Cornwell ratchets?

[mikebaker1129]

I could have picked up a couple used corny ratchets last week for about $10 ea .
1 was a standard 3/8 dr rat and the other was a 1/4 dr blue plastic hard handle.
Are they worth picking up for this price?

Forgot to mention that they were used.

 

[rjohnson]

Yes, that is a good deal! I prefer Snap-on ratchets, but the Cornwells are too good of a deal to pass up. They are very good ratchets for that amount.

 

[zkling]

Depends on the model. If they are the pear head with round reversing lever and tapered handle, those are very nice smooth ratchets even with their lower tooth count.

 

[gdocktor3]

For $20 who cares what model they are? Cornwell makes solid tools and those will probably last forever even under heavy use. Pick em up,take them apart to clean and lube and you'll have yourself two awesome ratchets.

 

[dodgejunkie]

I had a cornwell 3/8" I bought some 30 years ago! It was as nice as the So or Macs I have! I gave it to a young budding mechanic that I got to know to show him the difference between a store brand, and truck stuff! It made my day watching his face light up when I handed it to him!

 

[espyking83]

Cornwells are decent, better for automotive type work, not aerospace though imo

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

For sure they are worth picking up for that price. I really like my Cornwell ratchets, especially my hard handle 3/8".

 

[RRmech]

I have a complete set of older Cromwell pear-head ratchets (1/4", 3/8". and 1/2" drives).
Lower tooth count, but still pretty smooth.
Well worth way more than ten bucks....if....in good operating condition.

Steve

 

[Fedwrench]

It's entirely up to you

However, the classic 30 tooth Cornwell ratchet with the coke bottle shaped handle hasn't changed much in the last 50 years. They're pretty tough and smooth but, definitely old school at thirty teeth with a two tooth engagement.
US Made from a different era. Cornwell does offer 72 tooth ratchets that are newer but, pretty stiff.

 

[JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN]

They are my favorite ratchets to use besides my dual 80's. At that price they are a steal

 

[Davefr]

If one of them was a JR72, then it's the nicest 3/8" ratchet on the planet.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Just like SK, the repair kits will fit the ratchet if it is the age old design. At $10 each I think that's not a bad price. You can always sell them for that much if you hate them.

 

[mikebaker1129]

I went to the flea market and picked them up.
The 3/8 was well used but works ,1/4 looks like it is in very good condition but does not function.
I also picked up a 3/8 JS tuff 1 clone and a 3/8 Facom 161 clone made in Taiwan for $5 ea
Thanks for the confirmation, I had a gut feeling I needed to pick these up for $10ea.

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

I just got a 1/4 drive Cornwell this weekend. At first it appeared to be worn out, but after some soaking in wd40 it started working. So sometimes you never know until you start cleaning them up.

 

[mikebaker1129]

I just got a 1/4 drive Cornwell this weekend. At first it appeared to be worn out, but after some soaking in wd40 it started working. So sometimes you never know until you start cleaning them up.

Yes, I was going to give this a try when I get to work on Monday.
The 1/4 looks great but it feels locked up and will not ratchet nor will the selector turn.

 

[fras_auto]

I could have picked up a couple used corny ratchets last week for about $10 ea .
1 was a standard 3/8 dr rat and the other was a 1/4 dr blue plastic hard handle.
Are they worth picking up for this price?

Forgot to mention that they were used.

IM JEALOUS

 

[mjoekingz28]

Cornwells are decent, better for automotive type work, not aerospace though imo

Do you like Armstrong for aviation work?

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

Yes, I was going to give this a try when I get to work on Monday.

The 1/4 looks great but it feels locked up and will not ratchet nor will the selector turn.

I wouldn't be surprised if it was just seized from dirt and rust. Could try socking in diesel fuel, or ATF.

 

[espyking83]

Do you like Armstrong for aviation work?

Yeah the 88 was great. Koken Zeal is a really good ratchet for aero space too because of the limited back drag. My favorite is still the SK 1/4" ratchet, there has been a few times when i wanted more teeth, but the design is flawless and has been durable as hell. Snap Ons are a safe buy, just not a fan of pear head for aviation.

I had the 3/8" Armstrong 88 btw, smooth as hell, just didnt work out well when removing/installing flaps or anything in the engine. I should have bought a 1/4 version but i bought it at launch and everything was sold out everywhere. I dunno, bought and sold a million ratchets over the years and would never dream about getting rid of the SK, first one I bought and still in my box, never had to warranty it.