Opinions on ratchets

[wannab20hatch]

Im looking to slowly start a decent home tool collection. I currently have the three piece matco ratchet set. I haven't bought any matco stuff in forever or seen our dealer stop by since October.

My question is should I take that set home and spend the money on SO ratchets or leave the matcos at work hope they don't break and get gearwrench ratchets for the house.

Nothing wrong with any of the tools just hate having tools because of a warranty/dealer and not having that available.at least at home if they break I can mail them in and be ok.

Thanks for the help GJ

 

[SKAutomotive]

I will not buy a ratchet that isn't made by SO. That is my no compromise tool.

 

[basspro]

I do like my long handled dual 80 snap on 3/8ths drive, but since ive been using superlube on my craftsmans, Ive been using those alot more. They are inexpensive, they work, and im not afraid to use these as other formes of instruments lol, i.e. hammer. My snap on I kind of treat like a rolex. They all turn nuts and bolts. To be honest Ive been using a breaker bar alot more lately as my primary drive "hand" tool. I find im faster with it if I have open space. Break the nut loose, and spin it off like im using a screwdriver. If I dont use that, I just grab my air ratchet, bam, done! Sorry if I wasnt of much help.

 

[bonneyman]

Get an S-K set for your home. S-K round head rats are the best, they carry a complete line of sockets and accessories, and they're still an American company we can be proud to support.

 

[wafrederick]

Brake fluid kills ratcheting mechanisms,don't use them for bleeding brakes.My Matco tool dealer replaced the guts in one Matco ratchet about 3 times.Found brake fluid inside and this was the cause.Found out the customer was using it to bleed brakes,customer told him this.Snap On must be pulling this or it must be the dealer on slipping ratchets and I was told of this once.A shop owner in Big Rapids,Mi gave the Snap On dealer dealer an ultimatuim once,my father knows the shop owner very well.An employee of his had a ratchet that slipped and gave him busted up knuckles.The dealer is a real **** and refused to fix it under warranty 3 times saying it was not broken.Stepped in and told the dealer fix the ratchet or he was not getting anymore of his employee's money.Ended up fixing the ratchet.

 

[Mister Laugh]

For me I need tools at work that I can get quick service on, no two weeks of downtime. Sounds like you are the same. Snap on sounds like the answer for work ratchets if that's the only reliable dealer you have.

 

[TimDaToolMan]

Brake fluid kills ratcheting mechanisms,don't use them for bleeding brakes.My Matco tool dealer replaced the guts in one Matco ratchet about 3 times.Found brake fluid inside and this was the cause.Found out the customer was using it to bleed brakes,customer told him this.Snap On must be pulling this or it must be the dealer on slipping ratchets and I was told of this once.A shop owner in Big Rapids,Mi gave the Snap On dealer dealer an ultimatuim once,my father knows the shop owner very well.An employee of his had a ratchet that slipped and gave him busted up knuckles.The dealer is a real **** and refused to fix it under warranty 3 times saying it was not broken.Stepped in and told the dealer fix the ratchet or he was not getting anymore of his employee's money.Ended up fixing the ratchet.

If all the parts inside are metal, how can brake fluid ruin it?

 

[wannab20hatch]

For me I need tools at work that I can get quick service on, no two weeks of downtime. Sounds like you are the same. Snap on sounds like the answer for work ratchets if that's the only reliable dealer you have.

That's exactly where Im at. Our SO is good but I like our independent guy also. Ive used my dads gearwrench set at his house before and I like them also. Plus their cheap Just having a hard time deciding if the SO ones are worth the money. Being in a body shop I really only need your standard 1/4 3/8 and 1/2 ratchets. No fancy flex heads or breaker bars.

 

[SKAutomotive]

If all the parts inside are metal, how can brake fluid ruin it?

Brake fluid dissolved grease.

 

[wafrederick]

It is the metals in the brake fluid that kills the ratcheting mechanism.Matco ratchets use a white grease,the brake fluid destroys it.

 

[basspro]

S-K does make nice ratchets for not a lot of $$$. I love my tuff1 3/8ths. Some ratchets are sealed with an oring, brake fluid can break down the oring/seals. If you have soft handle ratchets, I have seen brake clean tear up and crack the grips as well. I like wd-40 for cleaning tools, ratchets.

 

[TimDaToolMan]

Right, but why would the parts need replace, just regrease them.

 

[fury9]

I have a really nice craftsman 84t USA that's yet to break a knuckle or four, just sayin

 

[SKAutomotive]

Right, but why would the parts need replace, just regrease them.

Do you take your ratchets apart and inspect the grease daily or would you have no clue the grease was gone until the mechanism was locking up?

 

[fury9]

I don't think I would ever take my ratchets apart DAILY? Sounds like too much time wasted

 

[Armstrong1720]

I take mine down often to check them. Mine gets used on everything.im always regreaseing mine. But you have to remember im pickey and my wife says i have O.C.D ? Lol.

 

[SKAutomotive]

I take mine down often to check them. Mine gets used on everything.im always regreaseing mine. But you have to remember im pickey and my wife says i have O.C.D ? Lol.

It would only take 1 day for brake fluid to brake down the little amount of grease in the ratchet head, so even often would probably not be enough to catch it before damage begins to the gear set.

 

[IMStuner]

Hmmmm maybe I'll check and grease my ratchet every year. My SO tool are home tools and don't see that many uses.

 

[volaredon]

lately I'm liking proto ones.... same as Mac w/o the price. I have a ton of crapsman ones that were fine when I was a kid, til I discovered the better branded ones

 

[SKAutomotive]

I just don't understand why or how someone does a brake flush or brake bleed with a ratchet. That's awfully messy. I use the box end of a long wrench.

 

[fury9]

I just don't understand why or how someone does a brake flush or brake bleed with a ratchet. That's awfully messy. I use the box end of a long wrench.

What he said ^^^^

 

[Boiler]

I'd agree with using the Marcos at work and sk at home. You can pick them up cheap and I believe them to be good enough for any use. I've got a bunch of sk and snap on ratchets and am happy to turn both.

I just picked up an extra 1/4 and 3/8 sk ratchets if you decide to go that route.

 

[Armstrong1720]

It would only take 1 day for brake fluid to brake down the little amount of grease in the ratchet head, so even often would probably not be enough to catch it before damage begins to the gear set.

Well that ***** ! Thank you for the advice !!

 

[abvw]

Some breeders are recessed, the box end of the wrench won't have enough clearance or swing arc.

 

[SKAutomotive]

Some breeders are recessed, the box end of the wrench won't have enough clearance or swing arc.

Offset wrench takes care of that.

 

[dirtydogintex]

Some breeders are recessed, the box end of the wrench won't have enough clearance or swing arc.

never seen brake fluid take out a 1/4 drv breaker bar and socket.... and I've bled plenty of brakes w/that combo.

besides 'specialty' bleeder wrenches aren't that expensive or hard to come by....

 

[NC-Fordguy]

I just don't understand why or how someone does a brake flush or brake bleed with a ratchet. That's awfully messy. I use the box end of a long wrench.

The pass thru style of ratchet like gearwrench and crafty work well in that task

 

[davesnothere]

I don't think you will be disappointed by purchasing snap-on ratchets.