Does anybody else like the HF composite ratchets?

[The Metric System]

I've been working in industry for ~25 years, and have used (and currently own) ratchets from most/all of the big name US and international brands.

Still, the most-used ratchets I own are these plastic Pittsburgh ones from Harbor freight:

https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-drive-composite-quick-release-ratchet-70165.html

The chunky offset plastic handle is comfortable to hold, they don't get hot/cold when working outdoors, don't conduct heat or electricity, and the soft plastic casing won't mar or chip surfaces like a metallic one can. Plus the ratchet mechanism is strong/smooth enough for any work I've ever done, and they're cheap enough to have one in every car and in all my traveling work bags.

The only real downside is that they are chunky, so I switch to smaller all-steel ratchets for real close/awkward work but for the other ~95% of my uses they really are my favorite option.

I was previously concerned with how well the handle materials would hold up to grease and solvents, but it doesn't seem to be an issue after 10+ years of use.

 

[dnschmidt]

I like them too.

 

[finn]

I like to dig mine out in the winter.

They don’t transfer heat out of your fingers like a steel ratchet does.

 

[CGarage]

I have these but made under a brand Hazet owns.

I like them a lot!

There is slightly too much play in the anvil, but this can sometimes be an advantage.

They feel great in the hand and the soft finish is good for working near delicate materials.

 

[rust in the eye]

No. I gave away mine for precisely the reason, chunky, some like it. Aside that it was a decent enough ratchet for the $$.

 

[ecotec]

I prefer this style to the chunky handle ones.

 

[NoahG]

The 1/4 is actually my favorite 1/4. Definitely underrated.

 

[dagofast]

I bought the first one, a ⅜" after my shiny trusty metal ratchet nearly gave me 2nd degree burns while swapping out a car battery in July here in Phoenix. Now that I have achieved geezerhood, my arthritic hands ache constantly and I currently find myself automatically reaching for these HF ratchets whenever fasteners need turning. That bulky handle is much kinder to my paws. Even better, there used to be a longstanding coupon to by any drive size for $7.99 and I see by @ecotec 's post that I saved myself about half by buying all 3 sizes way back then.

 

[AJHD]

Can't say I do. I had 3 and recently threw 'em in the trash. Not even worth keeping in the car or spare tools Packout anymore.

The ratchet body itself is fine, but the mechanism and selector feel loose and otherwise terrible.

 

[cbracer]

I like the HF teardrop style. Very under rated that's for sure. Price, features, function, etc.....

 

[haneyrm]

Love these ratchets. Just swapped my old gray ones for new green ones. Have a Tekton version as well and they look very similar.

 

[Kscardsfan]

they're great to leave in truck box.

 

[lardy1]

I have the Tekton. Surprisingly low backdrag. I rarely use it because it's so bulky but I can understand the attraction.

 

[bwringer]

I prefer this style to the chunky handle ones.

Same. I have several of the older version with red accents; two in my main box that get daily use, and a couple in vehicle toolboxes. The chunkier ones are serviceable, but too bulky. I like the fact that it's non-conductive.

And if you want the lightest, most compact possible ratchet for a motorcycle tool roll or something, cut the plastic off and you get the absolute minimum of what a ratchet can be, a plain steel rod with a ratchet mechanism at one end.

I also have several of the 1/4" roto ratchets, my most-used ratchet by far. In my main box, one is always pre-loaded with a 10mm deep, one has an 8mm deep, and another is open, but usually gets a 12mm deep. They're also in my vehicle boxes, and there are a couple in tool rolls with the plastic/rubber handle heated and pulled off to save space.

 

[KnurledNut]

I have the 1/4 drive.
About the only benefit for my use is the offset handle, which is a rare need, but worth having the option.

I’m intrigued by the blue Duralast encapsulated ratchet but have yet to justify a need for it.

 

[dscheidt]

I had one. It was fine, except the selector was backwards. I got sick of it in about an hour, and left it somewhere someone would pick it up.

 

[Houdini5150]

I have a 3/8 and 1/2 one when they use to offer coupons on these ratchets. Nice little ratchet. I use it from time to time

 

[unslow1]

I like them for working on show cars. They help with avoiding a paint chip.

 

[Union Delegate]

They're low back drag and priced to be disposable. Very durable except the handle will bend easily with a cheater pipe on it. 100% worth the purchase.

Who really cares about the direction switch? Only 2 directions, it's not that hard to get used to even from SO ratchets

 

[seber]

They're low back drag and priced to be disposable. Very durable except the handle will bend easily with a cheater pipe on it. 100% worth the purchase.

Who really cares about the direction switch? Only 2 directions, it's not that hard to get used to even from SO ratchets

If you have spent a lifetime working ratchets one way by habit, having one work backward is absolutely unacceptable.

 

[Al Borland]

If you have spent a lifetime working ratchets one way by habit, having one work backward is absolutely unacceptable.

And if you spent a lifetime using round-head ratchets, you would be in the habit of checking every time...

 

[Notgrownup]

They sure get a lot of good reviews on the site.

 

[Union Delegate]

If you have spent a lifetime working ratchets one way by habit, having one work backward is absolutely unacceptable.

You lose, what, half a second searching for the opposite direction if you get it wrong? Not a big deal to me

 

[dscheidt]

You lose, what, half a second searching for the opposite direction if you get it wrong? Not a big deal to me

It’s a big deal when you do it by habit. It’s not the time, it’s the intrusion into working attention. That disrupts thinking about what you are doing, what you’re doing next, and that’s unacceptable.

 

[Union Delegate]

It’s a big deal when you do it by habit. It’s not the time, it’s the intrusion into working attention. That disrupts thinking about what you are doing, what you’re doing next, and that’s unacceptable.

It's really not that difficult to remember once you use a new ratchet once or twice. There's literally 2 options

 

[dscheidt]

It's really not that difficult to remember once you use a new ratchet once or twice. There's literally 2 options

since every other ratchet I have works the same way, there’s nothing to remember with them. A ratchet that requires any sort of thought has failed at being a good tool. It’s a distraction, and even if it doesn’t cost any time (it does, though), it’s unpleasant, and since there there are many other options, why bother with the ****** one?

 

[Shadowdog500]

I bought a couple a few years ago and really like to use them in the winter when it’s near or below freezing in my unheated shop because they are relatively warm to the skin compared to a metal ratchet that feels like it’s made of ice.

I also like them when removing battery lugs since they are not conductive. I do remove the negative battery cable first and install it last to minimize a problem but a ratchet touching the wrong place can still short the two battery terminals.

 

[Union Delegate]

since every other ratchet I have works the same way, there’s nothing to remember with them. A ratchet that requires any sort of thought has failed at being a good tool. It’s a distraction, and even if it doesn’t cost any time (it does, though), it’s unpleasant, and since there there are many other options, why bother with the ****** one?

That's personal preference. It's almost subconscious for me to flick the switch to the other side.

The HF composite might not win any beauty contests, but it is lighter and lower backdrag than anything else I own, which makes it very handy and quick to ratchet fasteners. It's so cheap I don't give AF if it drops or gets lost. Can't say the same about my F80 or other dual pawl chrome ratchets.

It's a burner ratchet you can leave around, not my very first choice though.

 

[dnschmidt]

They are cheap, they have very low back drag, they don't either freeze or burn your hand when used in extreme climates and personally I don't give a **** which way the switch works as long as it doesn't reverse itself which in my experience they don't. For $10 they work perfectly fine and cost less than one Snap-On socket.