'Middleweight' 1/2 Ratchet?

[dredoubleu]

I'm looking to find a good 1/2" ratchet to replace an old one. Like often recommended on this forum and elsewhere, I bought an inexpensive but decent quality socket set (Mastercraft Maximum) that is fairly complete, and has gotten me by quite well for the first bit of my auto apprenticeship. My new job is in a somewhat rural aftermarket shop, so I'm seeing lots of trucks, trailers and older vehicles, and needing to bust loose some seriously tight bolts. This ratchet often binds up under high torque, and is a little bit 'loose' feeling, as well as having quite possibly the biggest head on any 1/2 ratchet I've ever seen (probably 2x the surface area of a Snap On), so I'm looking for a replacement. I've tried to learn what I like and dislike about this ratchet and my other ratchets and decided that I love the length of this ratchet, but can't seem to find any others near it's size for a decent price. It's exactly 13 inches long, which puts it between a standard 10 inch, and a long 15+ inch ratchet. This may sound nitpicky, but in my experience, that's a sort of sweet spot, I find it much easier to break bolts loose than a standard ratchet, but also easier to maneuver than a long flex or fixed ratchet.

TL;DR: I'm open to suggestions as to what might fit the bill for a fixed head, 13-ish inch 1/2 ratchet, with a thick or comfort grip handle and a smaller head. I'm willing to spend a decent amount, but would prefer to stay off the truck if I can.

 

[Tallpilot]

Middle of the road? Tekton. You can't beat the head size and it is plenty strong. The Snap-on head is much bigger and so is the handle shaft but it's also 3 times as expensive for the extra metal.

 

[Polo_Karl]

When I am working on rusty or tight stuff I reach for my Proto ratchet. Yeah, the head is wide(though less thick) the tooth count super low, but it is sturdy. Not worried about shearing off a tooth on the inside with it.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

For heavy work, the previous poster mentioned a Proto ratchet. In the same vein, I would suggest a Gray ratchet. A very short time using it, you will wonder why all ratchets don't have handles shaped like this. I have a 1/2" Proto ratchet that I had before the Gray, which I never use any more. I bought a 72t Gearwrench to cut up for a project, instead I found a Princess Auto 100 tooth, which will be idea. I tried using the Gearwrench, I found it a fat and heavy ratchet that didn't feel good in the hand. I also have a couple of S-K that came with socket sets. They are OK, but I much prefer a thumb switch to a head one.

 

[humpty]

I second the Proto! I have a couple in 1/2 and they are great. I'd add that my go to is a Snap-on I bought second hand, so keep an eye out that way as well.

I think brand name is less important than how it feels in your hand, how it operates, etc, sometimes the ratchet you least suspect becomes your go to.

humpty

 

[The Fall]

Proto is like a breaker bar. It'll never break. Low tooth count, but not a big deal. I think it's 15". I got it off a recommendation on this board. The long S-K roundhead is nice -- got one used -- but is about an 1" shorter with a higher tooth count.

 

[65k10]

The Gedore 1993 U10L (6154550) is the closest thing I've found so far. Gedore lists the length as being 350mm (just shy of 13.8"). I do not know how easy this would be to find in Canada and for what price. https://www.gedoretools.co.uk/gedore-6154550-1993-u-10-l-reversible-ratchet-1-2-long-350-mm.html

Some 1/2 comfort grip ratchets seem to come in around 11.5 to 12 inches. Snap-On lists the SH80A as being 12 inches, but not cheap.

If you don't mind flex head, Koken does make several ratchets that come in just under 13 inches (330mm). http://www.kokenusa.com/products/product/56

One other idea would be one of those extendable handle ratchets like you see at Harbor Freight.

I have several of the Koken flex heads along with a 14 inch long williams flex head and agree that around 13 inches is a nice length for a 1/2 ratchet and I wish good ratchets in the length were more common.

ETA: If you are determined to get a ratchet in that length, maybe you could find a longer handle ratchet you like, then cut it down and add some sort of handle so that the final length comes in at 13".

 

[dredoubleu]

That Gedore looks good, I've heard good things about them for sure, and it looks like I can order it from German Amazon and ship to Canada. The price doesn't seem too bad as well, even after conversion.

 

[mn700vforce]

I like the Williams S-52A for a low priced American made ratchet.
https://www.toolsdelivered.com/Will...ls-1-2-Inch-Drive-Chrome-Ratchet-Drive-Tools?

 

[65k10]

That Gedore looks good, I've heard good things about them for sure, and it looks like I can order it from German Amazon and ship to Canada. The price doesn't seem too bad as well, even after conversion.

Glad to hear amazon.de is an option since they do have them for a fairly reasonable price. Hopefully it's a good ratchet since I'd like to have a fixed head ratchet that length myself.

 

[PR1Gneon]

Proto Premium XL

https://www.toolfetch.com/proto-5450xl-premium-1-2-drive-ratchet.html


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[CR888]

The proto looks OK but its $82 and has 45 tooth count which is 8° swing arc. Im not sure how it would be better than a GW 82t/120xp at a fraction of the price.

 

[Wamsutta]

How about the 90 tooth Proto J5449HTC ?

 

[Citation]

You could also go low back and get something decent.
https://m.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200627756_200627756
These Klutch (Northern Tool) ratchets are generic Taiwan ratchets that are branded by many companies. I think they are the same OEM as some of the Tekton 72T ratchets. I've got a Titan branded one. Titan was NT's old house brand. Low back drag and generally work well. Best part, not much money. Worst part, head is tall and switch is reversed.

 

[PR1Gneon]

The proto looks OK but its $82 and has 45 tooth count which is 8° swing arc. Im not sure how it would be better than a GW 82t/120xp at a fraction of the price.

[emoji848] Smoother, stronger and better quality and its $64 on Amazon.



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[Jazz1]

You can find Proto or Gray at flea markets/ pawn shops. $15 max

 

[ex-x-fire]

Don't forget Wright too.

 

[dredoubleu]

I think some people are missing the point a little bit. I do appreciate the response, and I actually do have a Gray ratchet (20 teeth and shorter though), I’m not looking for a mid priced ratchet, rather a mid length. Something like the Gedore or Koken flex that lie somewhere in the middle of a standard and long. I also have the Tekton 24 inch ratchet, and the standard length one has crossed my mind, but just seems a little bit short for my needs. Thanks for all the suggestions, I think at the moment I’m leaning towards the Gedore.

 

[gatlibs]

SK is out. Wright is out. Proto has one close ratchet, but it is a foreign made roto-ratchet. http://www.protoindustrial.com/en/i...chets/E032802_1|2"-Drive-Swivel-Head-Ratchet/

 

[dredoubleu]

Does anyone have any experience with the Gedore? I know the Germans make a damn strong 1/2 ratchet, but how big is the head on it and what is the backdrag like?

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

Gedore has factories in South Africa, India and Brazil as well as Germany.

 

[Rabid Badger]

Proto has one close ratchet, but it is a foreign made roto-ratchet. http://www.protoindustrial.com/en/i...chets/E032802_1|2"-Drive-Swivel-Head-Ratchet/

That's literally the non-quick release version of the roto-ratchet you can get at Harbor Freight for $16 with a coupon.

https://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/sockets-ratchets/1-2-half-inch-quick-release-swivel-head-ratchet-96783.html

I'm not saying it's a bad tool, I have one myself. There's just no need to pay Proto/Britool prices. If you don't like the ovoid handle it's easy to replace.

 

[Mgdoug3]

I like my round head ratchets a lot. I use my SK 42470 and 40170 (both with DT100 mechanisms) often. A ratchet that has grown on me a lot is an old JH Williams S52 I picked up at a flea market. It's almost as smooth as my 42470 but is an inch or two longer.

If I need a thin ratchet with some length I'll grab my Carlyle R12QRL (or something like that). It's tiny compared to an 84T or 120 XP GW. You can catch them on sale at Napa for around $40.

 

[WittHay]

I am old fashioned and buy only tools available locally or through local B+M stores or dealers. I like the Proto XL for a fixed 15" ratchet. For the standard length 10" fixed I dont think it matters if you buy a Snap-on or GearWrench. I use the GW.

I like the in between 12 to 13" flex head ratchet. The only sorta quality one I could find was a Kobalt 72 tooth made in Taiwan. Seemed better than the Westward or Mastercraft

The new HF Icon line is supposed to have some shorter to mid length 1/2 drive ratchets

The tool truck brands dont make that particular length but i imagine Japanese and as mentioned German tool makers make them

 

[visionguru]

Does anyone have any experience with the Gedore? I know the Germans make a damn strong 1/2 ratchet, but how big is the head on it and what is the backdrag like?

With so many Made in USA choices and Gearwrench, German stuff are basically overpriced junk in comparison. For 1/2" ratchet, just get a Snap On and thank me later.

 

[javyLSU]

SK is out. Wright is out. Proto has one close ratchet, but it is a foreign made roto-ratchet. http://www.protoindustrial.com/en/i...chets/E032802_1|2"-Drive-Swivel-Head-Ratchet/

If roto ratchets are within consideration, this is the best roto ratchet I've ever used, and sells for $78 at NAPA right now:

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHQR12S100

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

I wouldn't rank German brands as all the same. In wrenches and sockets, Snap-On is a considerable step down from Stahwille. I bought them unlike the Gedore. I would rate my Gedore wrenches well below my -V- Craftsman. We got German tools with our new machinery and you can't let them go to waste.

 

[Rabid Badger]

OP, can I ask why you prefer comfort grip? Is it size, heat/cold transfer, softness, grippiness, all of the above?

 

[dredoubleu]

I only like comfort grip for 1/2, I like the thickness of the grip because it allows me to really lean into it comfortably. I have no preference between comfort grip and a thick chrome grip, just nothing thin for 1/2.

 

[mudflap]

SK is out. Wright is out. Proto has one close ratchet, but it is a foreign made roto-ratchet. http://www.protoindustrial.com/en/i...chets/E032802_1|2"-Drive-Swivel-Head-Ratchet/

That looks alot like my Carlyle roto..just with a different grip.. If so..it's rock solid..and Carlyle would be easier to warranty.. not that you would..but if you had to put the 4ft helper pipe on it...lol.

 

[madmanc]

gedore i have one in half inch drive , nice and comfy handle , low tooth count and super tough

 

[sberry]

I was in a lean spot, had a couple Sears, ended up with the dreaded pears but was ratchet poor and at a flea on opening day and got a couple more Sears, 1 has made it and a couple 3 Proto for 10$ and that plus a few I found tide me over really. I am on it with a 1/2 air gun for any real work.

 

[Rabid Badger]

I have an idea that might seem a bit strange, but since the OP is looking for a rather rare bird it could be a viable option:

Tekton's 24" 1/2 ratchet has a perfectly cylindrical shaft down to about 18" below the centerline of the anvil. You could cut the shaft to whatever length you want and then press on your choice of handle. You'd probably want to scuff the shaft up a bit with an angle grinder and use a bit of epoxy to keep it from sliding off.

 

[anetode]

Does anyone have any experience with the Gedore? I know the Germans make a damn strong 1/2 ratchet, but how big is the head on it and what is the backdrag like?

Depends on which model, generally the heads are on the larger size and the backdrag is low. Their grips are an acquired taste.

 

[Ton ton]

Bump.

 

[JBH]

Does anyone have any experience with the Gedore? I know the Germans make a damn strong 1/2 ratchet, but how big is the head on it and what is the backdrag like?

No experience with fixed head, but Gedore locking flex 1/2” is excellent. It’s basically what a high tooth count Koken would feel like.