How many ratchets do you own?

[Dimitri]

I have 4 ...

• 1 - 1/4" SK Ratchet
• 1 - 3/8" SK ratchet
• 1 - 3/8" Snap-off Flex Head Ratchet
• 1 - Craftsman/Gearwrench Pass Through Ratchet

Have not needed any more.

Dimitri

 

[jonesg]

I've got 3, heading out to buy 20 now.

 

[M_George]

I have 21. All but the two HF composite ratchets I recently bought for working around power are vintage... like me...

 

[armycw2]

If you know how many you have you don't have enough!

 

[derosa]

Why would anyone want more than a couple?Makes no sense to me.You guys seem to have way to many ratchets.I feel deprived,anybody want to donate a couple to me so I can feel better?I don't have nearly enough.

Had to think on it, have 2 in the cars for basic roadside, 3 in the barn for work out there, 5 in the house in a kit so the wife and I can assemble things or do repairs as needed or the kids can help 7 in the basement where the shop is. Makes for a reasonable 17 to save time, energy and searching.

 

[stage20]

If you know how many you have you don't have enough!

 

[B.S.A. (ret.)]

Way too many, but not as many as some folks here. Don't want to start listing numbers and type - might cause serious case of "RATCHET ENVY" among some of those members struggling with the issue...LOL.

 

[ssdave]

I answered this a year or so ago, and had about 35 total. Still do, but the mix has changed:

¾” Proto
¾” Plomb
¾” Williams
½” Proto, standard length
½” Proto, long length
½” Proto, Aviation long handle
½” Snap on standard length
½” SK, long length
½” Indestro Flex
½” Snap on in the road box
3/8” Snap on in the road box
3/8" Proto
3/8" Proto Flex
3/8” Proto Big Dog
3/8” bent handle Snap-on
3/8” Snap-on Black Handle
3/8” Cornwall bent handle
3/8” Snap on in a ¼” flex body
3/8” Cornwall in a ¼” body
3/8" Duro Chrome Flex
3/8” SK stubby
1/4" Proto
1/4" Snap-on Midget
1/4" long handle Snap-on Flex
1/4" Snap-on Soft Handle
¼” Snap on Soft handle round head flex
¼” Snap on ¼”Hex Bit flex head
¼” Mac Mini ¼” Hex Bit ratchet
¼” Plomb war era
¼” snap on Midget in road box

1/2" Williams
3/8” Williams
¼” Williams
The Williams are all part of a nostalgia set I’m building to fill an original box.

33 total.

I have a few that are duplicates that I could get rid of:
3 Snap-on F72’s or midgets to give to my kids
1/2" Williams

I've sold off some of my duplicates, upgraded and added some different configurations like flex and bent handle and 3/8" in 1/4" body, hex bit, etc. I've enhanced my capability while getting rid of some duplicates. I could get rid of more, such as one or two long handle 1/2". Overall, about 30 unique configurations are useful to me.

 

[F150tech]

Pro, probably have 12 total

 

[7avalon7]

For the longest time, I have one 1/4, one 3/8, one 1/2 Craftsman US made classic raised panel ratchet, plus one CF raised panel 1/2 breaker bar. I just use these for years fixing my cars.

Then I find GJ and the addiction starts lol

I added HF dual flex 3/8 - very nice for the money, and versatile ratchet after reading GJ.

Then I found a Taiwan made 1/2 flex at church yard sale for $2. Totally not needed, but they were trying to raise money, and I think I gave them $20 for it.

I had some gift certificate for Lowes, so bought a 3/8 Kobalt gearless ratchet for free - I really like it how it does not click click click, just smooth. The head is kinda big though.

Lastly, I could not resist buying $1 old Husky round head (60 tooth?) while driving my wife to some estate sale. Some surface rust, but it is working just fine. I think the old lady who was having the estate sale never use it, and it just sits in her garage collecting dust.

Now my go to ratchet is the HF dual flex and Kobalt gearless (don't laugh).

I am not a pro.

 

[DonglordActual]

The ones in my tool chest that get use are:
- 1/4: Snap-on (24), Proto (24), PowerTorque low-profile pass-through, flex Pittsburgh, and the stubby flex Pittsburgh
- 3/8: flex Pittsburgh, dual flex Pittsburgh, and the stubby flex Pittsburgh
- 1/2: Bon-e-con (who knows) and stubby flex Pittsburgh

My sheet where I record what I have says I have 11 ratchets hanging around somewhere. S-K, JCPenney/Penncraft, Duro/Indestro, Thorsen (USA), and Shelton. They all need work though.

Finally, one ratchet set in the car.

22 ratchets.

 

[r_olson_06]

93 1/4 drive
3 9/32 drive
188 3/8 drive
1 7/16 drive
180 1/2 drive
4 3/4 drive
469 total American or European made.

Sent from my XT1080 using Tapatalk

 

[RandyRanderson]

Not enough.

1/2 Craftsman
1/2 Gilller
3/8 Craftsman x3
3/8 Powr Kraft
3/8 Kobalt
1/4 Craftsman x2
1/4 Stanley taiwan

Used to have a 1/4 Kal but I can't find it.

 

[finn]

Probably thirty to fifty. The only size I know the quantity of for sure is 3/4" drive. I only have one of those, a Blackhawk.

 

[Bighead38]

1/2" drive


3/8" drive


1/4" drive right drawer


10-15 in road box


2 in blue point set



3/4" and 1" are in the garage but only a couple. Probably another 5-10 in assorted vehicles. Plus there are probably 10 new ones between the 2 drawers and road box that aren't pictured.

 

[njc41980]

Starting to work on rounding out my tool kit now that I'm putting together a shop, and the options seem endless.

Do you really need and use one of each: standard, long, flex head, stubby, composite, pass-through, and offset in 1/4", 3/8", 1/2", & 3/4" ?

How many do you own? and how many do you actually use?

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Don't forget air, cordless electric, bent handle flex, 3/8" in 1/4" body, indexable head, roto, etc.

 

[uncwstudent]

I have about 11 or 12 but honestly I pretty much just pick up the same 2-3 every time, depending on my need. I haven't really seen much needs for stubbies and pass throughs and etc but I'm not a mechanic or professional. I will say that there will be a day that you will need those and you will be glad that you have them. I have noticed that there has been a need for thinner profile ratchets, but I like to work on Japanese cars where clearance is an issue.

 

[Locker537]

A home or professional shop?

I don't do professional work. I started with a basic set including a ratchet in 1/2, 3/8, and 1/4.

Everything else I've either inherited or purchased because of a need for a project. I use a 3/8 standard and 3/8 long flex head the vast majority of the time for basic automotive and home projects.

I use a mix of a 1/2 standard and 1/2 breaker bar for larger fasteners. I've used the 3/8 long flex for lugnuts plenty of times in a pinch.

I have my grandfather's Par-X 1/4 set that I use a ton for interior work, working on home appliances, and general projects where a lighter touch is needed. I use a standard ratchet and a driver handle the most.

 

[ChaseDE]

At home DIY'er, all in I probably own about 10 ratchets. 3 or so 1/2", 4 or so 3/8" and some 1/4"

Mix of snap-on, craftsman, and cheapies.

 

[stercorarius]

Around 30 would be my guess. I don't need them all all the time. Usually just use my 90T proto 1/2 and snap-on 3/8. There are times though when something won't fit and it's very relieving to know I have one that will work in the drawer.

Sent from my S60 using Tapatalk

 

[njc41980]

A home or professional shop?

Home shop.

Getting more settled and want to get more set up for restoring old trucks and hot-rods.

 

[Mr_B]

Ones I use all time are gearless stubbies in all drives, 1/4 pear head, 1/4 long flexi head, 3/8 pear head, 3/8 roto/swivel head, 1/2 pear head and 1/2 long flexi head .

 

[dwasifar]

Eight, in my home shop.

In decreasing size order:

Craftsman 1/2" QR teardrop
Craftsman 1/2" roundhead
Tekton 3/8" QR flex
Craftsman 3/8" roundhead
Tekton 3/8" low-profile QR
Tekton 1/4" QR flex
Craftsman 1/4" roundhead
Stanley 1/4" QR (part of a little socket set)

Nine if you count the USA Craftsman 3/8" flex head I'm trying to sell.

Ten if you count the handle in the O-Ratchet set that has never been used in at least 25 years since receiving it.

 

[Rick B.]

I have 9.

2- 1/2 drive. Craftsman and SK
3- 3/8 drive. Snap-On, 2 Craftsman
1- 1/4 drive Craftsman
3- 1/4 -3/8 -1/2 drive palm ratchets. All HF.

 

[Finky198]

22 not including the bit drivers. A mix of Snap on, Harbor freight, Craftsman and IR.
And yes I use every single one of them in a pro setting regularly.

95% of the time It's about gaining the best access...

3 - 1/4 bit ratchets : lol do those count?
8 - 1/4 drive (gimbal, std, long, flex, long flex, composite, pass thru, Air ratchet)
9 - 3/8 drive (gimbal, long, short flex, long flex, Double flex, composite, pass thru, 2 Air ratchets)
4 - 1/2 drive (long, 2x long flex, s77 ratchet adapter)
1 - 3/4 drive (std)

 

[bsg1]

there was a thread on this very topic a few months ago that i responded to. i probably have 35+ Snap-on ratchets from the 1920s to current production, 11+ Plomb ratchets and others. since the time of that thread i've picked up a nice Snap-on FK936 stubby, a Plomb WF-38 1/2" drive and a 13 piece like-new condition 3/4" drive PAR-X set which includes the UR72 ratchet head and handle (1980), all swap meet finds. the seller of the PAR-X set threw in six pieces of 3/4" drive Snap-on with the deal but i suppose that would be for another thread.

 

[jeffmoss26]

Maybe a dozen. Do I have to give up my GJ card?! lol

 

[mcmtech]

Probably 10-12 at work and 3-4 at home. 3 get 90% of the use at work

 

[davethorik]

I think I own around 40. Perhaps a 1/2 of those are in my collection and do not get used bc they are vintage or nos.

The rest are users, although I usually have go-tos that I prefer. 1/4 is an Armstrong 60t locking flex, 3/8 is a Proto 5250XL or my SK roto, 1/2 is my Wright 4425 long knurled handle.

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

Jeff, I will likely have to give up my card also. Probably have about a dozen also. But I did manage to spend $20 yesterday and added 4 more 2 Westward, an ITC and an unknown. If you guys know what the unknown is let me know. The seller had a few more but were stripped or didn't operate like the should.

 

[Dave455]

Havn't counted how many I own, but it's a lot!

I'm probably my own worst enemy here, as I tend to like handles and extensions by the same manufacturer as my socket wrenches to ensure a decent fit, and being a Brit and needing British Standard, American and Metric sizes, that's a lot of sockets!

Add to that some old/worn ratchets I can't bring myself to chuck, some stuff I've bought but wouldn't again (generally soft handles) and some stuff that works fine but got upgraded and you're at ... a lot!

What do I use - 1/4 drive - regular ratchet and long flex. Use 'em all the time, and probably more now than I did a decade back due to access issues! Probably have more 1/4 drive sockets than I used to too, up to certainly 14mm!

3/8 drive - regular ratchet, stubby, long and long flex. Tends to be the regular and long flex that get used the most, but the others have their place. Have one of the new snappy extra long too. Use it seldom, but when I've needed it, nothing else will do. Use 3/8 drive all the time - not just with socket wrenches but with hex and torx bits a lot. Don't just use it on vehicles but setting up machines, and even for driving woodscrews.

1/2 drive - regular and long flex again are the most popular, and I tend to reach for 1/2 drive as soon as the 3/8 starts to run out of steam above about 17mm as the extra stiffness helps a lot. Pretty much my go to drive size for setting up big machines so I have hex bit sockets in both imperial and metric and 8 point 'bi square' for shafts.

All the above have steel handles, or in the case of Snap On the old 'hard handle'comfort grips. Everything I've ever tried with a soft grip has been useless in any environment I've worked in - maybe if I did electronic assembly for 13 hours a day it would be different, but thankfully I don't!

I also have Sliding T handles, Breaker bars and speed braces in every drive size!

Knowing what I now know, if I was starting again I'd go out and buy the ratchets above, which I count as 8, and probably Snap On Dual 80 too!

 

[Sticks McGee]

I work as a mechanic daily now for 31 years. At work I have two 1/4" drive I use mostly. I snap-on swivel head and a Stanley one that is larger. It has the handle you can twist to move the head and also ratchet the head.

3/8" drive I have the snap-on swivel head, snap-on indexable head and a Mac 1/4" body 3/8" drive

1/2" I have a standard length Craftsman and a 21" E-Zred that I bought from Mac.

I honestly never see a need to have any others in my box to do my job. I have several ratchets for hex bits .

 

[jallyn]

About a dozen for home use...

3/8 - Armstrong 88-tooth low profile
Crescent (GearWrench) 72-tooth roto head
VIM 144-position QR locking roto head
HF 72-tooth 14" long flex head

1/2 - HF 72-tooth 18" long flex head
HF 72-tooth QR roto head

1/4 - All the VIM bit ratchets HBR-3", 4", 5", and 12" long models
VIM 144-position QR locking roto head with convertible/locking T-handle
Crescent (GearWrench) 72-tooth roto head

So one made in the USA and the rest Taiwan

 

[MJD1]

Probably 60 or more. Proto 1" drive. Mac, Armstrong, proto and Allen 3/4" drive. 3 or 4 SK regular, 2 Armstrong regular, 2 snap on flex head, 1 long snap on long, 1/2" drive. 1 snap on extra long , 1 snap on extra, extra long, 1 snap on long, 1 snap on regular, 2 snap on locking flexhead long, 1 1/4" body flexhead, 1snap on stubby, 1 SK stubby, 1 SK long flexhead, 3 /8 " drive. 2 or 3 SK regular, matco regular hard handle, 1 SK flexhead, 2 snap on locking long flexhead, 1 Mac regular, 1 Mac stubby, 1/4" drive. Probably more I left out.

 

[itylerstewart]

I'm at about 12

 

[shawndp]

3x 1/4 drive - 120xp flex, 84xp flex and a HF composite
5x 3/8 drive - 120xp flex head, HF long handle clone, FLH80, 120xp stubby and a Craftsman POS
2x 1/2 drive - 120xp flex head and the old style HF composite

I just realized that I have a lot of Gearwrench!

 

[bobcatdan]

I think around 60 spead across four tool sets.

 

[Empty Pockets]

I'm probably in excess of 30, and while I don't need it, I'll be getting a new SK 90 tooth ratchet next time I'm in Kansas City at HJE

 

[Chicken]

This thread has helped my to accept my addiction.

I've got about 15, and 14 are cheap ones. I've asked around to some friends lately trying to give them a good home.

Not to mention the pile of extensions, doubles, triples, quadrouples of the same size/length. ehh I like to collect stuff