Most "Indestructible" Ratchets (for a school)

[Farmall450]

I'm in school now, about to get challenged by the sh!tty napa brand ratchets. I was thinking, what lower cost, quality ratchet would be best/longest lasting for a school?

Maybe gearwrench is the best bet?
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NI93JS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

They used to by US cman, not sure why the switch...my guess is because Napa delivers, and are right down the road.

I don't think SO is in the budget lol, but what are your guy's thoughts. Heavy duty is key. Like, my "peers" will have a 1" socket on a 1/4 ratchet if they can find enough adaptors...and they burn through Napa's taiwan/china junk FAST.


Thanks.

 

[Farmall450]

Rebuildable would be ideal, if they're quality enough to be deemed worth rebuilding.

 

[byoungblood]

Wright. Undervalued by most due to it being an industrial brand, so usually you can pick 'em up on the cheap on eBay and the like if you don't have to have new.

I've got their ratchets in 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2" drive and I really don't worry about breaking them.

 

[Evan(CA)]

Student pricing on ratchets is dirt cheap from any of the truck brands. This is off the current SO flyer

FLEX HEAD QUICK RELEASE
RATCHET W/ COMFORT GRIP
HANDLE
• 80 tooth gear (72 tooth gear for THRLF72) for 4.5˚ of
swing arc
• 7 teeth in contact with the gear at all times to provide
maximum strength and durability
• Quick release has a positive locking feature to hold
socket securely in place when needed and push button
for easy removal.
• Sealed head keep dirt and contamination out and
lubricants in
FHRLF80 LIST $143.95 NET $51.82
• 3/8” Drive - 14” long
THRLF72 LIST $114.95 NET $41.38

I didn't order these because I already ordered these

Matco 88 tooth comfort grip locking flex head for 50.00 ( I like the SO's better btw but the locking mechanism is nice at times)
A SO SHF80A for 98.00
A SO FC72 for 35.00 (My favorite ratchet)
A SO THLF72 55.00

Buy quality now while it's cheap. If you don't you'll regret it later on. The student pricing is really incredible on a lot of hand tools. I could go on and on

SDDXL70AR 150+ set of extra long screwdrivers for 50.00
213AFLEY 200+ external torx set for 70.00

For the guys who bought the new CT8810 and CTR761-725's lithium ratchets you would **** a brick if you knew what I got mine for.

OP, seriously, if you are in school contact the reps, they will hook you up with quality tools for less than or just barely more than the junk you were thinking of buying.

 

[Gmonkee]

This forum and another are full of 'best ratchet' threads, budget and anything goes on budget.

Inevitably the SO/truck brands will be called on as the best ever by some and others will claim a HF composite has lasted them 5 years or better.

I run good midrange stuff to high end Euro with plastic handles, the failure resistant mechanism on Facom type ratchets combined with a comfortable to me handle make those my best. Everybody else will have a different idea.

I did the buy and try route as I could. Some wore fast, some were uncomfortable, some were great workers but just failed to impress. It was easy to avoid the utter **** as they share key features.

Toss COO in your equation and you reduce the options a lot but still good models exist mid range and up that will do professional duty.

Try reading back on the many threads here and the other side of Tool Forum street as well as whatever this thread turns out to be. There are many decent midrange options, you just have to choose one based on availibility and the features you think are most important.

 

[General Geoff]

No 1/4" drive ratchet will stand up to jobs where a 1/2" drive ratchet should be used. Proper education and correct tool application is the only thing that will save the smaller drive ratchets in the long term.

 

[shockwave]

I would recommend a 36 tooth cornwell I have beaten this thing to death and it still works great where I have have many snap on 36 tooth and dual 80 break and even the matco 88 but the cornwell is very strong and durable.

 

[kams1973]

If you want bullet proof, the Proto design has been around for many decades. It is USA made, rebuildable, and reasonably priced.

 

[mrjaw14]

No 1/4" drive ratchet will stand up to jobs where a 1/2" drive ratchet should be used. Proper education and correct tool application is the only thing that will save the smaller drive ratchets in the long term.

+1 on this. I have had some really crappy ratchets and some really nice ratchets. the only time I've broken either is if I was abusing it. In fact, some of my cheap ones I intentionally pushed to the limits to get a "feel" for what was too much. I was really suprised at how much abuse they can take.

 

[moronmountain]

I would recommend a 36 tooth cornwell I have beaten this thing to death and it still works great where I have have many snap on 36 tooth and dual 80 break and even the matco 88 but the cornwell is very strong and durable.

+1 Cornwell ratchets are SUPER tough! LOVE EM!

 

[Trey T]

More teeth = more rotation in tight space. That's a must if you begin to invest these day.

72teeth for 3/8" ratchet is more than sufficient

 

[mudflap]

I'm in school now, about to get challenged by the sh!tty napa brand ratchets. I was thinking, what lower cost, quality ratchet would be best/longest lasting for a school?

Maybe gearwrench is the best bet?
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NI93JS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

They used to by US cman, not sure why the switch...my guess is because Napa delivers, and are right down the road.

I don't think SO is in the budget lol, but what are your guy's thoughts. Heavy duty is key. Like, my "peers" will have a 1" socket on a 1/4 ratchet if they can find enough adaptors...and they burn through Napa's taiwan/china junk FAST.


Thanks.

Are the Napa tools that you dont like their Carlyle line.......?

 

[Farmall450]

No 1/4" drive ratchet will stand up to jobs where a 1/2" drive ratchet should be used. Proper education and correct tool application is the only thing that will save the smaller drive ratchets in the long term.

Exactly. But one instructor, 20 HS students...

I'm in High school, so I don't think the tool discounts apply to me. It would be nice though. And I actually meant for the school to keep around.

 

[Farmall450]

Are the Napa tools that you dont like their Carlyle line.......?

Those, then evercraft get bought as replacements.

 

[kendogg]

Exactly. But one instructor, 20 HS students...

I'm in High school, so I don't think the tool discounts apply to me. It would be nice though. And I actually meant for the school to keep around.

I was going to ask, are you the instructor, or a student?

 

[General Geoff]

If you're a student, my advice would simply be to bring your own ratchets and keep them under lock and key if possible. High schoolers are particularly adept at wrecking pretty much everything.

 

[Farmall450]

I was going to ask, are you the instructor, or a student?

Student, yet I am good friends w/ the instructor. Family friends. His daughter is my age.

If you're a student, my advice would simply be to bring your own ratchets and keep them under lock and key if possible. High schoolers are particularly adept at wrecking pretty much everything.

It's only a small gas class, auto next year (I'm a sophomore)
They provide all tools.
And yeah, I don't think SO discount applies to high schoolers.

 

[Farmall450]

+1 Cornwell ratchets are SUPER tough! LOVE EM!

Very true.

 

[General Geoff]

If you're that concerned about it, simply advise the instructor to remove drive size adapters from general availability and provide only smaller size sockets for 1/4" drive. Problem solved.

 

[kendogg]

Student, yet I am good friends w/ the instructor. Family friends. His daughter is my age.



It's only a small gas class, auto next year (I'm a sophomore)
They provide all tools.
And yeah, I don't think SO discount applies to high schoolers.

So, this is a project of you trying to help the instructor provide better quality tools for the class? Invariably helping yourself, and helping to reduce long-term costs for the school, right??


Normally, I would say pics of the daughter or ban, but.....she's underage, and thats not cool.

 

[CNGsaves]

You're lucky that class or other high school tech class is still offered. Many school districts totally killled off their vo-tech type classes and teachers with budget constraints.

Ran into my old high school teacher at baseball game this summer for my kid. He's mid to upper 70's now and grandpa to the kid playing (age 13's and 14). School has killed off all the woodworking classes and sold all the equipment.

For your situation, likely will end up with common brands like Craftsman, Gearwrench, Kobalt, Husky, etc.

Good luck young man.

 

[Farmall450]

If you're that concerned about it, simply advise the instructor to remove drive size adapters from general availability and provide only smaller size sockets for 1/4" drive. Problem solved.

Yeah doesn't solve the spinning it around hanging onto the extension problem lol

 

[Farmall450]

You're lucky that class or other high school tech class is still offered. Many school districts totally killled off their vo-tech type classes and teachers with budget constraints.

Ran into my old high school teacher at baseball game this summer for my kid. He's mid to upper 70's now and grandpa to the kid playing (age 13's and 14). School has killed off all the woodworking classes and sold all the equipment.

For your situation, likely will end up with common brands like Craftsman, Gearwrench, Kobalt, Husky, etc.

Good luck young man.

Yup.

So, this is a project of you trying to help the instructor provide better quality tools for the class? Invariably helping yourself, and helping to reduce long-term costs for the school, right??


Normally, I would say pics of the daughter or ban, but.....she's underage, and thats not cool.

Back off
Yeah I am trying to help him out.

 

[MG44]

I've busted my SnapOn FHLF80 about 6 times this year. SnapOn man always takes care of it, but it seems like I break it on Monday, and he doesn't show up until Friday lol. Weird thing is my Long Handle flex CMAN usually breaks free the bolts the SnapOn busted on, but it is far from a fine tooth.

 

[kendogg]

Sounds like we need more moderately sized breaker bars if we're snapping ratches so often, no??

 

[shockwave]

I've busted my SnapOn FHLF80 about 6 times this year. SnapOn man always takes care of it, but it seems like I break it on Monday, and he doesn't show up until Friday lol. Weird thing is my Long Handle flex CMAN usually breaks free the bolts the SnapOn busted on, but it is far from a fine tooth.

I know what you mean o have had mine break on me twice this year alone and it always breaks at the flex part and caused me to get a used Cornwall long flex head (older 36 tooth design) my cornwell dealer had it for 30 I said I will take it. I have had this cornwell ratchet for 2 years and I have never had any issues with it quite durable but I do like the fine tooth for tight spots but this ratchet has broke loose plenty of caliper brackets that my 3/8 impact could not

 

[woody 73]

strange thing that the op does not like his Napa ratchets, I own several and I like them very much. Maybe your ratchets are of a new design/era, because my older ratchets are very nice to use.

 

[genevabuck]

No way in hell that you should be going through ratchets like that in school. If you are going 1/4, it should be small sockets. I am guessing that you are using big sockets, way tooo often, I don't care what the brand.

 

[joebachor]

cornwell. im a snap on guy but I think cornwell is about the toughest ratchet.

 

[kiatech]

I got a snap on discount when I took auto classes in high school

 

[d.mcfarland]

I'd vote Cornwell ratchets. Maybe try the used route for costs concerns.

 

[thesilverone]

sk or wright

 

[mudflap]

strange thing that the op does not like his Napa ratchets, I own several and I like them very much. Maybe your ratchets are of a new design/era, because my older ratchets are very nice to use.

Thats why i asked, Alot of the diesel techs in my shop are filling out their boxes with Carlyle stuff. The Napa guy takes good care of us. And the tools are holding up nicely. Its mostly the kids coming in from the schools, and they do some crazy s**t to them.

 

[Farmall450]

strange thing that the op does not like his Napa ratchets, I own several and I like them very much. Maybe your ratchets are of a new design/era, because my older ratchets are very nice to use.

They are.

No way in hell that you should be going through ratchets like that in school. If you are going 1/4, it should be small sockets. I am guessing that you are using big sockets, way tooo often, I don't care what the brand.

I'm not doing anything lol, besides rebuilding them. My "colleges" though...

Thats why i asked, Alot of the diesel techs in my shop are filling out their boxes with Carlyle stuff. The Napa guy takes good care of us. And the tools are holding up nicely. Its mostly the kids coming in from the schools, and they do some crazy s**t to them.

Ours become cheapo napa after so so napa stuff breaks.

I got a snap on discount when I took auto classes in high school

I'm gonna have to check this out!

 

[Farmall450]

cornwell. im a snap on guy but I think cornwell is about the toughest ratchet.

I'm thinking the same.

 

[mmack66]

They probably stopped buying USA Craftsman, because there isn't any USA Craftsman any more.

I'd buy cheap tools too, if the people using them were a bunch of idiots. Even good tools will break when used improperly.

 

[rslaback]

I'm on the other side of the desk as the instructor...

First off, I have no idea how you are breaking ratchets. Particularly in a small engines course and a high school level auto class. Perhaps there is some hyperbole here.

Second, I refuse to buy anything special. Teaching proper tool care is one of the unwritten parts of the tool curriculum. When the kid breaks a cheap ratchet here and there they will eventually learn how to handle the tool. Particularly when they get **** upon by their classmates for breaking a tool that they all now have to wait for a replacement for. My ratchet drawer consists of a couple Craftsman, a few Blackhawk, some Duracraft and even some HF composites.

In the 11 years I've been at this school I haven't had a kid actually break a single one of them. I'm guessing the problem you are experiencing here isn't the ratchet.

 

[Farmall450]

They probably stopped buying USA Craftsman, because there isn't any USA Craftsman any more.

I'd buy cheap tools too, if the people using them were a bunch of idiots. Even good tools will break when used improperly.

They haven't bought cman in decades.

I'm on the other side of the desk as the instructor...

First off, I have no idea how you are breaking ratchets. Particularly in a small engines course and a high school level auto class. Perhaps there is some hyperbole here.

Second, I refuse to buy anything special. Teaching proper tool care is one of the unwritten parts of the tool curriculum. When the kid breaks a cheap ratchet here and there they will eventually learn how to handle the tool. Particularly when they get **** upon by their classmates for breaking a tool that they all now have to wait for a replacement for. My ratchet drawer consists of a couple Craftsman, a few Blackhawk, some Duracraft and even some HF composites.

In the 11 years I've been at this school I haven't had a kid actually break a single one of them. I'm guessing the problem you are experiencing here isn't the ratchet.

Teacher buys several new ones each year, they end up getting stripped/teeth break/they lock up & skip real bad.

 

[mmack66]

They haven't bought cman in decades.

Decades?

Teacher buys several new ones each year, they end up getting stripped/teeth break/they lock up & skip real bad.

It's definitely not the ratchets.

 

[wvrrcarknocker]

I'd suggest Armstrong. Easily rebuildable and relatively inexpensive. Not as cheap as Napa or GearWrench but worlds cheaper than S-O/Mac/Matco as well as US and tough. I've put some torque (by hand, no cheaters here) on mine, and never got any to skip. If it has to be cheaper, i'd go Gearwrench, same design pretty much but imported.
Dan