Snap on ratchet alternatives

[merbie]

So iv had this three piece ratchet set for just over a year now and while there great ratchets try have skipped on occasion especially when there not under load, iv had them rebuilt but they still do it every once in a while, also my snap on driver just quit so I no longer have the support so I'm looking into alternative ratchets, any body have any recommendations? Iv looked at Armstrong and facom so far here's a pic of my set


Merb

 

[1950mercury]

The only time ive ever seen dual 80's skip is if they have been lubed with grease. But ive never used a quick release so that may be a problem with them...

As far as an alternative do they have to be quick release?

 

[General Geoff]

Before giving up on them, try applying a thinner lubricant. Heavy grease can cause the pawl(s) to stick and skip once in awhile.

 

[Buckgnarly]

Damn, I love my SOs for the fact I have never had one skip, but I also own no QR models. Next best I think is Matcos, but they bind every now and then on me.

 

[Askme42]

Damn, I love my SOs for the fact I have never had one skip, but I also own no QR models. Next best I think is Matcos, but they bind every now and then on me.

If you're going Matco go armstrong for cheaper.

 

[merbie]

I'm uk based, I work in a engine room assembling engines so nothing's ever really super tight or rusty, i would be going for Armstrong not matco and fine tooth doesn't really bother me, if I can find one I'd love to try an old Mac 32 tooth, how about Wright or sk?


Merb

 

[Dust Devil]

You have a long search ahead of you...

 

[1950mercury]

32 tooth macs have to much bag drag...the Cornwall ratchets with lower teeth count have very little back drag and are smooth...if you have a matco truck that comes id buy the matco over Armstrong for the service, if not get the Armstrong. My armstrongs and matcos hardly ever het used unless i need a flex head

 

[colin39]

Merb i can give them to my snappy man if ya wanna post em to me. I can also recommend facom ratchets i have 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 inch i also have snappy in these sizes , and always grab my facoms.
As for armstrong, ive had armstrong and cornwell ratchets and loved them. I found some one that sells them here in the y-uk but cant find the links. Cornwell tools basildon did sell them but dont think they do now. There was also a matco guy down south of the country ill see if i can rake up his number for you.
And wrights in the Y-uk are like looking for purple unicorns.

http://www.primetools.co.uk/products/armstrong

Colin

 

[RedRabbit]

I never had a Snap on dual 80 skip on me, actually only had a Matco skip on me. Try Mac, I have some older ones and they are great.

 

[Buckgnarly]

I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of the new Mac fine tooth ratchets, especially the long flex.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

The only Dual 80 I've had skip on me is the 1/4" bit ratchet from being side loaded. No big deal, as I still feel they are the best ratchet in that category. All of my Dual 80's (I think I have 15 of them) are non-quick release. I have heard of cases of the 1/4" quick release skipping, but never a 3/8" or 1/2".

If I was to venture from Snap On ratchets I think I would go with the Armstrong 88's even though I think they aren't sealed as well, have slightly more drag, and are slightly louder (annoys me). They are still a lot of ratchet for the money.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Cornwell?

 

[rpm121370]

the only time I have had a Snap On ratchet act up is if the screws worked loose, otherwise hands down better than any other ratchet I have in my box, I have Snap on, Mac, Matco, Craftsman, SK and I always reach for the Snap on because they just feel better to work with

Ron

 

[sqaurelizard]

love my facoms for light to medium work little short in the handle in standard form though

 

[Jure]

facom/proto palm control

 

[merbie]

I think I'll sell my set and try out Armstrong an facom, I may order a Wright ratchet through hje are sk ratchets worth writing home about?


Merb

 

[Kirbot]

I think I'll sell my set and try out Armstrong an facom, I may order a Wright ratchet through hje are sk ratchets worth writing home about?


Merb

They're pricey, but I absolutely adore this Facom. It uses a slightly bigger head than the shorter, non quick release ratchets, but it's still pretty compact. Thicker than a snapon, but far far smaller around. And I would put the strength up against ANY others.

http://www.ultimategarage.com/shop/part.php?cPath=35_253_320_1137&products_id=5149


Some people love SK. I don't see the appeal.
They're good, durable ratchets, but the heads are huge, and there's just nothing really special about them.

 

[JonDick13926]

They're pricey, but I absolutely adore this Facom. It uses a slightly bigger head than the shorter, non quick release ratchets, but it's still pretty compact. Thicker than a snapon, but far far smaller around. And I would put the strength up against ANY others.

http://www.ultimategarage.com/shop/part.php?cPath=35_253_320_1137&products_id=5149


Some people love SK. I don't see the appeal.
They're good, durable ratchets, but the heads are huge, and there's just nothing really special about them.

They are pretty durable, and honestly I think SK is a good alternative for 1/4" ratchets given that the dimensions are almost the same as Snap On.

 

[aaronrkelly]

I really like my Armstrong 88

 

[devoncoolman]

The dual 80 snappy's are some of the best on the market. I personally hate the matco/armstrong 88tooth ratchets they skip and the 1/4 if ratcheting too quickly will reverse on you. The sk ratchets are very good. Never had a problem with any of mine and the price is right too. Most of the wright ratchets are very good. If i were you id ditch the quick release dual 80's and go with regular ones. Ive see issues with the quick release versions where as ive had awsome luck and service out of my regular ones.

 

[MattPersman]

They're pricey, but I absolutely adore this Facom. It uses a slightly bigger head than the shorter, non quick release ratchets, but it's still pretty compact. Thicker than a snapon, but far far smaller around. And I would put the strength up against ANY others.

http://www.ultimategarage.com/shop/part.php?cPath=35_253_320_1137&products_id=5149


Some people love SK. I don't see the appeal.
They're good, durable ratchets, but the heads are huge, and there's just nothing really special about them.

Mac also sells this if easier access XRR10PA

 

[Kirbot]

They are pretty durable, and honestly I think SK is a good alternative for 1/4" ratchets given that the dimensions are almost the same as Snap On.

The 1/4" is my favorite SK by far, but to be fair, the Snapon head is way too big for a 1/4" drive too...
Carlyle, Gearwrench, Armstrong or Matco would all get my vote there.
Carlyle being the smallest 1/4" head I can think of.

Mac also sells this if easier access XRR10PA

Similar, but not quite.
That's a non quick release, and it has a slightly smaller/weaker head.
Also, the Facom is made in France, and the Mac is from Italy.

Still a great ratchet though. Even that version is silly strong.

 

[merbie]

I don't particularly care for quick release although it's a nice feature, are the Prots with the red handles still available? And I think I'll try out the Armstrong ratchets too


Merb

 

[NorthSea92]

Being in the UK it would be more sensible to keep the Snap On ones as it will always be easier to track down a dealer or send them to head office as opposed to an Armstrong or Wright. I've got some SK tools and the few occasions where I've broken something it's had to be sent to the USA to be replaced which can be a nuisance.

 

[JonnyMac]

I would have a chat with your snap on guy and ask him to come up with a solution. Thats kinda why you pay the truck premium.
If you can't get anywhere with him then contact snap on UK.

I love my 1/4 drive fine tooth facom. Has to be 15 years old and its as smooth and solid as any snap on ive got.

 

[Murphy4570]

Odd, I've never had one of my Dual 80's skip or miss a beat. Have had to get my old F936 and FL936 rebuilt from the lever binding up though.

Whatever you do, don't buy Matco ratchets. They're JUNK. I've broken more than one, just by hand use.

 

[bodyguy16]

Odd, I've never had one of my Dual 80's skip or miss a beat. Have had to get my old F936 and FL936 rebuilt from the lever binding up though.

Whatever you do, don't buy Matco ratchets. They're JUNK. I've broken more than one, just by hand use.

I have noticed since using super lube they (dual 80) have skipped a couple times, they are also smoother since. I have read that the grease type super lube is possibly too thick for them which does make sense. Anyways i dont think you could go wrong with any truck or industrual brand. Quality seems to be on the rise through out the spectrum.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I have noticed since using super lube they (dual 80) have skipped a couple times, they are also smoother since. I have read that the grease type super lube is possibly too thick for them which does make sense. Anyways i dont think you could go wrong with any truck or industrual brand. Quality seems to be on the rise through out the spectrum.

Superlube is what Snap On includes with their rebuild kits, so I doubt it's lube related. If anything, it might skip because it's overlubed.

 

[devoncoolman]

Over lubing the dual80's will make them skip.

 

[superautobacs]

The demise of fine-tooth ratchets is often tied with over-lubricating the mechanism. That simply increases the chances of slipping, with the potential for possibly injury to the operator.

If people are lubing these fine-tooth ratchets, they need to apply whatever it is sparingly.

 

[merbie]

well i did lube mine with 3in1 oil so ill crack them all open and clean then and try again to see if they skip in the meantime ill probably pick up another couple ratchets from a ferw other companys, anyone got a cornwell there willing to sell to me in 3/8 if you have it?

 

[LordPsychon]

Snap-on ratchets are not supposed to skip though for the price I'd expect them to sing and dance . Probably either overlubed as suggested earlier or heaven forbid the pawls have slipped causing stripping of the gear cogs.

 

[Adam.C]

If they are skipping, the problem is easily identified and remedied. Too much grease, worn teeth, and spent springs are the causes. Remedy is new guts. If you had them rebuilt by your snap on guy and they still skipped, maybe he just took it apart, cleaned it, regreased, and reassembled because he didn't have the parts. Or maybe he over greased it. People here are dead wrong about their ratchets. If your grease "quiets" them, they are over lubed.

If the ratchets were rebuilt correctly and still skip, the problem could be the reversing lever, or as a last resort, the bodies could be somehow out of spec. This is a very remote possibility.

Dual 80 is an inspired design, but a compromise of high strength with low back drag and fine ratchet arc. As an engine builder, were I your Snap On rep, I would have recommended a round head style. Snap on's are 100 tooth, and provide excellent feel, and low back drag. You shouldn't need the high torque of dual 80. If you want new ratchets just because, I wouldn't recommend another dual pawl. I'd go for a round head. Just make sure you have convenient warranty service. Once a round head wears out, it's shot.

 

[merbie]

Gotcha Adam I wouldn't mind trying out a round head ratchet


Merb