Ford12508
Well-known member
So I see pictures on here where people have drawers full of ratchets, and they are all the standard 3 sizes. Why have so many ratchets? I get having a back up, but drawer full of backups?
Mutliple of 1 tool
- Thread starter Ford12508
- Start date
e-tek
Well-known member
Tool ho's!!!!!
OCD to the max!!!!!! I don't have nearly as many as most do but i do have many duplicates of the same 3 sizes. Somedays i just feel like using a proto and somedays my armstrong...most of the time it's my snap-on...most of the craftsmans are for the "borrowers" except a few of the older ones. don't judge..it's a disease
tpolley
Well-known member
people collect them. i can't say i don't have a slight addiction to things that *click*... *click**click*... *click**click**click**click**click**click* yay!!! hehehe 
Scout Driver
Well-known member
Many times, a job will require a 3/8 ratchet. But......maybe the flex-head 3/8 will do the job easier than the regular 3/8. Or the long handled or bent-handled 3/8 will do the job better. It just comes down to the fact that sometimes a tool that is a little more specialized can make work a lot easier.
Another scenario might involve needing to frequently swap different size sockets on a particular task. Rather than take extra time to switch between different size sockets on the same ratchet, the user will simply set up multiple ratchets with different sized sockets on each of them. Being able to grab a ratchet with the proper socket already attached is a major time-saver, vs. pulling sockets off and on repeatedly.
Alas, some of us just enjoy picking up a different ratchet once in a while. Even a mundane task can be made more enjoyable by using a favorite tool that hasn't been used for awhile.
Scott
Another scenario might involve needing to frequently swap different size sockets on a particular task. Rather than take extra time to switch between different size sockets on the same ratchet, the user will simply set up multiple ratchets with different sized sockets on each of them. Being able to grab a ratchet with the proper socket already attached is a major time-saver, vs. pulling sockets off and on repeatedly.
Alas, some of us just enjoy picking up a different ratchet once in a while. Even a mundane task can be made more enjoyable by using a favorite tool that hasn't been used for awhile.
Scott
speed bump
Well-known member
For me it just kind of happens, $1 ratchets that are cool are hard to leave for someone else to buy.
I have done a lot of spreading the wealth though.
I have done a lot of spreading the wealth though.
spongerich
Well-known member
I do a lot of my wrenching on our dirt bikes and quads. We mostly ride at my friend's farm and his barn is far from being the ideal work shop. We used to spend half our day hunting for sockets. Now, I setup a bunch of ratchets with 9, 10, 12, 14, 17, 18mm sockets. That covers 99% of what we'll use and we almost never have to swap or search for the right one.
It's a major time and frustration saver.
Of course, that still doesn't explain why I have 7 vises in my garage.
It's a major time and frustration saver.
Of course, that still doesn't explain why I have 7 vises in my garage.
Scout Driver
Well-known member
Well... when I was a kid in the '80s, I had a friend who's dad raced NASCAR back in the '60s. He once told me to have two of every tool, so that when you're working on one side of the car, your buddy can be working on the other side.
So I've got two of every size ratchet, except my 3/8 long flex. I'd like another of those, but for my junk yard box.
As for regular wrenches, I've got long and standard full-polished C-man pros in the box (one for the nut, one for the bolt), then on the pegboard I've got at least three of every size from 3/8 through 1-inch, doubles up to 1 1/8 inch. And the most common 7/16, 1/2 and 9/16 are 8 deep. When I grab the last one of any of those, it's time to put the tools down, stop whatever I'm working on, and clean the shop.
-Brad
So I've got two of every size ratchet, except my 3/8 long flex. I'd like another of those, but for my junk yard box.
As for regular wrenches, I've got long and standard full-polished C-man pros in the box (one for the nut, one for the bolt), then on the pegboard I've got at least three of every size from 3/8 through 1-inch, doubles up to 1 1/8 inch. And the most common 7/16, 1/2 and 9/16 are 8 deep. When I grab the last one of any of those, it's time to put the tools down, stop whatever I'm working on, and clean the shop.
-Brad
Stick Figure
Well-known member
while all of the reasons given are good, my biggest reason for buying new tools (often similar "duplicates" of what i all ready had) is to give me something new to play with at work. Yes its sad, but its what gets me through the week sometimes. multiple ratchets out with different sockets is another added benefit for me though.
johnny1290
Well-known member
Haven't you ever heard of having one to keep and one to lose?!? 
I don't have to search for one stupid ratchet everytime I need to use one. I have a couple extras I can grab and then when a missing one turns up, its a pleasant surprise!
My buddy works on multiple cars and motorcycles and whatnot at home but is too cheap to have more than one ratchet, set of sockets, wrenches, anything. He's constantly searching for tools and cursing that he didn't put them back when he was done.
What fun is that?
Besides, they're chrome and make noise when you turn them!
I don't have to search for one stupid ratchet everytime I need to use one. I have a couple extras I can grab and then when a missing one turns up, its a pleasant surprise!
My buddy works on multiple cars and motorcycles and whatnot at home but is too cheap to have more than one ratchet, set of sockets, wrenches, anything. He's constantly searching for tools and cursing that he didn't put them back when he was done.
What fun is that?
Besides, they're chrome and make noise when you turn them!
mrholeshot
MEMBER EMERITUS
- Joined
- Jun 22, 2010
- Messages
- 8,043
The reason I have so many................I can't give my wife an acceptable amswer for this one either. lol
Now I have multible tool boxes. I don't have many duplicates of the same ratchet in the same box. I average about 15 differant ratchets per big box. My cart has about 8 in it. then there are the small boxes that have 3 each, tool bags, made up kits. I'm about to start downsizing it all. When I die my wife will be left with a mess to deal with. It's an addiction
Now I have multible tool boxes. I don't have many duplicates of the same ratchet in the same box. I average about 15 differant ratchets per big box. My cart has about 8 in it. then there are the small boxes that have 3 each, tool bags, made up kits. I'm about to start downsizing it all. When I die my wife will be left with a mess to deal with. It's an addiction
Moose-LandTran
Well-known member
Why do i have multiples? Because i want them.
krusty the clown
Member Emeritus
and thats the correct answer.
Cryptic1911
Well-known member
This probably reflects half of GJ:
I don't have a major collection of ratchets, but I did buy a couple tool sets that came with 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2" ratchets, so I have two set of those, and my dad used to buy SK in the old days and instead of buying a couple sockets to replace broken ones, he'd just buy another 1/4 , 3/8 , 1/2" set with the ratchet for almost the same price. they add up after a while
arkangel06
Banned
This thread reminded me I need to go get some more ratchets.
comedyman809
Well-known member
do i really need 2 rubber gripped 10 '' klien adjustables???
yes, because one is black and the other is chrome.
good enough for me!!!!
yes, because one is black and the other is chrome.
good enough for me!!!!
comedyman809
Well-known member
why do i need the armstrong 12'' and 10'' adjustables when i already have 2 klein 10'', a klien 12'' and a snap on 10'' .
wtf is wrong with me??????
i have 2 mini 12v impactors and 2 mini drill/drivers...both are 1 bosch and 1 milwaukee.
the milwaukee impactor has a lot more power though..
wtf is wrong with me??????
i have 2 mini 12v impactors and 2 mini drill/drivers...both are 1 bosch and 1 milwaukee.
the milwaukee impactor has a lot more power though..
Rarified27
Well-known member
A lot of "pairs" of quality tools based on the combined thought of having a backup and two hands is pretty common.
Most people have several of the cheap stuff in a thow-away box somewhere and most of my duplicate or similar pieces weren't bought- either inherited or found.
Most people have several of the cheap stuff in a thow-away box somewhere and most of my duplicate or similar pieces weren't bought- either inherited or found.
spongerich
Well-known member
Because more than 50 would be excessive.
comedyman809
Well-known member
how many pairs of dykes do i have ???? ay yay aya!!!! and how many grew legs??
jeez, too many.thats how many!!!
jeez, too many.thats how many!!!
caper
Well-known member
I understand that.When your stuck doing a boring job anything out of the ordinary is good.I used to do engine work,electrical diag and other fun stuff but now I'm a glorified lube monkey.It gets boring as hell and monotonous.Changing things up makes the day go by faster.Besides I don't think I have enough ratchets yet.
bmxr4life87
Well-known member
I have 3 of each size and a torque wrench or two. I would like a ton more but I have enough to do the job for now
LincolnCont.
Well-known member
That is an interesting mentality because if you ever read the history of Snap On, Old tool companies use to make wratchets/wrenches with non interchangable sockets and Snap On's idea was to down size the amount of tools by making one wratchet that can accept all sockets to make it more convienent for the Mechanic and I read many posts where guys are seting up many wratchets (just like they did in the old days before interchangable sockets) because it saves time contrary to the Snap On selling pitch that interchangable sockets are the time saver. Obviously your way is the ideal blend of both ideas but its neat to see how history kinda repeats itself.