Williams ratchets: 72 vs 36 tooth

[Jrboulder]

So I'm looking to upgrade my HF-quality tools that a misinformed former self purchased to tools that will last me a lifetime, or at least work well enough to not piss me off. I will probably never use these tools professionally but I work on a lot of projects (car, house, mechanical) and I can appreciate quality USA tools. I already have some old Williams 1/2" (S-41, S-52, S-70, ect) and I'd like to expand that to 1/4" and 3/8". I'm looking at Williams M-52 and B-52 variants.

I'm having a hard time deciding if I want to go with the 72-tooth Williams style or the 36-tooth Snap On style. I love my old 72-tooth S-52 but then again I've never even handled a nice 36-tooth SO. Also, the black oxide finish seems to be about 12% less expensive than chrome, so is that something I should buy?

 

[Adam.C]

I know I'll get flak for this. If you are buying ratchets, you're nuts not to choose Snap On dual 80. You don't have to be a pro mechanic to appreciate these ratchets. They are stronger than the old 36 tooth models, finer than the 72, and have lower back drag, which means the fasteners don't reverse direction when you are ratcheting.

Dual 80 is a revolutionary design, deserving the praise it gets here. Other dual pawl designs stack the pawls (to fit tear drop heads) which results in considerably less strength.

Look for used dual 80 ratchets on ebay. The best deals will be on industrial finish models (GF80, GT72). Expect to pay less than $50 for the black 3/8. In chrome, you can get lucky and pay $50 for 3/8, more for handled models. 1/4" chrome cost less- maybe $35 for good condition at least.

Note that handles and gears can be replaced inexpensively. Black oxide can be touched up using cold bluing solutions for firearms.

Until there is a new breakthru in ratchet design, these really are the best available and likely will remain thus for quite some time.

My favorites for automotive are:
FHLF80 long flex head 3/8. You can replace the soft grip with a hard handle if you choose.
T72 the stock chrome 1/4 drive
THLF72 long flex head 1/4 drive- strong enough for most jobs you would usually use 3/8 for and about the same length as a std 3/8 ratchet.

 

[bczygan]

You have sparked my curiosity.

I have a full complement of HF ratchets, but don't use them except to assemble things, like the HF carts. So no hard use on car repairs.

Sounds like you use yours a lot. And even though it isn't at a shop, they get used pretty good at your home.

I'm curious about what ways they were lacking. Did they break, or just feel wrong in the hand? This would be useful information for many of us. Please tell us which tools were deficient, and how so. And what are you going to do with them?

Thank you

Bill

 

[rayh91]

Scour eBay or the classifieds. Well worth it. Locking long handle flex would be my first buy.

When I went to 80 teeth, 88 (Matco) or 72 with the 1/4 SO. It's really hard to go back and use anything else.

 

[exmaxima1]

I already have some old Williams 1/2" (S-41, S-52, S-70, ect) and I'd like to expand that to 1/4" and 3/8". I'm looking at Williams M-52 and B-52 variants.

My father left me his old Williams ratchets, and I recently replaced the B-52 under warranty-----I'm not all that impressed with the new version. Compared to my Proto (Facom), it's not nearly as smooth nor is the chrome as nice.

Since you seem to be ok with a round head ratchet, and you want to upgrade, why not consider a modern flex-head in your stable? I highly recommend the Proto J5257F, and you can get it for around $30 if you watch for Zoro deals:

http://www.zoro.com/i/G0751204/

 

[bczygan]

I don't know exactly where I got them from but my 1/4" and 3/8" drive ratchets are cheap light duty junk. Possibly an auto parts store or HF? I bought them 5 or 6 years ago when I was in high school and a $10 ratchet was a good buy at the time. The specific issues I'm having is that they are loose (handle to head), the back drag is so I high I have to hold the socket firmly if I want it to ratchet, they feel bad and they are hard to change directions. Because of this I use my Williams 1/2" S-52 for almost everything. It's tight, it's smooth, very little back drag, it feels nice in the hand, it changes directions very easily and it even sounds nice. Of course it's probably 50 years broken in.

Use wise, I'm rebuilding my Porsche 912E, doing maintenance on my other car and just doing random projects around the house like rebuilding the pool pump and vac last weekend. The 1/2" drive brute works fine on cars but I think it's time to actually get some better small ratchets.

When I started looking around I went to Lowes and Home Depot and looked at their stuff. Nothing there really impressed me and it was all imported but at about the same price as I could get a US made Williams. I was hoping to pay around $25 for the 1/4" and $35 for the 3/8", but if the dual 80 is really worth it I wouldn't mind paying more.

Oh, OK,
I thought they were definitely, for sure HF.

In that case, I recommend you go take a look at the new Professional grads low profile rats at HF, that everyone is raving about.

Especially the 1/4", which is smooth as silk, especially after a judicious lube.
They have 1/3, 3/8 and 1/2 in swivel head and regular.

72T

And pretty close to the price you paid all those years ago, (after the 25% coupon).

Here's the 1/4" rat ($12.75 plus tax):

http://www.harborfreight.com/14-in-drive-professional-low-profile-ratchet-62329.html

Here's the coupon:

Other HF coupons and free items:

http://www.hfqpdb.com/

I've got a Williams, and don't see any difference between it and the HF.

Try it, you'll like it!