Why don't high end ratchets have a quick release button?

[Bcom]

Plenty of options (although the Photobucket debacle screwed a lot up).
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=96359

Looks great but it looks like everyone is machining their ratchets for a donor handle. Are they gluing these handles on or what?

 

[wmm2]

Anyone ever have dirt or grit get in the QR through the button causing the socket/extension to not want to come off? That possibility occurs to me

I've had one for 30-35 years, working in dirty garage and gravel driveway. Never had an issue with dirt getting in. Until I found this place, it was the only ratchet I owned, so it got used a lot.

 

[Citation]

Here's a more detailed article about Roberts, Sears and the QR lawsuit.
http://articles.latimes.com/1986-07-14/business/fi-19337_1_wrench-case
For what little it's worth my read is the real problem was Roberts lawyer was acting unethically because of sears and the one sided license deal resulted from the bad advice Roberts got from his attorney.

 

[Wamsutta]

Now I'm wondering if it's possible to put a nice rubber handle on a ratchet that doesn't have one?

Get the FRH80 and you'll soon forget about all other ratchets.

 

[Bcom]

Now after seeing all those pics of guys putting on donor handles,I want my own now.

 

[thatguysb]

Dont care for a quick release on anything. 99% of the time im using a extension or a deep socket so theres enough room to grab and remove it. Maybe the odd occasion of using a flat head screwdriver but im slowly avoiding doing that.

 

[Bcom]

Anybody in Ohio willing to put a handle on my new Kobalt ratchet? My machinest said he wouldn't do it

 

[Wamsutta]

Wouldn't hiring a machinist to put a handle on a Kobalt ratchet cost more than buying a new Snap-on quick release ratchet with the already superior ergonomic handle? Where's the logic?

 

[L.Cheapo]

Anybody in Ohio willing to put a handle on my new Kobalt ratchet? My machinest said he wouldn't do it

I don't blame him; its likely time consuming and not an easy job. There's a video on YouTube how Snap On makes their ratchets. I think it was originally produced as part of the "How Its Made" series. They basically turn down the handle end, then a giant stamping press comes down on it and makes the two "ears" on the shaft that hold the handgrip in place. Probably not doable by the hour for the cost of a new Snap On ratchet.

 

[Bcom]

Wouldn't hiring a machinist to put a handle on a Kobalt ratchet cost more than buying a new Snap-on quick release ratchet with the already superior ergonomic handle? Where's the logic?

Unless he was doing it for free.

 

[Mojave888]

I just picked up a Wera push through 1/2" ratchet. Can't hit the reverse has a push button release, 76 teeth and is super smooth.

 

[mmason7764]

In my very limited experience, all the Craftsman ratchets I used for ~20 years had quick release. After that I acquired some that were farther up the food chain, which have no quick release. Both work. I just figured that if the ratchet needed a QR the mfgr put one on. The ones that don't have QR don't need it.

After reading this thread I'm getting the feeling I'm over simplifying things a bit.

Mark

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

I like the "quick release" button, but for me it's the "don't drop the extension or socket" button when working in tight areas

 

[crewchief888]

Ive never had a ratchet fail because of the quick release button.

Looks like the SO FR80 is the best choice for me. Cornwell and Mac don't seem to offer alot.

ive snapped the drive ends off a couple of kobalt QR 1/2" dr ratchets.

 

[finn]

Anyone ever have dirt or grit get in the QR through the button causing the socket/extension to not want to come off? That possibility occurs to me

O, but I do have three or four conventional Snapon swivel head (non quick release) ratchets with dirty and/or corroded detent balls that are a mutha to separate the sockets from.

I don’t have access to a truck and am somewhat reluctant to attempt to warranty multiple ratchets through Snapon corporate.


The quick realases (other brands) work ok, but I find it difficult to go back and forth between the two designs. I end up feeling for the button on the conventional, and tugging on the socket on the qr in the heat of battle.

I prefer the conventional, overall.

 

[xin]

Button is a big pain and easy to release the socket/extension.

 

[seber]

A lot of people mention that reason. However it doesn't really hold true. Yes, the hole does make it weaker but only by an insignificant amount. Check out the equations here. (table with hollow cylinder shaft)
http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/torsion-shafts-d_947.html

For my 3/8 ratchet it was something like a 3% loss in stiffness. Not something to worry about.

That is true of a pure hollow shaft but now add the stress riser due to the cross hole and the entire system becomes far more complicated.

 

[Wamsutta]

I end up feeling for the button on the conventional, and tugging on the socket on the qr in the heat of battle.

Same thing happens to me. I find it works best to have all one or the other.

 

[Ji m]

seems obvious....

The answer seems kind of obvious to me,

A homeowner line of tools (Craftsman) came out with something the Professional lines (Snap On & others) didn't have, and couldn't have.

Only 1 of 2 things could really happen next,
either the Pro's would start buying their ratchets at Sears,

or they wouldn't.

Human nature being what it is,
many who never even tried the new design would justify the decision by calling "sour grapes",
say it's weaker, a poor design, whatever and they didn't want it anyway.

Next thing you know it has the reputation of being weaker.


If Sears/Craftsman had licensed the idea to Truck Brands to use maybe the story would be different,
but they didn't.

Personally, all of the really comfortable ratchets I have and like the action on don't have a QR,
so I don't use it much,
but I don't doubt that it's strong and a good design

 

[jsmeece]

You should stretch the spring a little on the 84 tooth.it helps some.or put a matco 88 rebuild kit in it.

I am really curious, how would a Matco 88 tooth kit fit into the Craftsman ratchet? The Craftsman 84 tooth ratchet is quick release while the 88 Matco kit is not.

 

[Citation]

That is true of a pure hollow shaft but now add the stress riser due to the cross hole and the entire system becomes far more complicated.

I've never seen one fail at the cross hole, only at the base of the anvil.

 

[kythri]

I am really curious, how would a Matco 88 tooth kit fit into the Craftsman ratchet? The Craftsman 84 tooth ratchet is quick release while the 88 Matco kit is not.

Did Craftsman make two different 84T ratchets? My Craftsman "Premium" 84T ratchets are not QR.

 

[Musicinabottle]

I've got a 3/8 drive Napa with quick release. I've never pushed it, nor ever had a problem. 1/2 inch drive ratchets with quick release I could see breaking because you're more apt to rank on the handle.

 

[Tynee]

O.P., if you are still in the market for a high end ratchet with a comfort handle and a QR, I’d suggest a look at the Carlyle line from Napa auto parts. If you hit the front page of this board, there is a link to Carlyle’s online catalogue. They seem to be very high-spec, high feature ratchets that offer all of the options I think you are looking for.

 

[Parrothead]

Quick release buttons make the whole thing weaker. The most common failure point on ratchets in this day is twisting off the anvil. Drilling a hole down through the center of the anvil weakens it somewhat.

The selector lever snapped off on the FR80 I purchased for my father, so the anvil wasn’t exactly the problem. lol

I’ll order the kit to repair it at some point.

 

[Parrothead]

O.P. Just go to Home Despot and get the Husky 72 tooth 3/8 ratchet. APEX product with a low profile and a recessed quick release button. Strong enough for me to give my workers and they don't break. Been (ab)using them at work for a couple years, and no failures. (yet)

Yep, I’ve got the Husky’s too. Held up great so far. I recommend them often.

I also recommend the Titan ratchets, as those I actively tried to abuse, but they wouldn’t fail. I’d also look into the low profile Tekton ratchets, as I’m 99% certain they’re mde in the same factory as the Titan. I hope so because that would be perfect!

 

[CR888]

I don't mind QR on ratchets used in low torque applications like 1/4" & 3/8" even 1/2" however if I need to put a decent amount of torque to undo or tighten a fastener I want a ratchet without QR. A well designed ratchet WILL fail at the anvil first, the QR function weakens the anvil. Many YouTube stress test vids will demonstrate this. I have about 40 ratchets so I have a mixture of both types amount many different designs, there are exceptions to the rule but in general strength is the issue here.

 

[kb1982]

So what does a ratchet with a pin detent qualify as.....no release? I picked up this 45 tooth 3/8" Proto J5249XL-TT from ebay. Wasnt exactly the ratchet I was looking for, as the seller forgot to include the TT in the description which designates it as tether ready and pin detent.

Sent from my Z962BL using Tapatalk

 

[ihateminimumwage]

So what does a ratchet with a pin detent qualify as.....no release?

That right there would be my nightmare.

I picked up this 45 tooth 3/8" Proto J5249XL-TT from ebay. Wasnt exactly the ratchet I was looking for, as the seller forgot to include the TT in the description which designates it as tether ready and pin detent.

You might want to contact the seller on an item not as described. I'd be looking into a return, or at least a partial refund to cover the cost of a standard rebuild kit.

Until then, don't stick any chrome sockets on it!

 

[maico]

All Stahlwille 80 tooth ratchets are QR. That and a FOD design are requirements to work on things like jet engines

 

[drtyler]

Yes, the thin profile ratchets are 84t with quick release.

Older 60t version could be USA or Taiwan. Newer 84t version is Taiwan only. Good ratchets though, regardless of COO.

Did Craftsman make two different 84T ratchets? My Craftsman "Premium" 84T ratchets are not QR.

 

[kb1982]

That right there would be my nightmare.


You might want to contact the seller on an item not as described. I'd be looking into a return, or at least a partial refund to cover the cost of a standard rebuild kit.

Until then, don't stick any chrome sockets on it!

After some research, I found this ratchet is actually quite a bit more expensive than the one I was expecting. I don't think the seller actually tried to purposely decieve, he just was not knowledgable. Along with this ratchet, I received a tekton composite along with 3 impact extensions for 40 bucks shipped. Proto actually makes chrome sockets with the pin detent like most impacts have. Would be great for those working at heights, but provides no benefit to me. As for use with regular chrome sockets, they come off easy enough, but putting them on is a different story, requiring the pin to be pressed in beforehand. I may just order a standard repair kit for it and save the original guts.

Sent from my Z962BL using Tapatalk

 

[maico]

The Hazet 916HP 90 tooth 4 degree ratchet is rated at 1000 Nm, which is bound to be a conservative figure. Looking at the chunky pawl mech it's going to be the square that shears first.

 

[GTO]

May want to look again.

3/8" Drive Dual 80® Technology Standard Handle Quick-Release Ratchet
Item: FR80

Quick-release has a positive locking feature to hold socket/accessory securely in place when needed and push button for easy removal even with greasy or oily hands

• 80-tooth gear

1/2" Drive Standard Handle Quick-Release Ratchet
Item: SR80A

80 tooth gear for 4.5° of swing arc

• Quick-release has a positive locking feature to hold socket securely in place when needed and push button for easy removal

I have the Snap on TL's (1/4")with the quick release