sk tuff 1 ratchet your thoughts?

[wesreams]

was wondering everybodys thoughts on this ratchet, good or bad, i think good but i always have to ask u guys for a second opinion

http://www.toolsource.com/tuff-flex-head-ratchet-p-56818.html

 

[Deafautotech]

it seem good but i must have service and warranty for my ratchets as i just dont want make a calls to S-K to tell them that i had broke ratchets... i dont own S-K ratchets so i would not say anything about it.. i just want simple service and quick instead make a wait for maybe few days or a week for replacement arrive... i was told it was free.... so it is my opinion...

 

[Fedwrench]

It's not a bad ratchet. It was SK's first attempt to kind of copy the Facom ratchets. It has a nice 72 tooth action. The head is slightly smaller than their professional series of ratchets. It's fairly strong. When they first came out the tough one was that there were so many teeth engaged between the pawl and gear. The only downside is the head is kind of thick and there aren't any detents in the flex head or any way to tighten the flex action up so, after a few years of use the head flops a bit. Shop around though, you can easily find that ratchet cheaper.

 

[oxycodone]

I've never had the opportunity to use a Tuff 1 ratchet. I have standard "professional" SK ratchets in 1/4, 3/8 & 1/2 drive, and a 3/8 bent flex head, and I have no complaints at all.

The body of the Tuff 1 looks very much like the Professional body, twice the number of teeth, and it's still made in the US with a lifetime warranty. Hard to go wrong.

As Deafautotech pointed out, unless you have a SK dealer nearby, you have to mail it to SK for warranty... I don't wrench for a living so this is not a big issue for me, but it is something to consider.

 

[oxycodone]

Shop around though, you can easily find that ratchet cheaper.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SK-3...008QQitemZ180147129064QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD1V

Offer him $35.

 

[wesreams]

what about these

http://www.gearwrench.com/catalog/ratchets_and_sockets/ratchets/flex/setdetails.jsp?part=81204

 

[oxycodone]

what about these

http://www.gearwrench.com/catalog/ratchets_and_sockets/ratchets/flex/setdetails.jsp?part=81204

That's $83 at sears.com.

May as well get a Snap-on.

 

[Fedwrench]

http://www.toolrage.com/prodView.asp?idproduct=5149

I have that set. I picked it up on Ebay for alot less. The ratchets have a 60 tooth action . The heads have a ball detent with notches to prevent headflop. The heads are thin allowing for better access to confined spaces. They have longer handles for added leverage. The handles are comfortable but, aren't very resistant to harsh chemicals. The only downside I have is that in the back of my mind I know there isn't a quick and easy warranty service available if I ever need it. Danaher produced in Taiwan.

 

[eschoendorff]

http://www.toolrage.com/prodView.asp?idproduct=5149

I have that set. I picked it up on Ebay for alot less. The ratchets have a 60 tooth action . The heads have a ball detent with notches to prevent headflop. The heads are thin allowing for better access to confined spaces. They have longer handles for added leverage. The handles are comfortable but, aren't very resistant to harsh chemicals. The only downside I have is that in the back of my mind I know there isn't a quick and easy warranty service available if I ever need it. Danaher produced in Taiwan.

They look like what I would imagine a Taiwanese knock-off of a MATCO design would look like....

 

[Fedwrench]

They look like what I would imagine a Taiwanese knock-off of a MATCO design would look like....

Given where the new Matco soft grip ratchets are made, they probably aren't knockoffs, more like relatives from the same family.

 

[MAD]

I got a 1/2" Tuff 1 ratchet in a ebay lot a while back. I have been using it a lot since I got it. It is super smooth to the point where you can almost not feel it clicking. Judging by the dinged up and worn appearance of this used ratchet, it has not spent it's time on this earth on a red velvet pillow. With that and my limited experience with it I will say that the Tuff 1 name seems to fit.

I really like the original SK professional series ratchets too. I have a drawer full of those.

The heads on round head ratchets can be slightly bulkier than some pear head ratchets but other than that I have found the SK round head ratchets to be among the best. Certainly among the best ratchets out there for the money.

 

[eschoendorff]

Given where the new Matco soft grip ratchets are made, they probably aren't knockoffs, more like relatives from the same family.

Ok.. seriously, where are the MATCOs made? I haven't heard this....

 

[Fedwrench]

Ok.. seriously, where are the MATCOs made? I haven't heard this....

The new Matco 60 tooth ratchets don't have a country of origin on them. However, when disassembled, they even have the same red o ring as the Gearwrench models.

 

[biggsean]

I'm very interested in how you guys like the gearwrench flex ratchets. I have TONS of their wrenches, and absolutely love them, but I primarily use Craftsman ratchets.

Tagging along for the ride.

 

[eschoendorff]

I'm very interested in how you guys like the gearwrench flex ratchets. I have TONS of their wrenches, and absolutely love them, but I primarily use Craftsman ratchets.

Tagging along for the ride.

Never used them... but from the looks of the rest of the GearWrench line, I would expect them to be pretty darn good.

 

[brianpgriset]

I have that very ratchet posted in the original link, except I have the bent handle version. I've had it for only about 3 months, but its been great so far. Like mentioned before, you can barely hear it ratcheting its so smooth. I was so used to my clackety Craftsmans I almost thought the SK wasn't working.

I don't think you'll be disappointed.

PS you might want to consider the bent handle model. I have a straight handle Craftsman 3/8" drive, long handle ratchet and the bent handle is much easier to use.

 

[Fedwrench]

I'm very interested in how you guys like the gearwrench flex ratchets. I have TONS of their wrenches, and absolutely love them, but I primarily use Craftsman ratchets.

Tagging along for the ride.

The Gearwrench flex head ratchets are a vast improvement over the Craftsmans (except for the warranty). The Gearwrench ratchets have a fine 60 tooth action that is strong and smooth. The heads are thin for better access. Full polish means an easier wipe down after use, although the comfort grip handles don't clean up that well (no one's does). The handles are longer for extra leverage. This is especially handy in 1/4 drive. I have Gearwrench ratchets in 1/4 and 3/8 drives and they have served me well. I use the 1/4 model hard daily and its performance is equal to higher priced ratchets. If you shop around you can find them fairly cheap (unless you view them at Sears.com). The only downside to them is that they're made in Taiwan and won't be as easy to replace under warranty as a Craftsman. I have ratchets from most manufacturers and these are my favorites next to the F80 series.

 

[DavidtheDuke]

Ok.. seriously, where are the MATCOs made? I haven't heard this....

Matco's ratchets are officially a ripoff since SO's 80 tooths came out. They cost MORE than SO's!

 

[krusty the clown]

Matco's ratchets are officially a ripoff since SO's 80 tooths came out. They cost MORE than SO's!

you'll find that a lot of matco's products are more expensive than snap on, mac is even higher

 

[wrenchr]

Ok.. seriously, where are the MATCOs made? I haven't heard this....

The ratchet itself is US made but the handle is made from global materials.

 

[biggsean]

The Gearwrench flex head ratchets are a vast improvement over the Craftsmans (except for the warranty). The Gearwrench ratchets have a fine 60 tooth action that is strong and smooth. The heads are thin for better access. Full polish means an easier wipe down after use, although the comfort grip handles don't clean up that well (no one's does). The handles are longer for extra leverage. This is especially handy in 1/4 drive. I have Gearwrench ratchets in 1/4 and 3/8 drives and they have served me well. I use the 1/4 model hard daily and its performance is equal to higher priced ratchets. If you shop around you can find them fairly cheap (unless you view them at Sears.com). The only downside to them is that they're made in Taiwan and won't be as easy to replace under warranty as a Craftsman. I have ratchets from most manufacturers and these are my favorites next to the F80 series.

Thanks for your objective opinion on these ratchets, they are definitely on my "to buy" list in the near future. I just picked up an F80 on ebay today after reading everybody else's glowing review about them.