Ratchet for a Friend

[RCL]

I have a friend that has helped me a lot over the years.
I would like to gift him a fine ratchet and would appreciate suggestions.
He owns and operates heavy equipment.
Has dozers, excavators, skid steers, side by sides, etc.
Would appreciate any suggestions.
Thanks in advance.

 

[OneEyedMan]

What’s your budget? For 1/2” that would be useful on equipment, I’m a big fan of the long flex head sold at Cat dealers. $115 was the last one from October. I’ve tried several others and those and SO 936 or 80 teeth are the only ratchets I’ll carry.

263-334 is the Cat

 

[ez-duzit]

Yes on the Snap-On 1/2" ratchet. Should first find out if he has one or what he needs.

 

[zendriver]

If he has sockets, he probably already has ratchets but maybe not a locking flex head

+1

 

[KnurledNut]

Budget?

If you really want to empty your wallet, the new Dual80 3/4" drive would be a heck of a gift.
https://shop.snapon.com/product/Rat...-4"-Drive-Dual-80-Technology-Ratchet-Head/L80



Coupled with the 36" comfort grip handle.
https://shop.snapon.com/product/Han...-Grip-Lock-Button-Ratchet-Handle-(Red)/L80GHR

 

[woody 73]

Don't misunderstand me when I say 1/2 ratchets are fantastic, but just from the op's post he is talking about some heavy equipment here, and again nothing wrong with 1/2 inch but I would be thinking along the lines of a nice 3/4-inch ratchet, did I overstep my bounds in my thinking?

Snap on
Proto
Wright
Mac
Cornwell

All great ratchets in 3/4 drive for heavy duty equipment.

 

[OneEyedMan]

Don't misunderstand me when I say 1/2 ratchets are fantastic, but just from the op's post he is talking about some heavy equipment here, and again nothing wrong with 1/2 inch but I would be thinking along the lines of a nice 3/4-inch ratchet, did I overstep my bounds in my thinking?

Snap on
Proto
Wright
Mac
Cornwell

All great ratchets in 3/4 drive for heavy duty equipment.

Go all the way! 1” Snappy! 6’ with the handle and extension

 

[RCL]

Thanks for all the suggestions.
He already has a nice assortment of 3/4" stuff.
He has been complaining about the quality of 3/8" and 1/2" ratchets he has purchased.
I am considering a nice Wright from HJE, but will consider others.

 

[paulsomlo]

A "fine" ratchet? Maybe Nepros? Although when he opens the box and sees that polished chrome, he may be afraid to use it, for fear of scratching and dinging it.

 

[Snaparxon]

Budget?

If you really want to empty your wallet, the new Dual80 3/4" drive would be a heck of a gift.
https://shop.snapon.com/product/Ratchet-Heads,-Sealed-(3-4")/3-4"-Drive-Dual-80-Technology-Ratchet-Head/L80



Coupled with the 36" comfort grip handle.
https://shop.snapon.com/product/Handles,-Chrome-(3-4")/3-4"-Drive-36"-Soft-Grip-Lock-Button-Ratchet-Handle-(Red)/L80GHR

I was very surprised, not as expensive as I thought they would be.
Could really have used that 20-30 years ago. Due to a limited swing in a confined area and backlash in the ratchet head I had to take the extension/socket off my L72 ratchet so I could advance the ratchet drive one tooth and then put the extension back on to advance the nut 1 tooth, and then repeat over and over again until the nut was tight.. couldn't swing the handle far enough to catch the next tooth. This event occurred for years until I changed jobs.

Go all the way! 1” Snappy! 6’ with the handle and extension

Is that a Cat or Williams number on the 1" dr ratchet ?

 

[OneEyedMan]

Is that a Cat or Williams number on the 1" dr ratchet ?

It’s from Cat. I don’t remember if Williams has a 1” version. Cat sells the handle but not the extension for it. I had to buy DOM tubing from a machine shop to make an extension.

 

[Torka]

Maybe a s and k round head 1/4 ratchet I think they are 120 tooth, or snap on 80 tooth quarter inch.

I’ve given both of these as gifts to heavy equipment guys. It’s a gift that they wouldn’t buy for themselves. But once they have one in their hands they appreciate it very much.

 

[Dick Tracy]

Does your friend do most of their work out of a service truck or shop? Do they currently have a tool truck that stops by on route?

 

[Dave455]

I’m a bit old fashioned, and if I’m giving a gift I generally want it to be a notch above what someone might buy themselves.

There are good ratchets out there, and the Wright isn't a bad choice.

Taking 3/8 as an example, about the best has to be Snap On. If you want something special, maybe a long. / flex head? I’d stick with steel handle if your friend works on heavy equipment.


Nepros are well up there too. Maybe nicer finished than the Snap On, but not so well known. Superb gift.


On a lower budget there’s KoKen. The regular ratchets are 24 tooth, but they are smooth, and high quality. Quite strong too.


Wild card is probably the KTC BRSW3L - an almost unique tool. Fine tooth, round head, swivel (Roto Head) but very compact. I love mine!

 

[mreisner]

Maybe a s and k round head 1/4 ratchet I think they are 120 tooth, or snap on 80 tooth quarter inch.

I’ve given both of these as gifts to heavy equipment guys. It’s a gift that they wouldn’t buy for themselves. But once they have one in their hands they appreciate it very much.

Unfortunately the SK are now made in China

 

[exmaxima1]

I have a bunch of ratchets, including Wright/Williams/Snap-On/CM Slim (very nice feel)/Stanley etc. I prefer a Proto flex head for most jobs. Made in France and a pleasure to use.

https://www.amazon.com/Drive-Flex-Head-Ratchet-17-3/dp/B002FCHC2K/?tag=atomicindus08-20

That said, if someone gifted me a nice SET of ratchets I would be thrilled!

https://www.amazon.com/SK-90-Tooth-Construction-Reversible-Contoured/dp/B0DZ29FJVT/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[L.Cheapo]

You would be hard pressed to find a finer 1/2" ratchet than a Snap On Dual 80.

 

[Upstater57]

As all of these are good ratchets, I focus on backdrag. I like the lightest backdrag. In my experience owning at least 20 different 1/2 and 3/4 drive brands and models, I find the original plomb/proto mechanism superior to most all others. The original 5449 Proto is still available new. This classic design is still one of the best.

 

[NUTTSGT]

A little late for the party but if he was running a service truck for heavy equipment and complaining about 3/8" & 1/2" drives ratchets, I would have considered buying him several when HF had the Icon rachets on sale (wasn't it 40% off).

Like I said late to the party but for $100-120, you could have bought maybe 4 or five ratchets to live the abused life exposed to the elements.

 

[crashmtb]

Koken Z series, wonderful especially for the price

 

[Beerhippie]

I've never gotten a ratchet for a friend, but I did get a nice flyrod for a girlfriend once. I'll never regret that trade.

 

[CGarage]

Thanks for all the suggestions.
He already has a nice assortment of 3/4" stuff.
He has been complaining about the quality of 3/8" and 1/2" ratchets he has purchased.
I am considering a nice Wright from HJE, but will consider others.

Wright makes great tools but their ratchet designs and mechanisms are ancient.

There are better alternatives on the market with modern technology geared towards your friend’s needs.

Wright is marketed towards industrial users, thus, they can get away with selling the mechanisms of yesteryear.

 

[CGarage]

A little late for the party but if he was running a service truck for heavy equipment and complaining about 3/8" & 1/2" drives ratchets, I would have considered buying him several when HF had the Icon rachets on sale (wasn't it 40% off).

Like I said late to the party but for $100-120, you could have bought maybe 4 or five ratchets to live the abused life exposed to the elements.

And had easy warranty available via any local HF store.

Taiwan quality is very very good in this era.

Hard to beat the convenience of the HF store replacement if needed. And a modern mechanism with high tooth count ratchet pawl.

 

[liliysdad]

Buy the man a Dual 80 or two.

 

[rust in the eye]

Budget?

If you really want to empty your wallet, the new Dual80 3/4" drive would be a heck of a gift.
https://shop.snapon.com/product/Ratchet-Heads,-Sealed-(3-4")/3-4"-Drive-Dual-80-Technology-Ratchet-Head/L80



Coupled with the 36" comfort grip handle.
https://shop.snapon.com/product/Handles,-Chrome-(3-4")/3-4"-Drive-36"-Soft-Grip-Lock-Button-Ratchet-Handle-(Red)/L80GHR

$150 for three feet of bar stock. God bless 'em.

 

[kngelv]

Get him something unique like Koken. Very low back drag and a pleasure to use. Even my 19 year old notices how smooth they are.

James

 

[BDT/NWMN]

I am pleased with My recent TEKTON ratchet purchases, and plan to add a few more. They offer a broad selection which may be definitely worth a look.