"Build" a Matco swivel ratchet for $33

[isuhunter]

The real question is, where is this dude getting all the brand new heads from?

sometimes you need to not ask questions.. just roll with it

Johnny Cash - One Piece at a Time ...

 

[Fialaja]

There are similar kits for 1/2 Armstrong ratchets at $50

 

[rattler459]

i am not against making stuff and i was tempted to as well. i just couldn't see cobbling something together for more money. this is an actual ratchet hanging on the shelf at every home depot.

the same style of mechanism only in a dual pawl with 100 clicks and a working lock on the flex. other than tooth count the mechanism is the same as a gearwrench 120.

Have the same one and have worked it hard and its a great ratchet

 

[sk farmer]

Have the same one and have worked it hard and its a great ratchet

i just did an autopsy of one over at the gazzette if anyone is interested.

 

[Draftpick1]

Thanks for the thread ordered a set!

 

[Druder]

sometimes you need to not ask questions.. just roll with it

Oh I ordered one, I'm just curious. With how many were ordered from this thread he must have quite a bit!

 

[AngryBeaver]

mine got a Kobalt handle from lowes. it fits in the work truck great. sorry no other pics lol

 

[Junkman]

Here is the latest auction with a "buy it now" price of $29... 7 left as of now.. I put the title in, so you can search it if this one sells out, and he relists it with another auction number.

NEW MATCO BRTBSLS RATCHET REPAIR KIT FOR 3/8" LOCKING FLEX FLIP LEVER COMPLETE

 

[Specs]

start here for $25:

Edit,
new listing again (3/1/18 5:45pm), $29 now:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-MATCO-...OCKING-FLEX-FLIP-LEVER-COMPLETE/263526402120?

add one of these for $7.31



https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00V3X3NJS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

add a small O-ring & a stainless 10mm flat washer in the recess on the head for tension,
bolt it together with one tiny drop of locktite, and its good to go.

Blame me I bought 2 heads. I’m on the fence about making it fully articulate, when I only really need that 0,5,10* offset I get non modded. The thing is crazy snug when you make the bolt flush. I carry a 4mm allen to adjust the firmness

I did pack some super poly lube to quiet the internals and neck. I wanted to give you a rep... And it fits perfectly in a 16” tool box. Thanks again i hope to return the favor with some of my own ideas

 

[Ji m]

I'm glad the seller keeps putting these up,
since I haven't seen them anywhere else yet

The first bent one is my go-to 3/8" now,
& I'm resisting the urge to do a super-stubby next.

Capri handle is still a good deal for the $$,
so I think I'd just chop one in half and press on a Matco hard handle on the end.

Interesting idea about not clearancing the handle opening and using it with the limited travel,
I didn't like the feel of the two pieces interfering with each other,
but can see the benefit of them not being able to flop beyond a certain point.


It's cool to see pictures of what everyone put together & how they worked out, thanks!

 

[AngryBeaver]

I'm glad the seller keeps putting these up,
since I haven't seen them anywhere else yet

The first bent one is my go-to 3/8" now,
& I'm resisting the urge to do a super-stubby next.

Capri handle is still a good deal for the $$,
so I think I'd just chop one in half and press on a Matco hard handle on the end.

Interesting idea about not clearancing the handle opening and using it with the limited travel,
I didn't like the feel of the two pieces interfering with each other,
but can see the benefit of them not being able to flop beyond a certain point.


It's cool to see pictures of what everyone put together & how they worked out, thanks!

mine with the Cobalt BB handle goes about 45* each direction before any interference and will go 90 with force. I didn't grind it due to the nature of it living on my service truck and moist/condensation in the tool box bed from temp changes didn't want extra rust occurring. I had an extra spring washer in my drawer of parts I was able to put in the ratchet head since the BB nub didn't have that setup.

I too thought about grabbing some kind of hard grip handle for mine.. couldn't find a cheap enough BB with a hard handle tho.

my stubby flex Snappy is one of my favorite ratchets... so I'll fuel the fire and tell you to go for it. lol

 

[KnurledNut]

The real question is, where is this dude getting all the brand new heads from?

All the tools for sale are Apex brands or machining supplies.
The ebayer is based from Little River, SC.
The tools probably originated from the neighboring town of Sumter, SC, where Apex moved and then closed most production. Which, needless to say, was a total disaster and waste of time and money.

 

[Odes]

Here is mine I made I used a husky Cb-64 that I paid $10 at the flea market just had to grind a little bit for width

 

[Ji m]

Here is mine I made I used a husky Cb-64 that I paid $10 at the flea market just had to grind a little bit for width

That looks good,
thanks for the pic

I have a 3/8" Knurled Husky BB that looks like that (pn 22232), and was wondering how it would fit.
Though I think I'd want to chop it down for a stubby.

My 22232 has a pressed in pin, and no spring loaded ball bearing, so I'm not sure how secure the head would be,
or if it would flop around without being able to tighten the screw.

 

[Specs]

Update: dremeled the corners and red thread locked it... still snug enough to not go floppy, cause that capri bar is longer than my bluepoint flex bar by 2”. Im gonna take advantage of the length. I used the conical stone that could be used for engraving, doesnt even look like i did anything

 

[PR1Gneon]

My Capri and short versions.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

 

[Tuc04]

My Capri and short versions.

What is that short handle from?

 

[Ji m]

My Capri and short versions.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

Nice!

What is that short handle from?

^this!

 

[Specs]

Harbor freight has a 3/8” dual flex handle ratchet thats not much bigger than that...pic is just for reference

 

[ngk22r]

Also,
the Matco head has "88" inside the Matco symbol,
but doesn't list COO anywhere on it.

I guess I'll assume USA, or maybe Taiwan unless someone says differenly.
Action feels great, and this is the type of ratchet with the little floating latching piece inside.


The Capri handle has COO listed as Taiwan, and a 159 ft-lbs rating on it's hanger card.

It feels quite nice,
has a spring loaded ball bearing to lock the head into position (which even my Snap-on FDLB 3/8" breaker bar is lacking)
though there is an Amazon review showing atleast one broken one.

I like it so much I plan to build a second one and not bend the handle on that one.

The COO is not on the head but rather on the handle portion of the ratchet.

 

[PR1Gneon]

Re: "Build" a Matco swivel ratchet for $33

The short handle is part of a Gearhead double flex ratchet from Pepboys.

Maybe the same as the Pittsburgh

 

[Ji m]

The COO is not on the head but rather on the handle portion of the ratchet.

Thank you.

With all the Matco to Gearwrench similarities I thought Matco may have moved production to Taiwan like I believe is GW's COO,

but after reading and watching video's here, I'm pretty sure Matco ratchets are Made in the USA still

I'm glad, because the action on this "88" is really nice, and it's good to see USA production quality can still keep pace even when the item cost (like this inexpensive head) isn't that high.

 

[Ji m]

Harbor freight has a 3/8” dual flex handle ratchet thats not much bigger than that...pic is just for reference

thanks!

that handle has an, um, interesting look

 

[Ji m]

Re: "Build" a Matco swivel ratchet for $33

The short handle is part of a Gearhead double flex ratchet from Pepboys.

Maybe the same as the Pittsburgh

Nice find!

I had kinda put building a stubby out of my mind (until now!)

but that little handle is really sweet!.......



I guess buying one more wouldn't hurt



https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-MATCO-...805185?hash=item3d60d87b81:g:CZ8AAOSwj99aIt-A

 

[PR1Gneon]

The Gearhead flex handle works good too.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

 

[ngk22r]

Thank you.

With all the Matco to Gearwrench similarities I thought Matco may have moved production to Taiwan like I believe is GW's COO,

but after reading and watching video's here, I'm pretty sure Matco ratchets are Made in the USA still

I'm glad, because the action on this "88" is really nice, and it's good to see USA production quality can still keep pace even when the item cost (like this inexpensive head) isn't that high.

You would be correct:

 

[seber]

I found a Wright soft grip on fleabay for $12 with shipping. The handle from one of those cheap four way screwdrivers is a perfect press fit. I did have to file some clearance for the ratchet head however.
It's my Wratco ratchet.

 

[PR1Gneon]

I found a Wright soft grip on fleabay for $12 with shipping. The handle from one of those cheap four way screwdrivers is a perfect press fit. I did have to file some clearance for the ratchet head however.

Looks like my Duralast ratchets.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

 

[Ji m]

Re: "Build" a Matco swivel ratchet for $33

The short handle is part of a Gearhead double flex ratchet from Pepboys.

Maybe the same as the Pittsburgh

I used your tip

I got the Taiwanese HF double flex (96369),
and used the lower portion like you did.

The opening did not need to be opened up, or clearanced at all like the Capri did,
but it is slightly wobbly (I may try a thicker lock washer in the Matco 88's recess to compensate).

I really like this as a stubby flex head,
I didn't want to just toss out the rest of the HF Pittsburgh ratchet,
so I put a throwaway, junk bright orange CM handle on it to make a second stubby flex head for my travel bag.
Thanks!

notice how much THICKER the HF head is compared to the sweet Matco 88

^I also swapped a dual-drive 1/4" 3/8" HF gear into the Pittsburgh ratchet just to try it out.
I don't think I like it.

 

[Ji m]

Frankenstein family pic group shot:

^ including the Harbor Freight 96369 red headed step brother made from leftover parts

so is this a silk purse from a sows ear?
or $106 down the drain?



I think I really am finished this time

 

[Specs]

Having a mess of ratchets already, it’s definitely a silk purse cause the head is not too big and reaches in where i need to and saves some steps in getting a breaker bar

 

[seber]

Well now that I've done a healthy project with the Wratco ratchet and had plenty of time to evaluate it, I've gone back to my old 30 tooth Snap-On. I wish I could explain why but it just works better for me. I should mention that for me the main advantage of a flex ratchet is using it as a speed wrench.

 

[Ji m]

I'm honestly tempted to buy this since the seller hasn't had one up in a long while,
but there's a Matco head up now if anyone was waiting for them to come back up

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-MATCO-...816848?hash=item3d685b4490:g:CZ8AAOSwj99aIt-A

 

[Yarpo]

I'm honestly tempted to buy this since the seller hasn't had one up in a long while,
but there's a Matco head up now if anyone was waiting for them to come back up

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-MATCO-...816848?hash=item3d685b4490:g:CZ8AAOSwj99aIt-A

You and me both, a little sad I missed out last time. I ended up with a snap on Flex head instead, but I kinda want this and may make a stubby? Idk, I'm an addict

 

[Ji m]

This guy has one with a bent handle for a little more than twice the price
(also tempting)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Matco-Tool...e=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649

and yeah,
it's an addiction.

 

[RH2]

After looking at this thread, does anyone know what handle fits best here...preferrably with no modification? I have the Kobalt flex handle ratchet and it looks like the shoulders on that are much wider than the Matco head. Any ideas of a direct replacement?

Thanks,
Robert

 

[Whoismiked]

I know this thread is several months old now but does anyone know a place to get and heads anymore? I would love to make something like this.

 

[Jordanj]

I know this thread is several months old now but does anyone know a place to get and heads anymore? I would love to make something like this.

me too

 

[isuhunter]

We don't have a pepboys in the area and I want to turn mine into a stubby. What other stubby handles have you guys had luck with?

 

[Specs]

Update: Since people were clamoring for new head combinations, did some grimy research, found that Kobalt PRO90 flex head ratchets in 3/8, fit like they Belong on a Capri breaker bar. No grinding down required. So if you find a Stubby 3/8, or Break the collar that holds the head, on any other length kobalt flex, You can order the Capri bar and drop it in. Beware, Lowe’s discontinuing Kobalt, so you gotta make moves for the head...



#0337332 is the part number on front
#85863 is the number on back...

Happy hunting


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