Which 24” 1/2 ratchet should I get?

[Hakeem]

I am looking to “invest” in the strongest extra long 1/2” ratchet with lifetime warranty. My decision basically comes down to Snapon or Matco, although I can be persuaded to consider others. I am the beneficiary of the student discount for these, so the price difference between these and less expensive variants (eg: Icon), is not too much.

Here’s the pros and cons as I see it:

Matco Pros:
-slimmer head
-Made locally to me
-Better dealer support
-matches my other ratchets

Matco cons:
-Snap ring retention
-Locking flex (I prefer regular flex)

Snapon Pros:
-Available in regular flex
-Seems like it would be stronger, although this is just based on reputation
-Snapon ratchet mechanism always felt smoother to me

Snapon Cons:
-Thicker Head
-I’ve heard people on here talk about how the 1/2” mechanism doesn’t like side loading, or something like that.

It’s pretty much a tossup, but I’m leaning Snapon because of the regular flex option. Anyone have any input they’d like to share?

 

[purplezr2]

I have a new in plastic matco 24" locking flex I would sell at a pretty good discount.

 

[Snaparxon]

Having owned both, Snapon, better ratcheting action. Get non locking version. Had issues with locking flex not holding postion.

 

[KnurledNut]

Considered the 30” Matco?

 

[Dakotadadv8]

The SO 1/2 drive flex extra long ratchet is nice. Have used it instead of impact wrench and SO breaker bar.

 

[finn]

I have a SnapOn, Kobalt, and Gearwrench, all about that length.

They all work, with no issues. Unless I need extra reach, I generally use a battery impact in lieu of the leverage a long ratchet offers.

They’re all useful when you need something that long, but they all mostly sit in their respective tool boxes taking up space. Of the three, I like the SnapOn best.

Warranty is irrelevant to me.

 

[ecotec]

The only 24”ish 1/2” ratchet, that I have ever had, is the Snap-on. It has been great, though I have nothing to compare it to.

 

[Buckgnarly]

I have both, Snap On all the way. Snap on now does warranty over the internet, so warranty access should be a non factor. they often run the "super discount" on the 24", you do get those emails every Monday, right? If not, sign up now!

 

[Wamsutta]

Fan boy here. SLF80A is the one you want.

 

[Hohn]

In a ratchet like that, the strength of the ratcheting mechanism is probably of secondary importance to the stiffness of the handle. There seems to be a trend lately towards long ratchets with spindly skinny handles, and with any load on them they deflect like crazy. It's aggravating to have enough space to click the ratchet but you can't because the handle just flexes.


This is my one complaint of my super long 3/8 Capri. Probably less of a problem in 1/2 drive. Just don't ignore the handle shaft diameter. It matters.

 

[cgrutt]

I have both, Snap On all the way. Snap on now does warranty over the internet, so warranty access should be a non factor. they often run the "super discount" on the 24", you do get those emails every Monday, right? If not, sign up now!

How do you sign up for that do you have a link? Not finding on Snap-on website. Thx.

 

[Buckgnarly]

How do you sign up for that do you have a link? Not finding on Snap-on website. Thx.

Sorry, should have mentioned I meant that for the OP.......Gotta be eligible for the SEP program....student or instructor unfortunately. One of the deals this week is the new(er) double box flex selectable wrenches. The Metric is set is about 65% off this week.....

Snap-on Store

shop.snapon.com

 

[cgrutt]

Sorry, should have mentioned I meant that for the OP.......Gotta be eligible for the SEP program....student or instructor unfortunately. One of the deals this week is the new(er) double box flex selectable wrenches. The Metric is set is about 65% off this week.....

Snap-on Store

shop.snapon.com

Gotcha thanks.

 

[Rinspeed]

Fan boy here. SLF80A is the one you want.

I have the shorter 18" and that ratchet is a work of art. After using it a bunch I'm also glad I went with the 18" over the longer 25".

 

[Hakeem]

Great input from everyone! I’m a little surprised to see the Snapon being preferred so heavily, especially from those who have both. Looks like that’s the direction I’ll most likely go.

Considered the 30” Matco?

No, but I don’t really have a good reason *not* to consider it either. I guess my thinking is 24” is already fairly unwieldy and if I really needed the extra leverage I’d put a pipe on it. You got the gears turning in my head though …

I have a SnapOn, Kobalt, and Gearwrench, all about that length.

They all work, with no issues. Unless I need extra reach, I generally use a battery impact in lieu of the leverage a long ratchet offers.

They’re all useful when you need something that long, but they all mostly sit in their respective tool boxes taking up space. Of the three, I like the SnapOn best.

Warranty is irrelevant to me.

Fair points, certainly. I need a 24” breaker bar but figured it would make more sense to get a 24” ratchet. For the occasions where nothing else will fit onto the fastener. I work on semi trucks so I need lots of leverage more often than not.

In a ratchet like that, the strength of the ratcheting mechanism is probably of secondary importance to the stiffness of the handle. There seems to be a trend lately towards long ratchets with spindly skinny handles, and with any load on them they deflect like crazy. It's aggravating to have enough space to click the ratchet but you can't because the handle just flexes.


This is my one complaint of my super long 3/8 Capri. Probably less of a problem in 1/2 drive. Just don't ignore the handle shaft diameter. It matters.

Agreed. I’ve played around with the Matco 14” 1/4 ratchet and there was a surprising amount of windup just in the handle flexing. The extra long 3/8” and especially 1/4” are definitely more of a “reach” than “leverage” tool.

I have both, Snap On all the way. Snap on now does warranty over the internet, so warranty access should be a non factor. they often run the "super discount" on the 24", you do get those emails every Monday, right? If not, sign up now!

I didn’t even know about the emails! Thanks for the input and for letting me know, I’ll sign up right away.

I have the shorter 18" and that ratchet is a work of art. After using it a bunch I'm also glad I went with the 18" over the longer 25".

I use my beloved 18” Proto round head J5457F as my daily driver, this would just be for especially stubborn fasteners. A ratcheting breaker bar, if you will. Agreed that 24” is too unwieldy for frequent use.

 

[Wamsutta]

I have the shorter 18" and that ratchet is a work of art. After using it a bunch I'm also glad I went with the 18" over the longer 25".

I have an 18" flex head I bought new in 1999. It's my go-to for lug nuts and axle nuts. I don't have a battery impact. I have to use muscle.

I could surely use a 25" for breaking axle nuts loose.

 

[Rinspeed]

I use my beloved 18” Proto round head J5457F as my daily driver, this would just be for especially stubborn fasteners. A ratcheting breaker bar, if you will. Agreed that 24” is too unwieldy for frequent use.

I have a Snap On ratchet adapter that stays on one of the 25" breaker bars for when I need more muscle. I don't use it a whole lot but it's a great tool and I think everyone should own one.

 

[Ohio Andy]

If you need the torque you need the torque.
Just to see a couple of ratchets and their lengths side by side

Left to right we have
Snap-On F100 3/8
Snap-on ff100 3/8 flex head
Proto HTC 1/4 in flex head long handle
Proto HTC 1/2 in count of their standard length so 10 in
And finally my longest one is a Proto HTC 18-in flex head 1/2 in ratchet. That is for sure my longest ratchet.


I don't actually own a half inch. Snap-On ratchet that I can compare to... I don't often use 1/2 in and I even lost off and break out my 18-in ratchet, but when I do, things come off

 

[pfbz]

I am a Matco anti-fan-boy... Every time I pick one of my locking flex Matco ratchets up, I think I really need to sell this thing.

Snap on great, but super pricey.

But for a big, long, heavy duty locking flex-head with low back-drag, smooth 80T action and easy warranty.... Icon G2 R3XLKG.

I know, if your thinking tool truck you probably are anti-Icon, but the they are awesome. Biggest knock against the G2 ratchets is they *only* come in super long lengths, but since that is what you are looking for.

Also, HF will be having a 40% off icon ratchet sale during Black Friday week which brings the 1/2" G2 flex from $120 to $72. Vs. a fairly ridiculous $300+ (non SEP) for the snappy?

Don't get me wrong, I love my Snap-on ratchets, but pricing for new stuff has gotten fairly absurd. If I can't find it used-like-new for a deal of a price, very little new snappy for me.

 

[Callelle]

I have a Matco 36" that I've broken the gear / pawls on multiple times. I'm gonna try and scoop up one of the locking flex head Icons during the black friday sale.

 

[AEAdam]

Do you have a reason why head size is a factor for you? As I'm sure you know, I have and love the Snap On SHLF80A. The size of its head has never once been an issue for me. For me, it's probably the use case. I use this ratchet:
1) a lot
2) for pretty specific jobs, none of which require small head sizes.

My recommendations:
1) skip the head size as a comparator. Add the handle/grip you like. I personally like the Snap On soft grip, especially for this ratchet. If you love the Matco grip, maybe factor that in.
2) The quality of the flex is the other thing you should be factoring. I assume you didn't mention it because both are excellent. You don't want a floppy head on this tool. Locking flex would be a deal killer for me.
3) Would you consider a >30" ratchet? Looks like Matco makes one. Would that be a better choice for you? Feel like the 26" SHLF80A might be the standard length ratchet for semi's! I guess that means 18" would be the stubby! For passenger cars/light trucks etc, my 26" ratchet is long enough.

 

[AEAdam]

I have a Matco 36" that I've broken the gear / pawls on multiple times. I'm gonna try and scoop up one of the locking flex head Icons during the black friday sale.

That's not good. Pretty sure everyone else has mechanisms stronger than the square drive. If the guts are failing first, that's a bad sign.

 

[Steve_P]

In a ratchet like that, the strength of the ratcheting mechanism is probably of secondary importance to the stiffness of the handle. There seems to be a trend lately towards long ratchets with spindly skinny handles, and with any load on them they deflect like crazy. It's aggravating to have enough space to click the ratchet but you can't because the handle just flexes.


This is my one complaint of my super long 3/8 Capri. Probably less of a problem in 1/2 drive. Just don't ignore the handle shaft diameter. It matters.

This is the reality with modern thin head ratchets- the handle diameter near the head typically matches the head thickness- which is much thinner than ratchets from decades ago. Saying that, the anvils typically fail first before the handle plastically bends in the online tests.

OP, For 1/2 flex head 24" I have a Gearwrench 90T. I added a few shoulder screw shim washers at the flex joint and don't use the locking feature as the head doesn't flop around. I know some people have a problem with the retaining ring design, but I haven't seen that be an issue with any of the destruction tests online- the anvil fails and nothing else comes out of place. I have a few Snap On 72T 1/4 ratchets and prefer my Gearwrench 90T and Matco 88T since they do everything as well, have a thinner head, and are much less expensive when you buy Matco new on Ebay.

 

[Cheep]

I have both the Matco and Snap on, I have broken the Matco and feel like I will never brake the Snap on.

 

[Hohn]

Sure. the handles don't yield. But yielding isn't the problem. It does seem to be the nature of the beast for super thin heads.

 

[Hohn]

Do you have a reason why head size is a factor for you? As I'm sure you know, I have and love the Snap On SHLF80A. The size of its head has never once been an issue for me. For me, it's probably the use case. I use this ratchet:
1) a lot
2) for pretty specific jobs, none of which require small head sizes.

My recommendations:
1) skip the head size as a comparator. Add the handle/grip you like. I personally like the Snap On soft grip, especially for this ratchet. If you love the Matco grip, maybe factor that in.
2) The quality of the flex is the other thing you should be factoring. I assume you didn't mention it because both are excellent. You don't want a floppy head on this tool. Locking flex would be a deal killer for me.
3) Would you consider a >30" ratchet? Looks like Matco makes one. Would that be a better choice for you? Feel like the 26" SHLF80A might be the standard length ratchet for semi's! I guess that means 18" would be the stubby! For passenger cars/light trucks etc, my 26" ratchet is long enough.

I like this approach. It's pretty rare that you need a tiny head size in a ratchet with a REALLY long handle. Either you have space for the handle and head or you have neither, most likely.
If you need a really long ratchet, you might find that a larger head is actually a good thing-- stronger in the head, stiffer in the handle.

 

[f121]

Snap on flex soft grip quick release gets my vote. It’s one of my most used tools and would be one of the first replaced if everything was stolen tomorrow. It feels totally unbreakable, I haven’t used a breaker bar since I bought it.

 

[Steve_P]

Sure. the handles don't yield. But yielding isn't the problem. It does seem to be the nature of the beast for super thin heads.

yes, welcome to the 2010+ designs. You can go with a 1970s design 30ish tooth pear head or 50-72 tooth round head SK/Williams if you want a beefy handle . These are the choices we make. When you buy a modern thin head ratchet you get a thin head and corresponding handle.

 

[impactims]

If literally stuck choosing between those 2, Snap on all the way. If you can think outside of those 2, this would be my first choice…

 

[Callelle]

Any thought to a Platinum Tech 99682? It's a non locking 24" flex head, but also has another 20" handle that attaches to it. They claim it's rated to 700ft lbs. I don't personally have one but it's on my list of wants.

1/2" Drive Super Strong Flex Head I-Beam Ratchet Set - PLT-99682

1/2" Drive Super Strong Flex Head I-Beam Ratchet Set - PLT-99682

atdtools.com

 

[Mr Ratchet]

I have SO and Matco ratchets as well as other brands including Cornwell.

I'd go with the Matco. Never had an issue with the snap ring retention on the face plate. I actually prefer it to screws. Any locking head can be left unlocked and used like a non locking flex head. Tighten or loosen the screw to get the flop you like. Matco has the best locking design which is copied by Icon and similarly used on Gearwrench and Husky. The Cornwell ratchets are nice too in either the 72T or 80T.

 

[Ohio Andy]

I have SO and Matco ratchets as well as other brands including Cornwell.

I'd go with the Matco. Never had an issue with the snap ring retention on the face plate. I actually prefer it to screws. Any locking head can be left unlocked and used like a non locking flex head. Tighten or loosen the screw to get the flop you like. Matco has the best locking design which is copied by Icon and similarly used on Gearwrench and Husky. The Cornwell ratchets are nice too in either the 72T or 80T.

I have two matco ratchets, both 1/4".

I was on the truck. I intended to buy one, I tried one and I said wow. That's really nice and I bought two...

I did not try any other size because at the time I needed a quarter inch.

Although I have to admit that my current favorite quarter inch ratchet is made by tro designs. But that cost a little more

And they are still taking pre-orders for their next run.

 

[Wrench97]

Snap On, I can't remember needing a thinner head anywhere I needed a 24" long ratchet.

 

[KnurledNut]

Between those two options with the student discount advantage, I would go with Snap-on. I have the 18" version.
My 24"+ lineup includes the Icon G2 comfort grip locking flex, Genius hard handle roundhead flex, and Powerbuilt Pro bare handle detent flex. They all have benefits. The Genius shaft is very stout. The head on the PBPro is very compact, almost like a 1/2 in 3/8 body. The handle is thinner, which makes it lighter, but it can be springy. That can be a drawback or advantage depending on how its used.

 

[ronkz650]

I have the Snap-on 25" long flex head, or whatever it is, don't have the model number handy. It's fabulous. I think Icon at Harbor Freight now offers a long 1/2" drive. I would wager for the price it would be pretty decent.

 

[j3rf]

Since it's one thing on my list I don't have, I'll be giving the Icon a shot for the $72 it will be on Black Friday...

 

[seber]

I don't have the Matco to compare but when it comes to service, you will find Snap-on trucks everywhere. You may have aMatoc truck where you are now, but in the last ten years, I think I have seen one.

 

[johninct]

In a ratchet like that, the strength of the ratcheting mechanism is probably of secondary importance to the stiffness of the handle. There seems to be a trend lately towards long ratchets with spindly skinny handles, and with any load on them they deflect like crazy. It's aggravating to have enough space to click the ratchet but you can't because the handle just flexes.


This is my one complaint of my super long 3/8 Capri. Probably less of a problem in 1/2 drive. Just don't ignore the handle shaft diameter. It matters.

If it is flexing too much, you need to step it up to 3/4".

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

You’re local to me. We have Snappy trucks everywhere BUT I have found three Matco trucks now just outside of the route I’m on. So they are definitely going strong here. I know Matco is having its problems and that everyone loves to bag on them but a lot of that is from the older pawl designs and the Covid supply issues. Personally, I prefer the Matco chrome and comfort grip handles. The Snap-on handles are very fat and squishy. The only benefit to the Snap-on comfort handle is that dealers will just replace the handle while Matco gives you a new ratchet. The Matco ratchets are much easier to service. I also find that while the Matco is more crunchy sounding and less smooth than the Snap-on, the gearing isn’t as fickle when I’m applying an uneven force on the ratchet. All of my Dual80 ratchets get exceptionally crunchy when I’m ratcheting at weird angles. Matco ratchets, probably due to the single pawl, do not do that. I’d recommend the Matco ratchet over the Snap-on and I know that I’m in the minority on that. I just think that the Dual80s are overrated.

Matco corporate ***** though. Like I cannot stand calling them because it’s so difficult to reach someone. It sounds like they are going through some changes so maybe that is why their corporate service *****?

 

[AEAdam]

If it is flexing too much, you need to step it up to 3/4".

He’s saying not all brands flex like that. I’ve seen comparisons between the snap on breaker bar and the $10 HF breaker bar. Forget the brand drama for a second. They are both steel with pretty similar cross sections. Stiffness is EI, which should be the same for both. Yet the HF deflected like a leaf spring and the Snap on didn’t.

It’s possible they could have equivalent strength. Still, I prefer the stiffer tool. I think that’s what @Hohn was talking about.