Reasonable 3/8" ratchets

[threewood]

?????????

Snap ring fitment instead of the full bottom plate screwed to the ratchet body.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Harbor Freight ratchets all the way..... They are just as good as any tool truck brands which I own all... And lifetime warranty like all expensive tools with no hassle....

Here we go again.......

 

[engineer031]

I like Proto have used them for 30 years

 

[magicrat]

Kobalt and husky work well if ur not a pro automotive mechanic.....gearwrench also.

 

[stovebolt6]

Maybe I'm old school but I love the classic Mac XR8. It's only 30 teeth and not the smoothest out there, but I have two of them that I beat on and use for everything. Solid and reliable I guess. My F80 mostly sits in the drawer.

 

[wrenchr]

Maybe I'm old school but I love the classic Mac XR8. It's only 30 teeth and not the smoothest out there, but I have two of them that I beat on and use for everything. Solid and reliable I guess. My F80 mostly sits in the drawer.

I have a new XR8 I'll trade for your F80?

 

[valentine]

I always wanted to try those duralast comfort grips but never did. Are they smooth or? I know there not high tooth count. Just hope they don't feel like the newer cm **** USA made or not they feel like **** lol.

They're really pretty good. The two I have were both without any lubrication when I purchased them. I had read that the factory was pretty stingy with lube, so I knew enough to open them up when I first got them home. 5 minutes of labor and a dab of Superlube inside and those inexpensive ratchets just purrrr. Seriously great tools for what you'll pay for them. I can't believe that I reach for them before I take something that's 5 times the price, but I do.

-Valentine

 

[zkling]

Kobalt and husky work well if ur not a pro automotive mechanic.....gearwrench also.

How did your Kobalt ratchet(s) fail in the pro setting?

 

[MoparTrucks]

I don't know how old you are but I have a variety of ratchets from Proto to old RP Craftsman that I have had since HS (about 40 yrs ago) and for sheer comfort in an arthritic and ganglion cyst impaired hand the HF Composite 3/8" is my go to. I paid $9.00 for it last year and though it may be grimy and hard to keep clean it works best for my painful hands. I have abused the heck out of it including using a 1" adapter and sockets on it for work on some of my old farm equipment and so far its been pretty flawless.

I have often thought that there could be money to make if a manufacturer came out with a line of quality tools for aging guys like myself...bigger print on dials, larger and softer handles like the composite ratchets, larger directional levers, larger valve handles (its very painful for me to do twisting motions with my right hand and my air compressor kills me) etc.

 

[6MocoA]

I havent gone through all 7 pages of this thread. But I dont know why this issue is even being discussed. At this point in time, nothing beats the Gearwrench XP120 ratchet. Its made in Taiwan, sells for a TON cheaper than the truck brands and can be had online for what the other ****** Chinese brands sell their 72 tooth and coarser ratchets in the store.

 

[1950mercury]

Maybe I'm old school but I love the classic Mac XR8. It's only 30 teeth and not the smoothest out there, but I have two of them that I beat on and use for everything. Solid and reliable I guess. My F80 mostly sits in the drawer.

Xr8 are as smooth as 36 grit sandpaper

 

[zkling]

I don't know how old you are but I have a variety of ratchets from Proto to old RP Craftsman that I have had since HS (about 40 yrs ago) and for sheer comfort in an arthritic and ganglion cyst impaired hand the HF Composite 3/8" is my go to. I paid $9.00 for it last year and though it may be grimy and hard to keep clean it works best for my painful hands. I have abused the heck out of it including using a 1" adapter and sockets on it for work on some of my old farm equipment and so far its been pretty flawless.

I have often thought that there could be money to make if a manufacturer came out with a line of quality tools for aging guys like myself...bigger print on dials, larger and softer handles like the composite ratchets, larger directional levers, larger valve handles (its very painful for me to do twisting motions with my right hand and my air compressor kills me) etc.

Serious question... Do you think that market would be willing to pay at anything other than HF prices for those features? In my experience older, especially retired from a non tool profession guys, by a high percentage are typically not willing to spend much on tools, thus you see many of them cruising garage sales and the like. Or if new Harbor Freight.

 

[MoparTrucks]

Serious question... Do you think that market would be willing to pay at anything other than HF prices for those features? In my experience older, especially retired from a non tool profession guys, by a high percentage are typically not willing to spend much on tools, thus you see many of them cruising garage sales and the like. Or if new Harbor Freight.

I don't know if the market would be large enough to justify the tooling expenses but I can tell you for me, I would gladly pay a huge premium for anything that would help not only ease my pain but just allow me to do some of the things I struggle with now.

I think its a missed opportunity frankly, I know that now that I am retired, the kids are all grown and gone etc I actually have more money to devote to hobbies and tools. Not a ton of money mind you, but enough that I could pay a bit more for a few quality tools that catered to an aging body!

 

[Andylad]

Some of the German ratchets are pretty good in my opinion. Stahlwille, Gedore, Hazet, Elora. Just boils down to mechanism, handle design and price i suppose. USA tools still have the edge in my opinion, not knocking anyone else. Mac Tools are one of my choices for everyday use. If it comes down to price i would buy well looked after used for the same money as new lesser quality tools. Just my preference.

 

[HanShotFirst]

I don't care much for HF but they've really "stepped up to the plate" with ratchet quality. Their latest lineup almost looks like tool truck quality. They've also shown that they can innovate as evidenced by their composite ratchet lineup. (they can quickly become your "go to" ratchets for everyday use.)

HF still has tons of **** but I'd have no reservations about using their ratchets.

If the thought of HF is just too repulsive then go with SK, Proto, Williams, Wright or shop the used tool market.

I'll have to give a +1 on this post. Harbor Freight's ratchets really are very good ratchets, and they're just dirt cheap. I have one of the composite ratchets and I'm finding myself reaching for it a lot lately, I'm very happy with it. I'm a big SK fan, but I have to give props to HF for really stepping up on their ratchets.

Now if they would just get their combination wrenches a boost...

 

[lightning02]

They're really pretty good. The two I have were both without any lubrication when I purchased them. I had read that the factory was pretty stingy with lube, so I knew enough to open them up when I first got them home. 5 minutes of labor and a dab of Superlube inside and those inexpensive ratchets just purrrr. Seriously great tools for what you'll pay for them. I can't believe that I reach for them before I take something that's 5 times the price, but I do.

-Valentine

i still havent gotten them. i think the tooth count stops me from buying them everytime i make a order. its something i would like to put my hands on first to see how they run since the count is so low. thats just me tho.

 

[geartow]

$20-ish Carlyle R38TD full polish teardrop
.

I second the Carlyle use as a goto daily

 

[steed andersen]

I have a Dual 80 SO 3/8" and a Gear Wrench XP120 3/8"flex handle. I love both but would have a harder time letting go of the Gear Wrench over the Snap On. My profession is small engines and I have used Craftsman-60's vintage, Husky, Litton, Black Hawk, Titan, Astro Pneumatic, Pittsburg Pro, Fleet, Proto, Master Mechanic, SK , Thorsen- 60's vintage. The Titan is the only failure I've had and it was from me pushing it too hard and that was after 20 years of use. All did their jobs but some felt better in the hand than others and some were easier on the wallet. Just find something that fits your hand and your budget for now and then enjoy trying out more as you go. That's half the fun!

 

[steed andersen]

I'll have to give a +1 on this post. Harbor Freight's ratchets really are very good ratchets, and they're just dirt cheap. I have one of the composite ratchets and I'm finding myself reaching for it a lot lately, I'm very happy with it. I'm a big SK fan, but I have to give props to HF for really stepping up on their ratchets.

Now if they would just get their combination wrenches a boost...

+1 on those combo wrenches.

 

[lightning02]

Now if they would just get their combination wrenches a boost...

+1 on those combo wrenches.

look into tekton new combination wrenches they just released couple months ago. there getting very good reviews and dont break the bank. there taiwan made and fully polished. these are not some ****** china ****.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OXUPFDU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[stovebolt6]

Xr8 are as smooth as 36 grit sandpaper

Just how I like it. I dunno I don't really give a **** about ratchet "smoothness." They all work.

 

[doan]

I haven't ever had any really bad ratchets (except for a Globemaster as a kid). If I was starting from scratch, I would probably buy Gearwrench for most stuff. Reasonable prices and good quality.

Warranties are probably over emphasized. I've not broken many tools in my life, certainly not enough to pay a large premium.

 

[arjun90]

Husky and Steelman Pro are from the same factory

Sent from my SM-N910T using Tapatalk

 

[HanShotFirst]

The OP started things off with "reasonable". So here's what I see as reasonable...

Import - Harbor Freights ratchets are VERY good ratchets, and I honestly haven't seen any Pacific Rim imports that are actually better, so why not get the same good ratchet at the lowest cost?

US - A used SK can be had at nearly the same price as a new Harbor Freight. The only down side is, the older SK's tend to be coarser teeth, but the up side is, you'll have a damn tough time killing one, and it's USDA Choice American Steel!!

Simply put, you can have a first rate ratchet, import or US delivered to your door for well under $30.00...that's the good news.

 

[oldldh]

The Tekton 3/8" drive ratchets can both be had for around $30.00 from Amazon...

The Gearwrench 120 tooth sets can be had for around $80.00 from a bunch of outlets...The 3/8" ratchet, alone, GW #81211P can be had for around $30.00...

Either brand, would, I think float your boat...

 

[Wamsutta]

I purchased a Snap On F936 (3/8" dr) and a couple of dual 80's in 3/8" drive. The F936 is nice, but the backdrag is very heavy. If I wanted just one SO, I'd go with the Dual 80 due to reduced backdrag. All of the SO's that I have have been cleaned and lubed.

Heavy backdrag and very noisy. I don't know what do do with it. I've tried all kinds of different lubes and finally went back to the factory recommended Superlube. The other lubes I've tried would make it quieter, but caused the seals to swell up. It's a dilemma.

 

[lilxtra]

Not to highjack, but, Where are you guys buying this "superlube"?

 

[jobo1004]

Not to highjack, but, Where are you guys buying this "superlube"?

Harbor Freight and Amazon both carry it to name a few.

http://www.harborfreight.com/85-gram-super-lube-grease-cartridge.html

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000XBH9HI/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[four.cycle]

Best ratchet I ever used was a 3/8 drive Indestro, Duro, Wizard pear head

the pear-head Indestro is a #6272 - there are always at least a couple on Ebay.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Indestro-62...935832?hash=item5d5f7c3bd8:g:ZPgAAOSwBahVGFSe

Duro-Chrome:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vtg-Duro-Ch...130604?hash=item1a0a21b3ec:g:y3MAAOSwQJhUka8x

Thorsen 77JC ain't bad either (and cheap, usually):
http://www.ebay.com/itm/USA-THORSEN...440917?hash=item43e68761d5:g:wXIAAOSwEetV~ag3

==

but actually, Indestro's #2775 was the finer-tooth model. sweet:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-IND...120737?hash=item2ee8604c61:g:aNUAAOSwsFpWRAcD

(also sometimes available with a six-point "star" selector on the back - #2775A - but the last few of them posted on Ebay were beat to hell.)

==

you can find older Craftsman 3/8" drives all over Ebay cheap. or any pawn shop.
I picked up a Craftsman "VL" (1995 Danaher) 1/2" drive yesterday from a pawnbroker for $15 incl. tax. like brand new.

crazy payin' a whole lot of money for a ratchet. $20 bucks tops for good stuff - 1/4", 3/8", or 1/2" drive.