Quick release ratchets
- Thread starter Neodogg
- Start date
I only use quick release. I have tried the non QR and I don't like them at all. Especially when your hands get greasy, getting the sockets off is a chore. Some people report pushing the quick release button in while using it, me personally I have never once experienced that. Plus, the thin profile ratchets from Sears have the button integrated into the head so it doesn't even stick out.
Snapped-off
Well-known member
Pretty much sums up my opinion.
I have a dislike for non QR. Snap-on doesn't offer all their ratchets with QR, so I have a few non QR
It's not the end of the world, but I just think it's annoying to pull the socket off.
expatriated
Well-known member
I agree with the above. I prefer the QR so I can get the socket off when it's covered in oil.
I do have SO's that aren't QR and I'll use them if I can't get to my Hazet or Toptul
I do have SO's that aren't QR and I'll use them if I can't get to my Hazet or Toptul
ryan t
Well-known member
I prefer quick release. I have a dewalt impact gun that does not have quick release and the ball that holds the socket in place is so stiff that you can't pull the socket off if it is the least bit greasy/oily. Lots of times I've had to stick a small nail/screwdriver down the opening in the socket and push the ball down to get my socket back off. Big pain in the ***.
mrjaw14
Well-known member
I'm going to differ with the opinion thus far and say that supposedly non-quick release is supposedly stronger because the square end doesn't have to be hollowed out for the quick release mechanism. I guess if you really crank on your ratchets, this might be an issue
purplezr2
Well-known member
I have had the sockets fall off and it happens at the worst possible time. I use non Qr ratchets and have no issues getting sockets off.
billymade
Well-known member
I grew up with QR ratchets; once I got pro brands, they didn't have quick release and I got used to not having it. There are times in tight confined areas; the quick release button can be "pushed" and relase the socket, then the it goes rolling away from your ratchet, work area (I have had this happen). At times if your hands are really oily; it can be a issue but I have come to appreciate no QR on my primary ratchets. That being said; try both styles and see what works for you.
By the way; snapon DOES sell quick release ratchets! They do not have them in every type in the Snapon line but they do have two available in every drive size.
1/4" drive: TR72, THR72 3/8" drive: FR80, FHR80, 1/2" drive: SHR80A, SR80A (plus more styles); the bluepoint line are pretty much all quick release style ratchets.
By the way; snapon DOES sell quick release ratchets! They do not have them in every type in the Snapon line but they do have two available in every drive size.
1/4" drive: TR72, THR72 3/8" drive: FR80, FHR80, 1/2" drive: SHR80A, SR80A (plus more styles); the bluepoint line are pretty much all quick release style ratchets.
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gsmornot
Well-known member
I have both styles and can't say I prefer one over the other. Valid points have been made for both styles. My main concern is handle length and shape as well as head size. If I were to pick anything for either side I guess I could say I like the look of non quick release better but it's not the main buying point.
Toolhorder
Well-known member
I work on cars for a living and use 98% non QR and it's not a problem at all. Rarely do I get them covered in grease and if they happen to get covered in grease to the point the socket won't come off then a wipe with a rag fixes that right up. Don't get why guys need them so bad.
ajchien
Well-known member
I used to prefer QR, but now I use both.
Sure, QR is easier to switch sockets. They also CAN hold some sockets on tighter, as of it were a locking extension (like the cman double detent sockets)
On the other hand I have had the experience of QR ratchets dropping sockets ... And on my inclined driveway, needing to hurry to get up and track down the socket before it rolled into the street and towards the rain drain!
Also, the non-QR detent balls hold sockets/extensions that don't have a detent slot a lot better than QR detent balls. I've got a set of crows feet and a few 1/4 items that for some reason don't have a detent. The QR ratchets won't hold onto them at all.
Sure, QR is easier to switch sockets. They also CAN hold some sockets on tighter, as of it were a locking extension (like the cman double detent sockets)
On the other hand I have had the experience of QR ratchets dropping sockets ... And on my inclined driveway, needing to hurry to get up and track down the socket before it rolled into the street and towards the rain drain!
Also, the non-QR detent balls hold sockets/extensions that don't have a detent slot a lot better than QR detent balls. I've got a set of crows feet and a few 1/4 items that for some reason don't have a detent. The QR ratchets won't hold onto them at all.
G1GRANDEUR
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 22, 2009
- Messages
- 2,094
my first ratchet was usa made craftsman qr ratchet. then snap-on QR ratchet, then non qr ratchets from snap-on.
I always liked how I can just remove socket without any effort when my hands are slippery.
I always liked how I can just remove socket without any effort when my hands are slippery.
not-required
Well-known member
I dont use any QR ratchets. If I do then I always somehow always hit the release and the sockets comes off. I never had a problem not being able to take off a socket while greasy/oily because I wipe it if it gets bad.
Drew_flux
Well-known member
I have no real preferance. I have both and only notice the QR to be an advantage in tight places, where you cant afford to have a socket/extension come off or in outdoor wet/muddy equiptment.
I prefer quick release ratchets, but I can see both sides. I have occasionally had the button push in a tight area and drop a socket, but it has never been a big deal. I have also experienced the issue of greasy or sweaty hands becoming an issue when removing a socket.
I just avoid the issues altogether by using my multiple ratchets and having the couple socket sizes I need each on their own individual ratchet to avoid having to switch sockets around while working. Sometimes I even have two ratchets with the same sized socket on both with one ratchet for tightening and one set for loosening and I just grab the one I need instead of having to fumble with the direction switch. I did this recently when replacing a broken garage door torsion spring. I had to hold and adjust the spring tension while also having to set and release the door spring setscrew a few times before finding the preload sweet spot. It was more simple to just set one ratchet down and grab the other. That would not have been necessary with a pear head ratchet but only my round head ratchets would clear part of the door structure.
What gives quick release ratchets the edge in my mind is their ease of use when I only have one hand available. In my car emergency kits I only have one ratchet and it is a quick release, because I can drop a socket off the ratchet and pick up another size or add an extension really quickly without requiring a second hand or having to bang the ratchet on something to release the first socket before loading the next one. That helps in situations when I might be using one hand to hold a part in place or to maintain an alignment while needing to get at least 2 bolts threaded in before I can let the part go. One bolt might require an extension to be used and the other does not have the clearance for the same extension so it has to first be removed from the ratchet and I only have one hand free to do so. If I was doing the same job in a shop I would just set up two ratchets in advance and the quick release feature would no longer matter, so it makes sense to me how many home mechanics (or people with one set of tools/ratchets) seem to prefer quick release stuff, while many shop mechanics (or people with more tool redundancy) seem to prefer regular ratchets or don't really care.
I just avoid the issues altogether by using my multiple ratchets and having the couple socket sizes I need each on their own individual ratchet to avoid having to switch sockets around while working. Sometimes I even have two ratchets with the same sized socket on both with one ratchet for tightening and one set for loosening and I just grab the one I need instead of having to fumble with the direction switch. I did this recently when replacing a broken garage door torsion spring. I had to hold and adjust the spring tension while also having to set and release the door spring setscrew a few times before finding the preload sweet spot. It was more simple to just set one ratchet down and grab the other. That would not have been necessary with a pear head ratchet but only my round head ratchets would clear part of the door structure.
What gives quick release ratchets the edge in my mind is their ease of use when I only have one hand available. In my car emergency kits I only have one ratchet and it is a quick release, because I can drop a socket off the ratchet and pick up another size or add an extension really quickly without requiring a second hand or having to bang the ratchet on something to release the first socket before loading the next one. That helps in situations when I might be using one hand to hold a part in place or to maintain an alignment while needing to get at least 2 bolts threaded in before I can let the part go. One bolt might require an extension to be used and the other does not have the clearance for the same extension so it has to first be removed from the ratchet and I only have one hand free to do so. If I was doing the same job in a shop I would just set up two ratchets in advance and the quick release feature would no longer matter, so it makes sense to me how many home mechanics (or people with one set of tools/ratchets) seem to prefer quick release stuff, while many shop mechanics (or people with more tool redundancy) seem to prefer regular ratchets or don't really care.
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IndyGarage
Well-known member
I like QW and much prefer them over non.
The problem with most QW ratchets is they designed them so the button sticks out above the back face of the ratchet, so it's possible to release unintentionally. I've had it happen occasionally.
Take a look at the Wera Zyklop and they solved that problem. The Reversing lever is not a lever, it's a ring around the release button. I've never lost a socket unintentionally from a Zyklop.
Which brings me back to another thought. One of the things I hate about most pro style ratchets is the reversing lever. I'm constantly hitting the reverse on something and reversing the ratchet unintentionally.
The problem with most QW ratchets is they designed them so the button sticks out above the back face of the ratchet, so it's possible to release unintentionally. I've had it happen occasionally.
Take a look at the Wera Zyklop and they solved that problem. The Reversing lever is not a lever, it's a ring around the release button. I've never lost a socket unintentionally from a Zyklop.
Which brings me back to another thought. One of the things I hate about most pro style ratchets is the reversing lever. I'm constantly hitting the reverse on something and reversing the ratchet unintentionally.
Kripke makes a vey good point...
ijroorda
Well-known member
It seems this is just one more "personal preference" decision in choosing tools.
For me, whether or not a ratchet is quick-release has always been secondary to other functional considerations; all else being equal, though, I prefer QR. I can't recall that I've ever had a problem with releasing the socket by accident.
For me, whether or not a ratchet is quick-release has always been secondary to other functional considerations; all else being equal, though, I prefer QR. I can't recall that I've ever had a problem with releasing the socket by accident.
The first ratchet I owned was a Thorsen open gear type. It has the easiest system to reverse direction of any. In a lot of jobs, the quick reversing is more important that quick release. This ratchet never auto reversed either. When Craftsman came out with their quick release I went to them and have favored quick release since. Older Craftsman have a reversing lever which is almost as easy to use as the open gear type.
I have a Snap on quick release but the SO reverse lever has always seemed stiff to me and I can't always do it one handed. On the other hand, I have Wright RHFT ratchets I can reverse directions with one hand. No quick release, however.
KEH
I have a Snap on quick release but the SO reverse lever has always seemed stiff to me and I can't always do it one handed. On the other hand, I have Wright RHFT ratchets I can reverse directions with one hand. No quick release, however.
KEH
DesertRatAutomotive
Well-known member
I work on cars for a living as well and have never had a problem with taking the socket off a non QR. Plus i cant stand working when im greasy or my tools are. Make more money when im clean and can move faster.
dirtmister16
Banned
i have both styles and round heads. i used to be a only quick release type guy, but to be honest i don't get bothered much by the ones that don't have it. unless that ratchet has rather strong ball in it and makes it a pain.
ive been using my snap ons and armstrong ratchets instead of my craftsmans now. don't really miss the QR feature. kinda was strange not having it to a extent, so used to using it.
the one thing that i really dont' like thought is the craftsman double detent extenstions, don't help if you ask me and can be a pain at times.
ive been using my snap ons and armstrong ratchets instead of my craftsmans now. don't really miss the QR feature. kinda was strange not having it to a extent, so used to using it.
the one thing that i really dont' like thought is the craftsman double detent extenstions, don't help if you ask me and can be a pain at times.
After running into a few situations (tight confines) that would cause the socket to fall off I decided to get some non quick release ratchet. Sometimes it can be VERY hard to get a socket off(by hand), but the ratchets are still very new.