Harbor Freight Pittsburgh Pro Ratchets

[bigredjeepone]

I recently bought a set of these to see if they were worth throwing into a travel tool kit. I must say they are pretty nice for less than $45 with coupons. They will never replace my Snap Ons but I worked the 3/8 over pretty good doing suspension work and it did well.

My question is about what appears to be a new design to the head. My versions have the 3 screw plate with one attaching to the selector. Looking at the website they show a 2 screw with a new selector design. They also appear to no longer be marked off and on.

https://m.harborfreight.com/38-in-drive-professional-low-profile-ratchet-62328.html

Anyone actually seen these? Wonder if they have addressed the issue of failure with the current 2 paw design and went with something stronger or more a copy of another US ratchet. I know Greatneck did pretty well using the SO 936 design and it would be no surprise to see the Chinese try to copy the Dual 80.

 

[Finky198]

I keep their 3 size flex heads in my jeep great investment. I agree they will not replace my snap on’s, but in a pinch they will get the job done within reason. I carry a 36" breaker bar if they can't handle the task at hand.

I did break the 1/4" one time it’s was replace. They really can't be beat for the price

Mine are the 3 screw style and are marked on off. I guess the features are kinda random from dif part numbers, or someone from HF was playing around with photoshop...

 

[TURNA]

I have them and I beat on them.

For the price and no question asked exchange( so far haven't had to use on these) they can not be beat.

 

[Empty Pockets]

I have a couple of them, as well, in the trunk of the wife's car. I've used them a couple of times, seem OK for the price, they are pretty good

 

[HanShotFirst]

It's getting kinda hard to make the case that the Pittsburgh Pro ratchets aren't very good ratchets. There's oodles of torture tests on Youtube that show they hold up better than they have any right to, and better than many ratchets at twice the price.

 

[lightning02]

maybe they are starting to fix the issues these ratchets had. im glad they are doing something about it. iv always said that was one of there main problems. i might sell off all my old ones for the newer design. now all they need to do is come up with a diff pawl design and they be perfect other then the handled not going to the end of the comfort grip but that only becomes a problem if your going to put a cheater pipe on it.

the durelast sealed head ratchet is still a MUCH better built ratchet for the same money.

 

[Al Borland]

IDK about their "PRO" ratchets but their "Taiwan" ratchets with the 72 tooth quick release are decent. Also the 72 tooth composites.

 

[Mr_B]

2 pawl 72T design is quite good from taiwan ones I got . I beefed on an extendible 1/2" flexi-head and no issues yet, butter smooth too once lubed well .
sealed head not bad but not liking the raised switch, needs be little recessed or at least as thin as sensible .
For the money they not bad buy for DIY guys or second in car tools, prefer the 84 tooth gearwrench though and they can be had cheap as 3pc/4pc sets.

 

[trekgod3]

Yeah I have a few...

 

[sberry]

maybe they are starting to fix the issues these ratchets had. im glad they are doing something about it. iv always said that was one of there main problems. i might sell off all my old ones for the newer design. now all they need to do is come up with a diff pawl design and they be perfect other then the handled not going to the end of the comfort grip but that only becomes a problem if your going to put a cheater pipe on it.

the durelast sealed head ratchet is still a MUCH better built ratchet for the same money.

Sears should have learned this, HF fixes it vs going on for decades with same old pos.

It's getting kinda hard to make the case that the Pittsburgh Pro ratchets aren't very good ratchets. There's oodles of torture tests on Youtube that show they hold up better than they have any right to, and better than many ratchets at twice the price

. Yup, its a new world.

 

[HanShotFirst]

Craftsman tools have always been compromise tools. Some of the import Craftsman tools today are better than the Craftsman of old. The raised panel combination wrenches have always been made very well, with very precise broaching. But they have always been a bit on the weak side. I can remember the days when most SnapOn, Mac, or Matco salesmen had a collection of broken Craftsman combination wrenches. They always were weekend warrior wrenches...I still have mine and after nearly 30 years they still serve this weekend warrior very well...but I know their limitations.

Honestly, they should have upgraded the steel quality decades ago.

The 3/8" Craftsman teardrop ratchet has been a POS from day one. Again, verywell broached and forged, but springs weaken REALLY fast, and they just plain break...all the freaking time. Whether it be from the 1950's or the very last batch made in the US, those ratchets have been garbage from day one. I learned the hard way...took 3 busted knuckle incidents because I refused to believe they were that bad...kept telling me that mine was an anomaly.

 

[sberry]

I never broke the wrenches and have intentionally tried to on occasion with a screw it attitude. I broke a couple imports intentionally with assistance, but can say for sure we started and got some cheap **** along the way thinking we would upgrade as needed and found ourselves decades later with the same cheap wrenches that worked their way in to service.
About every cheap combo wrench I ever bought I did as I needed it, paid for themselves in an event. Some we bought with that in mind and the reality is they are still being used 30 yrs later.

 

[Loscaldazar]

Anyone actually seen these? Wonder if they have addressed the issue of failure with the current 2 paw design and went with something stronger or more a copy of another US ratchet. I know Greatneck did pretty well using the SO 936 design and it would be no surprise to see the Chinese try to copy the Dual 80.

What failures of the 2 pawl design? It's a super solid design as far as I'm aware.

I'll check HF tonight if I can to see if the new design is up (have to pick up the 1/2 composite ratchet, been waiting almost a year until a 25% off coupon day that I could go to).

The three screw version is what I've seen on every taiwan 72T ratchet, so that screw suddenly being gone is interesting.

Also looks like the reverse lever isn't recessed anymore.

 

[jl4c]

current 2 paw design

Spelling nazi here, the word you are looking for is 'pawl.'

 

[bigredjeepone]

What failures of the 2 pawl design? It's a super solid design as far as I'm aware.

I'll check HF tonight if I can to see if the new design is up (have to pick up the 1/2 composite ratchet, been waiting almost a year until a 25% off coupon day that I could go to).

The three screw version is what I've seen on every taiwan 72T ratchet, so that screw suddenly being gone is interesting.

Also looks like the reverse lever isn't recessed anymore.

Not the design is a failure but their pawls are rather small due to the very thin design. I love the design as it's very smooth.

 

[bigredjeepone]

Craftsman tools have always been compromise tools. Some of the import Craftsman tools today are better than the Craftsman of old. The raised panel combination wrenches have always been made very well, with very precise broaching. But they have always been a bit on the weak side. I can remember the days when most SnapOn, Mac, or Matco salesmen had a collection of broken Craftsman combination wrenches. They always were weekend warrior wrenches...I still have mine and after nearly 30 years they still serve this weekend warrior very well...but I know their limitations.

Honestly, they should have upgraded the steel quality decades ago.

The 3/8" Craftsman teardrop ratchet has been a POS from day one. Again, verywell broached and forged, but springs weaken REALLY fast, and they just plain break...all the freaking time. Whether it be from the 1950's or the very last batch made in the US, those ratchets have been garbage from day one. I learned the hard way...took 3 busted knuckle incidents because I refused to believe they were that bad...kept telling me that mine was an anomaly.

I did notice on a new repair kit they added a tooth to the pawl and the teeth on the anvil are better cut. Also the lever is now metal and black chrome.

 

[JuliusPepperwood]

I landed a heavy duty diesel apprenticeship right out of school, they supply all my tools and these are my ratchets. They aren't as solid as snap on but they are strong and the teeth are pretty fine. No complaints yet.

 

[CNGsaves]

Yes . . . . OP buy some HF ratchets, especially the flex long ones.

Also . . . we all on GJ . . . just NEED . . . more and LARGER Pic's of your Avatar !!

 

[alinc100]

been waiting almost a year until a 25% off coupon day that I could go to

You sir are a patient man,not sure I'd hold off for a year for 5% of 30$

Yes . . . . OP buy some HF ratchets, especially the flex long ones.

Also . . . we all on GJ . . . just NEED . . . more and LARGER Pic's of your Avatar !!

This^^^

 

[HanShotFirst]

Spelling nazi here, the word you are looking for is 'pawl.'

No soup for you!!!

 

[HanShotFirst]

I did notice on a new repair kit they added a tooth to the pawl and the teeth on the anvil are better cut. Also the lever is now metal and black chrome.

Now I wish I had a Sears somewhere close by, I'd like to give it a try. The Craftsman teardrop is a classic even though I've always considered it a POS...it would be cool to have one that actually works.

 

[bigredjeepone]

Now I wish I had a Sears somewhere close by, I'd like to give it a try. The Craftsman teardrop is a classic even though I've always considered it a POS...it would be cool to have one that actually works.

I was in the same boat. Had one 3/8 left that was laying around and figured it was worth a rebuild. Good thing to is the local Sears only charges $0.01 for a rebuild kit if you don't bring the ratchet in.

I bought a rebuild kit and got $6 free toward a $6 purchase and $10 off of $50. So I made money!

 

[bigredjeepone]

The girl in the white tank top belongs to Jason280 . . . found her over on AR15.com LOL

I just changed my Avatar to pic of mine!

 

[MrDeerHunter]

Yeah I have a few...

I like the no shame with having these. You can fill your ratchet drawer with $200 bucks for good (not the best) ratchets that have an easy warranty and will get the job done. I got no shame in saying I nearly have the full set too. I also have a few Sk ratchets. I can afford snap on but the cost to value to me is not there. I am a woodworker and a hunter in my spare time. I wrench on my trucks, tractors, utv and my grandparents vehicles because something needs fixed and I know how to do it. Harbor freight makes that job affordable for the one off ratchets that the typical guy could never justify spending the money on because he uses it three times a year.

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[HaroRider]

They are really nice, especially the flex heads. I just hate that the selectors are backwards it drives me crazy..Im so used to every other ratchet, why did they do that?

 

[MrGiggles]

I like them, just wish the flex heads wouldn't start flopping in the breeze the first time you give them a hot supper.

 

[AceofSpad3s]

I wish they would sell a long handle sans the flex head.

 

[Brand X]

I wish they would sell a long handle sans the flex head.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DPLNLDY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[PR1Gneon]

the durelast sealed head ratchet is still a MUCH better built ratchet for the same money.

X2

I got the HF 1/4 flex and looks like a toy, the selector switch feels like **** and the flex head seems weak. The Titan, Duralast and GW are tanks compared to HF Pro.


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[Snakebyt]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DPLNLDY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

thats a really good price on what looks to be a really nice ratchet

 

[patchap]

I never broke the wrenches and have intentionally tried to on occasion with a screw it attitude. I broke a couple imports intentionally with assistance, but can say for sure we started and got some cheap **** along the way thinking we would upgrade as needed and found ourselves decades later with the same cheap wrenches that worked their way in to service.
About every cheap combo wrench I ever bought I did as I needed it, paid for themselves in an event. Some we bought with that in mind and the reality is they are still being used 30 yrs later.

I use a couple sets of $20 wrenchs from Canadian tire, they did me half a decade of wrenching for money and a decade of fixing my junk. Back when I was pulling them for money I told myself when they break or fail, just pony up for snap on one's. It didn't happen, so I reckon they'll last til Im to old to use em.
I did stretch the 10mm once or twice, by hammering it onto a rotten 12mm hex.

 

[geartow]

so every driver where i work has the extendable ratchet from harbor. they are used to break loose drive line bolts in semis. would not trade for a snapon the extendable options , are too useful .https://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-drive-extendable-ratchet-62311.html

 

[jd_1138]

I like their composite ratchets too (which are even cheaper). I have a 1/4 and 3/8 composite and a 1/4 roto/swivel ratchet from HF. The rest of my ratchets are SK and Powr-Kraft.

 

[kctyphoon]

Their extending 1/2" ratchet is worth every penny.

 

[RedneckWelder]

I don’t care for the sloppy flex head no complaints about the rest of the ratchet. After I upgraded to a Snap On locking flex head I gave the HF to my dad.

 

[xin]

X2

I got the HF 1/4 flex and looks like a toy, the selector switch feels like **** and the flex head seems weak. The Titan, Duralast and GW are tanks compared to HF Pro.


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Plus that selector on the wharf freight is made from tinfoil along with that plastic handle made from poor quality plastic.



Not even close...

 

[Strouty]

The girl in the white tank top belongs to Jason280 . . . found her over on AR15.com LOL

I just changed my Avatar to pic of mine!

 

[jl4c]

Their extending 1/2" ratchet is worth every penny.

Yes it is. I find it has become my favorite in most instances. I like how I can adjust it for maximum leverage in every instance.

 

[Al Borland]

Their extending 1/2" ratchet is worth every penny.

What's not to like? It's got a built-in cheater pipe!

 

[DTuck]

What's not to like? It's got a built-in cheater pipe!

Snapped mine like a toothpick trying to break rusty control arm bolts