Snap-On 25" ratchet durability/use

[90zcar]

I have/had a snap on 1/2" drive 17" long ratchets and found I only really used it 90% of the time on lugnuts when I'm not using my impact. Sometimes I wish it was a little longer. Anyways I usually grab my flex head 3/8 and get the job done with that.

I ended up recently selling the 17" flex head 1/2" drive snap on just for the simple fact of very little use for it

I have been debating getting the big boy 1/2" drive snap on that's 25" long. Most likely gonna buy it new from my dealer I try and meet up with from time to time. I did notice on the Internet a good bit of bent ones. Do these bend that easily??
Or for the simple home garage owner that occasionally does side jobs....should I just get a 24" breaker bar instead


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[Bigblue&Goldie]

I went with a 30" Proto breaker bar. I just didn't see myself using that long of a ratchet very often. The 1/2" long handle Snap On is typically long enough for me.

 

[Strouty]

I have leaned into it on some big lugs on one of my trucks and it seemed fine. I just bought the 36" breaker bar, figured that was probably about as long as I dare go for ½" drive.

 

[lauver]

90Zcar,

I think for most cars and, but especially import cars, an 18" handle (ratchet or breaker bar) is more than adequate for breaking loose or tightening lugnuts.

For example, I use an 18" x 1/2" drive flex handle with a 19mm socket on the lugnuts of my Tacoma pickup. From a kneeling position, I can easily tighten or loosen the lugnuts on this vehicle (note torque spec = 83 ftlbs), and I'm usually within 2 ftlbs of the recommended torque spec.

The lugwrench that came with my Tacoma is 12" OAL. I found it on the short side for both breaking loose and tightening. There's probably a good reason for this short length, but it was unacceptable to me.

And last, I see no good reason for using a ratchet for this simple operation... it's just not necessary.

 

[jonnymopar]

For the regular automotive guy, I'd stick with a breaker bar.

I will say that I have used the 25" long ratchet repairing heavy equipment (excavators). The bent ones online must have had some idiotic amount of force applied to them, because I was absolutely blown away at what this ratchet would take without bending or breaking! Again, I see absolutely no use for it in the automotive realm, but make no mistake, it is an incredible tool.

 

[JBradley500]

The 24-25" SO dual 80 ratchet is probably the nicest ratchet I could imagine. I think you should treat yourself to one just for this reason. It's a beautiful beast with an amazing ranching mechanism.

 

[littleponderosa]

Bought a used 25" ratchet on on the auction site and used to on 2 older 4x4's and the tahoe. Got to tight on a few lugnuts, damn close on the rest. Haven't put it to use on the 1 ton dually yet, just haven't had the need. Asked the local driver if he would warranty the guts if needed and he told me, "what do you think?" I said as much cashola as I give you I'd think so, and he just nodded. So far, no complaints.

Anyone notice the head on the 24" is 1 1/8" and the 36" is 1 1/4"? After seeing that, I'm thinking 36" is the way to roll.

Bill

 

[Strouty]

Bought a used 25" ratchet on on the auction site and used to on 2 older 4x4's and the tahoe. Got to tight on a few lugnuts, damn close on the rest. Haven't put it to use on the 1 ton dually yet, just haven't had the need. Asked the local driver if he would warranty the guts if needed and he told me, "what do you think?" I said as much cashola as I give you I'd think so, and he just nodded. So far, no complaints.

Anyone notice the head on the 24" is 1 1/8" and the 36" is 1 1/4"? After seeing that, I'm thinking 36" is the way to roll.

Bill

What 36" ratchet are you talking about? Are you talking about breaker bars?

 

[bobcatdan]

The 24" ratchet has all but retired my breaker bars. Both the SO and matco ones I have are tough as nails. The first SO had problems with the body retaing screws loosening and breaking. Once my driver warrantied it out for the updated style, no real problems. I have snapped the drives off both, but in compairson, I break 1/2" breaker bars more. My Matco ratchet is in fact stronger then my 24" Matco breaker. I had to remove six bolts in the 200 ft lbs range. Breaker bar snapped on the first bolt. The ratchet took all six out no problem.

 

[littleponderosa]

I typed to damn fast. It is the breaker bar. Dimensions off the Snap On website.
Bill

 

[Strouty]

I typed to damn fast. It is the breaker bar. Dimensions off the Snap On website.
Bill

That makes more sense, thought for a minute they had a super secret 36" ratchet I didn't know about.

 

[90zcar]

Yeah I'm not really too concerned about the 18" long 1/2" drive ratchet because I can just about do all of those tasks on my 14" long 3/8 flex head.
I already decided I want a 24-25" long one. Just need to decide if I should do that 2 foot length in a breaker bar or a ratchet


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[thegroundpounder99]

They hold up very well. Mine is a couple years old now w/ daily use as a diesel mechanic. No bending, no breaks.

 

[ez-duzit]

Use a breaker bar.

 

[Adam.C]

You guys are crazy recommending breakers. The length of these tools would make them all but completely useless for anything other than lugs. The SHLF80 is where dual 80 really shines. You can put that handle wherever is best for you. And it's proven to be as strong as a breaker. Why would anyone in their right mind ever use a breaker again after this?

 

[cliftonbros89]

Snap-On 25" ratchet durability/use

Working on tractors and farm equipment I go with the 24" SO breaker bar. I do use my 17" ratchet quite often. I just don't think it's necessary to use a ratchet that big. I also don't like using a 1/2" drive breaker bar longer that my 24". If it's stuck that good and I need a 36" breaker bar chances are its really stuck. So I go with my old SO 3/4" breaker bar. Very stout.

 

[ez-duzit]

You guys are crazy recommending breakers...

Newbie to wrenching?

 

[bobcatdan]

Newbie to wrenching?

I use my breaker bars for little more then holding nuts on threw bolts I'm rattling with an impact. Other then that, ratchets are my go to. Can't say I'm that new to the world of wrenches, only been doing it over 15 years.

 

[d.mcfarland]

The problem with breaker bars is that they aren't useful for anything other than breaking a stubborn fastener loose. The ratchet will do the exact same thing and when it breaks, it's free replacement, so who in their right mind would buy a breaker bar nowadays especially at truck prices. It isn't economical and isn't all that practical with modern ratchet capabilities.

 

[Buckgnarly]

Another problem with breaker bars is you can only go 90 degrees to the drive end whereas the ratchet can go beyond that. You can flex beyond wheel wells and other objects when a breaker bar would not.

That 24" ratchet is one of my biggest "*** savers" when it comes to suspension and other stubborn rusted stuff. Get the ratchet and never look back.

 

[D9H 90V]

I have the Snap on SLX80A (24" locking flex head) and I like it a lot, but I have broken it every way imaginable except bending and breaking the handle in half, I have bent it where the head bolts to the handle and the whole head has had to be replaced as well as everything in it, it's only had a pipe on it once and that's what broke the head so I can't blame it for breaking ( that was a last resort, we had already used up 5 breaker bars and no 3/4 stuff was available) but the rest of the time it was just regular hand use

I am a professional diesel mechanic, I work on Mack trucks that are used in the oil field, nothing lasts in the oil field.

I love it for "small" stuff but anything serious I just use a breaker bar first

 

[90zcar]

Wow I didn't realize I'd be getting such a mix response on this. Thought it'd be a lot easier after I seen some responses but I'm still just as undecided


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[SkinnyG]

I never use any of my breaker bars. My Snap On 25" ratchet takes all of that duty and I've never broken it. One of the screws that holds the cover plate on the ratchet head recently fell out though..

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I guess what it boils down to is if the cost is worth it to you? The mechanism is stronger than the drive anvil as many have proven. I chose the breaker bar because it's an infrequently used tool and the breaker bar was $37 from Zoro.

 

[D9H 90V]

I would imagine if you bought a non flex version you'd never have a problem with it, just the occasional breaking the square drive off, I doubt you'd be able to strip any teeth, I've never needed to use mine in any other position then straight

 

[RedneckWelder]

The 24" ratchets are huge favorites in the shop.

We have seen a few failures (all but one was of the square drive, same part that would fail on a standard issue breaker bar, the oddball one was the "ears" that hold the ratchet head on the flex head). No failures of the ratchet mechanisms themselves.

Great things to have.

 

[Rico.]

They are amazing ratchets no doubt about it.... If you want it and can afford it buy it. Simple as that.

For me it doesn't offer good value. Anything my 1/2" impact can't handle I get my
24" breaker bar out... and if t's still stuck, instead of resorting to a pipe... I bought a
36" long 3/4" drive breaker bar... I now NEVER break a tool and both breaker bars
were less than half the price of the Snappy 24" ratchet.... Definitely best value for me
as a DIYer...

As a pro where time is money... the 24" ratchet seems very popular and reliable.

 

[HighPlainsWrencher]

I own a shlx80a, slf80a and a sn36. Its nice to have the locking feature when you need to reach into somewhere but it doesn't feel as sturdy as the non locking version. The only reason I own the breaker bar is because I broke the slf80a working on a machine in the middle of nowhere and wanted a option z. I guess I vote to buy both but if you can only get one the ratchet is it and if you want to use it as a breaker bar dont get the locking version.

 

[98slonoma]

Use mine almost daily as a diesel mechanic.. I honestly don't think my 24 inch breaker bar has been out of the toolbox since I bought it. I picked up a sn36 a while back but haven't had the chance to use it yet either.

 

[Strouty]

I just ordered another 25" one, I have the locking flex and the new one will be non locking. Thanks to someone in this thread, I ended up buying the super long 3/8" ratchet as well.

 

[jvitez]

T.. I bought a
36" long 3/4" drive breaker bar... I now NEVER break a tool

+1.

I did the same thing, but I rarely need it as my 1/2" air impact does the job for my hobbyist use. I was wailing on a 1/2 24" long Wright breaker bar and it was flexing too much for my liking, prompting me to buy a 3/4"x 36" breaker. Yes its Asian, but it was inexpensive and really, it'll last me my lifetime

 

[steed andersen]

I am a small engine mechanic and I use the 24" dual 80 a lot. It's real handy when you need extra torque in a space to tight for an impact and those fine teeth let you maneuver where not much else can. One handy use is for blade removal on commercial mowers. I put a piece of 3" pvc over the blade as a stop and the ratchet gives me the leverage I need to break em' loose.

 

[trxrx7]

im not a snap on fan boy, but half of my tools are snap on because they really are that good. and the dual 80's are by far the best ratchets on the market. for someone that only wrenches on the side i could understand them having not much use for it. but for a technican i think its a must. i use mine for anything underneath the car suspension/wheels, and for those that say "my 3/8 will do everything" either have super powers or havent worked on older vehicles where everything is seized(not trying to offend anyone). buying a breaker bar hasnt crossed my mind since i got my 25 inch flex ratchet.

 

[ez-duzit]

Breaking large bolts loose with a ratchet has long been the mark of an amateur.

 

[OHMS LAW]

When I got mine it was a promo buy the SLF and get either the 18 or the 24 breaker. Since I already had the 24 I got the 18 free. I use the rat almost daily and I use the breaker on Honda cranks

 

[OHMS LAW]

And when installing or removing a torque convertor

 

[MaineGuide]

What are you guys using for 36" 3/4" breakers?

 

[Skin]

Breaking large bolts loose with a ratchet has long been the mark of an amateur.

Maybe 20 years ago. Fine tooth ratchets have come a long way. Dual 80 1/2 drive is rated to 700 foot pounds so you absolutely can use it like a breaker bar. Or do you think they're all making 2ft ratchets just for show and not for leverage?

 

[ez-duzit]

Young guys just coming into the field don't seem to know any better. Perhaps they didn't have anyone to show them the ropes. And so don't know to use a breaker bar instead of an unwieldy 24" ratchet.

 

[rice rocket]

The 1/2" Dual 80s are rated to 700 ft-lbs, no?