Does Anybody Else Like Round Head Ratchets

[dnschmidt]

Like most of you I've got a zillion ratchets. But my all time favorites are the Williams B52 and the flex head version of the B52 and I have several of each. These have round heads and I just like them better than the pear heads so prevalent these days. Anybody else on my side of this?

 

[ChevyEFI]

I grew up on the SK 3870 roto. Ever since, the flex handle pear/taper/whatever head stuff never felt right to me when angled, and a single-side pawl in a pear has less tangible design strength vs. doubles.

A development of the Snap-On 100t 3/8 line or 72t 1/4 round head lines would be okay by me. Since they seem to be sitting around 72t/80t pear head campfire, I won't hold my breath.

 

[Al Borland]

New Britain!

 

[mikebaker1129]

Like most of you I've got a zillion ratchets. But my all time favorites are the Williams B52 and the flex head version of the B52 and I have several of each. These have round heads and I just like them better than the pear heads so prevalent these days. Anybody else on my side of this?

I agree,I love the B52 original . The flex heads are really tough to find !
The Palmsters are awesome too !

 

[Skin]

In terms of strength and the way it feels in the hand I do. But in terms of switching directions and compactness no.

 

[Iowafox]

I have to say I have a soft spot for them. My first real ratchet was a MAC tools VRR15FPA. 16inch Facom made MAC branded round head ratchet. I changed many tires used it as my breaker bar actually never owned a breaker bar due to this ratchet until this last year when I bought myself a MAC 1/2 breaker for $8. The 1/2 MAC round head my original one which is probably 10 or more years old. Never once taken apart or serviced. I just last year bought a 2nd of this same model because I like my original so much. I even have the 3/8 model of it XRR11FPA. Those are probably my most used ratchets. Well they where. The 3/8 has been sitting lately as i've been doing alot of work on a mini bike and don't need flex heads so my Napa carlyle pearhead 3/8 and old Snapon FL721 has been getting tons of use.
I do like pear heads a little more then round heads just because i've broken many of the cheap round head garbage ratchets. Where even the cheap pear heads hold up moderately better.
My 1/2 Mac on the other hand will probably never be replaced as I love using it even tho I just got a new 1/2 MAC Axis non flex head I still find myself using my round head flex head more.
So to answer your question yes and no.

 

[tool_scrounge]

New Britain, wright, SK are all good!

 

[bonneyman]

SK 45170. Going strong since 1980!

Although I have branched out due to the forum and tried other styles. The HF composite handle jobbies are freakin nice!

 

[M6erfan]

I like round heads. Classic SK, and Palm Control ratchets here

 

[Indexmill]

Yes.

 

[LXCam]

Not especially. I’ve got a bunch of them but given an option, they aren’t my go too’s.

 

[JR 42]

Yep. My first ratchet was a Cman triwing (terrible balance, but worked when I needed it, which was rarely). I like using the Wright, Proto (Facom), and Cman RHFT I've since stumbled across, and hope to snag an old Williams and S-K or five eventually.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I’ll use either one but prefer pear head that’s just me though I guess I like a more traditional design but I have more of the round head ones since they were more common in the older sets I have acquired.


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[ajchien]

I like the round heads because accidental switching of off/on seems to be less often with my round heads. Especially with the smaller 1/4” drive ones which I like to palm the head.

On the other hand, if there’s a reason to switch off/on repetitively, then a pear head with switch is preferable.

 

[lardy1]

I love my SK RH's. I have nine of them (maybe more) in the three common sizes and want a 1/4' drive flex to add to them.

I'm not sure they are my favorite anymore but once I could afford decent tools, SK RH's waltzed right into my heart. After those junk Asian roundheads that came in cheap tin boxes with sockets that either didn't fit anything or broke if they did, I was in heaven. So many more modern concepts today, however.

 

[Al Borland]

Round heads were more common when i was a kid, the exception being the Craftsman ratchets. After you used the Craftsman ratchets, the New Britain and SK ratchets seemed SO much better.
I had some Challenger ratchets with a built-in thumbwheel, and have a couple Stanley clones (made in Taiwan) that were great in the day.

 

[Milton Shaw]

I have a long handle 1/2 inch Snap on pear head that has always given me problems by reversing itself. When I would break a bolt loose with a 24" extension it would always reverse from the vibration of breaking it loose. I swapped it once with Snap On and the new one did the same thing. I never had a round head SK that ever reversed itself. So I prefer SK round heads to anybodies Pear head. Love my SK's.

 

[Rickster]

Yes! Used my 3/8dr round head SK Roto-Head Ratchet forever until upgrading to a round head Snap-on roto-head with a hard handle.

 

[KnurledNut]

Like most of you I've got a zillion ratchets. But my all time favorites are the Williams B52 and the flex head version of the B52 and I have several of each. These have round heads and I just like them better than the pear heads so prevalent these days. Anybody else on my side of this?

Im with you. I have a theory that the slim necked handle was designed to yield before the ratchet mechanism breaks or anvil shears. I base this on having seen several bent handles on perfectly usuable ratchets, most likely from cheater bars. The B54 is one of my favorite ratchets. Anyone figured out a good way to tighten the inevitable floppy flex joint?

Edit: BTW, if you want to learn patience, tackle a few of the lock rings that hold these ratchets together. ;-)

 

[Al Borland]

Used my SK Wayne era roundheads till they wore out and started slipping.
Hated Hated HATED the Fuc-em SK ratchets.

 

[dnschmidt]

KnurledNut. Not a problem if you have the special Williams spanner wrench specifically designed to do this job that fits into the slots in the retaining ring. I have both the 3/8" and 1/2" spanner and plenty of spare replacement cartridges. SO THERE! I thought ahead when I first bought them in the 1970's. I know that everybody HATES floppy heads. I don't. In fact it's why I love the B54. By habit I always use two hands on a ratchet (one on the head and the other on the handle) and I don't find the hated floppy head to be a problem but a benefit as it makes the ratchet a great spinner-outer (I just invented that word). The head to handle joint is a pin so there is no tightening mechanism. I was an idiot and gave to B54 to someone who use to be a friend. I should break into his house and take it back.

 

[Fedwrench]

I still have a few, the classic SK & their 3870 roto head, the older Matco versions with the contour handle similar to wright but, with a slightly smaller head, the older Facom french made palm control ratchets with the tapered comfort grip handle. That was a great handle design!!! and the current Proto versions made in Italy nice knurled handles. Although no longer supported by Mac, i still have a few of their rounds heads. I had to stop using my rocket red comfort grip handled flex head because, Mac stopped making the repair kits. I think that was my favorite ratchet series of all time. I have to admit that I might even miss the older Mac round heads. I think the only snap on round head i have left is a real tiny 1/4 one that i use exclusively on GM ac actuators. I think my old F747 snap on hard handled roto head sprouted legs since I haven't seen it in awhile. After reading this, i guess I've hung on to far more round head ratchets than I realized. Then there's a few old New Britain and blackhawk ratchets in a tub way in the back shelf

 

[ForrestT]

SK’s and New Britain’s are some of my favorites. Just picked up this old school Wright off eBay last night. Can’t wait to get it and check it out.


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[mikebaker1129]

KnurledNut. Not a problem if you have the special Williams spanner wrench specifically designed to do this job that fits into the slots in the retaining ring. I have both the 3/8" and 1/2" spanner and plenty of spare replacement cartridges. SO THERE! I thought ahead when I first bought them in the 1970's. I know that everybody HATES floppy heads. I don't. In fact it's why I love the B54. By habit I always use two hands on a ratchet (one on the head and the other on the handle) and I don't find the hated floppy head to be a problem but a benefit as it makes the ratchet a great spinner-outer (I just invented that word). The head to handle joint is a pin so there is no tightening mechanism. I was an idiot and gave to B54 to someone who use to be a friend. I should break into his house and take it back.

Yes get that B54 back!
I have one with the blue handle .
I do not have any kits for Williams 3/8 rats but I do have both spanner so and a few kits for the S series ratchets.
I pick them up (B52's) when I find them for $5 or so.
Being in the shadow of many petrochemical plants help !

 

[KnurledNut]

KnurledNut. Not a problem if you have the special Williams spanner wrench specifically designed to do this job that fits into the slots in the retaining ring. I have both the 3/8" and 1/2" spanner and plenty of spare replacement cartridges. SO THERE! I thought ahead when I first bought them in the 1970's. I know that everybody HATES floppy heads. I don't. In fact it's why I love the B54. By habit I always use two hands on a ratchet (one on the head and the other on the handle) and I don't find the hated floppy head to be a problem but a benefit as it makes the ratchet a great spinner-outer (I just invented that word). The head to handle joint is a pin so there is no tightening mechanism. I was an idiot and gave to B54 to someone who use to be a friend. I should break into his house and take it back.

I know exactly what you are referencing.
I had that Williams factory tool.
Sheared the spanner pins clean off.
Unlike AZ, we have rust here.

Yes get that B54 back!
I have one with the blue handle .
I do not have any kits for Williams 3/8 rats but I do have both spanner so and a few kits for the S series ratchets.
I pick them up (B52's) when I find them for $5 or so.
Being in the shadow of many petrochemical plants help !

Does your B54 have the screwdriver blue handle?
I know a guy that has a S53 with that style handle. Super nice!

 

[JBH]

I never really considered "round" and "pear" distinct categories until reading here, but Gedore makes a really nice 60T round locking flex head in 3/8" and 1/2" drives. They're almost as smooth as Koken ratchets.

The body is the same for both models. Only the square and stamping are different. Here's a picture of both:

View media item 91413

 

[Fialaja]

Most of my ratchets are round heads aside from craftsman stainless and professional teardrops

 

[mikebaker1129]

I know exactly what you are referencing.
I had that Williams factory tool.
Sheared the spanner pins clean off.
Unlike AZ, we have rust here.




Does your B54 have the screwdriver blue handle?
I know a guy that has a S53 with that style handle. Super nice!

Yes ,I picked it up at Tommy tools in South Houston for $35 NOS.
This post inspired me to search eBay and add another Palmster kit to my Williams addiction.

 

[The Fall]

Yes. Especially in 1/4" and long-handled 1/2" drive. SK and Williams roundheads have a prominent place in my toolbox. I enjoy using them.

 

[GeoBruin]

Ive tried twice now to order a round head Blackhawk ratchet (once as a set with some sockets and one by itself) and both times I was shipped a newer, non round head, non-USA made ratchet that is apparently Blackhawk's updated model.

I really wish they would update the pictures/product description on the website.

 

[MJK]

I find it difficult to change directions on round head ratchets, and tend to avoid them. The exception for me is the SK 40970, which I just love and I could not tell you why. I pick it up over the SOs next to it most of the time.

 

[bonneyman]

I love my SK RH's. I have nine of them (maybe more) in the three common sizes and want a 1/4' drive flex to add to them.

I'm not sure they are my favorite anymore but once I could afford decent tools, SK RH's waltzed right into my heart. After those junk Asian roundheads that came in cheap tin boxes with sockets that either didn't fit anything or broke if they did, I was in heaven. So many more modern concepts today, however.

Yeah, just one more and you can complete your finger transplant!

 

[bpjr]

Definitely my choice in tight engine compartments where you cant't get a good swing with a stubby ratchet handle. I find myself using the round head with a knurled ring for finger turning in those places. It's better than ********* a slippery socket but I've been told some slippery sockets are more fun than others...that's what she said anyway.

 

[mikebaker1129]

Ive tried twice now to order a round head Blackhawk ratchet (once as a set with some sockets and one by itself) and both times I was shipped a newer, non round head, non-USA made ratchet that is apparently Blackhawk's updated model.

I really wish they would update the pictures/product description on the website.

What size and model # ? I have a few Blackhawk round heads.

 

[GeoBruin]

Ive seen at least two models, 34945b and 34945g. The only difference I can see is a difference in the selector switch. The model I purchased, according to CPO, is 34945g. The picture on their site to this day looks like the attached (white background) but what arrived looks like what is in my hand.

 

[mikebaker1129]

Here is on I had forgotten about .
Williams B53 with blue hard handle.


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[Cruzan80]

Is that JH Williams or Snap On Williams? If JH, all I knew was the S53, and the b54,

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[mikebaker1129]

Is that JH Williams or Snap On Williams? If JH, all I knew was the S53, and the b54,

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I am not certain,but I do not see any SO date codes on this one.
Anvil side is marked: Williams USA
Top side is marked: B53 SUPERRATCHET

I need to locate my B54 !

 

[mikebaker1129]

Here is a rare bird .
B54PH
I picked this up NOS at a tool store in Houston, the original price is there $39.99.View attachment 1


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[KnurledNut]

mikebaker1129, those are rare! Extremely nice ratchets!