The absolute one thing I have too many of is ratchets.... So just to spite myself I went to HF and bought the 1/4 swivel head today for 12.99. I have the 1/4 Snapon one also.
Both the same length. The HF model is heavier.
The Snapon will receive a socket in any of the four directions and hold it in place, but does its best holding on the socket detent. The HF model will only receive a socket if the quick release button is depressed. Also the socket will pull right off the ratchet with minimal effort unless its on the socket detent, in which case no amount of pulling will allow a release unless the quick release is pressed.
The HF has a finger operated steel ball bearing quick release mechanism on its face that functions with absolute minimal pressure to engage and disengage. The Snapon has no quick release button on its face.
They both have a cross mounted allen head bolt in the shaft to set roto head tension. The Snapon's allen head looks sharp and straight, the HF's looks likes almost rounded out now, and its new.
The HF model took 72 clicks to make a complete turn. I had to restart several times because I floated through several clicks quicker than I anticipated. The Snapon took 39 clicks to make a compete circle. Didn't need to restart counting at all because the clicks were solid, smooth and the same amount of pressure was needed for each click.
Both have tri-bar heads for switching direction. The Snapon's works effortlessly and it was VERY difficult to find that "lost area" between directions where its in neutral. Just switching directions I never hit it. The HF switching was rough and didn't want to lock into a new direction until fully turned. Also on the tri-bar mechanisms themselves; the Snapon is metal, smooth and close to the ratchet head whereas the HF's is plastic, sharp edged and raised up from the ratchet head. I could see where the HFs mechanism would hang up on something if your doing close work.
The HF model was $13, I paid like 4 times that for the Snapon and its used.
