Roto ratchets

[barrybeefburger]

I know this has probably been beaten to death but Im not having much luck finding anything.
The other than gearwrench/crescent and HF, which make should I be looking at? Im only a home cowboy so this is a want more than a need, I dont really want to spend snap on money so out of the entry level where and what should I be looking at. Ive also seen mention of quick release v non quick, whats the idea of one being better than the other?

 

[Fedwrench]

Three other non tool truck brands of roto ratchets come to mind, Genius, Titan, and Carlyle. Any of them would probably serve you well. However, the NAPA Carlyle would probably be the easiest to warranty but, should be purchased only when on sale. It also has a 100 tooth ratchet action.

As for the quick release, that's entirely a matter of personal preference.

On a side note, you could always consider buying used truck brand off of ebay or at least search ebay to see which models are available.

To further muddy the waters, Cornwell, Matco, and MAC branded Roto ratchets aren't made by them. They are actually Taiwan made with different shaped handles.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

As Fedwrench said, the MAC and Cornwell are imported, and are the same mechanism as the NAPA Carlyle.

Cripe Distributing still has the Crescent and Husky branded rotos for a good price.

Snap-on and SK rotos come up used on eBay regularly. Even the older 36 tooth Snap-on Rotos are really nice (and the 100 tooth models even better), and I'm sure a classic SK with the newer fine tooth kit installed would be great.

 

[mudflap]

The Carlyle roto is very nice..i dont own one because it's not QR..but if thats not an issue for you....thats the one. Like Fed said.. wait for it to come up on the Napa "Real deals".. I have used them quite a bit..have one on one of our service trucks.. butter smooth, no backdrag..

 

[Fedwrench]

The Carlyle roto is very nice..i dont own one because it's not QR..but if thats not an issue for you....thats the one. Like Fed said.. wait for it to come up on the Napa "Real deals".. I have used them quite a bit..have one on one of our service trucks.. butter smooth, no backdrag..

The Carlyle roto ratchet is quick release. I have one at work.
Their catalog is wrong. See the nice light blue button in the head, it's the quick release. They are however, only available with a comfort grip.

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHQR38S100

 

[davethorik]

I have and use "The Original", the SK 3870.
I do think a plastic hard handle would be better than the knurling in this application, mostly for nutdriver mode. Even a larger knurled handle would help, if SK used an oversize grip like Wright, for example.

 

[Dave455]

One make comes straight to mind - KoKen.

They make lovely roto ratchets, probably one of their strongest lines, and with a choice of 3 handle styles!

Quality is first class, up ther close to Snap On (roto ratchet might even be a bit heftier) but the price is nothing like. Made in a Japan. Way ahead of the Taiwanese for quality!

I’ll post a pic of mine later

 

[2000-cvpi]

Tekton also has roto ratchets, they are identical to the Harbor Freight ratchets except for the handles are red not green.

 

[HondaCBMan]

How much are the Carlyle rotos when they hit "Real deals" or sales?

 

[nbpt100]

I have a 1/4 drive VIM which is great. Very smooth. I think it has 144 teeth. It has helped me in some tights spaces where my other ratchets would have failed. I also like how you can lock the angle positions. Most don't offer that feature. Hands down one of the best for the money. I will be getting the 3/8 drive soon.

Here is a link to one on ebay. Look around and I bet you can get a better deal.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/3-8-Drive-...464180?hash=item5d7bf2bcf4:g:GnsAAOSwdHtatDfs

 

[mudflap]

How much are the Carlyle rotos when they hit "Real deals" or sales?

Usually $54.99. Right now they have the long flex 3/8 on sale for i think about that..and it's usually $90.00.. Thats a super nice rat too... I have one of those.

 

[mudflap]

Correction $49.99...heres the link...

https://realdeals.napaecatalog.com/

 

[Air21]

I was more than surprised with my Titan long handle small head roto ratchet. I got it in 1/4 drive just because I figured the extra leverage would break on anything I would use a 3/8 on.

 

[finn]

I like my Snapon better than I expected.

Also have a Redmax, (or something like that) that I don’t care for. Loose goosey comes to mind.

I considered getting a HF, but with so many bad experiences over the years, I swore off shopping there.

 

[Danglerb]

I'm fine with the HF roto, cheap, works, but its just the small 1/4 drive so its not like I beat on it.

 

[unslow1]

I have 3 or 4 brands. I actually like the HF the best. I've always preferred quick release ratchets.

 

[dnschmidt]

The HF is made by William Tool which also makes a lot of TOPTUL's ratchets. I have the HF and I like it.

 

[Mgdoug3]

I have a SK 3870 I got off EBay. Not long after I got it I put the DT80 upgrade in it. It is one of my favorite ratchets now.

 

[JBH]

The Wera one looks interesting. I’ve thought about buying the 1/4” drive one. Never tried it though.

 

[Mr_B]

HF roto's are decent for the price, william tool supplies them for a load of brands.
Main issue with them in QR format is they not stripable for cleaning or lubing and quite a lot of drag unless greased. I got a non QR and can strip those and makes huge difference greased.
Carlyle a great buy on real deal . well worth the extra cost for what you getting and it truck brand spec/warranty for likes of 50bucks .
I'm a big fan of carlyle ratchets, bought a few via real deals and real happy with them .

 

[rmsg0040]

Husky makes em too, I got the ultrapro 1/4 and 3/8 which is basically the Canadian version of carlyle, they are 100 tooth

 

[bobcatdan]

As Fedwrench said, the MAC and Cornwell are imported, and are the same mechanism as the NAPA Carlyle.

Cripe Distributing still has the Crescent and Husky branded rotos for a good price.

Snap-on and SK rotos come up used on eBay regularly. Even the older 36 tooth Snap-on Rotos are really nice (and the 100 tooth models even better), and I'm sure a classic SK with the newer fine tooth kit installed would be great.

The older SO roto are 72 tooth, at least the ones I own.

 

[JBradley500]

The HF ones I tried a few years ago had so much back drag that I sold them without using them. I have GW ones and they seem decent. I’d probably look at SK, Snap-on, or Carlyle if I was going to try to upgrade.

 

[Moose Legs]

I have the ultra pro (carlyle) in 1/4 and the wera in 3/8. The napa one is pretty good but the Wera is hands down my smoothest ratchet, it also has QR and it can lock in three different angles.

 

[ChevyEFI]

I have an SK 3870, plus one that was Grandpa's.
The rounded is very strong. I like the knurled handle, I used the selector style for decades and like it. I have broken a square drive off with a 3 foot cheater and me leaning on it. SK roundheads are STRONG.

I have a 1/4" 36 t Snap-On TH737. Very smooth, I have never wanted a smaller degree swing, backdrag is low, and the soft handle is easy to use. You can break it, and it will need a kit, which mine has had. Mine is discontinued; The newer version is 72t.

I have a Great Neck 1/4. Quick release, round scalloped selector. It has a shorter handle, and it has been really capable at getting in corners, nooks and other stuff a flex handle won't do.

I also have a Great Neck 1/2. With the same appearance attributes as the 1/4", it should be about the same. But, it does feel heavier, doesn't come in handy as often, and with the heft, holding the handle up is less intuitive as it is on the smaller drive options.

You can't go wrong with buying a cheapie and refining your choice later by spending more money. I also like the idea of supporting a company that makes the right product today, instead of the cheapest discontinued one.

 

[Mgdoug3]

I forgot I have a Mac Vrs100 something. It's a half in drive and after greasing and adjusting the nut it has low back drag and seems like a good ratchet. It has 100 teeth and the head is the same size as the SK 3870. I'm not a fan of the big rubber grip so I don't use it often.

 

[Yarpo]

I have the Gearwrench ones I bought on sale at sears awhile back and they seem ok from just a looks/feel perspective. If I wasn't attached to my tools and the concept of having extras I'd give them away as I simply don't use them, ever.

 

[WWheeler]

My swivel heads have been my go-tos since the first time I laid hands on one. I use them every day. Once you get used to them they are huge time savers. I've had many friends and coworkers jaws literally drop just watching me go to work with them. If there's room on what I'm working on to swivel it straight out like a driver I can spin a nut or bolt on or off as fast if not faster with them than I can with my M12 cordless.

 

[Mgdoug3]

I like the looks of the Snap-on handle better than my Mac. Being more oval (Mac) you can't spin it as easy. I like my SK with the knurled grip because it doesn't slip in my hand and easy to clean. I might have to keep an eye out for a Snap-on though.

 

[Yarpo]

If there's room on what I'm working on to swivel it straight out like a driver I can spin a nut or bolt on or off as fast if not faster with them than I can with my M12 cordless.

Cant you do that with any flex head ratchet also? What am I missing.

 

[nelstomlinson]

... I'm sure a classic SK with the newer fine tooth kit installed would be great.

I have two of those. They are great indeed.

 

[Rickster]

Used the SK roto-head for years and still have it. Replaced by a Snap-on black hard handle Roto-head ratchet which is even better.

 

[WWheeler]

Cant you do that with any flex head ratchet also? What am I missing.

You can spin a flex-head like a screwdriver or nutdriver?

Unless the threads are gnarly I can get 5 or more complete revolutions on a swivel-head in under a second (& if the threads are messed up I'll run a restorer over them to remedy that). Only thing speed-wise I can compare it to is a pneumatic or cordless tool.

Never seen that done with a flex-head because it isn't balanced like a swivel-head (or roto-head, if you prefer). If I try to spin a flex-head the socket will want to come off the fastener.

I do find that comfort grips are a lot easier to spin than polished chrome handles. I don't own any gnurled handles but I suppose those might work well too for those that do prefer them.

 

[wkndwarrior29]

I have a 1/4 drive VIM which is great. Very smooth. I think it has 144 teeth. It has helped me in some tights spaces where my other ratchets would have failed. I also like how you can lock the angle positions. Most don't offer that feature. Hands down one of the best for the money. I will be getting the 3/8 drive soon.

Here is a link to one on ebay. Look around and I bet you can get a better deal.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/3-8-Drive-...464180?hash=item5d7bf2bcf4:g:GnsAAOSwdHtatDfs

Thanks for sharing your perspective on this. I was shopping VIM's website this morning and your post was just what it took to get me to add this to my cart. I have never been disappointed by VIM purchases so I'm looking forward to it coming.

On that note - some excellent deals on VIM's website under promotions and hot deals.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[rmsg0040]

Also with roto ratchets you can hit some angles that you could not with other style of ratchets

 

[barrybeefburger]

My swivel heads have been my go-tos since the first time I laid hands on one. I use them every day. Once you get used to them they are huge time savers. I've had many friends and coworkers jaws literally drop just watching me go to work with them. If there's room on what I'm working on to swivel it straight out like a driver I can spin a nut or bolt on or off as fast if not faster with them than I can with my M12 cordless.

Is that a 3/8th in a 1/4?
If that is the standard 3/8 then Im getting the snappy...

 

[WWheeler]

Is that a 3/8th in a 1/4?
If that is the standard 3/8 then Im getting the snappy...

The 3/8 compact swivel head I have is their older model (39-tooth IIRC) #FHC737, and that's a newer 72 tooth 1/4dr #THN72 I have sitting just to the right of it and the standard-length 3/8dr 100-tooth #FHNF100 just below. FWIW Snap-on's current 3/8 compact swivel head is 72-tooth #FHCNF72.

 

[Yarpo]

You can spin a flex-head like a screwdriver or nutdriver?

Unless the threads are gnarly I can get 5 or more complete revolutions on a swivel-head in under a second (& if the threads are messed up I'll run a restorer over them to remedy that). Only thing speed-wise I can compare it to is a pneumatic or cordless tool.

Never seen that done with a flex-head because it isn't balanced like a swivel-head (or roto-head, if you prefer). If I try to spin a flex-head the socket will want to come off the fastener.

I do find that comfort grips are a lot easier to spin than polished chrome handles. I don't own any gnurled handles but I suppose those might work well too for those that do prefer them.

The trucks we work on have two test ports that are kept plugged with an Allen plug and once I break the plug free, I flex the ratchet so the handle and head make a nice L, and turn it just like a screwdriver. Maybe because the Allen fits so snugly that this works, as I can see what you're saying by it being off balanced may cause you to have your socket falling off in other applications. I can't spin it 5 times in a second, but I can spin it out quickly enough

 

[48548]

You can spin a flex-head like a screwdriver or nutdriver?

Unless the threads are gnarly I can get 5 or more complete revolutions on a swivel-head in under a second (& if the threads are messed up I'll run a restorer over them to remedy that). Only thing speed-wise I can compare it to is a pneumatic or cordless tool.

Never seen that done with a flex-head because it isn't balanced like a swivel-head (or roto-head, if you prefer). If I try to spin a flex-head the socket will want to come off the fastener.

I do find that comfort grips are a lot easier to spin than polished chrome handles. I don't own any gnurled handles but I suppose those might work well too for those that do prefer them.

Try these

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[WWheeler]

Try these

Those will definitely do the job too. Used to use mine a lot more than I do these days. You do need a lot more room though so more limited than a swivel-head, especially the compact ones.