I think SnapOn ratchets are the best and have several of them. But for the money, I like GearWrench 120XP ratchets at a fraction of the cost. With the high tooth count, they are very smooth. I bought two more recently and love them. For a DYI that is all you need, but if you are a professional mechanic, probably SnapOn.
Best Ratchets?
- Thread starter HFlashman
- Start date
Moose-LandTran
Well-known member
My preference has always been Snap-on, i find them hard to beat all-round. Cost is obviously something to consider, and they've got noticeably more expensive lately but i do find them generally the best (for me) in my use. The Dual-80s are all really good, lots of combinations in flex heads, handles, compact heads, etc. If i didn't use them for work i'd consider other brands but may well still choose Snap-on as overall i like them the most.
I have a Gearwrench 120XP ¼" flex head which is hard to beat for the money, it's very nice but unfortunately the spring for the retaining ball broke so it needs a rebuild kit. I recently got a ¼" Sata which appears identical and was even cheaper.
Since i started buying, cheaper options have become significantly better quality and other premium brands like Hazet and Koken have become more available too so there are even more options.
I got a few to choose from:
I have a Gearwrench 120XP ¼" flex head which is hard to beat for the money, it's very nice but unfortunately the spring for the retaining ball broke so it needs a rebuild kit. I recently got a ¼" Sata which appears identical and was even cheaper.
Since i started buying, cheaper options have become significantly better quality and other premium brands like Hazet and Koken have become more available too so there are even more options.
I got a few to choose from:
scott0
Well-known member
Wow! Awesome collection!My preference has always been Snap-on, i find them hard to beat all-round. Cost is obviously something to consider, and they've got noticeably more expensive lately but i do find them generally the best (for me) in my use. The Dual-80s are all really good, lots of combinations in flex heads, handles, compact heads, etc. If i didn't use them for work i'd consider other brands but may well still choose Snap-on as overall i like them the most.
I have a Gearwrench 120XP ¼" flex head which is hard to beat for the money, it's very nice but unfortunately the spring for the retaining ball broke so it needs a rebuild kit. I recently got a ¼" Sata which appears identical and was even cheaper.
Since i started buying, cheaper options have become significantly better quality and other premium brands like Hazet and Koken have become more available too so there are even more options.
I got a few to choose from:
demarpaint
Well-known member
I have quite a few ratchets I really like. The Snap On Dual 80, and 90 tooth Hazet ratchets seem to be the best. I've been doing a lot of work on my old Ford van and those are my picks for best at the moment.
Has anyone said Milwaukee yet? 
I think I'll get one of those next.
This forum has certainly fueled my shopping addiction. I've got Proto, SK, Craftsman, Capri, Icon, Pittsburg, Carlyle, VIM and Gearwrench.
I think I'll get one of those next.This forum has certainly fueled my shopping addiction. I've got Proto, SK, Craftsman, Capri, Icon, Pittsburg, Carlyle, VIM and Gearwrench.
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Moose-LandTran
Well-known member
Been tempted by Hazets. They're very reasonably priced on Amazon here.
Dave455
Well-known member
I’ve got a few Hazet’s.
They’re decent quality. The fit, with Hazet sockets, is very good. Finish is very durable. I use them for carrying around in my road box for that reason.
I bought some direct from Germany, some from Amazon. Wherever is cheapest!
Nice Snap On collection BTW!
General Geoff
Well-known member
Currently my favorite 3/8 Drive
Outlander
Well-known member
"Best" is probably better asked as "favorite" so our personal proclivities can slip into the discussion.
My go-to rachets (remembering I am an office guy with tools) are the Princess Auto "composite" style. I also grab the Gearwrench and on occasion chose Mastercraft. Why? The composite handles are less chilling in my hands in my unheated garage!
That said, some nice looking rachets in the pictures!
My go-to rachets (remembering I am an office guy with tools) are the Princess Auto "composite" style. I also grab the Gearwrench and on occasion chose Mastercraft. Why? The composite handles are less chilling in my hands in my unheated garage!
That said, some nice looking rachets in the pictures!
long handle roto head in 3/8 drive is pretty usable useful ratchet, amazed more brands didn't do long handle variants .Currently my favorite 3/8 Drive
would like see Koken do a long handle .
Dave455
Well-known member
Very nice!Currently my favorite 3/8 Drive
Not only a long handle roto head, but I think effectively a “compact” (3/8 drive in a 1/4 body) roto head?
The only one made if I’m not mistaken!
On my wish list too!
It doesn't look like a 1/4" body to me, but maybe that's just me. My Icon and SO 1/4" roto bodies are a LOT smaller than the 3/8" roto I have.
Dave455
Well-known member
There’s a review of the standard length handle by ChrisCas on youtube. (Very good reviewer).
He shows the 3/8“ KTC compared to a 1/4” roto head and they are comparable I reckon.
Also seems to be the case when it’s flipped over.
I own the Snap On too, but can’t say how it compares till I have a KTC in my hand - which I probably will at some point!
My most used 3/8 roto is the KoKen. Great tool, very hefty, but anything else is smaller in comparison!
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General Geoff
Well-known member
Can confirm, the KTC head is in fact almost identical in dimensions to the Icon 1/4" roto ratchet.
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General Geoff
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General Geoff
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KnurledNut
Well-known member
@Dave455 @General Geoff
The Powerbuilt 649941 (3/8 in 1/4) has basically the same head dimensions as the KTC and for $25 a darn good little ratchet.
The Powerbuilt 649941 (3/8 in 1/4) has basically the same head dimensions as the KTC and for $25 a darn good little ratchet.
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Madjik Man
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2015
- Messages
- 1,516
I love threads like these because you end up getting a lot of opinions.
Reminds me of the “what oil” or “what gear oil should I use?” threads.
Reminds me of the “what oil” or “what gear oil should I use?” threads.
Dave455
Well-known member
Ahh yes, that looks as though it might be the same mechanism as the Icon, and a few others. I’ve seen quite a few of these, but not in 3/8 drive. Looks like excellent value!
The KTC is subtly different, so I know it’s their own work. It’s still the one I fancy though.
Anyway, what’s wrong with the custom grip….?
KnurledNut
Well-known member
Its not original. To most, that is obvious, but someone might end up searching for the soft grip version.
8Thousand
Member
The Proto 90 tooth just feels right to me. I liked the long handle one so much I ordered the regular length version.
I've been eyeballing one of these Proto Precision ratchets for a while now, and my interest has grown even more since I learned that not only can you now get most of the variants at reasonable prices (well, "reasonable" for a premium American-made tool at least) if you know where to look, but that these are actually made not too far from where I live!
However, I have one big reservation still, and I'm not sure if it's ridiculous or not. I'm particularly interested in the 1/4" and 1/2" versions, but unlike the 3/8" models, it seems these are still the original style with the screws coming up through the bottom. So I'm sort of waiting until the 1/4" and 1/2" get the updates before I pull the trigger on one of them, but given it's been a few years since the 3/8" got the redesign and the other sizes still haven't received it, not sure when, or even if, that will happen.
And yes, I know the GarageJournal answer is going to be "just get the 3/8" ones now then get the other sizes later once they do update them!"
I was going to make a tongue-in-cheek post about how little-used that ratchet looks, but I can't bring myself to do it. That thing looks like you know how well it works for sure.
Ton ton
Well-known member
Knurled nut, what is the custom grip? You have me pretty curious @ this point.
Shop-hound
Well-known member
Looks like a spark plug boot to me?