Snap-on TRF72 Alternative

[dkroth]

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

Took it apart this evening for cleaning and lubrication. There are some small, precision parts in there.

 

[Wamsutta]

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

My first exposure to Snap-on was a mechanics class at community college. That ruined me.

 

[ricleh]

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

If you want to finish my sentence at least do it correctly. Actually the cost of the Nepros ratchet is a little bit less than the Snapon. A good value for a ratchet that is better quality than the Snapon IMO. It's not that difficult to get parts for the ratchet. I don't know about the warranty/repair service since I have never broken one of my 300+ Nepros tools. If cost, parts and warranty/repair are your primary concerns when buying a tool, then I recommend that you shop at Harbor Freight, but you probably already do. The OP asked for alternatives to the Snapon ratchet. He didn't state that it had to be cheap and easy to get parts for or to warranty. I personally prefer to buy quality tools that when used properly don't have to make use of warranty service, but that's just me.

 

[jo4gj]

So I asked some one that owned a Carlyle 1/4 ratchet and a snap on. They said the difference is minimal and same reguarding back swing. I know this ratchet is very different they the one you asked about but is a option. Maybe if a napa is close to your location give it a try.

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHQR14F90

 

[Teenager with old tools]

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

I put the size socket for the lugnuts on stepdads mustang onto one of the 3/8 36t Chinese craftsman ratchets with a 2 foot cheater pipe and broke all the lug nuts loose without it slipping. May not be smoothest or best feeling but they aren't ****. Most people don't notice big difference between craftsman and snap on the difference is often over exaggerated. As with any forum about anything differences in quality of things are way over exaggerated


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jo4gj]

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

Buy the best you can used. That the best advice I found on this Forum. I want to tell you a tale about the start of a tool addict. I had started with a 190 piece craftsman set with a lot more craftsman combo wrenches. A set of kobalt flex head ratcheting wrenches and a snap on roto 3/8 drive ratchet. I felt very confident when taking a job to change a water pump. Power steering, rake and pinion on my friend Bmw 325. I have done similar work on other vehicle before. During this process I learned that my roto head can't fit in every place. My wrench collection ***** they started to spread and almost rounded fasteners. It would **** not having every size in deep and shallow in 1/4 and 3/8 drive. Now I want to buy as much snap on as I can. I started with buying used SO wrench set and a blue point socket set that did not skip sizes for 1/4 and 3/8. Bought a ff80 new. I bought TLLF72 new 100. This is not a lot of tool compared to pro technicians.

I start to plan buying more tools just to upgrade and fill out the ratchet lengths I'm missing

Once you get use to having nice tools you will want all your tools to be nice.

ONCE YOU GO SNAP ON YOU NEVER GO BACK- be carful

 

[T45]

The OP asked for alternatives to the Snapon ratchet. He didn't state that it had to be cheap and easy to get parts for or to warranty.

Take a closer look, that's the whole point of the thread...

I am looking for a 1/4" flex quick release ratchet similar to the TRF72 without the hefty price tag.

 

[SantaAna12]

The issue of value is part of this thread.

Having owned and used both, I do not see the CMAN 1/4 as a credible.alternative to the SO. If your opinion is different, then that is your opinion.

The point of this thread is alternatives to the T72.

Nepros is an alternative.

Used SO is an alternative.

I am not a SO fanboy. I find the used SO 1/4 tools to be among the best SO tools for value.
Especially using the flash deals off EBAY.

As far as the.CMAN being OK before and OK now.....go for what you know.

IMO....if you never had a 1/4 CMAN spin 360 due to lack of engagement when changing direction?

Go buy lottery tickets.

 

[a52-830]

if the OP is still interested in this wrench, there is a good looking one on ebay for 60$ "buy it now", shipped:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/201812109838

 

[Stevenn1]

New off the truck its $124.
Ebay has 2 used ones for $60 & $75 right now.
A new one for $100.
And another new one for $137 (yeah over retail price, goes to show just because its on ebay it doesn't mean its a good deal- got to do your homework).
Forget the ALTERNATIVE. Get the real deal. You will only buy it once.

 

[gdocktor3]

If you want to finish my sentence at least do it correctly. Actually the cost of the Nepros ratchet is a little bit less than the Snapon. A good value for a ratchet that is better quality than the Snapon IMO. It's not that difficult to get parts for the ratchet. I don't know about the warranty/repair service since I have never broken one of my 300+ Nepros tools.

Frankstools.com has the Nepros listed for $128.85 plus shipping. eBay has it listed for $157, plus $20 shipping. Snap On truck has the TRF72 at $124, website is $125 and free shipping. Repair kits are free and its American made. Just saying....

 

[CAMMShaft]

I will keep an eye on eBay for a used one. Unfortunately, I missed the $60 one mentioned above.

CAMM

 

[a52-830]

I will keep an eye on eBay for a used one. Unfortunately, I missed the $60 one mentioned above.

CAMM

if you check the "sold" auctions (as opposed to "completed", which might not have sold) you will find that 60$ (shipped) is the point that those ratchets seem to fluctuate. i doubt you will need to wait long . . . .

 

[ricleh]

Frankstools.com has the Nepros listed for $128.85 plus shipping. eBay has it listed for $157, plus $20 shipping. Snap On truck has the TRF72 at $124, website is $125 and free shipping. Repair kits are free and its American made. Just saying....

Why buy from a 3rd party when nepros.net has the ratchet for $96.00? Just saying....

 

[pelletman]

I will keep an eye on eBay for a used one. Unfortunately, I missed the $60 one mentioned above.

CAMM

Go to that auction listed above, there are more if you scroll down. SO are great ratchets.

 

[Loscaldazar]

Why buy from a 3rd party when nepros.net has the ratchet for $96.00? Just saying....

Comes to about $110 shipped.

Since I'm not a fan of Snap On 1/4" ratchets (overly clunky, high back drag, and bulky for 1/4"), I'd go the Nepros route

 

[gdocktor3]

Why buy from a 3rd party when nepros.net has the ratchet for $96.00? Just saying....

Eh I guess. Doesn't matter to me because I'm the one who bought the Snappy for $60.
I messaged the seller a few days before this thread started with a $50 offer, but once everyone started sharing the auction on here, I decided to pay up before I lost it.

 

[gdocktor3]

Did you add $40 worth of other stuff and use the Ebay $20 off $100 coupon they have going on right now? A little less than $50 shipped is about as low as you can go for one of those ratchets on Ebay in good condition. That would be a hard to beat deal compared to any other brand or ratchet if you needed that configuration.
.

I didn't. Somehow I'm never aware of these deals or coupons on eBay. I will say this. I bought one of those cheap Toptul flex head ratchets that another member is always peddling on here, but dislike it very much. I do have a Snappy t72 and don't use it much. I go with SK round head or 120xp. The backdrag is a bit much on the t72 and it's just too small, but the trf72 was the only quality, quick release flex head I could find, so I went with it.

 

[tdellenburg]

Eh I guess. Doesn't matter to me because I'm the one who bought the Snappy for $60.
I messaged the seller a few days before this thread started with a $50 offer, but once everyone started sharing the auction on here, I decided to pay up before I lost it.

I just bought the one for $64. Seems like an affordable way to try my first SnapOn...

 

[ricleh]

.ricleh, if you are familiar with both how is the backdrag of the Nepros 90 tooth compared to a Snap-on t72 series ratchet? Also does the flex joint have much resistance? The Nepros do look like a pretty nice ratchets. The rebuild kits are a bit pricey though especially in 1/2" drive (1/4=$23, 3/8=$31, 1/2=$42).

It's too bad there isn't a used market for Nepros in the US to give a lower cost option to buyers of that brand, if there was I would probably already have one or two of their ratchets. Their 90 tooth 3/8" drive in 1/4" drive body ratchets look especially appealing. The new NBRC390L long handled ratchet is only $75. A pretty good price compared to other high end options. Snap-on doesn't even make a long handled 3/8" in 1/4" body ratchet (only standard and flex). You would have to buy a regular tl72 for $100 (if you purchased it new), a $10 3/8" kit, and a new $10 cover plate to make your own. Even if you went the DIY used route for the Snap-on it would still end up being at least $75 total to build that ratchet combination.

Backdrag and smoothness of operation are very subjective. The Snapon 72 tooth and the Nepros 90 tooth 1/4" ratchets are very similar in feel. The Nepros is slightly smoother IMO. The Nepros has a unique flex joint using a plastic piece to set the resistance. It works very well, but I haven't used it enough to tell whether it will hold up well over time. My perspective and yours may be totally different. If I am interested, then I buy the tool and try it and make my own judgment. Have you read through the Nepros hand tool thread? You can learn a lot there and Superautobacs in particular has a lot of good information regarding Nepros tools. My personal preference for ratchets in general is Snapon and Nepros, but others prefer different brands. I also prefer a specific ratchet from a different brand in certain situations. I own ratchets made by Craftsman, Koken, KTC, Gedore, Hazet, Stahlwille, Facom, Felo, Wiha and a few others in addition to my many Snapon and Nepros ratchets.

 

[T45]

dude has a bad-*** ratchet collection

 

[ricleh]

Thanks ricleh.

I didn't know there was a Nepros thread, how is it I haven't seen it before? I will have to look through it a bit more, but their universal joints that have the two pivot pins sharing the same plane look pretty nice too. I'll have to see what kind of max torque spec they have. I might have to make a small order for a couple of their more unique items and try the brand out.

That's how I started out with the Nepros brand and is usually how I do things with new brands that I am not familiar with.

 

[CAMMShaft]

I bought a used TRF72 on eBay today for $50. I am excited to see if it lives up to the Snap-on reputation. Thanks everyone for the feedback (and encouragement).

CAMM