Most used Ratchet

[bryant 24]

What is your most used or first grab ratchet during work?

1/4 0r 3/8 0r 1/2?

Long handle or short? (What is the length?)

Flex or fix head,flex with lock?

Quick release or sealed head? Low profile really matters?

Comfort grip or hard chrome handle?

Any recommend brand?

 

[demarpaint]

We had a similar discussion a while back. For me it now varies between a 3/8" Flex-head and 3/8" fixed head mid length. Regular grid, both are not QR. I have a few different brands, last job I did was with Snap On.

 

[bonneyman]

SK 3/8" drive 45170. No flex, no QR, fine enough action, right length, good balance, durable as all get out. Nuff said!

 

[ecotec]

For what I do, electrical work, I use a standard length 3/8” Wright high tooth count contour ratchet.

Before I bought the Wright, I used an SK 45170 like Bonneyman.

I used a Proto for a while, but the head was too big.

When I started, I used raised panel Craftsman. I I would rip the anvil off at least once a year. I gave all of them away except for one with a crank handle on it.

 

[cannuck]

My go to ratchets are my Wera Zyklop swivel head and if space is tight or need long for torque - Zyklop pass through. When REALLY close quarters NAPA gearless stubby but that won't break things loose. I probably have 20 ratchets of different styles and sizes and use almost every one regularly.

 

[Nutria]

Snap-On 3/8" F723, 7-1/4" long. Pretty basic.

 

[WWheeler]

My most used ratchet is one of these, usually that longest one.



I don't have a most used non-cordless ratchet anymore. It's whichever one works best in those situations I can't use a cordless or an impact.

 

[Wrench97]

Snap On FLF80A is the one I use the most.

 

[onetonbb74]

I grab my 3/8" snap on dual 80 the most...I also use my long 1/2" drive Pittsburgh pro a decent amount...

 

[dnschmidt]

Old school Williams B-52 and B-54. Just love them.

 

[bonneyman]

Old school Williams B-52 and B-54. Just love them.

Me too! Those old B ratchets are sweet..

 

[Sumboodie]

Whatever one I can find.

 

[turnthewrench 2.0]

Generally, the 3/8 Carlyle Flex Head Bent-Handle 72 T and the Stahlwille Soft Handle 90T.
But every situation is different, so I choose accordingly.

 

[Farmall450]

Flex head: either GW 120 3/8 flex stubby or SO FHLF80AG. I do really enjoy the Carlyle 3/8 Intrepid Fallen Heroes ratchet I got as part of a 2 piece set several years ago. Probably my most used 3/8 - it's a longish, soft handle. Will snap a picture later as I was just using it this morning. I think the main reason I don't grab it more is it is located in the rear of the ratchet drawer.

 

[VolvoRyan]

Probably a standard handle 3/8".... I do love the trusty SK round head, even though I have ratchets with fancier pedigrees.... but it depends on what and where. I've been working on the same model family of cars for decades. I know what I need before I go after the tools.

-Ryan

 

[Samuel D]

I used a Proto for a while, but the head was too big.

Was that one of the classic pear-head ratchets descended from Plomb, such as the J5249? The heads on those look fairly shallow in pictures, but maybe that’s just in contrast with the width. They still get rave reviews on Amazon.

 

[Mgdoug3]

I have several ratchets I use often. I'll use several different ones at once just so I don't have to switch sockets. My most used ones are my SK 3870 and SO Dual 80s in all three drives. My most used SO are hard handles.

 

[ChefRex]

There's a few in the big box I don't use a lot, there's a dozen opn my service cart, mostly 1/4, 3/8, I use what ever makes the job easier and quicker.

Spoiler

I am a tool addict

 

[sparky 1971]

A plain old SK 45170. I have a bunch of different ratchets of various lengths, flex, and roto, most of them are SK, but I keep going back to old faithful. I think mine is WW2 vintage because it's not chrome, but I can't say that it's black either. I don't have a picture of it, so a stock photo will have to do.

7.6" 3/8" Drive Ratchet

7.6" 3/8" Drive Ratchet

sktools.com

 

[Chrome Vanadium Cody]

Gray Canada V2536 1/4” drive pear head ratchet. 36 tooth is usually enough for me and the action is butter smooth. Most importantly it’s got my favorite grip. The ring makes it easy to hold steadily both forwards and backwards.

 

[Madjik Man]

What is your most used or first grab ratchet during work?

1/4 0r 3/8 0r 1/2?

Long handle or short? (What is the length?)

Flex or fix head,flex with lock?

Quick release or sealed head? Low profile really matters?

Comfort grip or hard chrome handle?

Any recommend brand?

Koken 3/8 Zeal quick release 11”

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BXCY8DJZ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Firebrick43]

10” wright 3/8 w contour handle. 3425 is the model.

45775 flex head tuf1 SK isn’t to far behind

 

[NHtoolguy]

Me too! Those old B ratchets are sweet..

I'll chime in on these too. The old Williams design is the best feeling, most crisp ratchet action I have ever used.

 

[liliysdad]

SnapOn TFL72 long handle 1/4 or a Matco BFR118 long handle 3/8.

Really liking the Matco Eighty8s nowadays.

 

[vf1000g24]

Hazet 916S from the 70s because I just bought it.

 

[MarkH]

We bought a whole bunch of them when they were discontinued. Fits well with most farm machines, big enough to get torque, only downside does not do well with a cheater bar.

 

[VolvoRyan]

Interesting to see how many times SK.... and the 45170, specifically..... popped up here.

-Ryan

 

[F-22]

Snap On dual 80 in 1/2", Nepros 90 tooth in 1/4" and a Proto XL (40 or 50 tooth) in 3/8", though I like my vintage Husky (New Britain USA) in 3/8" a lot too (awesome knurling on that one, but not a fan of round heads).

I have some more beat up Unior ratchets too, but they're no longer my go-to. I have a Wera metal Zyklop in 3/8" but it is also kind of odd/awkward, not my favourite.

 

[d.mcfarland]

I think mine is WW2 vintage because it's not chrome, but I can't say that it's black either.

The 1943 catalog calls it a "baked enamel finish" but most people believe/call it black oxide. Cadmium plating was also a possibility for war ear tools.

 

[mike93lx]

My most used ratchet is one of these, usually that longest one.



I don't have a most used non-cordless ratchet anymore. It's whichever one works best in those situations I can't use a cordless or an impact.

3/8 m12 for me. I'd love to grab a long neck

 

[2ndGearRubber]

My most used ratchet is one of these, usually that longest one.



I don't have a most used non-cordless ratchet anymore. It's whichever one works best in those situations I can't use a cordless or an impact.

Certainly a good option. 3/8 snap on or 1/4 M12, both long neck.


For a hand ratchets - 1/2 is always the SLX80A the 2ft long locking flex dual 80. 3/8 is usually an FL80, or an SK round head flex. 1/4 is a short ~5" dual 80, or now the 6" matco locking flex. The Matco has really impressed me, despite the fact I don't love the 12" extra long 1/4 I bought.

 

[liliysdad]

Interesting to see how many times SK.... and the 45170, specifically..... popped up here.

-Ryan

My dad swore by round head S-K ratchets. I sure thought they were as good as it gets….until I realized I really don’t like them.

They are an awful lot better than raised panel Craftsman junk, but I sure can’t find a single reason to hang onto them with so many better options out there.

 

[lardy1]

I love SK roundheads. The same way I love my New Britain made Napa and Husky wrenches. I'm fully aware that there are nicer tools out there but they feel good in my hand and they get the job done.

I lost track long ago of how many ratchets I have. It's almost criminal to own this many nice ratchets when you don't make a living with them.

 

[charger 73]

At work 1/4 dr reg handle at home a 3/8 flex head, both old school 32 tooth snap on's.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

This is my main ratchet here. A lot more worn out now though. Had to dig for this picture from when it was new in 2021. I use this guy for everything I can. I only grab something else when I have too.

 

[bbrins]

For 3/8 drive, I pretty well always reach for an SK round head in some form: 45170, 45174, 3870, X3R, etc. A close second place is the old round head New Britain made(Kilness patent) ratchets. For 1/4 drive, lately, I've mostly been reaching for my Carlyle stuff with the comfort handle, I like the slightly fatter and longer grip over my usual SK 40970. I've been using 1/4 drive a lot lately since I've been wrenching on motorscooters quite a bit. For 1/2 and the occasional use of 3/4 drive, SK round heads.

I've been wanting to pick up a 3/8 and 1/2 drive flex ratchet, not sure yet if I'd prefer a locking head or non.

 

[nadogail]

from the shipyards during WW2, I also have a few "no name" imports and a couple of Pittsburgs from Harbor Freight.

 

[Madjik Man]

This is my main ratchet here. A lot more worn out now though. Had to dig for this picture from when it was new in 2021. I use this guy for everything I can. I only grab something else when I have too.

The more intriguing question is how do you choose which of your 2000 sockets to marry it to?

 

[Pinemarten]

For my ratchet use, drive size is based on fastener size, with above 7/16"/10mm being where I switch from 1/4" to 3/8" drive.
My go to for 1/4" is my trusty old SK 40970. For 3/8 it is my Koken Zeal 3527Z. I use others for specific jobs where
access requires a flex head, extra length etc.

 

[gatewaysysop]

A plain old SK 45170. I have a bunch of different ratchets of various lengths, flex, and roto, most of them are SK, but I keep going back to old faithful.

I find myself in this camp as well.