Facom Tools

[losvre]

Hi guys,

I am looking for the strongest and more reliable ratchet.

I am puzzled if I should buy the Facom J.161 round or the new JL.161 sealed pear head.

All became more complicated after seeing the Hazet 8816-1 and Stahlwille 435 QR N.

Could you shed some light here?

Thanks

 

[PureLeaf]

Your questions are very subjective.

Unless someone does a torque to failure test on each of the ratchets you've listed, theres no qualitative way they can discuss 'strongest' ratchet. Reliability is going to be subjective too.

Alternatively, you could find which brand would be easiest for you to warranty, should something happen, then balance that choice between which ratchet interests you the most.

Edit: I'd also add for instance if you're doing automotive work, you may find a roundhead to be too tall in close clearance areas, so if you're only buying 1 ratchet.. you may have to consider this factor. If thats not an issue, I'd get both in your hands, work them around, see what your personal preference is.

 

[losvre]

Hi Pureleaf,

Thanks for the reply.

I will go for a pear shaped then and as low height as possible.

I have seen some feedback that the new 2 piece handle of Stahlwille fail quite often. Any idea about it?

Thanks again

 

[HairMetal]

I have a Stahlwille 435 QR 30 teeth which is now discontinued, nice quality and will outlast other brands but not the greatest action, something like a dual 80 is much nicer and propably as strong or stronger.

 

[losvre]

Thanks Hairmetal,

I am between the Facom JL.161 and Stahlwille 435 QRN

Regards
Nikos

 

[Kirbot]

Thanks Hairmetal,

I am between the Facom JL.161 and Stahlwille 435 QRN

Regards
Nikos

Assuming the Facom pear heads use the same type of mechanism as the round heads... They are ridiculously strong.

I've never tried a Stahlwille, but doubt you could go wrong either way.

Just go with whichever one tickles your fancies the most.

 

[ultgar]

Facom Pear Head Ratchets

The current Facom line of pear head (maintenance free) ratchets include .......

1/4" Drive........RL.161, RL.171
3/8" Drive........JL.161, JL.171, JXL.171
1/2" Drive........SL.161, SL.171, SXL.161, SXL.171, SXL.180
3/4" Drive........KL.161

I keep these all in stock here in the US and Prime Tools should have them all readily available in the UK.

SD

 

[Kirbot]

Re: Facom Pear Head Ratchets

The current Facom line of pear head (maintenance free) ratchets include .......

1/4" Drive........RL.161, RL.171
3/8" Drive........JL.161, JL.171, JXL.171
1/2" Drive........SL.161, SL.171, SXL.161, SXL.171, SXL.180
3/4" Drive........KL.161

I keep these all in stock here in the US and Prime Tools should have them all readily available in the UK.

SD

I didn't realize you're a member here!
I've been drooling over the 14 piece 440 set on your website. If I had seen those for that price a few weeks ago, I probably would have kept saving and bought those instead of my Tekton.

 

[colin39]

I love my round head 2x 1/4,2x 3/8 and 1x 1/2 and ive only one 3/8 fail, and that was 10year old
I also have 1x 3/8 , 2 x 1/2 and 1x 3/4 all in pair heads all of which are so nice i rearly use them.
My personal opinion would be the round heads, purely because they are as old as time, facom havent tried modifing perfection with these.
But hey ho youll be happy with either, i promise you.
Old pic but easier to see


New toolbox layout

 

[Champo]

Sorry this would have been asked before, but what is the COO for the round head and pear head ratchets?

 

[ultgar]

Sorry this would have been asked before, but what is the COO for the round head and pear head ratchets?

Pear heads are out of Taiwan.......the traditional palm control ratchets are Italy.

sd

 

[Champo]

Thanks ultgar, much appreciated. It was a bit hard to find that info on google.

In Australia we have a company called sidchrome (made tools in australia from ww2 until 1996 , but are now owned by the Stanley group) that rebrand the pear head ratchets. They are probably the smoothest ratchets I've felt.

 

[ultgar]

Here's an inventory list of what I stock. List includes the latest country of origin for close to 3000 part numbers. See http://www.ultimategarage.com/Facom-Inventory.xls .

SD

 

[PureLeaf]

Hi Pureleaf,

Thanks for the reply.

I will go for a pear shaped then and as low height as possible.

I have seen some feedback that the new 2 piece handle of Stahlwille fail quite often. Any idea about it?

Thanks again

Losvre, I cant comment on that ratchet. You might also consider the Bahco 7750. It has the exact same mechanism as Snap On's Dual 80, very highly regarded on this forum. Its my go to ratchet.

 

[losvre]

Thank you all for the info.

Pureleaf, I will also check the Bacho but do you know where is it made in?

Cheers

 

[colin39]

This thread makes it as clear as mud

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-119127.html

 

[PureLeaf]

Thank you all for the info.

Pureleaf, I will also check the Bacho but do you know where is it made in?

Cheers

Heres some info for you on the Bahco Dual 80s http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=140503.

Not trying to steer you clear of Facom, they're awesome ratchets! Get whatever fits you best.

As for the Country of Origin on the Bahco, theres a lot of debate on that. Snap on Dual 80s claim to be assembled in the USA... So if Bahcos have the same inside, then are they partially USA? Most of my other Bahco tools are Sweden or Spain. Can't give you any definitive confirmation though.

 

[losvre]

Hello guys,

An update, I got the Facom JL.161 from ebay at very good price. However, I am puzzled if it is a fake one, is that possible? That is because the facom logo does not appear next to word "Facom" at the red plastic on the handle. The logo does appear on the main steel part of the ratchet. Also, at the back of ratchet ther is the model no. "JL.161" and aslo the letter "S.".

The ratcheting action is quite stiff but I can only compare it a Halfords pro which has 45 teeth and the halfords is a bit less stiff but quite old as well.

Do you think I have to worry I got one which is not right? Please see pics.

View media item 49856
View media item 49855
Thank you
Nikos

 

[Fedwrench]

The new Facom pear head ratchets have two issues I've discovered. First, they aren't serviceable. you cannot disassemble the ratchet head. The drive mechanism is pressed into the ratchet body. Long term, that may be an issue. Secondly, the hang loop is at the base of the ratchet handle. Having it there prevents you from persuading anything with a tap or too, like seating a battery cable end.

I like them but, not as much as the round head palm control version. Oh yeah, the pear head handle is shaped slightly differently and seems more slippery. These are just m, your results may vary.

 

[colin39]

Winning the bid on this, itll look great infront of my box



god im a facom saddo

 

[colin39]

More facom, this off the bay the guy accepted my offer of £30 i just need to organise a courier.

 

[~UB~]

Haven't been on the Garage much. But I can say I like my Snappers 80 1/4- 3/8 drive ratchets yet whenever I need a 1/2 drive I pass up the Snapper every time and grab my SK/Facom thumbwheel ratchet. It just feels more secure in the hand.