Does anyone out there have the Mac fine tooth spearhead 3/4 drive ratchet and can provide feedback/review? It looks it would very useful with the tight arc. Looking around it seems like it is a rebranded Facom ratchet. I'm a DIY guy and not worried about warranty.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Mac/Facom 3/4 drive ratchet
- Thread starter Scottb37
- Start date
midshipmen89
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 24, 2016
- Messages
- 52
If you're referring to Mac P/N ZR17100FPA, I picked one up about three months ago for running spindle nuts and pinion nuts on the big trucks; breaking out the 36" handle and the L872 is a pain for that kind of stuff. I like it so far, but to be fair, I'm not reefing on it. Snap-on has yet to release a fine tooth 3/4" drive ratchet or head, and the Mac seemed to be the best option for me. The extendable EZ Red offering sees some use in our shop, but it's very heavy for a short ratchet's use case.
I like the higher durometer Axis handle compared to Snap-on's soft grip, but I wish they made a chrome handled version to avoid gear oil saturation. No indication so far that the handle will swell like Snappy's so far, but time hasn't had an opportunity to tell. The head is significantly thinner than the L872. That is less of a factor with the bigger stuff, but still a nice weight savings. The length is pretty good for those nuts that are too stiff to run by hand but are too sensitive for an impact; having said that, I wish it was about four inches shorter. My previous solution was an SH80 with a Mac E041507 permanently allocated to it. That combo had an annoying amount of slop in it, but I preferred the shorter SH80 to the longer Mac ZR17100FPA for my use case. I might do a big dumb and cut the ratchet shorter and jam a universal tool grip or modified hard grip on there, but I'd probably end up regretting it.
I didn't think to look for the OEM, my Mac guy cut me a deal on it when I needed it that day after killing my L872 with a pipe and a port a power, but it does appear that the Facom is identical save for the laser engraving. For about $130 from misterworker.com (no idea, never heard of them), I'd say go for it. Interestingly, Mac's website shows the ZR17 for $240, but out of stock, and not listed in their 3/4" drive ratchets and accessories category. It may be discontinued, I'll ask my Mac guy to check on his end when he shows up in a few hours. My gut reaction on learning this is "damn, I'm glad I got one when I could."
TL;DR - it's the first non-Snap-on ratchet I've bought in ten years, and I don't regret it.
I like the higher durometer Axis handle compared to Snap-on's soft grip, but I wish they made a chrome handled version to avoid gear oil saturation. No indication so far that the handle will swell like Snappy's so far, but time hasn't had an opportunity to tell. The head is significantly thinner than the L872. That is less of a factor with the bigger stuff, but still a nice weight savings. The length is pretty good for those nuts that are too stiff to run by hand but are too sensitive for an impact; having said that, I wish it was about four inches shorter. My previous solution was an SH80 with a Mac E041507 permanently allocated to it. That combo had an annoying amount of slop in it, but I preferred the shorter SH80 to the longer Mac ZR17100FPA for my use case. I might do a big dumb and cut the ratchet shorter and jam a universal tool grip or modified hard grip on there, but I'd probably end up regretting it.
I didn't think to look for the OEM, my Mac guy cut me a deal on it when I needed it that day after killing my L872 with a pipe and a port a power, but it does appear that the Facom is identical save for the laser engraving. For about $130 from misterworker.com (no idea, never heard of them), I'd say go for it. Interestingly, Mac's website shows the ZR17 for $240, but out of stock, and not listed in their 3/4" drive ratchets and accessories category. It may be discontinued, I'll ask my Mac guy to check on his end when he shows up in a few hours. My gut reaction on learning this is "damn, I'm glad I got one when I could."
TL;DR - it's the first non-Snap-on ratchet I've bought in ten years, and I don't regret it.
The USAG version (same as Facom & MAC) is available from UltimateGarage.com here in the USA for $140 plus shipping:
(KL.161) -3/4" Drive Dust Proof Pear Head Ratchet (USAG)
USAG 3/4" Drive Reversible Dust Proof Pear Head Ratchet (237B 3/4) - - auto parts for your vehicle at Ultimate Garage
www.ultimategarage.com
I placed an order with Ultimate Garage at 5:15 pm today and got an email at 7 pm saying it had been shipped. Great service!
I did look today at all 3 versions and I find it curious that they all have different tooth counts listed.
Facom: 72 teeth
Mac: 100 teeth
USAG: 120 teeth
Does each brand have its own mechanism?
I did look today at all 3 versions and I find it curious that they all have different tooth counts listed.
Facom: 72 teeth
Mac: 100 teeth
USAG: 120 teeth
Does each brand have its own mechanism?
I believe the latest version of the Facom KL.161 has 120 teeth, even though Facom’s own website shows it as 72.
I placed an order with Ultimate Garage at 5:15 pm today and got an email at 7 pm saying it had been shipped. Great service!
I did look today at all 3 versions and I find it curious that they all have different tooth counts listed.
Facom: 72 teeth
Mac: 100 teeth
USAG: 120 teeth
Does each brand have its own mechanism?