Some more SK drop in teasers..

[busch308]

Are the selectors on these chrome plated? They look unfinished in the photo's I've seen.

 

[M_George]

The new insert came in today, works great. Ant thanks Eric for the screw driver, it looks to be real solid.

 

[whyNick?]

I'd guess the selectors are cast zinc or something. They are polished but don't appear to be plated. They are a bit easier to grip than the old straight selectors.

I got my new drop-in today. I'll admit I was a little skeptical but I installed it in my ratchet and it works great, much smoother than the previous one and you can hear both pawls clicking. The mini-driver was a nice bonus, thanks SK Eric.

 

[DAB Mike]

My replacement drop in also arrived today along with a mini screw driver. Thank you SK Eric for helping with this. Great Customer Service!!

 

[Sanny81]

Got my replacement drop in and mini screwdriver yesterday and just installed it. Works great! Thanks Eric.

 

[Sunset_Z28]

Same here. Great job SK.

 

[akellum]

Thanks Eric. Also got my replacement in and installed. It works great.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Got my insert kit from SK yesterday, Ratchet is now working great. Thanks SK.

 

[priceman1414]

Got mine a while ago but just installed it and it seems to work fine.

Thanks to eric and SK, and thanks for the pocket screwdriver

 

[crane operator]

So is s-k going to make all the new ratchets with this mechanism, or is the old style still the standard?

 

[davethorik]

So is s-k going to make all the new ratchets with this mechanism, or is the old style still the standard?

Per the image in the first post of the thread, ratchets with the DT insert in them from SK have unique part numbers- 80700 in 1/4, 80720 in 3/8, and 80740 in 1/2. I doubt they will discontinue the single pawl versions for now.

 

[Schmidlapper]

Just placed an order for the 3/8 drop in from Epstein’s and am now wondering if I will receive an early version needing replacing, or have they purged them from stock and hopefully are sending out the corrected ones? I guess I could use the screwdriver if it goes that way. First post by the way, long time reader.

 

[PJNJ]

Just placed an order for the 3/8 drop in from Epstein’s and am now wondering if I will receive an early version needing replacing, or have they purged them from stock and hopefully are sending out the corrected ones? I guess I could use the screwdriver if it goes that way. First post by the way, long time reader.

Welcome to GJ and hope to see you stay involved. I think Epstein's probably sent back the original stock as I had looked on their site after the problem became evident - they didn't have the 3/8 size available then. Otherwise they may have run out and waited to re-order until the problem was resolved.

 

[Schmidlapper]

That is what I was hoping. Thanks for the greeting and response. I will verify and let everyone know once received.

UPDATE: received item and after installing all seems in order so they must have purged the early non conforming stuff. Happy!

 

[mmason7764]

A quick call to Epstein's wouldn't hurt.

 

[Jaysreal]

Is there still no release date for the 1/2" versions? SK sent me over the 1/4" to review late December saying that they were releasing something new January 2018 but I knew that the 1/4" and 3/8" were already released late 2017 so I assumed they were referring to the 1/2" sadly they weren't. Because I covered it in an all-encumbasing way I have some looking for the 1/2" versions, is there any one who knows when the 1/2" is dropping? Anyone know where I should point users for more info?

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[kb1982]

I just recently dropped the dt 100 into my 42470 1/2 inch drive. Lubed it up with some superlube, and gave it a few test spins. The backdrag did seem to increase, but I suspect that will lessen with usage. No problems at all with it, and get a true [emoji817] clicks of the teeth.

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[The Fall]

I just recently dropped the dt 100 into my 42470 1/2 inch drive. Lubed it up with some superlube, and gave it a few test spins. The backdrag did seem to increase, but I suspect that will lessen with usage. No problems at all with it, and get a true [emoji817] clicks of the teeth.

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Thanks for the update.

 

[M_George]

I ordered the 1/2 inch from Harry Epstein's which arrived today. Works nice but the the back drag has increased with the tooth count. Not sure if I even care??
But for $17, I have a fine tooth 1/2in ratchet.

 

[vssjim]

Use them everyday all three sizes and really don't notice the change in back drag when using at all.

 

[M_George]

Use them everyday all three sizes and really don't notice the change in back drag when using at all.

That's good to hear, it will likely loosen up after some use then.

 

[CR888]

This is good product support from SK. Taking an old loved high quality ratchet & being able to bring it into the modern world is fantastic. 100 tooth count is super fine without a double pawl mechanism. Back drag has never been an issue for me, I just tweak the pre-load by adjusting the springs.

 

[The Fall]

I dropped one of these into my 3/8" drive flex head after reading good things on this board. Used it extensively today when pulling a 455 out of a '70 LaSabre at work. Worked great. I didn't notice any more back drag than the previous 40-tooth mechanism. Definitely gets a pass. I'm going to drop one in my long-handle 3/8" drive as well. (Don't see the use in the 1/4" drive -- 60 tooth and already great -- and the long-handle 1/2" drive is fine at 40 too.)

 

[Specs]

Holy Smokes! I just found this while looking up rebuild kits for the 3/8”. My 45170 has such a crisp click in both directions, Im on the fence for the upgrade. I do have an FN100 with rebuilds, I just want some opinions after a couple of weeks on how they’re standing up

Oh and if it helps, my sk ratchet has “PG” stamped into the neck where the retaining clip is, because i know very little about how old my ratchet is, came with my house lol.

Thanks guys/gals

 

[kb1982]

The DT kit in my 1/2" 42470 is working just fine still. It's my go to when the stubby impact won't fit.

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[AceofSpad3s]

boy serves me right for not following the scene for a few years.
I have a full set of round heads in pretty good shape, and 2 spare 45170's and they are probably my favorites.
I don't want to read through the whole 10 pages, what is the long things short on these? Are they any good? Hows the back drag and feel compared to the original mechanism and where's the cheapest place to find them? I'll probably just try out the 3/8 since I got 3 of them. I have a blackhawk dual paul or whatever you call it and the back drag isn't too good.

 

[Specs]

Good to see Vince still gets around

 

[ngk22r]

It may just be me but ypu would think SK would spend some time to make these ratchets a little more uniform in look and feel and less like it was produced back in the 1950's...

The head looks lumpy, the knurling is not consistant, and the one SK ratchet I have binds up to match the lumpy look.

 

[Mgdoug3]

I'm a big fan of the DT80. It is a great improvement. The 1/2" DT100 isn't bad but it's not as great of an improvement on a 42470. The long handle 1/2" would probably work great. I have two DT80s and one DT100. I don't regret buying any of them. As previously stated, the 1/4 is fine as the original 60 tooth model. You can buy the upgrades from Circle Country supply and Harry J. Epstein.

 

[tym]

I bought a couple of the 1/4" drive models and they're great little ratchets. Will be very handy in tight places.

That said, I do tend to reach for my well worn 1949 Snap-On 1/4" ratchet most often, more out of sentimentality than anything else.

 

[AceofSpad3s]

Is the selector completely different from the old style or could the old one be used? I like the idea of this and while it won't stop me from getting one, that selector is pretty fugly compared to the nice smooth chrome on the 45170 I have.

 

[Mgdoug3]

The old one can't be reused. That is the reason I haven't replaced my SK Wayne 45170. I like the look too much and the new mechanism would stick out like a sore thumb.

 

[AceofSpad3s]

The old one can't be reused. That is the reason I haven't replaced my SK Wayne 45170. I like the look too much and the new mechanism would stick out like a sore thumb.

It's been a while since I opened one, the old style just have 1 notch I'm pretty sure, is this one just have 2 notches and is mirrored and I could just take a file and make a new notch, or is it a totally different?

 

[Toothaker]

It has two pawls, a half a notch separated on each side of the new drop in. One engages, while the other is riding on top of the ridges on the other side. Turn the ratchet, and the engaged one rides up, and the other pawl drops into its ridges.

Same number of teeth in the handle, twice the number of pawl engagements as you turn the rat.

Don't file anything! There is no modification to the handle.

 

[AceofSpad3s]

It has two pawls, a half a notch separated on each side of the new drop in. One engages, while the other is riding on top of the ridges on the other side. Turn the ratchet, and the engaged one rides up, and the other pawl drops into its ridges.

Same number of teeth in the handle, twice the number of pawl engagements as you turn the rat.

Don't file anything! There is no modification to the handle.

I was talking about the selector piece that is separate from the handle and mechanism.

 

[Toothaker]

I was talking about the selector piece that is separate from the handle and mechanism.

Ah! Sorry, misunderstood.

The new drop in is all one piece. The selector is attached to the rest of the new drop in. I suppose you could take it off somehow, but you're going to be tearing into a brand new mechanism to do it.

 

[AceofSpad3s]

Ah! Sorry, misunderstood.

The new drop in is all one piece. The selector is attached to the rest of the new drop in. I suppose you could take it off somehow, but you're going to be tearing into a brand new mechanism to do it.

Ah I see, I was thinking it might be a two piece like the old ones.

 

[Toothaker]

Ah I see, I was thinking it might be a two piece like the old ones.

Not the best picture. The clearance between the barrel and the selector is very tight. From what I can measure, the old selector, which is not permanently attached as you know, has a larger diameter than the new selector at the point it touches the barrel of the mechanism.

 

[Toothaker]

Correction!

The old selector is .870 diameter. The new selector is .995" diameter.

I should not be trusted to measure anything by looking at it, apparently.

 

[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 low tooth count SK and old Williams. I didn't know I was tooth count deprived until all these high count ratchets hit the market. I'm not saying it is not an improvement but but it is common business practice to "create" a problem so they can sell you a solution.It us pretty rare when my swing is that limited.

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