Williams or Wright ratchets?

[mowkep]

I have plenty of crappy ratchets (they do the job though). I have a Stanley. I don't care for the bulkiness of the DeWalt. I did find a used Cornwell in decent shape for $2. I'm looking to do a little better. Found some Williams 3/8 for $16 and change or a small set of Wright sockets with a 3/8 ratchet for just under $45. Any thoughts

 

[Fedwrench]

Which Williams and which Wright?

Have to know what I'm comparing. Is it a 36 tooth Williams pear head or a round head ratchet?

On a side note, Dewalt has come out with new 72 tooth non quick release pear head ratchets and non quick release round head ratchets that are much lighter and have better balance than the older quick release ratchets.

 

[mowkep]

Williams 7 5/8 inch (9210050) or 8 inch (9904973)

Wright A35, 14 piece set, not much info on the page

 

[mowkep]

So the Williams is a BB52A 72 tooth or BB52EHA 36 tooth....both for just under $17

 

[mowkep]

It looks like the Wright comes with ratchet 3426 which is a 7 inch 41 tooth

 

[JohnDeere1]

The pear head Williams are snap on 36t very nice skip the Rouen heads and Wright round heads with black grips or knurled handles I'd skip niether is amazing or better than Cornwell I have a bunch of Cornwell ratchets and love them especially the handles like them more than my snap on,mac,and matco ratchets and they are silky smooth for 30t.

 

[JohnDeere1]

The ergo grip Wright's are awesome I have a new 3440 with black comfort grip and do use it often but it's nicer than the old ones the dual pulls are nice still not better than Cornwell imo.

 

[mowkep]

The Cornwell I found at a local salvage like place. A little of the chrome plating was flacking but the mechanism is very smooth. It's a longer handle as well. I'll have to check the model number tomorrow. Thanks for the info

 

[ADSR]

So the Williams is a BB52A 72 tooth or BB52EHA 36 tooth....both for just under $17

I have the williams in black and chrome and the flex head. Excellent product for the money!

 

[ADSR]

I disagree with the post above about the Williams pear heads.

The 36-tooth Williams have way too much back drag. I’ve had several and sold them all for that reason.

They need a lot of use to break in.

 

[mowkep]

The Cornwell I have is 10 inches in length and has 2 D stamped on it.

 

[plinker]

They need a lot of use to break in.

+1

I've got a Snap-on GS936 (same as internals as Williams)and when new it was pretty stiff, it's about perfect now after some use.

The Williams 36tooth ratchets are a very good deal for what they are.

 

[davethorik]

The Cornwell I have is 10 inches in length and has 2 D stamped on it.

That is a JR40. They are just under $100 new. If you ever need it rebuilt, the tool truck man can do it if you ask nicely. Or if you just mail it into Cornwell, they will send you a new one.

http://www.cornwelltools.com/webcat/products/JR40-%2d-3{47}8”-Long-Handled-Ratchet.html

I just bought one. I'm a big Cornwell fan.

 

[davethorik]

I also like Wright ratchets but they don't have as much variety as other mfrs. For example their 10" long 3/8 rat is available only as a contour handle, no tootsie roll or knurled. They are still solid, although they need broken is as was mentioned with Williams. Once the Wright is broken in, however, it is disgustingly smooth.

 

[ADSR]

That is a JR40. They are just under $100 new. If you ever need it rebuilt, the tool truck man can do it if you ask nicely. Or if you just mail it into Cornwell, they will send you a new one.

http://www.cornwelltools.com/webcat/products/JR40-%2d-3{47}8”-Long-Handled-Ratchet.html

I just bought one. I'm a big Cornwell fan.

LOL, that's 3 times the money of the williams.

 

[davethorik]

LOL, that's 3 times the money of the williams.

Yep and he said he bought one used for $2.

I was just showing him what model it was, since Cornwell doesn't stamp that into their ratchets.

 

[Wamsutta]

The love for these 36-tooth Williams is lost on me. I think there are better choices for similar money.

They are a very strong ratchet that will save your knuckles. If backdrag is that much of a problem, I'll switch to a spin handle.

 

[ADSR]

Yep and he said he bought one used for $2.

I was just showing him what model it was, since Cornwell doesn't stamp that into their ratchets.

I see. For 2 bucks, i'd buy it too!

 

[Tonyuk]

Do you use ratchets often?

I'm tempted to say just stick with the harbour freight pro range you can get over there. Those Taiwan 72 tooth drives are very smooth and plenty strong enough.

I like my gearwrench 84 teeth ratchets, and i think they're again cheap(er) over there, that Bahco shown about has a similar movement to a snap-on dual 80 and should also be very good.

 

[Mr_B]

I would look at napa carlyle followed by gearwrench 84T (taiwan made) or if more diy and cost big factor Pitts pro as life warranty and will do fine if hand pick one to your liking, lube it and threadlock screws .

 

[byoungblood]

I love my Wright and Williams round heads, tend to prefer the Williams as they seem to have a little less back drag. *Most* of them are dual pawl, so in effect they're actually 80-something tooth ratchets.

Also since most people have no idea who Wright or Williams are, you can go around to pawn shops, yard/estate sales, etc., and buy them for pennies on the dollar. At an estate sale I went to this past weekend I scored a Matco BR3 (3/8" stubby made by Wright) and a Williams S-52 1/2" for $5 for the both. The people pricing stuff were looking to see if it was Craftsman or Snap On and charged some poor fool $10 for a 1/2" RP ratchet.

 

[mowkep]

To be honest I've never seen the Harbor Freight or the Carlyles or the Gearwrench sockets up close. I ended up ordering the Williams 36 tooth. I don't like the switch on the roundhead Williams. I researched the Wright set further and it was labeled "Global", if it had been home grown I would have gotten it.

 

[mowkep]

Well I ordered and received the Williams ratchet and the Wright socket set. I like the Williams ratchet, even though it isn't chrome plates. The Wright set turned out to be their Cougar line of tools but still made in the USA. Where would I find the metric equivalent? The Cougar not Cougar Pros

 

[buba]

Well I ordered and received the Williams ratchet and the Wright socket set. I like the Williams ratchet, even though it isn't chrome plates. The Wright set turned out to be their Cougar line of tools but still made in the USA. Where would I find the metric equivalent? The Cougar not Cougar Pros

Just drive over to Barberton and knock on their door
Wright Tool is just off of I-76 at the Wooster Rd exit next to the Ohio & Erie Canal
https://www.google.com/maps/place/1...dd4568382c522db!8m2!3d41.0265396!4d-81.588067

HJE has a few of the Cougar A36 (metric) left, call Jori maybe he will cut you a deal.

https://www.harryepstein.com/index....MI3I2Km7rp1wIViDyBCh17nwQ0EAQYAyABEgJ-oPD_BwE

But why not get a real deal on a complete set of USA made Wright metric sockets #354, after all you already have some ratchets.

https://www.harryepstein.com/index.php/14-pc-metric-socket-set-6mm-19mm.html

 

[mowkep]

Thanks Buba. I avoid 76 West at all costs. Rte 8 (you'll be late) is bad enough during the day. I'm going to check out HJE. I appreciate the info