How many is enough? Ratchets?

[mikebaker1129]

50 or 60 or so for me. They seem to always find me.

 

[Kent_B]

the correct answer is n+1

 

[HanShotFirst]

I currently have
2 - 1/2"
7 - 3/8"
4 - 1/4"

I could do with less 3/8" but I'm not throwing anything away. I'll give some away to family or friends in need, but until then, there's room in my tool box.

I use 1/4" a lot, and I'd like to add a swivel ratchet in that size.

I have ratchets from HF, Kobalt, CM, Stanley, SK, Williams, and SnapOn. Really like most of them with the exception of the Craftsman...not sure why I have it, I loathe CM teardrop ratchets.

 

[Gila Monster]

I've got too many as well, and I find myself more and more using impacts anyway.

They aren't really worth selling either. Probably have something close to 20 and probably 6 would be overkill.

 

[visionguru]

So my wife and I were at a swap meet and I came across a guy selling tools. By came across I mean I was looking for and finally found. I found a nice S-K 3/8th ratchet and some Proto extensions. She said how many ratchets do you need? I asked her how many purses does she need, but that got me in trouble.

However; her question got me thinking, how many ratchets do you all have?

I recently cleaned out my tools and am trying to be more selective. I don't think I have too many at all and I'm sure nothing close to most...

You haven't said what and how many you have, not enough info to judge.

I think if you have your needs covered, you have enough. That has little to do with number of ratchets, rather the variety of ratchets.

I almost have enough, about 25 of them, but that includes many from tool set and duplicates.

 

[rmsg0040]

I own 7 right now, I think anything more than 10 is overkill, since getting Milwaukee cordless impact wrenches and ratchet, the ratchets are sitting more and more

 

[itylerstewart]

I only have 11 but I need so many more it seems

 

[ssdave]

I have about 35; about 25 are unique and useful; the rest are duplicates or ones that I have only to complete sets or sentimental reasons. I could probably have nearly full capability at about 15 to 18 unique ratchets, the rest fill small niche needs.

 

[slip knot]

So its not normal to have a ratchet for every socket in the drawer?

 

[theoldwizard1]

• 3/8" standard Craftsman (one of my very first tools, now 50 years old)
• 3/8" standard Craftsman flex head
• 1/2" fine tooth Craftsman

I can't say that I have ever been in a situation where I needed more.

Also have a 1/4" Craftsman breaker, and 2 1/2" breaker, 1 Craftsman and the second one is the extra long HF Pittsburgh Pro.

 

[ssdave]

So its not normal to have a ratchet for every socket in the drawer?

I've got a little over 500 unique sockets in my top drawer. 25 ratchets can easily drive them all!

 

[Al Borland]

How many New Britain (and clones) can you get your hands on???
Get them. Get them ALL!

 

[franzdom]

I think a good general rule is when you have 2 of everything you are set. Brand, style, size, handle, etc.

 

[Teenager with old tools]

I think a good general rule is when you have 2 of everything you are set. Brand, style, size, handle, etc.

2 of each style for each size and style of socket right

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[SuperCat]

I took a quick count and came up with just over 100. But I picked up most of those for my collection because I think they are interesting, and I don't use them (unless I need to). The ones that I use the most are about a dozen or so. I have 1/4, 3/8 (used most often), 1/2, and 3/4. Buy ratchets (and tools in general) that will make your life easier. I "got by" for many years with 3 Craftsman ratchets, but sometimes that caused me a bit of grief. For the record, I like my ratchets the same way I like my women: the more teeth, the better!
Here's some out of the storage drawer:

 

[mmason7764]

hard for me to count exactly since not all tools are in one place (heck, not even in one state).

Today I received two more in the mail, 1/4 inch Williams. Why 2?, because Tool Discounters is out of stock on the flex head 1/4" drive or it would have been 3 !!

Have one of those SK 90 tooth pear heads inbound from HJ Epstein. That one is solely due to reading about it on this board !!!

Have my eye on a 1/2 inch SK and Wright.

It will never end.

 

[Jim C.]

I have three or four that I use regularly, and about another seventy more that see little of no use, but are in my collection.

Jim C.

 

[ku17]

In my actual rotation:
4 1/4" 50 year old Snap-on. POS Armstrong that's only a year old and is already rusting, no wonder they went under. Snap-on flex head, great ratchet. Snap-on flex bit ratchet, never use it on cars, use it constantly for carpentry and around the house.
4 3/8" proto 24 tooth, normal length, headed toward retire. Proto 90, normal length, becoming my most used ratchet. Flex head Snap-on, and long handle proto 24 tooth.
4 1/2" Long handle proto 90 tooth. 1960's SL710 that is still my favorite 1/2. Regular length Armstrong, practically new, heavy backdrag makes it almost useless, finish is already failing, waste of money. Proto/Facom RH flex head, surprisingly awesome.
1 3/4" Proto ratchet. Love it, use it anytime there's enough clearance. The extra leverage it provides is a lifesaver for my bad shoulder. Probably indestructible.
Also have a set of ratchets that came in a Stanley FatMax 100+ piece set. They're what you would expect, nothing more, nothing less. They sit in the backseat of my truck, for emergencies. Also have a set of palm ratchets, they don't take up space but they are handy here and there. I really like the Proto 90 tooth ratchets but I don't see any reason to replace existing ratchets because all of them are better than "good enough".

Some guys like to collect ratchets, and that's cool. Just not my cup of tea. I think I have a reasonable number of ratchets, but don't we all!

 

[Bill C]

I feel pretty good with my selection:

1/4 Drive: Standard, Flex Head, Composite, Palm

3/8 Drive: Standard, Flex Head, Long Handle, Stubby, Composite, Bent Handle, Speeder, Palm

1/2 Drive: Standard, Flex Head, Long Handle, Breaker bar.

 

[jallyn]

the correct answer is n+1

Rockefeller was at one point the world’s richest man and first ever American billionaire. Considering he was a billionaire in the early 1900’s he is still considered as the richest person in modern history. When a reporter asked him, “How much money is enough?” He responded, “Just a little bit more.”

 

[lazer50]

As of now i have approx 30! And i use them! And i have 6 collectable ones.lol

 

[MikeF2316]

I have 4 ¼" drive, 5 ⅜" and 4 ½" in my main toolbox. In addition I have 2 ratchets that are both ¼ and ⅜ - a low profile one with ratchets at each end, and a stubby that has the drives opposite each other. So 15.

 

[M_George]

I currently have
2 - 1/2"
7 - 3/8"
4 - 1/4"

I could do with less 3/8" but I'm not throwing anything away. I'll give some away to family or friends in need, but until then, there's room in my tool box.

I use 1/4" a lot, and I'd like to add a swivel ratchet in that size.

I have ratchets from HF, Kobalt, CM, Stanley, SK, Williams, and SnapOn. Really like most of them with the exception of the Craftsman...not sure why I have it, I loathe CM teardrop ratchets.

I agree with your opinion of the CM teardrop ratchets, the last time I used one I throw it across the garage and it stayed there for over a month...

 

[senlow]

For use in my shop 41 is a bare minimum:

¼” Drive
Standard length pear head
Standard length pear head w/plastic handle
Standard length round head
Standard length open head
Standard length flex handle
Standard length flex handle w/plastic handle
Stubby pear head
Stubby round head
Long pear head
Long pear head w/plastic handle
Roller clutch
Long roller clutch
Fingertip
Roto
Open head

3/8” Drive
Standard length pear head
Standard length pear head w/plastic handle
Standard length round head
Standard length open head
Standard length flex handle
Standard length flex handle w/plastic handle
Stubby pear head
Stubby round head
Long pear head
Long pear head w/plastic handle
Extra long pear head
Roller clutch
Fingertip
Palm
Roto
Open head
¼” body pear head
¼” body round head
¼” body flex head

1/2” Drive
Standard length pear head
Standard length open head
Long pear head
Open head
3/8” body stubby pear head
3/8” body standard length pear head
3/8” body long pear head

I don't work on big stuff, so there is nothing over 1/2" drive.

Of course, I also have some spares and specialty ratchets. I have a few in the house, a few at work and a few in the Jeep box. I also collect 1/4" drive ratchets. There are about 60 in the collection so far.

 

[Unruh]

I feel pretty good with my selection:

1/4 Drive: Standard, Flex Head, Composite, Palm

3/8 Drive: Standard, Flex Head, Long Handle, Stubby, Composite, Bent Handle, Speeder, Palm

1/2 Drive: Standard, Flex Head, Long Handle, Breaker bar.

I like that spark plug ratchet and socket set up! Can I get some more info in it?

 

[Bill C]

I like that spark plug ratchet and socket set up! Can I get some more info in it?

Gearwrench #81229. I've had it quite a while now 8-10yrs. It has been great. I like the swivel spark plug sockets a lot. They are magnetic, and the extension shafts have good knurling to get the plugs started. The ratchet is pretty nice too. I believe I paid $50-$60, which I think is reasonable for the quality.

 

[Teenager with old tools]

You have enough ratchets when you have a 48 inch wide base and top tool box for each drive size 1/4 1/2 3/4 3/8 and 1 inch ratchet. And separate ones to store all the sockets

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[xjfish]

I have about 20 I honestly use regularly (yes for work). I have 10+ "junk" or extra ones I use occasionally.

 

[r_olson_06]

How many ratchets do you own?:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=72721

Some interesting stuff in that thread:

oh and I like the "on the wall" aspect. I've put all my wrenches on my wall That's an old pic from '10 but age doesn't make it less interesting

I think if I put all if mine on the wall my garage would cave in.

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[mushia]

I think may be 5.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Well, even since last posting in this thread 5 months ago, my list has changed.

Bought a few and sold a few. Took pictures since I'm cleaning out my service truck for the last time (moving and taking another job).

Tool bag and road chest ratchets:

Home Ratchets:

EDIT: Didn't realize that besides the VIM bit ratchet, I've ended up with all Snap-on & SK. I guess I really have whittled it down to what I like.

 

[Utahtrapper]

My 3/4 inch Drive's

2 Par x UR72 which are beasts

1 Craftsman V USA

Have 1 Ton trucks and trailers so they see quite a bit of use.

 

[davethorik]

I could do with less 3/8" but I'm not throwing anything away. I'll give some away to family or friends in need, but until then, there's room in my tool box.

I use 1/4" a lot, and I'd like to add a swivel ratchet in that size.

I have ratchets from HF, Kobalt, CM, Stanley, SK, Williams, and SnapOn. Really like most of them with the exception of the Craftsman...not sure why I have it, I loathe CM teardrop ratchets.

Lol! Same exact situation...I picked up a rp 3/8 with the V selector bc i thought it looked cool a few yrs ago. Then i realized...it was a Craftsman rp, and I prefer using just about any other ratchet.

I ended up gifting it to my neighbor, along with a Proto USA rhft (that I wasn't particularly fond of either), after he broke his import Husky 3/8 and 1/2. As far as i know they're still holding up for him.

So now I only have one rp ratchet, a 1/4 rhft, I think it's a keeper.
I do have a Matco 3/8 in 1/4 body that shares the 36t guts with the rp pear heads, and I think it's going up for sale. I never use it now that I rebuilt an SK 40970 into a 3/8.