Ratchets: SK vs Snap on

[mach158]

Tried a search and got the typical snap on versus everyone else but did not come across much comparison to SK.

I'm a SK fan and have used their ratchets for some time but I keep reading how snap on is the best thing with their dual 80 ratchets. I have no one with one to be able to get my hands on one and I am just a DIY'er so no tool truck access for one. I'm hoping someone here has some insight and hands on experience with the SK ratchets and the snap on ratchets. Mainly talking about the dual 80 stuff and also if you have experience with both in the flex head as well. Reviews in the 3/8" drive would be ideal but I may step into a 1/2" as well but it would be later as I don't use them as much.

 

[espyking83]

My favorite ratchet of all time is SK's 1/4", but man, there is no comparison when talking SK and Snap On 3/8" ratchets. Snap On for 3/8" all day. More teeth, more refined, more comfort. Love me some SK but dont typically reach for them on anything larger than 1/2".

 

[Stevenn1]

I have had several SK, Snap-on dual 80, Craftsman...
The SK was very strong and reliable. I only like the Dual 80s more because the handle does not have
the famous SK knurling (not comfortable to me), but does have an easy On/Off selector switch which makes it easy to change direction with the thumb. More of a personal preference. Sold everything except the Dual 80s at a garage sale last year.

 

[Deej]

I love them both. I keep a dual 80 and an sk 3/8 in my box at work, and I'm happy with whichever one ends up in my hand. They're both different, but both great. For the price, sk is pretty tough to beat.

 

[53chevy5]

Have the snap on ratchets got better over the years? About ten years ago I put my last snap on ratchet in my wife's tool kit for the house and I switched to Cornwell and never looked back

 

[Deej]

They got much better around 2008

 

[1950mercury]

The sk tuff1 ratchets are hard to beat...in this cold weather I grab my so comfort handles, if I'm working with a lot of grease and oil the tuff1 72 tooth ratchets come out

 

[Ike4160]

I like them both. I have two sk 3/8 ratchets and they are pretty tough. It is a tried and true design. I also have 6 dual 80's and 10 of the older 800 series snapon ratchets. I just prefer the snapon stuff.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

I've switched over to almost solely Snappy D80s at work and SK at home. Love them both, but as 'espyking83' stated, the Snap-On's shine in 3/8" drive. I just brought my bent handle flex SK home and replaced with a D80.

Big problem I have with the 3/8" drive SK flex heads is that they have a pressed in pin while the SO flex is a Torx head screw that can be tightened. SK ratchet is maybe 6 months old an already getting a decent amount of slop in the joint.

1/4" drive flex ratchets could be interchangeable for me. They are both fine tooth (60 vs 72) and use a screw to adjust how stiff the joint is.

If you're just testing the waters, look for a Dual 80 3/8" Flex Ratchet used on eBay. They'll run around half or less of new, already be worn in and smooth, and if you don't like it you can still resell it for exactly what you paid for it.

 

[Banshee365]

My favorite ratchet is also an SK 40972 1/4 drive flexer. It's 60 tooth but it feels like butter and looks like a jewel. I've messed with Dual-80's but don't own one. Honestly, mechanism wise, the Gearwrench 120XP is amazing. The flex is ball and detent which is really annoying to me. My SK is tight and has the torx screw at the detent like Snap-on which is far superior to me. I'm dedicated to US produced tools to I'll continue to buy SK over Gearwrench.

In closing, as an SK faithful, I think Snap-On has the edge on ratchets. They're over double the price but I would say they are a little ahead. SK hasn't changed the ratchet designs in like a century for the most part so that is really what is holding them back. I plan to continue to buy SK ratchets except for maybe the Snap-On 25" 1/2" drive flex head. That would be handy.

SK is working on a new line of pear head ratchets using similar technology as their X-Frame wrenches, so expect a very high number of positions like the 120XP (I say positions instead of teeth because the 120XP is 60 tooth with 2 offset pawls.) Expect the new line of SK ratchets to be great, as long as their availablility is better than the X-Frame line.

I REALLY like what Ideal is doing with SK. I've used their customer service lately and it's phenomenal.

 

[JDon99]

In my opinion, SK ratchets work just fine, but are nowhere near the dual80s. I personally don't care for round head ratchets. The best thing for you to do is get you an f80 and try it out.

 

[anndel]

I slowly upgraded from my 30 year old quick release oval head Craftsman to Snap On flex head comfort grip ratchets. Have not tried SK yet but maybe soon for my spare kit.

 

[Wamsutta]

Absolutely no comparison whatsoever.

 

[Richard Cranium]

I have both, I use both, it just which one I grab first.

 

[nutsnbolts]

This thread has me thinking of finding and SK to see

 

[back2class]

I have a few SK 3/8 ratchets. They are ok. Pretty much like every other decent ratchet from 50 years ago. For sure nothing special..but work fine. As others have said, the same design in 1/4 is PERFECTION. I am in the minority here. I have maybe had 25 snappy ratchets pass through my box and never like a single one. Well, not enough to keep them anyhow. No nicer than any Tiawanese pear head. Pretty underwhelming. I like my Williams 3/8 and sk Tuff and for flex like my older mac/facom round head. To me better units than any SO ratchet regardless of price. Think there is a SK in there and maybe a Stanley as far as my main box, oh and also a sk flex spark plug ratchet. The SK gets used the least of the regular 3/8 units. Again, not a fan of either choice posted here, but SO is much nicer. Though nothing special. I actually think I have a few SO ratchets sitting in a cardboard box in my basement for a few years that I never got around to selling. Tells you how much I like them.

 

[Andrew360]

I've never tried SK but I have the SO 80 teeth ratchets and they work and feel amazing. Maybe you can go to a shop and ask to test out the SO ratchets haha

Sent from my SM-N910T using Tapatalk

 

[TheGrooveking]

I recommend you go with a Matco 88 tooth, for it as smooth as the Dual 80 but the head is thinner which I've have many occassions where the Matco would fit and the Snap On wouldn't. I have all the brands listed in this thread so far and Matco's are my go to.

TheGrooveking

 

[L.Cheapo]

I have a few SK 3/8 ratchets. They are ok. Pretty much like every other decent ratchet from 50 years ago. For sure nothing special..but work fine. As others have said, the same design in 1/4 is PERFECTION. I am in the minority here. I have maybe had 25 snappy ratchets pass through my box and never like a single one. Well, not enough to keep them anyhow. No nicer than any Tiawanese pear head. Pretty underwhelming. I like my Williams 3/8 and sk Tuff and for flex like my older mac/facom round head. To me better units than any SO ratchet regardless of price. Think there is a SK in there and maybe a Stanley as far as my main box, oh and also a sk flex spark plug ratchet. The SK gets used the least of the regular 3/8 units. Again, not a fan of either choice posted here, but SO is much nicer. Though nothing special. I actually think I have a few SO ratchets sitting in a cardboard box in my basement for a few years that I never got around to selling. Tells you how much I like them.

Arent the Williams 3/8 ratchets just the old 36T Snap On ratchets....which are the same as the new ratchets, just with more coarse action?

To the OP, I have a number of ratchets in my box, but the only ones that have been used in the last decade say Snap On on them. Its mostly personal preference, but I just like the way they feel in my hand, the smooth action, and the fact that that they just feel solid and well made...and can be trusted.

 

[transittech]

If you are buying ratchets for a nephew that will beat anything into the ground, loose it, break it, or otherwise mess it up, get a couple non-flex SK. $15 each for 3/8 drive standard handle used off ebay. Cant beat that.

If you want something nice for yourself; Dual 80.

 

[Sanny81]

I have both an F80 and the classic 45170 SK in my work box and as others have said they really aren't comparable. I tend to use one over the other depending how I feel that day but for the most part I've been using the SK more recently. I also use the SK at times when I probably should be using a 1/2" ratchet, it just feels tougher to me.

 

[bobcatdan]

It's really a matter of personal choice. While the SO is probably technically better, if you like round head ratchets, SK is very hard to beat. I will say I like SK better then Mac, Matco, and cornwell ratchets. I have found SK to be stronger then 30 tooth Mac or cornwell. I like Matco ratchets, but like SK ratchet action better. I can flip a round head SK with one hand. Matco pearhead I almost always need two hands to switch.

 

[finn]

Got my first SK in1966. I still like them slot, even though I've been using a Snapon for 15 years.

No real preference. They are both good, but different.

 

[back2class]

Arent the Williams 3/8 ratchets just the old 36T Snap On ratchets....which are the same as the new ratchets, just with more coarse action?

Not sure about those..but the williams I enjoy using is a 60 tooth that may be import. Nice small profile pear head. Always find even the brand new dual 80's to be a little stiff in the mechenism and a little large in head profile compared to other options out there. Always seem like average ratchets at sky high prices. What I HATE is the classic Cornwell 3/8 ratchet. Short, slippery, large head and clunky movement. YUCK.

 

[Stevenn1]

SK Tools is now starting to get into the tool truck scene. 5 years ago I had a SK 40972 (1/4" flex ratchet) with a 2' cheater pipe on it to loosen a top starter bolt on a 1994 4.6L Ford Crown Vic & it worked without breaking. Anyone who has tried to replace a starter on that model car will know how much of a PITA the top bolt can be, especially since its hard to get to & all seized up. In my book SK is close to same quality & strength (at 1/3 the price), but I still like my Snap-On the most!

 

[Davefr]

SO Dual 80's are more refined but I really like the tried and true SK round heads.

However if you want the finest 3/8" ratchet on the planet try and find a Cornwell JR72.

 

[Fedwrench]

Arent the Williams 3/8 ratchets just the old 36T Snap On ratchets....which are the same as the new ratchets, just with more coarse action?

Yes and no. Yes, internally the Williams US made pear head ratchet is the same as the old snap on 36 tooth ratchets. No, they are completely different than the Dual 80 ratchets. Refer to the picture below, on the left is a Snap on FF80 ratchet. On the right is a Williams B-52EHFA ratchet. Both are 3/8 drive.
The Williams design is the age old single pawl with two teeth engagement in either direction. You could open almost any older pear head ratchet from the craftsman 36 tooth ratchet to others and see a very similar design. There would other differences but, the two tooth single pawl gear is basically the same. Now look at the Snap on dual 80 ratchet on the left, notice the twin pawls with multiple teeth (7 depending on drive size) engaging in either direction? The differences are more than finer teeth, the Dual 80 is a completely different design.

 

[DSLTRK]

Both brands have their pros/cons.

SK: I like knurled handles and thicker handles. The SK ratchets have this down pat.

SK ratchets have lower drag than Snap-on dual 80s. useful for those hard to reach bolts, like on a bell-housing, that can't be started with your fingers.

The chrome on SK is better IMO than Snap-on.

Cheaper USA made tool with great warranty service.

And lastly, the reverse switch is far more durable than the little lever on the dual 80.

Snap-on: Ratchet gear and action is much more refined. Feels like a precision tool.

Head is sealed.

Can be reversed with just one hand.

Wide variety of ratchets to choose from.

 

[zkling]

SK are a great value ratchet, especially used. Time tested but not very competitive in technology with other ratchets. As others have brought up their 1/4" is the best followed by the roto ratchet, 3/8, nice (especially tough1), 1/2" good, 3/4" good.

Snap On, Matco/Armstrong, cornwell and even the off shore companies are all producing modern ratchets that are far more feature packed than SK though.

On a budget, the HF pro ratchets (snap on knock offs) are extremely difficult to beat value wise. Snap on is probably at the top in both features and cost. Armstrong/Matco, cornwell and gear wrench somewhere in between.

If I was to select a brand new ratchet right now it would be between HF, Armstrong and Snap On. Just my 2¢

 

[Greg85mcss]

When my flf80 grew legs I picked up a couple of the hf pro & they're great. Only issue is the flex head gets too loose but no issues with the fixed head. The lever is reversed & that takes some getting used to. I now have both in matco 88 long handle & those are awesome. No preference between them & so but for $15 the hf is damn close.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[mach158]

Thanks for the input everyone. Looks like I will watch the classifieds here and keep an eye on e-bay and see what pops up for a good deal and get my hands on one and see how I like it.

 

[countryroad82]

As a user of both, I prefer the SO. Mainly due to the smaller size of a Duel 80 ratchet. While I use SK at work all the time it is mainly due to the fact my tools are bought by the company and while I have a nice lineup of SK in my truck, I would rather use SK over Snap On mainly because thieves have gotten me before. I would much rather explain a $50 ratchet (local supplier) verses a $100 one that had come up missing. I have been lucky though that I've only had **** tools stolen out of my work truck. While I was still pi$$ed it didn't hurt my feel goods near as bad as what it could have been had they walked off with my SK tools.

 

[msnow]

I recommend you go with a Matco 88 tooth, for it as smooth as the Dual 80 but the head is thinner which I've have many occassions where the Matco would fit and the Snap On wouldn't. I have all the brands listed in this thread so far and Matco's are my go to.

TheGrooveking

Good to see you post again its been a while, the new Wera's are nice too. Maybe not as good of tooth count but they have a great feel to them. Groove, when you going to post pics of all your toolboxes? I am building a new maintenance shop box and would like to see everything you have at some point. Thanks

 

[SVTDice]

SK for beating on something, SO for daily use. However that being said, I reach for my Armstrong 88 tooth locking flex more than any of my other ratchets.