Apprenticeship ratchets

[anthonyfilice]

I'm looking to get a high quality ratchet for my apprenticeship. I will spend the money, but of course would like to save. I've been looking and there is some nice sets on Amazon for gear wrench or should I just go with snap on/matco or any suggestions you guys have. I want this ratchet to last a long time on daily use. Thanks in advance.

 

[atwageman]

I'm looking to get a high quality ratchet for my apprenticeship. I will spend the money, but of course would like to save. I've been looking and there is some nice sets on Amazon for gear wrench or should I just go with snap on/matco or any suggestions you guys have. I want this ratchet to last a long time on daily use. Thanks in advance.

If you can afford it....go with snap on. My next choice would be Williams if money is an issue. I own and use both those brands daily.

 

[R-C]

Snap-on Rachets are my choice. Just the sound is worth the money..

 

[jjjrmx5]

I want this ratchet to last a long time on daily use. Thanks in advance.

I'm not a Snap-On fanboi by any means but once I bought the Dual 80 (80 tooth) 1/2" (S80) and 3/8" (F80) ratchets and the 72 tooth 1/4" (T72) drives I have never been happier. And this was 2007 when they first came out.

If a lifetime/long time of use is desired that is my suggestion.

I also have the 936 line of S-O ratchets and find them capable as well if buying used, but the newer 80's have a lot going for them.

You can cherry pick the Matco 88's and other indiviual ratchets, but parts and support for the current snap-on line will be around for a long long time.

 

[billymade]

High end USA: Snapon dual 80

Mid range USA: WILLIAMS (previous generation snapon 936 series)

Good quality Import: GearWrench

USED: never discount buying used tools on a budget; many good older/industrial brands (Proto, Williams, Armstrong, Wright etc.), pro brands (Snapon, Mac, Matco) can be gotten for next to nothing at the flea market and garage sales, happy hunting!

 

[shoturtle]

You can also look at the armstrong Maxx, they are pretty much the same as the matco 88. They are all good ratchets that have been suggested for professional work.

Import GW and Kolbalt for fine tooth.

PS the craftsman 84t premium is a good one as well.

 

[R-C]

Go FX80 or go home

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=682323&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

 

[rider9195]

Matco 88 tooth or SK.

Sent from my XT907

 

[jmm]

Snap On Dual 80s are the best, BUT I think there has to be a better 1/4 fine tooth ratchet out there. I don't like my T72 as much as my S80 and F80 (which I regard as gold standards in their respective categories). I can't put a finger on it, but it leaves something to be desired.

 

[Rezeppa]

Buy SK always when in doubt buy SK. We all have SK in our tool boxes they are not to pricey but high quality. After you are invested know your going through with your plans buy Snap-On or Matco or whatever you heart desires, but until then buy a nice set if S and K ratchets just my opinion.

 

[diesel research]

description faulty:

http://www.toolsdelivered.com/Bahco...rive-Tools-3-8-Inch-Drive-Ratchet-Drive-Tools

 

[blackz26]

Go for something that will work for now. Once you get it, buy higher quality sets. The tool.don't make the tech, the tech makes them tool. The mentor won't be impressed by your tools, but by your value.

 

[BK13]

Snap On Dual 80 would be my cost-no-object choice, Armstrong Maxx would be my more realistic choice. I suppose SKs are pretty good ratchets, but I just can't warm up to them.

 

[bindernut]

I have an sk ratchet that's 15 years old. It's ok. I haven't seen any of their tools since they got bought out. Proto sure isn't as **** as snap on, but they make some damn tough ratchets. I have a long proto 1/2" drive that I've beat on working on tractors & it's never
Let me down. I also used craftsman ratchets for a couple years before I got my first snap on back when I started working for Deere dealers

 

[davesnothere]

Snap-on dual 80

 

[KEH]

First, I would shop for used ratchets if I were in your situation. Lots of good choices out there and if you decide on getting a new permanent ratchet that you like, keeping the old one(s) is no big strain, you need a spare ratchet or two anyway.

If you are like me and like pushbutton ratchets, the Craftsman thin profile is hard to beat, especially the 1/4 inch drive model. I have a 1/2 drive Snap on that I like.

No pushbutton drive? After handling the SO Dual 80 I bought and posted about below, I'm a Dual 80 convert.

KEH

 

[Haveblue]

"If you are like me and like pushbutton ratchets, the Craftsman thin profile is hard to beat, especially the 1/4 inch drive model." I agree with that! I have the 3/8" and 1/4" and use them every day professionally. I like em both, but man, the 1/4" one is awesome! Its small, but comfortable. Very smooth mechanism, low backdrag. Its a real timesaver and a joy to use. Ill admit, im a little biased. I bought a cheap no name 1/4 drive to get by for a while, hoping the action would "break in" and get smoother. It never did. Ratchets are one area a guy cant cheap out on...especially 1/4". Good quality new, or used ratchets are worth the investment.

 

[TheJohn]

Snap-on because of the fine teeth. They make it MUCH easier to do almost anything with a ratchet. Its really hard to explain, but the slack in a craftsman makes ratcheting harder, while the tight fine teeth of a snap-on make your movements count more.

But let me warn you, a Snap-on ratchet WILL break BEFORE a craftsman ratchet. I recently stripped the teeth of a Snap-on long handle ratchet (the finer the teeth the weaker) but my craftsman held up to the point where the drive end snapped in half before the coarse bold teeth inside stripped. That being said, i still buy Snap-on.

 

[Gotmayhem]

But let me warn you, a Snap-on ratchet WILL break BEFORE a craftsman ratchet. I recently stripped the teeth of a Snap-on long handle ratchet (the finer the teeth the weaker) but my craftsman held up to the point where the drive end snapped in half before the coarse bold teeth inside stripped. That being said, i still buy Snap-on.

Oh boy, the can of worms you just opened....

 

[SKAutomotive]

SO ratchets are the only ratchets I use as a professional auto technician.

 

[TheJohn]

Oh boy, the can of worms you just opened....

Well thats my point of view, and its exactly what i experienced 2 days ago. Of course putting a 3 foot pipe on a ratchet is never a good thing, but they both broke and both are being warrantied and now i realized Snap-on isn't perfect, much better and amazing yes, but tools will still fail.

 

[Gotmayhem]

Well thats my point of view, and its exactly what i experienced 2 days ago. Of course putting a 3 foot pipe on a ratchet is never a good thing, but they both broke and both are being warrantied and now i realized Snap-on isn't perfect, much better and amazing yes, but tools will still fail.

There's your problem

 

[TheJohn]

There's your problem

Of course thats the problem, anything will break with enough leverage. My point was just to say that just because its Snap-on and has alot of fine teeth doesn't necessarily make it bullet proof. I love all my snap-on ratchets, but i know my Snap-on will go before my Craftsman in a sticky situation.

 

[Gotmayhem]

Of course thats the problem, anything will break with enough leverage. My point was just to say that just because its Snap-on and has alot of fine teeth doesn't necessarily make it bullet proof. I love all my snap-on ratchets, but i know my Snap-on will go before my Craftsman in a sticky situation.

Haha, I don't think you've described a sticky situation. It sounds like just plain using the wrong tool for the job. There is no such thing as a bullet proof ratchet obviously. But I don't think you can judge the quality of a tool in any way by using in an incorrect manner.

The whole fine tooth thing is another matter. It's been discussed to death by now but the general consensus is that the number of teeth or the size of the tooth matters much less than the total contact area when it comes to strength.

 

[TheJohn]

Haha, I don't think you've described a sticky situation. It sounds like just plain using the wrong tool for the job. There is no such thing as a bullet proof ratchet obviously. But I don't think you can judge the quality of a tool in any way by using in an incorrect manner.

The whole fine tooth thing is another matter. It's been discussed to death by now but the general consensus is that the number of teeth or the size of the tooth matters much less than the total contact area when it comes to strength.

I did judge it by using it in an incorrect manner. It broke before a lower quality ratchet. Will you ever put that much strain on a ratchet? Yes. I work as an automotive tech and i've had to put a good amount of strain on my ratchets a number of times. Did i strain it far too much? Damn straight, that's why it broke. I'm not bashing the tool for breaking when it should have broken, I'm just saying that it did in fact break before a lower quality ratchet. It's still a better ratchet all things considered.

 

[SKAutomotive]

Or you could use the right tool.

 

[Chuck122]

If you are value-minded get some SK that will make you happy. If not get some snap on that will also give you bragging rights

 

[Brownsfan]

Back on topic... I have Snap On dual 80s. They are just simply awesome. The next best I own and have used is the Cornwell TR72 AND JR72. The Cornwells are tough as nails ans smooth as silk and so are the Snap On

 

[jjjrmx5]

I did judge it by using it in an incorrect manner. It broke before a lower quality ratchet. Will you ever put that much strain on a ratchet? Yes. I work as an automotive tech and i've had to put a good amount of strain on my ratchets a number of times. Did i strain it far too much? Damn straight, that's why it broke.

Hey........If you can keep a really, really, really big secret, I hear the tool companies make these things called BREAKER BARS that are designed to break highly torqued fasteners loose where a ratchet is not adequate or might do it harm.

Theres a place called Harbor Freight that sells adequate cheap breaker bars but some of those pesky tool trucks I read about that I think don't even exist also sell ones that are made out of gold--or so the cost seems.

I have a bunch of all brands of them but I like to keep it a super secret that they exist, so this is just between you and me. K?
Might want to look into one. They are uber kewl.





LOLOLOLOLOLOLZZZZ.

Right tool for the job is my motto. Fail to plan, plan to fail.

 

[Skin]

I'm looking to get a high quality ratchet for my apprenticeship. I will spend the money, but of course would like to save. I've been looking and there is some nice sets on Amazon for gear wrench or should I just go with snap on/matco or any suggestions you guys have. I want this ratchet to last a long time on daily use. Thanks in advance.

A lot of people on this board would have you think Snap-On makes the only ratchet that functions. Entirely false.

Gearwrench 60 tooth ratchets are fantastic for the money and would serve you very well. Naysayers really only trash talk the brand because its imported.

A small step up, just because I like them a lot, would be Craftsman 84 tooth ratchets or Armstrong ratchets (the latter come in 60 and 88 tooth versions) as well as Matco 88 ratchets (although at the truck brand price). The 84, 60, and 88 ratchets are have significantly slimmer heads than Snap-On ratchets and are very strong and smooth.

If you start to look at flex models, Armstrong or Matco locking flex models are the only ones worth a damn. They can function exactly like a regular flex or be locked and theres no silly switch sticking out of the handle to mess with either.

 

[Rico.]

I did judge it by using it in an incorrect manner. It broke before a lower quality ratchet. Will you ever put that much strain on a ratchet? Yes. I work as an automotive tech and i've had to put a good amount of strain on my ratchets a number of times. Did i strain it far too much? Damn straight, that's why it broke. I'm not bashing the tool for breaking when it should have broken, I'm just saying that it did in fact break before a lower quality ratchet. It's still a better ratchet all things considered.

Hang on a minute... You broke a Snap-On ratchet by putting a big pipe on the end of it,
then had to get another tool. So instead of a breaker bar, or T-bar, or Impact wrench or
a larger drive size, you went and got another ratchet and proceeded to break that one.

... and you're an automotive technician...

 

[redline380]

i know plenty of mechanics and they all use matco 88's. after i've used them, i drop the money for them even though im just a diyer and they only see use a few times a month. but as stated the armstrong maxx are the same thing, but i bought a matco 3/8 flex head green comfort handle when the matco guy went out of business and i just had to have the whole set.

 

[SKAutomotive]

I don't know where all the mechanics and techs who use Matco and Mac wrenches are, but in my 7 years in the field, I have seen a couple of constants and one of those is Snap On ratchets are used by most techs.

 

[redline380]

I don't know where all the mechanics and techs who use Matco and Mac wrenches are, but in my 7 years in the field, I have seen a couple of constants and one of those is Snap On ratchets are used by most techs.

could be a lot of things. availability, prestige, peer influence... personally, i love mac knuckle saver wrenches. dont have a set yet, but am always looking. i like snap on allen bits and bought a set. personally, i just love the matco 88's. maybe op needs to try out some friends' tools and develop his own opinion?

 

[Brownsfan]

Same here. I dont own any Matco or Mac tools. Mine are all Cornwell and Snap On with some Craftsman of course. If the OP has access to a Cornwell truck look into their ratchets. They have the 72T and the standard 30T offerings. But I will say once you use a dual80 you will be hooked. I had a buddy over today and we were doing some work on his bike. He just has the basic home owner craftsman and other stuff. He grabbed my FH80 and started using it and was like HOLY **** that thing is smooth. THen started recalling all the times he could have used a fine tooth ratchet in a tight spot.

 

[CWP1616L]

I'm looking to get a high quality ratchet for my apprenticeship.

The Snap-on F80 and the Cornwell JR72 fit in that category.

 

[64Trvlr]

I'm looking to get a high quality ratchet for my apprenticeship. I will spend the money, but of course would like to save. I've been looking and there is some nice sets on Amazon for gear wrench or should I just go with snap on/matco or any suggestions you guys have. I want this ratchet to last a long time on daily use. Thanks in advance.

I'll give you the same advice a journeyman gave me as an apprentice in the 70's. By Snap On ratchets now and you'll never regret it. I'm still using those same ratchets 40+ years later.

 

[hallboyone]

Not a pro by any means but have you checked out Wright tools? They make a double pawl ratchet so you get something like 80 clicks with the tooth size of a 40.

 

[Brownsfan]

The Snap-on F80 and the Cornwell JR72 fit in that category.

This guy knows quality tools. I wish more people had access to a Cornwell truck. The JR72 is the best ratchet no one knows about. Now that the flex head versions are out makes them even better.

 

[Skin]

This guy knows quality tools. I wish more people had access to a Cornwell truck. The JR72 is the best ratchet no one knows about. Now that the flex head versions are out makes them even better.

if it was made here that would make it even better. Its an uncommon design but can be found elsewhere (MAC XR4C). It wont be a USA ratchet until the patent expires. Also I personally prefer the classic directional switch. Kind of neat and unique.