Snap-on TRF72 Alternative

[CAMMShaft]

I am looking for a 1/4" flex quick release ratchet similar to the TRF72 without the hefty price tag. I cannot find such a ratchet in a mid range brand/price. It appears that Kobalt has one, but I am not sure how it compares from a quality perspective. Does anyone know if there are others out there that I could consider?

CAMM

 

[Wamsutta]

It's a hefty price tag, but it's not a consumable item. You only have to buy it once.

 

[bixxjs]

Try looking on eBay for a used one,Snapon warranty is lifetime.

 

[gdocktor3]

LOL I'm in the same boat. I've been looking for a TRF72 or comparable myself. Only other options I've seen are Kobalt, Titan, and other cheapo brands. I actually made a wanted add yesterday for one.

 

[CAMMShaft]

It sounds like the options are limited. I thought for sure there was more available, I was just not looking in the right place

CAMM

 

[Avplayer]

I just picked up a brand new 1/4" green comfort handle and led flashlight combo off ebay for $80. Deals are there just have to be patient. I just recently replaced my 15 year old 3/8 f936 comfort with a used dual 80 just cuz i wanted the higher tooth count. My old ratchet now goes to the home box. Snappy tools are expensive but u only pay once and their are great deals used for them just have to be patient

 

[WWheeler]

FWIW Fleabay's got a nice looking TRF72 right now for $60 'buy it now' w/ free shipping & no owner marks from a top rated seller. That's more than half off snappy's list price.

 

[CAMMShaft]

I just picked up a brand new 1/4" green comfort handle and led flashlight combo off ebay for $80. Deals are there just have to be patient. I just recently replaced my 15 year old 3/8 f936 comfort with a used dual 80 just cuz i wanted the higher tooth count. My old ratchet now goes to the home box. Snappy tools are expensive but u only pay once and their are great deals used for them just have to be patient

FWIW Fleabay's got a nice looking TRF72 right now for $60 'buy it now' w/ free shipping & no owner marks from a top rated seller. That's more than half off snappy's list price.

Thanks guys, I'll start checking eBay.

CAMM

 

[gdocktor3]

Even $60 is a lot for a 1/4" ratchet.

 

[a52-830]

Try looking on eBay for a used one,Snapon warranty is lifetime.

ya know, people keep repeating this, and on the face of it, it is not true.

if you ask snap-on, they will tell you that they warranty a tool or box for the original owner. if you buy it used on ebay, they will sell you things like a repair kit, if one exists, but will not warranty it.

from https://www1.snapon.com/display/termsofsale.nws :

both section 2 (personal users) and section 3 (professional users) have identical wording:

This warranty only extends to the original Customer and cannot be transferred or assigned.

if you have regular access to a driver, that individual may repair or replace it, at their discretion. dont think you can find a snap-on truck parted at macdonalds, and go in and demand the driver replace your ratchet because it is broken. if you didnt buy it from them, they are not under any obligation to deal with it, they will refer you to snap-on, who will ask where you got it (i.e.: why didnt you take it back to the truck you bought it from).

telling people not to worry is misleading.

 

[T45]

Even $60 is a lot for a 1/4" ratchet.

You're getting a decent tool. Consider how little metal is in one, and the TF72 is still rated to 90ft pounds or something similar. The QR variant is a bit weaker but arguably worth spending dollars on for brand name because of this I think.

 

[Citation]

Gearwrench makes one.

 

[T45]

haven't seen the gw, but there is a $65 mac... 100mm vs 150mm length tho

http://www.mactools.com/en-us/Ratch...-Ratchets/MR4FC/1-4-Drive-Mini-Flex-Ratchet-4

 

[a52-830]

haven't seen the gw, but there is a $65 mac... 100mm vs 150mm length tho

http://www.mactools.com/en-us/Ratch...-Ratchets/MR4FC/1-4-Drive-Mini-Flex-Ratchet-4

wow. suppose you can fit a 3/8" mechanism in there?

 

[shockwave]

Have you looked into a rotohead with quick release cornwell offers at 75 but I am sure oe supplier is close to half the price http://www.cornwelltools.com/webcat/products/CTGTSHR-%252d-1%7B47%7D4”-Dr.-100-Tooth-Swivel-Ratchet.html

 

[gdocktor3]

wow. suppose you can fit a 3/8" mechanism in there?

Not a chance. This is the standard version. Nice little ratchet for tight spaces. Smaller that any other 1/4" ratchet I own.

 

[dkroth]

Thanks guys, I'll start checking eBay.

CAMM

I bought a like-new TRF72 from eBay a month ago for $50 including shipping.

 

[JDon99]

Armstrong 10-994 may work for you.

 

[Vantastic]

You should of got one of these when the gettin was good.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/132082597033

 

[CAMMShaft]

Gearwrench makes one.

Can you provide a link? I am struggling to find one from Gearwrench.

CAMM

 

[CAMMShaft]

You should of got one of these when the gettin was good.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/132082597033

Bargain of the month!

CAMM

 

[Wamsutta]

In threads like this where the OP is hesitant to buy a Snap-on ratchet, I always wonder if the OP has had any exposure to Snap-on ratchets. It's always easy to get sticker shock when your only exposure is an image on the computer screen. Put one in your hand and start using it, the price tag starts to make more sense.

 

[Citation]

Can you provide a link? I am struggling to find one from Gearwrench.

CAMM

Here is the GW I was thinking of but I realized it's not QR
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CDDJG4I/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Tekton has both a teardrop and roto head that do have all the features.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CDDJG4I/?tag=atomicindus08-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KLY1CIE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[CAMMShaft]

In threads like this where the OP is hesitant to buy a Snap-on ratchet, I always wonder if the OP has had any exposure to Snap-on ratchets. It's always easy to get sticker shock when your only exposure is an image on the computer screen. Put one in your hand and start using it, the price tag starts to make more sense.

I do not have experience with Snap-on, so you may very well be right. I wish there was a way for me "try before you buy". Considering I don't wrench for a living and I have a perfectly fine 1/4" ratchet, the flex ratchet would just be a luxury. Without experience, I cannot decipher if the Snap-on hype is truly justified or just a result of the "Snap-on fanboy's" spewing their love for their high priced tools. For a weekend wrencher as myself, I am sure a Gearwrench version would suit me fine. (No offense to the Snap-on fanboy's ).

CAMM

 

[CAMMShaft]

Thanks for all of the suggestions everyone. I have more options than I originally thought.

CAMM

 

[mrjaw14]

In threads like this where the OP is hesitant to buy a Snap-on ratchet, I always wonder if the OP has had any exposure to Snap-on ratchets. It's always easy to get sticker shock when your only exposure is an image on the computer screen. Put one in your hand and start using it, the price tag starts to make more sense.

True dat...

 

[ihateminimumwage]

I do not have experience with Snap-on, so you may very well be right. I wish there was a way for me "try before you buy". Considering I don't wrench for a living and I have a perfectly fine 1/4" ratchet, the flex ratchet would just be a luxury. Without experience, I cannot decipher if the Snap-on hype is truly justified or just a result of the "Snap-on fanboy's" spewing their love for their high priced tools. For a weekend wrencher as myself, I am sure a Gearwrench version would suit me fine. (No offense to the Snap-on fanboy's ).

I will recommend to keep an eye on eBay and find a comfort grip QR flex ratchet. Hands down the best 1/4" ratchet I've ever owned, and worth whatever you end up paying for it.

 

[Wamsutta]

I do not have experience with Snap-on, so you may very well be right. I wish there was a way for me "try before you buy". Considering I don't wrench for a living and I have a perfectly fine 1/4" ratchet, the flex ratchet would just be a luxury. Without experience, I cannot decipher if the Snap-on hype is truly justified or just a result of the "Snap-on fanboy's" spewing their love for their high priced tools. For a weekend wrencher as myself, I am sure a Gearwrench version would suit me fine. (No offense to the Snap-on fanboy's ).

CAMM

If you have an appreciation for fine quality and know how to spot it when you see it, it would probably be a good idea to stay as far away from them as you possibly can. What you don't know will save you a ton of money.

 

[T45]

What you don't know will save you a ton of money.

Abandon all hope, Ye who Enter

 

[SantaAna12]

AFAIK....SO is the only manufacturer to load rate their 1/4 ratchet. I like and respect this. While I own others....my Koken is a sweet tool....I use the SO if I consider load to be an issue.
I bought my locking flex full dollar off the truck and do not regret it. I got the T72 new off ebay using a 15$ flash sale for 50 and change.
Guess it depends on your needs. I use alot of 1/4. I prefer not to use a breaker bar if possible.
I also own the SK. If $ is your main issue, then get a used SK off ebay using a flash sale and a filler.
Good luck.

 

[mrborohachi]

VIM has a locking flex QR Roto Ratchet. You can find it on their website

 

[gdocktor3]

The problem with Roto ratchets is you can't get good leverage while on an angle. You end up having to twist more like a screw/nut driver. The only time I grab a Roto is for light assembly/disassembly of many small fasteners. Even then I'll tend to grab an impact driver in most cases, as it's much quicker. That VIM Roto is interesting though to say the least.

Anyone have experience with that VIM Roto ratchet?

 

[CAMMShaft]

OP, one thing you might want to think about before purchasing a flex ratchet is what it will mainly be used for and whether you really want it to have quick release. I am a quick-release ratchet lover, but only at certain times. There are jobs that require constant socket switching, and having a quick-release ratchet for those jobs makes things much easier and faster. It's also a nice feature to have when my hands are really greasy. That being said, I only own a couple quick-release ratchets and none of my flex ratchets are quick-release.

In 1/4" drive, I ended up the happiest with a quick-release TR72 as my main everyday ratchet, and I don't own a regular T72 at all. I also have a HF composite quick-release ratchet that I use quite often. The rest of my 1/4" drive ratchets do not have quick-release. I never put my hand or fingers on the back of the ratchet head when using a standard length solid handle ratchet so the quick-release button doesn't get in the way.

I am actually happiest with a TF72 ($45-50 shipped for lightly used on Ebay is possible with a little patience) as my main 1/4" flex ratchet, because it gets into tight areas better, and I found that in open areas I like using that ratchet with my 4 fingers around the flex handle and my thumb pressing down on the back of the ratchet head. I almost always want at least one finger somehow on the back of the ratchet head to help hold the head in alignment with the fastener when using that small ratchet. I tried using quick-release flex ratchets originally, but I found the buttons got in the way more often than they helped. If someone made a high quality flex ratchet with a flush mounted quick-release button it might be a different story, but I haven't seen one.

In the larger drive sizes, I don't use quick-release flex ratchets because in tight areas I often find myself slipping a hand, pry bar, small piece of wood, etc. down behind the ratchet head to press and hold the head firmly on the fastener while I torque on the handle. That prevents socket geometry issues when torquing that might damage a fastener head. In those situations a quick-release could get in the way or become damaged too easily.

This is good feedback that I should take into stronger consideration. I wanted to have the quick release in case this became my go-to ratchet, but maybe I should consider otherwise. I guess if I buy a used truck brand, I can always put it back on eBay if it is not fitting my need/expectations.

CAMM

 

[CAMMShaft]

If you have an appreciation for fine quality and know how to spot it when you see it, it would probably be a good idea to stay as far away from them as you possibly can. What you don't know will save you a ton of money.

I definitely wish I had more experience with fine quality ratchets. I have to admit, until I started reading this forum, I thought my Craftsman ratchets were just fine. Now I am questioning how good my tools really are...and I am not just referring to ratchets

CAMM

 

[a52-830]

I definitely wish I had more experience with fine quality ratchets. I have to admit, until I started reading this forum, I thought my Craftsman ratchets were just fine. Now I am questioning how good my tools really are...and I am not just referring to ratchets

CAMM

if they were just fine before, they are likely still fine. dont let the pursuit of perfection interfere with the enjoyment of adequacy.

 

[T45]

if they were just fine before, they are likely still fine. dont let the pursuit of perfection interfere with the enjoyment of adequacy.

This is very true. Snap on in 1/4 is known for strength, but maybe not the best ergonomics. Unless you need a strong 1/4 drive, I'm sure anything will do.

The flipside I will add, however, is that GOOD 1/4 drive tools are varstly more usable than the lesser brands (stiffer, stronger, lighter, fit better etc).

Some industries and applications rely on 1/4 drive for the core tools, and others use 1/4 drive as a lightweight problem solver for odds and ends.

In some applications like motos and aerospace, this impacts the threshold of "adequacy".

 

[CAMMShaft]

if they were just fine before, they are likely still fine. dont let the pursuit of perfection interfere with the enjoyment of adequacy.

Wise advice.

CAMM

 

[ricleh]

Nepros NBR290F

 

[Stevenn1]

...I wanted to have the quick release in case this became my go-to ratchet, but maybe I should consider otherwise. I guess if I buy a used truck brand, I can always put it back on eBay if it is not fitting my need/expectations.

CAMM

For 30 years all I ever bought was quick release consumer (non Professional) grade ratchets. Then one day I wanted one really 'good' ratchet, I bought the Snap-on F80. After using it for a while then going back to a Craftsman, the Craftsman felt clunky (kinda cheap and junky, but not worthless & still would complete the task tho). Now the F80 is my go-to and it being a non-quick release isn't even noticed.

BTW, non-quick release ratchets are much stronger then the quick release.

 

[gdocktor3]

Nepros NBR290F

I'll finish the sentence for you -
Nepros NBR290F cost more than the Snap On... and more difficult to get parts or warranty/repair...