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Ratchets

djscotty

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I am looking for a decent set of ratchets for home use. I do not want to spend say Snap On pricing but I have a nice collection of craftmans tools but not really any nice ratchets. What do you guys reccomend or has anybody seen any sales on a set?

Thanks
 
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Lx460

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What kind of budget are you working with?

I assume by set you mean a 1/4", a 3/8" , and a 1/2" drive?

I recently purchased on eBay a Snap-on F80 3/8" drive for $35 shipped and a Snap-on T72 1/4" drive with a 6" extension and swivel included for $50 shipped.

Depends on what you want/need and how much you want to spend. A lot of guys like the Armstrong Maxx. I haven't used one yet though.
 
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djscotty

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Yeah I am looking for 1/4, 3/8 and a 1/2. Around $100.00 would probably be my max but that always can flucuate with deals.
 

morgantm

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For that budget I would go with Harbor Freight pro series or Gearwrench. The HF Pro are hard to beat for the price, they've become my go-to.
 

BK13

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I like my Armstrong MAXX rats, but you might have a hard time getting all three for $100.
 

Davefr

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For that budget I would go with Harbor Freight pro series or Gearwrench. The HF Pro are hard to beat for the price, they've become my go-to.

I agree.

HF has really stepped up to the plate and improved the ratchet lineup. Their latest offering is the closest to tool truck quality from any B&M retailer. For $100 you can get a set of std, flex and even some composites.
 

PJNJ

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If you're willing to spend about $21.00 over budget, here is a nice set from Gearwrench -

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BTEXPDK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I have the two piece comfort grip version and am very impressed with them. I have used both of them (3/8, 1/4) and I put a fair amount of torque on the 3/8. It has held up well and the 120 tooth action is great for limited swing spaces.
 

General Geoff

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Hard to argue with HF pricing, their new pro line of ratchets are quite nice, as long as you like the non-locking flex head. I'm sure you can find several ratchets that suit your tastes there, and you can definitely find a set of three (1/4, 3/8 and 1/2) for well under your $100 budget. Throw in the famous 25" 1/2-drive breaker bar for $12 and you're really cooking!
 
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djscotty

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If you're willing to spend about $21.00 over budget, here is a nice set from Gearwrench -

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BTEXPDK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I have the two piece comfort grip version and am very impressed with them. I have used both of them (3/8, 1/4) and I put a fair amount of torque on the 3/8. It has held up well and the 120 tooth action is great for limited swing spaces.


Is the flex a pain when trying to keep it straight and still have enough torque to remove or tighten a bolt?
 

PJNJ

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http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012WJ46Q/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Is this a good price for the Armstrong Maxx? Being that I will use this one the most I could buy these in a 3/8 and 1/2 and buy the HF for the 1/4.

If you're going for the Armstrong consider the locking flex 3/8 first. Longer handle, locking flex so it can be used as a flex and regular ratchet. More versatile than the short handle. Very good ratchet -

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000I1WG26/?tag=atomicindus08-20

You can get the 1/2 later and if you are looking to go piece by piece I would recommend this Gearwrench 1/4 roto ratchet -
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001M0O1BQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I bought one last summer and once the nut or bolt is loosened you can use it like a nut driver/screwdriver to speed up removal.
 

PJNJ

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Is the flex a pain when trying to keep it straight and still have enough torque to remove or tighten a bolt?

I won't BS and say it won't move but the times it moved on me I was under the car working at an odd angle. Otherwise it works well. The Armstrong since it locks, is a better but more expensive choice. And it won't move once locked. The 1/4" Gearwrench roto I linked to doesn't seem to have the problem of movement for me since the pivot is much higher on the ratchet head.
 

PJNJ

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Since you may go piece by piece (3/8 first, 1/4, 1/2 later), I would have one last recommendation. Wright Tool makes a 1/2 round head ratchet non-flex with a fifteen inch handle. In my use over the years (DIY), flex doesn't seem to be as important in the 1/2 drive size.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001YK7R6U/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I picked one up used on Ebay and it is very good. Solid, tough and great leverage with the 15 inch handle.
 

bcradio

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If you like Snap-On but are on a budget, then get the Bahco ratchets. Exact same ratchet as Snap-On dual 80 but you can get all 3 sizes for ~$100
 
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djscotty

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If you like Snap-On but are on a budget, then get the Bahco ratchets. Exact same ratchet as Snap-On dual 80 but you can get all 3 sizes for ~$100

Looks like Amazon is very limited, anywhere else to buy?
 
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djscotty

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I was looking for the Bahco 7750 80 and it looks to be discontinued as none of the sites are showing it in stock. Looking at a 3/8 first.
 

Lx460

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I was looking for the Bahco 7750 80 and it looks to be discontinued as none of the sites are showing it in stock. Looking at a 3/8 first.

Yeah, it look to be discontinued...

If you're persistent, you can get a good deal on a used snap on 3/8. I'm sure there are a lot better ratchets out there than the craftsman. I used CM for years but after using the snap-on, I'll likely not use them again except as backup.
 

HairMetal

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If you like Snap-On but are on a budget, then get the Bahco ratchets. Exact same ratchet as Snap-On dual 80 but you can get all 3 sizes for ~$100

It may look the same but material quality is something to consider.All the newer cheap Bahco S series stuff (the Snap On look alikes) seems to be made out of the same material as gum wrappers.These are not professional tools.All the older stuff, if you can find it, is not as good as Stahlwille or Snap On and is overpriced- at least over here in Finland it is.
 

Cato

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There are the Craftsman Pro ratchets - nice put a little pricey. Otherwise the import Craftsman are very good.

I really like Husky ratchets too.
 

Adam.C

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Home use or home automotive use? For stuff around the house, you really don't need great ratchets. For automotive, you need the very specific models. Don't just get the standard models.

Start with a 3/8 drive flex head. These are longer than the regular version. The best models have fine tooth counts and friction flex mechanisms. They give you more leverage and more access. Snap On's model is exquisite. But there are plenty others available for much less money. I used to love my craftsman. It had a round hard black handle. But the flex detents were annoying, the ratchet was vague and sometimes skipped or reversed on me. But it was a great size and shape.

Next, I'd choose a 3/8 stubby. These just need to be decent. Fine tooth count isn't such a big advantage. Low back drag, the friction ratcheting the tool, is a big advantage. I had a craftsman stubby flex I loved. I now have the stubby Snap On. It's nice only if you have extra money. Stubbies are great for quick installations and removals of pre-loosened stuff.

A tiny 1/4 ratchet is next. 1/4 drive is stronger than people think, perfectly adequate for some engine work. The craftsman full polished model is pretty nice. Snap On T72 is nicer. Consider the industrial finish GT72. You can find these for $30 on ebay.

Last, get yourself the longest, strongest 1/2 flex head you can get. I love my Snap On 26" flex head with the cushion grip. Don't care if it gets dirty, it's a fantastic tool for removing stuck stuff. The dual 80 head means you can click it in very little space. But these are crazy money, even used. I bought mine here for $120. As that breaks the bank, see if you can find a good made in USA version.

If you have your heart set on a starter set and want quality, look for the industrial finish Snap On models on ebay. I think I bought mine for about $100. Look for GT72, GF80, GS80
 
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AceofSpad3s

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Another for HF, I got a composite 1/4 and I like it alot, I can't say I like it more than my older usa husky and sk 1/4 drive stuff but I use it alot more and it is alot more comfortable.
 

Onefastgsx

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I think gearwrench is a great option for the average weekend warrior. I also have the HF pro ratchet in a 3/8, and it is a great bang for the buck. My only complaint is with how loose the flex head is. There is no tension on it whatsoever so the head flops where it wants to. My gearwrench is a flex head as well but it fits in the handle tight so the head stays in the position you put it, unless you bump it on something.
 
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djscotty

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If you're going for the Armstrong consider the locking flex 3/8 first. Longer handle, locking flex so it can be used as a flex and regular ratchet. More versatile than the short handle. Very good ratchet -

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000I1WG26/?tag=atomicindus08-20

You can get the 1/2 later and if you are looking to go piece by piece I would recommend this Gearwrench 1/4 roto ratchet -
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001M0O1BQ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I bought one last summer and once the nut or bolt is loosened you can use it like a nut driver/screwdriver to speed up removal.


Thanks I purchased both!!
 

Givl Reggin

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The price difference isn't that much - just buy the Snap-On ratchets and be done with it. You will not regret it, the Snap_on are the best and I probably have 6-7 different brands including the 84-teeth Craftsman Pros.
 
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djscotty

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bahco.. snap on industrial brand with snap on internals and comfort grip handles.

This is what I was going to go with but it looks like those have been discontinued and the new style Bahco are not the same quality.
 

-Brent-

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Thanks I purchased both!!

I think you'll like both of those. However, I would consider getting a ratchet that's not a flex or movable head, too.

I've got the locking head Armstrong and like it but I go over to a regular ratchet for times that I need to put some oomph into it.
 

MrGiggles

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Harbor Freight Pro long handle flex heads in all three drives, and a matching set of Harbor Freight composite ratchets to back them up. Around 100 bucks for all 6, you won't find more for your money.
 
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