new professional grade harbor freight ratchets

[Bigblue&Goldie]

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)

Where do you come up with this **** and what does it have to do with ratchets?

 

[kctyphoon]

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.

I have the HF models, looks like the snap on gains you some space from the center of the square drive to the top of the ratchet head. Might be helpful in rare cases, but I like that I picked up 5 different versions for the price of one SO.. But that's just me..

 

[boobag]

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)

 

[1950mercury]

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)

Did u forget to take your meds today...you sure do need a lot of attention...

 

[92integra]

wild cowboy
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Default Re: The HEXtension
COO of USA or Korea or Taiwan or Japan or Germany or Austria/Switzerland/Sweden/Denmark and I'm in

China or India or third world country - I'm out

not a tool I would use but once or twice a year, but when you need it, it could save your ***. - don't price it like a tool truck, you don't have the name yet to pull that one off!

 

[wild cowboy]

just because I help people in 3rd world countries, doesn't mean I need to depend on their tools while they go through the learning curve - making world-class tools with precision and durability and great design is hard, it may be 25 more years before they can build a tool like some of the countries I listed!

 

[ChrisPace]

Gearwrench 120xp if I need a high quality lower priced than snap on set for me. I do have a couple of hf wrenches and loved an older flex model I had until it gave up on me. Still can't say enough good about 120xp's.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Mohawk Dave]

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)

Let's see pics of her or it didn't happen.

EDIT: I attached a picture of my chic.

 

[thesilverone]

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)

and has been wrenching for 60 years, yet lives in the 5th most dangerous city in the US

 

[Caparris]

Got a chance to use the 1/2" and 1/4" drive version of these ratchets pretty hard this weekend

My impressions are that overall, they're pretty nice ratchets. Def. worth the price (to me), but not snap-on level by any means.

The 1/2" feels quite solid.. I didn't have any 6' pipes on the end of it or anything, but overall it did fine and never felt like it was about to flex or snap or anything like that

The 1/4" version is a little sloppier than I prefer, both in the flex head and forward/reverse switch.

The direction switches are backwards from what I'm used to on both ratchets, which was quite annoying. I also managed to hit the switch on accident quite a few times on the 1/4" drive one especially. Not sure if that was due to it moving too easily or from it being backwards from the norm.. but it was annoying nonetheless

Regardless.. I'm still happy with them. 1/4" would be better if it were a little tighter, but for what I paid, I'm happy

 

[whitedogone]

Got a 3 pack of them myself. Figured I'd stock up before they move them over to china production. I can't figure out why everyone wants to instantly compare these to snappys. They are what they are.

 

[stikman56]

I went today. I bought the 1/2" long flex ratchet on sale, $29.99 and the 3/8" composite for $9.99
I've enjoyed the 1/2" extendable the last 2 or 3 years so much, I thought maybe I'd try a couple more. 1/2" extendable has been the ONLY 1/2" ratchet I use at work. Maybe a flex will be kind of handy. The test I saw on the 3/8" composite put it over 300 ft. lbs. before it broke. Pretty impressive.

 

[ChrisLS8]

Had to pop in here and give a few cents. Over the years when I worked in the automotive field, like many techs I amassed a good sized collection of name brand ratchets from Williams, SK, SO and so forth. When I left that line of work I sold my whole toolbox setup and started collecting tools for working solely on friends and family vehicles.

Over the last few months Ive picked up a good amount of ratchets from them and honestly, while the bells and whistles options like locking detents on the higher priced rachets are great, they are SO FAR excellent contenders for the money.

Will they survive decades of abuse in a shop? I dont know but for the DIY or hobbyist they are great and will last a lifetime.

Ive grabbed so far
1/2 and dual head extendables
1/4 and 3/8 rotos
1/4 and 3/8-1/2 long handle flex
3/8 long composite pearhead
Dual Flex long handle
3/8 indexing
3/8 Multiflex

 

[ChrisLS8]

Some of them in a quick crappy pic

 

[XxToolAholicxX]

I would not spend more than $15.00 at HF I'd probably go with Snap-On or Matco. Why waist so much money on junk tools?

Where do you think Matco is made? I saw a set of four Matco offset wrenches for $120.00 and on the back of the package it said MADE TO MATCO SPECIFICATION IN CHINA. I rather buy Harbor Freight over Matco any day of the year.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I am a ToolAholic,Sometimes I regret it,Especially when the ToolMan wont give me no credit

 

[stimpy]

I bought the composite 3/8 ratchet and its holding up good under hard use , it was getting a little troublesome . so I decided it needed to be cleaned , I opened it up and cleaned the dirt out of it reassembled it and put some Sylglyde ( brake grease) in it and reassembled it and it smoothed the action up and its real quiet now , its about as good as my 1980s craftsmans I started the trade with .

 

[SantaAna12]

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)

You are a trip Cowboy. Pic of the Cowgirl?

BTW: How do you define exotic?

 

[stage20]

Where do you think Matco is made? I saw a set of four Matco offset wrenches for $120.00 and on the back of the package it said MADE TO MATCO SPECIFICATION IN CHINA. I rather buy Harbor Freight over Matco any day of the year.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I am a ToolAholic,Sometimes I regret it,Especially when the ToolMan wont give me no credit

china for china it would depend on the price difference, but both have warranty so its whatever is available and warrantied easier for you.

matco usa i will pick over hf


picked up the short 3/8 flex. only one i dont have. didint really need it, because i have 2 snap ons and a kobalt, but got it brand new in the package at the flea market for 8 bucks. its got the upc cut off, and has a big scratch across the head of the ratchet. he sells overstocks and returns, so im sure this one got sold off because it wasnt prestine for store sale.
$8

 

[ex-x-fire]

I picked up the 1/2 18" long flex pro ratchet today, looks like a quality piece to me. I'll definitely put through to the test.
Has anyone put a longer handle on it yet? Like from a 24" breaker bar.

 

[flystagg]

I absolutely love my long handle 3/8 flex head ratchet I picked up on sale for $25. I was planning to buy a gearwrench version of this ratchet but stumbled on this one for half the price. I have given it a good amount of use the last month and it has exceeded my expectations. I've compared it side by side with my co-workers dual-80 snap on ratchets and I think its almost as good for much less money.

I also have to say my warranty exerience's with harbor freight keep me coming back no questions asked here is your new tool right now.

 

[merbie]

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)

Aren't your really old? If so don't paint me a picture of you and a 'exotic' women

I'd rather close my **** in a car door than wear a headlamp.

 

[SantaAna12]

No need for rudeness Mr. Merbie.

 

[teamarctic]

I bought the 3/8 composite and the 1/4 flex head. I am an auto tech for a living and here are my thoughts on them.

First thing i did with both of them was take them apart and lube them with air tool oil. both of them were bone dry. lubing them made a world of a difference.

3/8 composite is awesome for the price. i have a dual 80 3/8 flex head for comparison and while the dual 80 is awesome, the composite is no slouch. works great for everything i have put it through and would very much recommend it to anyone needed a 3/8 ratchet

1/4 flex head is okay. after a few days of use, the flex head is very sloppy. i have tried to tighten it up and it seems to help for a day but them goes right back to super sloppy. other then that it is a very good ratchet. i will continue to use it everday till it breaks.

Overall both are very good and you cant beat the price, especially if you use a 20-25% off.

 

[ninjamunky85]

Made a trip to HF this morning and picked up the 3/8" long handle version. I didn't need another ratchet but, I've been wanting to try one of these for a while now and since they've been getting such good reviews, I figured why not. I didn't have a flex head or long handle ratchet so hopefully it will prove to be more useful over my other ratchets in those difficult situations.

Here it is next to the 3/8" composite ratchet

 

[Mastermind]

Picked up the long 3/8 flex and short 1/2 flex to fill a couple voids and try them out. Like them. I have most ratchet makes, so, sk, Matco, cm, round, pear head etc. they are reasonable in price, feel good, and work. And they are paid for. I'll buy more. A stubby would be sweet.

 

[BK13]

I hear about everyone getting bone dry ratchets, but mine had a decent amount of clearish grease in it. I still cleaned them out and relubed them either with Superlube or my favorite fishing reel oil, didn't notice that much difference in them...

 

[AmishFury]

yeah mine had a light coating of oil when i opened it

now has a slightly less light coating of super lube and it's a tad smoother

 

[JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN]

Aren't your really old? If so don't paint me a picture of you and a 'exotic' women

She's probably an old hippie from Woodstock

 

[merbie]

No need for rudeness Mr. Merbie.

He kinda flipped off everyone with that last comment

I'd rather close my **** in a car door than wear a headlamp.

 

[Kirbot]

Looks like Tekton is starting to carry these with a plain steel grip.
I only see the bent handle so far, but maybe they're going to get the rest of them....

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OHSRRA2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.tektontools.com/All_Tools/Sockets_Ratchets/Ratchets_Breaker_Bars

 

[lightning02]

was hopping for a non-flex but i guess that aint happening.

 

[Askme42]

I bought the composite 3/8 ratchet and its holding up good under hard use , it was getting a little troublesome . so I decided it needed to be cleaned , I opened it up and cleaned the dirt out of it reassembled it and put some Sylglyde ( brake grease) in it and reassembled it and it smoothed the action up and its real quiet now , its about as good as my 1980s craftsmans I started the trade with .

What size torx is the head? I did not have anything small enough to open it.

 

[Askme42]

was hopping for a non-flex but i guess that aint happening.

Get the composite?

 

[Bull]

What size torx is the head? I did not have anything small enough to open it.

I had the same question. I think someone on here said T8 or T9.

 

[jim1987]

T9 will work, if you're careful. T8 is perfect.

 

[jim1987]

What size torx is the head? I did not have anything small enough to open it.

T8. Sears sells single torx screw drivers, autozone and other parts stores sell single t8 sockets etc.

 

[lightning02]

Get the composite?

yessir, i have them all other then the flexheads. well i do have the flex 1/4 for stupid under bash stuff but that doesnt stress the ratchet out enough to say its good or not. i just rather have a locking flex or detents at the very least.

 

[ChrisLS8]

T9 will work, if you're careful. T8 is perfect.

Love your sig by the way. Huge Red Green fan over her.

 

[jim1987]

Love your sig by the way. Huge Red Green fan over her.

Amen! Unfortunately our current channel line up doesn't offer viewing of it anymore..

Keep your stick on the ice, I'm pulling for ya.

 

[stage20]

That tekton has detents......