Husky ratchets

[dink]

Also another good Ratchet socket line that doesnt get much credit but is in most hardware stores is Allen Sockets and ratchets.....I have these on my standard sockets and the quality is excellent...something for others to look into

 

[kartracer55]

Allen sockets are like the same thing as Craftsman. I recently compared an Easco to a craftsman, and it was IDENTICAL (easco was changed to allen when danaher bought allen socket screw company) Its alot of the same stuff, just rebadged.

Jim

 

[eschoendorff]

Allen sockets are like the same thing as Craftsman. I recently compared an Easco to a craftsman, and it was IDENTICAL (easco was changed to allen when danaher bought allen socket screw company) Its alot of the same stuff, just rebadged.

Jim

Yeah... the Cman/Allen/Kobalt tools are all basically the same. I prefer the details of the Allen ratchets so far... seem to have better plating and the knurling feels right. Can't beat the price at Menards, either.

 

[Swift]

I have those same ratchets in 3/8" and 1/2" drive, but by Canadian Tire, without the plastic/rubber handle, more like the Mac chrome handles. They say micro tough on them and are identical to the Mac ones, but much cheaper. And yes all 3, Crappy Tire, Husky and Mac are made by Stanley in Taiwan. They are pretty smooth with 72 tooth. But I would'nt use them to remove any rusted bolts anytime soon. They've held up pretty well and with the small head, even on the 1/2" drive you can get into some pretty tight spaces. I use them mainly for just that, tight spaces. And with todays vehicles, in the engine compartment to under the dash, everything is crammed so close together, these ratchets come in handy.

 

[dink]

I have those same ratchets in 3/8" and 1/2" drive, but by Canadian Tire, without the plastic/rubber handle, more like the Mac chrome handles. They say micro tough on them and are identical to the Mac ones, but much cheaper. And yes all 3, Crappy Tire, Husky and Mac are made by Stanley in Taiwan. They are pretty smooth with 72 tooth. But I would'nt use them to remove any rusted bolts anytime soon. They've held up pretty well and with the small head, even on the 1/2" drive you can get into some pretty tight spaces. I use them mainly for just that, tight spaces. And with todays vehicles, in the engine compartment to under the dash, everything is crammed so close together, these ratchets come in handy.

You should look into a ratchet with a padded handle....they are much nicer and you get a better grip on the tool

 

[Swift]

Hey dink, I have lots of tools with the plastic/ruberized handles and prefer the regular metal handles. It's just a personal preference. For example, my newer Snap-on ratcheting screwdriver with the rubberized grip is hardly used because I prefer my older hard plastic handled Snap-on ratcheting screwdriver that I've had for about 13 years and use it daily with no problems. BTW, it's the best screwdriver period, IMHO. The soft rubber grips on any of my tools don't seem to last or hold up very well, especially when your hands are very dirty and oily. Those rubberized grips deteriorate pretty quickly under hard use. Many mechanics complain about the same thing. I've traded all my soft grip Mac and Snap-on ratchets for either other ratchets or other tools. And nowadays, I try to use mechanics gloves whenever possible, so comfort and grip is not a big problem. The mechanics gloves I'm talking about aren't the synthetic suede type with the velcro cuffs, these ones have a multi-directional stretch weave backing with contoured nitrile coating (rubberized) palm and fingers. Even when they're oily they grip objects really well and you can handle small parts like screws with them on. Try that with the suede type gloves and you'll end up with oily parts and won't be able to pick up small scews or parts while you're working. They're made by GoJo and are called Hi Tactile professional technician glove. The same company that makes the orange scented hand cleaner. They usually last anywhere from 3-6 months of daily use and cost about 8 dollars Canadian. The only problem is they're not easy to find, I order mine through my Keystone rep.

 

[dink]

I am sorry I guess I didnt explain it good enough....I am going to use the Facom ratchet for my example....they use a plastic handle with a ribbed section for grip and comfort.....I totally agree with you i wouldnt want to use a cushiony style handle long periods of time because they loose there grip

Now for my Wera screwdrivers....these have a hard plastic resin material with the rubber material in the middle section on each side of the handle of the screwdriver...the rubber material doesnt go away

But again I pretty much agree with everything you are saying....great that you brought that info up for everyone to know

Have a drink

 

[kartracer55]

So I guess you like those gojo gloves? MSC sells them, and I have always been curious. I like the standard nylon mechanix gloves though, because they all a touch of comfort to your work. They area must with craftsman ratchets because the handles are so damn uncomfortable.

Jim

 

[dink]

Those Gojo gloves are awesome...I had a pair but I lost them....worth every penny

 

[kartracer55]

I think Ill order a pair next time I place an MSC order. As for comfort grip tools, Im not a big fan of them. I have used a snap on rathcet with the comfort rubberized grip, and it begins to look like shyt after about a year of heavy use.

Jim

 

[l_bilyk]

But I would'nt use them to remove any rusted bolts anytime soon.

lol why the heck not? lifetime warranty! I would put a pipe on the end and tighten wheel nuts... and if it breaks, get a shiny new one

 

[dink]

That is what a breaker bar is for

 

[Swift]

That is what a breaker bar is for

What he said. Those 72 tooth ratchets are not meant to break rusted bolts, just like the gearwrenches which are also 72 tooth.

 

[dink]

See if you use the correct tools then you wont have a problem with broken tools....meaning you should use a breaker bar for rusted bolts or high torqued down bolts....not a normal ratchet with a pipe stuck on the end

 

[kartracer55]

lol why the heck not? lifetime warranty! I would put a pipe on the end and tighten wheel nuts... and if it breaks, get a shiny new one

Yeah, but your busted up knuckles wouldnt heel too fast

Jim

 

[dink]

Sometimes those "lifetime warranties" can be the death to a company....and I wonder sometimes how Sears can keep Craftsmen around for so long with there warranty.....yes they are becoming more tight on this warranty for people using them commercially but still.....if I am going to buy something I expect it to last a long time...a lifetime warranty can scare me away because its telling you that they are gauranteeing it to break

 

[kartracer55]

Sometimes those "lifetime warranties" can be the death to a company....and I wonder sometimes how Sears can keep Craftsmen around for so long with there warranty.....yes they are becoming more tight on this warranty for people using them commercially but still.....if I am going to buy something I expect it to last a long time...a lifetime warranty can scare me away because its telling you that they are gauranteeing it to break

Thats the problem with sears stuff. What they really need to do is start giving more ratchet repair kits out instead of replacing them, and train thier emplooyes to look for signs of abuse. I mean, Your a fawktard if you break one of thier extensions or something like that, but things happen with other tools.

Jim

 

[dink]

Sears has allowed there Craftsmen brand to get a reputation of warranty first quality second....but dont get me wrong for a normal home user Craftsmen is a great brand.....but there are just as great brands out there at better quality same pricing structure that people dont know about and should

 

[kartracer55]

Yeah, Thats true. I think if sears would do much better if they wernt such warantee sluts... lol and beefed up thier quality. Thier sockets jsut arnt very strong... this is noticable in thier 1/2 stuff in particular. I think people would be ok if they got a little more expensive if it meant better quality.... but then again,

snap on 1/4-7/8 socket set... $119
sears version... $24.99

You cant expect snap on quality at 1/5 the price though... its all relative.

Jim