Harbor Freight Ratchets

[ajchien]

I've only got the 1/4-3/8 flex dual ratchet, the one with the 15" handle. Bought it thinking a 15" long 1/4" or 3/8" flex would come in handy some day. I have yet to find that day. There are times I thought it'd be useful like as a serpentine belt tool, but it's always been still too tall that I needed a wrench instead.

 

[nine4gmc]

I have the HF roto heads in all 3 sizes, plan on getting the new flex heads eventually. The rotos are my go to ratchets in the 1/4 and 3/8 and I love them. I also have a few proto, SK, Williams and craftsman along with two Snap On. Most of the other just collect dust.


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[sberry]

Can't yet say they are as durable as higher end ratchets. Ask me again in 20 years.

I just wanted to know how HF compares to the expensive stuff in the eyes of people who have both. This is a forum for discussing things of that nature is it not?

This is the best ratchet I have ever owned, Losing the grip was my fault.
So,,,,,,,,, it has been 20 years,,, and its still about as good as it was when new and has never needed so much as a screw tightened. To add to it the thing was in a tool pool where it got used way more than any one user would give it by people figure it aint theirs. Not a single skip, didn't need rebuild kits. At this rate will never need service.

Each of us have our own beliefs and biases, so what works for me may or may not work for you.

Its mostly belief, that and fear of loss but I do take this in consideration and think that if it works for me it will for you too.

 

[jn50308401]

I was in Harbor Frieght Saturday and I was drawn to the "pro" line ratchets. They look and feel very substantial and quality.
The 1/2 long handle flex head keeps calling my name. Anyone have experience with them?

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[Theruse]

When I read threads about tool performance it would be helpful if it coming from a pro or a DIY'er. This would help give some perspective. As a DIY'er I appreciate and recognize good quality, but as an occasional user need to come to the realization that as much as I want that expensive tool may not be the wisest option.

 

[Sanny81]

I have the low profile 1/4" ratchet from HF that sits in my box right next to my T72 and TF72....my one and only complaint is that the selector switch doesn't stay in position like other ratchets. Sometimes it will back itself out to neutral position and I have to switch it back to on or off.

 

[sberry]

When I read threads about tool performance it would be helpful if it coming from a pro or a DIY'er. This would help give some perspective. As a DIY'er I appreciate and recognize good quality, but as an occasional user need to come to the realization that as much as I want that expensive tool may not be the wisest option.

I always got to wonder how the wrench can tell if the guy is a professional or not?

 

[BK13]

I was in Harbor Frieght Saturday and I was drawn to the "pro" line ratchets. They look and feel very substantial and quality.
The 1/2 long handle flex head keeps calling my name. Anyone have experience with them?

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I bought one, even though I don't use 1/2"
stuff much. I needed to change out a tire in the GF's Expedition and though that was a good time to try it out. Whoever the guy was who put the wheel on the last time must have just hammered it on with an impact, because I had to bounce on the ratchet to bust the lugs loose. I'm a pretty strong 330+ lb. guy, so I figure that it withstood 450+ ft-lbs. of abuse...


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[nieuport17]

I have all 3 sizes of flex. They are 'ok'. Little too flappy for me.
I still like my Armstrong flex the best.
To OP: there is a thread about these new ratchets when they first came out. Tons of discussion on it, you will spend hours and hours reading through just that thread. A lot of us here went through that tread already : )

 

[fourtythree]

I have one of the old style composites and a new "pro", both in 3/8". Very happy with both after putting many miles on them. And buyers remorse over a $15 ratchet? Really? Sometimes people are happy when they buy something on the cheap and it turns out to be exceptional. Some HF tools don't ****. Accept it.

 

[02camaro86]

ive tried to fill my box with every brand of ratchet that i can find. but it always boils down to one brand that just "feels" the best to me, all others just get throw in the "misfit tools drawer" in my box. they are do they same job and not one of them does it dramatically better. just personal preference.

 

[Outlander]

I always got to wonder how the wrench can tell if the guy is a professional or not?

It just needs to spend quality time with me on a job to realize I am an office guy and no pro. Maybe I should call a meeting with my tool box and explain the long term strategic objectives so it feels better about being mistreated.

 

[danwolfgang]

I was looking at the HF composites today and I just wasn't happy with them at all. I don't know the names of the parts that make up a ratchet, but the 1/2, 3/8, 1/4 drive end could be wiggled within the ratchet head and twisted about. In fact, I could pull that drive end with my fingers enough to cause the pawls to not engage and let the thing freely spin. I checked several of the 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 sizes in both the Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Pro lines, and they all did this. Is this normal? If I can cause the pawls to disengage with just finger force I imagine they'll disengage easily when doing real work. I have a few Craftsman USA ratchets that are 15-20 years old, and they don't have any play like that. I can't believe the HF ratchets would get so much love if this is what everybody saw... right? The ones at my HF must all be broken? (But all of them, really?) Or are my expectations too high? Probably not surprising, but I didn't buy them.

 

[MrGiggles]

I was looking at the HF composites today and I just wasn't happy with them at all. I don't know the names of the parts that make up a ratchet, but the 1/2, 3/8, 1/4 drive end could be wiggled within the ratchet head and twisted about. In fact, I could pull that drive end with my fingers enough to cause the pawls to not engage and let the thing freely spin. I checked several of the 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 sizes in both the Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Pro lines, and they all did this. Is this normal? If I can cause the pawls to disengage with just finger force I imagine they'll disengage easily when doing real work. I have a few Craftsman USA ratchets that are 15-20 years old, and they don't have any play like that. I can't believe the HF ratchets would get so much love if this is what everybody saw... right? The ones at my HF must all be broken? (But all of them, really?) Or are my expectations too high? Probably not surprising, but I didn't buy them.

Either my ratchets don't have this "defect", or it never happens during real world use.

I have the 1/2 and 3/8 long handle flex heads, and composites in 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2, and the extendable 1/2". No problems with any of them.

 

[organ]

I'll never bring myself to spend that much money on a tool just because the finish will last longer and it feels good in the hand. I use my tools a lot, but not enough to justify a purchase just because I like the way it feels. Maybe if I did it professionally, but at home I'll keep my HF wanna be ratchets.

I notice that's not a Kia in your avatar... do you drive professionally?

 

[lightning02]

I was looking at the HF composites today and I just wasn't happy with them at all. I don't know the names of the parts that make up a ratchet, but the 1/2, 3/8, 1/4 drive end could be wiggled within the ratchet head and twisted about. In fact, I could pull that drive end with my fingers enough to cause the pawls to not engage and let the thing freely spin. I checked several of the 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 sizes in both the Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Pro lines, and they all did this. Is this normal? If I can cause the pawls to disengage with just finger force I imagine they'll disengage easily when doing real work. I have a few Craftsman USA ratchets that are 15-20 years old, and they don't have any play like that. I can't believe the HF ratchets would get so much love if this is what everybody saw... right? The ones at my HF must all be broken? (But all of them, really?) Or are my expectations too high? Probably not surprising, but I didn't buy them.

Wtf Iv never heard of such a thing. None of mine can do that either. I'm not really sure how that's even possible bc if I remember right the pawl is as wide as the gear so how can you pull out enough for it to disengage? Unless there is so much play up and down that it's lefting off the teeth.

 

[wttwoa]

i just got the 3/8 flex head since ive never had one and changing spark plugs would have been a hell of a lot easier with a flex head. so far i live it a hell of a lot more than the cheap craftsman that ive been needing to get replaced. my only complaint is that the selector looks like really cheap plastic but for $15 i figured why the hell not

 

[ovrrdrive]

I came in this thread expecting to see pics of the safe girl in the harbor freight ads... Isn't that what people are calling "ratchets" these days? lol

 

[Fixed]

I'm going to be stopping by a HF sometime next week, I'm definitely going to see what my impression of their 1/2 offerings are, since I'm in need of one and the reviews I've seen so far have been excellent considering the price.

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[cheechi]

the selector lever doesn't feel very 'positive' in engagement, kind of sloppy

I can't be the only one to have this issue, check yours if you would gents...

I can put the selector in between left and right and it won't engage either pawl so the ratchet will basically 'free wheel'. Discovered this by accident lying in the mud under some heavy equipment and almost had a heart attack. Once I figured out what was going on I checked my drawer later. Only one of my other rats does this but nearly all my HF ones do. The one other is the Kobalt one from a few years back they packaged with the spark plug sockets, I'm sure some of you remember that.

Anyways I have 3 drive sizes of the composite, newer 'pro' red/black handle, the dual 1/4-3/8 flex head thin one, the 'double flex head' one in 3/8, and at least one more. Roto head in 3 sizes. I have the newer black composite in 3/8 but one store near me has them now in 1/4 and 1/2 so I will probably get those too.

I don't need half of what I have, even if you take away all the other rats I own. I am storing the HF sets in different parts of the home where I might need them, easier than walking from one end of the basement clear to the other to get a ratchet.

 

[AceofSpad3s]

I can't be the only one to have this issue, check yours if you would gents...

I can put the selector in between left and right and it won't engage either pawl so the ratchet will basically 'free wheel'. Discovered this by accident lying in the mud under some heavy equipment and almost had a heart attack. Once I figured out what was going on I checked my drawer later. Only one of my other rats does this but nearly all my HF ones do. The one other is the Kobalt one from a few years back they packaged with the spark plug sockets, I'm sure some of you remember that.

That is not an issue, both my proto pear heads do it to, can get some round head rats to do it too if you try.

 

[nine4gmc]

I came in this thread expecting to see pics of the safe girl in the harbor freight ads... Isn't that what people are calling "ratchets" these days? lol

That would be a spinner, not a ratchet, get your mind right.


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[lightning02]

That is not an issue, both my proto pear heads do it to, can get some round head rats to do it too if you try.

All of my CM do the same. I have to try my snap-on later to see if they do the same. Iv never had a problem where it was in the middle tho. It does it if I "put" it in that spot. Doesn't to by itself.

 

[lightning02]

That would be a spinner, not a ratchet, get your mind right.


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I hope this is a joke and that they didn't come up with anther retarted name lol

 

[AceofSpad3s]

All of my CM do the same. I have to try my snap-on later to see if they do the same. Iv never had a problem where it was in the middle tho. It does it if I "put" it in that spot. Doesn't to by itself.

Forgot rp's, mine do that as well. Pretty much any ratchet can spin freely if you fiddle with the switch enough. Never had a problem with any ratchet going in neutral by itself.

 

[iScream]

I hope this is a joke and that they didn't come up with anther retarted name lol

Not a joke but far from new.

 

[lightning02]

Not a joke but far from new.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=spinner

Well looks like I learned something new today lol dam kids there days lol