Double bend 3/8 ratchet

[ChiffChiff]

Bought this puppy about 5 years ago off the Snap-On dealer. He also had the adjustable heelbars. Now this was before Snap-On and Craftsman came out with them. The company that made it was Radial-Lock. It's made in USA. And according to my Snap-On dealer I bought it from, the company went under a few months later and Snap-On bought the patent to the joint design. Low and behold a few months after that Snap-On came out with the same heelbars branded as Snap-On but I've never seen another ratchet like this one.

Just curious if anybody else has seen a double joint ratchet like it. It has come in handy quite a few times, but I've come to find that things I can reach and get out, I have a hell of a time getting back in, haha.

 

[billymade]

Not exactly the same but a new style that came out recently:
http://ezred.com/Product_Pages/MR14DJ.htm

Snap-On used to make a flex head ratchet with two joints; used for front end work. Model # WA25AFL: "Flexible joints at head and handle give access in difficult-to-reach areas. This 7/8", 12-point, reversible ratcheting box wrench-style ratchet is 18 1/2" long. Use with the WA28 Series 7/8" external hex sockets."

http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=m570&_nkw=wa28afl

 

[ChiffChiff]

I've seen those, but it's quite different. You can reach around corners with it and you can leave one of the joints unlocked and use a pushing motion after the fastener is loosened and use it as a speeder of sorts.

 

[2drx4]

That thing is forking cool.

 

[4x4gearhead]

I like the texture on the handle on that looks like a nicely made piece very useful

 

[mkdive]

Very cool!

 

[plewlandsbob]

How do you rate the adustable heelbars ? Have been thinking about getting some of these, but haven't seen any up close. I can definately see the advantage of them.

 

[bonneyman]

Very different, and very cool! I'm sure it comes in handy on today's crammed cars and trucks.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

********, i could do with one of those!

 

[ChiffChiff]

I like the texture on the handle on that looks like a nicely made piece very useful

It is quite well built. The ratchet is more of a fine tooth ratchet and it can't take much torque even though it is quite a long handle. The length is more for getting around corners more than providing more torque.

How do you rate the adustable heelbars ? Have been thinking about getting some of these, but haven't seen any up close. I can definately see the advantage of them.

The ones I've seen from Snap-On seem to have a high quality locking joint. I don't have any because I've been on kind of a tool budget for now, but will probably buy a set eventually. I have a set of Snap-On fixed heelbars and can think of a time or two where an adjustable heel would've been nice.

Very different, and very cool! I'm sure it comes in handy on today's crammed cars and trucks.

It is, but like I said before, its almost too good at getting into hard to reach places. You start running into the problem of figuring out how to get the fastener started when your putting things back together.

********, i could do with one of those!

Yes you do. I'm kind of a little paranoid of using it now though. If it breaks I have no way of replacing it and wouldn't even know where to start if I had problems with the joints. The ratchet internals I may be able to find somewhere though.

 

[48548]

This is the closest I have, but I have all 3 sizes and two of each....

 

[hammergodthor]

That is super cool! Snap On is missing the boat.

 

[DrkMtnDew]

Thats one sweet ratchet.