New SK Teardrop Ratchets

[Fedwrench]

That SK reminds me of a Cornwell JRF72A 3/8 flex.

http://corporate.cornwelltools.com/...7}8”-Drive-Fine-Tooth-Flex-Head-Ratchet.html#

Not really aside from being shiny chrome. The Cornwell still uses a pressed in pin to secure the ratchet head to its handle. The Cornwell has 6 detent ball cutouts with a spring loaded ball in the handle fork to prevent head flop. The Cornwell is longer and perhaps sleeker with its coke bottle shaped handle and only has 72 teeth. The Cornwell handle gets pretty slippery fast when ATF or Coolant is on the handle The Cornwell has a much nicer looking direction switch than the SK though.

 

[Skin]

Not really aside from being shiny chrome. The Cornwell still uses a pressed in pin to secure the ratchet head to its handle. The Cornwell has 6 detent ball cutouts with a spring loaded ball in the handle fork to prevent head flop. The Cornwell is longer and perhaps sleeker with its coke bottle shaped handle and only has 72 teeth. The Cornwell handle gets pretty slippery fast when ATF or Coolant is on the handle The Cornwell has a much nicer looking direction switch than the SK though.

Cornwell switched to a threaded flex joint awhile ago (not long after they introduced the 72t) so it can be tightened. Still has the detents too though.

 

[Fedwrench]

Cornwell switched to a threaded flex joint awhile ago (not long after they introduced the 72t) so it can be tightened. Still has the detents too though.

That's good for Cornwell to update their designs. I haven't seen newer versions. The one I have is only like 2 years old and it has the pin and USA is nowhere to found on it.

 

[Skin]

72s only have the ratchet bodies forged here. Not sure why the guts precludes them from putting USA on the part that is made here but that's their choice.

As far as when the change happened, I think it was longer than that so perhaps you got stuck with the very tail end of the original design. I want to say around 2016-17 they finally started to tap threads and use a allen hex cap screw for the newer 72t and legacy 36t.

One here

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Cornwell-3...040581&hash=item21660bca72:g:7DUAAOSwt95d0wFN

 

[asm154]

Unfortunately got a dud on the 1/2” flex.

The minor issue is the direction switch binds in one direction. Operates normally in the other. I too have the original 3/8 and that switch was stiff but normal. There’s something off with this one.

The major issue is the flex joint. It stays tight until about 30-40 degrees from center then loses all tension and flops. This occurs in both directions regardless of how much it is tightened down. It would appear the assembler also encountered this and their solution was to tighten the screw down even more, which resulted in a partially stripped out torx head screw and that’s how it was shipped.

I’ll definitely be contacting SK and Epsteins about it. That sort of issue shouldn’t leave the factory. Especially when there’s a visible indicator in the torx head.

Positives are chrome is flawless, head as expected is compact, ratcheting action is great, and the ratchet has a nice balance to it. Maybe a little top heavy and I’d prefer a thicker handle or a CG, but overall a candidate for regular use with a proper working copy.

Another positive was the selector was well situated. Not a hair’s width from the surface of the ratchet head and yet no contact with it.

I didn’t put a socket on it, but the detent ball felt nice and stiff. Should retain sockets well.

Also like the length. I have a 24 inch ratchet and breaker bar for leverage, but 15 to 16 inches feels to me like a perfect length for regular use in 1/2” flex. 17-18 inch like the Snap On, Mac Axis, and Matco offerings seem a little long for regular use and a little short without “assistance” for breaking loose.

Update: SK sent a return label and should be getting replacement soon. Still great to deal with.

 

[asm154]

Initial observations are all 3 ratchets are shipped dry with no lubrication, I plan on lubing them with Klotz assembly lube.
The Flex joint is a Torx bolt and the cover plates are Hex bolts, kinda odd and I wish they would just use 1 or the other for both fasteners.
The selector switch is very stiff on all 3 ratchets out of the package and hopefully free's up a little with use.
The flex joint is not continuously smooth throughout the range of motion.
These are not sealed ratchets with gaskets between the cover plate or selector switch, I kinda wish they were sealed.
The chrome finish on all 3 is flawless and does look fantastic.
SK is known for great knurling on their round head ratchets and I wish they used it on these new LP models.
Out of the package my initial thoughts are the Proto 90 tooth ratchets are better at a similar cost to these new SK models.

Agree on the knurling. Also wish the 1/2” chrome handle was thicker. Then again I have big hands. Matco and Snap On CG fit me the best.

 

[JiminAZ]

Fedwrench have you put enough time on your new ratchets yet to share your in-use impressions?

 

[Fedwrench]

Fedwrench have you put enough time on your new ratchets yet to share your in-use impressions?

I used them to reseal the intake on a Mazda 3 Yesterday just for a change of pace since I wasn't in a hurry. The tiny 1/4 drive flex head isn't really good for much other than, wrist spinning low torque applications. I found myself starting with it but, having to switch to something longer to break throttle body bolts loose. Keep in mind, I was only using 8 & 10 mm sockets. I think SK would have served me better by releasing a 7-8 inch long 1/4 flex head ratchet. I think the 5 inch SK flex head will do well in under dash type work like HVAC actuators. I used the 3/8 flex head to break loose the 10 mm bolts that held the intake plenum. Although not very challenging, it performed well. The direction switch still requires a bit of effort to change directions but, at least I can change directions now.
As someone else said, i think the PROTO 90 tooth ratchets are a winner-winner-chicken dinner right out of their plastic wrapper and fishnet sleeves. To be fair though, I had to modify my short PROTO 3/8 flex head screw but. PROTO definitely wins the comfortable ratchet handle competition with its two knurled bands and tapered handle. I still feel SBD is price fixing, keeping their pricing artificially high though. Something is wrong when the MAC versions are cheaper than the PROTO versions.
Anyway, I've tried what SK has to offer in 90 Tooth Flex Heads but, I don't think i'll be expanding my inventory. I'm eagerly awaiting the release of the new Gearwrench 90 tooth models next month and then maybe in 2020, Tekton will come out with additional ratchet models.

 

[JiminAZ]

Thanks for the update. I was pretty excited about these ratchets now I'm just "meh".

 

[Wamsutta]

Cornwell switched to a threaded flex joint awhile ago (not long after they introduced the 72t) so it can be tightened. Still has the detents too though.

That may be why they put the "A" in JRF72A. I was wondering what the revision was.

 

[1foxracing]

So after messing with these 3 ratchets for 4 days they are definitely NOT on the recommended buy list. I discovered some chipping chrome on the 1/4 flexhead and some slight surface rust developing. Also the anvils of all 3 are not finished very well and all 3 have smell dents/imperfections in the bodies.

My conclusion is if you want a nice USA manufactured 90 tooth ratchet go with MAC/Proto. If you still want a nice 90 tooth ratchet and don't mind Taiwanese manufacturing go with a Ares,Carlyle, Icon, or Tekton. They are all better then these newest offerings from SK. I know GearWrench and Ingersoll Rand are soon to release new 90 Teeth models as well and probably be nicer then these new LP90 SK's.
I did use SK's "contact us" page with a link to this thread and a link to my youtube video but I don't expect a reply but hopefully they will see the problems and get them corrected.
I'm also keeping all 3 ratchets to remind myself to look elsewhere when considering other SK tools sight unseen.

 

[WittHay]

Too much money for SK..................

Yes and no.

yes, if SK is only sold through online retailers and the quality is suspect. Then the price should be no more than a Taiwan brand

no, if SK was available in local tool stores and had a quality product to sell . Price is irrelevant. My last Mac Axis ratchet i bought was 18" flex head with a head design that was different than Snap-on and the comfort grip I liked way better than Snap-on

I could careless if the ratchet was $20 more or less than Snap-on. The quality was there and it was exactly what I wanted.

 

[Andres26tnt]

So after messing with these 3 ratchets for 4 days they are definitely NOT on the recommended buy list. I discovered some chipping chrome on the 1/4 flexhead and some slight surface rust developing. Also the anvils of all 3 are not finished very well and all 3 have smell dents/imperfections in the bodies.

My conclusion is if you want a nice USA manufactured 90 tooth ratchet go with MAC/Proto. If you still want a nice 90 tooth ratchet and don't mind Taiwanese manufacturing go with a Ares,Carlyle, Icon, or Tekton. They are all better then these newest offerings from SK. I know GearWrench and Ingersoll Rand are soon to release new 90 Teeth models as well and probably be nicer then these new LP90 SK's.
I did use SK's "contact us" page with a link to this thread and a link to my youtube video but I don't expect a reply but hopefully they will see the problems and get them corrected.
I'm also keeping all 3 ratchets to remind myself to look elsewhere when considering other SK tools sight unseen.

this is my exact sentiment when I bought the first fixed head lp90, the crome started pealing immediately. waited a long time for the flex heads versions, but got the proto p90 instead and its just way better in quality.

 

[tym]

Received my 80203 15" 3/8" drive LP90 today from Epstein. Excellent chrome with good ratcheting action out of the bag. The reversing lever was a bit stiff, but working it back and forth a few times freed it right up. Thumbs-up from me.

 

[JiminAZ]

So I thought I'd report back on my experience buying a 1/4" drive 8" non flex LP90 (#80181).

Bought it from Epsteins - asked them to check for funky chrome or a hitchy selector before shipping which they did.

Great ratchet. Selector moves with ease, no weirdness in the finish, very nice action and feels nice in the hand. I really prefer the hand feel and balance of these LP90 models.

I did avoid the reported uneven friction in the flex joint models by biting the bullet and buying the new Proto models instead in both 3/8 and 1/4 versions. SK missed out on over $300 in sales there. Too bad because (for me) the Proto models, while well made, just don't feel as nicely balanced to me as the SK.

 

[davethorik]

That may be why they put the "A" in JRF72A. I was wondering what the revision was.

That is what my cornwell driver told me. I have 3 cornwell flex heads, maybe 2-3 years old now. SRF76A, SRF76L, JRFS36A. All have the threaded joint with a proprietary-looking socket head hinge bolt. Sorry for the further derail.