Some more SK drop in teasers..

[buffalobill]

So the 3/8 is good, but the 1/4 inch is clunky?

 

[audioworks04]

I love all my sk ratchets 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2. All fine tooth with a great balance.


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[straightcut]

I'm normally a laggard, but ordered a 3/8" drive drop-in kit.

Thanks for the early reports that helped me make a decision!

 

[Sanny81]

My 3/8 drop in is being delivered tomorrow but my ratchet is at work and I won’t be able to put it in until Tuesday. Can’t wait.

 

[DadsTools]

Sounds like early feedback is favorable for the 3/8.

 

[nelstomlinson]

Retrieved my two kits from the PO this afternoon.

The 3/8 kit went in easily, and what a difference! It's still smooth, but much finer-toothed. I put it in my old roto-ratchet, and now it's on par with the 100 tooth Snap On roto-ratchet. It doesn't seem loud, or stiff, and back drag seems reasonable. This is a big upgrade.

The 1/4 kit was a little harder to install, just because it is a little smaller, and because my hands were a little greasy after the 3/8 kit. Not such a big difference as the 3/8 kit: the little 1/4 ratchet was already fine-toothed, and being finer-toothed didn't really change the feel much. It's no stiffer than the 3/8, but that feels stiffer than it feels on the 3/8. Since my little 1/4 was pretty worn, it now feels much stiffer than it did before. I like it, but it's not that much better. It was a great little ratchet before, and the upgrade really hasn't changed that.

So, the 3/8 DT kit is absolutely money well spent, don't delay, upgrade today.

The 1/4 kit didn't add that much: it's an improvement, but you're going from almost perfect to a little closer to perfect. I might not upgrade a 1/4 to DT unless it needed new guts, but if it needs new guts, get the DT.

I'm eager to try a DT upgrade in one of my 1/2 ratchets. I suspect that it will be another big improvement like the 3/8.

 

[Loscaldazar]

Retrieved my two kits from the PO this afternoon.

The 3/8 kit went in easily, and what a difference! It's still smooth, but much finer-toothed. I put it in my old roto-ratchet, and now it's on par with the 100 tooth Snap On roto-ratchet. It doesn't seem loud, or stiff, and back drag seems reasonable. This is a big upgrade.

The 1/4 kit was a little harder to install, just because it is a little smaller, and because my hands were a little greasy after the 3/8 kit. Not such a big difference as the 3/8 kit: the little 1/4 ratchet was already fine-toothed, and being finer-toothed didn't really change the feel much. It's no stiffer than the 3/8, but that feels stiffer than it feels on the 3/8. Since my little 1/4 was pretty worn, it now feels much stiffer than it did before. I like it, but it's not that much better. It was a great little ratchet before, and the upgrade really hasn't changed that.

So, the 3/8 DT kit is absolutely money well spent, don't delay, upgrade today.

The 1/4 kit didn't add that much: it's an improvement, but you're going from almost perfect to a little closer to perfect. I might not upgrade a 1/4 to DT unless it needed new guts, but if it needs new guts, get the DT.

I'm eager to try a DT upgrade in one of my 1/2 ratchets. I suspect that it will be another big improvement like the 3/8.

At 60T with the 1/4 drive already, an upgrade is not truly necessary in my opinion. You only go from 6 degrees swing arc to 3.

The 3/8 was really the one that needed updating, and 1/2 drive will be nice too, but probably not too necessary.

 

[bbrins]

I think I need to exchange my 800720 3/8 ratchet, I can only get the dual pawls to engage in reverse, so I get 80 clicks in reverse and only 40 in forward. I have tried disassembling the mechanism to make sure that there weren't any metal shavings or anything getting in the way, have tried different types of lubricants, they used some kind of oil from the factory. I also tried installing one of the upgrade kits that I ordered and I still get the same thing. Other than that, I think I like it, it has an acceptable amount of backdrag, I just need to get one that works right.

I also tried out one of the kits on an old Mac X3r that I had sitting around with no guts in it, it really felt like ****, but it has seen a good bit of use, so I will try it in some other ratchets and see if it gets any better.

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[HanShotFirst]

Retrieved my two kits from the PO this afternoon.

The 3/8 kit went in easily, and what a difference! It's still smooth, but much finer-toothed. I put it in my old roto-ratchet, and now it's on par with the 100 tooth Snap On roto-ratchet. It doesn't seem loud, or stiff, and back drag seems reasonable. This is a big upgrade.

The 1/4 kit was a little harder to install, just because it is a little smaller, and because my hands were a little greasy after the 3/8 kit. Not such a big difference as the 3/8 kit: the little 1/4 ratchet was already fine-toothed, and being finer-toothed didn't really change the feel much. It's no stiffer than the 3/8, but that feels stiffer than it feels on the 3/8. Since my little 1/4 was pretty worn, it now feels much stiffer than it did before. I like it, but it's not that much better. It was a great little ratchet before, and the upgrade really hasn't changed that.

So, the 3/8 DT kit is absolutely money well spent, don't delay, upgrade today.

The 1/4 kit didn't add that much: it's an improvement, but you're going from almost perfect to a little closer to perfect. I might not upgrade a 1/4 to DT unless it needed new guts, but if it needs new guts, get the DT.

I'm eager to try a DT upgrade in one of my 1/2 ratchets. I suspect that it will be another big improvement like the 3/8.

I have no intention on upgrading my 1/4", I think it's perfect the way it is...it's my favorite 1/4" ratchet.

My upgrade kit from HJE should arrive sometime this week, I got a shipped notification, so I'm looking forward to that.

 

[Jarhead0408]

Sooo...I'm guessing the old selector can't be used with the new kit right? Any of you gents with the drop in kit care to confirm?

Thanks if you do!

 

[bbrins]

The old selector will not work with this new kit. I took a picture of the new and old kits disassembled to show the different parts. I will try and post it here in a few minutes.

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[bbrins]

Not that great of a picture, but it does show the differences between the selectors.

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[2ndGearRubber]

I got a kit coming for my go-to 3/8 drive flex head. I love using it, but sometimes the swing arc takes it out of use on a job.

For $20 shipped, hopefully the kit will allow it to be used more often.

 

[HanShotFirst]

Not that great of a picture, but it does show the differences between the selectors.

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Bummer on the selectors, I think the old style selector is better looking. But if it makes my 3/8" ratchet better, than I can give up a little aesthetics.

 

[whyNick?]

Bummer on the selectors, I think the old style selector is better looking. But if it makes my 3/8" ratchet better, than I can give up a little aesthetics.

It'd be cool if the old selector worked, it'd make it kind of a sleeper ratchet. But the new selector is easier to grip I think.

 

[HanShotFirst]

So my upgrade arrived today and I'm not real enthused.

Tried it in 3 different ratchets, and the results were the same. 80 tooth in one direction, 40 in the other direction.

In the 80 tooth direction the action is pretty smooth. In the 40 tooth direction, it's very rough. So I'm just not impressed at all. The new direction switch is easier to use though, I'll give you that.

On the bright side, it did give me an excuse to take apart my recent purchase SK Wayne ratchet and confirmed that it is a new, unused ratchet...so I'm pretty happy about that.

 

[HanShotFirst]

UPDATE - SK CUSTOMER SERVICE KICKS ***!!

Let's start with...Mine not really working out doesn't really upset me all that much; I'm not necessarily an unhappy customer. I paid around $20.00 at Harry Epstein delivered. The unit I received was very nice and while it didn't exactly work out...it's still a working mechanism. I just figured, I'll put it in the tool box for a rainy day in case I ever break a drive square.

Eric at SK notices my post and sends me a PM. He's sending me a shipping label for me to send back the mechanism, and he's sending me a brand new Dual Pawl ratchet for my inconvenience.

That's WAY above and beyond if you ask me...and it's just awesome to see that such a level of customer service still exists.

Also makes me feel good that I continue to buy SK tools. My bent nose pliers arrived Saturday, and my 7601 Mini Hose Clamp Pliers arrive any day now.

In 30 years of using SK tools, I have made two warranty claims; both were completed with outstanding efficiency and customer service. This wasn't even a warranty claim, and again, just top notch customer service.

THANK YOU ERIC AND SK!!

 

[6PTsocket]

Am I in the minority in that the SK with low tooth count suits me fine? Usually if I'm pulling on an SK its in a semi-industrial environ and short swing arc isn't even a consideration.

With that said, I'll probably grab a few of these just to shake them out and see if they are better than sliced bread.

I have been happily living with SK and old Williams round heads for many years. I didn't know I was tooth count deprived until these retrofit kits came out. I was tempted to try the new pear head, as I have ever never owned one, but another thread suggests they slip out of gear if operated too fast. I'll wait til they get the bugs out.

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[bbrins]

I just received a similar response from Eric at SK. I have also had good experiences the couple of other times that I have had to contact SK in the past, so I have no doubt that this will end well. It is kind of nice to see manufacturers checking the forums to see what we have to say, and being responsive when we have issues. I was just going to contact SK some time over the next week or so, whenever I got around to it, but they contacted me first, that is great customer service.



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[firworks]

Always good to see great customer service from the tool companies Han. I'll hopefully be trying to get mine installed in the next couple days when I can get out there. I'm curious to see how it works as I've got some really old SK Wayne diamond round heads in addition to a very new one. I may stick the camera on a tripod over my shoulder in case it ends up cool and maybe help drum up some interest for SK over on the YouTubes.

 

[mikebaker1129]

it is true sign of a good company , when there is an issue and how they handle it.
Some are awesome (SK) ,while others give the run around. I received my kits and other SK goodness the other day I need to get off my rump and try the DT kits out.

The chrome on my sockets from SK is perfect!

 

[Sanny81]

So my upgrade arrived today and I'm not real enthused.

Tried it in 3 different ratchets, and the results were the same. 80 tooth in one direction, 40 in the other direction.

In the 80 tooth direction the action is pretty smooth. In the 40 tooth direction, it's very rough. So I'm just not impressed at all. The new direction switch is easier to use though, I'll give you that.

On the bright side, it did give me an excuse to take apart my recent purchase SK Wayne ratchet and confirmed that it is a new, unused ratchet...so I'm pretty happy about that.

I just installed mine and I have the exact same issue. I took it apart and inspected the drop in and it seems the one pawl is loose and isn’t engaging the teeth properly in one direction.

 

[whyNick?]

I just installed mine and I have the exact same issue. I took it apart and inspected the drop in and it seems the one pawl is loose and isn’t engaging the teeth properly in one direction.

Mine has the same issue. Both pawls engage consistently in reverse, however when I switch directions one pawl doesn't engage unless I turn the drive really, really slowly. I will have to pull the ratchet apart again and see if one pawl is looser than the other.

 

[M_George]

I put a drop of oil into the pawls in addition to the supper lube they shipped with the insert and haven't had any issues.

 

[HanShotFirst]

So I put a bit of SuperLube on mine before putting it back together; still had the issue. I didn't think to take it apart and look for the problem...I was a bit rushed. If it turns out to be something really simple, I'm going to really feel like a jerk.

 

[Skin]

For what its worth just leave it alone. SK wants it back so they can see what the problem is themselves. They're suppose to be "drop in kits" after all.

 

[Jarhead0408]

Not that great of a picture, but it does show the differences between the selectors.

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Gotcha. Thank you sir!

 

[tym]

Got my HJE order today, and I had only ordered the 1/4" ratchet (I have some 80-84 tooth 3/8" ratchets already) I see what people mean about the 1/4" having a bit of a "stiff" feel, but I'm sure it will wear in nicely with some use.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Got my 3/8 kit in from HJE, and dropped it in this morning. I tried re-seating it about a dozen times, but I still have the coarse mechanism clockwise (tighten), while reverse has the dual tooth.


I'll try to break it in today, maybe free it up. If not, I guess I'll need to call SK. Risks of being an early adopter I guess.



EDIT:

So SK sent me a private message, saying they want to warranty my ratchet, and have me ship back the old one for inspection.

Wow, serious customer service.

 

[M_George]

Took a closer look at mine and it has the same issue. I installed mine in a model 45170 3/8 ratchet.

 

[KnurledNut]

Sounds like the engineering of the new mechanism was off.
I was really hoping these would be a huge success.
Maybe the next production run will correct the issue.
Seems SK is handling this problem well.

 

[Davefr]

I just installed mine in a 3870 3/8" Roto Ratchet. No problems to report here.

SK 45170's spanned a huge timeframe. I wonder if there were small manufacturing tolerance variations that cause some issues.

 

[whyNick?]

Got my 3/8 kit in from HJE, and dropped it in this morning. I tried re-seating it about a dozen times, but I still have the coarse mechanism clockwise (tighten), while reverse has the dual tooth.


I'll try to break it in today, maybe free it up. If not, I guess I'll need to call SK. Risks of being an early adopter I guess.



EDIT:

So SK sent me a private message, saying they want to warranty my ratchet, and have me ship back the old one for inspection.

Wow, serious customer service.

I got the same PM from SK Eric, that's amazing customer service in my book. My hope is that this is merely a hiccup in the early run of drop ins because the dual pawl mechanism works great in reverse! I've always loved the old SK stuff but the new owners have earned my business, guess I need to stop being a cheapskate and pony up for some of the X Beam ratcheting wrenches...

 

[mikebaker1129]

Mine is very smooth in one direction ,but rough in the other.
The mechanism is very similar to the Williams B52.
Are those having issues using the 3/8 kits or 1/4 ? My issue was with a 3/8 ratchet that I installed the DT kit in.
I guess I should try the 1/4 DT kit,although the 1/4 SK is pretty sweet as is.

 

[HanShotFirst]

I got the same PM from SK Eric, that's amazing customer service in my book. My hope is that this is merely a hiccup in the early run of drop ins because the dual pawl mechanism works great in reverse! I've always loved the old SK stuff but the new owners have earned my business, guess I need to stop being a cheapskate and pony up for some of the X Beam ratcheting wrenches...

I just hope this is a small issue for them and not a big one...you just want to see a company like SK flourish.

 

[mikebaker1129]

I just hope this is a small issue for them and not a big one...you just want to see a company like SK flourish.

Me too!
I really like the green handle drivers, bit sockets, nice chrome on the sockets and the 1/4 dr ratchets are timeless classics.

 

[Sanny81]

Just wanted to say Eric from SK reached out to me and is helping me out. Huge respect for SK, I was already a fan and even more so now.

 

[HighPlainsWrencher]

Received a 3/8's kit yesterday from HJE and installed it this morning in my flex head when I got to work. I am pulling a transmission out of a motor grader and used the ratchet all day with the new kit in it. I didn't notice a change from what I had other than the degree of rotation to engage another tooth is a bit shorter. It skipped teeth like crazy when I first started to use it but seemed to get better through the day. So far I think its a improvement but my knuckles would like it to stop skipping teeth.

I also ordered at the same time from HJE the 1/4 flex head ratchet and the 3/8's in the 1/4 body flex head ratchet. Very impressed with that compact 3/8's ratchet. Almost no back drag and the teeth engage smoothly. I can see it saving my *** next time I am upside down in a machine with my arm jammed into somewhere trying to get a bolt started or removed.

 

[Sunset_Z28]

I’ve played with mine some after my initial post and it appears that I have the same issue with the teeth not fully engaging both directions. I’ve tried playing with it some and sometimes it seems like it frees up but I’m still pretty disappointed in it. I emailed SK this morning to see if they had a solution but have yet to hear back from them.

 

[straightcut]

My 3/8" kit arrived today from HJE and I installed it into a 45170. Mine seems kind of strange in that it will make a heavy click followed by a light click. In some cases, it seems to be a 40 tooth ratchet, but most of the time it's probably 80 tooth/heavy click, light click.

It definitely didn't turn my old S-K ratchet into a Snap On Dual 80!

I'll put some miles on it, then re-assess.