Got a proto ratchet... GET ONE!!!

[-lecroix-]

double post ... sorry ... bad latency/lag for me tonight.

 

[-lecroix-]

You won't regret it. I promise. Can't say for sure this is the Big Dawg, as I have never seen one, but out of all my 3/8" ratchets, this is now my favorite.

 

[bmwpower]

You won't regret it. I promise. Can't say for sure this is the Big Dawg, as I have never seen one, but out of all my 3/8" ratchets, this is now my favorite.

The more I look, the more I think it is. I believe the Big Dawg is referring to the big pawl inside...get it?

"The Proto Big Dawg Ratchet design features a floating pawl. Contact is made with nine-pawl teeth engaging with nine gear teeth, dispersing the torque over a greater distance. The thumb operated directional switching mechanism shifts the pawl within it's cavity making it easier to go from the loosening function to the tightening function. The 6.8 degree arc swing and slim pear-head design enables use in tight spaces."

 

[mulepackin]

Talked me into it.

 

[chad s]

Talked me into it.

Me too. I grabbed one. Like I actually need another 3/8 ratchet!

 

[trunk37]

The same seller has a 1/2" drive also.

Proto 1/2 drive on ebay

 

[bmwpower]

Damnit....I bought one, too.

3 more left, guys....

GJ members are clearing this seller out...

 

[toms73novass]

Alright I did it, I purchased the last one!!

 

[-lecroix-]

Patience Grass Hoppa .... he will have more. He seems to list these 12 at a time. I have watched his auctions for 3-4 weeks now, and so far he has always relisted.

EDIT: He has 12 more listed already ... Get 'em while they're hot boys!

Proto Big Dawg on EBay - $12.95 + shipping

 

[ImportTuner]

Patience Grass Hoppa .... he will have more. He seems to list these 12 at a time. I have watched his auctions for 3-4 weeks now, and so far he has always relisted.

EDIT: He has 12 more listed already ... Get 'em while they're hot boys!

Proto Big Dawg on EBay - $12.95 + shipping

Damm ... how does he get that many ratchets? Really nice guy to do business with so far; great communications .. now should I ask him???

 

[bmwpower]

Damm ... how does he get that many ratchets? Really nice guy to do business with so far; great communications .. now should I ask him???

Go for it. Unless the source is unobtainable to you, he may not divulge... would be nice to know.

 

[TNToy]

Damnit....I bought one, too.

3 more left, guys....

I tried. I really did. I came soooo close, but somehow bought this instead:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=330076478252&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=014

I can't make myself do it.... Hello, my name is Evan, and I am a Snap-On addict.

 

[arkracing]

Dang It now I had to go and buy one.

 

[PurdueSD]

Welp, i finally bit the bullit and picked one up. Been looking for decently priced snap on and havent seen one. Only wrench ive ever owned was craftsman, i hope these are nicer.

 

[mulepackin]

I really don't think we can go wrong on this deal. Guess we'll see when they show up. Now I'm gonna sit here and ponder and eyeball the 1/2" too.

 

[-lecroix-]

I have created a monster!

I think I should email the guy and ask for my commission on all the ratchets he's sold since I posted the link.

 

[KingPerformance]

For $12.00 I'll try them out. I have been hearing good things about Proto, might as well evaluate them back to back.

 

[Mandres]

I was going to pick up one of the 3/8" ones too but after looking at the pictures I have a question. It doesn't look like this model has any kind of "button" that you push to retract the ball and release the socket. You would have to just force the socket on and off the wrench every time you change sizes. Is that right? If so it seems like it would be a pain in the **** and cause a lot of wear on the mechanism.

 

[bmwpower]

I was going to pick up one of the 3/8" ones too but after looking at the pictures I have a question. It doesn't look like this model has any kind of "button" that you push to retract the ball and release the socket. You would have to just force the socket on and off the wrench every time you change sizes. Is that right? If so it seems like it would be a pain in the **** and cause a lot of wear on the mechanism.

You are correct, no button. You have to pull it off/on just like a lot of other manufacturers. I wonder if Sears has the patent on the button?

 

[ImportTuner]

I have a 25+ year old Husky 1/4" ratchet and it has a button ...

 

[-lecroix-]

You're right, it doesn't have a quick release mechanism ... but the more popular ratchets from the truck brands don't have them either.

 

[Mandres]

ah ok, I didn't realize that. I've never used a snappy or matco ratchet. I have a few different ones (Husky, Cman, SK) and they all have the quick release. I just assumed it was a standard feature. No big deal I guess

 

[TNToy]

The reason most high end ratchets don't have them (although Snappy and the other do make quick-release ones if you need it) is pretty simple.

First, it makes the ratchet a quarter inch thicker, so it won't fit everywhere. The 60-tooth Matco ratchets wihtout the button, for example, are super-slim and fit almost anywhere.

Second, ever back a bolt out far enough that there was no room to get the ratchet off of it, and you had to run it back in? Well, that way there's no button being smashed in the process, and because it's thinner you can back it out 3-4 extra turns and still have room to snake the ratchet out.

Tugging the sockets on & off isn't a big deal - it's just like intalling & removing them from an extension.

Buy one, you'll enjoy it. They're decent quality, which puts them way ahead of Craftsman. The raised-panel craftsman ratchets are probably the worst ones made by anybody, anywhere. The pittsburgh brand ones at harbor freight are better, and I am not joking.

 

[ImportTuner]

Here is Snappy's ratchet with the quick release button ..

 

[kartracer55]

The quick release isnt anything spectacular in my mind. Sometimes it gets annoying because, out of habit, I will go to pull the socket off and it wont come off! haha I have never seen a quick release snap on in use before. Ill see if my guy has one on the truck on friday just to take a look at.

Jim

 

[KeukaDan]

Well my Proto ratchet arrived today and it is nice. Very nice feel in the hand and smooth mechanism, cant wait to use it.

 

[mulepackin]

That was fast! Mine came today too. Put it to use this afternoon and very pleased. Mechanism is tight, smooth, solid feeling. Good heft and balance, nice mix of a polished tool and knurled. Great deal for the money, and it is still made in U.S.A. (Gawd, I started to sound like a wine snob for a second there).

 

[ImportTuner]

Still waiting for mine; hope it gets here tomorrow, not that I need it.


Tool addict .....

 

[chad s]

I got mine too today. Wow, its really nice. Has a good feel too it, but I do prefer a Snap on ratchets handle as opposed to the knurled handle, but the fine tooth mechanism feels so smooth. Im impressed.

 

[Mike F]

One more happy customer here. Came in the mail today. Boy, this board can keep that seller in business. Thinking now of the 1/2".....

 

[bmwpower]

I got mine too today. Wow, its really nice. Has a good feel too it, but I do prefer a Snap on ratchets handle as opposed to the knurled handle, but the fine tooth mechanism feels so smooth. Im impressed.

If the knurled handle is anything like some of the older tools I have, your hand will never slip off of it. I think I'm gonna like it....still haven't got it though...

 

[chad s]

If the knurled handle is anything like some of the older tools I have, your hand will never slip off of it. I think I'm gonna like it....still haven't got it though...

Yea, I think when my hands are greasy, I will appreciate it more. However, I dont really have the chance to get my hands really greasy untill the summer time when its warm enough to work on the old cars.

Proto makes a 1/4" drive version too. Im gonna ask the guy if he can get those. What will they be, $8? These are priced so well, I feel guilty!

 

[kartracer55]

Hahah yeah my first thought was "are they stolen?"

My one complaint is that the head's on these ratchets are really big. Put one next to a snap on or SK and youll see what I mean

Jim

 

[toms73novass]

Got mine, nice smooth action!! I now have to go fix something.

 

[ImportTuner]

Finally got mine .. Not as nice as my 60 tooth Matco ratchets, but great for the price .. excellent purchase ...

 

[kartracer55]

Were a bunch of Ratchet whores. This guy must love the garagejournal after his recent string of ratchet sales...

Jim

 

[chad s]

Were a bunch of Ratchet whores. This guy must love the garagejournal after his recent string of ratchet sales...

Jim

Well, who knows. If he got them legitimately, and Im hoping he did since I gave him my money, how much could he really be profiting by selling them so cheap?

 

[kartracer55]

Well, who knows. If he got them legitimately, and Im hoping he did since I gave him my money, how much could he really be profiting by selling them so cheap?

Maybe he bought them on closeout from proto? Remember proto no longer makes these, at least the MSC catalog doesnt show them anymore

Jim

 

[bmwpower]

Maybe he bought them on closeout from proto? Remember proto no longer makes these, at least the MSC catalog doesnt show them anymore

Jim

Where's dink? He should know how he got them.

 

[bmwpower]

Got mine today. I love it!