Long Handle Fixed Head Ratchets

[boom_bap]

I'm looking for a long handle (10 inch or so) 3/8 fixed head ratchet. The options in this length are mostly flex head, which I've already got covered.

The options I was looking at so far were Snap-on FL80 and a Gearwrench 90T 3/8. Other than those two, anyone have recommendations. Snappy pricing is a bit high for me ($150 ish vs $50), however I'd be willing if that is the best option. Gearwrench I've not been overly impressed with but I do have a 90T long handle fixed head 1/2 drive which is decent enough. Most everything else I've found is way to long (18 inch or so) or just amazon junk. I know snap-on prices have really come up as well. Ebay I see listings even higher than new.. thanks

 

[lardy1]

I have the long hanndled 90 tooth Proto in 3/8". It was a bit pricy but it's one heck of a nice ratchet. Model # J5250HTC. It's over ten inches, though. Around twelve from anvil to handle end.

Proto 3/8" Drive 90 Geared Teeth Pear Head Style Hand Ratchet, 12-39/64" L, Full Polish Finish J5250HTC | Zoro

Order Proto 3/8" Drive 90 Geared Teeth Pear Head Style Hand Ratchet, 12-39/64" L, Full Polish Finish, J5250HTC at Zoro.com. Great prices & free shipping on orders over $50 when you sign in or sign up for an account.

www.zoro.com

It can probably be found at a better price. Link is for reference.

 

[u118224]

In Snap-On that would be the FL80. I have one and highly recommend any Snap-On dual 80 ratchet. I'm know others will give you options as I'm not as up to date on all the offerings. EBay prices for Snap-On are higher since they started charging shipping a year or so ago on purchases less than $250 I think.

 

[KnurledNut]

One of my favorites is the comfort grip Carlyle R38L90.
The current price shows $120 which is much more than I paid years ago.

 

[Chrome Vanadium Cody]

I came upon this recently, think it's a pretty killer deal for what you're getting, 3/8" drive Koken 72 tooth 11 inch fixed head ratchet for $64 (has been waffling between $60-65 or so) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BXCY8DJZ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[ThePostman]

I'll second the Proto, mine is a flex head, but the same head (psst it's a Mac), and my fixed 3/8" long handle is a Matco BFR118M, it's a foot long total length. I use the Matco the most, but the Proto/Mac sees plenty of action as well. Check out eBay or your pawn shops, the Matco I bought used, have not had any problems with it. Zoro with a coupon for Proto stuff.

 

[Pinemarten]

After buying a 3/8 inch Koken Zeal ratchet, a buddy challenged me to try a Pittsburgh Low Profile 3/8 ratchet.

3/8 in. Drive Low-Profile Ratchet with Soft Grip

Amazing deals on this 3/8In Dr Low-Profile Ratchet at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

I wanted to hate it but I couldn't. It is a nice (about 9 1/2 inches long) ratchet. For the price of the sales tax on a Snap-on FH80, it might be worth a trial. You could always banish it to the trunk/job-box set if you don't like it.

 

[LB-1911]

I'm looking for a long handle (10 inch or so) 3/8 fixed head ratchet. The options in this length are mostly flex head, which I've already got covered.

The options I was looking at so far were Snap-on FH80 and a Gearwrench 90T 3/8. Other than those two, anyone have recommendations. Snappy pricing is a bit high for me ($150 ish vs $50), however I'd be willing if that is the best option. Gearwrench I've not been overly impressed with but I do have a 90T long handle fixed head 1/2 drive which is decent enough. Most everything else I've found is way to long (18 inch or so) or just amazon junk. I know snap-on prices have really come up as well. Ebay I see listings even higher than new.. thanks

Wright option;

Wright 3/8" Drive Ratchet 10" Contour Grip #3425 (3425WR)

3/8" Drive Ratchet 10" Contour Grip #3425

www.harryepstein.com

 

[autobon7]

I will 3rd the above Proto. That Wright is at a good price point though.

 

[vjquan]

The Capri 90T is 9.5" long.

 

[liliysdad]

I have pretty much decided that the Matco Eighty8 is my favorite ratchet. They make an 11-3/4 comfort grip fixed head that is phenomenal.

That is actually the ratchet that made me discover the Eighty8 line in general. I stumbled across a used one in a pawn shop for a price I could not say no to, and immediately fell in love.

 

[boom_bap]

Forgot to mention I don't like comfort grips. All of the suggestions are great so far though thank you.

 

[lardy1]

I put a Matco 88 mechanism in a Gearwrench 84 body (in 1/2" drive) and it made it a decent ratchet. Far better than the original 84 tooth. The rebuild kits were pretty cheap at the time. You may look at that as a budget approach. Some people have good luck with them without the Matco modification.

 

[Tallpilot]

The FL80 is fantastic. Capri and Gearwrench 90T are also excellent (so is the Carlyle but their price increases have killed the value). I would lean towards Capri for better warranty support.

I love my Dual-80s and won't give them up but the 90T Taiwan ratchets are at least 90% of the quality and feel for less than 50% of the cost. Tekton is also in this camp but they make a standard and extra long but not a long.

 

[T45]

+1 Snap on very good metaurgy in that 3/8 square drive. Not sure if its worth 100% Retail, but its definitely worth it at 50% SEP pricing. I have a FL80 Hard Handle in my cart for oil changes, is perfect for that. Extra length for heat cycled torque fun. Hardhandle for easy clean up. Form factor is pretty slender and doesn't take up lots of space.

Matco/Armstrong 88T is thinner/lower profile in the head, if that is a priority. I will also say the latest gearwrench 90T feel pretty nice, heck even the HF composite PRO with decently long handle feels pretty good. Those are comfort grips tho.

None of those I would really pick to replace the FL80 (for what it does best--be bombproof).

 

[MoonRise]

Check the Astro 93812 Nano long-handle ratchet.

3/8" drive in a 1/4" -sized head/body/handle that is 12 inch long. Only 72 tooth in the ratchet though.

Nano Ratchet - 3/8" Drive Head in 1/4" Ratchet Body Long | Astro Pneumatic Tools

A 3/8" drive ratchet in 1/4" ratchet size format The Nano 3/8" head is 50% the size of the most popular 3/8" competition and the same si ...

www.astrotools.com

Once you get past the visual of a 3/8" ratchet on a 1/4" sized head/body/handle, it's a decent tool.

 

[Steve_P]

For the $, the Gearwrench 90T are really tough to beat IMO. And I am NOT a GW fan; I have very little by them besides ratchets. I recently bought the Capri 90T XL set and also really like those. You can't go wrong with either IMO.

 

[CS454]

FL80 would get my money.

 

[sparky 1971]

I have this. Out of the box it's a 40 tooth, which hasn't been an issue for me...yet

Sk Professional Tools 3/8" Drive, 10.3" Round, Hand Ratchet, SuperKrome Plating 45179 | Zoro

Order Sk Professional Tools 3/8" Drive, 10.3" Round, Hand Ratchet, SuperKrome Plating, 45179 at Zoro.com. Great prices & free shipping on orders over $50 when you sign in or sign up for an account.

www.zoro.com

The DT kit would make it 80 tooth

Sk Professional Tools 3/8" Drive, 2" Round, Rebuild Kit, Chrome 800720-2 | Zoro

Order Sk Professional Tools 3/8" Drive, 2" Round, Rebuild Kit, Chrome, 800720-2 at Zoro.com. Great prices & free shipping on orders over $50 when you sign in or sign up for an account.

www.zoro.com

But by the time the money is spent for both, an 11" LP90 could be purchased. I don't have the fixed head, but I do have two flex heads and have to say they are my favorites.

3/8" Drive LP90 Teardrop Fixed Head Ratchet 11 inch

3/8" Drive LP90 Teardrop Fixed Head Ratchet 11 inch - Innovative 90 tooth ratchet mechanism, Low 4 degree arc swing for ultimate access in the tightest spaces.

sktools.com

 

[Schurkey]

I bought a long-handle non-flex Snap-On 3/8 ratchet in the late 1980s. Made the Snap-On Man put a quick-release repair kit into it. It was my favorite ratchet up until I got a Snappy FHNF100 a few years ago (and I wish it had a quick-release head!)

 

[F-22]

After buying a 3/8 inch Koken Zeal ratchet, a buddy challenged me to try a Pittsburgh Low Profile 3/8 ratchet.

3/8 in. Drive Low-Profile Ratchet with Soft Grip

Amazing deals on this 3/8In Dr Low-Profile Ratchet at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

I wanted to hate it but I couldn't. It is a nice (about 9 1/2 inches long) ratchet. For the price of the sales tax on a Snap-on FH80, it might be worth a trial. You could always banish it to the trunk/job-box set if you don't like it.

I have a cheap-ish ratchet from an european store. It also feels nice, but after 10 years I tried to lube it inside and saw that some teeth got worn or slightly chipped. I guess that's what makes a big difference - they may both work, and work fine, but over time the cheaper one will wear out faster? I never saw a worn or chipped teeth on any of my higher end ratchets, and I have a few.

 

[bcradio]

I have a cheap-ish ratchet from an european store. It also feels nice, but after 10 years I tried to lube it inside and saw that some teeth got worn or slightly chipped. I guess that's what makes a big difference - they may both work, and work fine, but over time the cheaper one will wear out faster? I never saw a worn or chipped teeth on any of my higher end ratchets, and I have a few.

10 years ain't bad for a cheapie! Time for a new cheapie and you'll be good for another decade. Could maybe even warranty that one.

 

[F-22]

10 years ain't bad for a cheapie! Time for a new cheapie and you'll be good for another decade. Could maybe even warranty that one.

It's not professional use though, and we don't get long term warranties here in this part of Europe. Just for my wrenching on vintage bikes.
I actually never use a ratchet for a high torque application, so I was a bit disappointed.

 

[AEAdam]

I have an FLL80 that might be worth looking at. At 17” long, it’s not an everyday tool by any stretch. But really nice for front engine work.

I also have a TLL72. Use these for access more than torque.

 

[Firebrick43]

You can not go wrong with the snap on. Best bar none. I have the wright mentioned above and its a decent piece as well, I use it on really tight places that the cheeks on the snap on will foul. Of course the snap on works better in areas that are height limited.

The last place I worked at they didn't allow you to bring in personal tools and their tools were ****. I started revamping the boxes and bought a lot of tekton for the mechs. They liked the long handled 3/8 and 1/2 ratchets and they held up well, no breakages for the two years I was there.

 

[Wamsutta]

Forgot to mention I don't like comfort grips. All of the suggestions are great so far though thank you.

In that case the JR72L might be your ratchet.

 

[Rockable]

I just bought the J5250XL Proto and, so far, I am really happy with it. Thanks for the recommendation.

 

[WWheeler]

Just got this Astro 12" long handled 3/8" in a 1/4" head ratchet (# 93812) that seems to fit the OP's wants. For under $25 seems well made. I think I'm going to like it.

 

[Beauregard]

Well, somebody has to say it.
90 tooth, low profile.
Icon Lifetime warranty.

3/8 in. Drive Professional Low-Profile Ratchet

Amazing deals on this 3/8In Drive Pro Low Profile Ratchet at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[Tennessee Cattleman]

Plus one on the Snap-on FL80.

 

[seber]

The 11" Koken with button release is a screaming deal on an amazing ratchet. If you can live with the backward lever operation, I wouldn't even look at anything else.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BXCY8DJZ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Schurkey]

A long, long time ago, I got sick of servicing my "Sears Best" round-head, fine-tooth quick-release 3/8 ratchet. Six months, repair kit. Six more months, replace entire ratchet. Six months, repair kit...

Bought a FL720 from the Snap-On man, and made him put a quick-release "repair kit" into it. (Did the same with a SL715 1/2 drive.) That FL720 was my favorite ratchet for decades, professional use and then hobby/homeowner use. I finally replaced the guts for the first time, with a new pushbutton repair kit after the original had something like thirty years of use. I bought an extra repair kit 'cause I was concerned that Snappy would discontinue them, and I might need it in thirty more years.

#9 and #10


If that ratchet was lost or stolen, and I couldn't find another FL720 core in decent condition to put a quick-release repair kit into, I'd be buying a FRL80. Yes, it's wildly expensive. Keep it ten years, and it costs you ~$1.35 a month.

Snap-on Store

shop.snapon.com

 

[VolvoRyan]

Locking flex heads *can* scratch the itch for both flex and non-flex, depending on your needs needs. I have a Matco 88 locking-flex (10-11"-ish?). Standard, metal handle. It's great when I need a little more leverage, or bend/wiggle around obstructions. Otherwise, I tend to like standard or stubby ratchets.

-Ryan

 

[MarcSeattle]

The 11" Koken with button release is a screaming deal on an amazing ratchet. If you can live with the backward lever operation, I wouldn't even look at anything else.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BXCY8DJZ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Yes, I just got one. I haven't tried everything on the market so I'm not some expert who can compare it to everything. I will say this: compared to a Snap-on Dual 80, both have silky smooth action, the Koken has lower backdrag, and a Snap-on socket has less wobble (nearly zero) when put on the anvil of the Koken than when on the Dual 80. Obviously both get the job done. We're talking about first world problems here. I hope this helps.

For $63, why not? Watch out, one of these is a gateway drug. I started with the short ⅜, then the long ⅜, then extensions...

 

[InjectorService]

I had Gearwrench and Snap On, I sold all the Snap on, I just didn't like them.

 

[Fedwrench]

So many choices, it's hard to recommend a ratchet for someone else because, I'm not sure what's important to you. Crisp fine tooth action, low backdrag, thin ratchet head, tapered handle shape or knurled handle, decisions, decisions.

My 1st choice would probably be a Matco BFR118.

undefined undefined | Matco Tools

www.matcotools.com

However, since I'm old and cheap my second choice which would end up as my first choice would be a Gearwrench 81246T.

Gearwrench 81264T 3/8" Drive 90-Tooth Long Handle Teardrop Ratchet 11"

Buy Gearwrench 81264T 3/8" Drive 90-Tooth Long Handle Teardrop Ratchet 11" with an everyday low price and fast shipping! JB Tools

www.jbtools.com

Pretty much everything everyone else recommended would serve you well. Low backdrag is nice but, it's not the most important thing I look for in a ratchet. Hence, my Ko-Ken ratchets, even in 72 tooth trim don't get used as much as other ratchets. The Proto/Mac 90 tooth ratchets are sweet. I feel Proto got the better shaped handle with the bands of knurling on it. I also feel that there's some SBD price fixing going on with the PROTO 90 tooth ratchets. Something isn't right if a 90 tooth ratchet in MAC trim is cheaper than the Proto version
I like the thin head and crisp ratcheting action of the Matco & Gearwrench ratchets. I still hate Gearwrench for what its expansion did to some of my favorite formally US made tool brands but, I'm still rocking their old 60/84 tooth ratchets. At less than a third of a tool truck ratchet's price, it's hard to skip over the Gearwrench version. Happy hunting

 

[IndyGarage]

I bought the Gearwrench 90T flex head ratchet a few months ago and also a 1/2 inch long handle 120T ratchet- it's as long as my longest breaker bar.

Both are as good as anything I've used.

I did not buy the 3/8 long handle because I already had another brand, but I'm thinking about buying the GW anyway - great ratchets.

 

[boom_bap]

I ended up going with the gw set of 1/4 and 3/8 fixed head long noncomfort grip. The price was right at $60 for both. I wish I could justify the FL80 and one day Ill swing it but I have a lot of other projects that need budget so went with the more budget friendly option. So far they are nice as you’d expect with a new ‘midrange’ tool. We shall see how they hold up.

The set is a 10-7/8in 3/8 and 7in 1/4. Pretty good length but not extra long or anything unwieldy.

 

[RandomDude361]

I know the OP already made a purchase, but for those looking for a 10+ inch fixed head ratchet -- check out the Williams JHWB-53A.
It's made in the US and 72 teeth. It also has a knurled handle, which I prefer.

The website Abolox currently has them for about $42. I got mine off ebay for around the same price.

 

[bryant 24]

May i know why snap on made this ratchet head sealed wothout quick release button？Which will be a pain to pull out socket when hands are oily.