High Tooth Count Ratchets?

[apdxyk]

Hi,

I am finding myself using my trusty 23-tooth Stahlwille and 24-tooth Proto more and more lately. Although 90+ tooth ratchet are pleasant, they are really rarely needed and I get a totally different feel from the solid low-count ratchets.

Koken medium count ratchets are also in a class of its own.

Let's start a new fad!

 

[BigBoreFan]

I don't often find myself in a situation where I need the high tooth count myself. For me length and ergonomics are my main criteria. However, do I love my 90 tooth Tekton, length is perfect, it's long for a 1/4 IMO.

3/8 I use a Toptul 72T long ratchet most of the time.

Would like to try out the Koken sometime.

 

[b7labelle]

Marketing **** material. More tooths = more better right?

 

[J.C.]

For working in cramped spaces I really appreciate my Nepros 90-tooth.

Otherwise I like using some low tooth count ratchets that are older than I am... tooth count doesn’t mean much when you’re swinging in open air!

 

[Legion Prime]

Marketing **** material. More tooths = more better right?

Sometimes, I can't recall seeing too many 3 tooth ratchets out there. There is however a point of diminishing returns. 20-30ish tooth counts have their uses as do 90ish tooth counts. I doubt that we're likely to ever see 300 tooth count ratchets though.

 

[BarryWells]

Low backdrag is the real trick in ratts. SK generally wins. Proto XL series is close.
For really fine tooth ( 84) Gearwrench is hard to surpass. Much like the Matco 88
Low backdrag is more important than tooth count, overall.
Most mechanics would agree

 

[apdxyk]

Marketing **** material. More tooths = more better right?

Yes, it like megapixels vs dynamic range. I don't mind Nepros 90s, I have them, but I use sealed Tektons more in that department: from stubby to long one, they are not as good, but more than good enough for me.

It is hard to beat the low back-drag of Koken rats.

 

[b7labelle]

Sometimes, I can't recall seeing too many 3 tooth ratchets out there. There is however a point of diminishing returns. 20-30ish tooth counts have their uses as do 90ish tooth counts. I doubt that we're likely to ever see 300 tooth count ratchets though.

Yes to be fair I have had needs for a fine toothbrush ratchet, but honestly the last time I needed one was probably 10+ years ago. Usually means I don’t have the right tool I guess. I also don’t work in modern engine compartments much, that could be a legitimate use for fine tooth ratchets.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

I never knew what tooth count any of my ratchets were. A year or so ago I picked up some (I think) are 88 tooth. They work too.

 

[M6erfan]

I've been bucking the high tooth count bandwagon for years. My favorite ratchets are Ko-ken's. My highest tooth count ratchets are Facom/Proto 72t. I've had Dual 80's & Armstrong/Matcos, 80+ tooth count. I sold them. Buttery smooth back drag (Ko-ken) is king in my shop.

 

[TXpintail]

High tooth counts are a speciality ratchet when situation dictates, not a go to ratchet to me.

 

[Lisamelting]

The most backdraggy ratchets I have are both 1/2 drive 84 tooth Gearwrench. They're almost impossible to use without one hand holding the socket or extension to keep it from moving in the direction you don't want.

 

[Mgdoug3]

I've tried a low tooth ratchet but would rather have at least 40 teeth. I much prefer my SK 45170 over a 30 tooth Cornwell. Most of my SK ratchets have the DT upgrade and once broke in have low back drag. I would ratchet have a high tooth ratchet and not need one than not have one and need it.

 

[Professional Tool User]

Low tooth count ratchets are a pain when working in tight spaces. I usually don't use any ratchets with less than 48 teeth.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

On machinery, with a 3/8" drive, most times the limit is your wrist, with a 1/2" it's your arm.

 

[Parrothead]

There have been times where I was working on things where I stopped in the middle and paused to think about the fact that only a fine tooth ratchet would have been the only way due to the swing space.

 

[Tallpilot]

I find myself using my old typewriter more and more. It is much easier to feed in a piece of paper, make a bunch of errors, white them out and then retype. Computers are expensive and don't do anything better than the old machines. Let's all be Luddites.

 

[BolognaBlake]

Coarse tooth ratchets have their place, but I couldn't tell you the last time I used something other than my Snap On dual 80's or Matco 88's.

(Don't tell anybody, but I prefer the smaller head of the Matco)

 

[apdxyk]

I wonder what ratchets do they use in Toyota Century assembly.

 

[Handyandy23]

I don't see a disadvantage to higher tooth count. Maybe if comparing a cheaper high tooth count ratchet to a high end low tooth then I could see the difference. But comparing quality to quality not sure why you wouldn't want the extra teeth.

In a lot of cases it doesn't really matter. But I find with long ratchets it helps a lot to have at least 72T or so. The longer the ratchet the more swing arc you have.

 

[Fedwrench]

It's a matter of personal taste and probably depends on what you work on most. I can't understand the cult following those old school, wide head, 24 tooth Proto ratchets have. I cannot stand those ratchets. The 45 tooth Proto Premium Pearhead is a great ratchet along with the 72 tooth round head palm control ratchets. I've always said the anything over 60 teeth is overkill but, i have several 80/84/88/90 tooth ratchets and even a 100 tooth roto head.
The classic design of the coke bottle shaped handled 30 tooth Cornwell ratchet has been unchanged for what 60 years?
If it works and you like it, who am I to complain.

 

[JBH]

I don't see a disadvantage to higher tooth count. The longer the ratchet the more swing arc you have.

It’s clear this thread is divided between people who have used Koken and people who haven’t!

Sure, the same feel and consistency with more teeth would be fine. Nobody has actually done that though.

 

[nikerret]

I usually use a 15 year old Craftsman 3/8”. No reason other than familiarity. I have some newer Gearwrench higher tooth ratchets and some Proto. The most important place for high tooth count is in the stubby, which I use in really tight quarters.

 

[ajchien]

If I’m in a situation where I can only get a few clicks of swing arc on a ratchet, I’m usually finding a different way to get the fastener out, or removing an obstruction.

 

[Wamsutta]

Higher tooth count ratchets are fun and entertaining, but not always necessary.

 

[CR888]

Many ratchets that boast 5° swing arcs or less have 5°-15°+ of 'play' or 'slop' in the mechanism. A good ratchet is not defined by its tooth count or chrome finish but sadly that's how many are judged.

 

[Nineeightyone]

As others have pointed out, a high tooth count is nice, but feeling/slop are a big deal. I needed a good 1/4" ratchet and did some shopping around, and ultimately passed over several 90-100 tooth options for a Kobalt 72 tooth due to the minimal amount of slop, and a longer handle. The extra teeth aren't as useful to me as having every bit of angle ACTUALLY applicable in tight quarters.

 

[nieuport17]

Once the teeth passed 72, I can’t tell the difference.

I have low teeth count (32) when cheater bar is needed. My cheater bar is only about a foot long, so lets not get carried away with imagination.

 

[Mr_B]

I like 60 to 90 tooth range mostly.
Have some less than that and in koken brand and Koken shines on ratchet movement what ever the tooth count .
anything good design in 60 to 90 range should be stronger than older lower tooth counts due to tooth count engagement .
I got couple extra long ratchets and extending ratchets that get used to max at times and never broken one yet or even had it skip a tooth .

 

[M6erfan]

It’s clear this thread is divided between people who have used Koken and people who haven’t!

Sure, the same feel and consistency with more teeth would be fine. Nobody has actually done that though.

Exactly. If there was an 80t+ ratchet that had the same buttery smooth feel of the Ko-kens I'd be all over it.

 

[rustbucket5]

personally i dont understand the love for old low tooth count ratchets. many times when im working i can only get 1 tooth on a 72 tooth ratchet. obviously if theres no obstruction it doesnt make a lick of difference. we have another shop that i go and help sometimes and i get to use the "shop box" full of low tooth count craftsman ratchets......i have to resort to wrenches a lot just to work, drives me crazy

 

[kb1982]

Exactly. If there was an 80t+ ratchet that had the same buttery smooth feel of the Ko-kens I'd be all over it.

The old SK Tuff one ratchets are about the smoothest i own. They are 72 tooth, and no longer produced by SK. Once you clean the old grease that turns to goop out of them, and apply some new superlube, they are buttery smooth.

Sent from my LML713DL using Tapatalk

 

[impactims]

Plenty of times my snap on dual 80 have "skipped" on me under load. Never happened with a lower count ratchet, to me anyways. I save the high tooth count ratchets for special situations only. I use low tooth ratchets whenever possible.

 

[oldldh]

My Wife buys me tools for Christmas, Father's Day, etc...

So, I got the GearWrench XP120 Flex Head Ratchet Set for Christmas, about five years ago...Really nice...They don't seem to have any of the problems some folks have had with them...I use the 3/8" drive Stubby, a lot...

Then I bought all of Tekton ratchets with the ubiquitous Taiwanese 72 tooth mechanism...All are well worth whatever you pay for them...

And then, just because she asked, I got the Steelman Pro 160 tooth Ratchet Set, for my birthday, last year...I don't think there are any, with higher tooth counts...They are the largest handled ratchets I own...The 1/2" drive ratchet would make an outstanding club...So far they're all right, but I haven't really "needed" their 2.25 degree arc swing, yet...

The Tekton 72 tooth ratchets get used, the most, and they are really smooth...The GearWrench XP120's are nice, but they are not as smooth as the Tekton 72's...

The SteelmanPro 160's are big, and have their uses, somewhere, I know they do...I just haven't found it, yet...

Tekton has some 90 tooth ratchets, and they are on my "wish list", so we'll see what Santa brings...They'll be worth getting, if they're as smooth as the 72's...

The 17 ratchets in the sets, I mentioned, cost me less than $ 300.00 in total!!!

 

[Dakkyz]

I have a few 32 tooth ratchets their impossible to use with one hand, they feel glunky and are hard to actually use due to how much it takes to actually ratchet, my Proto 24 tooth feels light and smooth, then I recently started buying snap on's dual 80s they are far by the best ratchet's I have used so far the only thing I like more is the Z90 Matador's but the handles are uncomfortable for me.

 

[Flyordie]

After using the Craftsman Premium 84T USA ratchet.. I've never used anything else. Its the smoothest ratchet I own. It has near ZERO back drag.. albeit that also means the anvil is semi-sloppy but it works fine.

That said, I do still use a few low count ratchets... mainly my Craftsman ones. Use my good ones when I need it.

 

[mikehaugen]

I suppose if you didn't need to apply tons of torque you could use a toothless ratchet.

Sent from my SM-G930V using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[jmhinkle]

Dumped all my low count tooth ratchets. Hate the sloppy feel and huge swing to get it to click once. Absolutely love the Snap on Dual 80's (not the dual 72 1/4"), Tekton 90T and Nepros 90T. That's all I will use now.

 

[BFHtime]

I don't see a disadvantage to higher tooth count. Maybe if comparing a cheaper high tooth count ratchet to a high end low tooth then I could see the difference. But comparing quality to quality not sure why you wouldn't want the extra teeth.

In a lot of cases it doesn't really matter. But I find with long ratchets it helps a lot to have at least 72T or so. The longer the ratchet the more swing arc you have.

Handyandy makes a good point about the length of the handle, as it relates to swing arc!!!

I usually use higher tooth ratchets myself. They are my go tos.