Got my first dual 80

[FriendOfYours]

I don't have a snappy truck out where I am so I've never even held one before

It is very smooth but holy crud! Is the head big or what?! Significantly thicker than my Matco 88s and the reverse lever still sticks out wayyy too far

Anyone else see this as a big negative or am I being dumb?

 

[bahcoswed]

Totally agreed with you, but that is sadly not the only tool snap on has that is a little bit thick

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

I have one snap on flexhead 1/4" ratchet and compared to my gearwrench or even craftsman they're way too fat. This is why i don't buy snap on ratchets, even though they're nice.

 

[bahcoswed]

I was thinking to buy SO combo wrenches, but after I compare them to stahlwille,hazet and bahco I change my mind Box end ring are much thicker,same with open end!

 

[Givl Reggin]

I have one snap on... they're way too fat.

Strength comes with some compromises -- you can't have paper-thin metal and expect it to be as durable.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Strength comes with some compromises -- you can't have paper-thin metal and expect it to be as durable.

on a 1/4" ratchet? The thing is thick enough to stand up to removing lug nuts.

 

[oldtools]

Could be due to low quality steel.

 

[bobcatdan]

I always found comparing my SO to Matco ratchets is the Matco is thinner height wise, but the head is wider across. That said, I think you are making a mountain out of a molehill.

 

[Ruger_556]

Head thickness has been an issue all of never...

 

[rmsg0040]

I don't understand, I got both matco 3/8 and SO 3/8 ratchets, yes the matco is thinner by say 2mm > WOW!

I am going to check the difference tomorrow with a digital caliper

 

[bob15]

Aren't they the same head thickness of the older T936 ratchets, 7/16 thick"? Of which i never had problems with it being too thick.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I found that when my Dual 80's pear head cant fit that usually a roundhead will fit just fine. Dual 80's aren't perfect, but they are still awesome.

 

[gtlaw]

 

[Farmall450]

Could be due to low quality steel.

I call ********.

 

[bob15]

It is very smooth but holy crud! Is the head big or what?! Significantly thicker than my Matco 88s and the reverse lever still sticks out wayyy too far

Anyone else see this as a big negative or am I being dumb?

The Snap On ratchet is:

.08" thicker
.006" narrower

I never knew .08" is significant in ratchet thicknesses.....

And yes, you are being dumb (you asked)

 

[shampoop]

I LOVE the reverse lever on my Dual 80's! I think It's perfect! Especially when wearing gloves.

 

[toddacimer]

With 5 different dual80 3/8 drive ratchets I just skip using 1/2" drive stuff. Likewise I use my 72t 1/4 drive on any bolt up to 15mm without thinking twice

 

[newchris]

Head thickness has been an issue all of never...

kidding right? its a huge issue lol hence low pro tools

 

[Ruger_556]

kidding right? its a huge issue lol hence low pro tools

That's why you buy a low pro set... In 3 years working on trucks the head being 0.08 thicker on my ratchet has never been an issue. At that point I reach for a different tool.

 

[Skin]

In fairness gtlaw isnt factoring in the reverse switches.

That said its not that the dual 80 is fat or thick but rather Matco/Danaher floating pawl ratchets have been on the thin side and its been that way for years. Compare a dual 80 to a Proto, MAC, Cornwell etc.. ratchet and its a toss up.

 

[rmsg0040]

On my earlier post I guessed it was 2mm thicker and was going to measure it myself but the guy got to it first.

0.08" = 2mm - I was dead on

Either way both SO and Matco ratchets are nice

 

[rmsg0040]

In fairness gtlaw isnt factoring in the reverse switches.

That said its not that the dual 80 is fat or thick but rather Matco/Danaher ratchets have been on the thin side and its been that way for years. Compare a dual 80 to a Proto, MAC, Cornwell etc.. ratchet and its a toss up.

Would it make a difference, the square drive is away from the selector anyway

 

[Skin]

Would it make a difference, the square drive is away from the selector anyway

Backing into a block or fender (for example), it would. In the real world you'll probably rarely need the clearance. The Matcos are awesomely thin, especially the 1/4", however my go-to ratchets have become dual 80 quick releases so im certainly not someone who cares about the loss of a trivial amount of clearance. If im in that tight of a spot my ratcheting wrenches or universal sockets come out.

 

[adstock]

Thicker = more surface area on teeth and pawls increasing the torque rating, most likely. Never had a problem with thickness...

 

[kams1973]

I was thinking to buy SO combo wrenches, but after I compare them to stahlwille,hazet and bahco I change my mind Box end ring are much thicker,same with open end!

We need comparison pics

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

Gear wrench on left snap on on right

 

[gtlaw]

dual 80 left, gearwrench 120xp in the middle, and matco 88 on the right. interestingly the gearwrench 120xp is exatly the same thickness as the dual 80

honestly the thickness of a ratchet barely makes a difference in a tight spots. in most cases if its so close that .080" makes the difference in getting the socket over the fastener the ratchet will get pinned against the obstacle before the nut is unthreaded or the bolt is backed out that's why you need a few different sets of ratcheting wrenches and swivel sockets

 

[jeepinerdeep]

I'm thinking if 80 thou difference is killing you, it's time to buy some ratchet wrenches.

If 80 thou keeps you from putting the ratchet on a fastener, what space were you planning on backing the bolt out in to anyway? If it is causing you problems backing it out, you shoulda stopped 2 threads earlier and spun it out with your fingers, or again a ratcheting wrench.

Somebody said mountain out of a molehill, which is fitting in this case.

 

[cide1]

Dual 80s became a sickness for me, I now have roughly 10 different ones in a bunch of variations. Bar none, my favorite. The heads aren't the thinnest, so I do find myself using ratcheting wrenches when needed.

 

[abvw]

When you do back yourself into a wall, you'd be glad that the selector on the Dual80s can be reversed using a flathead screwdriver; have fun with the flush selector on Matco/GW.

The head thickness is all BS as well. Matco/GW may look thinner, but once you put a socket on the ratchet the difference is night and day. I have noticed that the gap between the faceplate and socket often cause a tilt in the system when you torque on it, and that's how you strip a rusty fastener. This doesn't happen with Dual80s.

The combined height of my Dual80 and SO sockets are thinner than its GW/Matco equivalents.

The Matco/GW flex handle ratchets have wider yoke (where the flex is) than my Dual80s, effectively lowering your swing arc by a big margin.

My 88/120XP have trouble free spinning on its own when a fastener is almost completely backed out, some resistance must be applied to the ratchet/socket in order for the ratchet mechanism to work (you need two hands to make it "work"). This NEVER happens with my Dual80s. The offset pawls on the Dual80 is much better designed against back drag than 88/GW's 6 o'clock position.

The chrome on the Matco/GW turns yellowish over time, my Dual80s don't do that.

I have also noticed that my GW soft grips swell after prolonged exposure to automotive fluids, and good luck trying to find a replacement. My Dual80s cost me $7 to rehandle.

These "features" only looks good on paper. In reality Dual80s have them beat in every category.

Edit: okay, 88/GW is easier to maintain/rebuild. That's about the only thing they have over Dual80s.

 

[bareass172]

I have also noticed that my GW soft grips swell after prolonged exposure to automotive fluids, and good luck trying to find a replacement. My Dual80s cost me $7 to rehandle.

As much as I don't want to derail this discussion, can you tell me where you buy your handles for $7? I just had to buy from from SO and it was $10.50. Not a problem, but $7 sounds better.

 

[yogitech]

Takes the guts apart and you see the difference in the pawl engagement, dual 80 has A LOT more surface area than others. And that means your going to be able to withstand a conciderably larger amount of torque.

 

[2oolhound]

There's always the RAF80 low profile ratchet for tight spots, just no flex handle if that's an issue.

http://store.snapon.com/Low-Profile...w-Profile-Dual-80-174-Technology-P648004.aspx

 

[abvw]

As much as I don't want to derail this discussion, can you tell me where you buy your handles for $7? I just had to buy from from SO and it was $10.50. Not a problem, but $7 sounds better.

Oh I forgot to mention it was 1/4". $10 sounds about right for a 3/8".

 

[92integra]

I have also noticed that my GW soft grips swell after prolonged exposure to automotive fluids, and good luck trying to find a replacement. My Dual80s cost me $7 to rehandle.

why dont you just rehandle your GW with an SO????

 

[Mohawk Dave]

why dont you just rehandle your GW with an SO????

are they the same size/shape and all that?

 

[bareass172]

Oh I forgot to mention it was 1/4". $10 sounds about right for a 3/8".

Thanks!

 

[firebox40dash5]

Takes the guts apart and you see the difference in the pawl engagement, dual 80 has A LOT more surface area than others. And that means your going to be able to withstand a conciderably larger amount of torque.

I have a brace of Matco 88s, and I have yet to strip a gear, including using a bottle jack handle on a long handle 1/4", a 2' pipe on a long handle 3/8", and hanging on my 24" 1/2" flex handle. I did break 2 drive tangs on the 1/4" with the jack handle though.

OTOH my boss has splayed the yoke on his Dual 80 3/8" locking flex in 2 weeks use, without using a cheater pipe. Not terribly impressed by that one, although I had 2 non-locking ones in the past that worked fine. But, I did ditch them over the head size, and I can definitely tell the difference. The Matcos do fit in more spots more easy.

 

[Chadwilliam1]

I have the Armstrong 88s, craftsman 84's i had the gearwrench 120xp. I had several dual 80s work for a long time i like my other ratchets. Not as nice as my dual 80s they are so smooth and I have never noticed an issue with clearance. I gave my brother the gearwrench 120 xps i didn't care for them.

 

[sk farmer]

boy, say anything less than a glowing review of a dual 80 and people really get their ******* in a bunch.


i much prefer my gearwrench/armstrong ratchets in 60, 88 and 120 tooth count. i have 8 of them in 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 drives. my dual 80 barely ever makes an appearance in the rotation.

imop, the dual 80 is over rated by those that think anything marked snap-on is better.

if the dual 80 is so good, how come so many people are always trying to sell them?