Need a new ratchet set

[JeffKeryk]

I’ll echo the Williams recommendation. Buy the set(s) you need, then get a good quality tool bag in which to keep them. You’ll be happy with the quality, durability, and performance of the Williams tools, I promise.

The Williams stuff will last a lifetime. They are a pleasure to use.
You won't be sorry.

 

[KenshinHimura]

This set from Blackhawk is a nice one. Made in Texas as well as an added bonus

https://www.protoindustrial.com/en/...1|2"-Drive-82-Piece-Socket,-Combination-Set-/

 

[RooflessVW]

I've been lusting after Nepros tools recently.

 

[spasm3]

Here we are 6 years later and I'm skiing for help finding a ratchet set again. Here was that last post. The Stanley set wasn't enough. And the case has completely fallen apart.
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/need-a-new-ratchet-tool-set.237654/

Looking for a bigger set than last time. I like having a nice carrying case so I can haul it around from car to car, house to house etc. I'm also kind of tired of having tools I have to piece out and carry bigger sockets separately etc.

I know Craftsman isn't what it used to be, but these seem like a decent deal, the 320 and 450 piece Craftsman set. Thinking maybe there will be a Memorial Day sale coming up? Also a Harbor Freight kit?

https://www.sears.com/craftsman-320-piece-mechanic-s-tool-set/p-00999030000P
https://www.sears.com/craftsman-450-piece-mechanic-s-tool-set/p-A010318153
https://www.harborfreight.com/mechanics-tool-set-301-pc-63464.html

I’ll echo the Williams recommendation. Buy the set(s) you need, then get a good quality tool bag in which to keep them. You’ll be happy with the quality, durability, and performance of the Williams tools, I promise.

I would look at the williams sets, so many good reviews here. Last year i also wanted a set to keep in my camper so i did not have to transport tools from my chest to my camper, and they would always be there.

I bought a craftsman set , they suck. I mean really suck. I would buy HF over the craftsman if thats the only 2 choices. And i have a lot of older good craftsman. I should have taken them back. Iwould also look at the blackhawk proto set. While the ratchets are not the same as mine, i find blackhawk to be very good quality.



Here is a thread where i compared new craftsman to old craftsman to blackhawk. No comparison at all.

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/chraftsman-usa-vs-china.320044/post-5688119

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/chraftsman-usa-vs-china.320044/post-5688133

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/chraftsman-usa-vs-china.320044/post-5688158

 

[HyundaiAbuser]

I have one of the craftsman sets that I got for 99 dollars on Black Friday and the ratchets are not that great. I would rock with tekton for the price, value and availability.

 

[Nick1994]

The Williams seem nice, but by the time I buy all of that individually, and then deep sockets, then wrenches, it's pretty expensive.

Although unfortunately the Craftsman sets went up by $50 & $100 already.

 

[Starman2112]

Look into Tekton. Good quality, lifetime warranty and they dont skip any sizes. The cases are durable and use pinned hinges. Based out of Grand Rapids MI the make most of their stuff in the US ot Taiwan. Sign up on their website you get 10% back. I have gotten many of their tools and they are good. One socket set had 2 12mm and no 10 mm, took a pic of it and sent them an email, had a 10mm socket mailed and received in 2 days.

This ^

 

[JHZR2]

I have not purchased any SK tools recently. But they are by far my favorite. I absolutely hate the Snap On and Craftsman ratchets with the lever. As I keep knocking it in tight areas. I work on high end aircraft for a living and must have quality tools.

View attachment 58409

I too am a fan of the cased SK ratchet sets. My 1/4” set is my favorite of all.

otherwise I’d buy Williams US made sets from Zoro With a coupon.

 

[E365]

The Williams seem nice, but by the time I buy all of that individually, and then deep sockets, then wrenches, it's pretty expensive.

Although unfortunately the Craftsman sets went up by $50 & $100 already.

I’m VERY pleased with my Husky (Home Depot) brand ratchets. The full polish, 144 tooth “Pro” ones especially. But even the full polish 72-tooth ones are nice.

Best part is the no-receipt, lifetime warranty. Any “lifetime warranty” that requires a receipt is not for me.

 

[dlundblad]

Tekton is good stuff. Bought my dad the 1/4” and 3/8” metric sets for Christmas (so I don’t have to bring my tools over when I’m working on their stuff.)

 

[Sam_Julier]

I bought a 1/4” Williams ratchet and socket set a couple of months ago. It’s well made, great feel in the hand and useful. I highly recommend.

 

[macwhiz]

Tekton may not be Snap-On, but they're far closer to Snap-On than they are to Craftsman or Husky. It's definitely light-years better quality than HF Icon. And Tekton's customer support is no joke, either. Snap a picture of the failed tool, email it to them, and the replacement will probably be shipped that day. It's also a "forever guarantee," not a "lifetime." It doesn't expire if you give the tool away, or if someone inherits it. If you possess the tool, it's covered, no matter how or when you acquired it.

Tekton's value for the price is hard to beat, especially for "hobbyist" work. If you're looking for prestige or luxury, that's tool trucks or boutique Japanese or European brands. If you're looking for the most frugal ratchet—not the cheapest, not the absolute best, but the best ratio of both—Tekton's right up there.

 

[Lyman]

Right now I have a mixture of old Snap-on, Craftsman and Husky. I used to have a nice SK set that were great. I lost that set in a house fire years back. SK tools are great. I would go SK or Williams if I were looking to buy.

 

[fozzdesy2001]

I’m VERY pleased with my Husky (Home Depot) brand ratchets. The full polish, 144 tooth “Pro” ones especially. But even the full polish 72-tooth ones are nice.

Best part is the no-receipt, lifetime warranty. Any “lifetime warranty” that requires a receipt is not for me.

I have the 1/4 and 3/8 models they are very nice ratchets. HD finally have the 100 tooth locking 3/8 flex head in a chrome version so no more keeping it out of the sun when not being used. The old black ones would get so hot you couldn't hold them.

 

[GMBoy]

Those ratchets in the Craftsman set you linked Nick are not well made and only slightly better than the raised panel at least in my opinion. I’ve got one, I got when Sears closed and it absolutely stinks man. I had to put grease in it right away because it was bone dry and slipping. Still slips I don’t even use it hardly anymore. The new Craftsman Gunmetal chrome sets are actually really nice and the ratchets are 120 teeth man they are really nice. Made in Taiwan. You can also purchase the ratchets individually. Someone on my other forum was posting pictures of the new Craftsman USA stuff that they just released and it doesn’t look too bad honestly. It was only sockets he posted a picture of I’m not sure if the ratchets are USA or not yet.

In December I bought a Capri ratchet and man I love the thing it’s my go to and it was cheaper than Harbor Freight too. I’m not impressed with Harbor Freight ratchets besides the Icon because the selector switch is opposite and it drives me insane. The Capri let me tell you how much I love those ratchets so smooth for only being 72 tooth. It’s even my go to over my Matco these days. They have a set of three too. If you are looking for sockets since you mentioned set, Capri is good really good as well as Sunex and Tekton and SK and Williams and Wright and plenty of other brands. The Taiwan Craftsman sockets aren’t bad either I’ve had some of mine replaced and was sent Taiwan replacements which have actually held up well.

That set from Sears is Chinese made and the main issue I have with my Chinese Sears Craftsman is manufacturing defects like weak chrome and other things too. Also Lowe’s offers the Kobalt and Craftsman sets for $99 but they have a lot of odds and ins like instead of giving you a couple screwdrivers they give you a handle and count each bit as a piece. And the Kobalt ratchets also leave a lot to be desired as well from the ones I’ve used which also have the selector switch backwards.

I agree with the Capri tools - I bought a set of torx that came in nice solid blue case and they are very solid and nice. I agree on HF as well because I have the ICON rachets and sockets and they are a solid tool for a great price.

 

[Brons2]

I had never heard of Tekton before. Checked out their site, they have a really nice selection of 6pt sockets. I prefer the 6 pts because you really need a 12 point socket what percentage of the time...hardly ever, but a lot of them come that way.

An exception would be for ARP fasteners, if you use a lot of those you really need the 12 pt.

 

[jhellwig]

I am liking the Milwaukee sets I have at work. I only have the 1/4" and 3/8 with both metric and standard sockets. The squared off end on the sockets is useful for spinning them by hand. The cases they are in are decent also. They don't let them fall out of their spots when it bounce around while closed like some of them do.

 

[Job]

I am liking the Milwaukee sets I have at work. I only have the 1/4" and 3/8 with both metric and standard sockets. The squared off end on the sockets is useful for spinning them by hand. The cases they are in are decent also. They don't let them fall out of their spots when it bounce around while closed like some of them do.

I got a Milwaukee 56 piece set last year from HD plus it included a set of Milwaukee screwdrivers. It was pretty inexpensive, on a sale. They are more now. They seem to be a cut above most, I haven't even used them they are so nice I just use my junk tools if I even work on anything anymore. Nothing about the Milwaukee is like anything else, the quality is up there too, The case is very thin and the tools can be removed as a tray. Someone designed it extremely well. The sockets are all six point but I am not that attached to that style.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauk...piece-48-22-9008-48-22-2706/310091133#overlay

 

[JeffKeryk]

I got a Milwaukee 56 piece set last year from HD plus it included a set of Milwaukee screwdrivers. It was pretty inexpensive, on a sale. They are more now. They seem to be a cut above most, I haven't even used them they are so nice I just use my junk tools if I even work on anything anymore. Nothing about the Milwaukee is like anything else, the quality is up there too, The case is very thin and the tools can be removed as a tray. Someone designed it extremely well. The sockets are all six point but I am not that attached to that style.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauk...piece-48-22-9008-48-22-2706/310091133#overlay

Looks like a good set. Nowadays I would buy a Metric only set.

 

[Job]

Looks like a good set. Nowadays I would buy a Metric only set.

It is a great set , the case is really nice too. The inch sizes go larger, the metric only to 19mm. I am getting this one too, just saw it. This swivel ratchet is 1/4 in size, but 3/8 drive. I only bought the Milwaukee 56 piece set because is was on sale and I returned the $70 Stanley set I bought earlier. Amaz wants 159 for the 56 piece set, I think I paid quite a bit less with the screwdriver set.
When I post a link like this is any of my info shown? I don’t think so but not sure.
I got the one for $34 with free shipping, not the one on the display listing, which wants $18 for shipping. This set usually sells for $69 like at HD.

https://www.amazon.com/Milwaukee-48-22-9001-Ratchet-Metric-Socket/dp/B079PDSFNF