Snap-On / Wright Tools comparison.

[K-Dog]

It wasnt too long ago on here I learned about a 3/8 drive ratchet in a 1/4 inch drive body. I thought it was super cool and useful. They have a Wright on Amazon so I put it on my wish list.
About a week or so later I found out Snap-On has one too, so I ordered it.
I got it a week later.
I forgot to take the Wright off of my wish list. A few days ago the Wright showed up in the mail as a birthday gift from my brother in law.
So now I have both.

These things are damn near identical in length if not completely identical.

I like the cut of the Wright better. Its a bit more refined if you will.
That said the Snap-On feels significantly better. The head fits tighter and has zero slop and play. I did not count the teeth fut the Snap-On is definitely finer.

no opportunity to test the Wright just yet. But I used the Snap-on a coupla days ago and its every thing I expect from Snap-On.
If I had to pick one it would be the Snap-On.

 

[dadler]

I have that exact Wright 3/8 in 1/4 body, purchased from Amazon. I believe it's a 36 tooth, unlike my 72 tooth snap-on.

I like the feel of the Wright in the hand very much, but I am not so sure about the ratcheting mechanism. I don't have any other Wright ratchets to compare to, but it kinda seems to slip teeth unless the selector is in a very particular and difficult to find spot. When I get it in the right spot, it seems to hold torque, but I after reversing I end up having to find the magic spot again.

Do I have a bad one, or is this just how they are?

 

[jmauld]

You have a bad one. Mine doesn't slip at all. That ratchet has become my go to tool for most quick jobs.

 

[dadler]

You have a bad one. Mine doesn't slip at all. That ratchet has become my go to tool for most quick jobs.

Argh-I don't have the packaging anymore so I doubt I could return it to amazon (likely way out of the return window anyways, I've had it for months). Maybe I'll just buy another one.

But I do agree that the shape makes the ratchet more useful than the snap-on. I really like the handle on the Wright.

 

[Fcvapor05]

I've seen these discussed a fair bit- so what's the advantage? In my experience, if I need a smaller ratchet I just use something 1/4 drive.

 

[ADSR]

Argh-I don't have the packaging anymore so I doubt I could return it to amazon (likely way out of the return window anyways, I've had it for months). Maybe I'll just buy another one.

But I do agree that the shape makes the ratchet more useful than the snap-on. I really like the handle on the Wright.

Call Wright for a repair kit.

 

[ADSR]

BTW, the small footprint of the Wright looks like a win in my book.

 

[monomach]

BTW, the small footprint of the Wright looks like a win in my book.

Yeah, that's definitely going to fit in a lot of places the Snappy won't.

 

[JR 42]

I've seen these discussed a fair bit- so what's the advantage? In my experience, if I need a smaller ratchet I just use something 1/4 drive.

Honestly, I don't know, but I find the idea extremely compelling (read: awesome). I suppose a 3/8" drive socket, if it fits where you need it to, is substantially stronger than its 1/4" drive cousin.

I'd love to find 1/2" drive in a 3/8" body- I can't believe no one makes this yet.

JR

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Honestly, I don't know, but I find the idea extremely compelling (read: awesome). I suppose a 3/8" drive socket, if it fits where you need it to, is substantially stronger than its 1/4" drive cousin.

I'd love to find 1/2" drive in a 3/8" body- I can't believe no one makes this yet.

JR

Husky Micro Tuff and Proto sumthin...I'll look...I have them, good for access..https://www.google.com/search?q=Mac..._4oAS8uYDoCg&ved=0CAoQ_AUoAw&biw=1247&bih=578

 

[kythri]

I have that exact Wright 3/8 in 1/4 body, purchased from Amazon. I believe it's a 36 tooth, unlike my 72 tooth snap-on.

Wright says that the 3430 and 3440 are 45-tooth ratchets.

I like the feel of the Wright in the hand very much, but I am not so sure about the ratcheting mechanism. I don't have any other Wright ratchets to compare to, but it kinda seems to slip teeth unless the selector is in a very particular and difficult to find spot. When I get it in the right spot, it seems to hold torque, but I after reversing I end up having to find the magic spot again.

Do I have a bad one, or is this just how they are?

Neither my 3430 or 3440 exhibit this symptom.

 

[K-Dog]

I've seen these discussed a fair bit- so what's the advantage? .

For me its this one application.
On Lexus and Toyota doors the latch is held on with T-30 torx screws. My Snap-On T-30 socket is 3/8 drive. The screws really are not tight so a big ol' 3/8 ratchet is just a bit much and cumbersome. I used to just pop on a 1/4 to 3/8 adapter, but this is simpler and easier and scores big for oooh ahhh factor.

 

[K-Dog]

so after a few weeks there is no comparison.
The Snap-On is far superior. [/opinion]

 

[d.mcfarland]

so after a few weeks there is no comparison.
The Snap-On is far superior. [/opinion]

What criteria did you use?

 

[tribbles]

I'd be happy to, uh, 'dispose' of that Wright for you.

 

[abvw]

What criteria did you use?

No other 1/4" ratchet mechanism even comes close to touching Snap-on's "Dual80". Matco 88 and GearWrench 120XP are very smooth in normal operation, but for some reason I cant keep the ratchets square with the fasteners like how I can easily do with the Snap-on in low clearance situations, the ratchet head will always want to roll off and slip. Plus I never liked the idea of ball detent lock system on 1/4" flex heads.

Just my experience. YMMV

 

[davethorik]

so after a few weeks there is no comparison.
The Snap-On is far superior. [/opinion]

I know at least the Wright was a gift, but you should state how much each ratchet cost. That is a big factor for a lot of people.

The Snap-On had better be 2x better than the Wright at 2x the price.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Interesting review, thanks for posting. I'm in the market for one of these, but I'm leaning towards the Wright due to price. In my case, I need it for doing battery changes on wheelchairs as I only carry 3/8" drive sockets and often times my 3/8" ratchet is too bulky.

Edit: I checked my Paypal balance and had some unexpected funds so I picked up a Wright off ebay for $30.99 shipped. I love Snappy Dual 80s (I have 9 of them), but the Wright's profile seems like it will get in tighter places than the Snappy.

 

[Super Sport]

I have the Wright, and I had an older 36t Snap On. I agree that the ratcheting mechanism feels better on the SO. The Wright looks better, and I like the handle more. I also believe the head of the SO was a little thinner.

I ended up selling the Snap On. I think it was probably the better one, but I just love the look of the Wright.

I'd love to find 1/2" drive in a 3/8" body- I can't believe no one makes this yet.

JR

I don't know if they still do, but Snap On made one. I've seen it discussed on here, plus I own one. Mine is a 36t.

Edit: Model Number SF710A.

 

[JR 42]

I'd love to find 1/2" drive in a 3/8" body- I can't believe no one makes this yet.

Husky Micro Tuff and Proto sumthin...I'll look...I have them, good for access..https://www.google.com/search?q=Mac..._4oAS8uYDoCg&ved=0CAoQ_AUoAw&biw=1247&bih=578

I don't know if they still do, but Snap On made one. I've seen it discussed on here, plus I own one. Mine is a 36t.

Edit: Model Number SF710A.

My thanks to both of you- I'll keep an eye out for these. I wonder why they don't sell as well as the 1/4 - 3/8 version (looks like they've all been dropped from production).

JR

 

[K-Dog]

What criteria did you use?

Use.
It came down to two main points. The Wright head felt very sloppy, where the Snap-On felt very snug and firm.
Second was the switch on the back of the Wright ( I dont know what happened to the photos. I will have to retake them tomorrow and repost ) rests right on my palm when grabbing the head and wratcheting. That felt annoying and the Snap-on just had the little switch down low and out of the way.

 

[K-Dog]

I know at least the Wright was a gift, but you should state how much each ratchet cost. That is a big factor for a lot of people.

The Snap-On had better be 2x better than the Wright at 2x the price.

I had the Wright on my Amazon I dont recall the cost but Snap-On was only twenty bucks more.