Disappointed by SK flex ratchet

[nelstomlinson]

I got one of these $17 SK 1/2" flex ratchets from Grainger - one of the deals from the hot deals thread. The flex joint doesn't seem right. The joint grates and binds in some parts of its range of motion.

If I had paid the full $87 for this ratchet, I'd be very disappointed, and would probably send it back. Is this normal for this model? Is this something that I should try to warranty through SK?

 

[Jawn]

You know, I didn't pay much attention to mine til you mentioned it. Through the normal range of motion, it's fine... it only tightens up some when you swing the head approaching 90 degrees forward.

If I were you, I'd just drive out the pin, take apart the joint, clean, relube, and reassemble. Sounds like it may have some crud in it.

 

[nelstomlinson]

You know, I didn't pay much attention to mine til you mentioned it. Through the normal range of motion, it's fine... it only tightens up some when you swing the head approaching 90 degrees forward.

Mine's quite a bit worse than that. It really binds about 30 to 45 degrees, and it grates.

If I were you, I'd just drive out the pin, take apart the joint, clean, relube, and reassemble. Sounds like it may have some crud in it.

That's probably a good thought. I notice that the pin isn't quite centered in its hole. Maybe just driving it into the middle would clean up the action. The ends of the pin are slightly radiused, I think, so I'll try to dream up some kind of pin punch with a cupped tip, so I don't flatten it in the process. I wish I had a lathe.

 

[cib]

I'm not fond of the flex heads outside of the 3870 model, that model SK I love.

 

[Jawn]

That's probably a good thought. I notice that the pin isn't quite centered in its hole. Maybe just driving it into the middle would clean up the action. The ends of the pin are slightly radiused, I think, so I'll try to dream up some kind of pin punch with a cupped tip, so I don't flatten it in the process. I wish I had a lathe.

Mine is a hair off center too, I noticed. I wouldn't worry about a cupped tip for a punch unless it takes a LOT of force, it might not take much. I was getting set up to take apart a loose used 1/4" SK ratchet I bought, set it up and put the punch on it, then tapped the punch with my fist and the pin went flying.


On the 1/4" rat, I was able to clean it up, re-bend the curved washer that provides tension, and put it back together... good as new.

 

[NastyNate]

Im still waiting to see if mine come in. Still says shipping date of the 14th and back ordered... Ill hold my breath and see what happens. I have heard mixed reviews on them but Im a huge fan of SK stuff so my opinion might be biased.

 

[PSYKO_Inc]

I still haven't received mine yet. The email said it is expected to ship Dec. 14th, but I'm not holding my breath on it...

 

[nelstomlinson]

Mine was back ordered for a few days, then status switched to ``not shipped'', then to ``shipped''.

Other than the binding, this is definitely an SK ratchet. I count 50 clicks to go all the way around, so it's not fine toothed like my double-pawl Wright, but it's nice and smooth. It looks pretty, and if it's like my old SK stuff, it's going to be really tough. I just need to do something about that binding and grating.

For $87, I would have been pretty upset, but for $17, it's actually a pretty good deal.

 

[fivespdcat]

I walked into the Grainger store yesterday and they were still confused on where mine was. They found one in Alabama and shipped it to my house free of charge. I'll have to see if it comes in, but they said it was the last one in all of Grainger land... It's supposed to be in Tuesday or Wednesday.

 

[Jeeper]

Mine squeaked and had a little bind when the head was flipped back. Worked it back and forth a few times and it was worked itself out.

 

[jim2664258]

The backorder date for my SK flex ratchet came and went so I emailed Grainger, at which point they notified me that the backorder date was changed to sometime in January. However, they offered the Proto 1/2" flex head ratchet, listed as a replacement to the SK, as a substitute -- for the same pricing as the SK. http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/PROTO-Ratchet-2CEG5?Pid=search

I think this is just how my local Grainger handled the situation (Raleigh) because I don't think I've read about anyone else being extended the same courtesy (read: I got lucky). So for $17 and change including tax, I have the Proto - first Proto tool I own. Initial impressions are I like it, no complaints at all.

 

[larryq]

The backorder date for my SK flex ratchet came and went so I emailed Grainger, at which point they notified me that the backorder date was changed to sometime in January. However, they offered the Proto 1/2" flex head ratchet, listed as a replacement to the SK, as a substitute -- for the same pricing as the SK. http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/PROTO-Ratchet-2CEG5?Pid=search

I think this is just how my local Grainger handled the situation (Raleigh) because I don't think I've read about anyone else being extended the same courtesy (read: I got lucky). So for $17 and change including tax, I have the Proto - first Proto tool I own. Initial impressions are I like it, no complaints at all.

I emailed them a few days ago too, to see if the order was gone completely, backordered, etc. No offer of the Proto equivalent, but I was told the backorder date on my stuff is 12/21. At this rate I'd be shocked if I actually got them, but fingers crossed. Grainger has a very odd ordering system, it seems.

 

[billymade]

Got some pics of the proto?

 

[mrstrictlygm]

The backorder date for my SK flex ratchet came and went so I emailed Grainger, at which point they notified me that the backorder date was changed to sometime in January. However, they offered the Proto 1/2" flex head ratchet, listed as a replacement to the SK, as a substitute -- for the same pricing as the SK. http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/PROTO-Ratchet-2CEG5?Pid=search

I think this is just how my local Grainger handled the situation (Raleigh) because I don't think I've read about anyone else being extended the same courtesy (read: I got lucky). So for $17 and change including tax, I have the Proto - first Proto tool I own. Initial impressions are I like it, no complaints at all.

I've got that same Proto 1/2" drive flex head, I think I paid about $70.00 for it. I am very happy with it, very smooth and good quality. You got a heck of a deal. Mine is made in USA, I see that the Grainger website lists the country of origin, Italy, Is this a misprint, or are these indeed made in Italy now?

 

[jim2664258]

No way for me to know the COO other than what is listed on the Grainger site, it is not stamped on the tool anywhere.

I will post a couple pics of it tomorrow morning, at billymade's request.

 

[csmitty]

So, I got my 2nd ratchet today. Ordered both on 11/20, got one a few days later, then this one a month later. Was quite interesting to see the stark difference between the two. I'm betting some were NOS and this is a new Ideal one.

New on top. Notice the Hinge area has been redone and looks similar to a SO.

Also the head is way more radius'd than the old.

New on top again. The thickness where it slots in to the handle is a bit thicker on the new. .499" vs .488". Also if you look at where the recess is for the snap ring, notice the distance to the curved cutout.

Also no more pin.

And lastly. Its hard to tell but the beam thickness is increased on the new one. .63 vs .57. Also the new is more round. I noticed with my calipers on the older one that it was most def not round. More oval. And it seems the new is lightly stamped vs engraved on the older one. Or could be a light engraving. Either way more faint.

Just my observations.

 

[SMKS]

Wow, that screw-together joint is a nice update over the pressed-pin joint.

 

[CARS]

I had a SK ratchet sent in for warranty earlier this year. Just happened to be when they were going through their re-structuring/new ownership (what ever happened).

They don't make that model anymore and they sent the "new equivalent" to me.

JUNK!

I really wish I new what model I had. It was a good ratchet. This new one just *****. Sloppy, not as many clicks. Just plain disappointment.