HF new "low-profile ratchets"

[NC-Shaun]

Thanks for the pics, NCShaun.

Must have....
This might be the first time ever to make the drive to the big city just to go to HF!!!!

Glad I could help, I ended up talking a fellow motorcyclist into buying a bunch of goodies while I was there at the store last night. I probably should just work there They called me the an hour after I accepted a job at the auto parts store or I would have already been working there.....

 

[dede2897234]

3/8 Lo Pro ratchet vs 3/8 composite

NC-Shaun,

Thanks for posting the comparison pictures!


What is length of the HF 3/8" drive, low profile ratchet?

How smooth is the ratcheting mechanism? Does it have any back drag?


Thanks,

Dave

 

[NC-Shaun]

NC-Shaun,

Thanks for posting the comparison pictures!


What is length of the HF 3/8" drive, low profile ratchet?

How smooth is the ratcheting mechanism? Does it have any back drag?


Thanks,

Dave

No problem Dave,
I didn't put a tape measure to mine but I think its about 9.25 inches long. I can measure for ya next time I am down at the shop. I would say they are as smooth as my composites, and didnt notice any back drag. The HF 72 tooth mechanism is a smooth setup.

The 3/8 composite I compared to in the above pics is 7-11/16 in long for reference purposes.

 

[morgantm]

Great pics Shaun, which store had the 1/2" low pro in stock?

 

[NC-Shaun]

Great pics Shaun, which store had the 1/2" low pro in stock?

Store #00220

 

[BK13]

I picked a 1/4" drive model up yesterday. I haven't torn into it yet, but it feels like it's already pretty well lubed.

 

[AmishFury]

my store got some in... bought the last 3/8" they had... got one that has bad machining in the head... very rough and i'll be taking it back for warranty as soon as they get more in

too bad because i like everything else about it

 

[NC-Shaun]

I never took mine apart for lube either, I didnt have the correct size TORX bit, and as others have said theirs was already lubed from the assembly line.

 

[AmishFury]

also here is a quick length comparison... top to bottom

HF swivel head
HF low profile
SK 45170
Kobalt quick release
Proto 5249

 

[lightning02]

I picked a 1/4" drive model up yesterday. I haven't torn into it yet, but it feels like it's already pretty well lubed.

I wouldn't lube the 1/4 drive. Maybe if anything some type of oil and very lightly. When the 1/4s are to lubed up they tend to slip. I only lube my 3/8 and 1/2 drives.

 

[Bagherra]

When u guys lube theswe, what are you using? I put di-electric grease in mine...it was all I had...lol

 

[BK13]

I wouldn't lube the 1/4 drive. Maybe if anything some type of oil and very lightly. When the 1/4s are to lubed up they tend to slip. I only lube my 3/8 and 1/2 drives.

If I do, it will be very light/thin fishing reel lube.

 

[BK13]

When u guys lube theswe, what are you using? I put di-electric grease in mine...it was all I had...lol

I used Superlube in my flex 3/8" and 1/2", Quantum Hot Sauce reel lube in me 1/4"ers.

 

[lightning02]

i use superlube in my 3/8 and 1/2

for the 1/4 maybe some on the front and back sides of the gear. nothing on the teeth or pawl.

 

[Uncle_Charlie]

I've used RemOil. If it'll stand up to a 12 gauge autoloader, A ratchet should pose no challenge for it.

 

[AmishFury]

i used superlube in my 1/4" flex and it's working just fine... the key is keeping it extra light on the coating

 

[lightning02]

i used superlube in my 1/4" flex and it's working just fine... the key is keeping it extra light on the coating

its tried everything. best for me is nothing. there been other reports of the same thing happening from other people.

if it was my ratchet id play it safe and not put any on the gear teeth and pawl. just sides. its a 1/4 drive. doesnt get much tq anyways. or the used as much as a 3/8s does.

 

[ratchet_gear]

Hopefully I can pick these up tonight. My store has all 3 in stock

 

[jeepboy4life]

My store had the 1\2" and 3\8" in stock, picked up the 3\8", seems nice, will be putting it to the test this weekend. Seems pretty stout and smooth!

 

[emeraldcoupe]

bought the 3/8 one this morning and used it a bit ago to pull the steering column and clutch/brake pedal assy out of my 78 f150. nice and smooth, great ratchet. after the 20% it was about $14.** out the door. can't beat that.

 

[bczygan]

Finally found 2 of the 3 in the store on Eureka Road today.

Took my wife there for her birthday.

She got the 1/4" and I got the 1/2".

We both used the 25% coupon on my phone from that nice website with all the HF coupons.

And we each got a free item.

And she got a leather punch for belts and a couple small hammers for jewelry work!

What do you guys use to lube these? Do you take them apart?

Nice ratchets, BTW.

 

[lightning02]

superlube is was i use. only lube the front and back of the 1/4 drive. not the teeth or pawl and yes to lube them you need to take apart.

 

[NC-Shaun]

Hmmm, in that case I will be lubing all of my ratchets. I think I will use 3 n 1 machine oil on mine.

 

[Bagherra]

Bought the 3/8" and I love it!! Gonna be getting the 1/4" & 1/2" soon!

Just wish they had put the release button on these....

 

[Qualitytools]

I was out on a biz trip in Bakersfield and found a HF store buried in the back of this strip/shopping mall, across from a Costco. Walked in there and they had the 3/8, so I had to grab it and used my 20% coupon and free gift. The girl was very nice and gave me back my coupons without marking them.

 

[lightning02]

Bought the 3/8" and I love it!! Gonna be getting the 1/4" & 1/2" soon!

Just wish they had put the release button on these....

They have them with release button. have the same handle but in green instead of red. I have both kinds. I use both. Same teeth count too.

http://m.harborfreight.com/hand-too...-metric-high-visibility-socket-set-61954.html

They come in all 3 drive sides too. Sockets are very good as sell. No China ****.

 

[Danglerb]

Orange, CA store had plenty for the first time, but I played with 3 of the 1/4 drive that were on one of the displays and skipped it. That plastic lever puts me off, but I'm in the middle of non tool using stuff right now, so maybe later.

 

[gungatim]

Grand Rapids stores finally have them in stock. picked up the 1/4 and 3/8 this weekend.

 

[Qualitytools]

They have them with release button. have the same handle but in green instead of red. I have both kinds. I use both. Same teeth count too.

http://m.harborfreight.com/hand-too...-metric-high-visibility-socket-set-61954.html

They come in all 3 drive sides too. Sockets are very good as sell. No China ****.

Interesting it does not state that it's a low profile, is the thickness the same on both of yours side by side comparison or measured with calibers?

 

[lightning02]

Interesting it does not state that it's a low profile, is the thickness the same on both of yours side by side comparison or measured with calibers?

I will look today. Never compared but there good ratchets nonetheless. Same insides as the composite

 

[sk farmer]

I will look today. Never compared but there good ratchets nonetheless. Same insides as the composite

no, the composite ratchet internals are very similar but not the same. the composite gears and pawls are much thicker.

 

[lightning02]

no, the composite ratchet internals are very similar but not the same. the composite gears and pawls are much thicker.

I'm not referring to the ratchets that this thread is about if that's what your comparing

 

[sk farmer]

then tell us what you are referring to. the main ratchets spoken of in this thread are the low profile used in the flex head and and solid handle ratchets (same internals)and the composite ratchet with either the offset or straight handle (same internals).

 

[lightning02]

then tell us what you are referring to. the main ratchets spoken of in this thread are the low profile used in the flex head and and solid handle ratchets (same internals)and the composite ratchet with either the offset or straight handle (same internals).

If you read above you would have seen what we where talking about. There is even a link. Someone asked a question and I replyed to it.

 

[lightning02]

head thickness (front to back)... i used 1/2in drive since it was the only drive i have in all 3 styles.

red handle low profile ratchet- 0.67in
green handle with release button- 0.82in plus whatever the button itself adds
composite- 0.85in plus whatever the button itself adds

 

[Qualitytools]

head thickness (front to back)... i used 1/2in drive since it was the only drive i have in all 3 styles.

red handle low profile ratchet- 0.67in
green handle with release button- 0.82in plus whatever the button itself adds
composite- 0.85in plus whatever the button itself adds

Thanks Lightening02 for taking the measurements, too bad the low profile does not come with a push button but.... I can use it for those hard to reach areas where a low profile ratchet and sockets come in very handy, ask me how I know

 

[NC-Shaun]

The push button ratchets are nice, I have the push button composites, and the 1/2 extendable. However adding a quick release button to a low profile ratchet defeats the purpose. If the confines of the space you are working in calls for a low profile ratchet, the last thing you want is the push button being depressed and possibly losing a socket in an already confined environment.

None of the truck brand low profiles I have seen have a quick release button either....

 

[stage20]

I was out on a biz trip in Bakersfield and found a HF store buried in the back of this strip/shopping mall, across from a Costco. Walked in there and they had the 3/8, so I had to grab it and used my 20% coupon and free gift. The girl was very nice and gave me back my coupons without marking them.

looks really thick in those pics for a low profile. maybe the angle or the flash? i havent put my hands on one yet.

 

[LordPsychon]

Just picked up the 3/8" flex low profile - really nice. Not sure if it compares to a Snap-on per HF's new ad campaign but the price was right ($19.99).

 

[emeraldcoupe]

Orange, CA store had plenty for the first time, but I played with 3 of the 1/4 drive that were on one of the displays and skipped it. That plastic lever puts me off, but I'm in the middle of non tool using stuff right now, so maybe later.

is it just the 1/4" that has a plastic lever? the 3/8 I bought has a metal one.