Matco Silver Eagle Ratchets?

[r6_cannibal]

I'm looking at getting new 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 inch ratchets...
After some searching around, Matco's Silver Eagle ratchets seem to be what I would choose so far. I'm a bit of a tool noob and don't know much about the pro brands. This ratchet has the handle I prefer and has a quick release on the back of the head. It seems from other comments people have made that Matco ratchets tend to be pretty smooth and prolific.
Has anyone had experience with these? The only thing that's keeping me from a SO ratchet is the lack of a quick release, it's too valuable to me when switching sockets with hands covered in oil
this is it:

 

[81Seca]

I have the Silver Eagle 1/4" SASE50P set and the quality is quite good for an imported set. But it came with a Cornwell ratchet so I cant tell about the Silver Eagle ratchet quality. Just remember that they're imported, so pay accordingly.

 

[autoace]

They are probably ok, but Gearwrench has a better selection, and they are the same company(Danaher). I would check the Gearwrench ratchets out, before buying the second tier Matcos. Easier warranty for GW without a dealer too.

 

[Fedwrench]

Welcome to the board. I would consider the Craftsman 3 piece thin head fine tooth ratchet set. They offer the quick release you want, fine 60 tooth action, and ease of warranty replacement if needed.

 

[davestlouis]

And the C-Man has hte corporate Danaher 60 tooth guts...nice ratchets.

 

[a390st]

If you look around you can probably find the Craftsman Next Generation or thin profile or whatever you want to call them for about $50 or so for a set. If you're in a hurry you can surely get a set for $60. They are good ratchets, have a fine 60 tooth mechanism, and aren't imported. Take a look at them, it will be worth your time.

 

[r6_cannibal]

Autoace - The warranty would help sway my decision quite a bit. The Gearwrench ratchets don't have the quick disconnect but I might be able to get over it. Having to chase down a truck was another reason I would not go with a SO ratchet...but the temptation is there

Fedwrench: Thanks for the welcome! The craftsman wrench you mentioned seems pretty nice. I hear so much bad stuff about their wrenches that it makes me shy away from them, but at the same time I have no idea how they're being used/abused when people gripe about them.

At this point I think I'll probably be best off getting the Matco and Gearwrench 3/8 ratches, and the 3 piece thin head Craftsman set. I use 3/8 the most and whichever ratchet I end up using the least I can sell and complete the set if it's lacking the 1/4 and 1/2. Hell, I might even end up liking them all, can never have too many tools right?

 

[cambyz28]

"The only thing that's keeping me from a SO ratchet is the lack of a quick release, it's too valuable to me when switching sockets with hands covered in oil
this is it:"

SO makes a quick release I have a (2) 3/8" model and (1) 1/2" and (1) 3/4" wouldn't trade them for anything I believe the model #'s are fr936 for 3/8" and sr936 for 1/2"

 

[davestlouis]

I'm no fan of quick release ratchets, but if it's important to you, the C-Man thin profile are QR too. And just to clarify, there's a world of difference between raised panel C-Man and the thin profile line.

 

[r6_cannibal]

"The only thing that's keeping me from a SO ratchet is the lack of a quick release, it's too valuable to me when switching sockets with hands covered in oil
this is it:"

SO makes a quick release I have a (2) 3/8" model and (1) 1/2" and (1) 3/4" wouldn't trade them for anything I believe the model #'s are fr936 for 3/8" and sr936 for 1/2"

Awesome. Looked it up and it seems to be a 36 tooth model.
I'm currently using a husky tear-drop style ratchet (at 17 teeth I believe) and it's ok but I can feel it starting to get loose. I think any pro ratchet will be an improvment

I also found a blue point ratchet for cheap used. The handle is funky on it and I think it's a little longer than I'd like, but I'll find out when it shows up

I'm going to swing by sears today to see if they have any of the thin line ratchets, probably pick one up for a little comparison work.

I also found an old Armstrong ratchet in my searches that I'm going to pick up. I don't know how good it is, but the handle looks really comfortable and seems to be indestructible. I just have a thing for vintage stuff

Thanks everyone for your help, really helping me sort out this tool bug!

 

[Merkava_4]

SO makes a quick release I have a (2) 3/8" model and (1) 1/2" and (1) 3/4" wouldn't trade them for anything I believe the model #'s are fr936 for 3/8" and sr936 for 1/2"

That's a new one on me because I thought SO stopped making quick release ratchets - it's good to know they still provide that option. If I was in the market for a quick release ratchet, the FR936 and SR936 would be it. Hint!!

 

[r6_cannibal]

That's a new one on me because I thought SO stopped making quick release ratchets - it's good to know they still provide that option. If I was in the market for a quick release ratchet, the FR936 and SR936 would be it. Hint!!

I was under the same impression! Knowing that SO makes a quick release completely changes things, I definitely wouldn't mind running after a truck knowing I can get the wrench warranted. Looks like I might turn into a SO addict after all.

 

[billymade]

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...=12898&supersede=&store=snapon-store&tool=all

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...id=345&supersede=&store=snapon-store&tool=all

 

[boondock29510]

Not trying to revive a dead post but I own a Matco 1/4 ratchet and a Silver Eagle 3/8 ratchet. The Silver Eagle brand is cheaper than C-man and alot stronger as I found out today. Broke the ENGAGEMENT gears on my craftsman and the Silver Eagle broke the bolt lose.
Same as Matco quality... Just made with smaller, oriental hands.

 

[easterstuff]

Never used Silver Eagle personally but I will say I have used allot of tools. Here is my opinion on any Lower line tools like? Silver eagle, blue-point, craftsman. there great for small use and at home, they get the job done. In a professional role they will fail you. Constant use will cause them to shatter and crack and nick allot more. slowing down you and your job. I'v been on both sides of the bench started out using craftsman and craftsman pro. what a mistake. I was at sears with a hand full of tools every week. I finally replaced all my tools with snap-on and some Cornwell. In 3 years I have only cracked one 3/8 drive socket. And had a ratchets rebuilt. My fault used a 3ft ext on it one 2 many times ;-) In closing a tool is built to help get the job done. Evaluate you needs and buy them based on that.

 

[Griff93]

I have two of the Snapon 3/8" quick release ratchets. I bought one and liked it so much I bought another one. I was actually asking the snap on man if they were ever going to make a locking flex long quick release ratchet as I would gladly buy one if they did. He didn't know of any plans for them to release that one.

Matco ratchets are pretty good. I've got a long 3/8, a long 3/8 flex, and a regular 3/8. I'd gladly buy them again as well. The head is a little less deep than my snapon's. Silver eagle stuff is not the same as matco. It's like blue point is to snapon. It seems to be decent for imported stuff. I really try to stay away from imported stuff unless its German made.

 

[TNToy]

If you like quick-release ratchets, you don't use your tools enough.

There's nothing better than a broken-in Snappy 80-tooth ratchet. Quick releases are the **** in confined spaces. Not one ratchet I own has a quick release.

There is no debate on this point. I am right, and you are wrong.

stir, stir, stir

 

[dan1552]

The snap-on site says the fr936 has only 36 teeth so the c-man may be a better bet if you like to finish your jobs in the same day. Personaly I love my
F80 but sometimes its hard to get the sockets off under the vehicle for changing. But my two sense own at least one quality 72 teeth or higher for tight spots.

 

[onecheck]

Stay far away from Craftsman ratchets. Read the reviews on this site. People post reviews so you can make an educated decision not an emotional decision.

 

[paramudduck]

Considering that the Low profile Craftsman ratchets about always get decent reviews that is an unusual statement.

Now if you are referring to the raised panels I will agree with you totally.