Jaysreal
Well-known member
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=342158&showall=1
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Proto 90-Tooth Precision Pear Head Ratchets
- Thread starter outdoorspace
- Start date
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Spudland_Dave
Well-known member
Of course...I havent been on here in a while, and this past Tuesday I pull the trigger and order that SAME Rat....just cause I wanted one of these new 90T's...
stercorarius
Well-known member
Jaysreal
Well-known member
I like that handle alot more than the Mac version$160
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stercorarius
Well-known member
J5450HTCF 18" 1/2 drive flex head if anyone was wondering. J5250HTCBL is next on the list.
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B_Bimmer
Well-known member
I agree with you there. I want to see zoro's pricing on them, hopefully with 30% off I could find some way to justify one more ratchet.
stercorarius
Well-known member
Feels super solid too. It feels like my 3/4 Proto but on a 1/2 drive ratchet. It feels rediculous with 4° arc swing in an awesome way. It's swapping out the old 24 tooth 18" pear head Proto in my cantilever box.
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bixxjs
Well-known member
Looks like a really good quality product,I'd definitely have bought on but I'm awaiting delivery of a long series 1/2 drive Martin Handtools ratchet
stercorarius
Well-known member
These are #@$&ing awesome. Best ratchet in my arsenal for sure. I should have gone with fixed head though.
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turnthewrench
Banned
Very nice pic Sir.
Can't wait for Zoro to stock 'em!
Can't wait for Zoro to stock 'em!
stercorarius
Well-known member
stercorarius
Well-known member
Wasn't even a true O-ring. No groove for any form of retention. It was just some hastily applied sealant so it could be called a sealed head. I just tossed it. It hadn't seen any solvents or had the screws adjusted. It just squeezed out with the temperature and humidity change when I cranked on it. Great ratchet. Just disappointed by this happening on a $170 ratchet I waited 9months for. The coating on the selector switch wore off immediately. I wish they just wouldn't have coated it.
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Local
Well-known member
There premium pear heads are similar with just a small gasket that looks like tooth floss.
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02Xterra
Well-known member
MSC has the 3/8" ratchets on sale in their monthly 'Super Saver' Flier.. top left corner of page 70. Prices are good thru 5/18
https://www.mscdirect.com/FlyerView?contentPath=/sales-catalogs/super-savers
https://www.mscdirect.com/FlyerView?contentPath=/sales-catalogs/super-savers
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66354dream
Well-known member
stercorarius
Well-known member
turnthewrench
Banned
Zoro prices scare the **** out of Snap on
https://www.zoro.com/proto-hand-ratchet-38-drive-12-2532-l-j5250htcf/i/G8482385/
Note that these are Drop ship items (ship from PROTO), Zoro does not have them in stock yet...
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Zoro prices scare the **** out of Snap on
https://www.zoro.com/proto-hand-ratchet-38-drive-12-2532-l-j5250htcf/i/G8482385/
Note that these are Drop ship items (ship from PROTO), Zoro does not have them in stock yet...
I've seen some industrial suppliers asking more for the Proto than you can get a MAC version off of the truck for.
I think PROTO has the better handle though 
I don't see the prices coming down on these anytime soon unfortunately. I think Proto is keeping the price high which is why no one stocks them and they're drop shipped from Proto in Conyers, Georgia.
I've seen some industrial suppliers asking more for the Proto than you can get a MAC version off of the truck for.
I don't see the prices coming down on these anytime soon unfortunately. I think Proto is keeping the price high which is why no one stocks them and they're drop shipped from Proto in Conyers, Georgia.
I was pretty disappointed when I saw the prices on Zoro. With a 20%-25% off code the prices are a bit better, but not enough to compel me to go with them over a similar style Snap-On Dual 80 off ebay. It's a shame since I like Proto tools and was excited to be able to get a more modern ratchet from them. Sadly, unless the prices get lower, my nicest Proto ratchets will be my 1/2 drive XL pear heads and Dual 80's will be my go-to ratchets.
turnthewrench
Banned
norsecarnut
Member
- Joined
- Jun 24, 2017
- Messages
- 8
I think this is my first post LOL so please inform me if this question is offensive or naive
...You posted excitement over the new proto 90's (which I shared in anticipation as well) but I am new to this and building my first pieces over the last few months so I opted for Snap-On for the ratchets after looking at some from MAC & Proto. (I have a place Tacoma Screw that shows off a wall of Proto which is how I learned about them just recently)
So also just by chance, I stepped on a Snap-On truck where I was having some custom exhaust work done and saw for my first time "flex heads", gave it some fondling, thought through some auto repairs and decided, "ought to work for just about every situation better than non-flex head".
Next I splurged a bit via ebay and researching and "make an offer" to now have 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 drives in short and long handles. In fact I researched what brands had longest handles, etc and also between Snap-On metal handle vs recently released soft grip models which appear to be their longest choices. Having standards and extra longs covers about every use I can come up with in addition to a 3/8 FHOF80A "offset" handle of 10" long.
My actual question is, why the fuss over the Proto, even if it is 90 vs 72-80? The Proto doesn't appear to be any different in head thickness or accessibility (something I could see wanting now that I've done a few projects with tricky access).
I now have combi & box wrenches in various offsets from MAC Proto Cornwell and Snap-On. Proto double box 'wins' on the medium offset long handles (about identical the SO 10 degree). SO wins on the zero offset long handle and of course in that particular wrench, SO wins due to the off-axis 12 point design but also they're length.
Last question for ratchet lovers: Anyone have the MAC "3/8 anvil in the 1/4 head" flex head ratchet? It's much lower tooth count but the smaller head is intriguing. I decided for not the cost of it was better spent on more variety in the box wrench shapes so I spent just a little more than that wrench cost on the SO 15 degree 8-20 set.
Lastly, I know this is a ratchet thread, but the Proto ratcheting combination wrenches are so nice!
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Although everyone's reason might be different, to me it was a great leap forward in ratchets for Proto. Before the the release of the precision 90 series, the highest tooth count you could get in a Proto Pear head ratchet was 45 teeth. Couple this with the new ratchet being US made, and offering improved access over other Proto ratchets, and the possibility of lower pricing than truck brands made it appear to be a win-win tool. However, keeping the prices high has significantly slowed the popularity of this ratchet.
I bought the 3/8" flex handle mac xr1390fpa and LOVE it. I used to look for proto tools to get "cheaper" versions of Mac tools.. but it seems to be the other way around lately, since I wanted to find a 1/2" drive flex ratchet just like my MAC, I looked at the proto website and couldnt believe the pricing was in snap on territory. Might just as well order a snapon ratchet from the truck that comes every week
https://www.zoro.com/proto-hand-rat...2376/?q=J5426HTC&psrid=256318146#sku=J5426HTC
Also it doesnt look like proto even offers the ratchet with a flex head
https://www.zoro.com/proto-hand-rat...2376/?q=J5426HTC&psrid=256318146#sku=J5426HTC
Also it doesnt look like proto even offers the ratchet with a flex head
although, if the picture here is older.. This might be a bargain for the round head flex 1/2" drive ratchet
https://www.zoro.com/proto-hand-rat...d-j5457f/i/G1815947/?q=J5457F&psrid=265290331
(since the 1/4" drive version of this ratchet, which I have, uses a FACOM head which is great)
EDIT- IF you search that part number on ebay it clearly shows a facom head ratchet. Thats a bargain in my opinion for a long flex 1/2" drive ratchet with a nice head mechanism in it.
https://www.zoro.com/proto-hand-rat...d-j5457f/i/G1815947/?q=J5457F&psrid=265290331
(since the 1/4" drive version of this ratchet, which I have, uses a FACOM head which is great)
EDIT- IF you search that part number on ebay it clearly shows a facom head ratchet. Thats a bargain in my opinion for a long flex 1/2" drive ratchet with a nice head mechanism in it.
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My Old Tools
Well-known member
I have a Proto flex long that I bought in 1970 in high school that is still going strong. Might have to try these.
stercorarius
Well-known member
Only reason I can give is it feels better than snap on and the mechanism is built a lot more solidly. No slop or play. Built heavier. Knurled handle. Says proto instead of snap on.
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Ratchet.
Well-known member
Like the looks of these more then the Mac tools version, the usa on the lever is a cool touch, though kind of prefer the chrome one on the Mac
Will have to see if i can track down a vendor.
What are they like for durability? as one of my colleagues has the long flex mac version and has had a bunch of issues with it, been replaced twice so far (the dealer can't get rebuild kits for them at the moment for some reason, so he got them swapped outright)
Not sure if its been bad luck on his part or if there are some quality control issues with them?
Will have to see if i can track down a vendor.
What are they like for durability? as one of my colleagues has the long flex mac version and has had a bunch of issues with it, been replaced twice so far
(the dealer can't get rebuild kits for them at the moment for some reason, so he got them swapped outright)Not sure if its been bad luck on his part or if there are some quality control issues with them?
More like "says proto instead of MAC"
These ratchets have nothing to do with snapon
stercorarius
Well-known member
In reference to the why buy instead of snap on when it is snap on priced you dingus.
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norsecarnut
Member
- Joined
- Jun 24, 2017
- Messages
- 8
LOL
When you all are referencing MAC, is it specifically their top model 90? I was considering the 26" 1/2 flex. The Proto 1/2" precision 90 flex head is only 18" long.
Although I'm learning to put the real torque on with a direct wreck rather than the ratchet so maybe super leverage isn't as necessary.
I think I may need the Proto 7" flex 90 though. That's a nice size for speed if using my wrench to break and re-torque.
Hearing about other working methods appreciated....
I sat there and stared at your comment, tried to read it in several different ways, before commenting.. And I came to the conclusion that you were simply someone who wasnt aware of the proto-stanley-mac connection, because plenty of guys out there dont know (or care) who makes certain tools. I suppose reading things in print can cause the reader to misunderstand the context. Sorry man
norsecarnut
Member
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- Jun 24, 2017
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- 8
I wasn't aware of a PROTO - MAC connection until reading things here recently but I am still not understanding the whole story on it. Is there shared manufacturing or something else? Thanks
WittHay
Well-known member
When you are talking about high priced tools everything is referenced against Snap-on. I recently bought a small Mac Axis 3/8 ratchet. It was higher priced than the equivalent Snap-on. I liked the feel and shape of the ratchet better than the Snap-on F80.
Proto and Mac both owned by Stanley. Ratchets are made in the same plant, different handle shapes and lengths. Proto sold by industrial distributors, Mac by tool trucks
I have a lot of Proto and Mac tools that are higher priced than Snap-on, I felt that they would do the job better.
Proto and Mac both owned by Stanley. Ratchets are made in the same plant, different handle shapes and lengths. Proto sold by industrial distributors, Mac by tool trucks
I have a lot of Proto and Mac tools that are higher priced than Snap-on, I felt that they would do the job better.
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Industrial suppliers are the worst places to buy tools, but it comes down to need/want and limited options for the Tech. A majority of Techs have no access to the truck brands and the suppliers know it. High quality=High Price.
The 3/8 drives are a little more in my price range. Hardly use 1/2 as it is
The 3/8 drives are a little more in my price range. Hardly use 1/2 as it is
turnthewrench
Banned
Especially if you increase the high prices- went up about $25.00
https://www.zoro.com/proto-hand-ratchet-38-drive-12-2532-l-j5250htcf/i/G8482385/
turnthewrench
Banned
Related development: MAC came up with a locking flex head style of this ratchet.
http://www.mactools.com/en-us/Ratch...oth-Locking-Flex-Head-Metal-Handle-Ratchet-13
I see they went back to the old style fork (in the handle instead of the head). Not available online though... has anyone seen this in the tool truck yet? Or is this "old news" I wasn't aware of?
Thanks,
http://www.mactools.com/en-us/Ratch...oth-Locking-Flex-Head-Metal-Handle-Ratchet-13
I see they went back to the old style fork (in the handle instead of the head). Not available online though... has anyone seen this in the tool truck yet? Or is this "old news" I wasn't aware of?
Thanks,