Ratchet suggestions........new tool guy....

[shoturtle]

You will hardly notice that min arch difference form 60t to 88t with a stubby. Longer the handle, you will notice it more.

Actually, when I use stubby it is not really the swing angle that makes them worth it. The space just do not fit a longer handles.

 

[shoturtle]

To the OP, do not get caught up on buying what you read here. You are going to end up spending allot more then you plan to, and really not get that much better of a tool. Use them for a while see if they work for you before spending more.

Since you brought the fine tooth standard ratchet. Unless you need the flex right aways. Used what you have to see if you even need a flex head.

There are plenty on here that buy tools more for collecting then using. And that gets super expensive. Use what you have, you have a good starter kit. And after seeing if there is anything missing, then add those items.

 

[EmptyWallet]

I'm being pretty cautious. I'm ONLY buying what I think is a good deal. You won't catch me buying any SO sockets or screwdrivers!

Perfect example, I got this ratcheting SO:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002NI1LZK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

And this stubby:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003HGH3YK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

That stubby will work just fine for me. Same with the full size ratcheting. I don't need a SO stubby or full size...even though that full size is basically the SO cousin.

I like ratchets though. You won't catch me with a Knipex pair of pliers either. Channellock is about as rich as I get.

I'm not going to get a flex in all drives either. Only 3/8 to start.

 

[shoturtle]

I just saying with the physic of the stubby ratchet. You are most likely throwing money out the window to go to 88T. As the 60T is a good gearing and you will not notice any difference 99% of the time.

 

[EmptyWallet]

Gotcha. What about on a 1/4 or 3/8 that is 7 or 8 inches long?

I bet you'd notice on that long *** Armstrong locking flex ratchet!

 

[shoturtle]

yeah you notice the arch angle, but if you are using a long, you really do not need the fine arch 90% of the time.

 

[kippieland]

I just saying with the physic of the stubby ratchet. You are most likely throwing money out the window to go to 88T. As the 60T is a good gearing and you will not notice any difference 99% of the time.

I agree with that statement. I notice my 60 matco have bit less drag. I still would go with the Armstrong because its a great ratchet a great price.

 

[shoturtle]

I missed the wera 3pt lock vs the 9pt lock. If you look at the 9pt, it is needed to give the pear sharp 180 degree rotation with stop. The round head only need 90 degrees to achive the same 180 pivot. They each has the things they do better then the other design.

 

[EmptyWallet]

I THINK I understand what you're saying. Not positive.

 

[shoturtle]

Since the pear forms the sharp of a L and a backward L , those are the max at both ends You break up the 9 stops between the 180 degree of travel. The round, you just need to flip the ratchet around.

 

[Skin]

I just saying with the physic of the stubby ratchet. You are most likely throwing money out the window to go to 88T. As the 60T is a good gearing and you will not notice any difference 99% of the time.

I'll disagree with this in that you dont need an 88T any time. Really when you get down to it you're talking about a whopping 1.9 degrees difference between the two. The only reason i personally have 88T is because they're new and i like the ratchets they're in. Plus Matco (the brand i have) doesnt even sell 60T anymore so that made my decision making much easier.

 

[shoturtle]

That 1.9 degree is not noticeable in a 4 inch stubby. And I would agree, you do not need 88t at all in a stubby. But the OP has gotten caught up in allot of GJ silliness.

 

[Skin]

Not just a stubby, im saying even in a 12" ratchet you'd be hard pressed to find an area (unintentionally) where you'd benefit from an additional 1.9* tooth click.

 

[shoturtle]

Yup I would agree with that as well. I have 72 as my highest tooth count standard length and have compare them to 60t. Not big difference it real world working environment.

 

[EmptyWallet]

That 1.9 degree is not noticeable in a 4 inch stubby. And I would agree, you do not need 88t at all in a stubby. But the OP has gotten caught up in allot of GJ silliness.

It's kinda easy to get caught up in it! Dialing it back.

I mostly browse and hunt, I have yet to "buy" a substantial amount of anything.

Found the Wera 3/8 for around $60 shipped.

 

[shoturtle]

It is so easy to get caught up in the tool collector silliness. Putting in a 88t into a stubby, when the 60T is more then enough. Or needing a 88t long flex. Tool collecting people just like to say I have this or that. But when you use your tools, you realized allot of the stuff is just spending more money on no gains.

 

[EmptyWallet]

It is so easy to get caught up in the tool collector silliness. Putting in a 88t into a stubby, when the 60T is more then enough. Or needing a 88t long flex. Tool collecting people just like to say I have this or that. But when you use your tools, you realized allot of the stuff is just spending more money on no gains.

As a former golf club purchasing addict, I know this story all too well.

Shot an email over to chadstoolbox to see if they'll price match amazon on the Wera 3/8 ratchet.

I'm only going to pick up one Wera ratchet in what I believe my most used size will be. Might add a 1/4 later on.

 

[shoturtle]

That is a good way to go about it.

I do not buy 1/2 dr really. I had a proto big dawn set, I lost the 1/2 dr about 12 years ago, never replaced until recently with a used one for the heck. 3/8 and 1/4 are the most useful sizes.

The only place I use 1/2 is on a breaker bar to do wheel lugs. Think the only time the 1/2 ratchet actually is used is when I work the axel nut on my motorcycles for chain adjustments. Can not think of any other fastener I use 1/2 ratche for.

 

[shoturtle]

I may have missed something in this thread, but why wouldn't you just order it from Amazon instead of Chad's?

amazon is also hassle free, not so much so lately form reports on GJ on chads.

 

[EmptyWallet]

I may have missed something in this thread, but why wouldn't you just order it from Amazon instead of Chad's?

If you find the product cheaper somewhere, Chad's will do 115% price matching. Brings the price of the Wera 3/8 to around $50.

 

[EmptyWallet]

Hmmmmmmm, hadn't heard that guys. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[EmptyWallet]

Have you read the fine print and read what people here have posted? I think the policy is written so that they almost never follow through and offer the price match.

Check out the thread I just made. If what I think is going to happen, happens...I will NEVER be purchasing something from there again.

 

[BrokewrenchLS1]

The Zyklop stuff is nice, but I'll toss this out there - sometimes you need a ratchet with a skinny head, and the Wera is definitely not that. I've got a Gearwrench swivel-head that I use sometimes, but it's a rare occasion working on a car that a big round head and y-fork handle fits better than a normal pear-head ratchet.

May want to keep a couple bucks in reserve to get a good regular ratchet, for when the Zyklop is just too big to fit.

 

[shoturtle]

the op has bahco pear heads on order, so he has the thinner head covered