SK roto ratchets.. What happened?

[bimmer630]

Why doesnt SK make the roto anymore? They hold the patent on that design https://patents.google.com/patent/US2977824A/en, which is probably expired..

Edit.. the linked page does say that its expired

 

[bobcatdan]

It was one of the few things not carried over when ideal bought SK. After winning a prize pack from SK off of their Facebook page, I asked the guy threw messenger about the roto and he said there is a new one in the works as they had a few improvements to the design they were making. No time frame given on its release.

 

[Andres26tnt]

It was one of the few things not carried over when ideal bought SK. After winning a prize pack from SK off of their Facebook page, I asked the guy threw messenger about the roto and he said there is a new one in the works as they had a few improvements to the design they were making. No time frame given on its release.

mm They have a lot of development promises but no actual products. We still waiting for the other LP90 ratchets.

 

[ken w.]

I sent my Roto head in for warranty 2 years ago and they sent me back a standard flex head ratchet instead. They still have repair kits for them.

 

[bobcatdan]

My big thing I want them to bring their angle wrenches back. Of all the sets I own, they are my favorite.

 

[bimmer630]

My big thing I want them to bring their angle wrenches back. Of all the sets I own, they are my favorite.

Well yeah the repair kit is the same for all of the 3/8” round heads


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[Mgdoug3]

If SK comes out with a new 3870, I will buy one. My favorite ratchet is 3870 with the DT80 upgrade. Buying a used one on Ebay is getting expensive. A new one probably wouldn't be much more than a used one in good condition.

 

[bimmer630]

If SK comes out with a new 3870, I will buy one. My favorite ratchet is 3870 with the DT80 upgrade. Buying a used one on Ebay is getting expensive. A new one probably wouldn't be much more than a used one in good condition.

I’m using this oldie.. with a fresh rebuild in it.

I’ve put DT kits in my 1/2” and my 1/4”, but I’ve held off on the 3/8” for some reason, and I’ve heard it’s the size that reacts the best to the DT kit



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[bobcatdan]

I lucked out getting mine a few years back, my dealer had a NOS on the truck.

 

[Mgdoug3]

The 3/8 DT is the best in my opinion. The DT100 is nice though since it uses 4 teeth on the pawl instead of 3 like the original and DT800/120. I have the DTs in a 3770, 3870, 42470 and 40170. I put one in a new 45170 but had to warranty the DT80 and waiting for a new one. I think I got a first run batch and they had issues.

 

[nmantas]

The 3/8 DT is the best in my opinion. The DT100 is nice though since it uses 4 teeth on the pawl instead of 3 like the original and DT800/120. I have the DTs in a 3770, 3870, 42470 and 40170. I put one in a new 45170 but had to warranty the DT80 and waiting for a new one. I think I got a first run batch and they had issues.

I ordered the DT100 last week for my 15 inch 1/2" from HJE but SK is currently out of stock and expecting a new batch in the next two weeks. I was going to go for the DT120 for my 1/4" but I bought a second one for 50 cents at a garage sale that is sooooooo butter smooth and with very little backdrag that I think it would be a waste or set me up for disappointment.

 

[Philbert]

I really like my SK tuff-1 roto and bent handle flex head ratchets. I
The heads are smaller than the Sanp-On offerings. And just seem overall less bulky.

 

[Rickster]

The SK Roto-head was one of my first ratchets and my go-to ratchet for many years. It's been downgraded since I bought a Snap-on roto-head but I just can't bring myself to take it out of the toolbox drawer.

 

[Negen]

The SK Roto-head was one of my first ratchets and my go-to ratchet for many years. It's been downgraded since I bought a Snap-on roto-head but I just can't bring myself to take it out of the toolbox drawer.

Put a dt kit in it and it will be your favorite again.

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[ChevyEFI]

I think currently produced product you want continued should be supported with purchases. If mine disappeared, I would go SO. If SK makes one I like, I will buy it.

But I have my 3870 from Christmas from Dad 20+yrs ago, I have Grandpa's 3870, and I have 2 new ones for my boys to use one day. And Dad has his.

 

[davethorik]

I’m using this oldie.. with a fresh rebuild in it.

I have one as well, SK in a diamond logo with the roto patent. It is the 'first gen' that were briefly made after patent granted in 61, and Wayne buying them the next year (they didn't immediately start marking tools SK Wayne, so there was old stock, mine was bought new in 1963 by the po). Of course there may be patent pending marked examples made earlier, but I'm not an SK expert.

Hands down my favorite SK ratchet.

SK's biggest mistake: not making a 1/4 version.

 

[yhprum]

Been a big fan of these since changing plugs in a VW Bug. I wish they made them in 1/4 and 1/2 drive too.

 

[rsk4today]

I wish SK still made them in any drive size...

 

[Fedwrench]

The SK roto ratchet is another mystery why SK doesn't make it. no improvement is needed, it's perfect the way it is.

if they want to update it, add 1/4 drive.

 

[thesilverone]

The SK roto ratchet is another mystery why SK doesn't make it. no improvement is needed, it's perfect the way it is.

if they want to update it, add 1/4 drive.

I agree. They must have no interest in making more money

 

[M6erfan]

My father has one, he inherited it from his father. I use it whenever I visit my parents, there's always stuff that needs fixin' when I'm there... Anyway, I agree it's a great ratchet, why SK no longer makes it is a mystery.

 

[Scotty_B]

Love my 3870. I finally was able to grab one in good shape on eBay at a reasonable price. The only complaint I might have is that the chrome seems to chip off too easily. 3870s that are in mint condition go for exorbitant prices on eBay. The ones that are more reasonable often have bad damage to the chrome and/or are rusty. I got one with minimal chrome damage. Got it as a user, not a collectable.

They are definitely of "industrial" quality. The finish isn't always perfect.

But, man, they are good ratchets. I immediately installed a new DT80 mechanism, and it was worth every penny. It's the first 3/8 drive ratchet out of my toolbox 90% of the time, and I own a Snap-on FLF80. I simply prefer a roto to a flex ratchet.

The 3870 is a hoss. Not took good for super tight spaces, but anywhere I can use it, I do.

I think the 100-tooth Snap-on roto ratchets are better, but what shade- tree mechanic or do-it-yourselfer wants to spend that much on a ratchet?

Ideal needs to bring back the 3870, or some kind of reasonable replacement, imo.

 

[jeff64]

I ended up buying the Kobalt roto ratchet copy when I couldn’t get an original SK.

 

[The Fall]

I asked a year ago and was told that it wasn't available and there was no development on it.

I also have zero idea why they don't jump on this. It's one of the very few ratchets I'd purchase. I've got too many already.

 

[bonneyman]

I think it might have been price point. They were too expensive a design and not enough sales, especially after gear wrench and the other copies hit the market. Ideal bought them and did some design cutting - unfortunately this rat was one of the ones deemed not above the profit line and they dropped it.

 

[gearhead1]

What is a DT kit?

 

[Mgdoug3]

It's a dual pawl mechanism so it cuts the arc swing in half. I think I have 6 all together and I really like them. It does increase the back drag ever so slightly but it's about the same as a Dual 80.

 

[gearhead1]

SK sells them or are they for a different ratchet and they happen to fit the SK?

 

[Mgdoug3]

SK sells them. HJE and Circle C Supply have the best price. They're about the same price as a rebuild kit.

 

[vssjim]

SK sells them HJE stocks them and others.

 

[gearhead1]

Thanks!

 

[vssjim]

https://www.harryepstein.com/index.php/tool-brand/sk-tools/sk-ratchets.html
this is the link to the page that shows all three sizes of DT kits

 

[asm154]

Resurrecting an old thread but SK told me they plan to introduce new roto ratchets in 2020:

“Good afternoon,

Great news! The product manager got back letting me know that there is plans to launch a roto ratchet on 2020 with a slightly new design.


Thank you,
Rebeca Gomez
Customer Service
SK Hand Tool, LLC
1600 South Prairie Drive
Sycamore, IL 60178
Phone: (800)822-5575 ext. 232
Fax: (800) 752-2434”

 

[M6erfan]

Very nice! I'm in. I think... Slightly new design?

 

[Skin]

Resurrecting an old thread but SK told me they plan to introduce new roto ratchets in 2020:

“Good afternoon,

Great news! The product manager got back letting me know that there is plans to launch a roto ratchet in the next decade with a slightly new design.


Thank you,
Rebeca Gomez
Customer Service
SK Hand Tool, LLC
1600 South Prairie Drive
Sycamore, IL 60178
Phone: (800)822-5575 ext. 232
Fax: (800) 752-2434”

Fixed that for them

 

[M6erfan]

Fixed that for them

I almost went there. Almost. I'll give them the benefit of doubt

 

[lardy1]

Anything new coming from SK has my ears perked up.

 

[Shane6377]

I have a SK roto. It's a great ratchet. I put the DT kit in mine. When I got it the original mechanism was locked up so I switched it out.

I agree with many here... a 1/4" version would be great. Hopefully they will start with the 3/8" and the other sizes will follow... like they did with the LP. Unfortunately that could be several years. That's my biggest complaint with SK.


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[B_Bimmer]

That sounds like confusion on the part of someone who doesn't realize a roto ratchet and a flex head are not the same. I hope it is really a roto ratchet.

 

[M6erfan]

That sounds like confusion on the part of someone who doesn't realize a roto ratchet and a flex head are not the same. I hope it is really a roto ratchet.

Oh man, I hope so too