How many ratchets do you own?

[mr57]

I was once told you don't need to be concerned about the guy who owns 20 guns, you should be worried about the fellow who only owns one.. .

I don't think that applies here.....

 

[joel63]

With one of my last paycheques before I got married (30 yrs) I bought a Snap On 3/8 flexhead speeder ratchet. Between that and the bent handle flex head, they are the ones that get used the most.

I recently retired and made what probably will be my last new Snap On purchase - the 1/4" drive speeder flexhead to go with it. My retirement present to myself. I did manage to score a 1/4" drive ratchet and tin box from the sixties this summer from a garage sale.

Ratchets are hard to resist.

 

[bulletpruf]

I have 36. Started off with Craftsman RP's in 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 and then I found Garage Journal... Details here http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=263422&showall=1

Pretty sure I'm over 50 now. I moved most of my operations (and tools) to a 20' x 50' shop, but I still work out of the home garage, too, so that also needs to be well equipped.

I can't stand the coarse ratcheting of the RP Craftsman ratchets any more; these days, I prefer the fine-tooth stuff - I have some Snap-On, Carlisle, the nicer Harbor Freight stuff, Bahco, Matco, etc.

 

[Outlawmws]

Have you tried the Craftsman RHFT from the 70's? Dual pawls, and effectively 90 teeth, except for the 1/4" at 84.

 

[teddythreetoe]

50 plus, I just love ratchets.

 

[DarryT]

12. 5 are junky old ratchets in toolkits for each of the family cars. 7 are used in the garage-
3x1/4, 3x3/8, 1x1/2

 

[bulletpruf]

Have you tried the Craftsman RHFT from the 70's? Dual pawls, and effectively 90 teeth, except for the 1/4" at 84.

Not yet, but I just bought one on eBay....

 

[Outlawmws]

OK added yet another, ratchet. no maker's marks, model no's or COO of any kind. close clearance head, a LOT more clearance tan a conventional ratchet. not quite as small as the Titan 1/4" drives I have. but a lot more handle if needed.

Searches for a "square head" description get killed with the "square drive" as a common term..

Anyone have a clue on this one? 5" long, 18 tooth. not able to disassemble (I suspect the drive piece is pressed together)







And compared:

 

[nicks78camaro]

Less than I need

 

[Outlawmws]

(I suspect the drive piece is pressed together)

Confirmed I just closed the axial gap a a bit. The drive end ring is pressed on.

 

[KnurledNut]

OK added yet another, ratchet. no maker's marks, model no's or COO of any kind. close clearance head, a LOT more clearance tan a conventional ratchet. not quite as small as the Titan 1/4" drives I have. but a lot more handle if needed.

Searches for a "square head" description get killed with the "square drive" as a common term..

Anyone have a clue on this one? 5" long, 18 tooth. not able to disassemble (I suspect the drive piece is pressed together)







And compared:

Made by G.M. Co. Manufacturing.

 

[Outlawmws]

Made by G.M. Co. Manufacturing.

That was fast! Thanks KK!

Heh, "GM ain't making searches any easier!

 

[Al Borland]

About a half-dozen 1/4"
At least 20 3/8"
9 1/2" that I can lay hands on, probably more in my truck
Not counting things like old New Britain Ratchets with the removable square peg, the 1930s SK roundhead or the other weird stuff that "could" be used, but is more fun to NOT polish

HaHaHaHa, 8 years later, the number has tripled.

 

[Outlawmws]

HaHaHaHa, 8 years later, the number has tripled.

You need to up your game!

 

[YotaTRD4x4]

Reading all this makes me feel better about what I own. I currently have four 3/8 inch ratchets, three 1/4 inch and two 1/2 inch and one 3/4 inch. I feel like I still need more. I eventually want to have comfort grip/std grip of each size and fixed and flex head in each size with maybe a few swivel heads too.

 

[Outlawmws]

Reading all this makes me feel better about what I own. I currently have four 3/8 inch ratchets, three 1/4 inch and two 1/2 inch and one 3/4 inch. I feel like I still need more. I eventually want to have comfort grip/std grip of each size and fixed and flex head in each size with maybe a few swivel heads too.

Don't forget Bit driver, stubbies, bent handle, and odd ones like 3/8 in a 1/4 body. then there are the really odd ones like lever or twist handle "obstruction" ratchets.

 

[Samuel D]

I eventually want to have comfort grip/std grip of each size

Any particular reason why?

 

[four.cycle]

Heh, "GM ain't making searches any easier!

G.M / G.M Mfg. Co., 1308 43rd Ave., Long Island City, NY / http://progress-is-fine.blogspot.com/2014/02/vanished-tool-makers-gm-co.html / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/can-anybody-identify-this-ratchet.383794/ /

 

[3baygarage]

Confirmed I just closed the axial gap a a bit. The drive end ring is pressed on.

The handle screws onto the head though. Be careful. Spring/small parts inside.

 

[YotaTRD4x4]

Any particular reason why?

After using a comfort grip I like them not being cold. I love in Alaska. Winter projects can be brutal but even in a garage the chrome handles draw cold. I like the warm feel and it's easier on my hands to use the comfort grips. The chrome though fits in tighter places at times with some room to spare.

 

[YotaTRD4x4]

Don't forget Bit driver, stubbies, bent handle, and odd ones like 3/8 in a 1/4 body. then there are the really odd ones like lever or twist handle "obstruction" ratchets.

I didnt even think of all of those! Boy do I have my work cut out!! Hahahha.

 

[Snapped-off]

Pretty sure this is still current. The ones in the top left corner I don't use. But everything else comes out of the drawer at some point. Also have a Makita and Snap-on cordless ratchet.

 

[Outlawmws]

Thx 4cycle!

The handle screws onto the head though. Be careful. Spring/small parts inside.

Didn't notice that, and yes it does screw on; I cracked it loose but screwed it back on...

 

[YotaTRD4x4]

Pretty sure this is still current. The ones in the top left corner I don't use. But everything else comes out of the drawer at some point. Also have a Makita and Snap-on cordless ratchet.

How do you like the Williams flex head? I order a good amount of Gearwrench 90t in flex head and std and i almost ordered some Williams ratchets. They look great, seems durable but some complain about the old 36tooth drives in them not being good for automotive.

 

[Snapped-off]

How do you like the Williams flex head? I order a good amount of Gearwrench 90t in flex head and std and i almost ordered some Williams ratchets. They look great, seems durable but some complain about the old 36tooth drives in them not being good for automotive.

They're alright. I can deal with 36t 90% of the time, my only gripe is no quick release.

 

[YotaTRD4x4]

They're alright. I can deal with 36t 90% of the time, my only gripe is no quick release.

Gotcha. I much prefer the non-quick release ratchets myself. Mostly due to being an aircraft mechanic the quick release usually gets in the way in tight spots for me and at times you have to out the socket on the bolt or nut then slide the ratchet into place with not much clearance behind the head.

 

[liliysdad]

They're alright. I can deal with 36t 90% of the time, my only gripe is no quick release.

I have one…it’s Ok. It’s a very pretty ratchet, well made and beautifully finished. I despise the 36t mechanism, but have less than zero desire to have quick release. It’s been supplanted by a Matco Eighty8 flex head, which is better known ever way but appearance.

The Williams now lives in the tool box in my Jeep. It’s good enough for that.

 

[Madjik Man]

Too many.

But I love ratchets.

So not enough.

 

[cody1325]

1/4

A couple SK
Three or Four Craftsman
Challenger by Proto
Plus a few bit ratchets from various brands that can quickly be converted to socket use.

3/8

Four Craftsman USA
Craftsman/SBD USA Pear Head
Two SK round head
SK Tuff-1 standard
SK Tuff-1 bent flex head
Blackhawk
Proto Challenger
Proto Pearhead
Quinn (these days, the first one I grab)
Benchtop
Crescent USA (rusty old POS I found behind a toolbox, but Wright made them and still offers kits--I will rebuild it)
Mac by New Britain (currently back to Mac on warranty, haven't heard anything back yet)


And I keep drooling over old round handle Snap-On F70s and they're cheap compared to most newer Snap-On stuff at around $30 (so chances are, one's coming my way within the next week or so). Possibly a new one or two--maybe a stubby coming soon (but the Icons look decent).

1/2

Two Craftsman from the '60s
Blackhawk (probably my second-most used)
Craftsman V-Series flex head (my most used)
Proto Pear head
A broken Challenger with a tough-to-find kit
Couple cheap ones

3/4

SK (just the forging--need to find a kit for it)
Taiwan. Broken. Granddad loaned it out about 7-8 years ago, and the ratchet was already on its last leg. \


I mostly keep the 3/4 stuff for the Bush Hog, so do I really need to buy another 3/4 ratchet? Or can 1/2 do heavy stuff decently?

 

[Professor Gascan]

My modest collection of budget ratchets with two more on the way. Exactly 6 times more than I had a year ago.

-1/2
-Diehard fh
-Husky
-Tone

-3/8
-Diehard fh
-Gearwrench 11"
-Powerbuilt fh
-Husky 72t
-Performance Tool
-Tone compact
-Powerbuilt roto
-Powertorque stubby

-1/4
-Powerbuilt fh
-Pittsburgh roto-handle swapped
-Husky 144t
-Titan roto
-Pittsburgh fh-handle chopped

 

[elmer]

Shade tree mechanic. Here's my collection of 11.

 

[cody1325]

Shade tree mechanic. Here's my collection of 11.

Nice group!

That Craftsman 44994 is really interesting. Apparently, these were short-lived Danaher offering--thin profile, and 84 tooth! Definitely a huge upgrade over the standard ones.

But, it seems valued as high as used Snap On! Thus, looks like flea market is my best, if not only bet.

 

[Dig Doug]

44 in these 2 drawers

But
I just bought 2- High Viz hard handle snap on ratchets. And to go with those, I just bought 4 more High Viz handles - need a few more ratchets to go with

 

[KnurledNut]

Nice group!

That Craftsman 44994 is really interesting. Apparently, these were short-lived Danaher offering--thin profile, and 84 tooth! Definitely a huge upgrade over the standard ones.

But, it seems valued as high as used Snap On! Thus, looks like flea market is my best, if not only bet.

The original USA models, as elmer showed, were 60t.

 

[ericg]

 

[shoggoth80]

Ex pro. I'm at 15 ratchets. Mostly in 3/8. They tend to be the ones I end up sneaking into and around stuff. I've got 1/4 and 1/2 too of course, but there's less trickery needed to get the 1/4s into places, and finesse is almost never a 1/2 drive task

 

[wrenchr]

I do not buy like I did in the past but I also do not sell either. I just work night shift so I'm not as active here like in the past.
It is cool to look at the pics of everyone's ratchets. If I had to to guess my ratchet collection is over 300. They are not all in the same place so hard to count.

 

[PowderKeg]

Well the last time I replied to this specific thread 15 years ago (post #78) the count was @ 325. I just broke 900 on the "official" USA count, and if I counted all the duplicates and Pacific Rim ones it's well over 1000.

 

[Outlawmws]

Re: How many ratchets do you own ?

Eleven in the "main" box (Counting four "wrist ratchets), five in "road boxes" and two in the "Vintage/antique box". so eighteen that I can find...

Two go to ratchets: a Snap-On 3/8 swivel head, and a rare double sided Proto 3/8 and 1/2 in a long handle 3/8 handle.

Great idea for a thread!

Re: How many ratchets do you own ?

Recount = 20 (I missed 2...)

And these have been added to the inventory list...

Size Mfg M/N Length
3/4" P&C 9209 19"
1/2" Proto 5949 9-1/4"
1/2" Proto 5450 15"
1/2" Craftsman Raised Panel 9-1/2"
1/2" Craftsman Raised Panel 9-1/2"
1/2" & 3/8" Proto Double Duty for Vogel Tool Co.
3/8" Wright MN 60 AC-42
3/8" S-K car box
3/8" Craftsman Raised Panel
3/8" Craftsman Raised Panel
3/8" Industro 2736 Swivel Head 8-1/4"
3/8" Kent-Moore 10162 Palm Grip
3/8" Snap-on F731 Swivel Head 10-1/2"
1/4" Snap-on GM70M
1/4" Snap-on GM70S
1/4" Plvmb 4749
1/4" Craftsman Raised Panel
1/2" No Name Palm Grip
3/8" No Name Palm Grip
1/4" No Name Palm Grip

MIA in the Pic; a set of 1/4 thru 1/2 Cman and the SK are not shown as they are in the road boxes...

Re: How many ratchets do you own ?



Well; time for an update: it's been almost a year and a half and I'm (as of yesterday) up to 70! This time I WILL blame GJ,

Not really; I got quite a few in the two big Estate sale buys of mechanics tools in the last year, but the past two-three years or so I've been on a tear on tools again, and have been working it pretty hard, but have also been making my buying habits pay for themselves, so I am actually ahead of the game currently.

I'm also competing a couple of sets of tools and am close to moving my raised panel Wrenches out of the main box and into "retirement" and going to sets of Protos, Same on sockets, but ratchets I'm trying different one and will have to make some decisions there at some point; but it's likely that the main rats will be SO and Proto.

I am also working on filling a 50's craftsman top and bottom with "Long C" craftsman tools and have several other vintage sets of different brands building up.

Re: How many ratchets do you own ?

I'm now up to 161 including oddballs like palm and fingertip...

I do use a lot of different ones as I'l pic what will work best for the situation. and I love the 3/8 in a 1/4 handle and the ones with extra long handles and/or flex heads... But admittedly I don't use all of them by a stretch.

I blew past 100 long ago. I just noticed I'm just past 200 now...

Extensions are crazy though I'm right at 100 ft of them....

Quite the progression since 2011 when I first got here on GJ and first posted in this thread!

Now up to 241 per the inventory - I'm sure a few got missed.

286 Extensions - almost 114 feet! I could reach the full depth and more of my 1/4 acre lot!

 

[r_olson_06]

Well the last time I replied to this specific thread 15 years ago (post #78) the count was @ 325. I just broke 900 on the "official" USA count, and if I counted all the duplicates and Pacific Rim ones it's well over 1000.

Nice. Persistence over time yeilds some amazing results. I ended up selling off the majority of my collection a few years ago to focus on Plomb. Ratchet collecting is an amazing hobby. It is fancnating how many different designs to solve the same problem. Do you keep tabs on known ratchet you do not have in your collection?
Nice work!