Upgrading Ratchets

[Hewie]

I picked up most of the ratchet handles pictured in my 20s (30 years ago), and would like to upgrade slowly. I do most of the work on the families five cars, wrench on bicycles, and other general stuff around the house. Where would you upgrade first? The handles I reach for most right now are the 3/8" ratchet and the 1/2" breaker. I've been keepin any eye on CL and Facebook for used items, but I'm not willing to spend significant amounts of time searching out bargains. I just found an unused SO FL80 for $60 I might try to pick up.
Thanks ahead,
Dave

 

[Djosbun]

You can't go wrong with a used Snap On ratchet if the price is right. You can also buy a quality new ratchet from Wright Tool (I have the latest fine-tooth 3/8 and it is very nice, currently priced at $39.99 on Amazon for the 7" standard length). It was my main 3/8 ratchet until I bought a Snappy FLH80 long handle, brand new, from a local airline mechanic, at a super price.

For the price, the Wright is an amazing value as long as you like smooth handles.

-- Dave

 

[jimmyin3D]

3/8 in 1/4 Body Roto ratchet is my goto these days, has a really thin head and super strong. Also maybe a long 1/4 flex head ratchet

 

[CafeTools]

Snap on its good, a 3/8 ratchet is going to be used the most so there is no harm in buying top quality there. As far as others you could get Craftsman quick-release, that's what I like for some scenarios.

 

[fourjeepin]

I have a set of Facom ratchets in the shop. They are great but a little spendy. In my house box, I have a set from Lowe’s. I don’t shop there often, but they felt nice, are 90 tooth, and I think were only $30. For the price, they are really solid and way better than the old Craftsman ratchets.

 

[Hytekrednek]

3/8 in 1/4 Body Roto ratchet is my goto these days, has a really thin head and super strong. Also maybe a long 1/4 flex head ratchet

same here. I just got a Koken 3/8'' roto head in from Japan . Man this thing is nice. Got it for around $75 Have zero regrets. I wish they made it in 1/4'' too!

 

[Mgdoug3]

Snap-on make great ratchets. 95% of the ratchets I use are Snap-on and SK. See if you can find a local Snap-on truck. I bought a FL80 brand new for $80 off the truck.

Also, most name brand tool companies make great ratchets. Tekton and Gearwrench are bargains. They're not the best but tough to beat for the price.

 

[Hewie]

3/8 in 1/4 Body Roto ratchet is my goto these days, has a really thin head and super strong.

Brand/model recomendation? This sounds like a great addition. I think I'm gonna order a Wright or GW 3/8 too. Thanks for the ideas.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Get a proper 1/2 flex head ratchet. Itll be about 6 inches longer than that breaker bar. Gearwrench 84 tooth is an extremely nice mechanism. I dont care for the locking flex head design they make, very floppy. But the standard flex are nice. Avoid 120xp, high back drag than the 84 and it basically loses the head thickness advantage the 84 shines in.

 

[matt_i]

I have most of the ones you pictured. They can go on for a very long time in service.

I'm partial to Cornwell JR-301 (3/8" std length) and SR-701 (1/2" extended length). Recently got a Wera Zyklop 3/8" and its the smallest head I've yet seen.

http://corporate.cornwelltools.com/webcat/products/JR301-%2d-3{47}8”-Ratchet-(Black).html

http://corporate.cornwelltools.com/...-1{47}2”-Drive-Ratchet-Industrial-Finish.html

 

[Mr_B]

have a look at carlyle, tekton and oem ratchets .
they all do some decent usable design ratchets that well made and price point value .
Have a look for MAC too, they got some good ratchets .

 

[mike93lx]

Pittsburgh Pro from HF have been an awesome upgrade to my USA Cman stuff. Plus very cheap as well.

No chance I am spending $60+ on a used ratchet for DIY mechanic/around the house use.

 

[lardy1]

Pretty hard to go wrong on a basic ratchet these days. Personal preference can lead us down a variety of paths. But, in the end, rarely will we end up with a really ****** ratchet in todays market. Particularly the non pro.

 

[seber]

The only thing I would look out for is check the direction of the lever on pear heads. If it doesn't bother you then don't worry about it but a lot of cheaper imports are backward from the traditional. Mixing the two can become frustrating.

 

[gatlibs]

I would think about this differently. Are you hawking these on e-bay? Are you keeping these for additional use?

If you are keeping these for additional use and use them on vehicles, then I'd recommend that you complement what you have. These ratchets are all fine for use, but none is a thin headed ratchet. In 1/2" there isn't a flexing head. In 1/4" there isn't a long handle.
If the new ones will be your only ones, then decide which sets of features that you want in which drives before asking for preferences.

 

[Hewie]

I would think about this differently. Are you hawking these on e-bay? Are you keeping these for additional use?

If you are keeping these for additional use and use them on vehicles, then I'd recommend that you complement what you have. These ratchets are all fine for use, but none is a thin headed ratchet. In 1/2" there isn't a flexing head. In 1/4" there isn't a long handle.
If the new ones will be your only ones, then decide which sets of features that you want in which drives before asking for preferences.

Good point. I don't plan to hawk them, so I'd like to add to these although I originally said "upgrade". Based on your and others feedback, I think a nicer 3/8" inch (like a SO or SK), a 1/2" flex and a 1/4" long are what I'll keep an eye out for.

 

[Hewie]

The only thing I would look out for is check the direction of the lever on pear heads. If it doesn't bother you then don't worry about it but a lot of cheaper imports are backward from the traditional. Mixing the two can become frustrating.

I learned that a while ago. Lowes had a 1/4" Kobalt on sale, so I picked it up. The mechanism is backwards, and I took it back after a few days of frustration and traded it for the Craftsman.

 

[MarvinBerry]

Probably anything is an upgrade over those old Cman ratchets and I own & still use a few myself.

Just got a set of these SATA 72 tooth via Amazon that a couple people had mentioned. Hard to beat the price vs utility at $35 for all 3 drives. came in a small brown box marked apex group, generic branded gearwrench..?


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V43NCC1/?tag=atomicindus08-20