Favorite Ratchet?

[i4ni]

What Brand of Ratchet do you prefer for the way it feels and functions,and which brand do you think is the toughest?My Favorite 1/4" is Sk. 3/8 tie between New Britian and SK. 1/2" sk. As far as toughest my choice is sk across the board. I only own snap-on, Sk, new Britian, and Craftsman so that's all I can compare.Keep in mind this is my preference and not a slam against any brand.

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[Fedwrench]

I like the Danaher produced 60 tooth ratchet in all drive sizes. I'm real happy with the thin heads, strength, and durability of the flex head versions whether in Gearwrench or Matco trim but, that's just my taste..

 

[boostedgt]

my snap on bent handle flex head 3/8 is my favorite.

 

[06wt]

this will probly be my new favorite, just fitted it with the handle today havent had a chance to use it yet

 

[Davefr]

I love this 3/8" ratchet. It can get anywhere and has never let me down. (I prefer it to SO Dual 80's and SK)

It's an old exposed gear Thorsen:

 

[crewchief888]

over the years ive had a lot of ratchets, heres my observations

SK some SK's that were bought in '57, great ratchets, the newer stuff i dont care for the finish or quality
CM never liked the raised panel versions, they dont feel right in my hand, i do like the round handle version with the spinner knob on top
Matco only a couple of them, other than normal wear, they're good
Cornwell like the teardrop design, havent had a chance to use the used one i picked up last week
SO probably my fav, i just bought a new long flex 3/8" have to see how the cushion handle holds up
MAC worst $$ i've ever spent, constantly breaking, limp noodle flex heads, how is it possible to strip a short 1/4" drive ratchet?
Misc duralast, task force, kobalt and a couple "made in USA" i have better luck with a $10 ratchet than i do with the MAC's

 

[MattT]

My favorites are SO oval heads. I haven't tried any of the newer fine tooth ones and I'm kinda leery of fine tooth anyways. I had a Facom fine tooth back in the day and it slipped.

Toughest I ever owned was a German push thru' 1/2". Elora maybe?? I used that ratchet as a striking wrench and never did hurt it.

 

[ericthewrench]

My Snap On's are my favorite, followed closely by Matco, I also have Mac and Craftsman but don't really care for either. I have old Snap Ons, 15 year old Snap Ons and new dual 80's and they are all my favs!

 

[wrenchr]

Snap on is my favorite and like the OP said it is just preferance and I have used every brand out there and my hands know which ones they like!!

 

[plinker]

for me

1/4 drive; S-K 40970

3/8 drive; S-K 45170, (and any other S-K ratchet that uses that ratchet kit)

1/2 drive; Armstrong 12-973/4, followed by Snap-on S936 series ratchets, I have a S-K 42470 that I use when I need a fine tooth 1/2 drive ratchet.

3/4 drive; Toss up between the Napa and S-K I have.

 

[alex211]

I like my SO ratchets, I have some CM raised panel and they have a horrible feel to them.

 

[hilld]

my snap on bent handle flex head 3/8 is my favorite.

+1 (my goto ratchet)

 

[aar0s]

right now i only have a SO 1/4 but im thinking about buying a used 1/4 SO flex head that the truck guy just got. 3/8 would be my old beat up SK. haven't really used my 1/2 drive enough to make a favorite.

 

[boiler7904]

I've got too many raised panel crapsmans. Thinking that the F80 and T72 I have coming from Chadster in a couple of days move to the front the line.

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

GearWrench

 

[hammergodthor]

1/2" Husky/New Britain!

 

[wrenchr]

Nice GW setup!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Bjkearns]

Snap on FLF80

 

[HankMurphy]

1/4" - SK or Proto

3/8" - SK 45170, Snapon F80

1/2" - Snap-On SL715, Proto 5449

3/4" - Wright 6400

...but I have one or two more besides these

If I only could keep one, it would be the SK 45170...just used it for a long time.

 

[fordbroncodave]

only snap on. the cheap garage sale ones in particular

 

[bindernut]

I like my snap on ratchets, but I have a set of the Thorsen's(1/4, 3/8, 1/2) like what was posted above and I do like them. The 3/8 was my grandpa's & dad said they tried to break it many times on the farm when he was a kid, but it held up well.

 

[Hank McMauser]

Not sure if it counts ,but I like my flex head gear wrenches quite a bit, you guy's are gonna roast me,but I also like my 1/4" composite ratchet from harbor fright. for smoothness of action I like my sk 1/2" 42475 ratchet i'd like to fingd it's 3/8" mate & make them a set

 

[mikevango]

so 80s and sk tuff 1s

 

[rocco]

Toss up between my GS-71 1/2"(snap-on) and my 3/8 Craftsman i just got.

 

[sk farmer]

wow, how is all the love for sk in this thread. is this the garage jurnal? my picks for rats are the old standby sk pro rats in all drive sizes. if i had to pick one of each size it would be them. lately i find myself using the proto big dawgs with red handles whenever i can. i have the 1/4, 3/8 standard and long and the 1/2 standard and long. i like that hard handle feel for the cleaner jobs but when the job involves laying in the dirt or sliding them on the concrete the sk goes to work. they take the beating with no complaints and wipe down easily. they are also easily disassembled for thorough cleanings when needed. not to course and not to fine, just solid.

 

[arkangel06]

older USA made snap on and newer USA made matco.


Armstrong is also awesome.

 

[48548]

Here are few of mine....

 

[BanjoSavesTheDay]

I hate to admit it, but my F80 is my favorite. At least mine says USA on it. In close second is my Williams B-52 Supperratchet.

 

[BWright]

Definitely my Armstrong Maxx ratchets.

 

[Gallick]

Craftsman thin profile.

 

[Old Donn]

My V series C-man 3/8 drive. Been there almost 40 years, never a problem. Guess it's what you get used to, I prefer the feel of the I-beam handle to round ones. Recently recieved a set of Toptul swivel heads. Get to use them a little and I might have a new favorite soon.

 

[Brookesy]

The ratchet I always reach for 1st is my battered snap-on 1/2

 

[jeepnut24]

The one in the picture to the left, and older CMAN that I got when I traded in a newer cman that died. Had it many years now.

That said, I think my ideal would be a SO 3/8 flex head with hard handle.

 

[bushhawg73]

My snappys are great, I have a few sk's that are very nice along with some new britians that are equally nice. One little napa 1/4 round head that is just as smooth as silk. I got my first cornwell ratchet today and it will not be my last. What a smooth ratchet for only 30 teeth.

 

[mkdive]

My favorites for normal every day use are my TL72 or F80. But the coolest in my ratchet drawer is a pebble grain 1/4" Plomb!

 

[TruckTech915]

My favorite/go to is my Matco 3/8" 88 tooth.

 

[Monte]

 

[scottmlew]

Very nice Monte!

 

[Mickey O]

I'm not sure I could pick a favorite, I tried I can't, I like so many, I lean towards the industrial ones, but my 1/2" Snap-On's get a lot of use, can't do it, I like just about any quality USA made ratchet including RHFT Craftsman.

 

[speed bump]

I can't really pick a favorite so i'll go with my Easco RHFT 1/4" ratchet.

Other favorites including NB round heads, Snap-on FH747, Wright round heads.