podger/ spud 1/2 ratchet choices

[froymot]

hey guys, my name is Tom I'm 19 and I am an apprentice mechanic for ford in the UK.
I'm pretty pleased with my tool choices so far and have found this site more than useful to save money and time when getting tools.

this is my tool box so far, mostly it is bahco, king **** and I have a snap-on 3/8 socket set which I am very happy with.

one tool I would like however but have been struggling to find is the spud/ podger style ratchets which look very usefull to me for lining up bolt holes on suspension work.

so I was wondering if any of you have works with these ratchets and your findings with them. Also does any one have any experience with the brands I have found?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/270703479677?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
http://www.ebay.com/itm/231116952924?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
any help would be awesome! regards tom the noob apprentice

 

[metaleltr]

I would go with the armstrong.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I would find a punch or drift instead. Those ratchets are typically made for structural iron work and aren't ideal for automotive work.

 

[manioso]

Klein used to make a good one, but is now from China, and quality has declined.

Snap-On is first rate but expensive (USD $120 or so), in black finish. P/n GSP936. 1/2 drive only to my knowledge.

 

[scaron]

Wright tool makes a spud ratchet, again, only in 1/2" (or 3/4"?) drive, i think.

 

[metaldad]

Armstrong would be the choice.
Kliens had an open rat design, with a kinda crappy way of holding together.
McMaster has one in their catalogue, looks like an enclosed head.
http://www.mcmaster.com/#drive-wrenches/=qeqf02
They also have drift and bull pins.
http://www.mcmaster.com/#drift-pins/=qeqflt

 

[ddo]

Wera Koloss with spud attachment of you are looking for that style ratchet. Has a nice strong 1/2" ratchet mechanism, hammer, padded hammer, extension and spud attachment.

 

[Outlawmws]

The Proto PN should be 5449 + a letter designation for the difference in handle with the alignment spike

 

[johnarmy]

Are those king **** chests and roll cabs made in England?

 

[Cope]

I would find a punch or drift instead. Those ratchets are typically made for structural iron work and aren't ideal for automotive work.

I agree.

 

[Strouty]

You need a "bull pin", that way you can hammer on it. I would not get one of those ratchets for automotive, I have an older klein that I use for steel alignment.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Klein-3255-...a3c9849&pid=100034&rk=5&rkt=8&sd=301507737919

 

[n8n]

I'm thinking just get an alignment bar and use the ratchets that you like as ratchets. I understand the desire for a multi-function tool, but I agree with the comment above that there are some good ratchets, and some with a spud handle, but there might not be many that are both.