Ratchet advice

[bones741]

Ok guys first post on the forum! Looking for advice on a new go-to ratchet. Leaning toward a nice flex head ratchet to replace my fixed POS craftsman that came in a set ( round, pear, roto no real preference), and would like some insight . My main delema is i want it to be less than 10 inches max and no rubber grip ( hate how they get torn up ). I really like the proto j5257F which says its 8.5" long, the ideal length for my purposes , but the pics make it look alot longer than that so not sure. Already have a 12" flex head 3/8, and astubby 3/8 ratchet, so i need a nice middle ground ratchet. This is for perfessional use as i am a tech for lawn and garden equiupment, gators , and compact tractors a local dealer .Thanks, any input is appreciated!

edit- just recieves my wright 3427 yesterday. Couldnt be more happy with it! Super smooth and solid clicks. Just wondering if it would be worth pulling it apart and cleaning it up and lubing it. Notnsure what the best lube would be though.

 

[ChevyEFI]

Read, read, and read some more.

You will run into examples of ratchets you never knew existed.

I prefer my roto ratchets like the SK 3870; it's a bit over 10" though.

I'd enjoy a slightly longer version of the FN100; it's 7 & 7/8"

 

[MattVette89]

Do you have a specific budget/price range?

I have some SK, new mac, and snap on and I like them all. I think they are all nice. Better than my gearwrench, which themselves were far superior to my craftsman.

Ratchets are subjective to a degree, but any quality one should serve you well.

 

[bones741]

Do you have a specific budget/price range?

I have some SK, new mac, and snap on and I like them all. I think they are all nice. Better than my gearwrench, which themselves were far superior to my craftsman.

Ratchets are subjective to a degree, but any quality one should serve you well.

Looking to stay under 135, its going to be used and abused, so dont mind paying for quality

 

[d.mcfarland]

Armstrong locking flex.

 

[wvrailroader]

Snap On F80 is 7 7/16" and the FL80 is 10 5/16" or if you want a flexhead, the FF80 is 8 7/16". Any of the three are under $135 and they are all great ratchets.

 

[Fedwrench]

WELCOME TO THE JOURNAL!!!

Discussing favorite ratchets here is similar to having favorite brand of car or liking red heads over blondes

Any way, the Proto 3/8 drive flex head ratchet is a great ratchet with 72 teeth but, it's not 8.5 inches long but, 10 5/8 inches long overall.

If you truly want a 3/8 drive flex head ratchet that's not in a 1/4 drive frame that measures 8.5 inches long, you have one choice. The Snap on FF80 ratchet.

However, if you can live with a ratchet that's around 9 1/2 to 9 5/8 inches long or so and don't mind comfort grip handles, your choices open up to include MAC, Matco, Carlyle, and Williams.

Pictured below is the Proto J5257F from your first post, a Snap on FHF80, and the Snap on FF80 for comparison.
Although I can't really recommend which ratchet would be right for you, because what works great for me may not work for you but, my reach for first ratchet in this category is a Carlyle 90 tooth flex head ratchet part number
R38F90 measuring 9.62 inches overall. It's not pictured because it's on my tool cart at work. It isn't US made though if that's an issue for you.

 

[tremek]

I love a good bang for the buck but when it comes to ratchets i always went for my snapons. my work box only has snapon ratchets now. the rest are for home use.

 

[panknuckshovel]

Williams B-52EHFA 3/8" flex head ratchet
Williams B-52EHA 3/8" ratchet
Have the whole set from 1/4 through 1/2 to replace all my Craftsman RP stuff.

You can find both with a a minimal amount of googling for around $40 total, and if you work the sign up for an Amazon visa get immediate $30 gift card you can get them both for around $10-$15.

As I have posted in a few other threads... Built like a tank, solid as a rock and 36 teeth that are smoother than your prom dates thigh!!!!

EDIT. I rudely forgot to type WELCOME!!!

 

[nutsnbolts]

This looks like a good deal on a new one, $83

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Snap-On-FF8...:g:Vj4AAOSwGotWpBKc&item=111884016678&vxp=mtr

 

[bones741]

WOW! you guys are great on the responses. Fedwrench how do you like that proto? its a tad longer than im looking for, but the head looks super compact, didnt realize it was so small comparing it to the snap on! I took a look at the armstrong 11-974 and it looks identical to that williams wrench posted by panknuckshovel. Also looked at the cornwell JRF36NOSH. But all three of those are 36 teeth, and not sure how those would be in tight spots, swing wise. another i have been considering are roto ratchets by gear wrench or cornwell, but the heads seem awful wide an would like to hear some input on those too if anyone has it. Might add a new 1/4" flex head to my collection too

 

[Roddyo]

On eBay the crescent 1/4 and 3/8 roto ratchet combo's can be found for around $25.00 shipped and the gearwrench 1/4 and 3/8 ratchet combos can be found for around $40.00. That's 4 ratchets for half your budget if you can live with the handles on the crescents.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CRESCENT-CR...530908?hash=item48840478dc:g:-TwAAOSwHjNWBYwG

Upon further review that's $60.00 for the set.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gearwrench-...:g:4GEAAOxyRHdR21v6&item=251523059119&vxp=mtr

Which makes this a no brainier IMO.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gearwrench-...837604?hash=item4d3df34fa4:g:9WgAAOSwT~9Wk7KL

No affiliation with the sellers BTW.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

...I took a look at the armstrong 11-974 and it looks identical to that williams wrench posted by panknuckshovel. Also looked at the cornwell JRF36NOSH. But all three of those are 36 teeth, and not sure how those would be in tight spots, swing wise.

When you read 36T, don't think of it like your Craftsman ratchets, those are in a league of their own for how sloppy they are.

For Armstrong, go 60T+ ratchets. Skip that Armstrong 11-974, it's the clunky 36T version, that I don't see many kind words about. Williams uses the older Snap-On 36T design (and rebuilt kits) and as said, is one of the smoothest 36T mechanisms out there. The Cornwell is 30T, although according to most here that have them, it's the smoothest 30T out there. Swing arc will be an issue in tight spots though.

Another i have been considering are roto ratchets by gear wrench or cornwell, but the heads seem awful wide an would like to hear some input on those too if anyone has it. Might add a new 1/4" flex head to my collection too

Carlyle, MAC and Cornwell are all the same Taiwan 100T Roto Ratchets, and are supposed to be great.

My personal preference has been Snap-On Dual 80s at work (used on eBay) and SK at home. Both also offer a 3/8" drive in a 1/4" body if you're really concerned with clearance.

 

[bones741]

My personal preference has been Snap-On Dual 80s at work (used on eBay) and SK at home. Both also offer a 3/8" drive in a 1/4" body if you're really concerned with clearance.

ive seen that sk 3/8 in a 1/4" body, do you have that one? and if so what are your thoughts?

 

[panknuckshovel]

ive seen that sk 3/8 in a 1/4" body, do you have that one? and if so what are your thoughts?

If you are looking for a 3/8" drive in 1/4" rig take a look at the Wright 3430.
Reeeeee Donk U lous on how awesome it is.

 

[dutchgray]

Second the Wright 3430 its tiny and smooth, very handy for small spaces.

 

[jerseykat1]

This is my Favorite Ratchet. Both the 3/8" and the 1/4" the other 10 or so ratchets i have rarely leave my tool box.

 

[tremek]

This is my Favorite Ratchet. Both the 3/8" and the 1/4" the other 10 or so ratchets i have rarely leave my tool box.

I really want to try the xp120 . I have the older model at home

 

[ihateminimumwage]

ive seen that sk 3/8 in a 1/4" body, do you have that one? and if so what are your thoughts?

I don't have the 3/8" in 1/4" body, but I have the 1/4" standard, long and flex ratchets by SK. The 60T 1/4" flex can easily go toe to toe with the the 72T Snap-On I use at work

I do have a couple of 3/8" in 1/4" bodied ratchets I built using Williams ratchets and Snap-On kits, they work great (but again, 36T).

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=4665375&postcount=139

 

[jerseykat1]

I really want to try the xp120 . I have the older model at home

They are nice. Not very expensive either.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

 

[ChrisPace]

Snap on if money was no object


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[Richard Cranium]

That is one of the hardest questions to ask on a forum, you will pretty much get a different answer out of every one, I have all kinds of brands, some days one feels better in my hands than the other. One of the only Snap on products that I really like is their ratchets. I have s&k, I have matco, I have gear wrench and many other brands. Bottom line you will have to find what suits you best. Good luck.

 

[bones741]

That four piece gear wrench deal is looking mighty good

 

[Greg85mcss]

To those with the 120xp how is the drag? I need a decent 1/4 but have always favored 3/8 so I don't want to spend so $ for something I might not use much. Guys at work all either swear by so or buy the cheapest thing out


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[AnonymousToolGuy]

That four piece gear wrench deal is looking mighty good

I buy all my GW stuff from ToolDiscounter. Think it's branded as KD Tools on there but the part numbers are all the same and a lot cheaper than Amazon or similar.

120XP ratchets are great. 3/8 and 1/4 cushioned grip flex heads are the bee's knees. Love the extra length.

 

[AnonymousToolGuy]

To those with the 120xp how is the drag? I need a decent 1/4 but have always favored 3/8 so I don't want to spend so $ for something I might not use much. Guys at work all either swear by so or buy the cheapest thing out

It's feather sensitive (at least mine is, but I disassembled and lubed everything up). It'll ratchet on even the loosest bolts without backing them off.

 

[DBendr]

In the spirit of insanity I present the 2 BEST not too long 3/8 ratchets in company with their straight counterparts.
The Wright is the shortest heavy duty fine tooth(dual pawl) ratchet made.
That's why I pulled it from the box for this. The Tekton is the best value. Damn fine ratchet

 

[bones741]

In the spirit of insanity I present the 2 BEST not too long 3/8 ratchets in company with their straight counterparts.
The Wright is the shortest heavy duty fine tooth(dual pawl) ratchet made.
That's why I pulled it from the box for this. The Tekton is the best value. Damn fine ratchet

i really like that wright ratchet and its a great price!

 

[rustbucket5]

i use tekton mainly, low backdrag and feel great but sensitive selector switch. the roto ratchets from tekton are good but they are long and have rubber handles.

 

[Banshee365]

I use the long flex 3/8 120XP extensively. The mechanism is very smooth and positive. It never feels like a pawl is gliding over a tooth rather than fall in it, if that makes sense. It feels like it would never slip. The back drag, in my opinion, isn't bad but isn't great either. At least on my 3/8. I don't care for the detented flex either but that's how they do it.

If the 120XP were US made I would own every one. Instead, I'm a stickler for supporting US made tools. I am sticking with SK. I just got the 1/4 flex SK 40972 and it's just butter smooth and looks like a jewel. The back drag is extremely low as well. I'm in love with it.

 

[BMack37]

I love my Gearwrench 120XPs, they're very high quality and are smooth. They're even smoother if you add in some Super Lube, it certainly doesn't need it but it will make it even smoother.

 

[tremek]

Gearwrench 120XP vs snap-on duel 80s anyone have any input

 

[Wamsutta]

Gearwrench 120XP vs snap-on duel 80s anyone have any input

I think the Snap-on 80 is the superior product.

 

[DBendr]

i use tekton mainly, low backdrag and feel great but sensitive selector switch. the roto ratchets from tekton are good but they are long and have rubber handles.

Yeah. It's a tradeoff. The selector and pawl tension work hand in hand so you get low backdrag-sensive selector. No way around that other than a round head style like a Wright or SK(cartridge types). Most guys are infatuated with rapid reverse of the pair head style. I never understood that myself unless you spend the day cross-threading bolts.

 

[Mr Ratchet]

For a flex head, I like my Armstrong Maxx ratchets the best. I use them more than my non flex SO ratchets. They can be locked or left unlocked and the locking lever is out of the way. For a more standard length and non locking head, Armstrong, Craftsman Premium, or Gear Wrench are all nice and won't break the bank.

 

[Askme42]

Armstrong locking flex.

Agreed. But the 3/8 is a little longer.


I'd say Armstrong 1/4 or sk 3/8 in a 1/4 body.

 

[JBradley500]

I've used and own a lot of different ratchets and I'd say if you're willing to pay for dual 80's you're going to end up with the best product. I agree Armstong/Matco locking heads are the best design and head thickness is thinnest, but the dual 80 is better overall.

 

[bones741]

Well guys i appreciate all insight, really glad i joined the forum. i ended up going with the Wright 3427, did a little digging on it and its supposed to be an excellent ratchet, found one new shipped to my door for 50 bucks and there is a place to warranty them ten minutes away. and its USA made! so i couldn't resist

 

[Empty Pockets]

WELCOME TO THE GARAGE JOURNAL

You'll find that there are about as many answers to your question, as there are ratchets owned by members. As I no longer pull a wrench for a living, take my opinion for what it's worth, but at home my go to ratchets are the Wright 4400(1/2"), and 3400(3/8").

I have been a big fan of Wright for years. They make a quality product at a fair price, in the USA and their Customer Service is extraordinary.

If cost is a consideration, Harbor Freight's Pittsburgh Pro ratchets, though Asian imports seem to be a much higher quality than the junk they used to sell. I haven't had mine long enough to have put them through their paces.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Well guys i appreciate all insight, really glad i joined the forum. i ended up going with the Wright 3427, did a little digging on it and its supposed to be an excellent ratchet, found one new shipped to my door for 50 bucks and there is a place to warranty them ten minutes away. and its USA made! so i couldn't resist

Good Choice