S-K vs. Mac 3/8 Flex Head Ratchet

[CornwellTools]

Hi everyone! I am looking to invest in a flex head ratchet, but can't afford snap on prices. I was looking on ebay, and both Mac & S-K seem to be reasonably affordable. My question is which brand is better quality? Anyone have experience with both brands? Interested in what you guys think. Thanks everyone and have a great day!

 

[arz71]

Hi everyone! I am looking to invest in a flex head ratchet, but can't afford snap on prices. I was looking on ebay, and both Mac & S-K seem to be reasonably affordable. My question is which brand is better quality? Anyone have experience with both brands? Interested in what you guys think. Thanks everyone and have a great day!

I prefer the MAC with the knurled handle myself, and it is a bit slimmer.

 

[Wamsutta]

Look for a Cornwell JRF36. It has a very nice handle that melts into your hand. You'll see a new one on ebay every once in a while.

Another excellent ratchet is the MAC flex-head with the red hard handle.

 

[bimmer630]

The Mac is a little clunky and the screws tend to loosen and cause the ratcheting head to fall out. Guys in my area have always preferred the SK one over the Mac.
Finer tooth count on the SK, cheaper to buy usually too.
My Mac truck actually sells the SK ratchet more than macs

 

[Brownsfan]

I have the SK 3/8 flex and love it. I own a snap on 80t flex head and still reach for the SK. Its tough as hell. Never a hick up.

 

[shockwave]

I would prefer either Matco or Cornwell over sk or Mac they just feel better in your hand imo

 

[Askme42]

Got this far down and no one suggested armstrong?

If I wanted locking flex I would go with armstrong if not locking harbor freight.

 

[stonesfan68]

If you go with the SK make sure you get the newer design that has the screw that tightens the flex head up as needed. The old version was pinned and the head flopped around quite a bit.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[d.mcfarland]

Cornwell? It's literally your name! Price would be ~$35

 

[stage20]

the armstrongs are nice. and they lock. pretty much eliminates the flop of a worn ratchet. carlyle has them too, but for that price you can get the armstrong. the carlyle does have a longer version.

dare i say harbor freight? you can get one of their new long professional flex heads for 20 bucks with a coupon.

between the 2, id take the mac, or buy the proto line (same thing) for cheaper if you arent looking to finish off a mac set.

 

[Kirbot]

What type of Mac are you looking at?
The older style pear heads seem decent enough, but I wouldn't go out of my way to look for one.
Only 30 teeth, and pretty clunky in my experience.

These, on the other hand, are fine tooth and very good. They'll need a rebuild kit now and then though. They don't seem to wear as well as some.
http://www.mactools.com/en-us/Ratch...-11-Round-Head-Flex-Ratchet-with-Comfort-Grip

The exact same ratchets are also branded Proto, just with a knurled grip.
They're both made by Facom in Italy.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Proto-J5257...1435199962&pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&vxp=mtr


SK is tried and true, and will probably last a lifetime.
But they're not nearly as fine toothed, and the heads are far far bulkier than the Mac/Proto style.


If you're not set on either brand....
Gearwrench, Armstrong, Duralast, the new harborfreight pro flex, Carlyle.... are all good choices, with options for any budget..

 

[Bagherra]

What no pics??

 

[arz71]

SK/MAC any of those would be great. I have SK Ratchets that are well over 20+ years old and still work great.

 

[devoncoolman]

Sk is my vote. Their ratchets are great for the money. I prefer my snap-on ratchets most of the time but they cost 4x more.

 

[AndrewV]

Why no proto? Same ratchet as Mac after all.
Or Williams usa, same as snappy.

 

[stage20]

And straight hndle or bent in sk. I've been trying to find a deal on a bent handle sk just haven't run across it

 

[VCaddy]

The flex head SK is my go to ratchet, has the perfect amount of friction to keep the head from flopping around. Don't use my standard ratchets much any more, it's handy to be able to move the handle around obstructions with the flex.

 

[1950mercury]

I don't like either Mac or sk...I'd rather have Armstrong,matco,hf

 

[Wamsutta]

The older style pear heads seem decent enough, but I wouldn't go out of my way to look for one. Only 30 teeth, and pretty clunky in my experience.

They smooth up real nice with some RLL added to them.

 

[rapid robert]

SK gets my vote...

 

[XxToolAholicxX]

Go with Harbor Freight they have lifetime warranty if anything goes wrong. Plus you will have money left for a case of beer and a large bag of Cheetos.
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