Powerbuilt Pro Tech Ratchets?

[Fedwrench]

https://www.powerbuilt.com/collecti...tchet?variant=33733468420#qArFL4Yi4zhwQ5Vi.97

Has anyone seen, fondled , or actually used these ratchets?

How many teeth do they have? Taiwan or PRC made? Anyone broken one?

I've never seen them. Powerbuilt was Checker's brand awhile ago and was the Car Quest house brand before they became Advance Auto Parts with Gearwrench. Just curious.....

 

[M6erfan]

Never seen them before.

All of the fixed handle Pro Tech ratchets on their site mention 72t so I ***ume all the Pro Techs are?

Interesting.

 

[rmsg0040]

They are Taiwan I believe. A few years back I bought a Performance Tool 3/8 ratchet from princessauto for $5, same head design as the powerbuilt pictured. It was 72T and had a sealed head design. I used it for about a year at work, surprised it never broke. The quick release got sticky eventually. No longer have it. I actually got the 1/4 9" on watch, part # 649951

 

[rmsg0040]

I actually own their master axle slide hammer set Kit 21 as well as their 9 piece axle socket set Kit 61. Decent stuff

Canadian Tire use to have a borrow a tool program that used Powerbuilt stuff, don't know if they still do. Got tired of going their to get a tool and them not having them in stock because somebody else borrowed it.

 

[Odes]

Canadian tire still has powerbuilt specialty tire and part source carries there hand tools now bad stuff

 

[Jim c]

Power built sold by advance has performed pretty well for me. Hate to admit it, but I have found myself purchasing puller kits, ball joint press kits, power steering pulls kits and a really good pilot bearing puller kit, all from advance. Honestly, I expected the ball joint press to fail, break etc... at that price. I have cranked it tight with an extension bar ( ball joint sounded off like a rifle when it finally let loose! ). I think I even picked up a through- bolt ratchet set on clearance that is power built. Seems to be good quality. I think that I would try their other ratchets if you like their feel in hand and their style, size etc...

 

[retDAC]

... I think I even picked up a through- bolt ratchet set on clearance that is power built. Seems to be good quality. ...

Powerbuilt Bolt-Thru ratchets/sockets should be good. They're made by Kabo.

 

[Odes]

Same thing I have a bunch of there pullers and put some good strain on them and they haven't failed me yet granted I don't make a living with them but they are good value for the money

 

[6PTsocket]

On the subject of Powerbilt, I have their all- in-one jack stand/bottle jack. There is a 3 hole coarse height adjustment like a regular pin type jack stand. The pin has a ball on it, like a ratchet, to prevent it from sliding out too easily. The holes in the stand are so big that the the ball doesn't come close to doing it's job. The holes were just a hair under 1/2" and the pin is a lot smaller. I cleaned out the holes, removing almost no metal and I am going to use a Master Lock 1/2" hitch pin with flip lock. Ther isn't room for an R clip and a ball detent pin in 1/2" is not easy to find.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[potato]

here is the parent company.Alltrade.
http://www.alltradeasia.com/product

 

[KnurledNut]

Has anyone seen, fondled , or actually used these ratchets?

Yes, yes and yes!
I have four. All flex head. All QR.
1/4 x 7
1/4 x 9
3/8 x 17
1/2 x 25


Ive had mine for a couple years.
Remember the Carlyle locking flex that is highly advocated?
Same ratchet, but without the lock.
It does have fine detents on the flex that work well.
Taiwan made.
These are the same as the Tone (Japan based company) ratchets, with the handles slightly different.
I think they are the manufacturer.
Remember the Blackhawk ratchets? Yep, same again. ;-)
The heads are amazingly small, yet very strong.
The machining and chrome is top notch.
I have kept quiet about these gems to avoid the GJ onslaught of keyboard criticism.
ToolSmithDirect sells these and I have had great service from them.

 

[Fedwrench]

Thanks for sharing
This place can be a rough crowd for Asian made tools but, as I have stressed over the years, it's more about how a tool performs than where it comes from.
I'm going to pick a couple of these up to test out.
Love the Carlyle ratchets but, there is no way to use their locking flex head in unlocked mode.
Thanks again for posting

 

[M6erfan]

Yes, yes and yes!
I have four. All flex head. All QR.
1/4 x 7
1/4 x 9
3/8 x 17
1/2 x 25


Ive had mine for a couple years.
Remember the Carlyle locking flex that is highly advocated?
Same ratchet, but without the lock.
It does have fine detents on the flex that work well.
Taiwan made.
These are the same as the Tone (Japan based company) ratchets, with the handles slightly different.
I think they are the manufacturer.
Remember the Blackhawk ratchets? Yep, same again. ;-)
The heads are amazingly small, yet very strong.
The machining and chrome is top notch.
I have kept quiet about these gems to avoid the GJ onslaught of keyboard criticism.
ToolSmithDirect sells these and I have had great service from them.

Great info Knurled.

 

[65k10]

Awesome find. I like my 1/4 and 3/8 Carlyle locking flex heads, but I wouldn't mind some standard grip non-locking versions of them. To that end I just ordered a 9" 3/8 flex and 13" 1/2 flex from ToolSmithDirect thanks to this thread.

I'm really excited about the 1/2 ratchet since I'm always on the lookout for 1/2 ratchets with a small head. This might replace my Williams S-52ehfa for doing drain plugs on farm equipment since QR would be nice in this application. Can't wait to get them.

 

[6PTsocket]

here is the parent company.Alltrade.
http://www.alltradeasia.com/product

Unlike some importers, you can actually speak to a live person. Did not respond to email but was helpful when I tried calling, with a product question

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[65k10]

Got my ratchets today. Very compact heads. Here's a comparison to an FLF80A and SX80B. Hopefully they work well for some niche roles I thought they might be ideal for.

 

[KnurledNut]

Got my ratchets today. Very compact heads. Here's a comparison to an FLF80A and SX80B. Hopefully they work well for some niche roles I thought they might be ideal for.

When i got my long 1/2 flex years back, it came in with a slightly bent handle.
I sent ToolSmith a picture and they sent a new one no questions asked.
They gained me as a customer after that good service.

 

[-OSIS-]

Man those heads are small. I’m going to have to check these out.

 

[W2Synth]

I have the fixed, and flex heads of this design from Powerbuilt. I'm thrilled with them. Taiwan made I believe, and can confirm 72 teeth. I've put them through their paces in the three or so months I've had them including braking some stuff on my 3/4 truck loose with the 1/2inch and a cheater pipe to test them with no issues.

Honestly you might not think of it by looking at them but the best part aside from the really small head is the handle being situated side ways. They feel so much better in my hand than any other ratchet I have (including the standard Powerbuilt ratchets).

I would definitely recommend these.

 

[scubadoober]

I am huge advocate for their PRO ratchets. I picked up the 1/4" flex off ebay for 14.99/shipped. Had I not already had other ratchets I would not hesitate to get the rest of them. I still might pick up the long 1/2" flex. I also have the blackhawk equivalent in 3/8" and the Powerbuilt PRO 1/4" is smoother. Do yourself a favor and try one.

 

[DFB]

https://www.powerbuilt.com/collecti...tchet?variant=33733468420#qArFL4Yi4zhwQ5Vi.97

Has anyone seen, fondled , or actually used these ratchets?

How many teeth do they have? Taiwan or PRC made? Anyone broken one?

I've never seen them. Powerbuilt was Checker's brand awhile ago and was the Car Quest house brand before they became Advance Auto Parts with Gearwrench. Just curious.....

Didn't even know they had a such an extensive lineup.

I just have the 3/8" spin disc flex ratchet and both 3/8" and 1/2" straight on my tool tables.

 

[lbhsbz]

It looks like the handle made 90° wrong. Why would they put a recessed area with knurling on the area you apply force?... doesn't seem confortable.

I have 2 Powerbuilt things that I feel are best in class. One is their engine hoist, and the other is the 3.5 ton floor jack. Actually, I have 2 of the floor jacks. I bought them all 22 years ago.

The Engine hoist is much beefier than anything sold today under $1000, and they still sell the same one today. I finally bent the boom on it lifting something about 4 times heavier than I should have been lifting, so I'm making a new one.

Both floor jacks have worked flawlessly for 22 years and are built stout. This is one of Alltrade's better brands I believe

 

[Fedwrench]

It looks like the handle made 90° wrong. Why would they put a recessed area with knurling on the area you apply force?... doesn't seem confortable

Actually the handle shape is one of the best things about the ratchet. The wide part is very comfortable. The recessed area combined with the knurling, makes a great anti slip surface. The ratchet also has a crisp 72 tooth action. The flex heads are available in a wide range of lengths and the heads sure look like carlyle's quick release heads. I think the power built pro ratchets are under appreciated and bargain priced.

 

[JVB]

I will give a standard sized 3/8” one a try. Less than 20$ is worth the shot.

 

[noahwins]

Bit of a thread resurrection but I had (still have) a set of the old style round head 36 tooth ratchets with the thumb wheel (which I love) that I absolutely abused for 10+ years. Cheater pipes, hitting the handles with a mallet, dropping them, driving over them, you name it. Never maintained them. They never failed or slipped once. Meanwhile my backup "higher quality" Craftsman USA ratchets and torque wrenches flaked chrome, leaked, snapped pawls, jammed under the lightest of use until I threw them in the trash. The chrome on any of the Powerbuilt ratchets and sockets never flaked, either, come to think of it.

People sniff at anything that's not Snap On but Snap On isn't all that it's cracked up to be, honestly. Snap On wrenches, sockets and ratchets are second to none, granted, but I got a KRSC430 and it's not amazing or anything. The ************* drawer slides spilled ball bearings all over the floor during the move to my new shop. The design of the drawers is terrible. It's seriously IKEA bathroom cabinet quality, thin metal that bends to the touch, unsealed bearings that float around on the track. I never overloaded the drawers once. A joke. The senior tech at my new shop said "man, they don't make them like they used to" when we were wrestling with the drawers trying to get them back in. The old Snap On cabinets from the 1970s felt like you could fire a .45 into them and they'd still work.

Oh yeah, I'm still waiting for replacement drawer slides from Snap On. It's been over a week and still nothing. Not impressed.

I bought a big starter set of Wurth tools about 6 months ago. Wurth is rebranded KS Tools. It's a German company, like Wurth, but KS Tools are manufactured in Taiwan. I got Wurth wrenches, ratchets and sockets and the quality is pretty damn good yet affordable to someone like me. I'm especially impressed with the sockets. They're solid. I see KS Tools as "premium Taiwan." Did you know KS Tools makes titanium wrenches, ratchets and sockets? It's not a Mickey Mouse manufacturer. These aren't your grandfather's Taiwan tools.

Anyway, I'm lacking in SAE tools so I think I'm going to order Powerbuilt Pro Tech 949007 and Powerbuilt Pro Tech 949000 and make due until I'm not suffocating from student loan debt and can buy Snap On tools.

Anyone tried the X90 ratchets?

 

[nbpt100]

Interesting thread. I have only seen the Powerbuilt brand once in a local "dollar type or Building 19 type" store that mostly sells cheap Chinese tools(Cal hawk). Some times they will have a brand name item. Some how they get them as a one time deal. Their motto is buy it when you see it because it may not be here again. There were some Power Built screwdrivers and I did not give them much attention. But now I will should I see them again.

 

[noahwins]

Are they the standard or Pro Tech screwdrivers? Having been a victim of cheap screwdrivers for my entire like, I got a full set of Wiha and haven't looked back. But I am interested to hear what the soft grip Pro Tech drivers feel and work like. To me the test of a driver is how long the tips last. You know that sickening crunch feeling in your hand when a (cheap) screwdriver tip crumbles? I wonder if these Pro Tech drivers stand up to the test of time?

I can't post links but you can find the Pro Tech line of tools specifically the foam tray of drivers, on the Powerbuilt web store.

 

[Fedwrench]

Anyone tried the X90 ratchets?

Is that the model with the finger cut outs on the bottom of the handle? I picked up the 1/4 drive version and wasn't impressed. The direction switch kind of slides from one side to the other, instead of crisply switching direction. The head is on the wide side and the ratcheting action is clunky. i was expecting more since their powerbuilt pro series are pretty nice. I would pass.

 

[noahwins]

Is that the model with the finger cut outs on the bottom of the handle?

Yeah, the ones that look like the starship Enterprise.

I picked up the 1/4 drive version and wasn't impressed. The direction switch kind of slides from one side to the other, instead of crisply switching direction.

Ugh, I hate that feeling! No haptic feedback from the tool. Just mush. Good to know they ****.

I've read nothing but positive reviews for the 72 tooth Pro Tech line with the compact head and vertical handle so I'm going to get a set of those and try them side-be-side with the Wurth ratchets I'm still breaking in. I picked the round head Wurths over their pear head and sealed head ratchets because I thought from the pictures online they had a thumb wheel/spin disc like my old Powerbuilts. But it turns out it's just a direction switch, not a spin disc.

Thanks for the reply.

Don't sleep on Powerbuilt, folks!

 

[WagonHo!]

On the subject of Powerbilt, I have their all- in-one jack stand/bottle jack. There is a 3 hole coarse height adjustment like a regular pin type jack stand. The pin has a ball on it, like a ratchet, to prevent it from sliding out too easily. The holes in the stand are so big that the the ball doesn't come close to doing it's job. The holes were just a hair under 1/2" and the pin is a lot smaller. I cleaned out the holes, removing almost no metal and I am going to use a Master Lock 1/2" hitch pin with flip lock. Ther isn't room for an R clip and a ball detent pin in 1/2" is not easy to find.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

I love the PowerBuilt jack/jack stand. I keep one in the Tacoma, my neighbor collapsed the Toyota jokejack the truck came with on a Geosomethingsedan. Gotta look at the pin hole for a fix but those work great on my vehicles.

 

[jsmeece]

I have the Pro Tech 1/4 in. Dr. 9 in. Long Reach Flex Head Ratchet, bought it off Ebay. Used it a few times, seems OK to me, good chrome, gears seemed dry, so I lubed the gears, worked a lot better after that. Really like the small head and the shape of the handle was a little weird at first. Good ratchet for what I paid for it, time will tell how well it holds up.

 

[sreeb]

Yet another expensive thread....

Amazon dropped off my 3/8" drive, 17" long flex ratchet yesterday. Seems well built and finish is good. Head is very small. Handle seems a little dainty but I will be using a 1/2" drive for any hard duty.

 

[kb1982]

I picked up this Powerbuilt set for small jobs around the apartment and quick fixes. As stated earlier about the ratchets, the selector lever is fairly vague, but I havent had any unintentional reversing while using one. Also as noted, it seems as the 1/4 " ratchet has more slop in the drive than its larger brothers, but I would rate it less than the old usa craftsman pearheads. The wrenches do skip sizes in this set, but it includes most everything you need for small jobs. Ive used it on larger jobs just to get a feel for it, and for 99 bucks from ebay...i give it a pass.

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[Wamsutta]

Looks like Powerbuilt took the handle of the Blackhawk ratchet and rotated it 90 degrees.

 

[Fedwrench]

Looks like Powerbuilt took the handle of the Blackhawk ratchet and rotated it 90 degrees.

Maybe, maybe not. The Blackhawk ratchet is also made in Taiwan and resembles the tone ratchets but, it lacks knurling in the center of the handle.

 

[kb1982]

Here is a pic of a 1/2" Tone ratchet on the left. They look very similar indeed.

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[nbpt100]

Are there any retailers that sell Powerbuilt? Sometimes it is nice to see something in person and get the feel of it.

 

[sreeb]

Are there any retailers that sell Powerbuilt? Sometimes it is nice to see something in person and get the feel of it.

Amazon seems to have all of it. Get the sku off of powerbuilt.com and search on it.

Doesn't help if you want to handle it though.

 

[nbpt100]

I went to the dollar type discount store I mentioned above yesterday and saw and took note of several PowerBuilt products.

Several tools kits and a SAE 1/2 drive socket set.

The 61 pc kit had one open and I looked it over. I thought the round head ratchet felt cheap. Maybe on the same level as a similar ratchet at HF. The picture on the box shows very well marked sockets. It looks darkened or perhaps laser marked. The sockets are stamped with large letters but not darkened. Still needed to be in good light to read them. The two open end wrenches and screw drivers looked and felt cheap. Overall I thought it is over priced at $25.99 for what it is and for this discount store. The prices of these Items are on the pictures I up loaded. I went on Northern Tool and saw the 61 pc set is discontinued. It did not show a price so I dont know the MSRP or a current going price.
The other set has a pear head ratchet. Not sure if it is a Pro Tech. I would guess it is better quality than the round head. But it was a sealed box and I could not see or "Fondle" it or any other item.
I will now keep my eye out there for other items from Powerbuilt.

 

[paulsomlo]

Are there any retailers that sell Powerbuilt? Sometimes it is nice to see something in person and get the feel of it.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Powerbuilt-Pro-Tech-1-4-Dr-7-Long-Reach-72T-Ratchet-Contour-Handle-649950/272361043429?epid=1282788272&hash=item3f69fbb5e5:g:JxUAAOSwJ71aYDeP

They have most sizes, price seems to bounce around. I doubt you'll find it anyplace where you can handle it before purchase, though.