new professional grade harbor freight ratchets

[lightning02]

That tekton has detents......

good catch i didnt notice on my phone before when looking at the link. i may have to keep an eye out on them for when they make straight handles.

 

[ChrisLS8]

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.

Haha, its still on CBS so I can catch episodes once in a while when I have time.

"I'm a man, but I can change, if I have to, I guess."

 

[jim1987]

Haha, its still on CBS so I can catch episodes once in a while when I have time.

"I'm a man, but I can change, if I have to, I guess."

 

[NC-Shaun]

I like mine. Wish it had a socket release and possible a non flex head version also.

Why use a ratchet with a cheater on it? Everyone should have a 1/2 breaker bar. I just work on my truck and motorcycles and I use it once a month or so.

What happened to the NON flex head versions that were supposedly released. I have still yet to see these in stores?

 

[Emmo213]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=4708725&postcount=38

 

[bczygan]

What happened to the NON flex head versions that were supposedly released. I have still yet to see these in stores?

Me either, and I asked them when they are coming...no answer.

Part numbers don't show online.

 

[Emmo213]

If you look at my post directly above yours you'll see that the non-flex versions are already appearing in stores.

 

[kamlung]

on my next trip to HF, i'll prob pick up one of each size to put in my 2nd around the house toolbox... i'll keep the US made stuff in the tool chest for work on the cars in the garage...

 

[NC-Shaun]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=4708725&postcount=38

Nice, those are posted up by a member that is about 3 hours away from me. They should make it here soon. Thanks for replying!

 

[bczygan]

Called the 800 number and they said they are back ordered and coming in 3 or 4 weeks. You can order online and they will ship when available.

Local store claimed they had them and sold out, but seems made up. They had no place on the rack for them.

 

[bczygan]

Sometime before the end of the month I'm going to stop by my store, and if they don't have them, I will ask for a rain check based on the flyer price.



UPDATE!

Found the 1/4" and 1/2" at a store on Saturday and the 3/8" at another on Sunday!

Set complete!

They're almost too pretty to use.

 

[lightning02]

I got the 1/2 nnd 1/4 last night. They where sold out of the3/8

 

[broadway-k]

Hey guys, been on here for a while but haven't posted much. So does this mean the green and black handled rotos from HF are being discontinued? If that happens how will I get a replacement? I love the **** out of my 3/8 HF roto hate to know I can't get another.

 

[lightning02]

Hey guys, been on here for a while but haven't posted much. So does this mean the green and black handled rotos from HF are being discontinued? If that happens how will I get a replacement? I love the **** out of my 3/8 HF roto hate to know I can't get another.

That's a whole diff ratchet. I don't think they will get rid of them and even if they did tekton sells the same ones with the same handle just red and black instead of green and black.

 

[hangfirew8]

Nope for me.

HF is getting greedy.

Well, the 3/8 just went on sale from $39.99 to $19.99, Flex from $49.99 to $24.99, and so on... before that, coupons applied... so I just don't see a whole lot of greed going on.

Only beauty of it is, is that it will chase folks back to Sears and C'man.

I doubt it, given a.) the sale prices noted above, and b.) all the cheaper HF ratchet and set options are still available. It could be an attempt to offer competitive features, or it could be seen as an attempt to take the brand upscale. An incomplete attempt. Kind of baffled that the handle says "Pittsburgh" and not "Pittsburgh Pro" even though it is in the Pro line.

My take on it is, it is easier to take a brand downscale and cash in on a good name, then take a bargain basement brand upscale... but it's been done before, and HF has the combined online and brick and mortar presence to do it.

 

[broadway-k]

That's a whole diff ratchet. I don't think they will get rid of them and even if they did tekton sells the same ones with the same handle just red and black instead of green and black.

Yea but if the HF roto ever breaks and they are discontinued wonder what they'll do as far as warranty goes. Replace with the next to closest thing?

 

[broadway-k]

Hey guys I plan to pick up a set of these ratchets soon maybe this weekend. If I do I'll try to do a review. Haven't decided yet to get the flex heads or regular ratchets with comfort grip. Depends on what they have in stock I guess.

 

[CD1]

Get the regular heads, and use a 20% coupon since they are all on sale in April!

 

[lightning02]

Yea but if the HF roto ever breaks and they are discontinued wonder what they'll do as far as warranty goes. Replace with the next to closest thing?

In that case I'd just opt for either cash back or store credit. Iv never needed to replace any tool Iv bought for them so not sure what there opts are and what they offer if they stop making it.

Hey guys I plan to pick up a set of these ratchets soon maybe this weekend. If I do I'll try to do a review. Haven't decided yet to get the flex heads or regular ratchets with comfort grip. Depends on what they have in stock I guess.

Get the regular head ones. Only get the flex if you need them. If they where locking flex I'd say other wise but bc they aint I would just get the regular ones if the flex isn't needed.

 

[bobbycos]

Get the regular heads, and use a 20% coupon since they are all on sale in April!

I got both styles and used the 20% off coupons

So far so good, no issues with them

In fact I have to do the valve cover gasket on the Hyundai this morning and will take a picture using one of the ratchets AND Sean's Hextension

 

[broadway-k]

ok guys here it is, standard non flex 3/8 drive. I got it for 17.99, (used the 20% on a more expensive item), I threw in a standard kobalt 3/8 for comparison. Seems to be the same ratchet design its just the kobalt is thicker because of the quick release.
The grip is very comfortable and the length is nice. http:// [URL=http://s172.photobucket.com/user/brodyadamschevy/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150416_143643_433_zpsenqaohj2.jpg.html] [/URL]
Ok so to those wondering COO on these. These are made in taiwain, most Pittsburgh pro seems to made in taiwain with some exceptions.
http:// [URL=http://s172.photobucket.com/user/brodyadamschevy/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150416_143011_385_zpsplyx0fyb.jpg.html] [/URL]
http:// [URL=http://s172.photobucket.com/user/brodyadamschevy/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150416_143616_517_zpssy6x6lha.jpg.html] [/URL]
The HF pro is very thin especially side by side with the kobalt.
Inside is nice and well machined IMO. Again your standard 72 tooth double pawl design.http:// [URL=http://s172.photobucket.com/user/brodyadamschevy/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150416_143226_506_zpsaxswrzuj.jpg.html] [/URL]
Here is the Pitts pro (top) next to a kobalt (bottom) ratchet very similar but still both have tiny differences.
http:// [URL=http://s172.photobucket.com/user/brodyadamschevy/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150416_143446_377_zpsxlzs260o.jpg.html] [/URL]
Well I hope this information helps you decide on these ratchets, in my opinion these are a great deal, I own almost all middle brands of ratchets (kobalt, HF, gearwrench, duralast, great neck, popular mechanics, craftsman, Stanley, and a few others) and these are some of the nicest I have had for the price. I'm not saying they are the best out there, but if your looking for a ratchet in 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 drive sizes with a nice big snap on/gearwrench style handle, with a lifetime warranty, then I highly recommend these.

 

[broadway-k]

I got both styles and used the 20% off coupons

So far so good, no issues with them

In fact I have to do the valve cover gasket on the Hyundai this morning and will take a picture using one of the ratchets AND Sean's Hextension

How do you like the flex head ones?

 

[winlinmac]

The deal-breaker is the lack of a quick-release button.

 

[winlinmac]

Nice, ratchets are patented by HF,
http://patents.com/us-d714117.html

 

[MDK22]

That is really a low number of teeth engagement.

 

[MagnumForce]

Nice, ratchets are patented by HF,
http://patents.com/us-d714117.html

The Pittsburgh handle is patented...

 

[winlinmac]

Still decent for the typical DIY'er

That is really a low number of teeth engagement.

 

[winlinmac]

Harbor Freight Sources Tools from Various Countries. In Order, they include:
- Taiwan
- China
- India
- Pakistan

Much improvement in recent months. The Chrome in their Indian-made wrenches are a lot better now than the Chrome in Sunex's Wrenches

The new ratchets take HF to a whole other level. The extendable ratchets have yet to fail on me.

 

[Loscaldazar]

That is really a low number of teeth engagement.

The 1/2 drive ones have been shown to handle about 500+ ft-lbs. The ratchet mechanism isn't the part that fails either (I've seen the yoke on a flex break, and the anvil of the drive mechanism sheer off, but never teeth skip or the pawl break, etc).

They're not the strongest ratchets out there, but 500 Ft-lbs with a 1/2 drive ratchet is more than enough for almost any use. If you're putting more than 500 ft-lbs on a 18in ratchet (which, almost certainly take a cheater bar, unless you can pull with over 325ft-lbs of force with your own arms), you should step up to 3/4 drive honestly.

For the record, I have the older composite ratchets, but not these new pro versions (which use the same mechanism sans quick release). So I'm not fanboying here. I own Snap On, SK, Proto, and Armstrong for my main ratchets.

If these Pitts. Pro had come out 3 or 4 years ago, they probably would have been my ratchets for the just starting tool collection. Good stuff.

 

[winlinmac]

Yup, really depends if this is your everyday profession. Otherwise, these ratchets should be perfectly fine for most of our needs.

 

[morrillm06]

OK so I just went to order a set of the composite ratchets online as there is no HF anywhere near me but there are three options. Tear drop with the red/black handles. Then two with grey handles one is straight one is curved. what do most people go with and do the all have the same interntals? thanks guys

 

[shoggoth80]

Ya know, I've got a little 1/4" rotohead that I use at work often, and with force. It's doing pretty good so far. I have the 1/4" low pro comfort handle. Picked it up for the junkyard box. Comfy little ******. Not bad, especially for the price. I've got higher end ratchets in my collection/toolbox, but I think these guys are fine for home use, and possibly even ok for a tech just starting out.

If you can ream 500+ft lbs of torque without a cheater bar on a 1/2" ratchet... you're one hell of a beast. 500ft lbs is what I torque tractor and trailer lugs to, but that wrench is probably 4 feet long, and is 3/4 drive.

 

[BK13]

The deal-breaker is the lack of a quick-release button.

Really? That the big selling point for me...

 

[Emmo213]

To each their own. I prefer a quick release.

 

[BK13]

If you can ream 500+ft lbs of torque without a cheater bar on a 1/2" ratchet... you're one hell of a beast. 500ft lbs is what I torque tractor and trailer lugs to, but that wrench is probably 4 feet long, and is 3/4 drive.

I broke two CM 1/2" ratchets in one day, removing old rusty u-bolts on my first CJ Jeep. No cheater pipe, just a 21 year old who lifted a bunch of weights. Fast forward to the near past, I used the 1/2" flex to loosen the lugs on my GF's Expedition that some joker must have run on with his super impact.... I'm about 340 pounds now and I had to bounce on the rat to get it to budge.... My M18 impact wouldn't budge it (2654). The Pitts Pro handled it with no problem

 

[lightning02]

The deal-breaker is the lack of a quick-release button.

They do have a quick release one. Only diff is where the red is on the handle it's green.

 

[NC-Shaun]

Ok, I am gonna have to give a negative review on these and I absolutely love my other HF Ratchets so this is outta the ordinary for me. First off, I wanna say I love my Grey/Black Handle 1/2 extendable ratchet, and all 3 of my Grey/Black Handle Composite Ratchets and have over a year of use on them to date.

I bought 3 of the professional fixed head ratchets and spent have owned them since late last year approximately.(whenever they came out) I have found the action of the mechanism is sticky on the selector lever (not the case with my other ratchets) and my sockets get stuck on the ratchet so tight I cant get them off. I hate these ratchets, so much I plan on returning them for a cash refund. I feel they are a waste of space in my tool box. This week they will be gone.

I tried lubing the detent ball, no results. I am done with them, yes they look pretty and al but I would much rather have 3 more of the longer handled red/black composite ratchets with quick release buttons instead of these.

 

[AmishFury]

and my sockets get stuck on the ratchet so tight I cant get them off

i never have this problem... hell i have an issue with this more with my snap-on ratchets than i do with the HF versions

 

[emeraldcoupe]

Ok, I am gonna have to give a negative review on these and I absolutely love my other HF Ratchets so this is outta the ordinary for me. First off, I wanna say I love my Grey/Black Handle 1/2 extendable ratchet, and all 3 of my Grey/Black Handle Composite Ratchets and have over a year of use on them to date.

I bought 3 of the professional fixed head ratchets and spent have owned them since late last year approximately.(whenever they came out) I have found the action of the mechanism is sticky on the selector lever (not the case with my other ratchets) and my sockets get stuck on the ratchet so tight I cant get them off. I hate these ratchets, so much I plan on returning them for a cash refund. I feel they are a waste of space in my tool box. This week they will be gone.

I tried lubing the detent ball, no results. I am done with them, yes they look pretty and al but I would much rather have 3 more of the longer handled red/black composite ratchets with quick release buttons instead of these.

weird. I've been using my 3/8" a lot. no problem with the selector or the sockets getting stuck.

 

[Vigo]

I've had my long-handle 3/8 flex for probably a year by now. The only problem i have with it is that the flex head gets loose.

This wouldn't be so bad if you could adjust it, but the bolt thread is too small to create a high enough clamp load to keep the yoke tight, and it has such a small torx head cut into the bolt that you'd strip that, before you stripped the bolt, before you tightened the head.

It really needs to be cut just enough to make room for some small, strong spring washers to keep enough tension on the head that it doesn't flex too easily.

I've had the insides apart just checking it out and looking at it and i think it's made pretty well. I haven't had any issue getting sockets off of it.

Would i buy it again? Yes, but i like the#67994 (which i bought at the same time) much better, and when it came to buying a 1/2 drive long handle flex head i decided to try the GW 120XP instead of the 1/2 HF equivalent.