I have the cobras with those comfort grips, love them.
New tool thread
- Thread starter jhellwig
- Start date
In this "test to failure", the Snap-on and Tekton 3/8' ratchets tied for 1st place. Both had the anvil shear off at 292 ft-lb, with no apparent damage to the internals ( no tear down inspection was performed).
At the start of the the group test, the Tekton was taken up to 680 ft-lb ( ! ) with no internal damage being felt, and no anvil shearing, but the handle was badly bent. Assuming the Quinn torque adapter readout is accurate, this is amazing. The Tekton was the only ratchet of the test group that was subjected to maximum force twice, first at 680 ft-lb, then later at 292 ft-lb.
I bought a few Tekton tools like long SAE 1/2 drive sockets, long USA made taper punches and a few other things no ratchets though, the shipping was incredibly quick, the tools are very decent quality. the USA made air hose was not great, too stiff but not crap either.
There is nothing about the tools that would stop me from buying more of them, ratchets are another story, they are very much an individual thing, the Williams round head 1/2" Superratchet (redo) is my favorite from all of them, with Snap on, Stahlwille, Hazet to choose from I choose this one, it just feels right.
Some of the Capri stuff like their bit sets are definitely worth a look at, I cant say how they would hold up to daily use but from what I have seen using them they are not bad at all. The set included Tamper Torx which saved may rear end, I didn't have one.
There is nothing about the tools that would stop me from buying more of them, ratchets are another story, they are very much an individual thing, the Williams round head 1/2" Superratchet (redo) is my favorite from all of them, with Snap on, Stahlwille, Hazet to choose from I choose this one, it just feels right.
Some of the Capri stuff like their bit sets are definitely worth a look at, I cant say how they would hold up to daily use but from what I have seen using them they are not bad at all. The set included Tamper Torx which saved may rear end, I didn't have one.
I watched that yesterday after it was posted. I know everyone wants to be an armchair expert from afar, but the initial Tekton results leave me skeptical of the ~680 ft lb number.
I would agree it appears to be a great ratchet -- possibly the best or at least best value of the bunch -- but the alleged 680 is such an outlier that any sort of truly scientific test would question it immediately rather than boast about it.
I'm sure this was argued ad nauseum in the video comments (I didn't look).
Also, I was always taught to not pull TOWARD you when you think something might let go or fail. I was a little disappointed to not see a Darwin moment....and the guy's wearing shorts and putting his knee up on the bench to gain leverage. Definitely YT amateur hour
+1 Definitely an outlier, no 3/8 drive ratchet I have ever used can handle almost 700 lb.ft
It would have been nice to see them test the Hazet 916HP. They can handle quite a bit of torque.
I watched the two videos some time ago, the second one the Milwaukee wins at 300 ft lbs. It’s more entertainment than anything else seeing tools breaking. He breaks the anvil for the most part, so what is that? The Husky was impressive since it is quick release. Then flex handles are thrown in, the Wright broke the hinge pin. Means nothing at all, these are 3/8, not meant for this use. The 680 ft lbs was like a reading jump as the handle bent. How he straightened it then went on to get 292 on the anvil, never 680, is a mystery. The 680 had to be a fluke reading.
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Stahlwille wrench set. 18 mm opening reads 18.16-.17 mm. I measured my Wright and it was 18.29 mm. I was careful to try for a lowest firm reading. For the price of $78 plus tax for the set 6-32 mm and very nice fabric type case isn’t bad. The closer fit on the open end lessens the need for fancier off loading notches imo. They know what they are doing.
AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2024
New tools yesterday. Slack adjuster tools. Need those for my dads truck adjusting the slack adjusters. Probably could of gotten them somewhere else cheaper but he had them and rarely does so I figured I’d get them now. Replacement 13mm socket and a pocket Phillips head screwdriver. Replacement 7 inch straight jaw locking pliers. Mine the chrome started peeling on the third use. Was somewhat disappointed about that. Hopefully won’t have the issue again.
AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2024
OEM brake spring pliers. Gearwrench serpentine belt tool and some Dasco Pro punches. From a member on GJ forums. Paid $47 with shipping for all of that. Then a Matco T9 screwdriver for taking things apart on my power tools and a T35 torx bit socket. Can’t say I’ll ever need it but it was cheap and I didn’t have it. Direct from Matco. Also have a 4 inch set of needle nose locking pliers coming from them as well but they are on back order.
Nice looking vice grip, the teeth look deeper and larger than some.
AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2024
Yes they are really nice. I love them. Other than the chrome issue they have been perfect. I usually round teeth off of them but these haven’t shown any signs of that.
Here is a picture of the chrome issue below.
You are correct, it has zero to do with quality, no one I know could put even 200 lb.ft on a 7" 3/8 drive ratchet without a pipe and the tool was not made for that. More important is the back drag, the amount of play in the mechanism before it catches the next tooth and smoothness of the mechanism.
This is where the high end tools really show their worth.
I also thought the 680 was some form of reading jump because as I recall (and I, honestly, don't care to spend my time reviewing a second time) it was very sudden. That, IMO, would call into question the continued accuracy of his fancy Harbor Freight meter if this were a true scientific test.
It's also ironic he had his fancy meter calibrated at a "lab" which actually does this sort of thing with the proper equipment (very similar to a lathe cross slide with presumably far greater gear reduction) but then returns home to his wooden bench in his garage to wear shorts and make a vid (incidentally, I think this is also the start of most amateur porn videos...the whole shorts 'n garage thing....)
He could have just as easily had the lab conduct the test with each ratchet if actual, indisputable results were the goal. But no, as is so often the case with YT'ers accurate results are not the goal -- being a YT star is. Thus we're once again left with minor entertainment value and questionable "data"
Sam_Julier
$50 Site Donor 2024
As most of you know I’m a newbie at wrenching.
On any project I’ll try a variety of ratchets: different lengths, QR and regular, box end ratchet wrenches, 1/4” vs 3/8” vs 1/2” drive where application, nut drivers, etc.
The go to ratchets are Tekton flex head QR Both 1/4” and 3/8” all handle lengths, Milwaukee 1/4” drive 9” handle, Milwaukee and Craftsman 3/8” drive 12” handle, my Williams 1/4” drive set, Tekton 3/8” drive set.
The 1/2” drive tools are my least favorite.
On any project I’ll try a variety of ratchets: different lengths, QR and regular, box end ratchet wrenches, 1/4” vs 3/8” vs 1/2” drive where application, nut drivers, etc.
The go to ratchets are Tekton flex head QR Both 1/4” and 3/8” all handle lengths, Milwaukee 1/4” drive 9” handle, Milwaukee and Craftsman 3/8” drive 12” handle, my Williams 1/4” drive set, Tekton 3/8” drive set.
The 1/2” drive tools are my least favorite.
Stahlwille have worked exceptionally well for me. That precise open ends allows you to use the combination wrench where you can’t get a flare nut wrench.
I just did a set of brake hoses on an 18 year old Volvo from Illinois (road salt, considerable corrosion on the nuts and fittings).
The Proto flare nut wrenches that I have would not fit because of clearance on body parts, suspension parts, etc. Had the same problem with crowfoot flare nut wrenches.
The Stahlwille 13mm combination wrench fit tightly, and removed every fitting with no drama. No rounded fittings.
Truly great wrenches.
The price went from $78 to $203 on Amazon. But AZ can be up and down.
That’s shocking. I’ve bought from Zoro, from Mr. Worker and from Amazon.de - you might give those a try.
Using Chrome to browse Amazon.de gives you auto translate from German.
Sign up for Amazon prime for the month (it’s 8 or 9 euro) and save the shipping.
I bought my Stahlwille from Amazon.de a couple years back.
I had to replace a primer bulb on my mom's briggs and Stratton 5.5 HP lawn mower engine. The tool costs between $35 and $75 for a simple tool. I used the primitive method and was able to replace the bulb in a few minutes instead of buying a tool I would use one time.
I watched the USA site. It was about $78 for a long time then went into 80’s. Then I decided to get one when it was $78 again. I think something was wrong with the pricing because $78 shipped from Europe is too cheap. Being grey market it won’t have any warranty in the US. I don’t care about that. The deep offset wrench set has gone up too, not as much, but still a bargain for what it is. The price will probably go back down, not sure what is going on.
