How do you decide which Ratchet to use if you own lots of them..?

[Rico.]

Hey Chaps,

I just finished reading/looking at the "show me a picture of your ratchets" thread
and some of you guys have so many it was an amazing sight to see. There are
a few of you that have over 100.

But say you're just doing a simple job and you need a standard length 3/8"
ratchet, for those of you that have many how do you make your decision in
which one to use.

Do you just grab the first one in the drawer, or do you have an absolute favourite
that you like to use. Maybe you have them in some kind of rotation system.

For me, I only have 3 different standard length 3/8" ratchets, one Halfords
professional pear head and two Facom round heads, one of which is a
quick release, and that is the one I always use as it is my favourite, but if I
had 20 to choose from it would probably take me three times as long to do
any job.


facom J.171 ratchet by Rico UK

 

[Drew_flux]

I just use one that will fit the space, if I need to do multiple bolts in different sizes, grab another or two to save time on changing sockets. some days their are 5-8 ratchets in the cart/work area.

 

[WR250F]

Whatever fits the space and fastener requirement.

If I'm turning a 27mm bolt with loctite on it, I pick up a hefty 1/2"

If I'm backing off a 10mm nut I can get to easily, I pick up the HF 3/8 composite.

Anything under ~10mm and I reach for a 1/4", length based upon access.

I don't have 100 ratchets... maybe only 20 or so, but I wrench for hobby or necessity, not for $$$ to pay the bills

My go to ratchets are the HF composites. They are glass smooth, strong and cheap enough that if I break one I'm not losing any sleep over it.

Old school Proto or SK for beefy stuff, all balls, all the time.

CMan when I just happen to reach in and grab one

 

[dwm]

I suspect most of us have our favorites for the basics; I know I do. There are also tasks where I'll load several ratchets just so I don't have to keep switching sockets. I tend to keep my favorites/most-used hanging on the pegboard in my garage instead of in the drawers with all the other ratchets. Just makes it easier for me to grab them and get to it.

My most often used at the moment are Wera Zyklop, mostly because I find it handy to be able to quickly flip them to nut driver position.

Facom J.171 is a nice ratchet and would be in most anyone's list of favorites for a non-flex non-roto.

 

[Rico.]

If I need to do multiple bolts in different sizes, grab another or two to save time on changing sockets.
some days their are 5-8 ratchets in the cart/work area.

Ahhh.... This is something I hadn't considered, Sounds like a very time effective way
to utilise multiple ratchets.

 

[RodneyPierce]

Mine also depends on how much room I have to work. If I have very little room to spin a ratchet, I go for one with a higher tooth count, usually my HF Composite ratchets honestly. If I have plenty of room, I usually will go with my Proto Spinflex ratchets.

 

[Jim85IROC]

I just reach for my Craftsman 3/8 flex with the bent handle unless there's a specific task where I can't get that ratchet to work, which isn't many. The rest of my ratchets mostly sit unused, unless I have the Craftman flex loaded for a job and I need another ratchet for something else.

I did recently buy a 1/4" flex in hopes that it'll get me to use 1/4" more instead of always reaching for that 3/8 ratchet. I also recently bought a Snap On flex with the angled handle, but haven't used it enough yet for it to win me over as my favorite.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I do not have 100s of ratchets like some guys on here. I have half a dozen in my box and generally grab one of two that I use most.

 

[nomad69]

My go to ratchet is whatever the job calls for. If I am wrenching on the APU (auxillary power unit) I usually have three ratchets ready to roll. I'm not as skinny as I used to be and repeatedly sliding out from under the frame rails ***** and is a waste of time.
If a regular 3/8 will do the job I have one SK Wayne fine tooth. That's my car ratchet of choice. Working on my tractor time is usually a premium and can't be wasted because I'm a one horse outfit so I use multiples.

 

[Roots]

Different ratchets for different jobs.

I have ratchets for rough work where it'll likely take a beating. Others for oily work, where it may become drenched in contaminated oil, non-motor. Ratchets for high leverage at offset angles. Ratchets for limited clearance work. Etc.

I have a heap of extras as well in my main box, because I've consolidated a few tool kits I've had in various places as well.

Additionally, I keep or kept quite a few quick grab bags of tools to perform common tasks I did. I'd often have an ideal ratchet with the socket I'd need already on it in the bag, ready to go.

 

[geologist]

I primarily use two sizes: 1/4 and 3/8 with the 3/8 being the workhorse. This is primarily because it fits the best in my hand and is the most comfortable. Whether I'm using a short ratchet, regular, or stubby depends on the job at hand. Otherwise, it's a regular 3/8ths by default.

 

[BJ42LX]

Have you ever seen how the president signs an important bill into law? ...

 

[canuckian]

i guess im guilty of having more ratchets than i need but generally what im doing dictates which one i use. i don't have hundreds but I'd say i have more than the average DIY'er. If its clean work, ill use a comfort handle that fits the access requirements of the job. I have all of SO's comfort handle line so I guess which ever one tickles my fancy that day. If its dirty work, ill grab a chrome handled one, unless i need a flex head. I need to pick up some chrome flex head ratchets at some point. if its smaller work away from the toolboxes, i have a little Wera Zyklops set and a bit ratchet set that I like. Out of all the ratchets that I own, the only duplicates I have are the FHNF100 and the FHX80. I have one of each in my box and cart. If I had to pick favorites, theyd be the 2.

 

[Steevo]

eenie, meenie, miney, mo . . .

 

[speed bump]

Unless I need a specific one I just grab one and go.

 

[Flatintoone]

BJ42LX,
Are you saying you switch ratchets after every revolution of the bolt?

Before finding this place, all I had were Craftsman RPs, but I usually found myself using my long-handle flex-head. The last job I did, I was ready to go with a couple loaded up with each socket needed for the job. Turns out every single bolt there was a 14mm, so that didn't quite work out. I did switch between my brand-new Duralast and an old SK. I sure like that SK...

 

[kapster]

I just use one that will fit the space, if I need to do multiple bolts in different sizes, grab another or two to save time on changing sockets. some days their are 5-8 ratchets in the cart/work area.

I never really thought about that, sounds like a good reason to buy more ratchets.

I use my flex ratchets a lot, for stuff you'd normally use the next size up. I hardly ever use 1/2 reg ratchet, my craftsman 3/8 flex ergo handle is longer then it is so if i have a big enough 3/8 socket it doesnt make sense. Unless its really stuck and going to break the joint. Do you guys take it easy on the flex ratchets or use their leverage to the max?

 

[bart1]

Usually grab my Hazet first if I just need a regular 3/8". The other 3/8" in my Assistent is a SO FLF80, also very nice.

 

[BJ42LX]

BJ42LX,
Are you saying you switch ratchets after every revolution of the bolt?

Ha! No, of course not. I just thought the analogy fit...

 

[Jim85IROC]

I never really thought about that, sounds like a good reason to buy more ratchets.

I use my flex ratchets a lot, for stuff you'd normally use the next size up. I hardly ever use 1/2 reg ratchet, my craftsman 3/8 flex ergo handle is longer then it is so if i have a big enough 3/8 socket it doesnt make sense. Unless its really stuck and going to break the joint. Do you guys take it easy on the flex ratchets or use their leverage to the max?

My flex ratchets don't get any mercy. My main go-to was a Benchtop (k-mart) straight-handled 3/8 flex that I've had since the late 90s. Eventually I bought a Craftman bent-flex handle that I've used constantly for close to 10 years. The leverage made my 1/2" stuff obsolete unless it was tight enough to require a breaker bar. After 10 years of abuse, the swivel is starting to get a little sloppy, but it still takes what I give it.

Every time I go to Sears, I see a lot of these long bent-handle flex ratchets like mine behind the counter on the warranty rack. People must strip the gears fairly regularly (apparently some are much harder on their tools than I am!), but based on the fact that these are on the warranty rack, it means the gears let go, not the flex. That tells me that the flex joint is plenty strong.

 

[idoitproject]

My fav is Duralast 3/8 flex head long handle. Yes I do push it to the limit. Broke one jumping on it while trying to take off a lug nut...it was torqued on over 100 lbs...that was years ago and I don't do silly stuff like that anymore.

 

[kapster]

What? so if i break the joint its not warranty? Whats snap on's policy on this?

Jim, yea thats pretty much how i am. But my armstrong 1/2 locking flex made my breaker bar see daylight a lot less too. love that ratchet...

 

[hairtrigger]

I usually use a breaker bar on all suspension bolts to bust them loose, then switch to the ratchet. I don't even try to bust anything loose with a ratchet because I've damaged too many already. Usually go for cheaper ratchets first, bulkiest ones I can fit into the work area. Also if two socket sizes are needed I will have extra ratchets nearby already with sockets on them. I like having beater ratchets nearby to keep the mileage off of my good stuff, something cheap but usable like stanley, unless I really need something specific I'll break out my quality ratchets.

If you find yourself jumping on a ratchet, then you probably have enough room to use this:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0021UL1ZK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Extends to 40''. No jumping required

 

[rsanter]

I have a favorite in 1/4. 3/8. And 1/2 so that is what I grab first.
If I have a need for a flex head or longer handle then I grab that.
One reason to have several is that if a friend or my father is here working on something with me then there are enough to go around.
Also when you are working under the engine and on top at the same time, you can leave tools both places and just move yourself

Bob

 

[Rico.]

Also when you are working under the engine and on top at the same time,
you can leave tools both places and just move yourself

Another thing I hadn't thought of, but very good idea. It would seem, so far,
that most of us have a favourite that we choose depending on the job.

 

[Old Donn]

Whichever one's closest. If that doesn't work/fit, then I go to the bullpen.

 

[Kev442]

Pear head w/reversing lever and quick release (not Cman!). My round head depress and rotate to reverse sit, they annoy me. I too use multiple ratchets with a different sized socket on each, especially when wrenching on cars.

 

[GoBlue]

whichever one's closest. If that doesn't work/fit, then i go to the bullpen.

yes!

 

[rsanter]

Another thing I hadn't thought of, but very good idea. It would seem, so far,
that most of us have a favourite that we choose depending on the job.

I used to have a shop and it's all about getting the job done right in the most efficient way.
Also it pays to have spares so when you drop a tool that ends up under the exact center of the car you just grab another and keep going. Pick the tool up when you move the car.

Bob

 

[jerryW]

With over 300 ratchets, I usually try to not use the same ones. I usually ope the drawer and see which one catches my eye!

Try to keep rotating thru the selection so I can sample different manufacturers and vintages.

Use what you got, get more!



jerry

 

[slip knot]

I've probably got 30 or so rats in the drawer but my go to ratchet lately has been the one with the air hose hanging off the back side. My shop time is limited this time of year so if 30 seconds on the trigger gets the job done so be it.

 

[punkenduro]

95% of the time, 3/8 craftsman rp flex head. i have a snap on flex comfort handle and non flex hard handle, but i hate betting them up for no reason when a craftsman will work just as well. 1/4, its either a blue point non flex to beat on, matco flex head 88 if i need the flex, 1/4 craftsman rp almost never. 1/2, its just a craftsman rp.

 

[Seanbev24]

I have a good amount of ratchets at work, but with the exception of 1 or 2, all of them are different. I have stubby, standard, flex, long, long flex, bent handle, etc. Sure I have my favorites, but I grab whichever one suits the particular job. I've never seen the point of wasting drawer space with 10 standard length 3/8" ratchets.

 

[vga]

My natural impulse go to ratchet is my Matco long handle 1/4" 88 tooth. For the larger stuff my Matco 3/8 long handle locking flex head 88 is the choice. All 1/2" work is taken care of using either my Snap on long /flex head or the Snap on 1/2" short handle ratchets. I have a total of 15 ratchets so far. I use them all!!!

 

[Rico.]

95% of the time, 3/8 craftsman rp flex head. i have a snap on flex comfort handle and
non flex hard handle, but i hate betting them up for no reason when a craftsman will work just as well.

Oh travesty, put those lovelys to work dear boy. You won't break them if
you don't abuse them and they will make doing any job just a little more
pleasurable.

I could use my Halfords Professional ratchet for fear of beating my Facom's up,
but then what is the point of having a really nice smooth high tooth ratchet if
you don't use it, unless of course, you bought them just to look at and admire.

Even if you use your Snap-On's regularly they will still last decades if you look
after them and you will enjoy them for decades, and the bonus is you get to
look at them while you use them....

 

[Andy Griffith]

Usually reach for the ratchets I inherited from my father first. 1/2 Proto flex and non flex, Snap-on breaker bar, New Britain 3/8, Craftsman RP flex 3/8, Craftsman stubby flex 3/8, S/K 1/4, Snap-on palm 3/8, and Craftsman 3/4.

 

[Danglerb]

HF stubby roto head 1/4 drive gets the most use, other stuff is more as needed for the job. Usually I don't know what I am doing, so I avoid power tools, but if by chance I do know how to do something I go power first.

 

[ajchien]

Drive size, handle length, QR or not, flex head or not, head profile, tooth count.

So many flavors of ratchets...

Most of the time, drive size and handle length need to be right.
QR or flex may make something easier or not.
Rarely have I needed to choose based on head profile or tooth count.

But the first question is ... Should I use the ratchet, or would a breaker bar, wrench, sliding t handle, speeder or nutdriver be a better tool?

 

[Seanbev24]

My first question... Can I get to that and loosen/tighten it with one of my 5 impacts or 3 air ratchets?

 

[rtoms]

as others have stated, It depends on the area and what Im working with, small stuff gets a 1/4 so i dont overdue it without realizing it. Sometimes it is nice to have more ratchet than you need tho to pulll a nut or bolt off imo. 3/8 long straight or flex would be my most used