Best 3/8 drive ratchets (short & long)?
- Thread starter Hacksaw
- Start date
I like the old ratchet's, I have a black oxide 3/8 in mint condition I picked it up for $10.00 @ the flea market. The big dawg is a nice tool as well.
TopFuel
Well-known member
george4
Well-known member
I have an old 1/2 Proto, at least 30 years, really beat up but very smooth working, finally got around to cleaning and oiling it recently for the first time.
I have decided the Proto is my favorite. Snappy be damned...
TopFuel
Well-known member
Not fare I paid full price. Great deal though were at??
Believe it or not, Ebay. It was just dumb luck and timing I guess.
Believe it or not, Ebay. It was just dumb luck and timing I guess.
You can not beat that deal, On ebay of all place's. I bought mine new because they sold close to what they retail for on ebay.
mulepackin
Well-known member
I have decided the Proto is my favorite. Snappy be damned...
It's now my "go to" ratchet as well, except for the 1/4", but we've been over that.
Deafautotech
Well-known member
Not fare I paid full price. Great deal though were at??
i paid old snap on stubby ratchet from ebay for 35 dollars. it was used. i dont want buy tool at full price unless i will use it a lot... if i want buy it for when i need it then i will look for it at ebay or pawn store....
Merkava_4
Banned
My favorite ratchets are Snap-on and MAC's. They are a pure joy to use.
My favorite ratchets are Snap-on and MAC's. They are a pure joy to use.
Which one though?? Snap on or mac?
Since this thread originally started I've been searching eBay for an older used roto-head SnapOn with the comfort handle that didn't get bid up past the price of a new one. Finally hooked one last night for $54 (with shipping).
woody 73
Well-known member
Hi, completely by accident one day I found a very old long handle MAC 3/8" ratchet,this thing is so light that you forget your holding it...I have never seen another one like it,so it must be very old. Best of luck Woody.
HandyManny
Well-known member
The Proto pear head ratchets are my absolute favorite ratchets. Have both 3/8 drive and 1/2 drive. Most (but not all) of the Proto tools I've bought over the years are black-oxide finished, mainly because they were less expensive than chrome plated tools when I first started buying them and just developed a fondness for plain oxide coated steel. They are still less expensive. That, and I really don't like the way most chrome plated on tools age with exposure to nicks, dents, and abrasion. Usually end up after many years with the copper or brass catalysts coating showing through the chrome.
Of course any black-oxide finish wears pretty fast, much more rapidly that chrome, especially with daily use and sweaty/dirty/grimy hands. But you don't have to worry about flaking or peeling chrome getting left in your machinerey. Plus, I think black-oxide looks better as it ages with wear and daily use, plain steel gradually showing through. I've never had a big problem with rust on plain steel tools.