Ratchet "Strength Tests"--Let's Break It

[BrandoJames]

There’s a lot of YouTube “torture tests” where guys will torque ratchets till they break. In the last one I watched, they torqued a collection of ratchets to nearly 300 ft/lbs, breaking each one. Tekton & Snap-on were declared the “winners”, although all the ratchets—even the cheap Duralast & Husky endured well beyond 200 ft/lbs.

I honestly don’t see the value here. No one in their right mind would ever torque a hand ratchet like that. What they can’t test in a 10 minute video: normal daily use over a long period of time. Does anyone here think these tests are worthwhile. I feel stupid just watching them—I have way too much time on my hands.

 

[DFB]

I honestly don’t see the value here. No one in their right mind would ever torque a hand ratchet like that. What they can’t test in a 10 minute video: normal daily use over a long period of time. Does anyone here think these tests are worthwhile. I feel stupid just watching them—I have way too much time on my hands.

Thinking you answered you're own question there

Maybe there's a new breed of mechanic these days

Over my years I've never really known true ratchet abusers though I'm sure they were always out there. Those putting extensions/ cheater bars on them.


I guess knowing in the back of your mind that even a cheap import wont just shear or strip out under general "normal" conditions is a good thing.

Of course the advertised warranty backup on a tool more often than not dictates GJ preference

 

[lardy1]

I rarely watch YouTube tool reviews but I did suffer through the one you mentioned.

Like you, I say "Who cares?" I don't base my ratchet purchses on tests that have no relation to my application. What I consider lower quality than I am willing to pay for are still probably strong enough to hold up to the torque I'm going to apply. I do not use a ratchet when the amount of force to turn it requires me to put my foot against the edge of the bench. Rather than risk injury or tool failure, I'm more incline to use a tool designed for that rather than abusing my ratchets.

I would be concerned about unseen damages to the pawls and/or drive gear that would shorten the life of the ratchet and cause failure at a later time.

 

[measuredtwice]

They are click bait to get views, subscribers, patrons, and ad revenue. I do wonder who has the time to watch these 10-20 minute Youtube videos. A lot of them are intentionally stretched out as long as possible. A written summary of some of these 10- 20 minute video would take only 1 minute to read. But people wouldn't make the videos if people didn't watch. And companies wouldn't give them products and/or money to make the videos if they weren't good advertising.

 

[upper_tanker]

Are you guys referring to the video by AvE?

 

[BrandoJames]

Are you guys referring to the video by AvE?

No, it definitely wasn't AvE--although AvE loves to tear tools apart (he's smart about it). I looked through my YouTube history but can't find the video now.

 

[Cheapskate]

My issue is buying a bunch of ratchets for the sole purpose of breaking them and then returning them for a replacement. If your purpose is to intentionally destroy the ratchet you shouldn't return it for a replacement, you should eat the cost.

 

[rijndael]

My issue is buying a bunch of ratchets for the sole purpose of breaking them and then returning them for a replacement. If your purpose is to intentionally destroy the ratchet you shouldn't return it for a replacement, you should eat the cost.

I wholeheartedly agree.

 

[Cheapskate]

No, it definitely wasn't AvE--although AvE loves to tear tools apart (he's smart about it). I looked through my YouTube history but can't find the video now.

Is this the video?

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DAGvL66fghg" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Cheapskate]

I do wonder who has the time to watch these 10-20 minute Youtube videos.

 

[BrandoJames]

Is this the video?

Yep, that's the video--thanks CS.

 

[mrvm]

Good tools used badly is why my "lender" tools are 2nd or 3rd tier. Can't let these abusers hurt themselves

 

[Nineeightyone]

Strength tests bother me. A strong ratchet that feels like garbage is worse to me than one that only meets ANSI standards, but feels smooth. But I generally don't abuse my tools, so they typically don't see the peak of standards anyway.

I'd like to see more videos focusing on backdrag, smoothness of operation, tendency to skip and reverse, things of that nature. But I suppose a lot of that is harder to show in a video, and requires more in-depth testing than applying force until something breaks.