Snap On F80 "Clone"

[jbmorrey]

I am looking to get good 3/8 ratchet, I admit, right now I have a raised panel older Craftsman ratchet and I used a friends F80 while at his place and noticed the obvious difference. So I looked at some of them available on Ebay and cannot muster up the money to pay $50-$60 shipped on the used ones right now. Does anyone know of a comperable brand that could have the same performance? I'd rather have the Snap on, but I will have to wait on that. Any ideas or suggestions, and I am open to used ones for sure. Just want to know what to look for when it comes to comperable brands and models.

Thanks Everyone!
James M

 

[jim1987]

An f80 garage eh? Wow! Lol.

Look at gearwrench 84 tooth or the 120xps. Kobalt 72 tooth rats are also nice. That is if USA isn't a factor. Still won't be dual 80 nice, but I feel even HF is an upgrade to CM.

 

[-Brent-]

Look in the classifieds here. Just be patient and save the little extra $. Those ratchets are worth it.

 

[toddacimer]

It's not the first $50-60 you spend on Snapon dual80 ratchets it is all the other ratchets you want once you realize how great the f80 is

 

[KEH]

If you would use a round head ratchet, the SK and Wright are good old tested fine tooth designs but they will cost new in the $50 range, at least that's in the area of what I paid for a new Wright 1/2 drive.

Suggest you start watching for used ratchets of some type. The last time I was at a flea market they had used SOs for sale, but the price was not good and they were the older 36 tooth design, not the 80s.

Craftsman Low Profiles are nice ratchets, but they are now made in Taiwan and Sears wants US prices for them. They are rarely found for sale used, at least around here.

KEH

 

[dankicksass]

Bahco 7750 is a 3/8 Dual-80 comfort grip for $40 brand new. European made Snap-On Industrial brand. Get it on Amazon.

 

[jbmorrey]

Dankickass, Ok, I'll look for the Bahco. I am OK with European made, Just a little put off by China or Japan made. Yea, something tells me I need to start a "Change" jar in order to just save up and get something of good quality and not go cheap on something that I use so much!

 

[Givl Reggin]

Get the Craftsman Professional 84 teeth ratchets - they're still USA made and very comparable in feel to other high-tooth count ratchets... http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00902548000P

 

[92integra]

f80 clone would have to be durlalast
http://ls1tech.com/forums/tools-fab...ralast-3-8-long-handle-snap-copy-ratchet.html

 

[jim1987]

f80 clone would have to be durlalast
http://ls1tech.com/forums/tools-fab...ralast-3-8-long-handle-snap-copy-ratchet.html

And at mighty 36 tooth action!

 

[bcradio]

f80 clone would have to be durlalast
http://ls1tech.com/forums/tools-fab...ralast-3-8-long-handle-snap-copy-ratchet.html

Negative ghost rider.... the same ratchet would be the Bahco mentioned above. And I mean exactly the same. Only difference being the handle design.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Just save your money until you can afford the Snap On. You will buy other stuff and still wish you would have spent the money the first time.

 

[Zedexseven]

If you want the snap on, wait until it fits your budget, you mentioned that you could buy a used one for $60, any decent ratchet is likely going to cost you at least $40, is it not worth $20 to get the one you want?

 

[yowzer]

Williams (another Snap On industrial brand) has the B-52A, a nice RHFT for under $25.

 

[kts]

Just save your money until you can afford the Snap On. You will buy other stuff and still wish you would have spent the money the first time.

+1. The wait will be worth it and you'll save money in the end by following the old "buy once, cry once" rule.

 

[richfinn]

+1. The wait will be worth it and you'll save money in the end by following the old "buy once, cry once" rule.

It won't, get the Bahco it's the same tool with a better handle

 

[wafrederick]

I got a F80 as a replacement ratchet,my neighbor Ken's Snap On dealer does not fix the older ratchets anymore.Had him take a ratchet of mine that needed a kit and his dealer replaced with this ratchet.I admit the F80 has a smooth ratcheting mechanism.

 

[bcradio]

It won't, get the Bahco it's the same tool with a better handle

EXACTLY! Why would you wait when Bahco is the exact same tool?

I also agree the handle is nicer.

The exception her would be if you want a specialty ratchet as Bahco's are only the standard.

 

[1950mercury]

The only downfall to the bayco is its harder to warranty. You would be better off buying a rebuild kit from snapon. Than that puts you right back to the used snap on price . Keep you eyes out on ebay the f80's can be found new for 50 bucks or less

 

[jdmstr]

Scrap the bahco and go with the 88T Armstrong aerospace ratchet. On par with snap on quality and us made and CHEAP! i have a few on them and prefer them over my F80.

$37.50 at HJE

http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/Ratchets/11-992.html

 

[Wamsutta]

Hold onto your money and save up for the real thing.

 

[SKAutomotive]

Not trying to be mean, but if you cannot muster up the 50 to 60.00 for this ratchet, maybe now is not the time to be upgrading your ratchet. Unless you are a professional wrench, the Craftsman is more than enough to get the job done, even if it is not as smooth as you would like.

What you are doing is impulse buying. Do you really need a top notch ratchet or do you just want one? If just wanting it, it should only be a purchase if you have some disposable income.

 

[cburnscrx]

For the money you're going to have a very hard time beating the Husky 3/8 72 tooth ratchet. It's an APEX ratchet (ie Armstrong, Gearwrench, ect) so they borrowed the design and gave it quick release. It's also a MUCH thinner head than the Kobalt or Titan.



http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-3-...ece-H3D18SWS/202934484?N=5yc1vZc925ZrdZ25ecod

All for $25.00, you can buy just the ratchet for $20 if you have no need for some extra sockets.

 

[cburnscrx]

Not trying to be mean, but if you cannot muster up the 50 to 60.00 for this ratchet, maybe now is not the time to be upgrading your ratchet.

Some people have tool budgets and try to stick to them. I have one, and I try to stay within the limit I set for myself. I suspect mine might be higher than average. Maybe his tool budget is $100 a month but he wants other stuff too. Just pointing out the other side of the coin.

 

[Givl Reggin]

Do you really need a top notch ratchet or do you just want one? If just wanting it, it should only be a purchase if you have some disposable income.

That's some really great advice right there.

I've been sucked into the *want* black hole and can't get back out!

 

[Fedwrench]

Why by a clone if you really lust for the real thing?

Personally, I have F80s but, reach for my Gearwrench 60/84/120 tooth, Carlyle 90 tooth, or Armstrong maxx ratchets more often.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Even though I have 9 Dual 80's, I still find times that I want to use a round head ratchet. I have a complete set of SK round heads that I think I paid $75 for about 3 years ago. Maybe look into some nice round heads if you don't have a set, then look at getting some Dual 80's when funds allow.

 

[aaronrkelly]

Scrap the bahco and go with the 88T Armstrong aerospace ratchet. On par with snap on quality and us made and CHEAP! i have a few on them and prefer them over my F80.

$37.50 at HJE

http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/Ratchets/11-992.html

I have a BAHCO on back order.....but if it doesnt show up soon Im going to try out the Armstrong. Nice looking ratchet.

 

[oldtools]

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-in-drive-heavy-duty-uick-release-ratchet-69347.html

 

[GSMotorrad]

I just ordered a couple Bahco's - not the F80 clones, but some older USA 36t models. If I feel the need for more teeth, I'd get the newer 80t Bahco's with the soft grip and change the handles to Snap-On hard handles or something. This one here: http://www.amazon.com/BAHCO-7750-Snap-On-F80-Clone/

 

[eddie_fl]

Armstrong ratchet, nuff said

 

[HammerRed]

I agree with going with armstrong Maxx ratchets. Will they ever release a long handle version? If you have big hands like me...you will like the armstrong handle design..especially 1/2" drive.

 

[walrus]

I took the Snappies out of my service truck and put in Bahco. No one knows what they are, less chance of theft. And the ratcheting mechanism is the same as F80s. I also like the handles when its cold out

 

[richfinn]

I just ordered a couple Bahco's - not the F80 clones, but some older USA 36t models. If I feel the need for more teeth, I'd get the newer 80t Bahco's with the soft grip and change the handles to Snap-On hard handles or something. This one here: http://www.amazon.com/BAHCO-7750-Snap-On-F80-Clone/

3/8 Ratchet review:

I really like the handle on my Bahco 7750, its actually nicer and more compact than the Snap On comfort grip, its a dual density type deal of hard plastic and hard (waterproof) rubber type material, its a lot easier to keep clean/tougher than the foam type stuff Snap On uses. Its more or less the same dimensions as an F80. The ratchet head is indentical in size as is the length (or very close), the handle is more of a flat beam style than the usual Snap On round handles. The mechanism and the change over lever are identical to my dual 80 Snap on Flex head ratchet. In the UK I paid £20 (less than 25% of list price of the F80) whereas an F80 is £83.22 ($94.95) on snap ons website!!!!. I suspect my Snap On dealer would probably warranty the mechanism if I ever needed that service as he is a decent guy and its the same mechanism with no brand name or COO that I can find .

Im all for paying a premium for good service, but an extra £60

I wish Bahco did flexheads and longer handles. For a normal fixed head standard length 1/4-3/8 or/1/2 drive ratchet. I fail to see how you can go wrong with this product.

I cant get the Armstrong ratchets in the UK, but Im sure its good looking at the pictures.

That said everything Bahco I have bought (adjustable wrench/hacksaw and ratchet) has been great quality. I like my Snap On stuff too and Im glad they are continuing to keep Bahco quality as good as ever and managing to keep them value for money.

Honestly, I know many Snap On fans here doubt its the same mechanism but Ive got both brands and they feel and look exactly the same even down to the wording on the base plate which is typical Snap On American-English words that a European would never use!!!!!