rhft or bigdawg?

[sk farmer]

i'm still pretty new here and not quite up to speed on everything that goes on but there seems to be huge followings for the rhft craftsman variants and the proto big dawg variants. my ratchets are almost all sk pros and i don't know wich way to spend my monthly tool allotment. my gut tells me i would like a black 3/8 big dawg but others claim i need a rhft to have anything. i used to have a mac indexable without the red lube but got rid of it in a trade. was that a big dawg? i have no interest in a snappy. please help me make a decision on the better choice. and don't tell me to buy one of each, that is a copout. convince me on the one to get.

 

[lauver]

Consider the following points:

1) Both the RHFT and Bigdawgs are great ratchets.

2) No single ratchet is perfect in every situation.

3) It's ok the have some diversity in your ratchet drawer.

4) This is America and it's your birthright to have at least one of each.

5) And if you're still hungry for great ratchets, add one of the GearWrench Flex Head ratchets.

 

[paramudduck]

Basically there are times when one will feel/do better on certain jobs. Also I prefer the Long handled industrial Big Dawgs so a shorter or Flex RHFT compliments it's versatility well.

 

[sk farmer]

thanks for the comments parmudduck and lauver but neither one of you said what you liked or disliked about either one. i also didn't hear if a mac indexing ratchet used the big dawg parts. does someone have an opinion on them because i really don't know much about either one. does anyone even know where i could find a 3/8 big dawg

 

[FNFS2000]

if you want a work of art look at the zyklop

 

[CAT_serviceman927]

I have a couple of the Proto big dawgs with the red handles. I love the 3/8" ratchets. They have like 50+ teeth and are pretty smooth and strong. However, I also have a 1/2" and just recently started having problems with it. The directional lever has a little, and I mean little, spring that helps keep the pawl engaged. The thing got all mangled up on mine and I had to get a rebuild kit. But with that said, I like my 3/8" versions alot and have yet to have any problems with them. AFAIK, they are no longer in production so you will have to look on e-bay or other used tool markets.

 

[ImportTuner]

Get both, you never have enough ratchets ..

 

[eric87]

what is a RHFT and what is a big dawg?

 

[ImportTuner]

what is a RHFT and what is a big dawg?

RHFT usually refers to the Craftsman round head fine tooth ratchet and the big dawg is a Proto ratchet with a pear shaped head (really strong and reasonably priced) ..

 

[sk farmer]

thanks cat serviceman927. that is the kind of info i am loooking for. i am kind of disappointed though. i have seen and participated in multi page threads on imaganary scenarios and what if's and everyone has an idea. three simple questions about 1 like-dislike of rhft 2 like-dislike of big dawg 3 what type of ratchet did i have. the answer i get is buy both or buy some import i can't find or afford. one last try, help me out or i will just le this die for lack of interest. surely someone has something to offer

 

[Crasen]

I have a few Big Dawg ratchets. I personally like them. I have not used the RHFT to comment on that ratchet. The big dawg ratchets were selling all over ebay and pretty cheap prices, not sure if that is still the case or not but that is where I would look. If the indexing ratchet you had looked like this http://www.drillspot.com/products/78530/Proto_5257FL_Indexable_Flex_Head_Ratchet then it is not a big dawg. the one in the link has about 30 gear teeth and is pretty course. I have one and it is strong but for that type of ratchet I would prefer a smoother ratchet with less arc required to ratchet.

 

[cruiser808]

SK farmer - as many have already told you, both ratchets are very good and will serve you well. I have multiple sets of each and I like both types very much. I prefer the ratcheting action of the RHFT's, but am not fond of the Craftsman square handle version. The big Dawg handles are great, but I don't think the ratchet mechanisms are as tough as the RHFT design and won't hold up as well. Particularly, the reverse levers do not hold up under hard use conditions. I've replaced one on my 1/2" big Dawg. I think others will agree with me on this. So, get what's important to you priority wise and grab a deal on either if one comes along. If you find an EASCO RHFT, I believe that's the best of both worlds. Just bear is mind, EASCO is gone and for warranty purposes, you'll have to find and use a CM mechanism. If the ratchet body is damaged, you're out of luck as with all round head designs. I hope this gives you more to go on. Good luck in your choice.

 

[kythri]

Does the Big Dawg still exist? What's it's model number?

 

[cruiser808]

Does the Big Dawg still exist? What's it's model number?

kythri - my understanding is that the Big Dawgs have been discontinued. That's why there have been so many good deals on Ebay for them. That said, the model numbers depend on the drive size and design. From my last Proto catalog, I'll give you what they have:

1/4":
4749P;
4749PF;
4749PBL.

3/8":
5249P;
5249PF;
5249PBL;
5250PF;
5220PBL;
5250P.

1/2":
5449P;
5449PF;
5449PBL;
5450P;
5450PF;
5450PBL.

The 5248 PS may be a Big Dawg, but the Proto catalog photo shows an old style pear head style. I have the 5248S which no Big Dawg and it's one of my favorite ratchets.

It seems that the common denominator for the Big Dawg's is the letter "P". I've never seen some of the Big Dawg variants here in Hawaii or on Ebay, so I don't know how available some of them are. I encourage you do do more research. I hope this helps.

 

[a390st]

I had the Mac Tools version of the 1/2" Big Dawg. It didn't do anything special for me, and I ended up selling it. There wasn't anything wrong with it, I just wasn't impressed. It did look good, though. I prefer the RHFT ratchets, myself. They have a proven track record, and are still made. CMan, KD, and Napa to name three sources. The Napa one is the prettiest, followed by the KD and far back the CMan. Of course, the prices are inversely proportional to the appearance. If I wanted a new 1/2" ratchet, there would be no other choice than the S80 from SO. I want one badly.

 

[paramudduck]

The thing is I have yet to have a problem with either one of them. Sometimes the shape of one will fit better into a spot then the the other will.

My Mac indexable are a different style tooth count then the Big Dawgs. I've never counted them and they are in OK in the back of my SIL's car right now. Usually I prefer the Big Dawgs for the more external items and the RHFT for the more difficult.

Both are in my experience excellent tools. It seems to just be a feel or accessibility matter to most people.

 

[davestlouis]

I don't own a Big Dawg, but I do wonder why they discontinued that series...Proto has made several other designs for 60+ years, why did they pull the plug on the Dawg?

 

[a390st]

That's what I can't understand, and it makes me wonder. They stick with 24 teeth for more than half a century, but dump the BigDawgs after less than a decade...

 

[eric87]

i like the gearwrench ratchets they are finr tooth and pear shaped. i think they work really well.

 

[paramudduck]

You know it's weird, I've busted more knuckles with my Gearwrench Spark plug ratchet then with any other. Last set of plugs I changed the ratchet came out of the extension every time it broke loose, and there went my knuckles into solid steel.

I have to say it's strong tho. Those plugs were tight!

 

[sk farmer]

thanks for the input guys. i wanted some info about them other than "buy what i like" or "buy both just because i said so". i think from what was said i should look for a big dawg in 3/8 standard or long handle,maybe black finish or plastic handle. i would probably pass on the rhft because i already have a tuff one in short and long and a regular handle palm control. i have nothing against rhft, it just seems too similar to what i have. i thought someone might tell me to get one because "fill in the blank", but i didn't. feel free to continue comments if any one likes. i think there is more to learn about both styles and hope that we do. i am sure there are others who may not know what style to add to their arsenal. we would all like to have one of everything but i would like to get the ones i like and fit my purpose first!! then buy others later! we all have alot to learn if we listen.

 

[sk farmer]

i forgot. does anyone know where i can find a gently used or new old stock bigdawg?

 

[cruiser808]

i forgot. does anyone know where i can find a gently used or new old stock bigdawg?

Ebay is your best bet.