NEW tool at Harbor freight

[fflintstone]

I went to harbor freight today while my mom was at a store nearby. I saw a really cool tool that I will be adding to my collection when they go on sale. I cannot find them on there webpage to show you. But here goes
They had low profile ratchets that looked like a thin box end wrench with a 70-tooth ratchet on each end. The shorter one (about 7-8” long) had 1/4 and 3/8 drive on either end. The larger one was 11-12” long and had 3/8” on one end and I assume 1/2” on the other (didn’t pay a lot of attention) they were $16 and $20 respectively. I really liked them and they seemed great for tight, low torque applications.
Sorry I cant post a picture!Maybe one of our HF employee members can post a picture.

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

Sounds gimicky...perhaps the lonely dog-bone wrench needed company?

 

[fatboyf150]

I went to harbor freight today while my mom was at a store nearby. I saw a really cool tool that I will be adding to my collection when they go on sale. I cannot find them on there webpage to show you. But here goes
They had low profile ratchets that looked like a thin box end wrench with a 70-tooth ratchet on each end. The shorter one (about 7-8” long) had 1/4 and 3/8 drive on either end. The larger one was 11-12” long and had 3/8” on one end and I assume 1/2” on the other (didn’t pay a lot of attention) they were $16 and $20 respectively. I really liked them and they seemed great for tight, low torque applications.
Sorry I cant post a picture!Maybe one of our HF employee members can post a picture.

Did you get the item number off the package? I can get some pics tomorrow.

 

[fflintstone]

Did you get the item number off the package? I can get some pics tomorrow.

No sorry, I was in a hurry and didn’t think to write it down. They are totally revising their socket/ratchet area and there are a lot of updates.
I remember changing the alternator on a dodge neon and I had to pry the engine over on its mounts to get a standard craftsman socket and ratchet on the bolt. This thing would have worked so much better. I just think they were kinda slick.
It would be nice if they packaged the 2 together.

 

[bchee]

Interesting
What makes it low profile? Was it like a pass through ratchet?
Can you put any regular socket on it?

 

[tonydanzah]

why not just get the square drives that fit in the end of a gearwrench

 

[fflintstone]

Interesting
What makes it low profile? Was it like a pass through ratchet?
Can you put any regular socket on it?

It was like a gear wrench type wrench but solid, with a slim reversing paw, and I believe a quick release for the socket. Much like the new craftsman pro ratchets, the packaging interfered with really checking out the tool.
Hopefully a HF employee can post a pick. I only get into “the big city” once a month.

 

[Creditor]

No harbor freights near me. They sound a lot like Northern Tool.

 

[csmitty]

I'll be in one tomorrow and will try to remember to snap one. If they have some.

 

[bchee]

It was like a gear wrench type wrench but solid, with a slim reversing paw, and I believe a quick release for the socket. Much like the new craftsman pro ratchets, the packaging interfered with really checking out the tool.
Hopefully a HF employee can post a pick. I only get into “the big city” once a month.

Based on this description I would just do what tonydanzah suggested

 

[IanG]

It was like a gear wrench type wrench but solid, with a slim reversing paw, and I believe a quick release for the socket. Much like the new craftsman pro ratchets, the packaging interfered with really checking out the tool.
Hopefully a HF employee can post a pick. I only get into “the big city” once a month.

Not an HF employee (thank god ) but here you go. I dont know if its really that great a tool because you get better clearance with a gearwrench or even a pass through ratchet. It might be the right tool for a home mechanic who doesnt want to buy a set of ratcheting wrenches. Interesting idea but perhaps not that practical. It is nice though that it is reversible, long handle, flex-head, 72 tooth, and has 2 sizes (3/8 and 1/4). Included is a picture of the non-flex, smaller version of the tool.

That being said, the new pittsburgh pro stuff at HF is impressive. Pittsburgh Pro (essentially Taiwanese HF tools) are better in both quality and price compared to Craftsman, Kobalt, and Husky tools. Though the improvements in quality are also matched in an increase in regular prices.

 

[bchee]

Thanks for the pictures. That long one is really long. It looks like the EZRed/SK/Kabo extra long wrenches.

The reverse lever is interesting as well

 

[Pug}{maN]

looks ok ?

 

[Avgas]

wtf is it? a flex ratchet wrench?

 

[mikevango]

looks ok ?

still don't know what it is. i think i see bigfoot in them photos.
it has a 1/4 and 3/8 drives for sockets?

 

[Pug}{maN]

ooo ya im with ya, it just looks like its made good...what it is ,hell i dont know..lol

 

[fflintstone]

That being said, the new pittsburgh pro stuff at HF is impressive. Pittsburgh Pro (essentially Taiwanese HF tools) are better in both quality and price compared to Craftsman, Kobalt, and Husky tools. Though the improvements in quality are also matched in an increase in regular prices.

I was impressed with the pro tools as well. there quality has really improved since the ¾” drive set I mail ordered 25 years ago. I noted that most of it was made in Taiwan and yes the prices seamed higher (some too high). I figure the ratchet handles will go on sale some time and with a 20% coupon they would be a good value.

Thanks for the photos!!!!!

 

[Boost Creep]

heres a few more pics of the flex head version. sorry about the fuzzy side view. forgot to let the phone focus before i took the pic

also the last pic is something i picked up that i think is new too. haven't seen one there before at least. should be pretty handy

the whole new socket/ratchet area of hf actually looks pretty decent now. theres lots of individual sockets now and a ton of impact stuff

 

[bchee]

I kinda like it. I would get one.
I take it blue and red is for 1/4 and 3/8?

 

[DanCo]

item # 67994, picture not avail yet
http://www.harborfreight.com/14-and...-flex-head-ratchet-wrench-67994.html?___SID=U

 

[SketchyBikes]

Strong hand clamps are great!! I have a few of the spring type small bar clamps I use all the time. They have nice magnetic ends on them. I like that other clamp you listed. It's like a clamp for all those times you said: "If I could only hold these apart while I..." I'm gonna have to pick me up a few of those!!

 

[marcusicp]

I really hope they keep expanding their Pro line. Looks like OK stuff for secondary sets.

 

[archirelic]

I was at Lowe's tonight and Gearwrench has something eerily similar to those pictures posted, but I didn't see one like the flex-head one. Didn't have my cellphone on me at the time, but if I go back by tomorrow, I'll try and get some pics.

http://www.gearwrench.com/catalog/wrenches/ratcheting/quadbox/

^that up above is what I saw.


EDIT:: noticed the link was gone? Hope I didn't link when I'm not supposed to. I put the link back in, but if it breaks one of the forum rules, please feel free to take it down.

 

[diesel research]

Had a chance to use one of these for a few days, and I think I may have to buy one. I already have gearwrench pass through and mac/proto/blackhawk ratchet wrenches both.

The double drive ends are pretty moot to me, but over all feels like a pretty slick tool.

I am in a heavy diesel shop, but do not expect to use it for breaking lugs loose or anything crazy. I DID actually use it to put lugs on. In actuality, I used it to drive in some 3/4" centering sleeves, which centers the front tires to install the rest of the lugs.

Being a slim wrench (has similar profile to a snap on in regards to beam thickness) you won't likely apply massive torque, because the beam would dig into your hand. Being a long beam you can apply a little more force to the fastener before feeling such effects.

The ratcheting mechanism is very smooth and low drag. The reverse selector is really slick. Takes a moment to adapt, but pretty neat. (not sure who they stole that design from, never saw it before) Not sure if it can be disassembled for cleaning? Of course being a flex head, well 'nuff said.

Guess it's time to add a flex head to the vortex socket set as well...

 

[nevets]

I may get one of those and cut it in half. i dont see a need for both on one handle though.

 

[ajchien]

Do these take regular sockets?

 

[mossyboy6]

yes.

 

[ajchien]

Then count me in as curiously interested too. 2 drive sizes, long handle, flex head, thin profile.

 

[oldtools]

Saw them at HF. Quite interesting. I like the low profile. I may get both.

 

[Bran Diezel]

gonna try to get them this weekend. i am all about 0 degree long reach wrenches. i've been eyeballing this SRFBXLM52T (http://www.matcotools.com/Catalog/crossreference.jsp?cattype=T&cat=2575&si=65738&ut=) for awhile

 

[bchee]

I played with these in the store today. I thought the direction switch was very hard to move with just your thumb. There's not a lot to grip, and it's kind of stiff.

 

[mrholeshot]

There's not a lot to grip, and it's kind of stiff.

Story of my life. lol

 

[diesel research]

For now this has became one of my "go to" ratchets for the express lane stuff. Brake adjustments, minor trim, lighting, ect ect. Have many better options, I must just be attracted to the super light weight in my pocket or something.

It's sick to enjoy a HF tool, but just feels right.

Hopefully I will quickly recover and go back to enjoying better quality tools...

 

[Hank McMauser]

Don't worry,ratchets aren't like women, they don't get jealous if you bring home a good looking asian chick.

 

[diesel research]

I think I am just a sucker for "gimmicky" ratchets outside of the norm.

Gearless, palm control, indexing, pass-through, now this! (which postpones my intended armstrong maxx/matco 88 conversion and wright 3430 for short while) Guess those could also fit into the gimmicky addiction even though they are genuine quality pieces.

The last time I owned a quality standard ratchet was a F936/S936 snap on set, and I wasn't too particularly enthused. Must not have been gimmicky enough for me lmao. Have a few lesser quality standard ratchets like duralast, but they also do not "rev my engine".

 

[ajchien]

I had to have it. Went to HF today and picked it up. 14 inches long, has the profile of a ratcheting gearwrench. The low profile, and thin flex head is nice. The handle is also thin, so much that you can bend it because it is so long. I think you could snap this thing if you really wanted to try by bending it the direction it wasn't meant to be bent. I dont know if i would really want to crank super hard on this handle. The 72 tooth gear is pretty darn smooth. Its a keeper. $19.99 with 20% off= $16.

Unfortunately, it was right next to the thumbwheel ratchet set which was on sale. So I got that too. The thumbwheels are terrible. Rough mechanism, selector catches and won't won't reverse without fighting with it. Even took it apart and put superlube in it - helped, but not that much. This will get returned.

 

[diesel research]

That's a good point about high torque vs this tool. Then again, it's rare to consider most any 3/8 drive hand tool as "high torque". If it's that tough the 1/2" drive stuff is right next door. Not to mention if you use it bare handed the thin blade will act as an "early warning system" anyways.

 

[bchee]

I noticed in our classifieds that there are some MAC ratchets with a direction switch that is similar to these HF wrenches.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=93188

I've never seen this style of ratchet before.

 

[mcdtommy23]

HF and MAC one in the same. LOL

 

[Skin]

Didnt even know HF sold this. Since the thread is nearly a year old, anyone still have it and how is it holding up? Thinking the 14" and a few low profile sockets could make a pretty handy combination.