Looking to add some 3/8” ratchets from some German brands. Is there a consensus to a brand or two that make the best? Also where do you guys recommend buying German tools? I’ve exclusively bought from KC Tools but they seem to be more expensive then other places
Best German 3/8” ratchets?
- Thread starter Rickkyyr8
- Start date
Have you bought off Palmac?
Most of my hand tools are Hazet bought some 20yrs ago. Some were from Samstagsales.com
But Andrew has slowed down as other competitors came in the scene. KC, Chads tools etc.
80% of my collection were bought from a closeout @ 1/3rd retail 20yrs ago, when a VW parts retailer went under.
More recently I have bought a couple sockets and screwdrivers off amazon.de
Never bought from Palmac, never heard of them honestly.
I have also used Baum tools to get some special combinations like 10x13 and 13x17 in the deep offset. Can take apart a whole VW with those 2 wrenches, plus the 17x19 but that not a special order.
But Andrew has slowed down as other competitors came in the scene. KC, Chads tools etc.
80% of my collection were bought from a closeout @ 1/3rd retail 20yrs ago, when a VW parts retailer went under.
More recently I have bought a couple sockets and screwdrivers off amazon.de
Never bought from Palmac, never heard of them honestly.
I have also used Baum tools to get some special combinations like 10x13 and 13x17 in the deep offset. Can take apart a whole VW with those 2 wrenches, plus the 17x19 but that not a special order.
For ratchets, I honestly think you can do better with US or even Taiwan. I haven't tried them all but I find German ratchets to be larger/thicker and lower tooth count. I love my Stahlwille and old Hazet 916 1/2's and they are certainly durable, just may not be the best choice for tight engine compartments. I am much more impressed by German wrenches and pliers but that is just my opinion.
I agree with ya @Matt XYZ . My goto in 1/4dr is a pittsburg. 3/8dr is an old Hazet flex head not fine tooth, not quick release, its has stood up to anything I have given it for 20+yrs, no skips and head still stands up without flopping down. Black handle is well worn smooth. The longer handle is nice and flex makes up for not being fine tooth. Just move handle from obstructions.
1/2dr is a non flex pear head Hazet.
I have others, brands, flex, locking flex, fine tooth etc, but those 3 are what I grab first in the drive size needed.
And honestly, I would never pay $100+ for just a ratchet.
1/2dr is a non flex pear head Hazet.
I have others, brands, flex, locking flex, fine tooth etc, but those 3 are what I grab first in the drive size needed.
And honestly, I would never pay $100+ for just a ratchet.
Firebrick43
Well-known member
I like hazet and stahlwille wrenches, but their ratchets are terrible.
cherrybomb
Well-known member
I don't have any German ratchets,but I do buy my other Stahwille tools from Hand Tools From Germany with good results.Use this Katalog.Stahwille.de/Katen20 gets the Blatter Katalog to search.Good luck with the Stahwille tools
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71firebird400
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 25, 2016
- Messages
- 142
Skip em. Better available from US, Taiwan and Japan.
I've had a few but ended up getting rid of them in favor of the typical Snap-on ratchet things. Coarse actions, nothing really amazing. German wrenches seem nice though.
To be fair, I really like (and have a couple of) those Wera quick-release ratchets, not the big swivelly ball kind but the smaller all-metal sort, but odds are that those are Taiwanese.
To be fair, I really like (and have a couple of) those Wera quick-release ratchets, not the big swivelly ball kind but the smaller all-metal sort, but odds are that those are Taiwanese.
mdrawde
Well-known member
I really like my Stahlwille 435 QRN SG. Really low backdrag and easy to re-lube.
Dave455
Well-known member
The best are probably Hazet or Stahlwille.
While you will find folks who are into other German makers, I think the Hazet and Stahlwille stand out.
Hard to pick out particular tools, but I quite like the HiPer ratchets from Hazet. 3/8 is the 8816P. Having said that, I have quite a few Hazet Ratchets, but only one HiPer, and that’s in 1/2” drive.
Stahlwille equivalent would be the 435 QR-N.
One of the reasons I like the Stahlwille is that they are available with all steel handles. 435SG QR-N.
Bear in mind that it’s sometimes difficult to make direct comparisons between European and American tools. I’ve heard European companies criticised for offering “few variations” which might be true in 3/8“drive, but many European users opt for 1/4” and 1/2” drive instead, so that tends to be where the greatest selection is.
While you will find folks who are into other German makers, I think the Hazet and Stahlwille stand out.
Hard to pick out particular tools, but I quite like the HiPer ratchets from Hazet. 3/8 is the 8816P. Having said that, I have quite a few Hazet Ratchets, but only one HiPer, and that’s in 1/2” drive.
Stahlwille equivalent would be the 435 QR-N.
One of the reasons I like the Stahlwille is that they are available with all steel handles. 435SG QR-N.
Bear in mind that it’s sometimes difficult to make direct comparisons between European and American tools. I’ve heard European companies criticised for offering “few variations” which might be true in 3/8“drive, but many European users opt for 1/4” and 1/2” drive instead, so that tends to be where the greatest selection is.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I think the Hazet fine tooth ones make great hammers. They're head heavy and thick.
KnurledNut
Well-known member
I dont own any Elora but they look nice.
I do have a Garant-branded Hazet-made torque wrench and the mechanism is strong.
I do have a Garant-branded Hazet-made torque wrench and the mechanism is strong.
German wrenches seem pretty nice from what I’ve seen here in the forum. For my money on 3/8” ratchets, I’ve pretty much switched over to Tekton 90 tooth’s . Still love my SK’s though. The Carlyle locking 3/8” flex head is nice too. Haven’t seen a German ratchet yet that I’ve decided I can’t live without. Very happy with the above selection. For 1/4” I agree with the above post, HF Pittsburgh roto ratchet is usually one of the first grabs if it’ll fit the space. Nice ratchet for $10.
Darn, I paid $13 for mine.
Perhaps If I had the 3/8 & 1/2 HF rotos my go-to list may differ.
But after too may years busting knuckles, I grab the ratchets I trust. That's when tooth count and other OOOH and AAAH's take a back seat.
The plastic handle is a life saver. Can't tell you how many times I had an Oh Poop moment on a freshly painted car and the plastic saved the day. I still have one old Craftsman ratchet with pipe insulation electrical taped on the handle I did 27yrs ago for the first car I restored. I cringed every time the metal handle tapped some paint.
The first German tools I bought were Hazet 10x13 open end and 10x13 deep offset box. Also, years ago I found a Proto 10x13 box end (not deep) for working on my VW Bugs. Now I'm using 10x12 and 10x14 on my daughter's Honda and the 17x19.
I've been wanting to stress my tool budget on either a Hazet or Stahlwille ratchet. Mostly out of curiosity and a fixation with ratchets. After reading you guys experience, I think I'm going to scratch them from my list. There are a couple Proto Precision 90's that tickle my fancy and if the right sale comes along, I might pull the trigger on a Nepros.
Frankly, I'm a bit surprised by the responses in the thread. I really thought people liked them more.
Frankly, I'm a bit surprised by the responses in the thread. I really thought people liked them more.
Dave455
Well-known member
I wouldn’t dismiss them too quickly.
While I have some Snap On tools, and have to admit the Dual 80’s are about the best ratchet’s there are, especially in 3/8” drive, it’s probably my Stahlwille and Hazet that see most use, day to day.
I don’t agree with view that “they’re all coarse tooth”. They’re not. Both Stahlwille and Hazet have made fine tooth ratchet’s for at least 20 years but it was something you needed to specify you wanted. I don’t know if the U.S. importers were sluggish about importing these?
While I like fine tooth ratchet’s, I feel that the importance is somewhat over stated. In 1/4” drive, for example, I have both Stahlwille fine tooth, and Hazet “coarse” tooth but often reach for the Hazet in preference. They are a delight to use and the lockup between ratchet/extension/socket is hard to beat.
Bear in mind however, that price is a factor. This side of the pond, the latest Hazet “Hi-Per” fine tooth ratchet, in 1/2” drive, is less than a third the price of the Snap On equivalent. If the prices were reversed, I’d buy the Snap On!
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i like the stahlwille qrn. cant find one thing i dont like about it. but as with any other tool ,people have a prefered look ,feel ,budget, coo ideology , etc etc.
I think part of it is availability and price (in the U.S.). I think Hazet and Stahlwille make some outsanding tools, and I own tools from both manufacturers, but to me their ratchets are not stand outs.
of course price and availability is a big hang up for alot of potential usa buyers. why spend top dollar and have to wait days or weeks ,even months in some cases , for it to arrive when you can go 3mi down the road today and get tekton for 1/3 the price from HF
I like my Stahlwille and Gedore 3/8 drive ratchets and would recommend them. If you look around you can find good deals on them.
I have two Stahlwille , a 435 QRN and a round head 422. In addition, I have the following Gedore ratchets: 3093u-20, 3093u-3, 3030gu-3 flex, and 3093u-10. I would have to say that my Stahlwille 435 QRN is my favorite.
The Gedore 3093u-10 is the most course tooth one with 32 teeth, but it is quite smooth. All of the others mentioned have 60 or more teeth depending on the model. I wouldn't knock them until you give one of two of them a try.
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Snapped-off
Well-known member
The Hazet and Stahlwille look pretty nice.
Does Hazet have any quick release ratchets?
Does Hazet have any quick release ratchets?
GETCHOOSUM
Member
02camaro86
Well-known member
the one time i bought from palmac, shipping was extremely fast, i ended up needing to return an item and it was easy.
tip, add the item to your cart act as if you are going to check out (enter all your info) and then let it sit. they will likely email you a coupon for a discount within 24hrs.
Hazet 90 tooth ratchets w/ quick release:
1/4" drive - 863HPS
3/8" drive - 8816HPS
1/2" drive - 916HPS
If you're after a flexhead, this is the best the german industry has to offer.
Stahlwille locking flexhead in 3/8" - 452QR
Not cheap but someone in here bragged about getting one for 50eur from ebay. All are 80 teeth.
Also in 1/4" - 416QR
1/2" - 517QR
All are about 100eur in amazon.de plus shipping
Stahlwille locking flexhead in 3/8" - 452QR
Not cheap but someone in here bragged about getting one for 50eur from ebay. All are 80 teeth.
Also in 1/4" - 416QR
1/2" - 517QR
All are about 100eur in amazon.de plus shipping
This is pretty neat, Old past Hazet catalogs in PDF
www.hazet.de
Haven't been on their web page in a Long time.
But Sheesh, they still only putting one/two features per ratchet.
I want an 8816GHPS
3/8 long handle, non locking flex, fine tooth, quick release.
HAZET-WERK - Hermann Zerver GmbH & Co. KG
www.hazet.de
Haven't been on their web page in a Long time.
But Sheesh, they still only putting one/two features per ratchet.
I want an 8816GHPS
3/8 long handle, non locking flex, fine tooth, quick release.
Snapped-off
Well-known member
I'm definitely picking up some hazet and stahlwille on my next euro trip.
I have purchased from KC Tools and Amazon. Once in a while KC Tools will run deals on some items, you just have to keep checking back. Mister Worker seems to have decent prices even with shipping, but I have not ordered from them yet. I think they are out of Italy.
Check Amazon.de
Exchange rate is pretty close right now.
Still need to order that electric Wiha screwdriver.
Snapped-off
Well-known member
I'll probably buy them next time I head overseas. They'll be staying there, so no sense buying them now.
demarpaint
Well-known member
I bought the Hazet ratchets first, and added Stahlwille to my toolbox. Both are top quality imo.
The collector
Well-known member
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- Feb 26, 2022
- Messages
- 218
Stahlwille from Mr worker just got a 1/2 locking flex for 130$
Dudley2020
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- Mar 13, 2022
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Please let me know what you think of them. I purchased the 8816 HPS. I am getting an exchange because I think there is excessive play, up/down, side to side, in the drive mechanism. I might be over critical. Backdrag is a little stiff as well. Otherwise I love it. I like quick release and this has the best button and spring tension I have experienced.