best 3/8 ratchet for under $40

[makgreens]

i know that excludes new truck brands but im in need of a new ratchet and dont have a ton of extra cash to throw around
i have an older sk with no release button and a craftsman that is better used as a hammer than a ratchet and ive got a kd swivel head but its not locking so is a pain for most everyday tasks

so im looking for the most teeth and best ratchet for under $40
now i could go a little higher for a used ratchet set or something but not much

 

[sk farmer]

try an sk tuff one or palm control, 72 teeth. nos proto bigdawgs on ebay are a good deal also. some like the cman pro but i just don't care for them.

 

[HandyManny]

Proto. You won't be disappointed.

 

[The Muffin Man]

I'd recommend a a Toptul CJHM1228 Found at the bottom of this link

Here is a review I wrote as well...
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=475146&postcount=232

I believe the price is in the low 30s.

 

[BB26]

I would go with the new style Proto ratchet (45 tooth) or an SK palm control (72 tooth). Neither of these are quick release, so if this feature is a must for you, I would probably go with C-Man thin profile (60 tooth).

If you want flex, a Tuff 1 SK or Proto's Facom style (both 72 tooth) would be a good option at around $45. If you want locking, you will be spending well over $40 for a good one. I have an Armstrong locking flex head (60 tooth) that sells for around $60-70, but IMO is well worth the money. None of these are quick release.

 

[Wesley B]

Where do you guys get the Proto stuff?

 

[makgreens]

I would go with the new style Proto ratchet (45 tooth) or an SK palm control (72 tooth). Neither of these are quick release, so if this feature is a must for you, I would probably go with C-Man thin profile (60 tooth).

If you want flex, a Tuff 1 SK or Proto's Facom style (both 72 tooth) would be a good option at around $45. If you want locking, you will be spending well over $40 for a good one. I have an Armstrong locking flex head (60 tooth) that sells for around $60-70, but IMO is well worth the money. None of these are quick release.

well the quick release is just a nice feature
its hell getting a socket of my sk ratchet...mainly why it sits in the box most of the time

 

[ATTappman]

Where do you guys get the Proto stuff?

www.mscdirect.com

 

[Merkava_4]

Williams B-52EHA

I dare any of you guys to find a better ratchet at that price.


http://cgi.ebay.com/Williams-B-52EH...in_0?hash=item588233c48e&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

 

[tcheat]

I would second (and third) the Proto Big Dawg recommendations. That one is the one I reach for first. They come up on ebay all the time, like this one:

http://cgi.ebay.com/PROTO-3-8-DRIVE...286.m7QQ_trkparmsZalgo=LVI&itu=UCI&otn=3&ps=5

If you want fine tooth, I bought a Facom 3/8 on ebay (I believe it is the same as the SK Tuff 1 that BB26 recommends) that is 72 teeth and is pretty nice. The seller has several left, but they're $29 plus shipping:

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-SK-FACOM-3-...286.m7QQ_trkparmsZalgo=LVI&itu=UCI&otn=3&ps=5

The Craftsman RHFT ratchets (they have a quick release) are pretty good for the money, IMHO. I have an old 3/8 and a new 3/8 flex head. This is purely a subjective observation, but the old one just feels better to me.

 

[sk farmer]

if you are looking for a big dawg all models will have the letter p in their number ( example j5249p is a standard length knurl handle 3/8) if it does not have a p at the end of the model it is not a big dawg. they are available in 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 chrome with knurled, plastic and long handle models, also knurled handle industrial finish. i have not seen a flex handle big dawg and do not know if they exist. search threads that i started to find info that i found while trying to learn more about them.

 

[BB26]

I would second (and third) the Proto Big Dawg recommendations.

To the OP: The Proto Big Dawgs are a good choice, but the new Proto's are much nicer IMO. Here is a link with some info:

http://www.stanleyproto.com/xhtml/LITERATURE/PROTORATCHET_T20520.PDF

If you want fine tooth, I bought a Facom 3/8 on ebay (I believe it is the same as the SK Tuff 1 that BB26 recommends) that is 72 teeth and is pretty nice.

The Facom has the same ratcheting mechanism as the SK Tuff 1 and also has the palm control feature, while the Tuff 1 does not.

 

[HandyManny]

Where do you guys get the Proto stuff?

MSC Industrial Supply. Proto can only usually be bought from a number of industrial suppliers these days. Although up until a couple decades ago they could still be bought off the shelf from better automotive parts stores.

 

[Avgas]

The newer craftsman low profile ones are nice too, big improvement from their raised panel ratchets. I just got a Proto 1/4 and 3/8 big dawgs off ebay, they are nice but don't have a very high teeth count.

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

proto ? not on the truck
I prefer pneumatic tools being a flat rate tech

 

[Monte]

Facom fine tooth for $28.- click

 

[arkangel06]

Gray tools T90 40tooth ratchet comes on sale for 37$ sometimes

Great ratchet!

 

[chavist93]

http://www.kd-tools.com/721413.htm

Stop by Oreillys and pick up one for 31.99.

 

[tw33k2514]

I have to recommend the SK fine tooth palm control http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009U5RPO/?tag=atomicindus08-20 . I am a huge fan of this ratchet.

 

[GDA]

You might not want to overlook what was considered a great ratchet just over a year ago - the 936 series. Great deals are out there now that everyone seems to want an 80 series.

Check this out - http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Snap...Z220460728081QQptZMotorsQ5fAutomotiveQ5fTools

1/4 drives go in the $20 range too.

 

[KraftwerkMk1Jetta]

Are the SK and Proto ratchests U.S. made?

 

[BB26]

Are the SK and Proto ratchests U.S. made?

SK: Yes
Proto: Yes, with the exception for their new Facom based RHFT ratchets, which are made in Italy.

 

[toymn6366]

i bought a new proto 3/8 plastic handle last week on ebay for 19.00 shiped took it apart first thing the rebuild kit i had for a matco was a perfect fit nice ratchet

 

[bb1970]

These are a good deal at Grainger. http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/5TH07 http://http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/5TH38 http://http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/3UE15

 

[Speed-Racer]

The Williams ratchet is really nice, you should consider it. Basically Snap-On really inexpensive. Or the Proto, http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/5TH38

 

[sk farmer]

These are a good deal at Grainger. http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/5TH07 http://http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/5TH38 http://http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/3UE15

the only one of those three ratchets that is a big dawg is the 1/4 inch and that is not the one in the picture. it is the plastic handle version. i own all three. the 3/8 versions are ok but not a fine tooth ratchet. the 1/4 inch is a true big dawg and i highly recomend it. i am looking for the one in that picture but just be aware if you order it that it will have a red plastic handle like the 3/8 ones pictured. merk i won't try and outdo you on the williams but try and beat that 1/4 inch for less than 10 bucks. everyone who uses a a 1/4 should order one. i use mine with 7/16, 1/2 and 9/16 sockets all the time.

 

[Merkava_4]

merk i won't try and outdo you on the williams but try and beat that 1/4 inch for less than 10 bucks. everyone who uses a a 1/4 should order one. i use mine with 7/16, 1/2 and 9/16 sockets all the time.

For 1/4" drive I prefer a 5 inch round head with a knurled handle, but right now only SK is making one and I don't know how good it is.

 

[sk farmer]

i have that same ratchet merk, along with most every other version of the pro ratchet. rock solid all of them, but i really like those big dawgs. that 1/4 inch with the plastic handle fits in that small space between the knurled 1/4-compact 3/8 sizes and standard 3/8 ratchets. not real little and not real big. works great in those spots that are a little cramped but not quite room for full size 3/8. i can't say enough good about it if it has the right spring tension and some rll.

 

[back2class]

WITHOUT a DOUBT Stanley Pro series pear head ratchets. They have been sold for 3x the stanley price under the MAC brand. I have one and its my favorite ratchet. I like it way better than my Snap-On ratchets. It at one time was the same ratchet you could buy at walmart, but now they sell a cheaper version from China (same as the husky ones) and the better Tiwanese is now the Pro. I own Snap-On, SK, Husky, Craftsman and Stanley ratchets.

 

[tw33k2514]

For 1/4" drive I prefer a 5 inch round head with a knurled handle, but right now only SK is making one and I don't know how good it is.

I have that Sk as well. It is a very nice solid ratchet.

 

[sk farmer]

if you guys like that 1/4 inch sk, you would really like the version with 3/8 guts to make it a compact. then go one step further and get the compact flex head. very nice, very solid and a nice assortment to cover many jobs. it may get me it trouble but sk sockets and ratchets are very underated by most people.

 

[Fedwrench]

You have many great choices in 3/8 for $40 or less depending on the type you want. A couple of other options: 60 tooth Gearwrench ratchets, Armstrong 36 tooth ratchets on sale at MSC direct for $24.99 or $28.99 for the long handle version. Used tool truck brands on Ebay.
There are plenty of ideas for you in this thread. it depends on your personal preferences for head shape, number of teeth, length, handle type, etc. Good luck in your quest

 

[makgreens]

well i went out and looked at all my ratchets and really like the stanley(pear head i guess) design and im guessing its the typical SO shape

ive got an old proto with the selector on the bottom and really dont like it..plus it needs a rebuild

my buddy picked up some new ratchets made by LINK and i liked em but couldnt find where they were made...he got a set with all locking extensions for like 120 bucks and a full 1/4 version free

 

[Griff93]

As for the proto big dawg ratchets, I have three of them and they definitely stand up to some abuse. I have two 15 in 1/2 drives and one 11 in 1/2 drive. The two 15s are fine tooth compared to the 11. They are also industrial finish compared to the chrome. I like them better as the knurling on the handle works better without the chrome on it.

 

[makgreens]

ok so hats the best ratchet for $75 and $100
its my birthday soon and i might aswell ask for a new ratchet

 

[HankMurphy]

i know that excludes new truck brands but im in need of a new ratchet and dont have a ton of extra cash to throw around
i have an older sk with no release button and a craftsman that is better used as a hammer than a ratchet and ive got a kd swivel head but its not locking so is a pain for most everyday tasks

so im looking for the most teeth and best ratchet for under $40
now i could go a little higher for a used ratchet set or something but not much

Well, you've got a pretty good ratchet in your hand already. I have three SK 45170s, two Snap-On F936s, one Proto, an older Williams B-52, and gave away a long-serving Craftsman. And there are probably some others I've forgotten. I have used the SKs the longest.

If you have the 45170, and if socket removal is a problem, I'd suggest two steps before laying out the bucks for a new, quality ratchet.

1. Oil the ball. Take a pair of regular pliers, grip the drive with them enough to depress the socket retaining ball, and put some lubricant down there. I'd suggest a three-step process if you have the patience: blow out any debris with compressed air or a PC aerosol duster, run some WD40 in there for a day or two, then add whatever light machine oil you may have around (I use 3-in-1, but anything will do). Plan on doing this once a year. I acquired almost all my ratchets used, and this is a real common problem.

2. Get a rebuild kit from SK. 1-800-U-CALL-SK, or 708.485.4574. It's not that hard to do. Again, many of the used ratchets I acquire don't seem to have had much preventive maintenance, and some grease works wonders.

If you are intent on buying a new ratchet...we all are sometimes...I'd suggest going to the Harry Epstein site. They have SK and Wright in your price range. Warning: you may be tempted to add some other stuff to your order. Be strong.

Good luck,

 

[tw33k2514]

ok so hats the best ratchet for $75 and $100
its my birthday soon and i might aswell ask for a new ratchet

F80 nuff said

 

[Cobradriver]

For 1/4" drive I prefer a 5 inch round head with a knurled handle, but right now only SK is making one and I don't know how good it is.

Merkava,

I picked up the SK 1/4" Master set a couple of months ago at a pawn shop. Hard to beat 45.00 for a set that looked brand new. All my other 1/4" ratches are gathering dust. The SK is one of the nicest I have used. I have been turning wrenches for 20+ years and have used just about all.

Heck,I just upgraded all my Matco/Craftsman/Proto/oddball ratchets to the Snap On rubber handle fine heads...The SK will not get replaced.

Chris