Snap On ratchets

[Evilelroy]

I have a lot of SO ratchets but they are older. I grew up using Proto and Sk then started buying SO pretty young f730s. My newest is f936 but not very smooth neither are any of my 1/4 and 1/2 SO. I use them but usually grab my SK if I have a choice. Are the new ratchets alot better? It seems everyone is pretty happy with the dual 80. Should I update?

 

[Lx460]

36 to 80 tooth is night and day difference.

 

[zkling]

There's always harbor freight.


Somebody had to.

 

[BK13]

Have you cleaned and lubed them? I have a few of the 36 tooth 3/8 ratchets and hey are pretty smooth....

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Dual 80's are my favorite ratchets. I don't own much in the way of Snap On, but I have 15 Dual 80 ratchets and a couple of their swivel heads. In my opinion, Snappy makes the best ratcheting mechanisms (Dual 80, 100T round heads, screwdriver). If you want to save some money, the Armstrong Maxx 88's can be had for significantly less money on Ebay and are 95% as good. I have a full set of their locking flex and they are great ratchets.

 

[Wamsutta]

Try flooding the F936 with RLL. It will probably be considerably smoother.

 

[1950mercury]

I got rid of all my older 936 style ratchets. After using dual 80's i think cornwell course tooth ratchets are smoother than the old 36 tooth snap ons.

You can buy new ones on ebay for half list price

 

[jrobb316]

I use both dual 80s and 936s. Just a mix of older and newer ones I have. There is a good difference from 730s to 936s and then a very large difference to dual 80s. I especially like the dual 80s in longer lengths because they are actually stronger due to more teeth in contact at one time. See what you can get on a trade in, its probably worth it to keep them though. Either way at least you don't have a Pittsburg in your hand.

 

[thebeekeeper1]

As joked about above, the HF composite ones are SMOOTH--and ten bucks. Just a suggestion, as I was skeptical, but knew to trust the constant recommendations from here. I did and have noticed, as mentioned by others, I always seem to grab them first.

 

[cliftonbros89]

I started out with 36 tooth Craftsman ratchets. Once I got my first 80 tooth Snap On ratchet that's all I'll use. I have several, also including a 100 count 3/8, and plan on getting some more. Very smooth and grab great. I've used an older 36 tooth SO before and I think that it was a lot better than a 36 CMan. I also have the "premium" or "professional" grade Craftsman ratchets. I believe they're supposed to be around a 72 tooth count. Not bad ratchets by any means. Way better then the other CMan options. But if I have the choice I'll reach for my SO first. I plan to replace the old 36 CMan with my first Armstrong Maxx...that is if my Napa dealer ever gets it in.

 

[jrobb316]

The CMan "slim" ratchets, the polished ones, I always thought were pretty decent and a large upgrade from the traditional ones. At work I have all snap-on, at home I have some 30 tooth snappys, and craftsman. If you use them, which is sounds like you do, dual 80s are great. If you polish, the Pittsburgh would probably fill the spot in the drawer of your HF 44.

 

[Evilelroy]

You guys are getting me pumped up about these ratchets almost feel like I'm 18 again. Lol They look really nice. Glad they are built strong like all Snap On is. I only broke one SO ratchet 1/2 drive flex head overdoing it I learned pretty early always to have a breaker bar with you for real tough stuff.

 

[Evilelroy]

PS: my ratchets are kept pretty clean and oiled reg. Also really not interested in Taiwan-China tools. Nothing against anyone who likes them I just know what works for me.

 

[JDon99]

Like has been said, going from the 936 to a dual80 is a huge difference, you won't be disappointed.

 

[Jarhead0408]

I just bought another dual 80 (FKF80) this morning off of eBay. I paid $63.00 for it. I've bought all of mine used off of eBay or from pawn shops. I've always gotten pretty good service from them.

If I had to choose which one to buy first it'd be a FHLF80 followed very closely by a F80. Then I'd get the big 24" bad boy.

 

[plinker]

The 60 tooth Gearwrench ratchet's have a very close feel to the S-K's. With an even finer tooth ratchet (72, 84, 88, ete), I dont notice the reduced swing arc much, unless it's a very cramped location where you only get a few clicks.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

I've sold 936s on ebay that paid for (or damn near) 80s off CL. For sure a No brainer. I suggest you do the same.

 

[Tim37]

Back in the day I liked my Marco's but the dual 80 has me converted until something better comes along

 

[Leoruiz]

In 2015 it's pretty hard to find a company NOT making decent ratchets.
I just took delivery of a Wright 3440. What a piece of work !

 

[fatfillup]

Dual 80's are nice for sure, but I have heard and read a few complaints about teeth stripping. I know i have bought 2 that had teeth stripped. I know they sell very well for me and lots of guys like them.

So anyone else had problems with stripped teeth. Note, I have no idea of the abuse or lack of abuse that caused the ones I had to be broken.

 

[Fedwrench]

I think the dual 80 design is best in 3/8 drive. I've had binding issues with the T72 series in 1/4 drive and feel that if you're using 1/2 drive, you've got enough room but, that's just me.
I would recommend getting an FLF80 (long flex head ratchet) to start with in 3/8 drive and try it out.

The older 936 ratchet is a great ratchet that is virtually bulletproof but, it has gotten lost in the last ten years or so of ratchet tooth count wars. Although some manufacturers still cling to 30 tooth models in their catalogs, 60, 72, 84, 88, 90,100, and 120 tooth models are widely available.

 

[johninct]

Yours need to be cleaned/lubed or maybe they need more use to break them in more. I use my Ferrett and 71-10 and 71-15 even though I have dual 80's.

 

[HanShotFirst]

Aren't the SK's all 36 tooth ratchets? I'm pretty sure mine is.

 

[u118224]

Aren't the SK's all 36 tooth ratchets? I'm pretty sure mine is.

SK 3/8 rats are 40 tooth, I think the 1/2s are 45(?). Sks 1/4 rats are 60 tooth.

 

[genevabuck]

Dual 80's are nice for sure, but I have heard and read a few complaints about teeth stripping. I know i have bought 2 that had teeth stripped. I know they sell very well for me and lots of guys like them.

So anyone else had problems with stripped teeth. Note, I have no idea of the abuse or lack of abuse that caused the ones I had to be broken.

I have a couple of Dual 80's. While I haven't had one strip yet I get the feeling that they could at any minute. I have to wonder how high a tooth count can go before the mechanism become unreliable?

 

[rtole]

I have some old 36 tooth snap ons and some dual 80s. I go through a set of gears on my 80s about once a year. The old ones come out when the going gets tough. They are near indestructible. I have lost teeth on the old ones and they generally keep going. My snap on guy says not to bounce on the fine tooth ratchet's. Both will stay in my toolbox. They both have their uses. I use dielectric grease to lube them and the older ones are smooth with that. Fine tooth get super lube dry film spray.

 

[Adam.C]

I have a couple of Dual 80's. While I haven't had one strip yet I get the feeling that they could at any minute. I have to wonder how high a tooth count can go before the mechanism become unreliable?

Dual 80 are not fine toothed ratchets. The gear moves in 1/2 tooth increments giving the feel of a fine toothed ratchet. Because Snap On was able to fit so many teeth on each pawl (7) the total load transfer at the gear exceeds the strength of the square drive, making Dual 80 ratchets as strong as a breaker bars.

The teeth need lubrication due to friction that occurs during the ratchet phase. As the teeth wear, the contact area drops and gear slippping can occur. Also, excessive greasing or the use of high pressure greases can reduce the contact area (by collecting in the teeth valleys) and can lead to premature wear or ratchet failure.

The principle advantages of the Dual 80 system are:
1) Reduced ratchet angle due to 1/2 tooth movement compared to ratchets with comparable gear teeth (i.e. 40 for 3/8" and 1/2", 36 for 1/4").
2) Increased strength due to redesigned pawl
3) Reduced back drag due to indpendant motion of pawls, and reduced spring rate required.

 

[kythri]

Risking being called a troll, I'm curious how 80-teeth isn't a fine-tooth ratchet?

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=52569
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=140503&page=3

Yes, the ratchet has a dual-pawl, but it still has 80 teeth, not 40 - see the pictures in the threads above.

 

[HanShotFirst]

SK 3/8 rats are 40 tooth, I think the 1/2s are 45(?). Sks 1/4 rats are 60 tooth.

So nothing you'd consider a fine tooth ratchet. I tend to use my SK's only when I need brute strength. Mine have proven to be brute strong, that's for sure. My SK is my favorite 1/2" ratchet because it's a brute, but when I'm using 3/8" or 1/4" I reach for other ratchets.

 

[thebeekeeper1]

I have a couple of Dual 80's. While I haven't had one strip yet I get the feeling that they could at any minute. I have to wonder how high a tooth count can go before the mechanism become unreliable?

I watched a Youtube video yesterday featuring a 160 tooth ratchet made by a company I've never heard of. It was an interesting video and a novel design. IIRC the guy doing the review is a member here.

 

[JonDick13926]

I have a couple of Dual 80's. While I haven't had one strip yet I get the feeling that they could at any minute. I have to wonder how high a tooth count can go before the mechanism become unreliable?

I haven't had one strip, but I worry about it sometimes under high torque. I will say, though, that I've have an FX80 ratchet handle flex quite a bit when pulling with both hands, and even though while I was doing it, I pictured it letting go on me, it never happened.

 

[cliftonbros89]

It's definitely about what each person wants. There's lower count tooth ratchets out there that are good. It's just the quality. I almost refuse to use your standard CMan in 1/2" that around a 36 tooth. However a SO or SK in a 1/2" with a similar tooth count can have a lot better feel to it in my opinion.

 

[papavolume]

I have quite a few different SO wrenches, I was so happy when I made the switch to the fine tooth from my older Craftsmen stuff. Night and day difference all around!

 

[plinker]

So nothing you'd consider a fine tooth ratchet. I tend to use my SK's only when I need brute strength. Mine have proven to be brute strong, that's for sure. My SK is my favorite 1/2" ratchet because it's a brute, but when I'm using 3/8" or 1/4" I reach for other ratchets.

IIRC, Alloy artifacts stated that the S-K's were 40 on the 1/2, 50 tooth 3/8, 50 or 60 on the 1/4 drive. Keep in mind at that point in time your average ratchet was 20-24 tooth. It took a while for the pear head/teardrop style to catch up.

One thing too it's not so much the tooth count, it's the swing arc.
8* is ideal, but 4* is better

 

[fatfillup]

One thing too it's not so much the tooth count, it's the swing arc.
8* is ideal, but 4* is better

Well said!!

 

[zkling]

It seems manufactures are trying to make and buyers are wanting a ratchet that can double as a breaker bar.

 

[thebeekeeper1]

You guys have probably seen this, but here is the review of the Steelman 160 tooth ratchet set:

I stumbled across it by accident and was impressed.

 

[Andrew LB]

Dual 80's are my favorite ratchets.

I'm the proud owner of a single Snap-On product, and it's a 3/8" Dual 80 Soft grip ratchet. Most of my tools are new and vintage Craftsman with a few wood boxes full of really old (100+ years) tools of brands i've never heard of that I inherited and aside from a pair of early 1900's Bailey wood planes I love, the Snap-On is the gem of my collection.

 

[Leoruiz]

Don't rule out the Proto XLQR series. It's a lot of ratchet for the buck. Man. Wright,SK, Williams,Dual 80's,Armstrong Maxx series. Pick a flavor. They're all awesome pieces of engineering.None should fail you.

 

[kythri]

A 36-tooth Snap-on ratchet isn't an 80-tooth Snap-on ratchet, but it's still pretty smooth for a 36-tooth ratchet. I'd agree, cleaning and lubing is the first step, a rebuild kit if that doesn't work.