Ratchet preference

[redbarron57]

How many of you actually prefer an extreamly fine tooth ratchet. My preference is between 40 and 72 teeth.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Different strokes for different folks. Plain and simple.

 

[DieselJH]

My favorite ratchet is an old 32 tooth snap on long handled 3/8 flex head. It just feels solid to me. It gets used way more than anything else in my box.

 

[Brownsfan]

My favorite is the 30t Cornwell ratchets. Still haven't used one that is smoother or stronger. Second is the Snap On dual 80.

 

[RedneckWelder]

I like the Cornwell ratchets a lot for pure smoothness but the higher tooth Dual 80s, Matco/Armstrong 88s, and Taiwanese generic 72t ratchets and similar for tight quarters where the high tooth count can definitely make the difference.

Don't have any experience with the 120-160 tooth ratchets.

 

[stretch5881]

I like Kobalt from Lowes. Affordable fine tooth, and when they fail, they exchange, no questions asked.

 

[JUNK-MAN]

Mine are mostly old Snap On's my regular 3/8 is a 49 tooth, long and flex head are booth 35 thooth and 1/2 is an old 15 tooth, I have a couple old Craftsman RP's in all three drives but I have no idea of tooth count on them. They are all course and they work fine for me but as far as my preference I like my SO's the best.

 

[bonneyman]

45 teeth has always proven fine enough for me.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Finer the better in my opinion. What's the downside? Today's fine tooth ratchets are smooth and strong.

To be fair, I haven't tried the Cornwell's that everyone raves about. I do have a couple of "Cornwell" torque wrenches, but I dont think the heads are actually made by Cornwell.

 

[Fretters]

As long as a ratchet ratchets, it's good for me.

 

[AceofSpad3s]

No particular preference, I tend to go through my drawer and grab what ever I feel like using. I tend to like the coarse ones, like the proto pear head and the sk round heads when I don't need a whole lot of room, but I like the gw 84t and hf composites as well. Also, like others mentioned, I like the 30t Cornwell as well. Shame that mine is the 1/2 drive, I don't recall the last time I used anything in 1/2 drive.

 

[firworks]

My favorites are also the 30T Cornwells.

 

[lightning02]

fine tooth 90% of the time.

 

[rockinacummins]

Yes.

Nothin finer than a... Fine tooth ratchet... Er...

 

[liam.fenemore]

My Snap-On Dual 80's are my favourite, but Gearwrench is pretty close and soo much cheaper.

 

[ChevyEFI]

Somewhere between a 3870 and a 43875 is just right.

 

[martin666]

Arsenal consists of the usual cast of characters, dual 80's, matco 88's, snap on round head 100, but my go to is more often than not a '83 vintage long hard handled 30 tooth snap on. Smooth as can be, very little back drag and just feels right

 

[70Swinger440]

Snap On Dual 80s are my favorites. Next, would be the Craftsman 60T thin profile. When I work on my Dart, I usually use my Craftsman RHFT ratchets. It reminds me of hanging around the garage, while my dad wrenched on his funny car. They were his favorites, until some scumbag stole them.

 

[metaldad]

whatever one i reach for, and my hand picks up.
does it really matter?

 

[shockwave]

For me it will be either long flex snap on or Matco locking flex most of the time or my roto snap on compact style

 

[Jeremy77]

Heavy Industry here so clearance being tight isn't usually an issue. Love my Armstrong 972 and Proto 5449 1/2in. drives. Also have the Proto in 3/4in. drive and it serves well when needed.

 

[shoggoth80]

It's a toss between my Snap On 100t roto, and my long handled Cornwell 30t. Depends on space, obstacles, and relative room to swing. Both have comfort handles, and both are very good tools.

 

[BioNerd]

on 3/8s l like 72 teeth packed with grease so it sounds smooth. I would like to have a smoother stubby 1/4 drive.

 

[lightning02]

on 3/8s l like 72 teeth packed with grease so it sounds smooth. I would like to have a smoother stubby 1/4 drive.

to much lube on the teeth is not good. it could slip and round off a couple of teeth.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

I've given almost everything a shot. Actually more so than I ever would have, but GJ offers more options than I'd ever known about.

Shop and service bags are a mix of Snap-On Dual 80s (and one Snap-On 1/4" Roto), SK round heads and Williams USA 36T.

Home is now a mix of Williams USA 36T, SK Round Heads and my old Williams 24T (and one 1/4" Snap-On Dual 80 flex head, which may go to work or be sold).

In the past I've owned and used the hell out of Craftsman RPs, Gearwrench in 60T & 84T, Matco 88T, Snap-On 30T, MAC 30T (love the look, hate the feel), Kobalt Taiwan 72T, Kobalt USA 36T (same mechanism and slop as CM RPs).

Love my Dual 80s and SKs at this point. Still tempted to try a 30T Cornwell soon though...

 

[Rarified27]

The Armstrong 88's are my favorite.

I'm not a pro and will never need anything better than that already high quality.

Runner up are some older NAPA brand ratchets (pre carlyle) that are in the 60's.

 

[AmishFury]

i'm really liking the Matco/Armstrong 88 for 3/8"
SK is my favorite for 1/4"
i don't use 1/2" enough to have a favorite

 

[Jarhead0408]

In 1/4" I prefer my tiny SK's unless long reach is needed. Then it's back to either Snap On or Matco/Armstrong.

In 3/8" I like my Dual 80's followed very closely by a couple of Matco/Armstrong ratchets.

1/2" is also Matco/Armstong for the long stuff. If xl length isn't required I just stick with coarse toothed S•K's or Snap On's.

3/4" is an ancient Bonney! I think it's a 24 tooth? Somewhere in there.

 

[Kensgarage]

If I had to grab only one and get on a plane ?...........Out of over 30 pieces ?
1/2" 84T non-locking flex Gearwrench. 81306F.

 

[JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN]

I always find myself reaching for my cornwell ratchets when space or time isn't limited but for production work or confined space I prefer my dual 80's. My older Snap ons don't get used much anymore.

 

[davethorik]

I really like the Proto XL ratchets, I have long handled 3/8 and 1/2 they are probably my favorite ratchets. I also like Wright round heads, and for 1/4 it's a toss up between SK, Wright, and Armstrong locking flex.

 

[zcbauer89]

I've got dual 80s and I like them, but I find myself using older Macs and SKs.

 

[Ratchet Guy]

i like the hf roto swivel head ratchet, always feels very solid when you grip it and putting pressure on it, the roto head even though non locking doesnt feel sloppy or feel very secure when there is pressure, really love the roto head againts the newer flex head type, this is not only me but my brother as well when i observe him grabbing my ratchet fixing his bike. will grab another one when near HF.

 

[oldldh]

These---

GearWrench Flexhead 120 clickers...

And less than $ 100.00 for the set!!!

 

[ecally]

Mostly like my snap on round head and Dual 80. But for whatever reason my absolute favorite are New Britain RH. I think they are smooth. I have quite a few. 1 from my Dad and a few I found on eBay.

 

[Isomer101]

Long time lurker, first time poster. I prefer facom ratchets based upon recommendations from this very site, stricht8, mrholeshot, and gasgas17 thank you! Very smooth, 72t, but unfortunately, like SO, not cheap. As a side note, their 440 wrenches are lightweight and very ergonomic.
Got to get a hold of a cornwell 30t now.

 

[d.mcfarland]

I think the Cornwell bring the most joy because of the nostalgic mixed with the downright dam good age old design and coarseness. They aren't the best at everything though.

The locking flex head Armstrong is without a doubt pretty essential, as are many others.

 

[Ckengine]

Snap on Dual 80s and SK here, also the Proto we use at work deserves an honorable mention

 

[Wamsutta]

That Snap-on Dual 80 has ruined me. I got one off ebay last week. I was perfectly fine with my Snap-on 36 tooth ratchets before getting a Dual 80 to try.

 

[trxrx7]

snap on dual 80 or gearwrench 120xp, best ones by far.