Ratchets - If I was starting over again.

[BirdMobile]

Hey all,

I have a lot of ratchets. A drawer full, plus a few in the car, a few in my 3/4 kit, and a few "junkers" scattered around the shop dedicated to certain tasks or in a cabinet awaiting give-away or sale. I love ratchets, I consider them to be the "king of hand tools" (well.. that and the hammer! )

Anyway, given all of this, I got to thinking how I would go about it if I was starting over and buying ratchets from scratch. Here are my thoughts:

I would start out by just biting the cost bullet and buying a 3 piece set (1/4, 3/8, 1/2) of the Armstrong locking flex heads. They are, by far, probably the most versatile and nicest performing ratchets in my collection.

I would then add a set of standard handle length 1/4 and 3/8 roto ratchets - Carlyle or Snap On if I could afford them, or Husky if I was on a budget. I Love, love, LOVES me some roto - they are the ultimate flex ratchets and "speed handles".

Finally, I would buy a Snap On F80 or Carlyle R38TD, a Snap On TLL72, a Carlyle R14TD, and a Carlyle or Kobalt stubby 3/8 teardrop.

If I had any money left over, I'd pick up a long handled 3/8 ratchet - Snap On FLL80 or Tekton 15010 - depending on budget.

With this setup, only 10 ratchets, I could function very well. 99% of the time, these are the ratchets I reach for (with the exception of the Armstrong 1/2 Locking, which I'm in the process of obtaining).

I'm sure that had I gone in this direction, instead of the way I did it, I would probably still end up with a large collection similar to what I currently have - but I would have saved a lot of money and not gone down the road of experimenting with some ratchets that I ended up just not caring for.

 

[Dirty Diesels]

I'd also add a 3/4" drive ratchet, for when you get seized bolts that need an heavy duty ratchet to work them loose, then you've covered everything.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Instead of a 3/8 stubby, I'd prefer a 3/8 in a 1/4 body. If you need stubby, you need smaller anyways.

 

[canuckian]

Instead of a 3/8 stubby, I'd prefer a 3/8 in a 1/4 body. If you need stubby, you need smaller anyways.

this^^. at least where Snap On 3/8 stubbies are concerned anyways. I've only used mine a couple times whereas I use a compact 3/8 all the time.

 

[BirdMobile]

I'd also add a 3/4" drive ratchet, for when you get seized bolts that need an heavy duty ratchet to work them loose, then you've covered everything.

That's what my 1/2 drive 25" breaker bar is for!

Seriously though... I have a full set of 3/4 drive sockets with 2 ratchets and assorted extensions, swivel, etc. I've never used them.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Buy once, cry once. It amazes me how much people spend on replacing junk tools with junk tools and then can't fathom why people chose to spend money on quality. I've never regretted spending money on quality ratchets. My flavor is Snap On, but I wouldn't mind having a complete set of Proto, Mac, Armstrong, SK, Wright, Williams, Stalwhile, Facom, Matco, Carlyle, Gearwrench, Cornwell, Koken, etc. There are too many deals available on new and used quality tools to wash money down the drain on buying junk.

 

[byoungblood]

That's what my 1/2 drive 25" breaker bar is for!

Seriously though... I have a full set of 3/4 drive sockets with 2 ratchets and assorted extensions, swivel, etc. I've never used them.

I've attempted to use my 3/4" drive ratchet a couple of times. It is just too heavy and bulky unless you have a ton of room to work in. That reminds me, I need to post it up in the classifieds....

 

[wild cowboy]

That's what my 1/2 drive 25" breaker bar is for!

That's what my 40" Tekton 3/4" breaker bar is for (combined with Snap-On 3/4" to 1/2" adapter)

 

[Cope]

I have more than my share of ratchets, but when I was younger and working on cars every weekend, I had a 1/4", a 1/2" and maybe 2 3/8" ratchets, and I got by just fine. I realize newer vehicles have cramped engine compartments, but I think a lot of our ratchet "needs" are really wants.

 

[wild cowboy]

I got rid of all but one 1/2" ratchets, I find myself always using impact for that drive size, now on 3/8" and 1/4" ratchets, you just about cannot have too many of!

also I am divesting myself of all non-locking extensions - once you have used locking extensions, you can never go back!

 

[stage20]

That's what my 40" Tekton 3/4" breaker bar is for (combined with Snap-On 3/4" to 1/2" adapter)

thats a nice piece right there, but my 1/2 breaker bar and old jack handle is still cheaper. temps me. i like it.

 

[Cope]

thats a nice piece right there, but my 1/2 breaker bar and old jack handle is still cheaper. temps me. i like it.

Are Tekton and Great Neck related? I bought a 24" 1/2" drive breaker at Auto Zone that's the spitting image of the Tekton.

 

[wild cowboy]

Are Tekton and Great Neck related? I bought a 24" 1/2" drive breaker at Auto Zone that's the spitting image of the Tekton.

I doubt it. - the Great Neck stuff I have bought has not fared well. I have NEVER broken a Tekton tool.

 

[Cope]

I doubt it. - the Great Neck stuff I have bought has not fared well. I have NEVER broken a Tekton tool.

Not. I looked both companies up online. The Great Neck sure looks like the Tekton, but I think both are copying Snap On.

 

[n8n]

Great Neck as a brand has been around for ages, since before I ever heard of MIT (the tools, not the institution of higher learning.) My dad has a set of GN combos that he's had since I was a kid (since before I was born?) And a Krauter socket set (which I understand now was probably made by SK) both probably bought at auto parts store. Now the quality I can't speak to as I'm a lot harder on tools than he is but let's just say I'd prefer to use my own (SK) wrenches

Sent from my XT897 using Tapatalk

 

[stage20]

I doubt it. - the Great Neck stuff I have bought has not fared well. I have NEVER broken a Tekton tool.

older great neck taiwan tools are excellent for the money. better than hf offerings in my opinion. i wouldnt buy anything great neck off the shelf anymore. hear quality is hit or miss now.

 

[BK13]

also I am divesting myself of all non-locking extensions - once you have used locking extensions, you can never go back!

That is one area of my tool obsession that has been sadly lacking. I need to try some at some point in the future. Trying to change spark plugs with regular extensions pisses me off.

 

[Cope]

older great neck taiwan tools are excellent for the money. better than hf offerings in my opinion. i wouldnt buy anything great neck off the shelf anymore. hear quality is hit or miss now.

This one is at least ten years old and made in Taiwan.

 

[stage20]

This one is at least ten years old and made in Taiwan.

i think they made them for evercraft or the source company for them is the same. they look near identical. ive got some older allen sockets from great neck and they have been abused and held up well. see a lot of the newer stuff broken, though.

 

[Wamsutta]

I'd buy all Cornwell ratchets instead of Snap-on ratchets.

 

[wild cowboy]

That is one area of my tool obsession that has been sadly lacking. I need to try some at some point in the future. Trying to change spark plugs with regular extensions pisses me off.

here is the other secret to easy spark plug changes - magnetic & wobbly!

Gear Wrench magnetic wobbly spark plug socket with built in extension

 

[BK13]

Yeah, I'd probably need to throw a 6-8" extension for the rear cylinder on my CJ....

Cool looking tool, though.

 

[wagon]

new Great Neck is all chinese trash anymore. I've seen some OLD great neck USA stuff that's good, but anymore, I think they're just a company that imports and throws their name of stuff. Like Pearl Abrasive, for those who do metalworking. (Not to say that Pearl is junk, but they don't actually make anything)

 

[wild cowboy]

new Great Neck is all chinese trash anymore. I've seen some OLD great neck USA stuff that's good, but anymore, I think they're just a company that imports and throws their name of stuff.

yeah, I should have been more clear, I was referring to the newer junky stuff, not the classic old USA Great Neck good stuff.

 

[cheechi]

I think a lot of our ratchet "needs" are really wants.

I agree to a large degree. If I were buying all new from having nothing my list would come out a lot different.

FL80
HF 'comfort grip' in all sizes, and the new longer one
120xp flex head 4pc set

It's not perfect, and its not all inclusive. But it covers everything you really 'need' and then some. I'd definitely buy Carlyle rotos over any other brand I've used. But even that is outside of a true need, as is a locking flex head.

 

[Dirty Diesels]

That's what my 1/2 drive 25" breaker bar is for!

Seriously though... I have a full set of 3/4 drive sockets with 2 ratchets and assorted extensions, swivel, etc. I've never used them.

3/4" drive helps with stubborn suspension bolts & you don't ache as much afterwards !

 

[Dirty Diesels]

Instead of a 3/8 stubby, I'd prefer a 3/8 in a 1/4 body. If you need stubby, you need smaller anyways.

I agree, that's another reason why I bought a 1/4" drive Par-x ratchet, they are a damn sight smaller than what is on the tool market at the moment. Having 3/8 in a 1/4 body is next on my list.