Proto "premium" ratchets

[davethorik]

Searched a little on here didn't find much. Since these rats have the same model numbers as the older style I'm guessing.

Anyway, I had a hankering to buy an "industrial finish" (black oxided) ratchet. Found a good deal on a new Proto 5450XLBL on ebay. It is 1/2 drive 15" long black oxide. What says GJ about these rats? Rugged like the "regular" Proto pear heads? It's new out of packaging I snagged it for $15.

 

[1990 Grand Wag]

Searched a little on here didn't find much. Since these rats have the same model numbers as the older style I'm guessing.

Anyway, I had a hankering to buy an "industrial finish" (black oxided) ratchet. Found a good deal on a new Proto 5450XLBL on ebay. It is 1/2 drive 15" long black oxide. What says GJ about these rats? Rugged like the "regular" Proto pear heads? It's new out of packaging I snagged it for $15.

If that ratchet is anything like the 5449 I have, you will enjoy it! Smooooooooooooooth as silk!!!!

 

[dede2897234]

Searched a little on here didn't find much. Since these rats have the same model numbers as the older style I'm guessing.

Anyway, I had a hankering to buy an "industrial finish" (black oxided) ratchet. Found a good deal on a new Proto 5450XLBL on ebay. It is 1/2 drive 15" long black oxide. What says GJ about these rats? Rugged like the "regular" Proto pear heads? It's new out of packaging I snagged it for $15.

davethorik,

Here are a couple threads about the Proto premium ratchets:

LINK1 (post# 20)

LINK2


Dave

 

[Fedwrench]

Those are great ratchets that often don't get the praise that they deserve in today's high tooth count ratchet wars. They are a sleeper ratchet that will serve you well.

The premium pear head ratchets are pretty much bulletproof. They are slightly heavier than comparable length ratchets but, they will definitely take a beating. The floating pawl design has at least 7 teeth engaging the drive gear. They get smoother with heavier use. I think 45 tooth is fine for 95% of daily tasks. I think you got a great deal on your ratchet.

 

[sonvolt]

I have the premium proto rats in 3/8 and 1/2 great bulletproof design.

 

[Ruger_556]

Awesome ratchets, with a little light grease in the head they are smooth as can be. I have a 3/8 drive long handle and I use it before my Dual 80's if I have to really pull hard on something, it'll take a lot more torque without skipping and the handle is more comfortable to pull on.

 

[AmishFury]

If that ratchet is anything like the 5449 I have, you will enjoy it! Smooooooooooooooth as silk!!!!

which is really amazing when you realize the tooth count... every time i use my 5249 it straight up shocks me how smooth it is at 24 teeth

 

[davethorik]

which is really amazing when you realize the tooth count... every time i use my 5249 it straight up shocks me how smooth it is at 24 teeth

Digging up my own dead thread! AmishFury you are confusing the old style. You are thinking g of classic Proto pear head. The newer XL series have 45 teeth and look slightly different. The 5450XLBL I started this thread about has become one of my favorite ratchets. I use it at work almost exclusively with a 7/8 socket or 3/8, 1/2, or 9/16 hex bit sockets for doing fixture work. I also have a Snap-On SL710 that I like but needed more leverage. The 15" version of that Snappy ratchet goes for stupid money. I found the black oxide Proto for $15 on ebay couldn't be happier with it.

I just purchased a Proto 5250XL from Zoro. I wanted a long 3/8 ratchet and the Proto is the best bargain. The Wright 3425 was not far behind, and I like Wright rats quite a bit, but the Proto was $3 cheaper. Williams S52EHLA was about $10 more and only 36 tooth. Dual 80s are nice but I'm poor. Can't wait to review my new Proto!

Edit: here is the Proto 5450XLBL alongside a Wright 4425 long 1/2 knurled handle rat and the aforementioned SL710.

 

[Negen]

Proto makes nice stuff there are very little tools by proto that I feel are not worth owning. Local pawn shops have some nice proto stuff now and then at sell it for 1/3 or less than retail even though they look quite unused.

 

[morgaj1]

I've had a 5450XLBL for years and love it. The post earlier about it getting smoother with use is absolutely true.

 

[JonDick13926]

Oldish thread, I know. But I want to add my two cents.

I just bought two of these ratchets, the 3/8" and the 1/2" XL versions. I have purposely grabbed these for everything since I got them in, just to test them out, and even though it's only been about 3 work days of use, I have to say I really like these. They feel great, possibly better than the SO ratchets that I also really like (just my opinion, don't freak). Only much more extended use will tell how they do in the long run, but I used them in some higher torque situations and they held up fine.

Oh, and for the price you cannot beat them. Got both brand new for $60 plus shipping on eBay. No one else bid.

 

[woody6904]

Oldish thread, I know. But I want to add my two cents.

I just bought two of these ratchets, the 3/8" and the 1/2" XL versions. I have purposely grabbed these for everything since I got them in, just to test them out, and even though it's only been about 3 work days of use, I have to say I really like these. They feel great, possibly better than the SO ratchets that I also really like (just my opinion, don't freak). Only much more extended use will tell how they do in the long run, but I used them in some higher torque situations and they held up fine.

Oh, and for the price you cannot beat them. Got both brand new for $60 plus shipping on eBay. No one else bid.

Never hurts to revive an old thread. I have the 1/2 short and 1/2 long premium ratchets. They really are nice and I really like the feel, heft and smoothness. But I hate to say I rarely ever use them. I wish the long was a flex head cause then it would be my go to ratchet. First ratchet I always grab is a long flex, and if I get into a pickle I end up using a mini or stubby ratchet.

Is the 3/8 drive you bought the long or short? I have thought about selling the short 1/2 inch I have and buying the long 3/8. I just never find a use for the short 1/2.

 

[SHolt]

I love mine I have the Proto premium pear head standard length 3/8" drive. And the premium pear head 1/2" drive long handle. They are smooth as butter!
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=534542&stc=1&d=1457492166

 

[JonDick13926]

Never hurts to revive an old thread. I have the 1/2 short and 1/2 long premium ratchets. They really are nice and I really like the feel, heft and smoothness. But I hate to say I rarely ever use them. I wish the long was a flex head cause then it would be my go to ratchet. First ratchet I always grab is a long flex, and if I get into a pickle I end up using a mini or stubby ratchet.

Is the 3/8 drive you bought the long or short? I have thought about selling the short 1/2 inch I have and buying the long 3/8. I just never find a use for the short 1/2.

I got the long version of each. I will take a picture tomorrow to compare its size to some other common ratchets.

I would love for Proto to make a flex version of these.

 

[woody6904]

I got the long version of each. I will take a picture tomorrow to compare its size to some other common ratchets.

I would love for Proto to make a flex version of these.

I agree 100%, if it was a flex I would grab it everytime. But it seems like I'm always grabbing the HF long flex. I hate to say it but I think both my Protos are gonna be in the classifieds real soon. Hopefully someone else can enjoy them, and I can take the money and buy a nice 1/2 long flex, maybe Wright, and kick the HF to the service truck.

 

[VTSR5]

...both my Protos are gonna be in the classifieds real soon...

Classifieds?

 

[Ohmthis]

Classifieds?

Go down to the bottom right of the page and look for forum jump. Jump to the classified section. Welcome to GJ