Looking for ratchet reccomendations

[radnack]

Hi everyone! I was wondering what you guys would recommend for coarse tooth 3/8 ratchets. New or used doesn't really matter looking to spend the least possible. Any recommendations are appreciated! Id like one of the old snap on gfn720a or similar but they are more then id want to spend. Brand also doesn't matter

 

[M6erfan]

Probably a used Proto 24t or Craftsman 36t ratchets. Both can be found relatively cheap.

 

[Aqua-Andy]

Why do you want a coarse tooth ratchet? Fine tooth is much nicer to use in tight spots. In the past coarse tooth ratchets were considered to be more durable. In most modern fine tooth ratchets the week link is the square drive. There are many Youtube videos or people demonstrating this. at first glance it's hard to believe that the ratchet mechanism in a 90 tooth ratchet can be stronger than in a 36 tooth ratchet but in fact they are much stronger. If you just like the feel of a coarse ratchet, nothing beats the old Proto 24 tooth ping pong paddle ratchets.

 

[radnack]

Yeah i just bought a tekton 90 tooth ratchet the other month and im just not feeling it. It seems to keep jamming up also ive tried oiling it and such doesnt seem to help.

 

[lardy1]

Tekton customer service is well regarded. I would try talking to them.

 

[rijndael]

I wouldn't write off fine tooth / high count ratchets based on your experience with 1 version. I'd take my Carlyle 72T ratchets over any low count ratchet.

If you must move to a low tooth ratchet, check out the older Snap On F7xx ratchets.

 

[BrandoJames]

For a coarse tooth 3/8" ratchet, I'd recommend the Williams B-52EHFB Flex (36 tooth).

I own it's big brother, the 1/2" Williams S-52EHFA Flex. It's a beast--you can disassemble a tank with these ratchets.

https://www.amazon.com/Williams-B-52EHFB-8-Inch-Enclosed-Ratchet/dp/B007YREJRW/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=williams+ratchet&qid=1573857612&sr=8-2

 

[1foxracing]

I recently picked up some OEM branded 36T ratchets and I'm impressed with them. The 3/8 flexhead cost $30 and they also have a 10" non-flex for $27.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AXTKXVE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

These are the exact same ratchets as the old highly regarded Duralast models just with a satin finish.

 

[radnack]

Awesome ill have to do some shopping on ebay for some of these models see what i can find a deal on. I may try the warranty on it i think i mainly just prefer the coarse ratchets anyways. I just didn't want to go back to the raised panels craftsman's that auto reverse. Those oem ones are really nice looking im tempted with those!

 

[Shane6377]

Several good brands and models have already been listed. I own several of the older Proto 5249 ratchets and they are great.

Another option to consider would be the Cornwell JR-3. Super smooth and one of the most comfortable handle shapes IMO.

If you like round head ratchets SK 45170 is hard to beat... although they are 60 tooth so not really course.


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[Professional Tool User]

Older coarse tooth Snap on ratchets are quite nice. If you can find a used one at a low price, that's what I would want if I were looking for a low tooth count ratchet. The Proto pear head ratchets mentioned earlier has low back drag but the wide head is annoying. The SK and Wright round head ratchets are also options.

 

[Professional Tool User]

Yeah i just bought a tekton 90 tooth ratchet the other month and im just not feeling it. It seems to keep jamming up also ive tried oiling it and such doesnt seem to help.

How badly is it jamming? If it is jamming really bad, it could be a design problem. The Tekton 90 tooth internals look very similar to the Harbor Freight Icon ratchets and those ratchets are being recalled.

 

[Al Borland]

Coarse tooth 3/8" sturdy and cheap?
Home Depot 3/8 Husky round head.

 

[65k10]

The Williams 3/8 pear head ratchets, B-52eha, B-52ehla, and B-52ehfb would be a decent pick if you are looking at a low-tooth count ratchet. The other two I'd maybe consider would be the Proto 24 tooth and Koken 3/8 ratchets since both have fairly low backdrag.

 

[radnack]

Yeah thats what i was wondering because id say every few ratchets or so it will just stop ratcheting and lock up then will start to work again. Thanks everybody for a bunch of different models to research!

 

[seanb02]

The SK round heads are a tried and true gold standard in my mind. Just can't kill those buggers and a joy to use. And now they even make a fine tooth kit to drop in if the standard just doesn't fit your needs anymore.

Don't use them as much anymore, as my needs are more in line with pear head fine tooth and simple thumb directional lever for tight spaces. Would imagine you could find an SK for a good price used. Far as quality ratchets go the new price isn't bad either.

 

[plinker]

The Williams (USA) ratchets are pretty much Snap-on "936" series ratchets with different cosmetics. Very strong ratchets in general.

S-K "pro" round heads are a very good option as well.

 

[erty67]

I must say I do like my 36t Duralast.

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[Wamsutta]

MAC still makes their old 30 tooth ratchets. When drenched with Permatex 81950, it's a match made in heaven.

 

[PiperCub49]

I must say I do like my 36t Duralast.

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Are these the same as the Duralast? The six inch 1/4" drive version looks just like mine. What do you think?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00A...R&psc=1#aw-udpv3-customer-reviews_feature_div

 

[AS556]

The William's USA are exactly what you are looking for. They're a bit stiff for my taste but they are high quality.

 

[joe_pinehill1]

Go to Harbor Freight and buy one that fits your budget.

 

[GTO]

Find lightly used Snap on F80 and FL80 on Ebay.

 

[BrandoJames]

The Williams (USA) ratchets are pretty much Snap-on "936" series ratchets with different cosmetics. Very strong ratchets in general.

As stated above, the Williams S-52ehf/B-52ehf are long strong flex ratchets that are excellent for heavy duty stuff where you have plenty of clearance. My Williams 1/2" S-52EHFA is like a mini breaker bar with a flex head. For DIY repair, I use it to remove motor mounts, oil drain plugs, as well as working on my riding lawnmower.

When working in tight places with little clearance, go standard length/fine tooth. In those cases, I'd recommend a Snap-On Dual 80 Flex. If you're on a budget, find a used Dual 80 Flex on eBay. I bought a new one for $99, so you should be able to find a used Dual 80 for way less than that. Even for people on a budget, I recommend "splurging" on a high quality ratchet in your favorite drive size & length. You'll use that ratchet frequently, and it will last for decades if you take care of it.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Used Cornwell JR-30 if you have access to Ebay. Usually run $20-25. Really smooth for course tooth, after I bought one I get the hype they get around here.

I have a couple of the Williams ratchets branded CAT, pretty stiff until they wear in, but really nice when they do (I cheated and cut the spring down to smooth out the 3/8"). As others have stated, it's the Snap-on 36T mechanism. Around $25 new for the B-52EHA.

 

[radnack]

I was looking around. Does anyone have any experience with performance tool ratchets off amazon? 41 tooth round head around 9 dollars.

 

[kb1982]

For a cheap used ratchet that is pretty bullet proof, i would turn to ebay for an SK round head ratchet. I believe the 3/8 drive is 40 tooth.

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[radnack]

Does anyone know where the cheapest source for one of the williams 3/8 drive ratchet? The BB-52EHA is what im looking into i like the industrial finish. That or the cat branded ones ihateminimumwage was talking about.

 

[The Fall]

Cornwell, Proto, SK (45170 -- I guess not quite coarse tooth but not high count). There are some good recommendations on this thread.

 

[65k10]

Does anyone know where the cheapest source for one of the williams 3/8 drive ratchet? The BB-52EHA is what im looking into i like the industrial finish. That or the cat branded ones ihateminimumwage was talking about.

Zoro is probably the cheapest if you spend $50 to get free shipping. Even cheaper if you have a discount code. Toolsdelivered sells the ratchet itself cheaper, but at least for me, the shipping cost makes it more expensive than Zoro.

 

[Rickster]

I'd recommend the SK 3/8 Dr round head. Can be purchased used fairly easily at garage sales & eBay. Also SK backs up their ratchets and will send you rebuild kit if needed.

 

[parks31]

I was looking around. Does anyone have any experience with performance tool ratchets off amazon? 41 tooth round head around 9 dollars.

I have experience with them. They are not fine tooth but work. They can be found at Auto value parts stores. Lifetime warranty.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Does anyone know where the cheapest source for one of the williams 3/8 drive ratchet? The BB-52EHA is what im looking into i like the industrial finish. That or the cat branded ones ihateminimumwage was talking about.

Quick search for BB-52EHA currently:

Toolsdelivered $22.39 + Shipping
Zoro $25.51 + Free shipping over $50
Ebay $28.86 + Free shipping
Amazon $31.04 + Free Shipping

I get all my Williams tools through Toolsdelivered. The CAT branded ratchet (239-6824) I picked up through my local CAT dealer for $39.07. Also got a Snap-on ratcheting screwdriver with a CAT logo (9U-7291) for $42.89 versus $69 through Snap-on.

 

[radnack]

Awesome thanks guys i ended up getting a lightly used BB-52EHA for a little over 20 dollars shipped. sounds like the perfect match.

 

[Parrothead]

I was looking around. Does anyone have any experience with Performance Tool ratchets off amazon? 41 tooth round head around 9 dollars.

I owned them when my tools were stolen and I needed a lot of tools at a cheap price. The ratchets were one of the first things I replaced when I could. Interesting enough I just sold the PT ratchets (1/4, 3/8) for $10 total. Would I buy the ratchets again? No, there are better options for the same money. The Performance Tool sockets? Perfectly fine and I still use them in my junkyard box. They’re an excellent value.

I’ve got a no name round head Taiwan ratchet I like, and a Task Force (taiwan) that’s the best in the corse tooth ratchets of what I’ve used. I like the TF better than my fathers Wright round head. The Craftsman Industrial round heads are okay, but nothing special. I’ve also got a Blackhawk which is fine as well.

 

[giants]

Thanks.

I'd like to try out a Cornwell 3/8" coarse tooth ratchet (full disclosure: I tried posting on an older, 2015 GJ post about these ratchets, but it didn't look like my post posted, so I'm trying on this thread).

I checked alloy-artifacts.org, but couldn't find answers to these questions:

What should I look for in used Cornwell coarse tooths on Ebay, especially as to problems?

What's the difference between the JR3, JR30, and TR-32 ratchets?

I know that the SR-50 is a 9.5" long, 50 tooth, 1/2" drive ratchet. I see an external snap ring on the lever, but nothing on the gear head. How do you remove the gear head for CLA?

It looks like snap rings hold the lever and gear head in place on the JR-30, but not the JR-3; but the photos aren't clear enough. Is that correct? How do I remove the gear head for CLA on the JR-3?

On Ebay, I saw a couple of JR-301s that are black oxide. I live in a high humidity area near the ocean, so I have to be vigilant of rust on my tools. Would the JR-301s be more prone to rust than the JR3 and JR30s? Any tips on preventive maintenance, like just keeping them clean and maybe oiling them?

Thanks