Proto Roundhead Ratchets

[CHI_Tool&Die]

I am hoping someone on the board may have experience with these ratchets. They are 72 tooth, knurled, and have a COO of Italy. Anyone know much about these ratchets? Are they decent? Easy to take apart and such?

I am looking to get some back-up ratchets for my work box. I looked at the Williams roundheads too which seem to be well regarded. So any insight would be great.

 

[4xdog]

Probably FACOM- or USAG-sourced -- they're part of SBD too and their ratchet mechanisms look like that. If you like that kind of direction change and a round head, those are quite good IMO.

I've not had the need to take one apart -- some of them are designed as sealed ratchet heads.

 

[Kaane]

I have a full set of these and they are one of my favorite ratchets by far. Only issue the selector is harder to change with oily hands. The mechanism is very good and very little drag. The knurling is amazing and they are super easy to clean.

 

[Under_Pressure]

These are my most used ratchets- long flex heads in 1/4 3/8 and 1/2. They are the Facom palm control design, which has been around quite a while, and which I love. I also have a set with the same mechanism in standard length fixed head, but those are SK from back when Facom owned them. Bought them as my first "nice" ratchets in college, as an upgrade to the Craftsman raised panels I had bought as a teenager in the mid 90s.

 

[JradM]

Proto ratchets excite me. I have a strong urge to "collect them all".

Currently I just have this style of round head in 1/4" and 3/8" (chromed) flex flavor. I think they are great!!

I thought I had a preference for pear-head ratchets, but these make me reconsider.

 

[conn1987]

i'm quite proud of mine. i got one of each drive size a bit ago to try out the higher tooth cou0nt. i like them more than lp90's and i like the pearhead sk's

 

[GeoBruin]

These are what ships when you buy a set of Blackhawk by proto sockets that comes with a ratchet and extensions. At first I was pissed because they kits are all shown with the original style US made "round head" ratchets but ship with these. But then I started using one and as others have said, they're quite good.

Keep in mind though that these aren't a traditional "round head" in that you cannot treat the head like a thumb wheel and just spin it to rotate the anvil. The knurled part is the direction selector and it only spins about a quarter of a turn to select the drive direction.

Nice and compact though.

 

[Fedwrench]

Outstanding Ratchet!!!

These are basically a Proto branded copy of the classic Facom palm control ratchet with a knurled handle. They are one of my favorite ratchets. The 1/4 inch drive versions are a bit on the thick headed side. they are very easy to take apart with a single set screw. The grease that comes in the ratchet head hardens with a lack of use and age so you'll end up taking it apart to clean and lube with thin oil. On reassembly there is a sweet spot for tightening the setscrew for optimum performance. Many people will screw the setscrew all the way in and back it out 1-2 turns until they're have with the ratchet's action. Shop around for the best deal as pricing is all over the place. Oh, and many places list the 3/8 flex head as being like 8.5 inches long, It isn't, more like 10.5 inches long.

 

[WJD]

I have the proto version of the flex head ratchet.

Awesome ratchet. Smooth operation, real good leverage.

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

Thank you guys for the info! I just ordered a standard 1/4, a flex 1/4, and a standard 3/8. I’m really pumped to get these ratchets!

 

[conn1987]

These are what ships when you buy a set of Blackhawk by proto sockets that comes with a ratchet and extensions. At first I was pissed because they kits are all shown with the original style US made "round head" ratchets but ship with these. But then I started using one and as others have said, they're quite good.

Keep in mind though that these aren't a traditional "round head" in that you cannot treat the head like a thumb wheel and just spin it to rotate the anvil. The knurled part is the direction selector and it only spins about a quarter of a turn to select the drive direction.

Nice and compact though.

which blackhawk set has these ratchets included ? id love to get another socket set with an amazing ratchet!

 

[dnschmidt]

They're FACOM or came from FACOM. Picked up one when I was in France one time on a business trip. OK I'm weird. After touring the Louve to see the Mona Lisa I gave up on that culture stuff and went to the hardware and tool stores. But, that's just me.

 

[vssjim]

FACOM design made by USAG , Italy cheaper than France both are SBD companies as FACOM bought USAG then Stanley bought them and sold as PROTO and MAC used to sell them as well as the other global SBD brands. Like Denny Schmidt mine are made in France from FACOM back when they sold FACOM and owned SK Tools before they bought USAG. They always published FACOM catalogs even when they owned SK for the US market. You could order a lot of stuff it's just they pushed SK when they owned them. Not sure of the exact year they made these but it was in the eighties and the FACOM tools I have made in France are absolutely some of the finest tools I have. Their standard combo wrenches still look like brand new after many years of use.

 

[GeoBruin]

which blackhawk set has these ratchets included ? id love to get another socket set with an amazing ratchet!

Like, all of them. After I initially got a different ratchet than advertised, I returned them and ordered a different set from a different seller. Same result. I finally started calling first and asking them to open the clamshell case and look and sure enough, the old knurled handled round head has been "upgraded" nearly across the board. I finally ended up trading another member here for one of the old style ratchets. But, through my various dealings, I still wound up with a 3/8 and 1/2 version.

I should clarify, the business end of the blackhawk is very similar but the handles are not the same round, knurled version. They're sort of a flattened lobe. I find it comfortable but definitely not as grippy.

Here's an old 34945B and the new Facom made 34945G.

 

[Fedwrench]

Like, all of them. After I initially got a different ratchet than advertised, I returned them and ordered a different set from a different seller. Same result. I finally started calling first and asking them to open the clamshell case and look and sure enough, the old knurled handled round head has been "upgraded" nearly across the board. I finally ended up trading another member here for one of the old style ratchets. But, through my various dealings, I still wound up with a 3/8 and 1/2 version.

I should clarify, the business end of the blackhawk is very similar but the handles are not the same round, knurled version. They're sort of a flattened lobe. I find it comfortable but definitely not as grippy.

Here's an old 34945B and the new Facom made 34945G.

Actually, that new style Blackhawk ratchet is made in Taiwan and it's a copy of the USAG round head ratchet because it lacks the floating palm control disc found on the classic FACOM design. It's an example of the SBD family crossbreeding. You can also get a version of the USAG ratchet in Dewalt trim as well. Facom is also offering a round head version without the palm control ring as a "high performance ratchet"

(J.161B)(237 A)-3/8" Drive High Performance Ratchet (USAG)

USAG 3/8" Drive High Performance Ratchet (237A 3/8) - it

www.ultimategarage.com

Round Head Ratchets | DEWALT

The Round Head Ratchet has a 5 degree arc swing making it easy to maneuver in restricted areas. Its contoured, ergonomically designed handle with anti-slip grooves help make this ratchet extremely ...

www.dewalt.com

(R.161) -1/4" Drive Palm Control Classic Ratchet (Ltd supply)

Facom 1/4" Drive Palm Control Ratchet (R.161) - the last of the classic 161 Series palm co - auto parts for your vehicle at Ultimate Garage

www.ultimategarage.com

 

[drtyler]

The COO of the Dewalt roundheads is Italy.

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

Just got them in the mail from Zoro. Took less than a day for shipping. I was going to take them to work but holy ****, these are pretty sweet. I think I’ll keep them for the house box. Thank you again guys! These were highly recommended by you all and they certainly are nice ratchets!

 

[ultgar]

I keep a good supply of repair kits for the round head Facom/USAG/Proto/Mac/etc ratchets. The master kits are on sale and the tube of grease that comes with these will last you many years. The round head ratchets will tend to stick or slip when the grease dries out from lack of use. These will often come back to life (without taking them apart) with a little penetrating oil around the head and rotating the drive in both directions. If you need to take them apart, here's the simple directions.

 

[sns1938]

Have you been able to get the kits from Facom for free like they say they provide, or have you been buying them? Seems they're about $35 delivered in USA, which seems a lot when it should have lifetime warranty. I've got a J.161 that isn't working right. Thanks.

 

[ultgar]

Have you been able to get the kits from Facom for free like they say they provide, or have you been buying them? Seems they're about $35 delivered in USA, which seems a lot when it should have lifetime warranty. I've got a J.161 that isn't working right. Thanks.

Have you tried cleaning and lubricating the ratchet? Most people throw out the maintenance sheet when they get the tool and don't follow the manufacturer's guidelines recommending annual cleaning and oiling. The new 161B series ratchets don't require this maintenance. Facom no longer provides the kits for free (they never did here in the US). I stock the repair kits as does Zoro and a few other Proto distributors. Attached are pics of the Facom kit and the Proto kit. You can buy a kit but a simple cleaning may be all that you need.

 

[Ton ton]

They're FACOM or came from FACOM. Picked up one when I was in France one time on a business trip. OK I'm weird. After touring the Louve to see the Mona Lisa I gave up on that culture stuff and went to the hardware and tool stores. But, that's just me.

Someone needs to put a list of tool and hardware stores for Paris.

 

[sns1938]

Have you tried cleaning and lubricating the ratchet? Most people throw out the maintenance sheet when they get the tool and don't follow the manufacturer's guidelines recommending annual cleaning and oiling. The new 161B series ratchets don't require this maintenance. Facom no longer provides the kits for free (they never did here in the US). I stock the repair kits as does Zoro and a few other Proto distributors. Attached are pics of the Facom kit and the Proto kit. You can buy a kit but a simple cleaning may be all that you need.

Thanks. The spring is broken in two pieces, so I really just need the spring. Do you happen to know if one of the other Facom style ratchet springs fit the Facom ones?

I want to repair it for the sake of repairing it, as I've got half a dozen ratchets of various brands and sizes, so don't need it repaired as such. My kids are 4 and 7, but I was going to give them a 1/2 and 3/8 facom each, as I have acquired four over the years (lived in UK for a while, where Facom was more common). A free of $5 spring makes sense, but a full kit just to get the spring, seems overkill when I can get a working used ratchet for about the same.

 

[4xdog]

Someone needs to put a list of tool and hardware stores for Paris.

By far one of my favorite stores in Paris is BHV (Bazaar de l'Hotel de Ville). This sells-everything store has a hardware department in the basement that is my go-to for odd European stuff. It's a rare visit there that I don't bring back a grab bag of all kinds of things. Very strong FACOM selection.

https://www.bhv.fr/magasins/vos-magasins/le-bhv-marais

 

[Ton ton]

By far one of my favorite stores in Paris is BHV (Bazaar de l'Hotel de Ville). This sells-everything store has a hardware department in the basement that is my go-to for odd European stuff. It's a rare visit there that I don't bring back a grab bag of all kinds of things. Very strong FACOM selection.

https://www.bhv.fr/magasins/vos-magasins/le-bhv-marais

Thank you, 4xdog.

 

[ultgar]

Thanks. The spring is broken in two pieces, so I really just need the spring. Do you happen to know if one of the other Facom style ratchet springs fit the Facom ones?

I want to repair it for the sake of repairing it, as I've got half a dozen ratchets of various brands and sizes, so don't need it repaired as such. My kids are 4 and 7, but I was going to give them a 1/2 and 3/8 facom each, as I have acquired four over the years (lived in UK for a while, where Facom was more common). A free of $5 spring makes sense, but a full kit just to get the spring, seems overkill when I can get a working used ratchet for about the same.

The basic kits (J.161rn and s.161rn) used to be $5-7ea. Now they are around $15ea plus shipping from Europe. The master kit is not much more and includes the grease and square drive.

 

[roofdweller49]

How durable is the plastic selector switch on these?

 

[Etchase]

No issues with the selector or anything else with this item. First ratchet I grab.

 

[Fedwrench]

How durable is the plastic selector switch on these?

What's plastic? Mine are all metal

 

[roofdweller49]

Ah I had a 1/4" one and the entire time I thought the black phosphate finished selector was plastic. Nevermind

 

[Dave455]

I own a few of these.

As others have said, the basic design was originally a Facom one. They called them “Palm Control” ratchets, and they only came with a black rubber grip and in standard lengths.

There may have been French made ones originally, but every one I’ve seen was made in Italy, by USAG. I carry one in a set with my road box. It’s given fair service.

The original tools never met aerospace requirements, so for some years Facom made a different, more conventional, ratchet for that market, before eventually introducing the steel handle palm control ratchets, and also offering different lengths, and flex heads.

The steel handle palm control ratchets were always the stars of the range as far as I was concerned, and I acquired a couple.


They were very fine tooth before many others were, and are beautifully smooth to use. I’ve never had one apart, but I have a couple of repair kits just in case.

Downsides have always been that the chroming isn’t as good as some, and the range isn’t that comprehensive.

When Facom (and USAG) got bought by SBD everything got cheapened. Most Facom ratchets are now cheaper patterns, generally made in Taiwan.

The steel handle ”palm control” ratchets are now sold by SBD as “Proto”, I assume at a premium price.

 

[lardy1]

I recently bought the Proto 3/8 flex off Ebay and last night made a lowball offer on a 1/4" standard and they jumped on the offer. These things seem to be something the sellers are willing to deal on. I've got two brand new ones very, very reasonably.

 

[ultgar]

All of the Facom 161B series (and USAG 237A series), 1/4 thru 3/4" drive, are still made in Italy by USAG.

 

[Dave455]

All of the Facom 161B series (and USAG 237A series), 1/4 thru 3/4" drive, are still made in Italy by USAG.

That is good to know.

In fairness, my little R.181 is too.


Although many of the current 161 series are not quite the quality of the metal handle “palm control” ratchets.

I played with one of these, and I thought it was a poor imitation.

These seem nicer. They are, without doubt, made in Taiwan however.

 

[Pexto]

I recently bought the Proto 3/8 flex off Ebay and last night made a lowball offer on a 1/4" standard and they jumped on the offer. These things seem to be something the sellers are willing to deal on. I've got two brand new ones very, very reasonably.

I picked up one of the made in Italy 3/8 flex when you posted it on the deals thread. It's a very nice ratchet and rapidly becoming a favorite, so thanks for the tip!