Ratchets! Snap On GF80

[Codejack]

Ah, Snap On; king of the tool mountain, or at least the best known of the elite brands. I've been told different things by different people my entire life: "There's nothing like Snap On, you have to have them to be a serious mechanic," "They're just like everything else, just with a higher price tag and a fancy truck."

I have never owned any of their tools before.

This is the one I bought off ebay last week, it arrived yesterday and I only just got finished with my first job using it: New alternator on a Honda Accord. I turned a few bolts with my old ratchet to compare.

You know, it's a bad picture, but I've looked, and there are no good pictures of it; it's just hard to take a picture of.

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The first thing that I noticed was how smooth the ratchet was; to be fair, this is coming from my old Kobalt/Williams 13-tooth model, but I asked to look at a Gearwrench 84T at the parts store (getting the new alternator), and it was nice, but not nearly as nice as the GF80.

The short swing arc was very nice, though, especially while using u-joints, which have some slack, anyway. It also feels solid in hand, although part of that is my general distaste for chrome; it feels thin and greasy. Chrome is also blinding in bright sunlight.

The detent pin is perfectly sprung; for a ratchet without a quick release button, this is crucial, and they hit the sweet spot. Any stiffer would be annoying to remove sockets, any looser and they might fall off on their own.

One note is that I did not find the backdrag particularly low; it has a fairly stiff pawl spring in there. Granted the GW was worse, and if the 120XPs are worse than the 84Ts, I can't even imagine. The old Kobalt/Williams unit is loose as a goose, even if it does have a 47° swing arc.

I have noticed some lubricant leaking out of the head, although from what I have read, this is supposed to be normal for a new or freshly serviced ratchet, is that correct?

Overall, I am very happy with my purchase; at full price, I might have a different opinion... but then, if I had a shop and had cars backed up waiting to be worked on, I might have yet another different opinion

Is $80 a good price for an S80 (GS80, SH80, etc)? That's going to be my next purchase.

 

[Cummins_Tech]

Welcome aboard, say goodbye to most of your money, because you'll never want another style of ratchet again.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[shawndp]

That's a good looking ratchet - the industrial black is really nice!

 

[Codejack]

Welcome aboard, say goodbye to most of your money, because you'll never want another style of ratchet again.

Well, I am at least going to try an HF Pro ratchet, just for a spare and comparison, if nothing else, but there's a GS80A on ebay for $80...

That's a good looking ratchet - the industrial black is really nice!

I admit that the black finish played more into my thinking than it should have... but there are lots of black ratchets, and the GF was actually cheaper than the chrome version.

The rest of the set is going to be impact sockets, extensions, and u-joints though, so it all matches.

Good black oxide combination wrenches are next on the agenda

 

[T45]

$80 is very fair for a standard s80 class ratchet. If you like the 7 inch, 3/8 dr f80 my guess is you will be blown away by the 10 inch, 1/2 drive s80. Really stands out even more as alot of 1/2 drives are using large and strong teeth. And then you may wan to look at a 10-12 incher in 3/8 drive

 

[itylerstewart]

This was my first Snappy ratchet too. Now I have a few more lol

 

[Tech92420]

Oh ****, we got another SO junkie. SO ratchets are the best. The only ratchets comparable are the axis ratchets from mac. My first ratchet was a SO fhlf80 that my dad gave me when I turned 18. That ratchet hooked me, still use it every day 7 years later and it was rebuilt once last year.

 

[sberry]

It makes you more handsome, the chicks dig them. Your life will be greatly improved.

 

[AngryBeaver]

No. They ****. They aren't worth the money. Overpriced craftsman...

 

[Wamsutta]

I have noticed some lubricant leaking out of the head, although from what I have read, this is supposed to be normal for a new or freshly serviced ratchet, is that correct?

You should see a little bit of clear Superlube coming out where the square drive meets the coverplate; that's normal.

 

[Mr_B]

Snapon do excel at ratchets, probably the best in most styles of ratchet, that being said no real need have snapon ratchets only or get obsessed with snapon only, I find snapon general wrenches and sockets nothing special but ratchets, extensions, wobble sockets and line wrenches about best can get .
Prices you paid seem very reasonable for new and less chance of warranty ballache if you registered buyer of ratchets new . superlube grease pittsburgh pro well and they pretty good performers and feel decent with low back drag plus potentially have quicker/easier warranty than snapon currently and can buy about 5 ratchets to 1 snapons for your dollar so they good option for less used or backup ratchets .

 

[joecon]

I have a couple of the snap on ratchets and their nice but I bought a
matco 3/8 so I could compare them. I like it but haven't used it much
so I would not say witch is better yet.

 

[Codejack]

You should see a little bit of clear Superlube coming out where the square drive meets the coverplate; that's normal.

That's the stuff; thanks for verifying

Snapon do excel at ratchets, probably the best in most styles of ratchet, that being said no real need have snapon ratchets only or get obsessed with snapon only, I find snapon general wrenches and sockets nothing special but ratchets, extensions, wobble sockets and line wrenches about best can get .
Prices you paid seem very reasonable for new and less chance of warranty ballache if you registered buyer of ratchets new . superlube grease pittsburgh pro well and they pretty good performers and feel decent with low back drag plus potentially have quicker/easier warranty than snapon currently and can buy about 5 ratchets to 1 snapons for your dollar so they good option for less used or backup ratchets .

Yea, I'm only getting the ratchets atm; gearwrench and pittsburgh pro sockets (all impact, though; I break chrome too much), and looking at blackhawk combo wrenches.

 

[WittHay]

I would advise against a S80 and get a longer 15" ratchet for more leverage. Eventually you will want a long 3/8" drive flex-head and there is overlap between that and a short 1/2" ratchet

These are the ratchets I have in a service truck and the approximate lengths
GearWrench 84T 1/4 Standard 5"
GearWrench 84T 1/4 Flex 7"

Mac Axis 3/8 Standard 7"
Snap-on FL80 3/8 Standard 10"
GearWrench 84T 3/8 Flex 13"

Kobalt 72T 1/2 Flex 12"
Proto XL 1/2 Standard 15"
GearWrench 84T 1/2 Flex 17"
Snap-on SLF80A 1/2 Flex 24"

Mac ZR26 3/4 Standard 26"

 

[Mr_B]

Yeh s80 is only little over 10" long, I like 1/2 at 12" and up .
I would of gone with taiwan 72tooth for standard shorter pear head ratchets and held out for likes of snapon for longer stuff and flexi's. Pittsburgh pro long flexis are good for price and warranty but snapon takes real abuse to ever bust one . now you spoilt yourself with dual 80's you'll find other offerings less pleasing lol .

 

[bassbone52]

Black oxide finish is fine if you're in a temperature controlled environment. If you are in an unheated space with big swings in temp and humidity, they will rust

 

[Michael_in_DE]

I am addicted to ratchets. And i'm pretty sure I have bought my last acutally-put-it-to-work ratchet. My snap-on 80 tooth locking flex-head with comfort grip. Its like flying first class for the first time. You always knew it was probably better, but then when you actually experience it... its even better than you imagined.

 

[cherrybomb]

Sounds like you've learned to spend your cash wisely.A top of the line ratchet rewards yourself.It sounds like you have a lot on your plate.You don't want to have a main tool letting you down when you most need it.Years ago I bought a 3/8 SO ratchet,2 differen wobblers and a spinner deal extension.I too had a budget.I used my breaker, helped the longevity of the ratchet.I upgraded slow and careful,but realized that ratchet purchase was a wise investment for a young guy.I now am retired,but own all Proto,SK,Wright Williams USA and SO.If you use tools to make money,or like me for enjoyment and hobbiest,you will get a sense of pride in ownership,at least thats my story.

 

[Codejack]

I would advise against a S80 and get a longer 15" ratchet for more leverage. Eventually you will want a long 3/8" drive flex-head and there is overlap between that and a short 1/2" ratchet

Hmmm, this is a portable kit, so weight and size are issues; an SL80 is certainly an option, and if I find one for the right price, I won't pass it up, but I can put a piece of pipe in the kit and get the same effect on any ratchet I want for less weight...

I also have a 24" breaker bar for when I need leverage.

I'm going to try to HF flex-heads before I spend a lot of money on one, just to see how useful it is; I really like a good, solid ratchet, though, and doubt that a flex will ever become my main tool.

I've been talking to lots of people, and one conclusion that I have come to is that everyone uses their tools differently: I was speaking to two pro mechanics yesterday, one of whom said that he uses almost nothing but 1/2" drive stuff, and the other who said he uses almost nothing but 1/4" drive.

The first guy did a lot of brakes and suspension, the second guy did mostly timing and top-engine work.

 

[shawndp]

I have the HF flex head long handle and there are moments when it is quite useful. It isn't as confident as the Dual 80 but not terrible by any means. I have done several revenue brake jobs with that ratchet with no complaints.

 

[Codejack]

I am addicted to ratchets

I'm addicted to tools, in general. This is me:

Sounds like you've learned to spend your cash wisely.A top of the line ratchet rewards yourself.It sounds like you have a lot on your plate.You don't want to have a main tool letting you down when you most need it.Years ago I bought a 3/8 SO ratchet,2 differen wobblers and a spinner deal extension.I too had a budget.I used my breaker, helped the longevity of the ratchet.I upgraded slow and careful,but realized that ratchet purchase was a wise investment for a young guy.I now am retired,but own all Proto,SK,Wright Williams USA and SO.If you use tools to make money,or like me for enjoyment and hobbiest,you will get a sense of pride in ownership,at least thats my story.

It was kind of like this:

Ironically, I am coming from a Williams USA (old Kobalt) set that is just too small, missing a few pieces, and the broken sockets will be replaced by **** if I try to warranty them.

I also twisted 2 sockets, recently. It's time for an upgrade, but how do you upgrade from that?

 

[d.mcfarland]

Buy once or cry once, that's what I always say!

 

[poriggity]

IMHO, there is nothing more frustrating than trying to use a crappy ratchet. The best ones I have are craftsman, and they work, but I'll be looking to upgrade to better ones shortly.

 

[Codejack]

IMHO, there is nothing more frustrating than trying to use a crappy ratchet. The best ones I have are craftsman, and they work, but I'll be looking to upgrade to better ones shortly.

I am just coming to appreciate this.

As a home DIY'er, it wasn't so important; as a "pro," wrenching for hours a day, every day...

 

[B.S.A. (ret.)]

Funny thing. I just finished removing my Tuff Torq K46 hydrostatic transmission from my mower, installing drain plugs and replacing the unit (see related post). I was being assisted by a friend of mine who never had the opportunity of using Snap-On tools. As an aside comment, he said to me, "This ratchet just don't feel right - it's like it's not working right, but the bolt is going in...".
'Nuff said..."

 

[JohnDeere1]

I have 12-14 dual80 Snap on ratchets and a slew of older style which I like equally well and both become alot smoother after ALOT of use and become like butter.
Now your going to be addicted to ratchets and wants them all. I also have 90 or more other ratchets haha Mac,Matco,SK,Wright you name it lol it's an addiction.