Anyone ever use the Proto J5457F?

[Hakeem]

I’m looking for a long handle flex head 1/2” ratchet for less than $100 and this one caught my eye:



Looks like a rebranded Facom ratchet, I believe it’s made in Italy? There’s a few isolated posts on the forums mentioning them (in fact that’s where I got this image from, a post by @DemoFly ) but no dedicated thread—hence my inquiry. Anyone have one and have any feedback they’d like to share, negative or positive?

They’re listed for $80-90 on a few different places and for a stout long handled flex head, seems like a great value.

 

[lardy1]

I have it in 3/8" drive and it's superb. One of my favorites.

 

[Fedwrench]

I have one. You are correct that it's made in Italy, and is based on the classic Facom palm control round head ratchet. I wouldn't say it's a rebrand as SBD owns Facom and you can't get a Facom with an all metal knurled handle. It's a great ratchet if you like round head ratchets. Strong design, 72 tooth, crisp ratcheting action. Only drawback would be that the factory supplied grease dries out and you might have to disassemble, clean, and relube with something thinner and better. It will serve you well. I'm not sure about being a great value though. A few years ago, those ratchets were widely available on Ebay for the $50 range.

 

[drtyler]

Great ratchet and durable.

$78 from Circle C is a decent deal. $82 at zoro, but add to cart wait for a coupon code.

 

[four.cycle]

^ I acquired a couple of the Italian-made PROTO 1/4" drive models and was quite impressed with them - DRY right out of the package.
I would imagine they'd be even nicer with a drop of oil. Spendy as hell, but they are really very nicely made.

 

[Dave455]

Go for it!

Yes, it’s a Facom design. They were originally called “palm control” ratchet’s, and they’re very nice nice to use. Probably one of the earliest fine tooth designs.

They’ve been available for a good 30 + years, so long predate SBD’s acquisition of Facom. Originally French made, but subsequently made in Italy in the USAG Gemonio plant.

The all steel handles are the ones to get for sure. Facom have produced these (see below) but they were slow to introduce them, and relatively quick to discontinue them. SBD do seem to have picked the best for their Proto brand.


Not sure how they fare under a lot of torque. I have a feeling that they would fail before, say, a Snap On Dual 80. I’m conscious that Facom changed the design when they introduced their telescoping ratchets, and there was probably a reason for that.

The palm control ratchets remain one of my favourites though. Much nicer to use than most of the German made tools, and nicer finished. Repair kits are inexpensive so I keep a couple in the stores.

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

Absolutely a great ratchet. My only roundheads left are these Proto Facom-inspired ratchets. Like others said, the dark grease from the factory *****. You’ll want to open them up, clean them, and put something better in there. I used SuperLube and it seems alright. The only real pains are how tricky it is to retighten the torx screw - too tight and you get binding, too loose and the whole drive gets wiggly and then even if it’s perfect the turning from forward to reverse may not work perfect one-handed. It kinda ***** but the ratchets are really strong and the knurling is awesome. The rebuild kits are pretty pricey though. No idea why.

 

[Dave455]

Absolutely a great ratchet. My only roundheads left are these Proto Facom-inspired ratchets. Like others said, the dark grease from the factory *****. You’ll want to open them up, clean them, and put something better in there. I used SuperLube and it seems alright. The only real pains are how tricky it is to retighten the torx screw - too tight and you get binding, too loose and the whole drive gets wiggly and then even if it’s perfect the turning from forward to reverse may not work perfect one-handed. It kinda ***** but the ratchets are really strong and the knurling is awesome. The rebuild kits are pretty pricey though. No idea why.

Rebuild kit for a Facom 3/8 is the equivalent of about $10 in the U.K.

Are Proto charging more? Might be worth ordering the Facom version if so.

 

[bonneyman]

Absolutely a great ratchet. My only roundheads left are these Proto Facom-inspired ratchets. Like others said, the dark grease from the factory *****. You’ll want to open them up, clean them, and put something better in there. I used SuperLube and it seems alright. The only real pains are how tricky it is to retighten the torx screw - too tight and you get binding, too loose and the whole drive gets wiggly and then even if it’s perfect the turning from forward to reverse may not work perfect one-handed. It kinda ***** but the ratchets are really strong and the knurling is awesome. The rebuild kits are pretty pricey though. No idea why.

I've found that a good drop of blue Loc-Tite on the screw threads helps alot.

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

Rebuild kit for a Facom 3/8 is the equivalent of about $10 in the U.K.

Are Proto charging more? Might be worth ordering the Facom version if so.

Do you have a link? I’d scoop a couple up at $10. I’ve found the Proto ones around $40-ish.

I've found that a good drop of blue Loc-Tite on the screw threads helps alot.

Good to know! I have had the screw back out a few times on my 1/2” ratchets.

 

[Caa311]

$65.27 at zoro with 20% off.

 

[Caa311]

$46.87 for 3/8

 

[Dave455]

Do you have a link? I’d scoop a couple up at $10. I’ve found the Proto ones around $40-ish.

Good to know! I have had the screw back out a few times on my 1/2” ratchets.

Here you go - £8.16 for 3/8 - about $10

Tool Sense

The place to buy Dewalt, Stanley, Facom, Britool & Expert Tools online. Next day delivery on many products, satisfaction guaranteed with 'No Hassle' returns.

www.toolsense.co.uk

Never used that firm before, and not sure about shipping, but that’s about the price I’ve paid for Facom.

 

[Hakeem]

Wow, thanks for all the info and encouragement! Looks like that’ll be my next acquisition

Go for it!

Yes, it’s a Facom design. They were originally called “palm control” ratchet’s, and they’re very nice nice to use. Probably one of the earliest fine tooth designs.

They’ve been available for a good 30 + years, so long predate SBD’s acquisition of Facom. Originally French made, but subsequently made in Italy in the USAG Gemonio plant.

The all steel handles are the ones to get for sure. Facom have produced these (see below) but they were slow to introduce them, and relatively quick to discontinue them. SBD do seem to have picked the best for their Proto brand.


Not sure how they fare under a lot of torque. I have a feeling that they would fail before, say, a Snap On Dual 80. I’m conscious that Facom changed the design when they introduced their telescoping ratchets, and there was probably a reason for that.

I actually first heard about it from watching this video:

At about 4:00 He tests it to failure and the anvil shears off at 345ftlbs (the ratchet handle had bent previously) which is right in line with the Snapon rotoratchet and fl80 he tests. So I think it should be able to hang.

It’s a good question why they discontinued the flex head variant if they’re still making the long handle 1/2”:



That grip looks so cool. I bet those ridges hold dirt & grime like crazy though

 

[DemoFly]

Hey that's my ratchet. I have the whole set.



They technically aren't rebranded Facom/USAG. SBD owns everyone involved. These same round heads are sold on the MAC truck, too.

I stumbled upon these ratchets on the Watch Wes Work youtube channel. When I googled them, funnily enough, his thread on this forum is what popped up at the time. Here it is:

Anyone have a Proto J5257F 3/8 flex ratchet?

I used a Proto J5257A ratchet long ago that was really nice. Fine tooth, flex head, about 11 inches long. I see that they still offer this model but it's now a J5257F which means "Facom". Grainger lists it as made in Italy, which is fine. However, they also list the length as 8.5". Is that...

www.garagejournal.com

These are an industrial grade ratchet. They are a heartspring block and pawl mechanism that engages the pawl teeth even harder the more you torque on it. Backdrag is above average but not great. The knurling is incredible and a great change of pace from the slippery designs everyone else is hell bent on manufacturing.

 

[Hakeem]

I have one. You are correct that it's made in Italy, and is based on the classic Facom palm control round head ratchet. I wouldn't say it's a rebrand as SBD owns Facom and you can't get a Facom with an all metal knurled handle. It's a great ratchet if you like round head ratchets. Strong design, 72 tooth, crisp ratcheting action. The only drawback would be that the factory supplied grease dries out and you might have to disassemble, clean, and relube with something thinner and better. It will serve you well. I'm not sure about being a great value though. A few years ago, those ratchets were widely available on Ebay for the $50 range.

The going rate for long flex 1/2” ratchet from Tekton/icon/GW is about $60-70 so getting this for a bit more seems like a good enough deal to me. Seems like all the long handle flex head ratchets in 1/2” drive are pricey, unfortunately for me

I’d love to get the Wright 4430 but I don’t think I’d like the indexing flex head. Do you—or anyone else— have any suggestions for something around $100 ?

 

[Lasu]

I’ve found the Proto ones around $40-ish.

$40 is probably a full repair kit, incl rotor. You don't need them if they are not worn. Clean from time to time and grease with oil/thin grease.

 

[Hakeem]

Hey that's my ratchet. I have the whole set.



They technically aren't rebranded Facom/USAG. SBD owns everyone involved. These same round heads are sold on the MAC truck, too.

I stumbled upon these ratchets on the Watch Wes Work youtube channel. When I googled them, funnily enough, his thread on this forum is what popped up at the time. Here it is:

Anyone have a Proto J5257F 3/8 flex ratchet?

I used a Proto J5257A ratchet long ago that was really nice. Fine tooth, flex head, about 11 inches long. I see that they still offer this model but it's now a J5257F which means "Facom". Grainger lists it as made in Italy, which is fine. However, they also list the length as 8.5". Is that...

www.garagejournal.com

These are an industrial grade ratchet. They are a heartspring block and pawl mechanism that engages the pawl teeth even harder the more you torque on it. Backdrag is above average but not great. The knurling is incredible and a great change of pace from the slippery designs everyone else is hell bent on manufacturing.

The man himself! Yes, i didn’t find much other information or even user photos when I googled it. Your posts along w fedwrench and a few others in the “new tool thread” were just about all the discussion I could find.

You mentioned the faceplate being electroplated plastic - any issues with it? I suppose it’s not a component that would see much stress but just seems chintzy. Thanks for the Cool tidbit about the heartspring block and pawl mechanism, i love knowing details like that. I’d ask if you liked these ratchets but I suppose you wouldn’t own all three if you didn’t LOL

 

[Chrome Vanadium Cody]

The Diehard 90 tooth ratchets have been getting good feedback on here lately and their 1/2" flex head is 17-3/4" long for $41. https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p...t-with-soft-grip-90-tooth-dhp55134/12371938-P If I was in the market that's probably what I'd get. If you want to buy something that's the next step up the Proto is a good pick though. I don't have any but I have a SK "tuff 1" I really like which also used the Facom design.

 

[Dave455]

Wow, thanks for all the info and encouragement! Looks like that’ll be my next acquisition



I actually first heard about it from watching this video:

At about 4:00 He tests it to failure and the anvil shears off at 345ftlbs (the ratchet handle had bent previously) which is right in line with the Snapon rotoratchet and fl80 he tests. So I think it should be able to hang.

It’s a good question why they discontinued the flex head variant if they’re still making the long handle 1/2”:



That grip looks so cool. I bet those ridges hold dirt & grime like crazy though

That’s a fair test, and good to know!

The world of Facom ratchets is complex, and potentially confusing.

The ratchet you show is actually slightly different. It’s actually the slightly older design, but it’s still in production.

I don’t have much experience with these, but the mechanism is similar. If memory serves they were the S.150 series - S.151 being the standard length, other numbers for the long, long flex etc. Here is one. I never liked the look of the grip either. I think they pretty much all remain in production.


The “Palm Control” ratchets were newer. The basic mechanism was retained, but they had a better finish, and the free wheeling pad on the back that you could lean on (hence “Palm Control”). The grip was a bit better too. I liked these from the start. Part numbers started with S.161 for the basic, and so on. Here’s a “Palm control”


None of these were suitable for the aviation world, (no soft rubber handles approved) so Facom made a steel handle version of the S.150 series. Nice tools. I bought one for the handle, but the mechanism was never a slick as the Palm Control. Part No’s started at S.155 for the standard length.

Eventually, Facom introduced the metal handle palm control ratchets, which I think they are about the best Facom have ever made. Part numbers generally start at S.165.

There’s all sorts of weirdness on the part numbers. Sometimes a newer version of a tool has an “A“ or “B” suffix, sometimes not. I’ve also long suspected that pretty much anything is available if you look hard enough!

I have a regular J.161 in my road box (top centre) used with a matching swivel handle (right) that’s never let me down.


There’s a Facom tool thread on this forum, which some folks with a lot more knowledge than myself have contributed to, that’s worth a read!

 

[DemoFly]

The man himself! Yes, i didn’t find much other information or even user photos when I googled it. Your posts along w fedwrench and a few others in the “new tool thread” were just about all the discussion I could find.

You mentioned the faceplate being electroplated plastic - any issues with it? I suppose it’s not a component that would see much stress but just seems chintzy. Thanks for the Cool tidbit about the heartspring block and pawl mechanism, i love knowing details like that. I’d ask if you liked these ratchets but I suppose you wouldn’t own all three if you didn’t LOL

When I first got the ratchet it was 10 degrees in the shop and my fingers lied to me. It's not electroplated plastic it's chromed metal. Doesn't feel like tool steel, though. It feels like electroplated plastic. No durability concerns.

 

[bonneyman]

Hey that's my ratchet. I have the whole set.

You forgot to list your address so I can come by and "look" at them!

 

[DemoFly]

Here's a closer look

 

[Fedwrench]

The going rate for long flex 1/2” ratchet from Tekton/icon/GW is about $60-70 so getting this for a bit more seems like a good enough deal to me. Seems like all the long handle flex head ratchets in 1/2” drive are pricey, unfortunately for me

I’d love to get the Wright 4430 but I don’t think I’d like the indexing flex head. Do you—or anyone else— have any suggestions for something around $100 ?

I would get the Capri 1/2 drive flex head ratchet if I was in the market for one today.

Premium Flex-Head Ratchets

The Capri Tools flex-head ratchet has a 180 swivel head, this ratchet is able to reach all those odd angles and tight corners you encounter while working.

capritools.com

 

[Johnny_opm]

I've been trying to decide between this one and the long Wright 1/2" flexhead as well (let's be honest I'll end up with both eventually) I have the 3/8" version of the proto and I really like it. It's a lighter back drag than the new style Williams roundheads that have the same heart spring design. I have the 15" 1/2" drive Williams but that's the longest they make and they don't make a flexhead with a round head.

I will say the screw on the proto is kind of a pain in the ***, you'll definitely want some loctite if you ever open it up for cleaning/lubing because you have to keep the screw pretty loose for the ratchet to function properly. The Williams are much less touchy with the screw tension.

 

[Hakeem]

Ok so I grabbed the 1/2” and the black oxide 3/8” was on sale for like $31 so I said “what the hell” and got both. After some use heres my initial impressions



3/8”: First thing I noticed was the small size. I honestly thought they sent me a 1/4” instead of the 3/8” but nope - it’s that compact! The 1/4” and 3/8” share the same repair kit so it looks like only the anvil size is different between the two mechanisms. Head is maybe 1/8” larger than quarter:



The small head gives it good balance and light weight overall. Backdrag is very low. The “palm control” cap is more useful than I thought as it is nice to be able to bear down on the fastener if needed. In that AvE video he cranked it to 325ftlbs before the anvil sheared and I cant imagine it holding up to that. It just doesn’t feel chunky enough.

1/2”: first thing I noticed was the balance. The smaller head design provides very good weight balance, more like a breaker bar than a nose-heavy 1/2” ratchet. This makes it very comfortable to use and hold as the ratchet isn’t always wanting to tip down to the ground.



Backdrag is also very low and mechanism just feels & sounds refined, more like a 3/8” than a 1/2”. Here it is next to a Wright 1/2”:


Both arrived pretty dry aside from a small dab of what looked like old moly grease. I applied some 3-in-1 and with a bit of use both got very smooth. Bottom line: in a crowded field of very good ratchets, I think these two stand out for their compact design and quality roundhead mechanism. I think you get a fantastic value for the price. I love both and will look to add some more from this family in the future.

 

[Hakeem]

I've been trying to decide between this one and the long Wright 1/2" flexhead as well (let's be honest I'll end up with both eventually) I have the 3/8" version of the proto and I really like it. It's a lighter back drag than the new style Williams roundheads that have the same heart spring design. I have the 15" 1/2" drive Williams but that's the longest they make and they don't make a flexhead with a round head.

I will say the screw on the proto is kind of a pain in the ***, you'll definitely want some loctite if you ever open it up for cleaning/lubing because you have to keep the screw pretty loose for the ratchet to function properly. The Williams are much less touchy with the screw tension.

Sorry didn’t see this .. I would love the flex head Wright 1/2” but they only make it with an indexable head that uses detents. I’d haven’t liked the indexing flex heads I’ve tried in the past and didn’t want to gamble on this one.

That said - I have the regular handle 1/2” Wright and love it. The ratchet mechanism sounds like a machine gun, aggressive and unrefined. A bit chunky for automotive work, I use it for construction mostly. Quite the opposite design from this Proto now that I think about it.

 

[Etchase]

I like the metal handle of the Proto compared to the comfort grip of the FACOM’s. I think these are the pinnacle of round head ratchet design. Much copied.

 

[Hakeem]

Update: 1/2” has been great for me. It’s replaced the breaker bar mostly and has worked great in the use it’s seen. No issues with ratchet action. I recommend it.

3/8” was also great until recently when it started acting up at work.
I wasn’t cranking on it or abusing it in any way, just ratcheting down some electrical fittings. It was getting a lot of use that day but so what, that’s what it’s supposed to be able to withstand. Anyways, I’m using it when all of sudden it sounds real coarse and starts reversing a bunch when I try to use it. I take it apart that night and clean it up, and I find these gouges:




So maybe a piece of metal broke off and wreaked havoc on the anvil? I dunno , but my $40 ratchet doesn’t work.

Until it broke I liked it a lot. It was small and light so it didn’t take up much space in a tool belt. The small size lets you whip it around with your wrist to turn a fastener real quick. The short handle is an aid to me as it keeps me from over tightening the smaller fasteners I’m most likely to encounter, but it would be a bit short for breaking stuff loose. There’s a fair bit of slop to the mechanism, backlash and what not, which isn’t an issue for my purposes but it’s not as “tight” as other 72T ratchets.

Regarding the broken ratchet, I emailed Proto and honestly I want a new, replacement ratchet. If this isn’t covered by warranty, what is? A free repair kit would be acceptable but a complete replacement would make up for the hassle and leave me a satisfied customer. This thing didn’t get much use and that looks like a manufacturer defect to me. Fingers crossed…

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Hopefully they take care of you. That looks like something I might like if I finally run-out of USA SK round head ratchets.

 

[Hakeem]

Hopefully they take care of you. That looks like something I might like if I finally run-out of USA SK round head ratchets.

If nothing else, I get a kick out of using an Italian ratchet LOL

Funny you mention SK - if you’ve ever handled one of their “Tuff 1” variants, they are very similar in design. I believe SK borrowed the design from Facom when they were all under the same umbrella ~20 years ago or so. The primary difference is in the direction selector and absence of “Palm Control” in the SK.

 

[mikey03]

Hopefully they take care of you. That looks like something I might like if I finally run-out of USA SK round head ratchets.

I read a long thread here recently about how proto doesn’t warranty there ratchets and just gives you a model number to buy the rebuild kit yourself

 

[shoggoth80]

I just got one of the 3/8 versions as a warranty replacement at work. Replaced a Blackhawk flex round head. First impression is good. Small head for a roundy. Feels smooth, good chrome. I need one of the techs to need it before I can get any real world feedback though. If I were still on the repair floor, I don't think I'd hesitate to use it.

Not to derail too much... But I've had some pretty good hands on time with the SK Tuff series ratchets... And they live up to the name.

 

[GX460DIYguy]

I’ve been eyeing this ratchet for a while now and it seems like it’s pretty good for the money. I’ll probably pick one up for general use. My long snap on 1/2” flex head is great until your hands are sweaty. I’ve always had a thing for the knurling of the classic ratchets.

 

[Under_Pressure]

This style is my number one ratchet. The first "good" set of ratchets I bought (i.e. better than RP Craftsman) when I was in college was a 1/4-3/8-1/2 set of SK Palm Control ratchets. This was when it was still SK-Facom, and these were truly Facom Palm Control style, not the Tuff1 as mentioned above. The head is identical to the Facom and Protos. They weren't just Facom rebrands, though- the bodies/handles are distinctly American style, and they are stamped USA. I'm guessing Facom must have shipped the mechanisms over while SK made their own bodies, perhaps with Facom-supplied tooling for the teeth in the head. Oddly, the set of plastic square-handled SK screwdrivers I have from about that same time, which themselves are a very American-style design, were made in France.

Since then, I've bought the Proto long flex heads in all 3 drive sizes as well and, with the exception of 3/8 where my Koken roto ratchet is number one, these are usually the first ones I grab. If I had to pick one all-time favorite ratchet design, it would have to be this one.

 

[tincanoe]

Proto Blackhawk 3 pc ( 1/4, 3/8, 1/2) round head 72 tooth ratchets, palm control, all 3 for under $50, free shipping, from Blatt's Bargains on Ebay. I purchased the 3 about a year ago, looks like the seller still lists them available. Made in Italy or France if I recall correctly.