeth it is 6ཾ and the 88 tooth is 4.6ཾ so that's the extra 1.4ཾ. It may not seem too big a difference but it is close to a 25% improvement which is BIG in my opinion. Even 15 or 20% is a substantial improvement as far as I'm concerned.

I'm not a + 50 ratchet guy so if I find myself in the situation where my ratchet won't re-bite due to lack of swing radius I don't confidently go back to my box and grab my 88 fine tooth and strut back to have another go at it, my # 1 go to ratchet will be what I already have in my hand in the first place. I want 88 teeth!

 

[DTB]

The swing arc is also more of a factor the longer the ratchet is.

That being said,I have both and I'm happy with both.
My 1/4 and 3/8 locking flex Matcos are both 88,my 24" 1/2 drive Matco is 60,and I have a standard 1/4 and 3/8 Napa with 60 tooth.

 

[ajchien]

If I put my ratchet/socket on a bolt and only have a 3 or 4 or 5 or even 10 degree swing arc, I'm seriously annoyed. I'd try any combination of different ratchet, flex head, roto head, extension, wobble extension, swivel socket, universal joint - you name it, to get myself a bigger swing arc. Ill even consider removing the obstruction if I can get a bigger swing arc.

 

[chris6278]

Swing radius may not be important to everyone but if you've managed to get your socket and ratchet on a bolt only to find there is not enough room between obstructions for your ratchet to re-bite for another turn then the swing radius is very important. If you find yourself in that situation you will think "would an extra 1.4 degrees have caught the next tooth?"

I couldn't find the swing radius on the armstrong site but lets say for 60 teeth it is 6ཾ and the 88 tooth is 4.6ཾ so that's the extra 1.4ཾ. It may not seem too big a difference but it is close to a 25% improvement which is BIG in my opinion. Even 15 or 20% is a substantial improvement as far as I'm concerned.

I'm not a + 50 ratchet guy so if I find myself in the situation where my ratchet won't re-bite due to lack of swing radius I don't confidently go back to my box and grab my 88 fine tooth and strut back to have another go at it, my # 1 go to ratchet will be what I already have in my hand in the first place. I want 88 teeth!

Agreed

 

[shoturtle]

I work on sport motorcycle and vw's they are very close and tight compartment. If a 72t is to tight and won't engage the next teeth. A 88t will not either. If there is only room to engaged 1t at a time, it is time to open up the area more. Because as it loosen, it will get to a point there is just not enough friction to get the ratchet to engage without as the ratchet stroke will spin the fastener the other way.

The difference with 60t and 88t, will put you in the same situation.

 

[vga]

I love the feel/ balance of my matco 88 ratchets, for me its how it feels in my hand

 

[2oolhound]

If there is only room to engaged 1t at a time, it is time to open up the area more. Because as it loosen, it will get to a point there is just not enough friction to get the ratchet to engage without as the ratchet stroke will spin the fastener the other way.

The difference with 60t and 88t, will put you in the same situation.

Yes but if you run into that situation with your 60 tooth the 88 will possibly grab 2 teeth. By the same token you can compare a 42 tooth ratchet to a 60 tooth, depends where you draw the line.

Someone better tell SO and Matco not to try to invent a 120 tooth ratchet with dual 21 tooth pawls and a 3' swing, they've gone too far already.

 

[CORTEZSS69]

Thanks all, I think a new armstrong will be coming home with me this weekend. It sounds like the better choice.

 

[chris6278]

Thanks all, I think a new armstrong will be coming home with me this weekend. It sounds like the better choice.

Youll be glad u got it