Been looking through diff threads on Facom ratchets. Some say they are fragile and some say they are used and abused and come back for more. I want to get real world feedback. How much torque can a 1/2" drive take? Has anyone had trouble with them? Thanks in advance
Facom ratchets strong or no?
- Thread starter autobon7
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mrholeshot
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I have a SK Facom. smooth and tough.
SCscoutguy
Well-known member
My SK Facrom ratchet was always loosing the little screw that keeps the head together so I eventually got rid of it. Just about everyone I have talked to had the same problem.
Theloniousmonk
Well-known member
yea... the palm control Facoms do have a slight problem w/ the set screw on the head - it's the nature of the design. BUT, a drop of loctite and proper re-assembly solves the problem. In terms of the internal mechanism's strength, I have no doubts my S151 is as strong or stronger than any other ratchet I own (Arm., SK, Wright, Proto, Cman, Hazet) Though I have never intentionally tried to over torque the ratchet, I stand by my belief. Facom is no-joke.
Theloniousmonk
Well-known member
Could it by chance actually be a SK Tuff-1 ratchet that is listed as a FACOM/SK?
I will have a closer look tonight.
4x4gearhead
Well-known member
The facom 1/2" ratchets are nice as long as you dont get the fine tooth round head, theyre junk went thru 2 of them before i told my dealer i just wanted a normal sk round head. Had the same trouble with the screw tried red loctite tried everything the screw would back of cocking the gear over and burring it so then it would stick. Bad memories.
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mrholeshot
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I use a drop of locktight on the screw. I use it on all my Snap-On ratchets that use screws. Just the nature of a screw
garfunkle24
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You have all of those Snap-on ratchets and still use the Facom enough to have the screw problem, which you fix with "locktight"?
All of your ratchets must get a lot of use!!mrholeshot
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You have all of those Snap-on ratchets and still use the Facom enough to have the screw problem, which you fix with "locktight"?
I use the SK Facom (3/8) quite a bit over the last 6-7 years. I have New Snap-On ratchets that have never had a socket on them. I got the SK Facom in a set that had spline sockets. I liked it so much when I sold the set the ratchet didn't go with it. When I greased it I put locktight on the screw. It's never fallen out. I've mentioned this ratchet many times.
ukvauxtech
Well-known member
I sold a 15 inch facom ratchet on eBay but onle because I got a so for a steal. Held up well for the 3 years I owned it.
This is the ebay link http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FACO...Z370445620743QQptZMotorsQ5fAutomotiveQ5fTools
SCscoutguy
Well-known member
For that price I think I would much ratchet have a Williams made in USA ratchet that is the same dimensions and tooth count for less money.
http://www.powertool-box.com/product.php?productid=17187&cat=752&page=1
Are those the palm control?
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
That is an SK tough one ratchet. It doesn't have the palm control disc.
For that price you would be better off finding a current PROTO (Stanley now owns Facom) version. Same Facom palm control ratchet with a knurled handle made in Italy. Well finished and very strong.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-...Z140504358443QQptZMotorsQ5fAutomotiveQ5fTools
R25_GTS
Well-known member
The Facom ratchets are very very strong. I used the 1/2 one many times with a 1,5 meter cheater bar for the drive shafts nuts with a 30mm socket. Never slipped or any other problem.
The old S.151 had the problem with the screw falling off. That's because the internal piece where the screw goes in gets filled with grease when you lube it and without proper cleaning and a bit of red Loctite the screw will get loose with time.
The new ratchets don't have this problem anymore. The new SM.161APB ratchet is even stronger. It was tested to more that 100 000 cycles with a 300Nm load on it. Also got some o-rings to seal the internals from dust and dirt.
The old S.151 had the problem with the screw falling off. That's because the internal piece where the screw goes in gets filled with grease when you lube it and without proper cleaning and a bit of red Loctite the screw will get loose with time.
The new ratchets don't have this problem anymore. The new SM.161APB ratchet is even stronger. It was tested to more that 100 000 cycles with a 300Nm load on it. Also got some o-rings to seal the internals from dust and dirt.
patrickw10
Well-known member
I have some old harbor freight facolm ratchet clones with the black handle and the internals are the same and interchange with my sk palm control ratchets. Thought it was strange.
Theloniousmonk
Well-known member
I always wondered about that when I saw the clones in the store... makes you think hard about who is making the tools for HF... the design is a facom design - used by SK when facom/SK were together... I suspect after Stanley bought Facom, they applied the design to all sorts of tool lines, like the Stanley rotator handle ratchet - same as the Facom.
I agree w/ the Proto being a good purchase... though I have yet to handle the new style - but w/ the knurled proto handle + the Facom palm, you can't go wrong.
They certainly look so. The round plate with the arrows will move independently from the knob when you push down on it while using a palm control ratchet.
Theloniousmonk
Well-known member
... Harry Epstein also carries some older Facom... Ultgrge is a joy to deal w/ as is Epstein. Ebay works, but once again - it's hit/miss on price and what you are getting...
The classifieds on this board are actually a good source too - just keep an eye out.
I replaced the setscrews in my SK palm and Facom 151 w/ S/S cap head hex - cleaned out the threaded eyelet really well and used a bit of red loctite - as stated earlier, the loctite won't work if you still have grease/oil in threads.
When you crank down the setscrew you need to take it to the bottom, and essentially back it off a 1/4 turn or so - testing the movement of the mechanism. The design has a bit of play in the head on purpose - the floating "palm" piece needs to move independently of the mechanism so you can apply pressure when ratcheting.
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@autobon 7
The Facom ratchets are as strong as any out there. Like Monte mentioned, their design is used by many other top brands (Hazet, Sk, etc). I seriously doubt they would put their name on a poor product. I own quite a few Facom and have been very pleased. I must confess that I am a little biased towards Facom.
And now for a shameless plug: Best source of Facom products
www.Europatools.net
The Facom ratchets are as strong as any out there. Like Monte mentioned, their design is used by many other top brands (Hazet, Sk, etc). I seriously doubt they would put their name on a poor product. I own quite a few Facom and have been very pleased. I must confess that I am a little biased towards Facom.
And now for a shameless plug: Best source of Facom products
www.Europatools.net
Thanks for the Harry Epstein tip, nice site. Where does the tall corn grow? I am about 35 min north of STL in Jerseyville, IL, corn pretty tall there!
I am a weekend wrencher so my purchase will not be based on everyday use. I just want something a little diff as the world seems full of SO, Cman, Matco, etc. Nothing against any of those brands at all, just looking to spice up my box a little. Even tho they are worlds apart I am looking at the Facom and the Toptul gearless and decided to explore the Facom.