Project Farm ratchet comparison - Icon/Snap-On/Tekton etc

[F-22]

Am I the only who thinks ratchet manufacturers are getting out of hand with tooth count? I'm fine with 72-90 teeth. Heck I was fine with 60T & even my old 36T, haha. 100 teeth & more seems unnecessary to me. Like everyone is playing the more teeth the better game. How far will they go?

True, but I'm surprised by the torque that the "zero degree" ratchet can offer. Seems like a superior design, but I wonder how it holds up with time.
Unlike conventional ratchets with teeth, they basically use a one-way-bearing.

Same design is used in many motorcycle engines for the starter motor, so it must withstand a lot of revolutions as the engine is running...

Seems like a really cool principle of operation. A great application for it would be ratcheting screwdrivers!

 

[UglyViking]

The test was somewhat entertaining, but I can't say I was overly surprised by anything, except how "well" the GW performed when they seem to get very little love on this forum. It's quite concerning how easily the GW bent vs some of the competition. One thing to note though is that the placement of the cheater bar is inconsistent across the tests. Sometimes riding almost right to the socket, and other times further out.

I was pleasantly surprised with how the Icon performed, especially since they are basically a copy of the Snap On. In all honesty, I hope Icon becomes enough of a concern for snappy that they are forced to be more competitive in price.

As others have said, entertaining and may give you some information but not something I'd use to make a purchase decision.

 

[Citation]

True, but I'm surprised by the torque that the "zero degree" ratchet can offer. Seems like a superior design, but I wonder how it holds up with time.
Unlike conventional ratchets with teeth, they basically use a one-way-bearing.

Same design is used in many motorcycle engines for the starter motor, so it must withstand a lot of revolutions as the engine is running...

Seems like a really cool principle of operation. A great application for it would be ratcheting screwdrivers!

I have a Kobalt one that I picked up out of curiosity. I don't use it much. It has great (low) backdrag and very very little "slop" before the mechanism engages after reversing. So in that regard it's really good. However, I don't use it much. Some of that is because my roto head ratchet is my go to but also because the round head is large and relatively heavy. The reversing switch is hard to turn compared to the levers or even the switch on my roto ratchets round head mechanism. Finally, sometimes there is something reassuring about hearing the clicks. The clicks tell you the direction lever is going the way you want. They tell you the nut isn't be back driven. These aren't huge differences and I'm sure if I used it more I might get used to it but the real world advantages just aren't that big so it doesn't get used much.

 

[M635_Guy]

I was pleasantly surprised with how the Icon performed, especially since they are basically a copy of the Snap On. In all honesty, I hope Icon becomes enough of a concern for snappy that they are forced to be more competitive in price.

I highly doubt anything HF does with Icon will affect Snap On prices, at least at a product level. Even if HF started a truck-type service for shops in their local area, I think SO would just duke it out on their relationships.

FWIW, I have six or so SO ratchets and three or four Icon (all 3/8") and where the handle-lengths are similar I consider them pretty much interchangeable. The feel is remarkably similar given how different the pawl designs are, and they're all beefy with comfortable handles.

Ratchets are a bit of a dark art though, and it's always interesting how what works great for some is terrible for others.

As far as suggestions for him, I could see the Matco 88 and the Koken for sure, maybe a Hazet. I wouldn't waste his money on the SK round head or Cornwell anything - not nearly common enough and too hard to buy (for viewers, etc.).

 

[Bubba Fett]

I have a Kobalt one that I picked up out of curiosity. I don't use it much. It has great (low) backdrag and very very little "slop" before the mechanism engages after reversing. So in that regard it's really good. However, I don't use it much. Some of that is because my roto head ratchet is my go to but also because the round head is large and relatively heavy. The reversing switch is hard to turn compared to the levers or even the switch on my roto ratchets round head mechanism. Finally, sometimes there is something reassuring about hearing the clicks. The clicks tell you the direction lever is going the way you want. They tell you the nut isn't be back driven. These aren't huge differences and I'm sure if I used it more I might get used to it but the real world advantages just aren't that big so it doesn't get used much.

I have that same ratchet and I think it is awesome in some respects, but my issues are the same as yours. The head is also pretty large, which negates the usefulness in many cases. But there have been times where it has saved me.


I still have, and occasionally use the Craftsman raised panels. They are course, but they get the job done. I have Husky, SK, and various Taiwan-made ratchets that all have their place. I have a DeWalt, which I like, even though it's a bit heavy. The ones that has gotten the most use is a Crescent ratchet in my portable kit. Pretty low tooth count, but it has turned many bolts.

 

[UglyViking]

I highly doubt anything HF does with Icon will affect Snap On prices, at least at a product level. Even if HF started a truck-type service for shops in their local area, I think SO would just duke it out on their relationships.

I don't want this to turn into another SO vs (pick your brand) conversation, as there are already so many of those. The only thing I'll say is that it appears, at least from the guys I know, that the younger generation is less hung up on the shiny snap on. So while I highly doubt that Icon alone will make SO do anything, but if Icon is successful then it may open the door for other OEMs to compete with "tool truck like quality" at a more reasonable price. I think competition is great for us as end users.

 

[dnschmidt]

I don't want this to turn into another SO vs (pick your brand) conversation, as there are already so many of those. The only thing I'll say is that it appears, at least from the guys I know, that the younger generation is less hung up on the shiny snap on. So while I highly doubt that Icon alone will make SO do anything, but if Icon is successful then it may open the door for other OEMs to compete with "tool truck like quality" at a more reasonable price. I think competition is great for us as end users.

I THINK YOU'RE RIGHT. But I hope you're wrong as I'm an SNA stockholder.

 

[theoldwizard1]

... from all different series over decades… the metallurgy was atrocious.

Craftsman probably had more than a dozen different suppliers before the brand was sold to SBD !

 

[56Mark]

I said it in another post, and I have said it before… I broke so many raised panel Craftsman ratchets, that the only place that they are allowed in my garage is the give away drawer. Not just the mechanism… I ripped the anvils off of so many of them… from all different series over decades… the metallurgy was atrocious.

I finally upgraded from them, and never looked back.

I have a 1/2" drive one of those that is a knuckle buster when under heavy load. I am waiting until someone I don't like wants to borrow one and they can just keep it. I actually wouldn't even do that to "most " people I don't like.

 

[Cc_windsurfer]

Geez, so many words, so much repetition and yet so little information.

 

[M635_Guy]

Geez, so many words, so much repetition and yet so little information.

Well thank God you're here to add some value!

 

[M635_Guy]

I don't want this to turn into another SO vs (pick your brand) conversation, as there are already so many of those. The only thing I'll say is that it appears, at least from the guys I know, that the younger generation is less hung up on the shiny snap on. So while I highly doubt that Icon alone will make SO do anything, but if Icon is successful then it may open the door for other OEMs to compete with "tool truck like quality" at a more reasonable price. I think competition is great for us as end users.

Agree.

It seems like Napa has been doing this with Carlyle at some level, but not as aggressively as I probably would

 

[Cc_windsurfer]

Well thank God you're here to add some value!

Ok. I own many of the ratchets in the test and prefer my Koken z-eal to any if them. Smooth, low backdrag, and feels good in my hand healing me relax, have more patience and thus do better work.

 

[JWC86]

More repetition here it I’ll give my two cents anyway.

I like PF and always feel like I get my moneys worth every time I watch one of his videos although sometimes I don’t agree with his test methods. This was the case with a lot of the testing in this ratchet video.

How little force the selector takes might not be a good thing, I’m more interested in if it stays in place, but is easy to change when needed. Does the ratchet lock up when it’s bumped just a bit? That kind of stuff that you can’t really test other than just using the ratchet over a period of time.

Funny thing how the gear wrench 90T did so well but myself and several others hate them. The fixed handle would probably be fine but the flex heads are terrible IMO.

Koken, SnapOn, Nepros, Koken and Carlyle are my most used ratchets. Hopefully we see some of those in round two with some more “real world” testing and just general impressions.

 

[CJM8515]

I said it in another post, and I have said it before… I broke so many raised panel Craftsman ratchets, that the only place that they are allowed in my garage is the give away drawer. Not just the mechanism… I ripped the anvils off of so many of them… from all different series over decades… the metallurgy was atrocious.

I finally upgraded from them, and never looked back.

same, i hate them. they feel awful in the hand and dont hold. up.

for 10 years old and off i was a tow truck operator/aaa contractor. you had to sell their batteries to people, so i was the battery guy since it didnt involve driving 50+ miles one way or so and i get to be the manager. my road box was always stanley stuff i picked up cheaply. the ratchets eventually wore out but i abused them. when walmart stopped carrying them i switched to husky (made by apex same as gear wrench) and honestly never had an issue. that same box is my go to all the time, no issue nothing ever really broke-wore out yes, but never broke.

 

[Kurt4440]

$22 for the new ratchet which arrived today. Some older ratchets for comparison.

 

[Dakotadadv8]

Were round head swivel ratchets included in the test? May pickup a 1/4 and 3/8.