If you could have only one?...

[Rezarf]

I am looking to add a nice 1/2" and 3/8" ratchet to my tool set. I am a shade tree mechanic and spend a lot of times fabricating for and working on my old Land Cruiser.

I would like to add one nice set of ratchets (I currently use a standard Cman) and have no experience with the flex-head style, or the pivoting head style ratchets. I have handled a comfort grip SO at a pawn shop and it felt nice, but it seemed to be priced high for a used (well used) condition.

Also, I am trying to decide if I'd like to get longer ratchets than what I have now, something in the 16-18" range for a little more torque. I am also considering something with a shorter throw to catch the gears in the ratchet. I have read about 80+ teeth... opinions?

I don't mind spending a little $$$ for the right ratchet, I hope this will be with me 'till death do us part. I will most likely buy used from here or the 'bay. I have about $200 to spend.

I am not trying to create a brand war, just looking for real world experience with some of the nicer ratchets out there.

Thanks in advance-

 

[DTB]

Armstrong Maxx 1/2" drive flexhead,somewhere around 17-18".Should be 88 tooth now,older models were 60.The 3/8 is around 12".The head locks,so you can use it as a standard flex,or lock it and use like a normal long ratchet. I have a 24" Matco locking flex with the 60 tooth,and it is fine.The Armstrong is the same as the Matco cousin,with a different handle.Also available in 1/4,and 3/8 drive.I also have a 3/8 Matco 88 locking flex,just as nice.

 

[MXblur]

Matco 88 tooth. Locking flex head in both 3/8 and 1/2. Best Ratchets out there!

 

[thedeatons]

Oh man, i could never go back to my craftsmans... I planned on getting an 80 or so tooth cman professional, until i held a Wright ratchet in my hand and felt the mechanism. Now every ratchet i own is Wright, and i can't stop buying them!! They have great handles, knurled and ergo, and nice breaker bars too which should help your torque problem

I wasnt expecting to buy Wright, because of the old style switch to change forward and reverse, but it was easy to get used to, and worth it. There are members on here selling shiny new ones for you to try out. Feel free to buy a knurled handle 3/8 drive Wright ratchet. If you hate it i will buy it from you!

Just please don't bid against me (the_deatons on ebay)

James

 

[redwrench60]

Have only one ratchet!!?.........burn him!...he's a witch!

 

[GoBlue]

Snap on dual 80...absolute best of the best.

 

[JayL]

These are the ratchet brands I have or have tried. Gearwrench, Metrinch, Craftsman, Toptul, Aigo, SK, Padre, Unior, Koken and Snap On.

I have only one 1/2" drive Snap On, an S80. If I was to buy more ratchets or can have only one Brand then I choose the Snap On Dual 80s.

This is the 3/8" drive ratchet that I would like to have later.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...=20864&supersede=&store=snapon-store&tool=all

 

[MattPersman]

matco 88s or snap on dual 80s, although I find the matcos to have slimmer heads

 

[csmitty]

The FHX80 would be a good choice for an all around ratchet
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...group_ID=21365&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

You can lock the head in different positions so some good versatility while also being a flex and not worrying about it flopping around to much. Just can't put as much pressure as a fixed head but it is still longer than a std CMan too.

I"d probably even be willing to sell my slightly used one. I just reach for my FHLF more.

 

[canuckian]

dual 80's, Matco 88, Cornwell 72 tooth. can't go wrong with any of those. A lot of people say Wright is a great way to go as well. I only have one of them (compact 3/8) and it's a great ratchet.

 

[GTO]

Snap on FL80
Snap on S80
Find them for sale here used,you will never use anything else.
Good Luck

 

[wchamberlain]

Matco 88, S/O 80 are the best hands down, you will have many opinions from different members

 

[JSBriggs]

Have only one ratchet!!?.........burn him!...he's a witch!

x2



Wright 3490 (or 3426 if you prefer knurled). Best value for the cost and quality.

-Jeff

 

[saturdaymechanic]

Another vote for the Matco 88 locking flex.

 

[tbobbo]

Snap on dual 80 with the locking flex head.

 

[BajaBound]

Snap on dual 80 with the locking flex head.

X2 on that! Although my 1/2 long handled flex craftsman with some redline grease in has been a great tool. I keep on in my box and one in my off road bag.

I did ball joints on my buddies truck and he brought over his 24" match locking flex head and I was so stoked on that tool!

 

[JMcFly]

The FHX80 would be a good choice for an all around ratchet
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...group_ID=21365&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

You can lock the head in different positions so some good versatility while also being a flex and not worrying about it flopping around to much. Just can't put as much pressure as a fixed head but it is still longer than a std CMan too.

I"d probably even be willing to sell my slightly used one. I just reach for my FHLF more.

I agree. That ratchet is awesome.... How much

 

[crewchief888]

95% of the time if i reach for a 3/8" dr ratchet it's a long handle flex head.

SO comfort grip at work
duralast reg handle in the garage.

i'm kinda on the fence between comfort/cushioned handles, hard handle, & std handles.

especially in cold weather, wearing wet gloves, the larger cushion grip is nice, and prevents slipping.

 

[tbobbo]

I must say I love the dual 80 ratchets again. I have many (15) older snap on ratchets. While I will say the dual 80s are not as strong in my experience, it is the first one I grab. I may try a matco 88 just to give em a shot, but we dont have matco locally anymore. It wont replace the snap on, i know that i have handled some, but I need ratchets at home. I dont own much snap on, but I feel their ratchets are the best I have ever used, or can find in america. The missing USA stamp does bother me, but not enough for me to not buy em. I will be buying more I only have 2 right now.

 

[JWink]

My go to ratchet is a matco 88 tooth flex head with a bent handle. They call it a spark plug ratchet. It works great for spark plugs . . . . . . . . and everything else. I absolutely love this ratchet, I use it for just about all of my 3/8 drive needs.
http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/BFR118SPT/3-8-11IN-88TH-SPRK-PLG-RATCHET/

 

[tcsalvage]

95% of the time if i reach for a 3/8" dr ratchet it's a long handle flex head.

SO comfort grip at work
duralast reg handle in the garage.

i'm kinda on the fence between comfort/cushioned handles, hard handle, & std handles.

especially in cold weather, wearing wet gloves, the larger cushion grip is nice, and prevents slipping.

+1 all my ratchets have comfort or hard handles, all but three flex, and the most used are 3/8 flex head long handle. i do not own any matco ratchets, just snap on and mac. ill check out the matco's next week and hope they hold up better than the ones they had about a dozen years ago.

 

[vga]

If I am allowed to keep only 1 of each size then:
3/8 Matco 88 locking flex head.
1/2 Snap on Flex head.
1/4 Snap on flex head

 

[Rezarf]

Thoughts between the advantages of the swivel head verses the flex head?