I have been doing some toolbox reorganization. I had almost completely forgot about my old MAC 30 tooth pear head ratchets which took a back seat to my Matco 88s, Dual 80s, and even my newer fine tooth Mac’s. With virtually everyone offering fine tooth ratchets now, are there any old school rebels left?
Anybody still use coarse tooth ratchets?
- Thread starter DTB
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davethorik
Well-known member
My go to ratchets are Cornwell 30 tooth pear heads.
I only switch to higher tooth count if I have to, I just like these units.
I only switch to higher tooth count if I have to, I just like these units.
I have an old 1/2" Plomb 30 tooth that is a joy to use. Its the only half inch traditional ratchet I own. So suffice it to say, if its big and I cant get my impact driver or cordless ratchet on it, Im goin for my Plomb. I've been meaning to order the 3/8 and 1/4 versions to go with it as well.
FSrepair&fabrication
Well-known member
I still have a few snap on 936 ratchets that I see no need to upgrade yet. On really tight stuff I break out the 100 tooth. But thats rare.
ganymede
Well-known member
Yes but I don't do much auto work anymore. Mostly appliances and things where space isn't an issue.
I use a Snap on F831 at work all the time, 30 or 36 tooth I think? No clue how old, I bought it used off ebay (Tho it looked well cared for) and continue to use it for all my oil changes and a fair amount of other work
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Yep. My 50+ year old Craftsman 3/8.
toolaholic
Well-known member
I use a 16 inch long black oxide 24 tooth 1/2 drive proto ratchet for lug nuts. Proto J5450BL 1/2" Drive Long Handle Classic Pear Head Ratchet,16",BLK Ox https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001HWCQUM/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Magnum440d100
Well-known member
My old craftsman RP ratchets are still in my box. I reach for them more than my new husky that my friends seem to like.
Matter of fact, I grabbed my early 60’s craftsman 1/4” drive to undo coolant hose clamps.
I grab my coarse tooth ratchets first unless I know for sure i will be working in close quarters
Matter of fact, I grabbed my early 60’s craftsman 1/4” drive to undo coolant hose clamps.
I grab my coarse tooth ratchets first unless I know for sure i will be working in close quarters
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Parrothead
Well-known member
I do, but as beater ratchets. Example, I was putting up a fence in the rain, and didn’t really care if it got wet or rusty. Dried it off when I was done but they weren’t anything great to begin with
Motorman55
Well-known member
All I own and have ever used are Craftsman and S-K ratchets. I've never owned or used a fine tooth ratchet.
Click, click, click...
Click, click, click...
Packard V8
Well-known member
I own maybe fifty old school ratchets in all four sizes and not a single one of them fine tooth. So how do I get all this work done? Same way I've done it for the past sixty years. How much do I owe the tool truck guy? Zero.
jack vines
jack vines
jsaw
Well-known member
Not very often.
I mostly use fine tooth ratchets 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 drive, but there are a number of Williams 36 tooth and Proto 24 tooth ratchets floating around. Mostly in tool sets that see use once in a while vs. often. I do like the Williams S-52EHFA enough that I do keep one in my main tool set despite the low tooth count.
My 3/4 and 1 inch ratchets are all pretty much coarse tooth. The highest tooth count there would my the 45 teeth in my Wright 6400.
My 3/4 and 1 inch ratchets are all pretty much coarse tooth. The highest tooth count there would my the 45 teeth in my Wright 6400.
Farmall450
Well-known member
Nope, they languish in the very back of the drawer. When I go to a friends and use them I cringe a bit, or grab the carlyles out of the back of my truck.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
I use them all the time. I have both the Snap-on 936 series and the MAC 30 tooth pear heads.
NoMoreGreen
Well-known member
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anndel
Well-known member
Craftsman tear drop ratchets in my truck kit.
Yes, but rarely. I'll use my 84T and 88T ratchets when I need to but being as warranty support for the 84 and 88 ratchets has been ended by Apex Tool Group , I am gonna try and use them only when needed.
I think though this brings to light a big problem in the USA... I think a company's patent on a repair part should be invalidated if they cease producing spare parts to repair said item sold so another company or individual can step in and fill the void if needed. Apex abandoned the USA market.
Like MATCO/AJ could build kits for the Armstrong 88T and Craftsman 84T but Apex patents are preventing them from doing so. I paid money for my rebuild kits that I managed to find on Ebay. We as consumers should have to the right to repair our products. End of story. /end of rant
I think though this brings to light a big problem in the USA... I think a company's patent on a repair part should be invalidated if they cease producing spare parts to repair said item sold so another company or individual can step in and fill the void if needed. Apex abandoned the USA market.
Like MATCO/AJ could build kits for the Armstrong 88T and Craftsman 84T but Apex patents are preventing them from doing so. I paid money for my rebuild kits that I managed to find on Ebay. We as consumers should have to the right to repair our products. End of story. /end of rant
Stooge
Well-known member
i have a handful of Snap On dual 80s, but my most used ratchet is a Snap On 936 3/8 bent handle. its just a workhorse and where its a little older and scuffed up, I don't feel guilty if it gets dropped, wet, getting grinding debris/ sparks thrown at it, etc. i have probably close to a dozen SK 45170 ratchets that im also constantly using, and my SK 1/2" 42472 17.5" ratchet is just a beast.
Jack84
Well-known member
Do You have some pictures? Bought a Beta 24 tooth all steel ratchet recently and some vendors mention Japan as country of origin. I'm wondering if Koken makes them for Beta.
highland512
Well-known member
I have a old long handle PROTO 1/2" that gets used a lot, when I break it out sh!ts getting ready to happen.
seber
Well-known member
My stubby flex and my 1/2" ratchets are 30 tooth. I've seen no reason to go finer on these.
So what makes these coarse ratchets low-drag? Is it a specific design detail or just precise manufacturing and good lubrication?
davethorik
Well-known member
The Koken ratchets are Proto pear head clones. Naturally smooth and low backdrag.
Here are some pictures of the 3/8" and 1/4" models (with quick spinners mounted).
View media item 90842
View media item 90841
B17E1943
Well-known member
Yes. I used my 1947 Snap-on F70N Ferret on Tuesday to r&r the A/C condenser fan motor on my Ram p/u.
Works great. Kits are still available from S/O, and I bought one recently for stock.
Works great. Kits are still available from S/O, and I bought one recently for stock.
jsmeece
Well-known member
I think he is talking about the older ratchets that have like 24 teeth. My Proto 1/2 drive J5449 is only 24 teeth and I have heard people call them Big Dawgs, I do not know if this is correct?
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19648
speed bump
Well-known member
I have a couple of 36 tooth ratchets that I grab regularly. About 8 years ago I quit buying new versions of tools I already had so I haven't upgraded.
I think he is too, I was just trying to correct him on calling them big dawg
bobcatdan
Well-known member
A good chunk of my ratchets are coarse and are my main ratchets. I have newer finer tooth ratchets which I use too, but honestly have not found many places that they provide any advantage. While not my go to ratchets, the 36 tooth matco's are one of my favorite. Once they are worn in, so smooth you hardly feel them ratchet. Going to **** when I break one as I'm pretty sure you just get a new ratchet now.
The Fall
Well-known member
Yes. Proto pear head (long-handle 1/2" drive) and SK 45170.