Project Farm Tests - 3/8 " Socket Wrenches

[DriveHard]

I doubt the 3/8 ratchet will see over 100ft lbs of torque in normal use .
38 lb ft takes effort with a 3/8 ratchet with the standard length handle.

Speak for yourself. I have broken several.

I HATE the swivel heads though...that is a wreck just asking to happen.

I always keep three on hand, and they get used in the order of "easiest to ratchet" and "most ergonomic handle". If I break one, just get the next and replace.

The HF composite was my last favorite until I broke it...just bought this set from Amazon, and so far I am impressed (although I still dig the old composite handle).

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09C9Z292B?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

 

[RooflessVW]

Speak for yourself. I have broken several.

I HATE the swivel heads though...that is a wreck just asking to happen.

I always keep three on hand, and they get used in the order of "easiest to ratchet" and "most ergonomic handle". If I break one, just get the next and replace.

The HF composite was my last favorite until I broke it...just bought this set from Amazon, and so far I am impressed (although I still dig the old composite handle).

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09C9Z292B?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

The Neiko look just like my Husky. They're pretty good ratchets.

 

[Trav]

Just curious, are the Carlyle versions better than the Pittsburgh Pro versions? I just checked the Napa pricing for them, and they have gone up drastically.

The Carlyle are better, the locking mechanism on the flex head works well, the head is smaller than most and the ratchet is smooth. that being said for the retail price no way in hades, on sale under $30 its a deal.

 

[Urshurak776]

I need a few, so this is good timing.

 

[odie]

He did 1/4" ratchet wrenches on 7/2/23 . $8 > $238 . May want to take a look .

 

[Lenny5160]

He did 1/4" ratchet wrenches on 7/2/23 . $8 > $238 . May want to take a look .

I enjoyed this one.

I have Husky 144 in all three main sizes, and Gearwrench 120xp flex heads in all three sizes. Was nice to see that both performed very well, especially considering their price points.

 

[Warstud]

P.F.'s latest video tested more ratchets . Go to his channel to watch

 

[Hillbilly Deluxe]

I will never understand the hoopla about powerful ratchets. Or all the ratchets that break.

WTH are people doing with them to break them?

I have ONE Snap On ratchet, it's from the 50's or 60's. I bought it off of fLeabay to restore. I've never used it.

I have had Craftsman ratchets "all my life", along with some SK, Pittsburgh, now some Icon, etc. None are high-end ratchets.

I have zero desire to have a high-dollar ratchet with smooooooth gears. I don't care. I'm 52 years old and one of the best things I've ever done is bought a battery-powered ratchet. First one was a Husky, paid $60 for it at HD. OMG I couldn't believe I waited so long. Even tho it's the bottom of the barrel with regard to battery ratchets, the time it gave me for other things was unreal. I recently bought a 'real' battery ratchet- a Milwaukee M12 3/8" 'standard'. OMGGGGGGG

If I need to bend, scream, grunt, pull, push on a fastener with a socket, I have a 26" x 1/2" breaker bar, I have a 4' long piece of 1" pipe as a cheater. I have extendable 1/2 Pittsburgh ratchet, etc. There is no way I want to abuse a 3/8" ratchet. It's a speed tool, not a dump truck.

Ok... back to your _____ measuring contest. I'll be running my M12

 

[JWC86]

I will never understand the hoopla about powerful ratchets. Or all the ratchets that break.

WTH are people doing with them to break them?

I have ONE Snap On ratchet, it's from the 50's or 60's. I bought it off of fLeabay to restore. I've never used it.

I have had Craftsman ratchets "all my life", along with some SK, Pittsburgh, now some Icon, etc. None are high-end ratchets.

I have zero desire to have a high-dollar ratchet with smooooooth gears. I don't care. I'm 52 years old and one of the best things I've ever done is bought a battery-powered ratchet. First one was a Husky, paid $60 for it at HD. OMG I couldn't believe I waited so long. Even tho it's the bottom of the barrel with regard to battery ratchets, the time it gave me for other things was unreal. I recently bought a 'real' battery ratchet- a Milwaukee M12 3/8" 'standard'. OMGGGGGGG

If I need to bend, scream, grunt, pull, push on a fastener with a socket, I have a 26" x 1/2" breaker bar, I have a 4' long piece of 1" pipe as a cheater. I have extendable 1/2 Pittsburgh ratchet, etc. There is no way I want to abuse a 3/8" ratchet. It's a speed tool, not a dump truck.

Ok... back to your _____ measuring contest. I'll be running my M12

Why can’t we have both? M12 and high end ratchets? Some people just like nice things…

 

[ssspencerjr]

I will never understand the hoopla about powerful ratchets. Or all the ratchets that break.

WTH are people doing with them to break them?

I have ONE Snap On ratchet, it's from the 50's or 60's. I bought it off of fLeabay to restore. I've never used it.

I have had Craftsman ratchets "all my life", along with some SK, Pittsburgh, now some Icon, etc. None are high-end ratchets.

I have zero desire to have a high-dollar ratchet with smooooooth gears. I don't care. I'm 52 years old and one of the best things I've ever done is bought a battery-powered ratchet. First one was a Husky, paid $60 for it at HD. OMG I couldn't believe I waited so long. Even tho it's the bottom of the barrel with regard to battery ratchets, the time it gave me for other things was unreal. I recently bought a 'real' battery ratchet- a Milwaukee M12 3/8" 'standard'. OMGGGGGGG

If I need to bend, scream, grunt, pull, push on a fastener with a socket, I have a 26" x 1/2" breaker bar, I have a 4' long piece of 1" pipe as a cheater. I have extendable 1/2 Pittsburgh ratchet, etc. There is no way I want to abuse a 3/8" ratchet. It's a speed tool, not a dump truck.

Ok... back to your _____ measuring contest. I'll be running my M12

I know what you mean about finally getting an electric ratchet. I went with the HF Hercules 3/8 extended reach ratchet. It was absolutely amazing using it to change spark plugs and valve cover gaskets on my 04 Silverado. I could easily reach all they way to the rear of the engine.