Looking for Suggestions for a Ratchet

[Pontiac787]

Hi All,

I'm building out a "Hot Rod" tool set with some of my grandfather's tools. Everything going in the kit is from the 40's - 70's. Typical of folks who lived through the depression he made due with what he had. All the tools are good quality but are a hodge dodge of pre and post war industrial tool companies. Wrenchs are Plomb, Proto, New Britain, MAC, Vlchek, etc. Sockets are mostly older Craftsman with some SK and Proto mixed in. You get the idea. The toolbox is probably going to be an old metal tackle box that he kept his important papers in.

I'm trying to pick a long handle fine tooth 3/8" ratchet that will fit in with the spirit of the set. One thought is a Williams B-53 Superratchet but I am open to suggestions.

Let me know your thoughts.

 

[d42jeep]

I suggest that you check this recent thread. S-K was certainly popular.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=463183
-Don

 

[DD T/A]

I have seen flex head craftsman RHFT's before, that could work.

 

[Pontiac787]

I suggest that you check this recent thread. S-K was certainly popular.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=463183
-Don

Thanks. A good read. I’m looking for something a little more unique than an SK or Craftsman roundhead. I liked the suggestions for the Kilness or Indestro. I just need to figure out which models are fine tooth.

 

[Ralf11]

military issue SnapOn

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I prefer my old new britain flex head kilness patent. Pretty long, compact head, fine tooth. Alas, it has been skipping lately.

 

[Provincial]

I have an S-53. I love it. They are expensive if you don't find one in the wild.

 

[bonneyman]

I'd say you couldn't go wrong with an S-K TUFF 1 ratchet but that wouldn't be from the era you specified. Nice ratchet though.

 

[oak_park]

Hi All,

I'm trying to pick a long handle fine tooth 3/8" ratchet that will fit in with the spirit of the set. One thought is a Williams B-53 Superratchet but I am open to suggestions.

I'm not exactly sure when the Williams B-53A ratchet came out, but I don't think it would be era specific for the time frame.

The B-53A has the newer gear with the center screw in it whereas the older B-52 and variants have the notched ring that screws in to hold the gear in. I don't think Williams made a long handled 3/8ths drive Supperatchet during that time period. The longest handled 3/8ths Superratchet of that time would be the B-54 flex head.

If you want a long handled 1/2 drive, the S-53 would be an excellent era specific choice.

 

[Username already in use]

I’ve got a bunch of ratchets that fit into the OPs time period. My favorite user ratchet is an Indestro flex head with the star shaped selector. Fine tooth and low back drag make it really nice to use. The handle is round and knurled with a good feel in the hand.

Of course, this is Garage Journal, so, you probably won’t be satisfied without at least 10 options in each drive size!

 

[bob15]

Armstrong F91 3/8 ratchet and S91 1/2 drive ratchet. Very smooth 1960's vintage ratchets.

 

[d42jeep]

More choices. S-K round head with a difference. New Britain flex head.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

A couple of Superratchet choices.
-Don

 

[Cruzan80]

I did not think they did either, but a week or two ago, someone posted an example of a JH Williams B53 Superratchet.

Found it! https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=8636231

I'm not exactly sure when the Williams B-53A ratchet came out, but I don't think it would be era specific for the time frame.

The B-53A has the newer gear with the center screw in it whereas the older B-52 and variants have the notched ring that screws in to hold the gear in. I don't think Williams made a long handled 3/8ths drive Supperatchet during that time period. The longest handled 3/8ths Superratchet of that time would be the B-54 flex head.

If you want a long handled 1/2 drive, the S-53 would be an excellent era specific choice.

Sent from my Phone 2 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Pontiac787]

The S53 looks like an awesome ratchet. I’ll need to keep an eye out for one.

 

[Pontiac787]

A couple of Superratchet choices.
-Don

Is there a difference in the action of the two variations?

 

[d42jeep]

Not that I’ve noticed. Mostly it’s just how the ratchets are assembled. They are nice ratchets but wouldn’t be my personal choice for users. For a long handle 3/8” drive user, my preference is my S-K 45172. S-K ratchets were used during WW2. Another brand I prefer as a user is Cornwell.
-Don

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Some pretty good user 3/8 ratchets. The blackhawk and new britain are kilness patent, the wizard and indestro are similar to the sk round head design. All are fine tooth.

 

[mikebaker1129]

I did not think they did either, but a week or two ago, someone posted an example of a JH Williams B53 Superratchet.

Found it! https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=8636231



Sent from my Phone 2 using The Garage Journal mobile app

That was me!
The B53 Williams ratchet does not turn up very often.
I have only run into 1 in the wild.

 

[DadsTools]

Thanks. A good read. I’m looking for something a little more unique than an SK or Craftsman roundhead. I liked the suggestions for the Kilness or Indestro. I just need to figure out which models are fine tooth.

With regards to the "spirit" of the set, that makes me think of "old school" esthetics. Of all the excellent suggestions, I feel the geometry and overall design of the Indestro 2775 has the best "old school" appearance, especially with the selector knob, the hole for a T-bar, and the patent info stamped on the core around the stud. There's a Duro version too, but can't recall the number. With regard to "fine tooth", these round heads were fine-tooth compared to most of what was on the market at the time. If you're thinking 'dual-pawl' fine tooth, that severely limits the choices from that era.

 

[Username already in use]

A couple of my favorites.

The Indestro that I mentioned up thread is my go to.

A similar Duro Chrome #4475 has a fine tooth gear and good action.

Can't go wrong with the PowerKraft with the round selector and the tootsie-roll handle, made by Wright.

And, I'd have to turn in my Bonney appreciation club members card if I didn't throw a nice Bonney in as well.

 

[Al Borland]

If your sockets are "mostly Craftsman", try to find one of the old Craftsman ratchets with the "Star Trek" v-shaped selector.

 

[Pontiac787]

Great looking ratchets all. 42Jeep - what is the tooth count on those Cornwells?

I just bought a nice looking New Britain NB-54. I'm going to have to keep my eyes open for some other options as well.

 

[d42jeep]

The larger one is 35 or 36. The shorty seemed to be 30.
-Don