Trying to choose a stubby - Facom, Nepros, SO

[texchappy]

I'd like a 3/8" stubby ratchet. The leading candidates are Facom and Nepros. I'm also wondering if the Dual 80 Snap-on is worth twice as much. Input on the choice? Something else to consider?

TIA
Tony

 

[toufue_yang17]

Gearwrench? 84th and flex head.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Gear...t=Motors_Automotive_Tools&hash=item2335baed57

 

[Zedexseven]

If you're considering a Snap on, I'm not sure of the part number but have a look at the 3/8" drive in a t72 body, I recently bought one and it's quickly becoming a favourite.

 

[nicksnothereman]

I'd like a 3/8" stubby ratchet. The leading candidates are Facom and Nepros. I'm also wondering if the Dual 80 Snap-on is worth twice as much. Input on the choice? Something else to consider?

TIA
Tony

Well...you can't really warranty either of those in the US (as far as I know) you probably will with snap on if you buy it from them (not from a third party) so the warranty might be worth it to you if you plan on using it a lot. Then again, not sure it will be much of a difference from other truck brands except in price.

Or...you can get a brand with a mail in warranty like sk. Honestly, in the "US brands" there isn't going to be much of a difference in quality, they'll all be smooth as butter if they're new and fine tooth.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Best price for the quality out there. Use mine all the time.
Gearwrench Stubby (60 Tooth, Made in Taiwan) - $14.50 shipped
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GearWrench-...47081959?pt=US_Hand_Tools&hash=item4d19e778e7

If you buy additional items from Cripe, request a total before paying. They'll drop the shipping down to actual shipping cost, usually $5-11 depending on the size of the flat rate box.

 

[bareass172]

Someone else posted sort of similar to this the other day and someone recommended the Bahco 7750 as an option - it's an actual SO dual 80 with a soft handle at a fraction of the SO price.

I'd agree with many others though, most of the fine tooth ratchets I've handled were all very nice.

 

[JonnyMac]

I really like my SO. Cant remember exactly but I got it new from ebay for not too much money..

 

[ChevyEFI]

Don't buy without checking the few in this thread out: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=179494

SK makes the 45174 stubby 3/8" and
the 45173, a 3/8" drive in a 1/4" ratchet body. I've had excellent service from my 1/4" and 3/8" SK stuff.

 

[rmsg0040]

Well...you can't really warranty either of those in the US (as far as I know) you probably will with snap on if you buy it from them (not from a third party) so the warranty might be worth it to you if you plan on using it a lot. Then again, not sure it will be much of a difference from other truck brands except in price.

Or...you can get a brand with a mail in warranty like sk. Honestly, in the "US brands" there isn't going to be much of a difference in quality, they'll all be smooth as butter if they're new and fine tooth.

With the nepros you can buy the repair kits but they are very expensive ~ $35

With facom ratchets, you can get the repair kits from Mac tools for $10, the round head fine tooth ones

I actually got a facom ratchet made in France with an extra Mac ratchet repair kit that's made in Italy in the classifieds right now

 

[texchappy]

What about Koken?

 

[srmofo]

My favorite without a doubt is my cornwell. Its a 1/4 body with a 3/8s anvil.

I also have a gearwrench, but its really just a 3/8 ratchet with the handle cut short.

 

[texchappy]

I've heard good things about Cornwell; I was thinking about going with one of there 30 tooth long ratchets after reading about them on here not long ago.

 

[ChevyEFI]

What about Koken?

Quality tools and worth trying if you have not.

In ratchets, I only have their 3/8" round thumbwheel ratchet. The mechanism seems nice but it's not made in a handled, stubby version. And I prefer round to pear.

edit: And check out their zeal / z-series stuff. I believe the head is smaller than the regular line.

 

[texchappy]

Took stock of my 3/8" dr set-up today. I knew I needed sockets and as it turns out I only have one (17mm snap-on). I do have extensions, a speed handle, and a Williams round head ratchet. One set I had in 1/4" I thought was 3/8" is how I ended up with ratchet and no sockets lol.

I'd like to get the aforementioned stubby to work in tight spots and would like to get a long (maybe flex as I have none) ratchet to fill out the set. Of course, I need sockets too - sheesh.

 

[92integra]

snap on fcf72 is awesome as hell i have 13 hard working ratchets in my cart and that thing is my favorite for a short handle 3/8ths i don't have much experience with any others but that thing is such a boss i dont really feel the need to go looking for another.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Snap-on-too...1415387148&pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&vxp=mtr

 

[92integra]

**** i have have to take back the last part of my last post becuase i have been looking at this lately http://frankstools.com/asshliramolv.html

 

[GTA Matt]

I've played with a lot of small ratchets, my favorite by far is the Mac XR4C. The shape of the handle fits your hand perfect and its a very smooth ratchet. You know, because you need a few more choices lol!

 

[texchappy]

LOL, yeah the Mac does look like a sweet design. Just noticed that Nepros has a 90 tooth stubby out now - priced just a couple of bucks more than the SO. So now I've got it narrowed down to three or four more than what I started with :\

 

[getahammer]

Wright 3430. 4 3/4 " length. 45 tooth. I believe in the $30.00 range.