Opinion on snap on Rachets

[skruft]

I have two or three and think they are very fine but very expensive. As an amateur I would not buy new ones. I prefer a quick release. I like metal handles.

I have used various brands and the only well known US ratchet I think is noticeably inferior to others are the 1/4 and 3/8 Craftsman. Even those would probably be OK if people did not use them instead of breaker bars to break tight nuts and bolts loose.

 

[ptschram]

But a lot of that is probably based on the "Kool Aid" factor vs. the attributes of the product.

On my route, it's guys breaking other brand's ratchets and finding the Snap-On seem to hold up better for them.

I've had two guys in the recent past trade in all of their other brand ratchets for Snap-On

 

[1990 Grand Wag]

I love my Armstrong Maxx 88's, so much so that I did not see a need to purchase a Snap On ratchet. But as a member of this site, and hearing people rave about the F80, I took the plunge. Can't lie, I love the F80, and now I have two! I still love the 88's, but that F80 is the cat's ***!

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I sold all of my Craftsman, Proto and SK ratchets after I bought my first Dual 80. I think I now own ~14 Dual 80's and a couple of the roto heads. The only other brand that I really keep in rotation is the Armstrong MAXX 88 locking flex. If Snap On had the locking features of the Armstrong, I would get rid of the Armstrongs. Overall, I own very few Snap On tools, but I insist on their ratchets. Known quality, performance, and warranty; they are hard to beat. My only gripe is the 1/4" will bind when a side load is applied, but I still prefer them to the Armstrong or SK. Gearwrench are good as well; I always feel they are about 80% as nice as the SnapOn equivalent. The only Gearwrench ratchets I have are roto heads that I keep in my gunsmithing box and on my bicycle repair stand for occasional use. I haven't tried the new MAC 90t, but I assume they are pretty damn nice. I don't understand the love for the HF Pittsburgh Pro's; to me they feel cheap and I hate the selector (FWIW, I own more tools from HF than SnapOn).