JHZR2
Staff member
Looking to get a long handle, flex head, 1/2” drive ratchet. Primarily looking at gently used snap on, like the shlfd80.
Most every ratchet I own, which includes snap on, SK, and US made craftsman, is a metal handle. I do own a comfort soft touch grip 3/8” snap on ratchet.
Im not sure I see the rationale or benefit of the handled ratchets. I LOVE the same materials on my sgdmrc ratcheting screwdrivers - my go to screwdrivers… I just don’t see the need on my ratchets. The smaller, more streamlined, and lighter, the better. I even try to maximize use of 1/4” drive ratchets because of the reduced heft and size.
But a long handle 1/2” drive is a different beast. For that intuitively I’d think that the older style square is hard handle woukd be better to get a grip, than a smaller, round soft touch handle. I can’t tell though what I’d be missing or giving up with just a plain metal handle. Of course if I needed that much torque, I’d pull a breaker bar with a cheater pipe on the end….
So, thoughts on handles on ratchets?
Most every ratchet I own, which includes snap on, SK, and US made craftsman, is a metal handle. I do own a comfort soft touch grip 3/8” snap on ratchet.
Im not sure I see the rationale or benefit of the handled ratchets. I LOVE the same materials on my sgdmrc ratcheting screwdrivers - my go to screwdrivers… I just don’t see the need on my ratchets. The smaller, more streamlined, and lighter, the better. I even try to maximize use of 1/4” drive ratchets because of the reduced heft and size.
But a long handle 1/2” drive is a different beast. For that intuitively I’d think that the older style square is hard handle woukd be better to get a grip, than a smaller, round soft touch handle. I can’t tell though what I’d be missing or giving up with just a plain metal handle. Of course if I needed that much torque, I’d pull a breaker bar with a cheater pipe on the end….
So, thoughts on handles on ratchets?