What snap on ratchets to look for?

[Raptor jr]

Im new to this forum and new to snap on. Im looking to buy used but theres so many differnt ratchets snap on sells whats the best that i should be looking for and what are they worth? Only thing i can tell a difference from is how many gear teeth. As much info as posiable would be great, i do a lot of work on cars and im ready to upgrade from my old handy down craftsman. What is a fair price for snap on wrenchs and sockets? Thanks

 

[e30bradley]

I have lots of fair prices in my for sale thread. well used but still functional sockets can be had for reasonable prices, and they hold their value.

 

[jtfc]

It all really comes down to need and preference. Look online and get familiar with the different types.every body prefers different types but if you get a standard and long handle flex in whatever size you need you should be good. I work on OTR trucks so I mainly use 1/2 but my ratchet list is as follows (1/2)shlf80a,shf80a,sf80a (3/8)flf80, f80, thd72 with a 3/8 head (1/4)thlf72,t72. That's just my setup minus a few I still need to buy. Some guys here swear by the round swivel head others consider it blasphemy to have a soft grip. So you see everyone will tell you different stuff. A few other things to consider all the new ratchets have 80-72 teeth all the old ones have 36+/- teeth. The old 36 tooth ratchets are still super smooth so don't be afraid to get a few pf those. I don't buy used so I can't help you there but look online at snap ons website. If the sellers asking price is close to what a new one costs either look around some more or buy new good luck and hopefully I haven't confused you more than helped you.

 

[vintagefan]

You should start with

S80

F80

T72


Those are the three main ratchets in 1/4, 3/8, 1/2.

1/4" ratchets and accessories have a "T" in the name, 3/8" an "F", and 1/2" an "S".

 

[lwlobo]

I understand getting S80, F80, T72, but I think you should get a FLF80 as your first SO ratchet, or a FL80. These are 3/8 Long Flex and 3/8 Long. I like leverage and find myself reaching for the longer ratchets before the standard F80 or S80.

As far as price goes, here are a few key points. You can usually figure 55-70% of retails is good value and is probably available on ebay with a little persistence. Just about any time you find one for half off you will be able to get your money back or better. Buy any SO ratchet, any condition, any size, etc that you ever see for $20 or less. Ebay is great because of the selection available at any time, but better deals can sometimes be had on CL, garage sales, or flea markets. GJ classifieds is a great source for Snap On as well. Look over ebay completed listings for the models you want to see what they go for.

936 tools (36 tooth) are worth less than 80's. Black oxide or industrial tools are worth less than chrome, engravings also generally hurt value by about 20%.

Plastic hard handled SO tools hold value very well, especially the ratchets.

Happy Hunting

 

[ckpitt55]

just bought some dual 80 ratchets in 1/2" and 3/8", extremely happy with them so far. blows every other ratchet i've ever held out of the water, hands down. i got the full chrome handles as i didn't want to worry about wearing out a grip, still plenty comfortable.

 

[broinkrist]

I understand getting S80, F80, T72, but I think you should get a FLF80 as your first SO ratchet, or a FL80. These are 3/8 Long Flex and 3/8 Long. I like leverage and find myself reaching for the longer ratchets before the standard F80 or S80.

...

I would agree with this. I used to only use my craftsman basic set in 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 but since I bought a FLF80, I use it every time. I got a comfort handle, a nd want to find the same in 1/2 and 1/4, along with the same in non-flex heads. They are worth the money if you use ratchets even as a weekender.