Your Thoughts about Composite Ratchets?

[gtlaw]

Its unfortunate they have the backward direction lever.

 

[esvee]

When I first bought these I babied them and figured they would be cheap. After abusing the heck out of the 3/8 I went back for a 1/2" and used it to remove leaf spring bolts on an east coast jeep cherokee. If that isn't praise I don't know what is.

 

[jgromada]

I just bought the 3/8" HF ratchet for like $4.99 (there is a $5 no expiration date coupon for any Pittsburgh ratchet on struggleville.net attached) after reading the really nice reviews. I haven't used it yet but I must say the ratchet mechanism is very smooth and the handle very comfortable. I would never expect it to match up with a top tier ratchet name, but i really bought it like others mentioned around autobody panels and around the battery. Nice value for the $4.99, that is for certain.

 

[ARFLY]

The fine print on that coupon says, "Offer good while supplies last". Is this just standard language or a sign that the Pittsburgh Pro ratchets are getting phased out?

 

[erty67]

I've used that coupon multiple times. It's good. I love my composites. No, they're not great but in an unheated garage they are gold.

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

 

[cbracer]

I bought the Teng composite YEARS ago under the Master Mechanic name when I worked at True Value around 1989. It was all black no red. I loved the composite handle, but it had heavy backlash and course teeth. Last year I bought the 2nd version of HF one in 1/4" and really like it. They are light, easy to work with and doesn't weigh things down. But I like the fluid feel of my Zeal ratchet more.

 

[mykvr6]

I ended up buying all three a couple years back, and honestly I tend to go for them all the time. I guess cause when I'm doing real messy stuff I don't mind. In my head they are throw away ratchets, but they are good! I get them all greasy and dirty and dont mind sliding them across the garage floor etc etc. Light too. They ended up being a great addition to my collection of ratchets which includes snap on, facom palm control, a wright, williams and of course my old raised panel craftsman which are just kinda keepsakes at this point, they never come out of the box

 

[Tul]

Today, I was repairing a kitchen table's legs. The two bolts for each leg are 12mm and are in a narrow space below the cutting board and above the top of the leg. There are metal screw sleeves that allow the bolts to tighten up and secure the legs.

Due to the narrow space, I was only able to fit a Tekton 3/8" off-set composite ratchet with a 12 mm shallow socket:

https://www.tekton.com/composite-ratchets?quantity=1&drive-size=3-8-in

I've never had this happen before with a ratchet, but this ratchet frequently started spinning when I was tightening the bolts. I didn't use a cheater bar and wasn't tightening that hard.

It turned out that the selector lever moved to the center.

Has anyone had this happen with a Harbor Freight/Pittsburgh ratchet?

Is this a common problem?

What's the fix?

 

[Mgdoug3]

It's a common complaint but not a common problem if that makes sense. I would contact Tekton and ask for a rebuild kit.

 

[jmhinkle]

I guess I'm pickier than most. While I like the feel of the handles and the usefulness of composites, I didn't care for the ratcheting mechanisms in them. Tried them out for a few days and returned them. Not up to my requirements in fineness of operation.

 

[Lonnies Performance]

I have the red/black 3/8" (small handle) Pittsburgh ratchet & like it.

I bought it because it was cheap & figured I would try it out & see if I can break it.
2 years later, its still working well. Admittedly, I never put a pipe on it, but it has handled everything I have used it for.

 

[paulsomlo]

Today, I was repairing a kitchen table's legs. The two bolts for each leg are 12mm and are in a narrow space below the cutting board and above the top of the leg. There are metal screw sleeves that allow the bolts to tighten up and secure the legs.

Due to the narrow space, I was only able to fit a Tekton 3/8" off-set composite ratchet with a 12 mm shallow socket:

https://www.tekton.com/composite-ratchets?quantity=1&drive-size=3-8-in

I've never had this happen before with a ratchet, but this ratchet frequently started spinning when I was tightening the bolts. I didn't use a cheater bar and wasn't tightening that hard.

It turned out that the selector lever moved to the center.

Has anyone had this happen with a Harbor Freight/Pittsburgh ratchet?

Is this a common problem?

What's the fix?

Open up the ratchet and post a picture of the innards, maybe there's something obvious.