How Many 3/8" Ratchets are Enough????

[Canadian Charlie]

If you were a home hobbyist how many 3/8" ratchets would you consider to be enough? Is it me or do I want more?

Right now I have 7 ratchets (one of which is a flex head), a breaker bar, a T handle and a speeder bar. To be honest I have a bid on another Snap On ratchet on eBay.

Do I need help or should I make more room for more?

 

[RRmech]

Well.....let me start counting 3/8' drive ratchets here.................

Snap-On F749
Snap-On F710D
MAC XR11
K-D RHFT
Allen RHFT
(3) Allen RHFT w/QR
Challenger RHFT w/QR
Fuller (Japan-KTC) RHFT
Proto 5249
Armstrong 11-901
Fleet RHFT

If you need help?
Stand in line behind me, please.

Steve

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I have 40-something ratchets, from 1/4" to 3/4". There's nothing to worry about.

 

[speed bump]

I own about 11 3/8" ratchets personally but if you only go by my main tool box I have six in there 2 rotos, 2 flexes and 2 regulars. Honestly only 2 of those see regular use by me and between me and my dad only 3 see regular use.

 

[Uncle Buck]

I think for me it has always been more an issue of 1) price of said tool, and 2) Will I likely find one as nice as this to buy again?

Regarding #2 I use most of the old ratchets considered antiques by many here. I often find real gems that only cost a fraction of the new stuff so I buy them and add them to my pile. I really do not worry about the fact that I have 6-8 or whatever ratchets, far to many concerns of greater weight than that in my life.

 

[lbgradwell]

150, give or take.

You aren't even a man until you have 25.

 

[petty4243]

currently, I have about 25 different 3/8 ratchets...and about 50 all together from 1/4-3/4 drive ....majority are different.... and yes I am still watching for others I do not have

 

[tankboy_taylor]

you only need two...three tops. one short handle flex, one long handle flex, and maybe a stubby. with that being said I have six 3/8s ratchets

 

[Merkava_4]

Well.....let me start counting 3/8' drive ratchets here.................

Snap-On F749
Snap-On F710D
MAC XR11
K-D RHFT
Allen RHFT
(3) Allen RHFT w/QR
Challenger RHFT w/QR
Fuller (Japan-KTC) RHFT
Proto 5249
Armstrong 11-901
Fleet RHFT

If you need help?
Stand in line behind me, please.

Steve

The definition of those abbreviations? Thanks.

 

[lbgradwell]

Round Head Fine Tooth

Kyoto Tool Company

 

[ToolGlutton]

My 3/8" Dr ratchets:

Snap on FLF936,
Snap on F735B,
Snap on FH80,
Snap on FL80,
Snap on FK80,
Snap on 9" breaker bar,
SK roto ratchet,
SK palm control ratchet,
Proto hard handle ratchet,
Craftsman stubby flex-head ratchet,
Gearwrench bent-handle ratchet,

BTW, should I also buy a Snap on FC936 to enable me to get more imagination work?

 

[Merkava_4]

Round Head Fine Tooth

Kyoto Tool Company

Thank you sir.

 

[Canadian Charlie]

150, give or take.

You aren't even a man until you have 25.

You lost all hope for help my friend

 

[lbgradwell]

You lost all hope for help my friend

Yes, many years ago!

 

[The Muffin Man]

I have six 3/8in drive ratchets. I frequently add to my ratchet arsenal if I see a good deal.

 

[-B-]

The definition of those abbreviations? Thanks.

So much for having any shop or tool experience


Two in my work box two in the Lark box at my brothers , two in pops old box, and two in my grab and go box. I see no reason for any more then two in any one box or site.

 

[fordracing200]

I've got 6 or 7 and I have a long handle flex D80 snap on on the way.

 

[jerryW]

Right now, I can find about 30 different ones in 3/8 drive.


jerry

 

[superautobacs]

....

Two in my work box two in the Lark box at my brothers , two in pops old box, and two in my grab and go box. I see no reason for any more then two in any one box or site.

I worked on my cars for about a decade and I only had one 3/8" ratchet during that whole time! Now I have two 3/8", and I'll be adding a third, short flex head. I think that'll be quite adequate.

For many who have already posted here, they've been inflicted with a bug that isn't easily curable. For now, my immune system is able to fend it off....that may change in the future though, eh.

 

[Uncle Buck]

you only need two...three tops. one short handle flex, one long handle flex, and maybe a stubby. with that being said I have six 3/8s ratchets

You forgot the regular length and the compact heads, oh yea, I almost forgot the roto head I love so much too!

 

[wrenchr]

I make due with only one...........after another!!!!

 

[Diesel-Mech]

I have 6 3/8" in my work box.

 

[cruiser808]

I'm going to say this, short and long versions of:
1/4" stubby;
1/4" long;
1/4" flex;
3/8 stubby;
3/8' regular;
3/8' long;
3/8" stubby;
3/8" flex stubby;
3/8" long"
3/8" long flex;
3/8" all the above + one

I figured out that there are too many ratchet 3/8" configurations for me to list, so screw it.

 

[volpster31]

ive got 10 & am always looking for more vintage ones.....ill buy any plomb i can get my hands on

 

[old salvage]

150, give or take.

You aren't even a man until you have 25.

( need to buy a few more )

 

[walrus]

I need a few more, only have a few

 

[Vinko]

I've got one Proto Challenger at home. 3/8". Also, one 1/4, and one 1/2 Proto.

Also the 1/2" 40's S-O ratchet I bought from ChadS

 

[cruiser808]

150, give or take.

You aren't even a man until you have 25.

I'm too embarresed to say how many 3/8 ratchets I have. It's a sickness I tells ya!

 

[Canadian Charlie]

Just bought 2 brand new Snap On ratchets off eBay for $100 for both

Ratchet, Sealed Head (High Strength), Standard F936


I will now have 4 of these ratchets and move my total up to 9




Soon I will be a real man, or a dead man if the wife finds out

 

[msrfrog]

I am a auto tech and I have like 6 3/8 ratchets . I must admit I like ratchets.
I prefer snap on they have the best ones . But I just ordered the Grey pneumatic duo 3/8 set with a 72 tooth ratchet. the tool guy brought it in and looked real nice for the price.

I just bought the matco msc12 tool cart that looks too empty so I am trying to fill it a little.

 

[Canadian Charlie]

I think I just started another adiction..... with all these ratchets I don't think there are enough extensions to make all of them happy and live in unity.


Oh well, the road continues

 

[Gary S]

I have only one 3/8" ratchet. I seldom use my 3/8" sockets. They are too light for heavy work on my large vehicles and too small to get in the tight spots on the light duty work. I have lots of 1/2" and 1/4" that I prefer to use.

 

[Joelfke]

You forgot the regular length and the compact heads, oh yea, I almost forgot the roto head I love so much too!

roto heads are an awesome invention....i never realized it until i started using one.....now i have one in every drive size....

they are right up there with ratcheting wrenches....awesome invention too

 

[Rickster]

I think you should have no more than 6 of each kind of ratchet available (3/8 flex long, flex head short, fixed long, fixed short, stubby,....). Any more than 6 of each kind is just crazy.

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

I have like 22 ratchets(3/8)

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

Just bought 2 brand new Snap On ratchets off eBay for $100 for both

Ratchet, Sealed Head (High Strength), Standard F936


I will now have 4 of these ratchets and move my total up to 9




Soon I will be a real man, or a dead man if the wife finds out

Just don't tell her....

 

[cruiser808]

I think you should have no more than 6 of each kind of ratchet available (3/8 flex long, flex head short, fixed long, fixed short, stubby,....). Any more than 6 of each kind is just crazy.

Agreed Rickster, but what's an addict to do? I just got a Proto 5249XL and its my new go to ratchet. Oh, the humanity.

 

[Canadian Charlie]

Speaking of my other ratchet drives I have

1/4" Drive

4 ratchets
1 breaker bar

1/2" Drive

3 average size ratchets
1 long ratchet
2 Breaker bars
1 Speed handle

 

[Shocker]

Wow, I have at least 15. I need to go count. They are spread out a bit.

 

[PowderKeg]

Aw, come on, LB, Mopar, and myself can't be the only ones with up over a 100 3/8" ratchets now, can we?