Chrome handle or Comfort handle (SO)

[jesselyons2002]

The reason I ask this is because Im thinking about buying the new Dual 80 Snap on ratchets in 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 but only want the ones with flex heads. But the thing is. Which is better for longevity, comfort and resist to shop chemicals ???

 

[Diesel-Mech]

Which is better for longevity, comfort and resist to shop chemicals ???

For durability and chemical resistance no doubt about it the chrome handle wins. As far as comfort goes thats completely personal preference I prefer hard handles my self.

 

[oldgoat]

They might be different now, but the shop bought some SO ratchets with the soft handles on them. Found out though that the handle didn't extend all the way through to the end and the last 1/2 inch or so would break off. Otherwise they held up good, but I just thought it was a poor design.

 

[Merkava_4]

I wish I could help you out on this one Jesse, but I've never had the new soft grip in my hand.

The metal handle has two grooves in it that dig into my middle finger as I wrap my hand around it; other than that, it's a great handle.

 

[CRAZYASTRO]

I got the crome handles on all of mine. Never got hurt by a handle... When i'm taking **** apart, I'm wearing some mechanix anyways to secure my knuckles. And about 1/4 and 3/8 , i can say it's always nice to have a skinny end of the ratchet to let u use 1 or 2 teeth more in tight places....

Chris

PS: things like stubbies with a big fat rubber handle make no sense...

 

[Merkava_4]

I've seriously thought about putting some heat shrink tubing around that handle.

 

[Frank Elson]

there's a guy on telly in the UK (Cable) has red insulating tape wrapped around his ratchets. I often think of this forum and wonder what you lot would make of him.

 

[Merkava_4]

I wouldn't want to use tape because you'd end up with overlapping ridges, but I'm thinking heat shrink tubing might work. I've even seen end cap heat shrink tubing too; so I'd put the end cap on first and then put the main tube on after that and just overlap the cap at the base of the handle a little bit.

 

[wrenchr]

I prefer the metal handles.

 

[eschoendorff]

Try the heat shrink. If you don't like it, you can always dut it off with a razor.

As for the grip, I have both comfort grip and chrome. For clearance and overall usability, I like the chrome grips a little better. However, they are cold as **** when November/December roll around....

 

[Merkava_4]

However, they are cold as **** when November/December roll around....

I hate having to pull my PP out during the winter while my hands are cold. . .

 

[wilbilt]

Lots of years working in unheated shops and I would tend to agree...

I still prefer the chrome handles, though.

 

[lauver]

I've seriously thought about putting some heat shrink tubing around that handle.

Merk,

Regarding heat shrink tubing--I've used a length of bicycle inner tube (the ones for really skinny tires) on several of my ratchet handles. It works well on many ratchet handles, especially the craftsman raised panel type. The inner tubes are fairly thin yet soft and grippy. And can be removed for occasional cleaning. I'm not sure if it would work on a tapered handle though. You might want to give it a shot.

 

[autoace]

I don't like the soft comfort grip handles, they get "gummy" once they get solvents on them. That makes them look dirty, which bothers me, grease sticks to them. The old hard plastic handle ratchets were my favorite over chrome, but since they are not available anymore, I side with the chrome handles.

 

[paramudduck]

I really don't like the new handles. So chrome is my choice.
After a couple of years spent in North Dakota I agree on them being COLD!

I do wish they would make the hard handles again. Or get Williams with the hard handles in the market.

 

[wrenchr]

I have a propane heater that keeps the garage nice and toasty along with my ratchet handles!!

 

[jesselyons2002]

Thanks everybody. This is going to make it easier on which ratchets to get. This forums are #1 for tool help.

 

[Speed-Racer]

I really like the older hard plastic handle on the snap-ons, especially in the colder weather. It is such a pain to clean the newer style, would never purchase that style again, they are so annoying. They never seem to be clean. Perhaps the overseas plant cannot make the traditional style plastic handle?

Does anyone else remember the old snap-on catalog that had the shop section pages flipped upside down compared to the hand tools? Still recall my dealer telling me how cool that catalog was, just like the current spin on the screwdriver handles. Huge blunder, hopefully Snap-on will bring back the real screwdrivers and ratchet handles.

Would like to find a way to attach a new hard plastic handles on the chrome handle ratchets, please post any successful mods. I really like the smaller plastic handles that are like the first gen screwdrivers(F-726, 751 ratchets & others from the mid 1980's). What a great idea/product Williams would have if they offered ratchets with hard plastic handles.

 

[speed bump]

I really like my comfort grip FH747, I definetly wouldn't trade it for a SO hard handle.

 

[GDA]

Chrome. No matter what happens to get on it, tossed on it or if the tool gets slid across the garage cement floor.... no worries. Mechanix gloves also rule.

 

[TKmech]

After using the FX80 (chrome handle) and the FHOF80 (comfort grip) i can definetly say that i like the chrome better. Even though i really liked the offset head of the FHOF i was always worried about getting diesel or oil on the handle and having it soak it up.

So unfortunately, the FHOF had to go back. I wouldnt recommend anything but chrome handles.

 

[DHCrocks]

If you took off the comfort grip would it be the regular chrome handle under there or is it a competly different ratchet. Just wondering, cause I bought one and after the first day of use I got a slice in the black rubber part, it's not all the way through but I can see how this thing won't last for long. Since that episode, I've bought 2 more 80s and a 72 but all were chrome handle. I like the feel of the comfort grip but it doesn't seem like it will hold up. If pure feel of the tool were the only variable, then the comfort grips would be my preference, but looking at longevity I have to choose the chrome. not to mention it's cheaper too, which is a big plus.

 

[Fedwrench]

If you took off the comfort grip would it be the regular chrome handle under there or is it a competly different ratchet.

No, it's not a regular chrome handle. It's kind of like rat tail tang with wings to retain the soft grip handle. There's a picture in another thread that shows a handle being replaced.

 

[Merkava_4]

I'm thinking if I had a soft grip ratchet and I used it on a regular basis - and going by what some guys have said about them - I'd be wanting to put a new handle on there every two weeks.

 

[Fedwrench]

I'm thinking if I had a soft grip ratchet and I used it on a regular basis - and going by what some guys have said about them - I'd be wanting to put a new handle on there every two weeks.

Be honest, if you had a soft grip ratchet, would you actually get it dirty?

They're very comfortable but, once dirty they stay that way and they're not as durable as they could be. As I have said before, all Snap on has to do to have the perfect soft grip handle would be to make the current shaped handle out of the same material as the Mac red textured comfort grip. You would have a winner then.

 

[Bolster]

Heat Shrink Tubing: That might work pretty well. Heat shrink tends to "loosen" a little with time, so you might want to put a double-stick tape beneath it.

This is a topic that gets lots of ink over at one of the flashlight forums. Lotta people heat-shrink their top-end lights so they're more comfortable to handle in cold weather. I "shrinked" one of mine to improve the grip, and it worked well. Cool thing is, you can add O-rings under the shrink to make anything extra-grippy.

I have some heat shrink that is Glow In The Dark!!! That would allow Merkava to find his ratchet in the middle of the night.

If you are a glow freak, here is the source:

http://glowinc.com/

Mix some of their super-strong glow powder in a little epoxy and drop it on a tool; guarantee nobody else in your shop will have tools marked in a similar way. The new Ultra glow powders will hold a glow for 12 hours and more!!

WOW, I am way off topic. Sorry.

 

[Merkava_4]

Heat Shrink Tubing: That might work pretty well. Heat shrink tends to "loosen" a little with time, so you might want to put a double-stick tape beneath it.

That's just it, they've got adhesive backed heat shrink tubing too. I'm just worried what the adhesive could do to the chrome finish over time; chemicals can do weird things.