Educate me about round head ratchets...

[Biomed]

Never owned a round head ratchet. Educate me. Let's use this Snap-on FHCNF72 as an example:

When Snap-on says "the swivel head offers a variety of ratcheting positions including 'straight on' for use as a ratcheting nut driver" does this mean the swivel round head can be locked in a number of positions or is it always free to swivel? I see a black dot in the photo, is that a lock release of some type or maybe a detent mechanism for the swivel head?

Thanks in advance for the education!

 

[Beaubeau]

It doesn't lock at all, that screw on the side holds tension on the swivel pin, I have two of those ratchets, they are my go too ratchets.

 

[omr]

I have an S-K swivel head ratchet that I love, it's my favorite ratchet.

 

[Nocturnal-G]

If you are looking for a locking position swivel ratchet, try the Wera Zyklop.

 

[paulwolf350]

I have the exact ratchet pictured, and fint it very useful as a nut driver. the black do you mentioned is actually an allen head screw for adjusting side tension, mine is set so that it can move when you want it to but is not floppy

I still use a normal ratchet for the initial break and final tension though

Paul

 

[omr]

I have the exact ratchet pictured, and fint it very useful as a nut driver. the black do you mentioned is actually an allen head screw for adjusting side tension, mine is set so that it can move when you want it to but is not floppy

I still use a normal ratchet for the initial break and final tension though

Paul

I can't speak for the snapon one, but my S-K breaks bolts with no damage to the ratchet. No need to use two ratchets.

 

[Mstrfxit12]

I bought a 3/8 Snap on one probably 15 years ago or so. it has been my go to ratchet ever since. It has held up like a champ. I have since bought a 1/4" hard handle and a 3/8" soft handle and they have performed equally well. I find the ability to go from a straight line nut driver to a conventional ratchet with the same tool to be very useful.

 

[RatchetMan]

I guess I'm the only one who doesn't favor them. I have the popular SK version and it's OK but I find that I don't like the pivot action has much as others do. If I'm bearing down on a tight bolt I like having the solid feel of a normal ratchet versus the slight movement of the head that comes with the swivel version.

I don't wrench for a living so I just use it for weekend and project work. Perhaps the guys that use them all day long are better judges of the merits of this design.

For me, I think the ideal ratchet is something like a SnapOn FL80. Long enough to give you some leverage but it still gives you a solid feel.

 

[SMKS]

It appears you're actually asking about roto-ratchets, not round head ratchets in general.

 

[cascivic]

There awesome cause you can use like a nut driver then flip down and apply torque.only "downfall" is you kinda need it below a 45 degree angle to keep a firm grip on fastener and apply a decent amount of torque but its just physics. Great ratchets and will prob become your go too once you get one I own a 3/8 gear wrench and a 1/2 hf and love them both



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