Wright tool 3490 & 3426 ratchet comparison

[Michael5959]

Hi everyone,

I am looking to get a new 3/8” ratchet and am strongly considering either the Wright Tool 3490 or 3426. Other than the obvious, what are the pros & cons of one vs the other, which do you prefer & why?

Thanks, Mike

 

[xela456]

I've not owned the 3490 but I would always prefer the knurled handle. It provides a much better grip when greasy or oily. As far as I know, the heads are identical so no difference there. Consider I am an industrial mechanic working in cement production and foundries so I may have different preferences than you.
I also find it difficult to changed direction one handed with this style of ratchet and prefer a pearhead for that reason.

 

[lardy1]

I'm an SK knurled handle fan. I'd personally prefer the knurled.

 

[TuxThePenguin]

I like knurled grips. For longer ratchets I like a rubber or plastic grip because I am a clumsy idiot who will probably scratch my paint with a metal handle and a longer ratchet when working on my suspension. Helps to have a softer (non-metal) grip for that.

I do have a couple of Wright 1/4" smooth grip ratchets, the 2426 and the 2495 and I do like the grip, knurling or not (not, in this case).

p.s. I love Wright, but my favorite knurling is Koken

 

[qqzj]

Professional may like knurlings. For home diyer, knurlings are annoying. It takes a lot of effort to clean that than clean your hands.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[FSrepair&fabrication]

I have multiple Wright ratchets, the knurled are the best IMO. Very tough ratchets overall, all they need is a dip in some oil from time to time to keep the head lubed.

 

[chappys4life]

i would prefer knurled between the two. But prefer soft handle ratchets overall. Less abuse on the hand and paint work

 

[kngelv]

I just picked up the 3425 which is the 10 inch contour grip I like it way better than knurled.

James

 

[Michael5959]

Seems a majority prefer the knurled, will likely end up going that direction. Thanks !

 

[bigjeff94]

I've not owned the 3490 but I would always prefer the knurled handle. It provides a much better grip when greasy or oily. As far as I know, the heads are identical so no difference there. Consider I am an industrial mechanic working in cement production and foundries so I may have different preferences than you.
I also find it difficult to changed direction one handed with this style of ratchet and prefer a pearhead for that reason.

I agree. I tend to prefer knurled handles.

Interested to see another Cement head on here.

 

[Fly YX]

I like the Wright comfort grip out of all my ratchets. I reach for those the most. But don't work on a lot of stuff that is oily. I have snap on hard handle when I worked on aircraft a lot.

 

[xela456]

I agree. I tend to prefer knurled handles.

Interested to see another Cement head on here.

I've been a Millwright for 8 years, been working spotty at a cement plant for 5 years and I've pretty much taken up residence at a local cement plant/deep mine here in Kansas City. I've been steady at the same place now for 2-1/2 years now (sounds weird but it's pretty rare for a contractor)

As far as the ratchets go. I've always preferred pear head ratchets, specifically Protos. Although I've broken 3 of the premium series in the last 5 years but I've never broken the good old faithful 5450 or 5449. Hard to break when there's only 24 teeth!

 

[Ton ton]

Always good to see an industrial mechanic on garage journal.

 

[1foxracing]

The correct answer is both.



Don't forget the others as well.

 

[Al Borland]

Wrights are nice, but the ball bearing/B.B. for retaining the sockets all seem to fall out.

 

[GrantCee]

Wrights are nice, but the ball bearing/B.B. for retaining the sockets all seem to fall out.

Hmm...I have 8 or 10 Wright ratchets, ranging in age from 1954 to 2019. I purchased about half of them new, the rest were used. All of them still have their retaining balls.

When can I expect them to start falling out?

 

[Al Borland]

Don't know when, but...
I've got a couple more somewhere.

 

[Keep]

I will just leave this here....





Just buy them all! Though I tend to reach for the comfort grips more.

 

[hamma]

There's a video from Wright where the guy explains that the knurled handle gives you a better grip when you're wearing gloves and the smooth handle provides a better grip without gloves. I just picked up a smooth handled Wright a few weeks ago and its pretty nice.

 

[BTJHP]

<---smooth