Help me pick out some new ratchets

[d.mcfarland]

Check the classifieds or ebay, always deals to be had.

Agreed. For the price of one new truck ratchet, you could have multiple lightly used USA ratchets that will never let you down.

 

[mscribellito]

You can't go wrong with the Craftsman Premium ratchets. I got all 3 drive sizes and they are now my "go to" ratchets!

 

[Notwerk]

Lots of good recommendations here, but for the money, I think you really can't beat a Williams USA B52A round head. The price is very reasonable, they're smooth as butter (72-teeth) and built tough. It's a good-looking ratchet, too. I've used and played with other fine-tooth ratchets, including the 88s. They're nice, but still don't feel as nice as the Williams. It's so smooth, it almost feels gearless.

The matching 1/2-inch S52A is also great. The 1/4-inch M52 isn't so nice, so I'd pass on that. For 1/4, I use an SK Tuff1 (those aren't made anymore, unfortunately).

If you're not aware, Williams is a division of Snap-on. Great quality, but the prices are easier to swallow for a weekend warrior.

Edit: Wanted to add that I've played with the Kobalt ratchets, and they are surprisingly good. I bought my dad a set for his truck box. My only real complaint about them is that the regular prices are very high (buying a loose ratchet off the rack will cost you as much as the above Williams ratchet), and that they have very thick heads. In practice, it hasn't been a problem for my dad, but I could imagine that in tight spaces, it could get annoying. If you find yourself inside an engine bay often, I'd definitely look at them in person and compare them with what you're used to and give some though as to whether you'd find it a problem.

All that said, I'd go with the Williams. That B52A/S52A design has been around for decades with good reason.

 

[stonesfan68]

I started out with the basic Craftsman kit my parents bought me when I was in high-school.
I'd like to upgrade my ratchets in at least 3/8" and 1/2" sizes for now but am not really sure what the best bang/buck is. I'd like to keep the cost down, but am fine searching for a deal or saving up. /QUOTE]

This reads like my story, too. I have purchased the Gearwrench fixed head ratchet set in the last year. They are really nice tools compared with the old Craftsman ratchets that I was using. (I've upgraded the 3/8" drive ratchet to an 88-tooth kit that I bought from Matco so it is smooth like butter.) These are very good ratchets for the money.

I also on an SK "Tuff 1" 3/8-inch flex drive that I really like. I bought it off of eBay for about $40. I like the long handle and fine action.

I've pondered purchasing used Snap-On tools, as well, but since I don't turn wrenches for a living and have ready access to the tool truck (and the warranty on tools from eBay isn't necessarily an automatic thing, apparently) I'm going to stick with what I have.

The Armstrong ratchets are fine-tooth ratchets that are made in the USA at a reasonable price.

Good luck with the search!

 

[broinkrist]

I was in the same boat. Always used the Craftsman 1/4 and 3/8 that came in the tool sets I got a long time ago. I also do weekend wrenching only.

I recently started adding ratchets and got the Craftsman Premium set and they are night and day better feeling than the older style. They do the job, and are not that expensive if you shop around.

I also got Snap on ratchets, FHLF80 and THLF72. I do use them quite often too, but am more worried about denting them up too much since they are expensive. All snap on stuff can usually be had for 1/2 off or so here in the classifieds. You can get F80s and T72's for $45-$70 each if you are patient. S80's on the other hand still command high prices.

 

[SMKS]

My personal favorites:
-SK
-Armstrong 88
-Armstrong locking flex - my most used ratchet
-Wright dual pawl

 

[Jim85IROC]

My suggestion is to look around and buy whatever is the most comfortable. I used my flex head bent handle Craftsman ratchet for years, with my straight handled Bench Top ratchet as my number 2. Never broke either of them. Recently I upgraded to a far more expensive 80 tooth bent handle flex head Snap On and I love it. On a whim, I picked up a straight handled flex head Gearwrench to replace my old Bench Top. I'm just as happy with it as my Snap On. There are a lot of good quality ratchets around, and you don't need to pay $200 for them. But, sometimes it's nice to splurge on the good stuff too.

 

[soloz2]

Instead of starting a new thread I thought I'd continue my original thread. Another year has passed and I've only purchased one ratchet... a Kobalt 3/8" flex that came in the spark plug kit that was recently on sale for $10.

In summary here are my current ratchets:
1/4"
Craftsman 36 tooth
Napa (Gearwrench) roto ratchet
3/8"
Craftsman 36 tooth
Napa (gearwrench) roto ratchet
Kobalt flex
1/2"
Craftsman 36 tooth

I mostly use 3/8" drive with 1/2" drive following. I would really like a 1/2" ratchet with the following features:
- flex head - I think I want locking but is this really useful?
- smooth action and med-high tooth count. I don't need crazy high, but I'd like something that will still work if I'm operating in a tight spot (like under my car, yes I will use 1/2" drive as I live in NY where cars rust)
- med/long handle - I have a Craftsman breaker bar so I don't need crazy long but something in the 16-18" range should be fine I would think

I see a lot of mentions for the Armstrong Max locking flex and it sure looks nice but at about $100 it's a bit more than I'd really like to spend.
Gearwrench 120xp flex looks nice but it does not lock. Trident has it on sale for just over $30 (shipping kinda kills the deal, but it's still half the price of the Armstrong)

I know there are other flex head ratchets. Is there anything else I should be looking for? I'm OK with used and am willing to search deals.

 

[ChevyEFI]

I think you can answer your flex-head question from your own experience with the Kobalt 3/8" flex.

I'm big on roto ratchets and am so used to them, the idea of a locking mechanism of a flex makes me scratch my head and ask "Did I ever need it?" And the answer is, "no, but it might have made one-handed threading use easier."

I can't recommend a 1/2" to fit your needs from my own use, but the SK 42775 1/2" Drive Tuff 1 Flex Head Ratchet 17.2" is definitely tempting to me.

 

[GutsnGlory]

I just bought the matco 88 tooth 3 piece ratchet set to replace my craftsman. I love them so far and needed a step up since I'm in the automotive field going to school currently.

 

[KF5LCH]

I doubt you're interested in old tools, but if you find a good deal on some old vintage beef say at a pawn shop or yard sale, give the oldies a try. Most can be rebuilt for less than $15 & they'll last a long time.

I'll never buy a new ratchet again. I'll find old school stuff & rebuild them.

My daily use ratchets are a mint set of 70's era thumb wheel RHFT Craftsmans.

 

[bahcoswed]

Old thread,but i feel i was forced to recommend a really cheap and premium quality ratchet! Bahco 6950(1/4),7750(3/8) and 8150(1/2) have snapon dual80 mechanism! Exactly the same internals like SOdual80 for 20-30usd! That is the best "bang for the buck" i would say!

 

[powertrip]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=208292


The new apex made gearwrench clone huskys are really nice. Lifetime warr sold at home depot 72 tooth, $35 for a 1/2 flex non locking. Same design as my GW ratchets. Thinner head than the kobalt and made in taiwan.

 

[Exceller8]

I have been really happy with my Kobalt ratchets. I have some really nice American made ratchets too, but the Kobalt's are hard to beat for the $$$.

 

[soloz2]

Looking at the Gearwrench 120xp Any opinions? Trident has some nice prices.