Educate me, won't you please- ratchets?

[dps]

I'm currently using a set of Craftsman Thin Profile ratchets in each drive size, plus a set of the Craftsman raised panels (and they are junky) in each size, and a nice enough round head Husky in 3/8. I would like to lose the bad Craftsmans and replace them with something good.

For flexibility, it seems as though I should have them be either flex head or swivel head. First question; what's the difference between the two, is one more versatile?

I don't want to have a huge collection of ratchets; it seems that for general use, two of each drive size would get me by most of the time, with maybe a third ratchet in 3/8. I don't understand stubby's, really, it just seems like I've had no problem switching to the next smallest drive and using its ratchet.

The praises everyone sings for the F80's make me want to try one, price isn't really an object since I just want a few things and I would rather have something that feels good. The C. Thin Profiles do feel good in hand and have a nice ratcheting action.

But my last two requirements make things more difficult. I don't like soft handles, too hard to keep clean, and I am fastidious, if you haven't seen my post on pimping my drawers. And finally, I only like quick release ratchets. It would be very hard for me to willingly purchase any ratchet without it, and that's where my initial look at the F80's seemed to leave me out.

So what would you recommend? Thanks in advance for the advice!

Dave

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Go with Snap-on T/F/SR936s. eBay always has killer deals on Snap-on if you shop around and wait patiently for the right thing to come up.

i've looked at the 80-series Snap-ons and don't like the design of the heads. i'm too picky, and my 936s have never let me down over tooth count or strength.

 

[Merkava_4]

i've looked at the 80-series Snap-ons and don't like the design of the heads.

I don't either; I especially don't like the way the flex head F80's look.

My favorite ratchets are the newest generation of the F830's and of course the F936's.

dps: Flex head and swivel head are the same, but if you hear some guy talking about his "floppy head" ratchet, skip over his post.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

when they talk about the "low ratcheting torque" of the F80s, i couldn't feel much of a difference between them and my worn-in 936s. my '46 F-70N is the smoothest ratchet i've ever used.

as for flex/swivel heads. i have an old Snap-on flex head with the bent handle. i find it extremely useful. i use it a lot when doing brake jobs, just seems to work well for that. i don't feel i'd need another flex head 3/8". the stubby FK936s are also very good. they're excellent for tightening small nuts and bolts, as you can't put down enough torque to strip threads. i find mine very comfortable too.

 

[PoorOwner]

I would get an F80 off ebay.. if you look around they are same price as the older models.. if you are buying now why get an older model.

 

[eschoendorff]

This is my current favorite... it's just so versatile and it's fine-toothed enough to make it an all-around good performer.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I would get an F80 off ebay.. if you look around they are same price as the older models.. if you are buying now why get an older model.

It's personal preference, what you prefer.

i still buy "new" 936s off eBay, because i like them. whether or not i can get an 80-series for the same price doesn't matter.

 

[wrenchr]

The F80's are a disease spreading across shops everywhere, once one guy has one the other techs soon follow. I myself have the infection That is the way to go, imo. I want the FL80 next.

 

[kythri]

I'll buy your Craftsman raised panels off of you. My portabox doesn't have any good ratchets in it at the moment.

 

[SocketDeviler]

I came in contact with an SK 45175 Tuff 1 ratchet today. Is it me or is this ratchet poorly designed garbage? It felt so cheap, yet some places will charge you $40.00 or more for it.

 

[Merkava_4]

i still buy "new" 936s off eBay, because i like them.

Ah, so you're the guy who keeps bidding against me.

 

[dps]

dps: Flex head and swivel head are the same, but if you hear some guy talking about his "floppy head" ratchet, skip over his post.

I think there is a difference, the pictures show the difference. What I'm wondering about here is if there is a difference of functionality. I know that a swivel head is convenient because you can easily start and finish with the handle in a vertical position, "spinning" the nut/bolt, which you can't do with a flex head. But maybe the flex head has other advantages in use that I don't know about since I've never used one.

...but it doesn't seem like many Snap-Ons come with quick release other than models that are basically the same as my existing Slim Profile's which I already have.

Kythri, it should be easy to figure out some value on these if you want them, there's a ton of 'em on ebay. These are not new, but they are unused- virtually new, I guess...

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Ah, so you're the guy who keeps bidding against me.

Quite possibly. if it comes up m***e it may just be moose-automotive striking again.

you'll also know it's me if i win. exchange rate works well in my favour.

 

[dps]

you'll also know it's me if i win. exchange rate works well in my favour.

Yes, W. has managed to sink our $ pretty damn low...

 

[lbgradwell]

Kythri, it should be easy to figure out some value on these if you want them, there's a ton of 'em on ebay. These are not new, but they are unused- virtually new, I guess...

Are you talking about your slim-profile ratchets here or the raised panel wrenches? I'd be interested in a 3/8" ratchet...

 

[dps]

I would be selling my raised panel ratchets, have one of each 1/4, 3/8, 1/2. Would prefer as a set for shipping ease.

NEVER the slim profiles, those are my best friends!

 

[Merkava_4]

exchange rate works well in my favour.

Yeah ... I bet it does.

 

[lbgradwell]

NEVER the slim profiles, those are my best friends!

Ahh... OK!

 

[Merkava_4]

When it comes to ratchets, Snap-on, MAC (U.S.A. made) and Facom. I haven't tried any high-end German ratchets, but I suspect they're sweet.

 

[PowderKeg]

For flexibility, it seems as though I should have them be either flex head or swivel head. First question; what's the difference between the two, is one more versatile?

Flex head ratchets have the added bonus of - usually - having a longer handle as well. I tend to use mine more for added leverage than the flexing head. Not all flex heads are alike however. Beware the "floppy" flex head whose head won't stay put with at least a large socket and 6" or more extension on it.

I don't want to have a huge collection of ratchets; it seems that for general use, two of each drive size would get me by most of the time, with maybe a third ratchet in 3/8. I don't understand stubby's, really, it just seems like I've had no problem switching to the next smallest drive and using its ratchet.

Blasphemy!!!! You can never have enough ratchets!! I only have @ 200 right now, and still feel "ratchet poor"! Seriously, you'll come around to realize that ratchets are like M&M's or 'tater chips - you can't have just one, or even a few. However, if you INSIST on trying to buck the inevitable, I'd suggest a quality round head fine-tooth ratchet to go along with your thin-pros. My personal all-time favorites are these style Craftsmans:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/search_1...keyword=craftsman+fine+tooth+ratchet&sLevel=0

They're pretty well thought of in general, although there's been comments/concerns that the above newer ones aren't as smooth working and nice as the early ones. Don't know - may order a new one to find out - but my early ones are a pleasure to use. They also show up pretty regularly on flea bay and elsewhere, if an earlier one is wanted. They meet your quick release requirement (my preference as well), and are much less expensive than the tool truck options - which means you can go buy more ratchets!!!

Also, don't underestimate the power of the stubby ratchet:

Top one is my favorite NAPA 3/8" shorty that I can also use with a breaker bar for more leverage, bottom is a Craftsman 1/4" round-fine tooth. That little NAPA will get into some tight spots where ratcheting room is at a premium.

But my last two requirements make things more difficult. I don't like soft handles, too hard to keep clean, and I am fastidious, if you haven't seen my post on pimping my drawers. And finally, I only like quick release ratchets. It would be very hard for me to willingly purchase any ratchet without it, and that's where my initial look at the F80's seemed to leave me out.

The round-fine Crafty's meet those needs....

 

[biggsean]

I own quite a few ratchets now, including the Craftsman thin profile series. The first ratchets I grab now, are from my Snap On dual 80 collection. I absolutely love how smooth these babies are.

 

[MAD]

I came in contact with an SK 45175 Tuff 1 ratchet today. Is it me or is this ratchet poorly designed garbage? It felt so cheap, yet some places will charge you $40.00 or more for it.

I think it is you.

I have a 45175 and I think it is a very nice ratchet. The one I have is about the smoothest 1/2" ratchet I have tried. The mechanism is pretty cool, 17 teeth engage at a time.

 

[rsanter]

Flex head ratchets have the added bonus of - usually - having a longer handle as well. I tend to use mine more for added leverage than the flexing head. Not all flex heads are alike however. Beware the "floppy" flex head whose head won't stay put with at least a large socket and 6" or more extension on it.



Blasphemy!!!! You can never have enough ratchets!! I only have @ 200 right now, and still feel "ratchet poor"! Seriously, you'll come around to realize that ratchets are like M&M's or 'tater chips - you can't have just one, or even a few. However, if you INSIST on trying to buck the inevitable, I'd suggest a quality round head fine-tooth ratchet to go along with your thin-pros. My personal all-time favorites are these style Craftsmans:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/search_1...keyword=craftsman+fine+tooth+ratchet&sLevel=0

They're pretty well thought of in general, although there's been comments/concerns that the above newer ones aren't as smooth working and nice as the early ones. Don't know - may order a new one to find out - but my early ones are a pleasure to use. They also show up pretty regularly on flea bay and elsewhere, if an earlier one is wanted. They meet your quick release requirement (my preference as well), and are much less expensive than the tool truck options - which means you can go buy more ratchets!!!

Also, don't underestimate the power of the stubby ratchet:

Top one is my favorite NAPA 3/8" shorty that I can also use with a breaker bar for more leverage, bottom is a Craftsman 1/4" round-fine tooth. That little NAPA will get into some tight spots where ratcheting room is at a premium.



The round-fine Crafty's meet those needs....

I currently have the new generation Cman thin profiles as well as an assortment of SO ratchets and I really like them all (I have a few of the Cman full polish PRO rathcets as backups or for traveling).
the last hang out of the older Cman is the flex head fine tooth. that is a great ratchet that I will not part with.

the Cman pro ratchets I have I actually got by them exchanging them for the raised pannel type. sears has the rbuilt exchange program and I was lucky ehought for them n to not have a raised panel at the time but have a good condition PRO

bob