Tuff 1 and Proto Facom owners ?

[MarkWilliams60]

Just curious. Does any one have or has owned both of these ratchets ? I just got a couple Tuff I bought on Ebay. there smooth and nice. It'surprising how small the head is. I'm considering a Proto fine in flex 3/8 since the Tuff with flex seem hard to get. The Proto is pretty affordable too.
Are they about the same head size and feel ?
Any side by side picts ?

 

[mikebaker1129]

I have all 3.
Tuff 1 by SK, Facom made in France and Proto.
The newer Facoms and Proto and the Mac versions are all now made by USAG in Italy.
I like the Facom the best,Tuff 1 next and the Proto's .
The mechanisms pretty much interchange between all models.
Proto flex models are pretty cheap on Zoro,if combined with one of their coupon codes.
I am looking for a 1/4 tuff 1 by SK and a Facom thumbwheel ratchet to add to my box.
Ultimate Garage is a good source for Facoms.

 

[MarkWilliams60]

Thanks. Something I can't see online. Does the Proto have a screw to tighten the flex or detents or just a pressed pin ?

 

[mikebaker1129]

Thanks. Something I can't see online. Does the Proto have a screw to tighten the flex or detents or just a pressed pin ?

Proto has the screw, SK used a pin.
I had to use a press to remove and replace the pin on a SK tuff 1 flex.
It was a pain!

 

[Fedwrench]

I own both and feel the current PROTO J5257F is a better ratchet. Why? the PROTO seems to be finished better, is a bit lighter and more streamlined, it has a hex screw for tightening up the head if needed, and it has the free spinning palm control disk. It is also readily available and probably going to be around for the foreseeable future.

Whereas, the SK tuff one has been out of production for more than awhile now, and has a pin securing the ratchet head to the handle. The SK is slightly longer at approximately 10 13/16 inches long overall compared to the PROTO's 10 9/16 overall length.
They are both great ratchets though


Here are some crappy photos. Buy the Proto

 

[MarkWilliams60]

Thanks. This place is like an encyclopedia.
I think the Proto is the way to go too in flex. Floppy flexes **** so the tightening screw is a must. I even have an old blackhawk with detents that wobbles around because of a pin and no screw. I already have a bunch of die grinder accessories in the Zoro cart. Time to add one of these.

 

[ChevyEFI]

Is anyone still making a long 1/4 fixed version of these?

I understand the Facom is discontinued.
The SK Tuff1 4-lever and palm style are too.
Proto doesn't list one.

 

[dutchgray]

I have all 3.
Tuff 1 by SK, Facom made in France and Proto.
The newer Facoms and Proto and the Mac versions are all now made by USAG in Italy.
I like the Facom the best,Tuff 1 next and the Proto's .
The mechanisms pretty much interchange between all models.
Proto flex models are pretty cheap on Zoro,if combined with one of their coupon codes.
I am looking for a 1/4 tuff 1 by SK and a Facom thumbwheel ratchet to add to my box.
Ultimate Garage is a good source for Facoms.

I wouldn't bother getting the 1/4" tuff 1, SK's own 1/4" drive is better.

 

[dutchgray]

Is anyone still making a long 1/4 fixed version of these?

I understand the Facom is discontinued.
The SK Tuff1 4-lever and palm style are too.
Proto doesn't list one.

I still see some of the Facom ones on ebay here so they are still available at the moment.

 

[1950mercury]

I have a long 1/4 tuff1 and a long 1/4 flex tuff1 ratchet set new for sale if anyone is interested.... Pm me

 

[exmaxima1]

I wouldn't bother getting the 1/4" tuff 1, SK's own 1/4" drive is better.

+1
I have both as well. The SK is sleeker, has less back drag, and has slightly better balance IMHO. The Tuff 1 has better chrome.