BAHCO 80 tooth VS Armstrong 88 tooth

[lightning02]

Well going to be buying a new set of ratchets in the up coming year. I think I have narrowed down my choices between BAHCO and Armstrong..... unless someone else knows of anther brand that fits in here price and quality wise? Without quick release.

BAHCO 80t (snap on copy) or Armstrong 88t

Which is better and why??
Which is easier for warranty wise??
Any pros and cons??

 

[T45]

I would say you might consider drive size and overall length. The Bahco only comes in a single, standard length per each drive size. So, the question coms down to how you plan to use them as a system? Do you use multiple drive sizes for small (1/4) an Large (1/2) or do you like to use a single size (3/8) for everything? If you pick the latter, you may want 3 sizes in 3/8 rather than 3 sizes spread across the various square drives. They don't come in long or flex or locking-flex etc. And is just looking at your gear and your budget at a 'system' level and see what works for you (and the wallet).

Others can chime in perhaps on construction quality and ergonomics, and other considerations.

 

[JDon99]

I have both, and here is my take on them.

I cannot say one is really better over the other, they are both good and priced well, the Bahco set can be had a little cheaper. I haven't had to warranty them, repair kits are pretty easy to buy if you have trouble with a warranty.

The 88 has a thinner head, and a much lower profile directional lever. I like the 1/2" dual 80 mechanism over the 88, feels smoother and more precise. The smaller ratchets both feel pretty smooth to me. Keep in mine that the 1/4" dual 80 will be a 72t compared to the 88. Also, the Bahco has the comfort grip and they only offer standard length non-flex ratchets where you can get a really nice locking tooth flex set with the Armstrong, but they will be 60t instead of the 88. The 1/2" also comes as a 60t, but a Matco 88 kit can change that if desired.

 

[lightning02]

The Armstrong ratchets I'm looking at are - 10-992/ 11-992/ 12-992.

Also I don't mind comfort grip or standard handles. Either or is fine with me.

I was looking on Armstrongs website and it seems like they only make repair kits for the 3/8s and not the 1/4 or 1/2 for the 88t ratchets

 

[JDon99]

The Armstrong ratchets I'm looking at are - 10-992/ 11-992/ 12-992.

Also I don't mind comfort grip or standard handles. Either or is fine with me.

I was looking on Armstrongs website and it seems like they only make repair kits for the 3/8s and not the 1/4 or 1/2 for the 88t ratchets

10-992 and 11-992 aerospace are 88t ratchets, 12-992 is 60. Matco 88 repair kits drop right into any of them.

 

[Fedwrench]

Why not Gearwrench 84 tooth ratchets? They're the same type of mechanism as the Armstrong/Matco ratchets but offered in more lengths, handle options, and styles than Armstrong.

I own all three brands and if I was only only going to buy one, it would be the 84 tooth Gearwrench. Don't get too hung up on tooth count. I still say anything over 60 teeth is overkill.

 

[Farmall450]

Why not Gearwrench 84 tooth ratchets? They're the same type of mechanism as the Armstrong/Matco ratchets but offered in more lengths, handle options, and styles than Armstrong.

I own all three brands and if I was only only going to buy one, it would be the 84 tooth Gearwrench. Don't get too hung up on tooth count. I still say anything over 60 teeth is overkill.

I can agree Gearwrench is a good ratchet for being an import.
I'd get the Armstrong though...US made and comparably pruced out if your 2 choices.

 

[lightning02]

10-992 and 11-992 aerospace are 88t ratchets, 12-992 is 60. Matco 88 repair kits drop right into any of them.

Hmmm that's fucked up. Says 88t right on there website for the 12-992.

 

[Askme42]

I love my armstrongs. Use them for about everything. So far only have 3/8 in 88 tooth

 

[thor80]

I've got both, my fav ratchets, gun to head maybe armstrong would be my choice but you will love either one. They're so affordable I wouldn't hesitate to buy them both.

 

[Loscaldazar]

As someone who has both the ratchets being discussed this is what I would say.

1/4 drive go for the armstrong 88T. The backdrag on these is really low (lowest of any 1/4 drive ratchet I have... maybe tied with SK's 1/4 drive 60T mechanism), and the small profile in all dimensions of the ratchet makes access a breeze- which is wonderful for a 1/4 drive. The Snap On/Bahco 1/4 Dual 80 (actually 72T in this drive size) isn't that great. It's very fussy in my experience. Jamming, slipping, and not necessary very smooth or even (compared to other ratchets I have).

For 3/8 and 1/2 drive, go for the Bahco Dual 80s. The backdrag is lower for the dual 80s than the Armstrong 88T, and the physical size isn't as big of a difference (or as important in these larger drive sizes). The armstrong 88T (and 60T for the 1/2 drive ratchets) suddenly have a lot more backdrag in these larger sizes when compared to other brands 3/8 and 1/2 drive ratchets.

 

[PureLeaf]

I own both. I've no experience needing to warranty either. I do believe you can warranty Armstrong tools at places like Fastenal. I guess Bahco would have to be a mail in.

Think it comes down to personal preference. The Bahco has the comfort grip. I personally like it, some don't. Where as the Armstrong is just chrome. Both are extremely nice ratchets.

And what Loscaldazar says its true, in the 1/4 drive, the Bahco is only a 72 tooth. Most people don't seem to like the1/4 version. I honestly never do things small enough to need 1/4 so not much experience there. But the 3/8ths and 1/2 are great, and I'd be hard pressed to say that the bahco or the armstrong is better than the other. I like them both.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

If warranty is your issue, I would get a used Snap On Dual 80 on ebay. If price or locking flex is more of a concern, I'd go Armstrong. I can't stand the Bahco grips, or any comfort grip for that matter. Personal preference.

 

[lightning02]

Thanks for all the info guys. Keep it coming.

Does anyone know why Armstrong states that the 1/2 is 88t on there site when in fact it's not??

I think I'm leaning more towards the Armstrong. I can always just buy Matco repair kits and fix it myself if one does break. But the question is who sells them? I don't think you can buy kits from Matco like you can with snap on.

 

[cheechi]

I don't have the Bahco but I have an F80 and a TL72. Disappointed with the TL72 honestly. Love my F80 but I wish I would have bought an FL80. Based on these, I would not recommend the Bahco because you don't have much selection.

My Armstrong 88's are on the way based on recommendations from this forum. So many people love the dual 80. So many love the armstrong/matco 88. I don't think you can go wrong with either except for the handle limitations on the Bahco versions.

 

[T45]

1/4 drive go for the armstrong 88T....

For 3/8 and 1/2 drive, go for the Bahco Dual 80s.

Sounds like a winner,

if you are ok with the handle limitations

 

[Mohawk Dave]

10-992 and 11-992 aerospace are 88t ratchets, 12-992 is 60. Matco 88 repair kits drop right into any of them.

Hmmm that's fucked up. Says 88t right on there website for the 12-992.

I dropped the Matco kit in my long 1/2" for $10ish.

Didn't notice or feel a difference.....

 

[lightning02]

Where did you get the kit?

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Where did you get the kit?

off the Matco truck. saw it one day and hit the binders. Other than the kit, that truck was a joke. FULL of overpriced Matco labeled stuff.

 

[MaineGuide]

Thanks for all the info guys. Keep it coming.

Does anyone know why Armstrong states that the 1/2 is 88t on there site when in fact it's not??

Armstrong recently upgraded all of the Maxx series to have 88 teeth. There is a press release on their website somewhere. My 1/2" Maxx ratchets are 60 teeth, and I don't think I've missed out by having 28 fewer teeth.

 

[Loscaldazar]

Armstrong recently upgraded all of the Maxx series to have 88 teeth. There is a press release on their website somewhere. My 1/2" Maxx ratchets are 60 teeth, and I don't think I've missed out by having 28 fewer teeth.

Ahhh. Good to know actually!

 

[lightning02]

Question...

Me and a friend where talking about tooth count today. Let's say 36t vs 88t (or the like). Can the lower tooth count take more abuse/ punishment/ tq over a high tooth count???

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Question...

Me and a friend where talking about tooth count today. Let's say 36t vs 88t (or the like). Can the lower tooth count take more abuse/ punishment/ tq over a high tooth count???

I think that would be largely dependent on the ratchet designs. Proto seems to think less is better, while I have heard that Snap On's warranty claims have gone down with the introduction of their fine tooth ratchets.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

for the most part:

less teeth= contact with less, but larger teeth

more teeth= contact with more but smaller teeth

The quality stuff seems to be 6 to one and half dozen to the other according to most on GJ.

 

[JBradley500]

My Snap-On Dual 80 has a touch more back drag than my Armstrong 11-994. The Dual 80 is smoother sounding than the Armstrong/Matco ratchets but I doubt that is really an important quality.

I like the selector lever of the Dual 80 more than the Armstrong/Matco ratchets but it's big and might get in the way when you're somewhere tight, especially considering the Dual 80 head thickness.

Putting together a Dual 80 is more difficult than an Armstrong/Matco. You could probably rebuild an Armstrong/Matco in about 30 seconds while a Dual 80 seems to give me fits when trying to get the pawl(s) and gear to mesh properly. Maybe I just need practice but it's a pain for me and takes me a few minutes.

Overall it's a tossup but I'd personally get the Armstrong ratchet before the Bahco mainly because I like the Armstrong handle design more than the comfort grip on the Bahco.

 

[Fedwrench]

Question...

Me and a friend where talking about tooth count today. Let's say 36t vs 88t (or the like). Can the lower tooth count take more abuse/ punishment/ tq over a high tooth count???

In the old days when you only had two teeth engaging between pawl and gear, fewer but thicker teeth were stronger.
However, most ratchets have changed internally allowing for fine tooth ratchets to have between 5 to nine or so teeth engaging between pawl and drive gears making them much stronger than their old two tooth dinosaurs.