I have some gearwrench 84ts, snap ons and the full polished craftsmans. All are nice ratchets. The snap ons are very nice and my favorites but the gearwrench are very reasonably priced and excellent. Plus if they do break you can throw a matco kit in them. My main 1/2" ratchet is still a gearwrench 84t.
Best *Reasonably Priced* Ratchets
- Thread starter Handyandy23
- Start date
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Handyandy23
Well-known member
I've been really happy with the Tekton 90T that I ended up going with. Tempted to try the GW 84T just to give them a whirl too, but they run about 50% more expensive on Amazon.ca than Tekton, so it's hard to pull the trigger over what I know and like for less.
visionguru
Well-known member
You want Gearwrench 120XP.
I found that HF ratchets are actually very good, definitely good enough for a
DIYer. HF ratchets are probably as good as any other store brands, AutoZone, Home Depot, Lowes,....and internet brands.
Carlyle is popular here. I have 3 Carlyle 90T, 100T ratchets, the workmanship is an upgrade, but the ratcheting mechanism feels largly similar to HF 72T.
Gearwrench 120XP feels the closest to Snap On (in terms of smoothness). As seen on youtube, Gearwrench seems to have similar strength too. Gearwrench has "on"/"off" marks (which I found very useful when dealing with bolts at awkward angles), and Gearwrench is sealed with rubber gaskets (which allows you to clean the ratchet with brake cleaner without worrying about solvents get into the mechanism).
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Handyandy23
Well-known member
I've seen lots of mixed reviews on the 120XP, mostly complaints about high backdrag. The head also looks pretty massive on them compared to others.
Is there anything other than tooth count that makes the 120XP an upgrade on the 84T GW? If anything the majority of advice I've gotten is the 84T is the nicer, smoother ratchet and the 120XP is tooth count bragging rights. But I have no first hand experience with either.
jimmyin3D
Banned
If you’re going for mid tier you should look at the GW 84tooth. Very proven design and thin. The flex head GW are very nice for the price.
I would steer clear of the 120tooth ratchets, backdrag is higher.
I would steer clear of the 120tooth ratchets, backdrag is higher.
Downwindtracker 2
Well-known member
I wanted a fine tooth ratchet for a feed works on a metal shaper and picked up a Gearwrench 1/2 84t , then found a perfect 1/2 ratchet, a 100t ! As low as one thou feed at a time. So the Gearwrench went from the parts box to the tool box. I used it under the truck, it sure was smooth, I'm use to clunk, clunk of a Gray or Proto , but heavy. I like that it had a snap ring circ-clip instead of hooked ends of a Craftsman or some with the spiral clip. Though not as nice as the screws of the Gray or Proto.
mbshop
Well-known member
Best ? Whatever is at hand. I had craftsman so and mac. I now have a few small sk ratchets. They all did their job. Never understood the ocd on ratchets.
jmhinkle
Well-known member
I'm just the opposite. Never understood how so many **** ratchets get made and sold. I've replaced all mine in the last year with so many good options finally available.
Downwindtracker 2
Well-known member
Reading here on GJ, it has opened my eyes up to the possibilities of the 1/4" drive. I've always had them, but just used them the odd time on 10 24 or 8 32 stove bolts. Even then preferring a nut driver. The lack of dimples on the sockets didn't impress me too much. US Craftsman, Blackhawk and Husky sockets .I bought a Gearwrench flex head, Tekton pivot head, Gearwrench sockets and Tekton deep sockets. They have dimples.The Gearwrench in 1/4" is the nicer of the two.
I likely won't be using them that much, but I never liked going out with fat ugly girls.
I likely won't be using them that much, but I never liked going out with fat ugly girls.
AreYaSerious
Well-known member
I have tekton and gearwrench and quite honestly they are about the same quality. When it comes to the Tekton 90T, it's better then the GW 84. When it comes to the 120xp they're equal. Tekton has a better warranty system. I wouldn't pay more for GW cause to me they're equal quality.
I think most mid/high end Taiwan ratchets are very similar, and you probably wouldn't see a quality increase or decrease. I love my GW 84T ratchets also, but if you're happy with your Tektons and would have to pay more for the GW, save your money buy another tool you need or don't have instead.
Andres26tnt
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 11, 2018
- Messages
- 994
GW 120XP are fantastic ratchets. SK LP90 and round heads can be bought for cheap if you want USA made, you can upgrade the round heads with the DT kits for more tooth engagement.
I'll hop on board the 120xp bandwagon as well. I first purchased the 3 piece standard set, then the 2 pieice 1/4" and 3/8" flex head comfort handles, now I'm looking to buy the 4 piece flex as well as the fixed head long versions with the 24" 1/2" drive ratchet. They are all different lengths so when the collection is complete I should have a 120xp for every application.
They are very smooth and have very little backdrag. I did lube them up with Superlube though. One thing I really like about them is the lack of slop. I have other fine tooth ratchets that might click in a tight spot but there's so much slop that you can't move the fastener. With the 120xp's I've never run into that problem.
I also have a Wera Zyklop 3/8" metal ratchet coming in today let's see how that performs.
Sent from my Blackberry (yes, they still make those) using The Garage Journal mobile app
They are very smooth and have very little backdrag. I did lube them up with Superlube though. One thing I really like about them is the lack of slop. I have other fine tooth ratchets that might click in a tight spot but there's so much slop that you can't move the fastener. With the 120xp's I've never run into that problem.
I also have a Wera Zyklop 3/8" metal ratchet coming in today let's see how that performs.
Sent from my Blackberry (yes, they still make those) using The Garage Journal mobile app
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Harbor Freight 90 tooth ratchet? Is this something new?
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Dakkyz
Well-known member
GearWrench, Proto, Williams, are all good cheapish options.
_Riddle
Well-known member
I have the 120xp non-flex and the 84t flex heads from GW and I always grab for the 84t. The heads on the 84t are slightly thinner than the 120xp and yesterday it made all the difference in the world in a tight engine bay. Really nice ratchets, I just wish they were made in the US. If they ever wear out or break I'll replace them with snap on.
OP
Handyandy23
Well-known member
Do you find other than size the 120 and 84 are similar in terms of back drag / joy of use?
BarryWells
Well-known member
_Riddle
Well-known member
The 120xp's are nice but I always grab the flex heads because they have the longer handle and cushion grip, plus the utility of the flex head which I never realized I needed so much until I actually started using one. I still use the 120xp's if I know I'm working on something stubborn and need to hit the handle with the palm of my hand to loosen the fastener. The 120xp's also have a shorter handle which is great inside of a wheel well and engine bay. It's nice to have options and I really like the GW ratchets. They are a massive improvement over the husky and craftsman ratchets I started out with.
It's also not important to everyone but I really like the clear "ON" "OFF" markings on the head.
BarryWells
Well-known member
visionguru
Well-known member
120xp "high backdrag" is one of the GJ myths I have yet to figure out.
I took a video to show the sounds of turning Snap On, 120XP, 84T, and Carlyle 90T, side by side.
The smoothest, quietest, lightest is: Snap On
Carlyle 90T and 120XP are similar in terms of how easy to turn (low backdrag). However, Carlyle has this loud "clunky" sound similar to all single paw Taiwan 72T ratchets.
Gearwrench 84T is the least smooth, loud and clunky.
I'll figure out a way to test the backdrag. I expect the result will show that 84T actually has larger backdrag.
I don't know what goes wrong here. The 120xp backdrag "issue" often mentioned here is totally opposite, which is amazing.
120XP is actually 60 teeth with 120 positions, not exactly tooth count bragging.
OP
Handyandy23
Well-known member
Yeah I'm not sure since I haven't handled either style ratchet, that's just what I've read from several posters complaining about 120xp back drag. Maybe it's a QC thing where the back drag is inconsistent from tool to tool? Guess I'll have to buy one to find out.
Amazon doesn't seem to have any complaints about back drag on the reviews. But then again the reviewers on there seem to barely know the name of the tool they bought, let alone what back drag is.
I forgot about the HF Pittsburgh pros too. I have the flex heads at home and they are great. Warranty is awesome too. I haven't broken any of them, but got some flop in the head and replaced them with no problems at the store. Their warranty sure beats waiting for the truck or mailing in if you have a store near you. I'm not one to care where something is made, but that's up to you.
Nissan Technician - ASE Master Tech
Nissan Technician - ASE Master Tech
BarryWells
Well-known member
I can't hear ratchet clicks with Robin Trower screaming in the background
I actually like the husky sets from home depot.. There a little smaller low profile kind of head and smooth..works better then my older craftsman made in USA from long ago. Better then the kobalt set I got. I can't justify proto, snap on stuff, $$$. But no way I am paying that as I don't use it much.. I just get my m12 and makita impacts most of time.. Or my go to mountain long flex wrench.. Love it.
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Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
jmhinkle
Well-known member
This was my feeling as well. Honestly I still don't think you can find a better ratchet for the price if you want a high quality tool. If you don't feel the difference in a quality ratchet vs an ok ratchet then the Pittsburg Pro stuff is probably the best bet. I find myself reaching for the Tekton every time now over my Dual 80 and Nepros. Especially the stubby 1/4 Tekton. Wow that thing is handy. I might just break down and buy the flex heads now just to have them. I've never found a use for flex heads, but I'm sure the day will come and it will be nice to have them on hand for the low cost. I've got new Tekton 1/2" sockets coming already to replace the sloppy old CMan USA stuff I've had for years. Can't wait to see how they are in hand.
I adjusted to the backdrag on my 5 120xp ratchets to less than my off the shelf Japanese ratchets. Actually, a properly tuned 120xp is a VERY smooth ratchet with strong mechanism. The heads are a little fat but I don't mind them at all. They just need some fine tuning to be really nice. If you ever find small springs KEEP them in a zip bag for tuning ratchets. The 84t design is good too after some work.
Using the Husky versions (72 and 100 T vs 84 and 120), the 100s aren't bad but have noticably more back drag. Also that tooth spacing doesn't feel even. So a 72T should have 5* between clicks and the 100 should have 3.6. However it feels like the 100 is more like 4.5 then 2.7. I'm making up the numbers but the point is the gap depends on if it's pawl 1 or 2 engaging.
I like my 1/4 and 3/8 GW120XP but I still prefer to use my SK or dual 80 Snap-ons. The flex heads have a little side to side movement that my more expensive ratchets don't have. The 1/2 drive one is strong but the head is wide and thick. I have a short handle 1/2 84T and it has more back drag than the 120. The 84T came in a set and I think I used it twice so that's probably a factor. For the money, the GW ratchets are great.
@Handyandy23; On the GW... if you can, I'd suggest finding a local store that stocks them and picking them up and handling them. That's what I did and found the 120's to have larger heads and unbalanced. 1/4" isn't too bad but the 3/8" is meh and the 1/2' ratchet is an unwieldy beast IMO. I find the new 90t Tekton much nicer.
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Handyandy23
Well-known member
Thanks, I already have Tekton 90T in 3/8 and 1/2 flex and the tiny 1/4, and really like them all. Logically I should just stick with buying these in more styles (they are cheaper than GW to boot) but in true GJ fashion I keep getting the urge to diversify and try different ones.
Of course that will probably lead me to having a drawer full of random ratchets I never use.
Update: The Wera Zyklops 3/8" metal ratchet came in today. Feels solid, nicely balanced, small head, fine movement with not too much backdrag and little to no slop. The only downside is that it is not serviceable. If it was possible to get some SuperLube in this thing to minimize the already acceptable backdrag and quiet it down a bit it might be one of the best ratchets around.
jmhinkle
Well-known member
Several Zyklop set deals on Prime Day. Joker wrenches too. I just don't consider them cost effective alternatives to anything really.
Try soaking the head in ATF
The sets seem overpriced for what you get. But this ratchet was $36 plus tax.
You have 2 different versions of the 84/88T mechanisms. A and B.
Gearwrench still uses A revision on its 84T mechanisms.
Armstrong moved to the B revision on their last production run of the 88s and they were "looser" but the pawl was re-engineered and no longer locked up. Craftsman's 84T got the same revision on its design mid-run and it has less backdrag than the 36T RP ratchets I have.
So I can only assume maybe they fixed the 120XP in later production to have less back drag?
AreYaSerious
Well-known member
I find the 120xp to be very nice ratchets, I use Tekton as my quick release options and my gearwrench as my non quick release options. Both are steals at the price. I don't know what your price point is but the SK LP90 are amazing, I used my brothers and to me and my hand they feel amazing in the hand, and very sturdy and strong. They are like Snap on and old sk had a baby.. Modern like snap on, feel sturdy like old SK. Only thing I wish they did was put knurling on the handle.
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
Disagree, I'm one who actively promotes the supposed myth. A bolt is loose, but still too tight to spin out with your fingers. The 120xp has more backdrag than the 84, and will fail to engage a tooth, simply wiggling the bolt forward and backwards. The 84 mechanism will remove it. I've taken all of my 120xp stuff home, as there's no reason to keep them at work when I replaced them all with 84tooth versions. It has nothing to do with smoothness, and everything to do with the force required to allow the mechanism to ratchet, vs. the amount of force required to spin the fastener.
Higher backdrag, thicker head, harder to rebuild, can't be interchanged with matco/armstrong rebuild kits. Aside from more teeth, the 120xp offers nothing. I own GW84/armstrong88 because the head is thinner than snap on, meaning they will fit places my snap on and proto90 stuff will not. I find teeth above 72 are basically a wash, as slop between the ratchet anvil, socket, and fastener often eats up the swing arc anyways.
If you want cheap, strong, serviceable, and reasonably sized - Gearwrench 84 is the answer.