Harbor Freight Ratchets

[Al Borland]

I was at Harbor Freight today and noticed they have changed their ratchets again. For the last few years they have been selling the "Taiwan Ratchet". You know, the quick-release 72 tooth one everybody and their uncle sources from William Co.. All the loose stock has been replaced with a Chinese knock-off. Kinda larger, thicker and coarser. More "Box-head" than "Pear-head". They still had the Roto-ratchets and some of the flex ones in "Taiwan" and some of the sets are still "Taiwan". The low-profile non-quick-release were still "Taiwan" as well, but for how long...

 

[gdocktor3]

SO the cheapest ratchets are now made even cheaper? Are they actually cheaper price wise?

Just curious, how would you compare these "new" ratchets to a Snap On dual 80?

 

[Finky198]

You just couldn't Resist could you

 

[firworks]

I'll stop in and check my local HF next time I leave the house.

 

[Al Borland]

SO the cheapest ratchets are now made even cheaper? Are they actually cheaper price wise?

Just curious, how would you compare these "new" ratchets to a Snap On dual 80?

No Cheaper price-wise...
As far as comparisons...
They are both chromed. They are both made of metal. Beyond that...
Wouldn't compare at all to a dual 80, not even a single 80...
I've got a Chinese imitation "Big Dawg" it would compare favorably to.

I would probably slot these in right below Great Neck, or maybe a dollar store tool.

 

[a52-830]

ya know, i noticed a change in the socket section at hf recently. they are now selling the 3/4" ratchet and breaker bar out of their "set" separately.

the part i find amusing is that the ratchet is 19.99$, while the breaker bar is 21.99$. they have not started selling the sockets themselves in sets, nor are the extensions available separately.

are 3/4" drive tools becoming more mainstream now?

 

[zendriver]

Eventually HF will start jacking their prices up, so they will be considered on par with many of their competitors.

 

[Loscaldazar]

They used to sell an old boxy ratchet before they brought in the Taiwan 72T ratchets, so wondering if they are old stock. The Taiwan 72T ratchets are actually new within the last two years (the non pro models have been sold for much longer than that, but were always 45 teeth, and they look like the 72T models).

Got any pictures too? I wonder if these just replaced the regular Pittsburgh ratchets, and not any of the Pro ratchets.

 

[M6erfan]

Yeah, if the 'Pro's are changing for the worse that would be a bummer. I only have one HF ratchet (1/4" pro composite) and i'm not in love with it, but I think it's a good value for the $9 or 10$ I paid for it after coupon.

 

[78C-10]

How about Stanley owning Mac Tools and WalMart selling Stanley

 

[kctyphoon]

Eventually HF will start jacking their prices up, so they will be considered on par with many of their competitors.

Not likely

 

[DpSyChO]

How about Stanley owning Mac Tools and WalMart selling Stanley

I bought a set of "Popular Mechanics" SAE/Metric combination wrenches from Walmart in the early 90's that I'm pretty sure was USA made.
This was around the time frame of when I got my drivers license to when I got out of high school and was buying more of my own tools. I remember that I liked the feel (and finish) better than some Craftsman tools that I bought around the same time frame.
A couple years after I bought them I'm thinking Walmart's Popular Mechanics tool line switched from USA made to Taiwan.
I wonder who Walmart sourced them from?

 

[gdocktor3]

How about Stanley owning Mac Tools and WalMart selling Stanley

Uh, yaa.. Been that way since 1980. Why does it matter where they are sold? I'm confused

 

[Fedwrench]

How about Stanley owning Mac Tools and WalMart selling Stanley

What does that have to do with harbor freight ratchet quality declining?

 

[Ctkelly]

I bought a set of "Popular Mechanics" SAE/Metric combination wrenches from Walmart in the early 90's that I'm pretty sure was USA made.
This was around the time frame of when I got my drivers license to when I got out of high school and was buying more of my own tools. I remember that I liked the feel (and finish) better than some Craftsman tools that I bought around the same time frame.
A couple years after I bought them I'm thinking Walmart's Popular Mechanics tool line switched from USA made to Taiwan.
I wonder who Walmart sourced them from?

My 1/2" deep socket set and 1/2" extension set are popular mechanics Taiwan made. Was debating about replacing them but they've held up really well so far considering the abuse they've been through.

To the other guy about MAC/Stanley...who cares?

I bought all 3 sizes of HF composite ratchets. I have some gripes about them but they are decent for what I paid and they do the very specific task I bought them for exceedingly well. I work with tooling/die sets and the slightest bump from a metal ratchet can ruin the punch, cut edge etc. No worries with the composite HF.

 

[78C-10]

What does that have to do with harbor freight ratchet quality declining?

Just that everything is declining, even quality tools, everything is junk nowadays.

 

[Ctkelly]

Just that everything is declining, even quality tools, everything is junk nowadays.

Uh no. I call troll.

 

[Fedwrench]

Just that everything is declining, even quality tools, everything is junk nowadays.

I would disagree when it comes to MAC. They've introduced new US made products recently such as their Duratek screwdrivers, knuckle saver 2 wrenches, and their 90 tooth axis ratchets.

Not all is doom & gloom in the rest of the tool world either. SK may be a little slow releasing new products but, their core chrome hardline is widely available and doing well. Craftsman who gets lots of hate here, recently came out with some new striking handled pry bars.
Although foreign made tools garner little love or appreciation here, NAPA's Carlyle line continues to grow, Knipex is releasing new locking pliers and at least one pair of long reach pliers, and PROTO's air tool line has expanded with the addition of several models of die grinders.
I don't think the sky is falling in the tool world. In fact, as newer cars become increasingly complex to work on, tool manufacturers are stepping up to the plate with new & innovative products to meet the challenge of repairing them.
You can always find & buy **** tools if you want but, you can also find lots of great tools too if you want to.

 

[Ctkelly]

I would disagree when it comes to MAC. They've introduced new US made products recently such as their Duratek screwdrivers, knuckle saver 2 wrenches, and their 90 tooth axis ratchets.

Not all is doom & gloom in the rest of the tool world either. SK may be a little slow releasing new products but, their core chrome hardline is widely available and doing well. Craftsman who gets lots of hate here, recently came out with some new striking handled pry bars.
Although foreign made tools garner little love or appreciation here, NAPA's Carlyle line continues to grow, Knipex is releasing new locking pliers and at least one pair of long reach pliers, and PROTO's air tool line has expanded with the addition of several models of die grinders.
I don't think the sky is falling in the tool world. In fact, as newer cars become increasingly complex to work on, tool manufacturers are stepping up to the plate with new & innovative products to meet the challenge of repairing them.
You can always find & buy **** tools if you want but, you can also find lots of great tools too if you want to.

2nd all of this. Carlyle even though Taiwan made is extremely nice (my experience is with stubby ratchets). Far as MAC, the new axis ratchets are top notch. The sockets have always been extremely nice, extensions with knurling are among the best, etc etc. Yes, some of the catalog is made overseas. But on the whole SK, MAC, Snap-on, Cornwell, Wright are doing an excellent job of maintaining tools as always. Like I said before, TROLL.

 

[Moose97]

Another HF ***** thread. These give me tired head. I cannot for the life of me figure out why anyone on this forum cares what tools I use at my house on my cars.

 

[firworks]

As promised, I stopped by my local HF when I went out:
View media item 63019
Everything is exactly as it was at my store. Nothing new, nothing gone. Pittsburgh Pro ratchets are still safe and good.

 

[drink]

Does that mean the lifetime warranty, if any, is over?

 

[PJNJ]

Just that everything is declining, even quality tools, everything is junk nowadays.

Oh Please, educate us how everything is junk nowadays. Absolutely completely untrue. Is there some junk out there sure. BUT not everything. Not by a long shot.

I would disagree when it comes to MAC. They've introduced new US made products recently such as their Duratek screwdrivers, knuckle saver 2 wrenches, and their 90 tooth axis ratchets.

Not all is doom & gloom in the rest of the tool world either. SK may be a little slow releasing new products but, their core chrome hardline is widely available and doing well. Craftsman who gets lots of hate here, recently came out with some new striking handled pry bars.
Although foreign made tools garner little love or appreciation here, NAPA's Carlyle line continues to grow, Knipex is releasing new locking pliers and at least one pair of long reach pliers, and PROTO's air tool line has expanded with the addition of several models of die grinders.
I don't think the sky is falling in the tool world. In fact, as newer cars become increasingly complex to work on, tool manufacturers are stepping up to the plate with new & innovative products to meet the challenge of repairing them.
You can always find & buy **** tools if you want but, you can also find lots of great tools too if you want to.

2nd all of this. Carlyle even though Taiwan made is extremely nice (my experience is with stubby ratchets). Far as MAC, the new axis ratchets are top notch. The sockets have always been extremely nice, extensions with knurling are among the best, etc etc. Yes, some of the catalog is made overseas. But on the whole SK, MAC, Snap-on, Cornwell, Wright are doing an excellent job of maintaining tools as always. Like I said before, TROLL.

3rd to all of the above and I would add Gearwrench ratchets are very good for the price plus I have used their mid-depth socket and wobble plus extensions in 1/4 and 3/8 in metric for a couple of years with no problems. I don't have any Koken or Toptul but they get great reviews on GJ along with many European brands.

And let's not forget about Williams either.

Lots of people swear by HF's ratchets. I actually think I'm going to have to get a couple of the composites and maybe the extendable 1/2 to see what all the fuss is about.

The options for good quality hand tools seems to have expanded for the mechanic and also the average consumer.

 

[gdocktor3]

View media item 63019

Imagine this was all Snap On stuff in a store devoted entirely to Snap On, Williams, Bluepoint, Bahco. We'd be looking at tens of thousands of dollars worth of tools instead of.. $500 worth..

 

[Al Borland]

Maybe they were cleaning out the back boom...or the dumpster. If they had the Taiwan ones I would have grabbed a couple for work.

 

[yamaha0343]

Imagine this was all Snap On stuff in a store devoted entirely to Snap On, Williams, Bluepoint, Bahco.

If such a store existed, I would definitely have a situation lasting longer than 4 hours.

 

[yamaha0343]

Oh Please, educate us how everything is junk nowadays. Absolutely completely untrue. Is there some junk out there sure. BUT not everything. Not by a long shot.

3rd to all of the above and I would add Gearwrench ratchets are very good for the price plus I have used their mid-depth socket and wobble plus extensions in 1/4 and 3/8 in metric for a couple of years with no problems. I don't have any Koken or Toptul but they get great reviews on GJ along with many European brands.

And let's not forget about Williams either.

Lots of people swear by HF's ratchets. I actually think I'm going to have to get a couple of the composites and maybe the extendable 1/2 to see what all the fuss is about.

The options for good quality hand tools seems to have expanded for the mechanic and also the average consumer.

I'd love to convert to Dual 80s for my ratchets eventually, but I'm not a pro and not really needing to spend that kind of coin yet. I have picked up a couple USA Williams ratchets in 1/2 and 3/8 and they are excellent tools. 36 tooth but very smooth and not much play. Highly recommend.

Thinking about picking up a HF composite as well just to see what the fuss is about. I don't really have much from there besides non tool stuff, but I'll go in with low expectations and hope to be proven wrong.

 

[Al Borland]

As promised, I stopped by my local HF when I went out:
View media item 63019
Everything is exactly as it was at my store. Nothing new, nothing gone. Pittsburgh Pro ratchets are still safe and good.

The ratchets in the $19.99 hanging set on the right used to be sold individually. Those and the little chrome ratchets on the lower left are gone. Replacements are China-made.
Kink of a shame because they were a decent cheap ratchet. My workers lose/destroy a lot of tools, so something cheap that works is always nice to find.

 

[Hawk]

Another HF ***** thread. These give me tired head. I cannot for the life of me figure out why anyone on this forum cares what tools I use at my house on my cars.

They do not really care. They just want to take the moment to brag as to how much they have spent on their tools.

 

[bczygan]

As promised, I stopped by my local HF when I went out:
View media item 63019
Everything is exactly as it was at my store. Nothing new, nothing gone. Pittsburgh Pro ratchets are still safe and good.

I have all the different kinds of ratchets, breaker bars, ratchet and socket sets impact sockets, 1/2" Earthquake impact and the 3 torque wrenches.

They have all served me well and are my go to tools for a little home wrenching. Nothing has broken or failed in any way.

Many other tools from there are on my list.to make work more convenient. Don't have every size and type of wrench that they offer, that might be of use to me, but I will.

Haters are gonna hate, and that's OK. Those that want to spend more, and can, great! I only feel sorry for those that jump on the hater bandwagon without firsthand knowledge, who could otherwise benefit from the cost/performance ratio that is there.

If it weren't for the reasonable cost for reasonable quality that HF offers, I would have a far smaller array of tools with which to attack my repairs.


Bill

 

[Tom.C]

ya know, i noticed a change in the socket section at hf recently. they are now selling the 3/4" ratchet and breaker bar out of their "set" separately.

the part i find amusing is that the ratchet is 19.99$, while the breaker bar is 21.99$. they have not started selling the sockets themselves in sets, nor are the extensions available separately.

are 3/4" drive tools becoming more mainstream now?

The ratchet and breaker bar sold by themselves are not the same as the ones in the kits, the kits are very cheaply made and are really just useless, i.e. you can break them with you're bear hands, the shelf breaker bar is actually quite nice, it costs more than the ratchet because it's made of cr-v whereas the ratchet is high carbon stee, the breaker bar is rated for 750ft lbs and the ratchet only takes like 400 before the handle bends, and it doesn't bend back it stays there. The kit tools won't survive 300 ft lbs

 

[Empty Pockets]

I recently bought a Taiwan made Pittsburg Pro 3/8" Ratchet from HF. I have done a little home wrenching, using it. So far, so good. The orice was reasonable, and so far I'm happy with it

 

[Denis-ON]

Yeah, if the 'Pro's are changing for the worse that would be a bummer. I only have one HF ratchet (1/4" pro composite) and i'm not in love with it, but I think it's a good value for the $9 or 10$ I paid for it after coupon.

check out tooltopia.com man you could get the 84 tooth gear wrench ratchet for >$15 talk about a deal haha nothing wrong with a HF one tho

Here is a link
http://www.tooltopia.com/kd-tools-81011f.aspx

 

[bczygan]

check out tooltopia.com man you could get the 84 tooth gear wrench ratchet for >$15 talk about a deal haha nothing wrong with a HF one tho

Here is a link
http://www.tooltopia.com/kd-tools-81011f.aspx

HF
72 tooth

8 bucks

http://www.harborfreight.com/14-in-drive-quick-release-ratchet-62245.html

MORE:


Bill