new professional grade harbor freight ratchets

[lightning02]

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.

I have all 3 of the fixed head ones. The selector lever on these are diff then then flex heads and are better setup I think. Also mine are butter smooth. I use to have the flex ones but returned them bc i didn't like the lose flex and selector lever.

 

[Bagherra]

I wish for the quick release button too...

 

[dnschmidt]

You can't have your cake and eat it too. I like the fact that they are not quick release ratchets for two reasons.
1) You can use a magnetic digital angle gauge on the back of them because there is no button to screw with the magnetic attachment of the digital angle gauge it gets a really good grip on the nice flat surface of the back of the ratchet head.
2) It makes the head of the ratchet thinner which in almost all cases is a good thing.

 

[NC-Shaun]

You can't have your cake and eat it too. I like the fact that they are not quick release ratchets for two reasons.
1) You can use a magnetic digital angle gauge on the back of them because there is no button to screw with the magnetic attachment of the digital angle gauge it gets a really good grip on the nice flat surface of the back of the ratchet head.
2) It makes the head of the ratchet thinner which in almost all cases is a good thing.

I agree, I may keep them for those times where those things matter. They definitely are not my go to ratchets at this point. I have the reciepts and ratchets loaded up and ready to go back in hopes of getting the long handled lo pro composites with quick release though.

 

[Jo Diesel]

I bought this one and did not think I would use it much but I use it all the time. The thin head fits where others won't. the flex head lets you use a longer ratchet as you can move it to clear things and I have refed on it. Would not try a cheater bar as it is long enough

I also have 2 extendable 1/2" and is used as a breaker bar and regular ratchet. I have had them for over 6 years and have not broken it yet. One is at work and one is at
home

 

[MagnumForce]

My biggest gripe is still the handle. Comfort grip is useless to me.

 

[ScottsGT]

I agree, I may keep them for those times where those things matter. They definitely are not my go to ratchets at this point. I have the reciepts and ratchets loaded up and ready to go back in hopes of getting the long handled lo pro composites with quick release though.

I had no idea that HF would do a refund after this long. Good to know.

 

[NC-Shaun]

I had no idea that HF would do a refund after this long. Good to know.

The reciepts are dated a few mths ago, so i havent had them as long as I had originally thought. I have spent alot at HF so they are usually good to me, and I dont mind if they do a store credit either. I always spend it there anyway.

 

[shanny19]

I wish for the quick release button too...

People allude to it in this thread, but I guess it gets missed somehow:

You CAN have these ratchets with a QR button. They will have a green handle, not red, and you have to spend a few pennies on the sockets they are bundled with. But bottom line, they're there for the taking.

 

[Emmo213]

I thought the Pitt Pro ratchets with the red handles were supposed to be better than the green handled ones though.

 

[MagnumForce]

I thought the Pitt Pro ratchets with the red handles were supposed to be better than the green handled ones though.

The mechanism is the same, I can almost guarantee it. Tekton, Kobalt, Craftsman Evolv and Menards Performax are also the same.

Sent from my VS986 using Tapatalk

 

[AmishFury]

the heads on the red handles are thinner... the green handle has the same head as the chrome handle quick release models

 

[lightning02]

the heads on the red handles are thinner... the green handle has the same head as the chrome handle quick release models

It's only thinner bc it's a non quick release ratchet. Just like any non QR would be. The gear itself is thinner so there for the head of the ratcher is thinner. Other then that they are basically the same. I have both. Same tooth count. Same paw setup. Same take down.

 

[dkop1]

I own the 3/8 composite, 1/2" black and grey composite, and a 1/4" flex head, like all of them. The composites are great when it's 5 below zero and the snowblower is all kinds of broken Don't have to hold a bitterly cold metal ratchet then.... I can't say I've ever put a bunch of torque on the 1/2" composite though. I don't see why it wouldn't handle it. Have used a cheater pipe on the 3/8 black and red handle though. Obviously left marks in the composite but never skipped a tooth.

 

[NC-Shaun]

Mine have officially been exiled from the toolbox, I just couldnt get past how hard it was to pull a socket off even with clean hands, not to mention with greasy hands.

 

[dkop1]

I just picked up a red handle 1/2" drive one today and used it to remove a lot of pretty corroded fasteners on my buddy's 92 dodge pickup that's getting a motor swap.(I'm learning and following the lead of a mutual friend of ours, great learning experience!) Its held up pretty well to excessive force and being skid across the shop floor under the truck to each other. However we've been using deep well sockets or large sizes mostly with it, so I can't say I've had a hard time removing sockets. Also using mostly nicely knurled sockets as well. I'm glad I picked it up! It's being used right along side my long handle dual 80 and craftsman flex head, and perhaps the finish quality isn't the same, its a very functional tool no less. I personally like the grip style too

Sent from my MotoE2 using Tapatalk

 

[dkop1]

Admittedly it hasn't seen prolonged use yet... We'll see how time and extended use treats it. I assume it will last just as well as my other Pittsburgh ratchets. Which, is considerably long. Never had to warranty one yet...

Sent from my MotoE2 using Tapatalk

 

[ex-x-fire]

While these are a great value, I've found that when used daily the 3/8 long ratchet might last 6-8 months until you break or strip something. Have a back up ratchet.

 

[stage20]

While these are a great value, I've found that when used daily the 3/8 long ratchet might last 6-8 months until you break or strip something. Have a back up ratchet.

what were you doing to break or strip something?

 

[anndel]

Even with the 25% coupon, I still have to pay $26 shipping on 1st class mail. I'd just save my money and pick up a Snap On.

 

[shoggoth80]

I paid $21 and change for mine with coupon. I've got the long 3/8" flex head. I like comfort handles. I work with ratchets every day. Handles help. So far the mechanism itself is very smooth. I cranked down the bolt really tight so it's not quite as floppy. It's a nice toss in for my road box. The extra leverage comes in handy at times when you gotta fix something where it sits, and you might not have access to air/power tools to help bust stuff loose. We'll see how it holds up over time.

 

[ex-x-fire]

what were you doing to break or strip something?

I have it on my oil change cart, I use it to loose filters & diff plugs. The pawls strip, I've already rebuilt it once from another ratchet I had purchased.

 

[Samg250ps]

I Have all of the HF ratchets in the pro series's I also have c man snap on sk etc. I use my HF 99% of the time love them

 

[bulletpruf]

I own the 3/8 composite, 1/2" black and grey composite, and a 1/4" flex head, like all of them. The composites are great when it's 5 below zero and the snowblower is all kinds of broken Don't have to hold a bitterly cold metal ratchet then.... I can't say I've ever put a bunch of torque on the 1/2" composite though. I don't see why it wouldn't handle it. Have used a cheater pipe on the 3/8 black and red handle though. Obviously left marks in the composite but never skipped a tooth.

I really like my composites - I have a 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2. Really smooth, quiet, not much back drag, obviously high tooth count.

 

[Greg85mcss]

My flf80 disappeared one day about a year ago & That was becoming too common in that shop so I didn't want to buy another one. I picked up the flex head & regular ones at the hf across the street. Flex quickly got way too loose & can't be tightened but the ratchets still work great & feel just as good.

 

[DSLTRK]

Even with the 25% coupon, I still have to pay $26 shipping on 1st class mail. I'd just save my money and pick up a Snap On.

Why $26 for shipping a ratchet? Use a flat rate envelope for $5...

 

[drink]

I have not been in a Harbor Freight store yet but I did order one tool to be shipped several years ago. The pricing on the new ratchets sounds steep for HF tools.

 

[morgantm]

I have not been in a Harbor Freight store yet but I did order one tool to be shipped several years ago. The pricing on the new ratchets sounds steep for HF tools.

Which model seems steep in price?

I have a bunch of them and they are a great value in my opinion.

 

[anndel]

Why $26 for shipping a ratchet? Use a flat rate envelope for $5...

I don't know why, maybe it was just a fluke but I entered my shipping zipcode at the checkout and that's what popped up for shipping to Hawaii. My it's to pay for the box and labor for packing and delivering it to the post office.

 

[bmrtoyo]

Not a chance, especially when you can get an Armstrong or SK for about the same price or slightly more.

heck ive bought snap on ,, proto pro, s&k, mac and matco for those prices at estate sales ,, yard sales ,, HF can keep em

 

[bmrtoyo]

I'm strictly guessing but I bet those ratchets will use the 72 tooth mechanism similar to the EZ Red 72 tooth version, here is a picture of the QR Ezred.

"professional grade" stamped aluminum pawls lol

 

[AmishFury]

"professional grade" stamped aluminum pawls lol

maybe lay off the crack pipe

 

[dkop1]

bulletpruf: I've only got the 1/4 and 3/8 (just picked up the 1/4 last week) in composite. I love both. Don't use 1/4 drive ratchets often, but wow is it nice when it's cold out. my 3/8 composite is my go-to from october through march

 

[pgilmore7]

This title got me, isn't professional and Harbor Freight an oxymoron?

 

[kctyphoon]

To tighten up one of my flex heads, I just removed the head, and hit the forked end with a hammer.. Re-installed, now it's much tighter.. I don't use them much at all, so I can't give any testament to how long mine last - but I don't care.. For my purposes I'd rather have 5 different types of ratchets than one really good one.

 

[Dusty61]

I bought the 1/4 and 3/8 long handle flex. They seem to be ok, action is nice, but the damn heads are too loose. I put some shims on the 1/4 one and it's held up for a while now, but the 3/8 is way too loose. I might try messing with it later on.
On a side note... Anyone know if the 1/2 breaker bar handle would work with the 1/2 head?

 

[tweedlestan]

"professional grade" stamped aluminum pawls lol

This is the stupidest thing I've ever read on the GJ.

 

[bulletpruf]

This title got me, isn't professional and Harbor Freight an oxymoron?

There are a few items that HF does quite well. And some they don't. I believe most of their "Professional" tools are made in Taiwan, and the quality is generally much better than the stuff made in China. Worth checking out, especially for the price.

Scott

 

[OutsideMachinist]

I dont have any of the professional ones. I have the new composite ones and they are pretty decent. The one I use the most every day is the extendable 1/2 drive ratchet. That thing is pretty sturdy. I have used huge cheater pipes and jumped on the thing, had it covered in sea water etc etc abused it thoroughly and it has held up. Only thing that ***** about it is like most cheap ratchets the ratchet head is very large/thick and it wont always fit where you need it to.

 

[stage20]

For everyone not liking the flex head they have the same ratchets with a fixed head that are still low profile and non quick release. Minus the extra long models