Good Ratchets

[bigtater]

Just to introduce myself as I'm new to the forum. I'm from northern Utah and am a professional engineer and hobby farmer. I raise about 50 acres of pumpkins and squash.
I have been trying to find some good ratchets for the farm. I have craftsman in my tool box home in the garage but I'm not much of a mechanic so they are lightly used. I have broke one in the past. I know the MAC, Matco, Snap on are good but expensive. What about Gearwrench or Tekton? Most of my ratchets have walked away. I had some bad employees last year. We have cameras up now so I'd like to get some better ratchets. Knowing farm equipment you know the bolts can be rusted or frozen from the dirt and debris. I do have a good John Deere 3/4 in ratchet. It works well its just big for all jobs. I also know I over paid because of the name. I would also like a flex or swivel head.

Open for ideas.

 

[matt_i]

Tekton. Why steal a tool you can buy in a grocery store?

(around here Meijer which is a multi purpose store but mainly a grocery, sells Tekton....they are both HQ in/near Grand Rapids, MI)

My experience is they are nice tools to boot.

Another idea is to buy black oxide tools. They are just as good but don't have the "if it shines, it's mine" attraction.

If you have rusted bolts you need the blue wrench and a block of Gulf Wax (then later anti-seize).....don't beat up hand tools trying to remove them.

 

[juddspaintballs]

I've been impressed with the Icon ratchet I bought at Harbor Freight to try out. They are certainly not cheap tools. I reach for that ratchet as much or more than my Snap-On ratchets.



The Pittsburg line from HF also isn't terrible, but the flipper for On or Off is backwards from Craftsman, Snap-On, etc. so I don't use them often since it bothers me.



I have a 1/4" drive Kobalt ratchet that is decent, too. It looks and feels a lot like my Snap-On except the flipper is reversed on it, too.


I have one Matco ratchet, but it is old and not fine tooth, so it spends most of it's life in the drawer since I have many other ratchets that do the same thing, better.


That's about the experience I have with ratchets. I really like my Snap-On ratchets, but I'd contend that the Icon by Harbor Freight is very similar quality for a much lower price point (though still not inexpensive).

 

[toolaholic]

If you can find some Armstrong 88s on eBay they are my go to. Love the rounded edge square handle . I have the 10-994 1/4, 11-994 3/8 and the 12-994 1/2. All locking flex heads .

 

[gatlibs]

Buy a nice breaker bar and cheap ratchets. The breaker bar won't break and the cheap ratchets won't grow legs. It is more work, but using something like ShadowFoam in a lockable chest of tools allows you to quickly determine that all tools are had before locking them away.

 

[seanb02]

How about Carlyle from Napa? Can be found on sale at good prices a few times a year, excellent warranty support through your local store and are very good quality ratchets. While I typically use Snap-on, I've got a set in the farm box that everybody else digs through and nobody has actually killed one of those yet to where I have had to take it in for warranty.

Carlyle is a good all around brand in my opinion to stock a farm box with. The quality is there to get the work done without a headache, and it's not a big enough loss expense wise to cry over if the tool grows legs and walks away.

 

[Professional Tool User]

It really depends on your maintenance budget, how important productivity is to you, and what kind of jobs you want to be able to do on your own equipment. When it comes to shop equipment, I'd be more concerned about having a 3/4 gun and an acetylene torch than I would be with ratchets.

I would actually avoid the Tekton and Icon flex head 90 tooth ratchets for now. The Icon flex head ratchets were recalled for jamming and the internals on the Tekton one look very similar. The internal design of those ratchets may need a bit of work before the ratchet can be sold. The Pittsburgh Pro 72 tooth flex head ratchets are also prone to jamming from personal experience. With the Gearwrench 84 and 120 tooth ratchets, at least the glitches have been sorted out a long time ago.

As for swivel head ratchets, the Tekton and Pittsburgh Pro 72 tooth swivel head ratchets should be fine. I have the Pittsburgh Pro version and I don't have any complaints.

 

[Fedwrench]

I think the Tekton 90 tooth series are a great value and a solid performer. Their old 72 tooth series not so much.

Capri Tools offers a 72 tooth low profile ratchet without quick release that is also a solid ratchet that won't break the bank.

Lastly, if tools disappearing is an issue, I would definitely consider Harbor Freight. The Pittsburgh Pro and long composite ratchets perform well, are inexpensive, and if they walk, it's not the end of the world.

I would also consider engraving tools or spray paining them a bright high vis color like hot pink to prevent loss.

 

[turnthewrench 2.0]

For farm equipment I would consider the Proto 24T and the Wright Tools ratchets. Tough, long lasting, affordable and Made in USA, if that matters to the OP.

 

[Minnesota Steve]

Tekton is a good brand.

I would check your local farm supply. Maybe you have a Tractor Supply, or something? They usually will have a line of hand tools, likely store branded, but made by Allied or Apex. They'll be decent quality, relatively inexpensive.. made in Taiwan, possibly China. Fleet Farm here in Minnesota calls theirs Pro-Grade. I think Tractor Supply calls theirs Jobsmart. They are decent tools and aren't a brand anybody is going to give a **** about.

And they usually sell individual pieces...

 

[MarvinBerry]

Welcome to the board! Tekton & Napa Carlyle seem to be the inexpensive goto around here...

Few months ago, December I grabbed a set of these SATA 72 tooth all 3 drive sizes for $35. Made by apex, identical to Husky & some gearwrench?! Zero complaints especially vs cost!!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V43NCC1/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Ton ton]

Welcome to garage journal. There's tons of old threads to browse on here. How much did you pay for the J.D. 3/4" ratchet? I'm new to J.D. ratchets.

 

[BrandoJames]

For a strong 1/2" ratchet, I recommend Williams Flexhead S-52EHFA. You could disassemble a tank with that ratchet ($67 via Amazon).

For a 3/8" ratchet for tight clearances, I recommend the Titan TIT11301 fine tooth flexhead
($35 via Amazon). I use this ratchet a lot on my John Deere riding mower. Links below to both ratchets.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007YR9QF2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0792KMGZR/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[lardy1]

Are there still ****** ratchets on the market?

 

[kapster]

Welcome to garage journal!

I love my Snap On ratchets, I won't buy anything else anymore. But if someone else was using them, dont think I'd like that So many brands I've tried, it seemed one drive size was good, then I'd buy another size and not so much.

I'd look for something with a bolt on cover holding the mechanism in and not a snap right with a piece of sheet metal. Like craftsman was, Armstrong and Matco. The bolt on covers usually hold the anvil tighter and keep junk out, some are even sealed.

The USA William's ratchets would be great. Pittsburg pro might be hard to beat for you, decent ratchets but if it walks off not the end of the world.

Sent from my SM-T720 using Tapatalk

 

[vssjim]

For what you are doing i would look for a sale on Gearwrench, Carlyle or buying direct from TEKTON as they are a great deal and the warranty if needed couldn't be any simpler. If you go for used SK round heads are great and once again if you need a head kit SK is great. I have a lot of classic Proto tools and ratchets are strong but warranty is not as easy. Unless harbor freight is close TEKTON warranty is better. TEKTON also sells those composite ratchets as a set real cheap but I like the steel ones myself. TEXTON also sells strong long breaker bars.

 

[DadsTools]

If price and convenience are important considerations, and they need to be swivel or flex heads, I'd second the votes for Pittsburgh Pro (harbor freight) or Tekton. Doesn't sound like you're going to have the same demands as a full time mechanic would.

If you can go with a conventional ratchet without the swivel/flex, I would consider used S-K round heads off eBay. Been making them since the 1930s so there's a bunch of them available relatively inexpensive. They've survived so long because they're really nice ratchets. They're also pretty much bomb-proof, and S-K gives away the replacement cores like candy, no charge or shipping cost. Just a thought.....

 

[johninct]

Snap-On used on Ebay.

 

[MJO]

Used or NOS S-K, Wright, Easco RTFT, Armstrong Craftsman USA thin profile, Proto, etc.available on ebay or here in the classifieds, most anything USA made will be good.

 

[danielbuck]

the only time I've broken a ratchet is when trying to use it to break free very stuck bolts by putting a pipe on the end of the ratchet. If the bolt/nut is stuck, get a breaker bar, don't put a pipe on the end of the ratchet, they aren't designed for that type of force.

 

[Wamsutta]

$22.60

https://www.toolsdelivered.com/williams-b-52eha-3.8-inch-drive-8-inch-enclosed-head-ratchet

I dare anybody to find a better ratchet for the money anywhere.

I like making bold statements.

 

[Formerjeeper]

How about Carlyle from Napa? Can be found on sale at good prices a few times a year, excellent warranty support through your local store and are very good quality ratchets. While I typically use Snap-on, I've got a set in the farm box that everybody else digs through and nobody has actually killed one of those yet to where I have had to take it in for warranty.

Carlyle is a good all around brand in my opinion to stock a farm box with. The quality is there to get the work done without a headache, and it's not a big enough loss expense wise to cry over if the tool grows legs and walks away.

There is a guy selling a good selection of Carlyle ratchets at great prices in the classified section of this forum. I bought several.

 

[Semi-hole mechanic]

I bought some 90T Jobsmart ratchets on clearance at TSC a couple months ago. It was a 3pc set made by Apex. They are very similiar to the Crescent and the Sata. Ive used all three while working on my f150 the last couple of weeks and have been fairly pleased with all three. The only time ive grabbed my old CMan raised panel, low tooth count is when Ive need 2 seperate socket sizes in the same drive size so i dont have to change sockets. Are they the best ratchets made? No , but they were on clearance for $10 IIRC, so it was hard to pass up and if they break or sprout legs Im not gonna be to broken up over it.

 

[Fedwrench]

$22.60

https://www.toolsdelivered.com/williams-b-52eha-3.8-inch-drive-8-inch-enclosed-head-ratchet

I dare anybody to find a better ratchet for the money anywhere.

I like making bold statements.

I found one. It's $3.00 more but, it comes with free shipping.

https://www.tekton.com/ratchets?drive-size=3-8-in

Edit: I found another one that is cheaper at $17.99 with free shipping:
https://capritools.com/shop/smartkrome-low-profile-ratchets/

 

[measuredtwice]

Are there still ****** ratchets on the market?

I think so. But I have the impression that there's absolutely nothing that won't get recommended online no matter how bad it is. This seems true not just about ratchets but anything. Couldn't believe the recent topic with recommendations for pull through knife sharpeners.

 

[customh]

Gear Wrench or Snap On for me. Hate locking buttons, knurling, and anything but pear heads.

 

[mikebaker1129]

Williams or Proto

 

[nastorino]

Not to long ago I replaced my old 90s Craftsman ratchets with too few teeth. I was considering SK, the Icons as well as Gearwrench. I opted for a couple different sets of ratchets from GW. I bought only the 120 tooth models.

Standard set: 81206P
Flex Head set: 81230P

Only ones I didn't buy but will will be the extra long ones: 81271

 

[demarpaint]

I have Williams, Snap On, SK, GW and American Made Craftsman, with some HF thrown in. Snap On and SK imo are the best of the bunch, with GW taking third place. Although I seem to use my Craftsman 3/8 flex head the most. The HF ratchets are very good too.

 

[joe49]

In the 3/4'' Armstrong have mine for 30 years, only one that stood up, broke or bent, Craftsman, Snap On, Proto, Wright. Still have and use some of the ones I have broken, warranty replacements but they don't come out for the tough jobs.

Add Williams Super Ratchet good list also, have one on the truck.

 

[Firebrick43]

In the 3/4'' Armstrong have mine for 30 years, only one that stood up, broke or bent, Craftsman, Snap On, Proto, Wright. Still have and use some of the ones I have broken, warranty replacements but they don't come out for the tough jobs.

Add Williams Super Ratchet good list also, have one on the truck.

Armstrong is no longer in business! Also the same vintage craftsman pear head, matco, and Armstrong were all basically the same, same guts and basic forging.

Williams superatchet hasn’t been made in 30 or 40 years? The new b-52/s52 cheap pot metal selector breaks the teat that actuates the pawl off quite easily

 

[Empty Pockets]

I have some Wright "Tootsie Roll" ratchets which I bought new in the 70s, worked hard, never a failure, made in USA

 

[bigtater]

Welcome to garage journal. There's tons of old threads to browse on here. How much did you pay for the J.D. 3/4" ratchet? I'm new to J.D. ratchets.

I bought it several years ago on a christmas special from an on-line john deere dealer. I think I paid just over a $100-$125 for the set. Ratchet, extension, breaker and sockets. I see they are about $200 on-line right now.

 

[SeisMec]

Tekton. Why steal a tool you can buy in a grocery store?

In the same vein, HF Pittsburgh Pro. Why steal a tool you can buy for next to nothing. (Though, rest assured, a few low lifes will find a reason.)

I've owned Snap-on, SK, Craftsman, Proto and Blackhawk ratchets (purchased new in the 1970s - 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 & 3/4 inch). As a field mechanic in the 1980s, I've used company purchased ratchets ranging from no-name (3/4"), Craftsman, Powercraft (Monkey Wards), Indestro, Duro Chrome, New Britain, Proto, Mac ....

Change careers in the early 1990s. Had tool box and tools stolen about 10 years ago and like an idiot was uninsured. I've been using Pittsburgh Pro swivel heads for the last couple of years and have been very happy with them. IMHO they are significantly better than 1970's Craftsman. About as good as New Britain, Allen or Duro Chrome. Proto, SK, Craftsman, Williams are stronger/better by maybe 10%, the chroming is better and they have less annoying plastic handles. If you don't abuse them (cheater bars, kicking to turn, yanking with all your might as opposed simply pulling as hard as you can), I doubt you'd break them.

If you go the HF route, you'll want to use these two coupons:
$5 off any Pittsburgh Pro Ratchet (no expiration date).
20% OFF (good to Dec 31, 2020)

 

[bigtater]

So some of you said check the classifieds here. I'm new to the forum, any issues with the classifieds or is it buyer beware.

 

[M635_Guy]

There is a guy selling a good selection of Carlyle ratchets at great prices in the classified section of this forum. I bought several.

****. I'd seen you (or someone) mention that but forgot to dig it up. Now I've gone and bought a bunch of Carlyle ratchets (5, to be precise).

And a set of Sunex wrenches.

Carlyle ratchets are good stuff. At their store prices I chose Icon (which are also very nice), but for the prices he had, they're a freaking no-brainer. (I didn't make a giant dent, either...)

 

[MechManiac]

Welcome! I tool am an engineer and started off using craftsman. When i decided to upgrade, I tried Wright Tool ratchets and one tool truck brand. Wright offers some tremendously welly made tools, fit and finish are excellent and are made in USA if that counts for ya. Go to Harry J Epstein to buy them or even from Amazon. Wright costs way less than a tool truck brand and will last forever.

 

[Shelbylex]

Consider older SK. You can buy them at a very good price used, they are easy to take apart and lube. I use mostly SO and SK for ratchets. No experience with 1/4 drive SK though - got a SO as some members recommended 1/4 set as better built (doubt you will need this size on the farm)
Tekton could be a good choice due to superior customer service

 

[lardy1]

The Carlyle locking flex handle ratchet has become my go to ratchet. I started with 1/4" and loved it so I bought the 3/8". This week I intend to order the 1/2" drive version to replace the nasty ***, self shifting Gearwrench ************* that I threw my money away on. I honestly tried to like that thing but there's just nothing to like about a ratchet that self disengages.

 

[MrDeerHunter]

I run a smaller cattle farm for myself with older equipment. I know exactly what you mean about tools missing and I dont have employees.

For my mobile tools I just have a hf set I leave in my mini truck toolbox. I can visually see why is missing at a glance.

For my box in the shop. It has SK round and pearheads. I actually like the round heads more. Especially with the double tooth kit. For flexheads I have hf Pitt pro and they get the job done. Buy some kroil and bolts don't seem to size near as much.

I would suggest kaizen foam for the employees box and hold them accountable for tools. Or give them their own small box and say they are responsible for replacement of lost.... Knowing damn good and well they won't replace it.

Icon, tekton, sk, wright, proto and gearwrench all have my vote.

Also look into gearwrench midlength sockets for employees they have a good rail and accomplish 90 percent of tasks that 3/8 requires.

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