If only there was a good hard handled ratchet besides the snap on. Ive got some time before i start my purchase so ill check out some of the recommended. May go with no grip at all since they always seem to get torn and scuffed
Ratchet recommendation
- Thread starter 04silverado6.0
- Start date
I went on a ratchet buying spree over the coarse of a few years, I had 30-40 ratchets from I think everyone, from hardware store cheapies to Tekton, vessel, gear wrench, Carlyle, snap-on and nepros.
What you might learn is that you have preferences, for me I despise flex heads with detents and I like quick release. This narrowed it down a lot.
In the end I found myself using the same models 90% of the time and that was the Snap-On dual 80s(or 72T in 1/4”) with hard handle, flex head and QR so I sold most of my other ratchets and bought some more Snappys.
These are my most used so I put them in a foam drawer.
Now that I think of it however, my m12 electrics are probably my most used ratchets because I’m lazy, once you get used to them it’s just hard to go back to manual ratchets, it’s probably a split for me between manual/electric.
What you might learn is that you have preferences, for me I despise flex heads with detents and I like quick release. This narrowed it down a lot.
In the end I found myself using the same models 90% of the time and that was the Snap-On dual 80s(or 72T in 1/4”) with hard handle, flex head and QR so I sold most of my other ratchets and bought some more Snappys.
These are my most used so I put them in a foam drawer.
Now that I think of it however, my m12 electrics are probably my most used ratchets because I’m lazy, once you get used to them it’s just hard to go back to manual ratchets, it’s probably a split for me between manual/electric.
I hate to recommend ratchets today because there are so few you can actually go out and actually feel in the hand, most are bought off trucks (crazy) or from online retailers. What feels great to me may not feel the same in your hands, I have a lot of ratchets I bought that are good USA made brands and good quality but after holding and briefly using them they just ended up in the drawer and never used again, I guess I will have to bring myself to selling them off at some point.
Unless it is a Snap on, Hazet or Stahlwille stay clear of comfort grips, there may be some truck brand that off replacement grips also but generally if under warranty they just replace the tool. Often times the one you have is no longer in their program so you get the replacement which is not always a good thing eg Craftsman USA made then replaced with China made.
Take the you tube test with a grain of salt, ratchets that may be a bit stiff when new often loosen up with use and testing to failure is a joke and of no real value.
Unless it is a Snap on, Hazet or Stahlwille stay clear of comfort grips, there may be some truck brand that off replacement grips also but generally if under warranty they just replace the tool. Often times the one you have is no longer in their program so you get the replacement which is not always a good thing eg Craftsman USA made then replaced with China made.
Take the you tube test with a grain of salt, ratchets that may be a bit stiff when new often loosen up with use and testing to failure is a joke and of no real value.
^ so true, which is why I don't fault a guy if he loves a $10 Pittsburgh for everything. If it feels good to you and gets the job done, that's all that matters.
I too have really nice ratchets that just don't feel right to me. I should gift some of them. In thinking about it, I almost never use fixed heads anymore. I should substantially thin my non-flex ratchets.
I kinda like SnapOn's comfort grips. But yeah, it is a bit annoying how they get dirty and you can never really clean them back to new condition like a hard handle.
I too have really nice ratchets that just don't feel right to me. I should gift some of them. In thinking about it, I almost never use fixed heads anymore. I should substantially thin my non-flex ratchets.
I kinda like SnapOn's comfort grips. But yeah, it is a bit annoying how they get dirty and you can never really clean them back to new condition like a hard handle.
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I got the Craftsman v flex ratchets in. Great quality appear to be designed after the Proto flex ratchets. Both made by Black and Decker. May be some Facom in there too. Not a budget piece at all. I have a couple USA Proto, was almost $200 each at the best price I could find. Retail on Proto is something ridiculous, or high depending on ones outlook. But no quick release.
Wow, Ace wants $75 for the long handle 3/8" which is either ~12 or 14" long depending on which Q&A you believe (I particularly enjoy that they didn't think to mention length in the product description or specifications).
By no means SnapOn money, but not exactly inexpensive, either. They do at least claim it's made in Taiwan. I guess they're aiming for the pro-sumer market
https://www.acehardware.com/departments/tools/hand-tools/ratchets/2015373
For the absolute best - Nepros.
For great performance at a more moderate price point - Ko-ken.
For best value - as stated - Tekton.
I’ve got all three, as well as some Wright, some Williams, and old Craftsman.
For great performance at a more moderate price point - Ko-ken.
For best value - as stated - Tekton.
I’ve got all three, as well as some Wright, some Williams, and old Craftsman.
Vintage 80's Craftsman:
I’ve whittled my rackets to Ko-ken and Tecton.
The Ko-kens have very low back drag. My go to for 1/4” drive and short handle 3/8” drive.
3/8” and 1/2” drives are a mix of straight and flex head.
I prefer comfort grips and quick release.
The Ko-kens have very low back drag. My go to for 1/4” drive and short handle 3/8” drive.
3/8” and 1/2” drives are a mix of straight and flex head.
I prefer comfort grips and quick release.
Yeah, and some Asians install hot and cold faucets "backwards".
You either get scalded or frozen in the shower.
I'm partial to Neiko after seeing how they performed in PF comparisons.
I bought this 1/4 Nepros as a gift to myself. Then it pretty much earned it's worth when servicing the water pump on our beloved 06 TSX.
Pretty darn nice! I brag on it all the time; friends just shake their heads, laughing at me.
Love the red hard handles. I think the snapon is on the list. Just purchased some more goodies for the dyno so may be on hold on the tool buying.
