Ratchet use

[KEH]

Got to use the SO Dual 80 a little today, changed oil in garden tiller.Got a little more involved since I found water in the gas can and had to remove the tank to clean it. I really like the Dual 80, in addition to being smooth the changing direction lever is smooth enough to change one handed. I got spoiled on that feature on other ratchets early.

Any ratchets or other tools that made a good impression with the first use? I also liked the triangular shaped SO screwdriver handle, but mine disintegrated with use. Back to ratchets, I also liked the Craftsman low profile 1/4 drive ratchet from the first use.

KEH

 

[Polski-Chevy]

I remember using the F80 the first time changing out a blower motor, and yes it was a moment of tool approval

 

[5mall5nail5]

Tools that made good impression on first use...

IR Thundergun
SO FH80
Cman Pro 84T's

 

[Chris_L]

Love my matco 88 ratchets and my snapon ct7850 electric impact. Among the best $$$ ever spent.

 

[ianguilly]

SO Mg725, SO PH3050A, SO KR series boxes.

 

[sberry]

I lost a snappy or 2 I had which were fine and replaced them in a jam with these, some Taiwan I imagine, as I recall not a mark on them, bought them over the counter from a parts store, only recently lost handle and have to be about the best ratchets I have ever had. Never missed a lick, not one, never lube or tighten a screw. Still 50% service life left. 20 yrs hard use.

 

[BK13]

Armstrong MAXX ratchet was pretty smooth...

 

[cookefab]

I lost a snappy or 2 I had which were fine and replaced them in a jam with these, some Taiwan I imagine, as I recall not a mark on them, bought them over the counter from a parts store, only recently lost handle and have to be about the best ratchets I have ever had. Never missed a lick, not one, never lube or tighten a screw. Still 50% service life left. 20 yrs hard use.

I'm thinking he's into pride of ownership, quality that surpasses generation, etc...

Personally, I've had busted knuckles and scrap metal out of cheap tools. I am happy that they work for you.

 

[Kracin]

I'm thinking he's into pride of ownership, quality that surpasses generation, etc...

Personally, I've had busted knuckles and scrap metal out of cheap tools. I am happy that they work for you.

cheap is incredibly subjective here.... incredibly, like 100x more than anywhere else i've seen.

haven't been on the board long but i dismiss any post that uses the words chinese junk, usa only in my box..... it's just ridiculous and the sad thing is you can tell that some of these people haven't even used 50% of the tools they own, they just like the looks and the country of origin.


on that note, i saw a thread about how horrible MIT tools were.. well this ratchet was a hand me down, i got it from my dad who had it well worn already, and i've put another 12 years of use on it. never had a problem with it, never tore it apart to lube anything even though it might need it, but hasn't failed to perform. even the flex head assembly is seeing wear but still works flawlessly, holds its position like it did when it was first unpackaged.

yet all i saw was talk about how junky mit ratchets were. this one has completely disassembled multiple cars and engines, and gone through it's paces at an industrial production plant or two. probably my favorite from the first time i used it.

find a tool you like, and use it like crazy.

 

[ddo]

My biggest wow moment was with bahco 9073 reversable adjustable wrench where it can grip pipe tight and stay. In my day to day, that is huge. Shallower angle than alligator wrenches from the old days and easier bite as a result.

To a lesser extent, pipe wrench pliers and cobras from knipex.

 

[woody 73]

GJ member Hiball talked about wright ratchets and I bought one, let me say they are very nice.

 

[muck0nator]

i really like the 3/8 flex head kd, feels real smooth and works excellent as a speeder handle because of the bent handle

http://www.gearwrench.com/catalog/r...tchets/cushion_grip/setdetails.jsp?part=81229

 

[Scout Driver]

GJ member Hiball talked about wright ratchets and I bought one, let me say they are very nice.

Woody is right. Pick up a dual-pawl Wright ratchet and be amazed at how smooth they really are. Mine impressed me immediately.

Last tool that impressed me right away??? I bought a set of Craftsman prybars (made by Wilde I believe) on Friday afternoon. Put them to work on Saturday and was instantly happy.

Scott

 

[sberry]

Another tool that worked pretty well was this cheap pipe wrench I tried for giggles, got it at TSC, see them at HD but this one broke for some reasom, welded it up, been great since and is kind of neat.

 

[bobcatdan]

Plierwrench

 

[billymade]

First snap-on... 800 series 1/2 ratchet, hard handle, instinct screwdrivers, FSLF936 Flex Head 3/8 in. Speeder Ratchet, Wire Stripper/Cutter, Automatic PWC22B, Far7200 3/8 air ratchet, far25A 1/4 air ratchet, ball pein dead blow hammer, breaker bars, PDR5a/3a air drills (i could go on and on... )
Hutchins random orbital sanders
Ingersoll Rand 2131A 1/2" Ultra-Duty Air Impact Wrench
Any 3M body shop, surface preparation supplies
Wera Kraftform Micro precision screwdrivers
Airlift Cooling System Vacuum Fill Tool (fills pesky new cars with all those hard to burp blocks!)
VCDS scan tool for VAG cars...
Wusthof, Henckels knives...
Apple iPhone 4s...

 

[Brownsfan]

I know I will catch **** for this because of the love for Makita and Millwauke but... When I got my Craftsman 12v Nextec drill and impact. Those things are quite powerful and the price is right. You can also get a really nice work light that uses the batteries. It is the BEST portable light I have ever used.

 

[1950mercury]

First time I used ratcheting box wrenches

 

[smith627]

I also liked the Craftsman low profile 1/4 drive ratchet from the first use.

KEH

^^^^^^^ same here