Best Ratchet Thats affordable

[djkyle65]

Im looking for some opinions on what is the best ratchet for the $.

Obviously Snapon is highly ranked but i really cant afford their stuff because im only 21.

So what is the best value for the money?? Im really tired of these craftsman ones because they dont last for long at all. I would prefer something that i can easily buy and get service on if needed.

Thanks

 

[00S4Boy]

Being 21 is no excuse. I'm 21 and i've been giving my snap on dealer 500 dollars every 2 weeks.

But to be helpful i guess you can get gearwrench ratchets and rebuild them with matco 88 tooth kits and get nice low arc ratchets.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I'm 20 and have done something like $25,000 down tools so far.

As i always say, eBay used Snap-on.

 

[Mickey O]

Used or new Snap-On from eBay or craig's list, Proto, Wright, S-K, etc., have a look over at Harry Epsteins they have some good deals, can't go wrong with a quality USA made ratchet. If you're low on funds the best option is a quality used ratchet in good shape.

 

[djkyle65]

Wow i wish i had that kind of money to through around I pay for college and work and still barely have a few hundred a month to spend on tools but that doesnt mean i want to buy trash. I like buying things once.

 

[00S4Boy]

Well are you a hobbyist or a side job guy or do you fix cars for a living?

Moose fixes cars, i fix cars sometimes, ok most of the time every now and then one screws me over. We buy what we need because we use our tools daily and they make our paychecks.

 

[djkyle65]

Nah Its not my main job I work on cars quite a bit but its basically just a side job with very little cash inflow

 

[48548]

Proto and my advice used snap on and proto from ebay, you can get some NOS dual 80's for 65 dollars for a FBF80 or FLF80....

 

[00S4Boy]

Nah Its not my main job I work on cars quite a bit but its basically just a side job with very little cash inflow

Though moose is a homo and he likes to collect hard handle ratchets I think it turns him on.

 

[Sterff]

I like my 88 tooth Matcos...

 

[jeepnut24]

Used snapon gets my vote if you are a weekend warrior. Start with the classifieds here, then go to ebay.

 

[Mickey O]

Forgot about Armstrong, great ratchets, Williams as well.

 

[mikevango]

I have snap on but I must say sk ratchets are forever. Good value and you won't breake em.

 

[chevy302dz]

The USA Williams ratchets, Armstrong, thin profile Craftsman's (60 tooth) Proto Big Dawgs (even new E BAy only) All of these should be available at stores near you (repair kits for the Proto's should be availabe at any industrial supply) and decently priced.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Though moose is a homo and he likes to collect hard handle ratchets I think it turns him on.

Wonderful. A baseless judgement. Props on being a wonderful person.

 

[Hoot]

I have an older Thorsen 3/8 drive that's survived some serious abuse, and an older set of Craftsman (metal selectors) that have been my main ratchets for years. I've done serious wrenching, but I don't do it for a living.

I can honestly say I've never broken a ratchet, but I'm kinda particular about how I use them. If it's a stubborn fastener, I tend to break torque with the 1/2 drive, and finish up with the 3/8 drive after that. And same with 3/8 and 1/4 drives. But that's me.....

 

[00S4Boy]

Wonderful. A baseless judgement. Props on being a wonderful person.

Moose I was just messin around, I give you **** about your hard handle obsession every time i see you in the chat, but it's just harmless joking around.

 

[Mickey O]

Moose I was just messin around, I give you **** about your hard handle obsession every time i see you in the chat, but it's just harmless joking around.

How would you like it if someone joked around about your wife?




Sorry Moose I couldn't resist, sick the Moose on him.

 

[00S4Boy]

How would you like it if someone joked around about your wife?




Sorry Moose I couldn't resist, sick the Moose on him.

Joke about my wife all you want because I ain't married.

 

[GT89mustang]

Get whatever you can afford and has a easy to use warranty. My drawer consists of craftsman, husky, sk, and yes, pitsburg from harbor freight. Sears and home depot are 3 miles away if i ever need a replacement, harbor freight is a little further but not hard to get to on weekends. These are all for moderate home use and i have yet to break one. I could buy used snap on, but the prices are still more then im willing to pay for home use, and I dont have to spend time trying to find a dealer if something breaks. Sears and home depot are open 7 days. Buy what you can afford and what feels comfortable.

 

[Davefr]

So what is the best value for the money?? Thanks

For "best value for the money" I'd avoid used Snap On. SO is great but you can get more value by going with other non SO brands. Other quality brands don't hold their value as well as SO and you can get more tool for $'s spent.

Ex: SK, Proto, Williams, Armstrong, Wright and older Craftsman.

 

[The Muffin Man]

One of my favorites that doesn't break the bank is Toptul's CJHM ratchet which are sold for $25, $30, and $35 depending on the drive size.

The Gearwrench 60 tooth ratchet also has great reviews from many of the members here, which I believe is also in the $30ish range as well for the flex-head style. Like 00S4Boy stated earlier, they can also be upgraded to 88 teeth as well.

 

[Mickey O]

Joke about my wife all you want because I ain't married.

That's because you don't have any hard handles, chicks dig them.

 

[walrus]

I'm 20 and have done something like $25,000 down tools so far.

24,900 in hard handles and 100 bucks in HF tools?

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Moose I was just messin around, I give you **** about your hard handle obsession every time i see you in the chat, but it's just harmless joking around.

I know.

How would you like it if someone joked around about your wife?




Sorry Moose I couldn't resist, sick the Moose on him.

Joke about my wife all you want because I ain't married.

We all know why!

That's because you don't have any hard handles, chicks dig them.

That's another reason!

24,900 in hard handles and 100 bucks in HF tools?

Something like that.

 

[justinmc]

IMHO...

A good used Cornwell ratchet is a great piece. Very comfortable and can be had reasonably cheap. Now its no 80+ tooth wonder but they are tough and comfortable and available with hard handles, flex head, etc depending on your preferred poison.

That said.. most of my ratchets are SO that were purchased used or new depending on my mood that week. The new dual 80 ratchets are awesome. I will also backup the suggestion for GearWrench. While they aren't USA made they do have a fairly high standard of build/fit/finish and the mechanism is nice and smooth. They also have a fairly slim profile head. I own a flex head 3/8 and a stubby 3/8" and have no complaints. They look just as nice as the SO's they are laying next to.

 

[stricht8]

Cman RHFT? Supposedly indestructible if you can get a good one from the start.

 

[Mickey O]

Cman RHFT? Supposedly indestructible if you can get a good one from the start.

Excellent ratchet.

 

[txan]

Wow i wish i had that kind of money to through around I pay for college and work and still barely have a few hundred a month to spend on tools but that doesnt mean i want to buy trash. I like buying things once.

I don't see the problem here? A new F80 from snap-on is $78.50. Buy it once and you don't have to buy another, or any other.

 

[baucom]

Craftsman Thin-Profile ratchets are supposed to be nice too--easy to find, easy to warranty, and reasonably priced. I prefer Proto big dawg ratchets though; they're not hard to pick up from ebay, new, for ~ $20 shipped. I can't think another ratchet of comparable quality that can be routinely bought any cheaper than that. I also see US made Williams and Wright ratchets on ebay in the $20 range from time to time.

In a nutshell, you just have to shop a little, but it's not hard to find truck quality tools at a Craftsman price (or less) if you're willing to spend a little time searching ebay, craigslist, and watching the classifieds here. If you just want to walk in a store and pick up a reasonably priced, quality, ratchet, then I'd pick up a Craftsman thin-profile or Gearwrench--they're pretty close to the same price and the Craftsman is U.S. made.

 

[X1 Mike]

For an affordable new wrench I think the C-Man thin profile is hard to beat. My go to ratchets are all Matco's but I have one of these and have been using it lately and I really like it. It has a really nice heavy feel and is a fine tooth. Bonus points mine says USA on it.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...e=Wrenches,+Ratchets+&+Sockets&sName=Ratchets

 

[Major Ramifications]

Another vote for the Craftsman thin profile ratchets. I love 'em, and all you guys who think $78.50 for a ratchet is a good deal should check out Sears for a change.

Which Craftsman ratchets do you have and what exactly is wrong with them? Do they just need to be cleaned and re-lubed?

 

[mooman]

That's because you don't have any hard handles, chicks dig them.

Damn right!!

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=54966

 

[quattrojon]

Look at Armstrongs Maxx Flex lineup, excellent American made ratchets, 10-944 for the 1/4, 11-944 for the 3/8, and 12-944 for the 1/2. They make standard and long handles as well. If I remember right Alexandria General had the best price on those, if you have a Fastenal close they can get them too.

Another vote for the Armstrong Maxx- awesome!

 

[sputnikv8]

I'm a weekend hobbyist and I vote for used snap-on. I didn't want to buy something else just to save money and then ALWAYS wonder how much better a snap-on would be.

 

[sk farmer]

hello.......... proto big dawgs. 1/4 4749p, 3/8 5249p and 5250p long handle, 1/2 5449p and 5450p long handle. those are knurled handles. the pg models are plastic hard handles and the pbl models are knurled black industrial finish. some of these models are easy to come by and cheap on ebay. the 3/8 and 1/2 models are very nice while the 1/4 are nice but quite on pae with their big brothers. they all love the rrl for best performance.

 

[sk farmer]

I'm a weekend hobbyist and I vote for used snap-on. I didn't want to buy something else just to save money and then ALWAYS wonder how much better a snap-on would be.

not much if any. broaden your horizons. while the s-o is good, plenty of stuff is just as good or better. it does not always equal the best and it certainly does not come at reasonable prices.

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

I'll second what X1 Mike said. The Craftsman pros are great ratchets for the money. Don't overlook GearWrench ratchets either. Very, Very good ratchets for the money...

 

[forceyoda]

You can also get the wright dual pawl 88 tooth for just over $30 new.

 

[Mickey O]

Avoid the GearWrench stuff you'll get a lot more for your money with A USA made ratchet. Perfect example one post up.