New Pittsburgh pro ratchet!

[thefoobag]

My opinion? For 15 bucks this is a damn steal! Has a good slim profile and awesome ratcheting mechanism, only issue I had was the cover screws were loose. Took it apart to lube and just applied lock tite to the threads, used it multiple times since I got it. its the perfect length between my matco full length flex and my matco 6" non flex (both 88) so it fits my collection perfectly. Overall for a flex head option this is likely to be the new best value on the market, now for the longevity/abuse test

 

[Roaldo94]

Awesome! I've been contemplating purchasing this one and the longer flex head they offer. Been looking for reviews online to see what people think and how well it holds up. Thanks!

 

[Wamsutta]

Does that flex head have any detents or is it free swivel?

 

[kctyphoon]

Does that flex head have any detents or is it free swivel?

Every model (of these) have no detents.. I did notice that some were slightly tighter than others when I picked mine up.. I have them all except the short 1/2". I don't need them, but couldnt pass up something that might make my life easier at some point when I work on my own cars, for such a cheap price..

 

[Hiball]

Does that flex head have any detents or is it free swivel?

Free Swivel, with a adjustable tension, I wanted to use my ratchet for awhile prior to jumping on the bandwagon. There have been a handful of members who have complained that the Head becomes extremely floppy after limited use, Regardless how tight you crank the screw down. I guess you can add me to the List, I purposely used my ratchet the other day to help a friend swap out a water pump and some general maintenance and Now mine is at that point. Im going to try and replace the wavy washer with copper washer and see if provides a little bit more resistance. I didn't measure the Fork prior to using, And I don't think its a issue with it spreading, I believe it more so to be with the quality of the Wavy Washer. It seems like you can tighten the bolt down enough to keep the head rigid, but once it moves it loses all Rigidity.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Free Swivel, with a adjustable tension, I wanted to use my ratchet for awhile prior to jumping on the bandwagon. There have been a handful of members who have complained that the Head becomes extremely floppy after limited use, Regardless how tight you crank the screw down. I guess you can add me to the List, I purposely used my ratchet the other day to help a friend swap out a water pump and some general maintenance and Now mine is at that point. Im going to try and replace the wavy washer with copper washer and see if provides a little bit more resistance. I didn't measure the Fork prior to using, And I don't think its a issue with it spreading, I believe it more so to be with the quality of the Wavy Washer. It seems like you can tighten the bolt down enough to keep the head rigid, but once it moves it loses all Rigidity.

I don't own one of these, but I read somewhere on the board where a member discovered the shoulder of the bolt was too long preventing the head from being tightened down any further. He further tapped the the bolt with an extra thread or two and was able to tighten the head up.

 

[Hiball]

I don't own one of these, but I read somewhere on the board where a member discovered the shoulder of the bolt was too long preventing the head from being tightened down any further. He further tapped the the bolt with an extra thread or two and was able to tighten the head up.

Hmm.. I'll give it a try, but you can only pull those forks together so much. The Head is tight immediately after torquing it down, but once it flexes one way or another it's gone. I'll report back..

 

[Brownsfan]

Free Swivel, with a adjustable tension, I wanted to use my ratchet for awhile prior to jumping on the bandwagon. There have been a handful of members who have complained that the Head becomes extremely floppy after limited use, Regardless how tight you crank the screw down. I guess you can add me to the List, I purposely used my ratchet the other day to help a friend swap out a water pump and some general maintenance and Now mine is at that point. Im going to try and replace the wavy washer with copper washer and see if provides a little bit more resistance. I didn't measure the Fork prior to using, And I don't think its a issue with it spreading, I believe it more so to be with the quality of the Wavy Washer. It seems like you can tighten the bolt down enough to keep the head rigid, but once it moves it loses all Rigidity.

No way. You have to be making this up. This is the best ratchet ever made you know. You would be a fool to buy any other ratchet.

 

[cheechi]

Every model (of these) have no detents.

This is why I passed on them when I checked it out in the store. 120xp's are not as cheap but a better value. ball detent has held up very well in the years I've owned them.

 

[MagnumForce]

I think they are junk and I am a Craftsman and Kobalt guy. Awful finish, floppy head, that God awful handle. Blah. The mechanism is the exact t same as Kobalt but it does not look or work nearly as good as my Kobalt flex head. My go to rats are craftsman low profile and this is not even on the same realm of existence yet everyone talks about how amazing it is and how bad craftsman is.

 

[OutsideMachinist]

I think they are junk and I am a Craftsman and Kobalt guy. Awful finish, floppy head, that God awful handle. Blah. The mechanism is the exact t same as Kobalt but it does not look or work nearly as good as my Kobalt flex head. My go to rats are craftsman low profile and this is not even on the same realm of existence yet everyone talks about how amazing it is and how bad craftsman is.

Haven't used it yet. For the price it seems decent. I dont care for any comfort grips at all really they always seem to get in the way more than anything. The kobalt flex heads are pretty good. I still prefer the locking flex heads like the armstrongs. But the armstrongs are like 100 bucks for a 1/2 whereas these are like 20 bucks.

 

[Farmall450]

This is why I passed on them when I checked it out in the store. 120xp's are not as cheap but a better value. ball detent has held up very well in the years I've owned them.

And finer toothed

 

[cheechi]

Taking into consideration the fact that anyone who defends HF to you is probably not going to sound like what you want to hear let me say this.

I have several kobalt ratchet, probably that same Kobalt ratchet as you that was on sale for $12 and have made kobalt/HF frankenratchets following the thread about a year back. Nice ball detents on those flex heads too. They are nice rats and well finished and so on.

Comparing apples to apples that HF flex head vs that kobalt flex head they are equally smooth, equally well made and finished. I do prefer the kobalt because I don't really like the big qr button on the hf as much.

If you don't like these new HF ratchets that's fine. I don't particularly like them either. But if your concern is they are not finished well or the ratcheting mechanism doesn't work well I would suggest you got one of the HF duds. I worked a few in the store and the mechanism is definitely dry but there isn't anything terribly wrong with it, nor the finish. Several photos of them here on the forum show the finish is fine.

I don't have any cman ratchets anymore and I never had any that I liked. So I have no way to compare those.

 

[bcradio]

And finer toothed

courser toothed

http://www.gearwrench.com/ratchets-and-drive-tools/120xptm/gearwrench-81011p-1-4-drive-120xptm-full-polish-teardrop-ratchet.html

 

[1982fxr]

you jerks honestly expect me to believe something from hf needs to be re-engineered and rebuilt pretty much out of the box? I know what's really going on here: a few people are trying to give it a bad rap so they can buy them all!

This is a new low, suggesting the hf isn't as good as a truck brand. I can see with my own two eyes, it looks the same and it is. It's made in the same factory as snappy anyway, why pay so much more just for a different name to be stamped on it?!

pricks










ok, i'm done

 

[lightning02]

Even those I wanted a non - QR head I got theses ratchets instead of the flexhead. I didn't need the sockets but believe it or not there better then the new USA made cm sockets I got.

http://m.harborfreight.com/hand-too...ml?hftref=cj&utm_referrer=direct/not provided

http://m.harborfreight.com/hand-too...ragejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=272014

http://m.harborfreight.com/21-Pc-12...ragejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=272014

 

[PT Doc]

A properly dimensioned washer and locktite should solve the problem. If you can get it tight and snug initially, you should be able to keep it that way. I modded a breaker bar and hf multi joint head and had to do just that.

 

[DoyleDee]

I have quite a few of the new ratchets, but I have yet to use them. I only wrench on my cars, family's and friends...it's a hobby to me. So with feel, they do seem nice.. but since I have yet to use them, I don't know. I have always had craftsman ratchets.

 

[MagnumForce]

I am sure they are better than an rp.

 

[aarondost08]

Here's mine. I like them. I'm just a hobbyist on the weekends and they work great for me.

 

[wild cowboy]

here is an illustrative story, I own an OEXM170B Snap-On wrench that was manufactured to the full 1st quality spec, but has no markings whatsoever. There is no difference in it from any other OEXM170B wrench I own or you own, other than marking.

So imagine this, Snap-On's finest 17mm wrench, but completely blank full polish wrench with not even as much as a size marking!

It is fun to go up to mechanics and say, "hey, try out my new wrench from Harbor Freight, their new truck polish series!"

80%+ will come back and say "it's decent for Harbor Freight, not in the league of my Snappys, not even close"

see how messed up and biased human nature is?

 

[Hiball]

A properly dimensioned washer and locktite should solve the problem. If you can get it tight and snug initially, you should be able to keep it that way. I modded a breaker bar and hf multi joint head and had to do just that.

It's definitely a issue with the wavy washer, I marked adjustment screw to see if it was simply backing off during the flexing operation, that's not the case.

 

[bpjr]

I tried to replace the wave washer with a thicker one but there isn't enough clearance to fit one...I suppose the head could be milled a tad to fit a thicker/stronger wave washer. Anyway, the HF wave washer is really thin and doesn't have much "wave" to compress for more tension.

I posted this on another thread but the clamping screw bottoms out before it squeezes tight enough to stiffen the head. I put a couple more threads on the screw and it helped but isn't tight enough yet. I plan on threading anothor row on the screw to see if that helps. It would be nice to lose the torx screw and get a socket head to replace it. Ace may have them but the long shoulder may be a problem.

bp

 

[MagnumForce]

Fastenal ought to have what you or looking for. Or you could save yourself the problem of poor design and just get a Kobalt Flex Head for around the same price instead. No wonky handle, same mech, detents so it isn't floppy, smaller head and QR if you like QR...

 

[panknuckshovel]

Fastenal ought to have what you or looking for. Or you could save yourself the problem of poor design and just get a Kobalt Flex Head for around the same price instead. No wonky handle, same mech, detents so it isn't floppy, smaller head and QR if you like QR...

Yeah, Fastenal will definately have what you need in the form of better tools.

 

[MagnumForce]

I just don't understand the defense of these rats when they aren't even the best in their price range. Is everyone blinded by the red and black handle or what?

 

[wild cowboy]

I just don't understand the defense of these rats when they aren't even the best in their price range. Is everyone blinded by the red and black handle or what?

I went through them at the HF store and found a really tight one (long handle version, $18.75 with coupon), it hasn't loosened yet, but if it does, I will spend $3 on ebay for a longer screw and better washer, delivered to my door. Heck, I will probably get fancy and spend an extra $1 and go stainless - woohoo!

I will use the $41 I saved over the Kobalt version and the over $125 I saved over the truck version to finance my ebay screw and washer purchase.

 

[panknuckshovel]

I just don't understand the defense of these rats when they aren't even the best in their price range. Is everyone blinded by the red and black handle or what?

They have a low price. This allows you to fill all your drawers and say to your friends and coworkers " LOOKY ALL MY **** "

 

[whitedogone]

They have a low price. This allows you to fill all your drawers and say to your friends and coworkers " LOOKY ALL MY **** "

Yep, works for me.

 

[NC-Shaun]

here is an illustrative story, I own an OEXM170B Snap-On wrench that was manufactured to the full 1st quality spec, but has no markings whatsoever. There is no difference in it from any other OEXM170B wrench I own or you own, other than marking.

So imagine this, Snap-On's finest 17mm wrench, but completely blank full polish wrench with not even as much as a size marking!

It is fun to go up to mechanics and say, "hey, try out my new wrench from Harbor Freight, their new truck polish series!"

80%+ will come back and say "it's decent for Harbor Freight, not in the league of my Snappys, not even close"

see how messed up and biased human nature is?

/\ TRUE /\

 

[kctyphoon]

They have a low price. This allows you to fill all your drawers and say to your friends and coworkers " LOOKY ALL MY **** "

No, buying them, and other cheaper tools that work just as well for my purposes, allows me to pay the mortgage on my $310,000 home, buy two cars, a motorcycle, and a few big screen tv's, (all paid for) while having no credit card debit, and a 1/4 million in my 401k.. All for the low price of having a few people I don't know, and will never meet - make foolish comments on some Internet forum.. Seems worth it to me..

 

[MagnumForce]

Hold on, since when does a Kobalt 3/8 Flex head cost 60 bucks? Was around 20-25 last I knew.

 

[wagon]

No, buying them, and other cheaper tools that work just as well for my purposes, allows me to pay the mortgage on my $310,000 home, buy two cars, a motorcycle, and a few big screen tv's, (all paid for) while having no credit card debit, and a 1/4 million in my 401k.. All for the low price of having a few people I don't know, and will never meet - make foolish comments on some Internet forum.. Seems worth it to me..

how much was the lifetime supply of eXtenze?

 

[Hiball]

No, buying them, and other cheaper tools that work just as well for my purposes, allows me to pay the mortgage on my $310,000 home, buy two cars, a motorcycle, and a few big screen tv's, (all paid for) while having no credit card debit, and a 1/4 million in my 401k.. All for the low price of having a few people I don't know, and will never meet - make foolish comments on some Internet forum.. Seems worth it to me..

Do you sell Toptul Also? I don't care what anyone says this place is awesome, we have moved right on past tool comparisons to financial stats..

Internet = you can be anything you want.

 

[wild cowboy]

Hold on, since when does a Kobalt 3/8 Flex head cost 60 bucks? Was around 20-25 last I knew.

the long handle, cushion grip flex of similar length, specs, etc. as my HF long handle that was $18.75 with coupon, is $59.95 and rarely ever goes on sale, shown here:

www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?partNumber=337323

 

[wild cowboy]

No, buying them, and other cheaper tools that work just as well for my purposes, allows me to pay the mortgage on my $310,000 home, buy two cars, a motorcycle, and a few big screen tv's, (all paid for) while having no credit card debit, and a 1/4 million in my 401k.. All for the low price of having a few people I don't know, and will never meet - make foolish comments on some Internet forum.. Seems worth it to me..

Agreed - hard to get some folks here to understand that there is a method to my HF madness! - I buy the cheapest tool that will do the job well, sometimes it's HF, sometimes Kobalt, sometimes Craftsman, sometimes Wright/SK/Proto/Armstrong/Williams etc. and sometimes (rarely) it requires Snap-On, because everything else is ****, like with easy outs, or Torx bits, and a few other examples.

 

[kctyphoon]

how much was the lifetime supply of eXtenze?

No idea, maybe you should ask your snap on guy to finance it for you..

Just for argument sake, people don't NEED to spend huge amount of money on good tools. i have a hydraulic impact gun made by RELIABLE TOOLS, which is not a name most people here will not be familiar with because my craft is somewhat unique - it's a $600+ impact if bought new, I got a used one in very good shape deliver to my house for a whopping $12 off Ebay, even had the hydraulic fittings on it.. A lot of guys buy snap on cause they were brought into their craft being told it's the best, and it might be in many cases - but that doesn't make something of lower cost "not good enough".. Don't know why you hate on guys that bought a ratchet they like for 1/10 what u did..

 

[panknuckshovel]

No, buying them, and other cheaper tools that work just as well for my purposes, allows me to pay the mortgage on my $310,000 home, buy two cars, a motorcycle, and a few big screen tv's, (all paid for) while having no credit card debit, and a 1/4 million in my 401k.. All for the low price of having a few people I don't know, and will never meet - make foolish comments on some Internet forum.. Seems worth it to me..

Have the same and more and not with having to settle for HF ****/\.

 

[wagon]

Have the same and more and not with having to settle for HF ****/\.

you need to describe what you have, and how you paid for it, in detail, to enter this ***** measuring competition.

 

[wild cowboy]

Have the same and more and not with having to settle for HF ****/\.

What you have as far as assets is just greedy materialistic BS - it is what you do with what you have that is meaningful in your life (or should be)

Think of all of the good in the world that could be done with the money difference between a nice HF toolbox and a 10K SO box, do you really need a $4000 collection of wrenches, or could that money help someone less fortunate than yourself, who is outside freezing tonight, or hungry or both - when a craftsman full polish USA wrench turns a bolt just fine!

Something to think about this holiday season, and really should be thought about year round!