Bigblue&Goldie
Well-known member
The butthurt Toptul dealer strikes again.........
new professional grade harbor freight ratchets
- Thread starter stage20
- Start date
The butthurt Toptul dealer strikes again.........
mudflap
Well-known member
Or at least kiss his a55..I'm over it..I have worked in the same shop for 25yrs...seen every kind of tool truck come and go several times...If you owe them money your more likely to get things warrantied. But i tell the new tech's coming in not to do that....The old timers here will gladly loan them any tool they need until they can save up for it... I also got over the "Made in USA" thing about the same time MAC / MATCO/ and SNAP-chONg did. The kids coming to us from the tech schools all were issued Blue Point at school...they think that's the "good stuff". I'm really rooting for S-K, and their Made in USA business strategy ......But they will go belly up...AGAIN. Because of poor warranty, marketing, and distribution....You would think they would have somebody smarter than me running things......
.....mudflap
Well-known member
..FreeTenthsDiag
Banned
I haven't been here long, but I have found that there are far more people who think HF tools are just as good as SO. Are these bad? No. I will buy a few for home, but I laugh at all the people who think that "I have had this HF tool for 4 years and it hasn't broke" is the same as "it's just as good as Snap-on."
thesilverone
Well-known member
We don't want to know what you do in your free time
mudflap
Well-known member
I think most people that are mechanical inclined are naturally that way..They want to actually see the tool they are going to buy...hold it in their hand..scratch their **** with it..whatever..And it's a shame"IDEAL" S-K still has the same business strategy that did them in the first time...They need to team up with a major retailer..I can get them at Grainger..if i take off work early..they close at 5:00. Advance has Gearwrench,, Autozone has Duralast,, Orileys just has a mish mosh of junk tools...They would be a perfect partner to stock the full line of S-K tools. Open late, open weekends, tons of locations...
. And they need to get their head out of their a55 on the warranty side of things. If you need to get something replaced...it should be a pleasant,, hassle free experience...Phillips=its wore out / Flat=you used it for a chisel / Slit socket=you had it on an impact / Busted ratchet=cheater bar / etc. Sometimes this stuff is true...But why would you set things up....so you know for a fact...you are going to be going to battle with your customer base...? They mightbe hero's for a day...and stop the guy that abused his screwdriver from gettin one over on them.....But that guy's DONE...buying S-K.....And word spreads...Emmo213
Active member
HF and Snapon aren't the same quality but for somebody like me who tinkers a little on the weekends and doesn't really know what he's doing the $15 rat will work just as well at the $200 one.
Loscaldazar
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2013
- Messages
- 2,385
I think most people that are mechanical inclined are naturally that way..They want to actually see the tool they are going to buy...hold it in their hand..scratch their **** with it..whatever..And it's a shame"IDEAL" S-K still has the same business strategy that did them in the first time...They need to team up with a major retailer..I can get them at Grainger..if i take off work early..they close at 5:00. Advance has Gearwrench,, Autozone has Duralast,, Orileys just has a mish mosh of junk tools...They would be a perfect partner to stock the full line of S-K tools. Open late, open weekends, tons of locations...
SKs warranty is great- as long as you don't abuse your tools. Lots of members have posted positive experience (myself included) with their warranty. Now people trying to warranty flee market finds on the other hand have had problems.
It's also very easy to tell when you use a flat screwdriver as a chisel, a socket on an impact, or a cheater bar on a ratchet. They all leave marks, so if you try to warranty them, yes you will be denied. No marks showing abuse? They give you a new one.
mudflap
Well-known member
I'm ok with requiring a receipt (i keep all of mine) that will stop the flea market folks from trying to warranty a truckload of rusted ****...But you are leaving the decision to warranty or not in the hands of a retard thats power trippin...Should be no doubt...hassle free warranty. And i love the "HIGH HORSE" folks that "have never,ever" abused a tool...really...?
Caparris
Well-known member
Finally! I found a 1/4" drive version at my local store
kctyphoon
Banned
I don't think that's what people believe, but their point is that if you can buy a ratchet that does the exact same job, the exact same way, for literally 1/10 the price - then what is the point of spending 10x the cost.. People understand what the difference is, but there no reason you "need" to buy a bmw to drive to work when a civic does the same thing. I think the point is more that people want to justify the extra cost as a necessary expense, when many times it isn't. Yes, you can constantly rebuild a SO ratchet and it will last a lifetime, but I don't think you will find too many people on here that use a 50 yr old snap on ratchet as their "go to" hand tool, so what's the point..
MagnumForce
Well-known member
Looked at them today again, still unimpressed. Give me the Kobalt QR with the same mech please.
onarant
Well-known member
Finally! I found a 1/4" drive version at my local store
I just picked one up today. Have not used it yet, but seems to be of good quality.
At home ratchets up to 75 years old are my go-to ratchets. And as I know they've never been rebuilt. But then I am far from the first owner. And that is not daily use either.
All the economy brand ratchets I've ever brought to work failed, even the later carefully chosen ones. I have to wonder what magic China has now that makes these last the test of time. They certainly have curb appeal to many on this board but I want the reviews of them after a year or more of regular use.
All the economy brand ratchets I've ever brought to work failed, even the later carefully chosen ones. I have to wonder what magic China has now that makes these last the test of time. They certainly have curb appeal to many on this board but I want the reviews of them after a year or more of regular use.
bobbycos
Well-known member
I have
I have a variety of ratchets, and I enjoy using different ones on any project.
However, I am making it a point to use the new-style HF 3/8 composite as often as I can on my long-term 1976 Trans Am project.
Truthfully, this ratchet feels a lot smoother and cleaner in design and function than the Craftsman ratchets I grew up using as a kid in the 1990s and early 2000s
However, I am making it a point to use the new-style HF 3/8 composite as often as I can on my long-term 1976 Trans Am project.
Truthfully, this ratchet feels a lot smoother and cleaner in design and function than the Craftsman ratchets I grew up using as a kid in the 1990s and early 2000s
Raised panel ratchets went to garbage when they started using plastic selectors. The old style were not smooth either but they were reliable while the latter style liked to self reverse.
There was a good comparison done here when the Chinese versions first came out and they were better than the USA ones in every way. No more plastic, smoother forgings, more defined teeth on the gear and a re-designed pawl.
There was a good comparison done here when the Chinese versions first came out and they were better than the USA ones in every way. No more plastic, smoother forgings, more defined teeth on the gear and a re-designed pawl.
Lowes is such a pain, in at one end, out only at the other, not a place i would choose to visit to warranty a tool.
MagnumForce
Well-known member
If I have to warranty a tool then I am doing it wrong... I know I can get quality tools across the board at Lowe's, meanwhile HF is a total **** shoot.
To boot Lowe's is 2 miles away and the three nearest Harbor Freights are all an hour away.
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gahrajmahal
Well-known member
Checked " New Posts" for something interesting to read. Wow, 745 posts for ratchets!
Interesting!
Interesting!
With coupons and other Black Friday purchases, went ahead and trying out the 3/8" drive composite ratchet (ie the black & red one).
It feels good in the hand and lightweight. Action is good and reverses easily.
For home DIY it's better than the normal Craftsman RP I've used for decades.
It feels good in the hand and lightweight. Action is good and reverses easily.
For home DIY it's better than the normal Craftsman RP I've used for decades.
bcradio
Well-known member
No.
I had thought long and hard about whether I wanted to get the 4pc flex set from Gearwrench as I didn't need them for anything right away. When these cam out I went and bought the 3/8 and 1/2 long flex versions and I have sure been happy with them. Glad I went with these over the GW really even though both are nice.
Kind of disingenuous calling 2x to 3x the price "a little bit more".
Math lesson: 33.99/14.25=2.4x the price. So yes, really.
Not really applicable, since HF's are comfort handles. Even ignoring that, HF doesn't have a stubby flex.
Thanks, I got through engineering school so I think my math is okay. My screen says $27 vs. $34 shipped for just the 3/8", or $81 for the three HF vs. $132 for a four set of GW. Obviously they are not the same.
More number manipulation. You add shipping to the HF wrench (and add it wrongly, I might add. Your addition could use some work), but not to the GW. Not to mention "forgetting" the ubiquitous 25% off coupons.
You're simply lying now.
Well it's kind of you to point that out. I'm so glad I asked.
RedneckWelder
Well-known member
Don't some of you guys ever get tired of attending the constant **** measuring contests?
Dmar836
Well-known member
Felt the 1/4" drive roto ratchets at HF the other night. I had high hopes but there was just too much "lag" in them before the ratcheting mech. engaged. I've never owned a roto so maybe that's normal. I did like the feel of the 1/2" flex. I imagine the Carlyle would be my best "reasonable" bet for a roto.
Dave
Dave
i dont know why i didnt think of it, but i should have did a comparsion with my f711a flex vs the hf 3/8 flex, but here is a good side by side on the 1/4 goodies. if i had the soft grip, it would be a near identical comparison, but this is close.
snap on hard handle is longer at 8 1/4. hf has a wider head. 15/16 across, where as the snap on is only 7/8. thin head award goes to the hf. the body is 1/16 thinner than the snap on, which equates to an 1/8" overall because the hf lever is recessed.
i have grease in the hf and plant oil in the snap on. the hf pawl sounds quieter than the snap on, but the snap on does feel more smooth while ratcheting. with different lube their may be different results.
one is priced at 18.99(less with coupon) and the snap on can be found for around 100 bucks. unless you are a professional, or someone gave you the snap on, the hf would be the choice. plenty of money to buy other tools.
both tools are very useful to me. i also have a shorter SK flex that i use more than the both of these. its the most handy fits in your palm for light duty work.
snap on hard handle is longer at 8 1/4. hf has a wider head. 15/16 across, where as the snap on is only 7/8. thin head award goes to the hf. the body is 1/16 thinner than the snap on, which equates to an 1/8" overall because the hf lever is recessed.
i have grease in the hf and plant oil in the snap on. the hf pawl sounds quieter than the snap on, but the snap on does feel more smooth while ratcheting. with different lube their may be different results.
one is priced at 18.99(less with coupon) and the snap on can be found for around 100 bucks. unless you are a professional, or someone gave you the snap on, the hf would be the choice. plenty of money to buy other tools.
both tools are very useful to me. i also have a shorter SK flex that i use more than the both of these. its the most handy fits in your palm for light duty work.
Attachments
Bigblue&Goldie
Well-known member
If you pay "around 100 bucks" for an outdated Snap On ratchet that's been out of production for years, you're stupid.
i knew someone would pick it apart. thats why i said a comfort grip would be a more direct comparison.
they are both 72 tooth, similar in size and length.
i picked this one up a while back for 35 bucks when it was labeled as being " used 2 weeks and needing cash"
ebas1984
Member
I dunno about that. The Snap-On name brings big bucks. On eBay and even at local auctions. Every time I'm at a local auction that has Snap-On, those tools can be broken and they sell for 75-85% of full retail or more. I don't understand it either.
Bobcat753
Well-known member
wild cowboy
Banned
As I travel all over the world to exotic countries, accompanied by a woman that could be a supermodel, I think of the poor chumps who have the 10K tool boxes and 100K+ ******* in crazy priced tools, no, they can't afford to travel the world and help others with a woman that looks like those posters on their toolboxes, but in their darkest moments, at least they can sneak off from their fat wife, go out into their shop, pick up that beautiful dual-80 and caress it and dream of the life I am lucky enough to have (or smart enough) 
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Here's my $.02.
They look ok but a snap on is still better
lets say they were both made in the usa. what makes the snap on better? its just a brand name at that point. i do pick and choose my brands. sometimes i will pay more for an item do to style or color. but if the hf was made in usa it would have a high price tag like the snap on. all this speculation is useless anyway.
i like both ratchets and will continue to use them.