Swivel Rachet
- Thread starter 2Fast4U
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I have one with the red handle,i guess they are older HF models.
The thing is pretty good I've been using it for a while now with no trouble.
IIRC it did well in some test that were done.
The thing is pretty good I've been using it for a while now with no trouble.
IIRC it did well in some test that were done.
That looks exactly like my Kobalt swivel ratchet that's made by Danaher/Apex. It does okay in the limited use it's had so far. It's also competing against other fine-tooth rats for wrenching time.
Only trouble with HF swivel is that there is NO way to lube them as they can not be opened by normal methods. I suppose one could soak them in ATF overnight. The 3/8 swivel clicking is more heavier than the 3/8 composite and I would like to make 3/8 swivel click lighter.
I have 3/8 swivel with the red handle and will pick up 1/4 swivel when I am there next time. I prefer the older red handle models as I feel they were better built. Given a choice between red and green, I usually chose red.
You can also play with the swivel pre-load using a torx T20 screwdriver
- Vikas
I have 3/8 swivel with the red handle and will pick up 1/4 swivel when I am there next time. I prefer the older red handle models as I feel they were better built. Given a choice between red and green, I usually chose red.
You can also play with the swivel pre-load using a torx T20 screwdriver
- Vikas
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I've used them in the past and I like them. I will say that for dummies like me, the swivel head is a pinch point.
From some researchin' it seems to me the round head is a much stronger type of ratchet in general. The pear shape have a pawl that engages one or two teeth usually. So depending on the design it can slip if overloaded. Not due to quality necessarily but the design.
If anyone is interested to see what I think is the strongest ratchet, this is a link:
http://www.google.com/patents?id=5-AhAAA...p;q&f=false
It is from Alloy Artifacts website. I went through most of the patent drawings. I have bought a dozen or so ratchets over the past month, all USA made of course. I won't support closing USA factories in favor of China opening new ones, when I have a choice.
Some I have taken apart, and found this very same single pawl design. Craftsman, KD, Williams round heads I bought in 3/8 and 1/2 have this basic design. Snap on added wording to the direction switch in this patent.
The large floating pawl with many teeth rocks over and wedges into the teeth of the head. There is no pin it rotates on. The more force applied the more the hardened steel pawl is forced into the corner and the teeth grip tighter. The pawl is driven by a thick steel bar which is part of the square drive itself.
This design won't break, slip, or reverse. The handle or socket will break first.
If anyone is interested to see what I think is the strongest ratchet, this is a link:
http://www.google.com/patents?id=5-AhAAA...p;q&f=false
It is from Alloy Artifacts website. I went through most of the patent drawings. I have bought a dozen or so ratchets over the past month, all USA made of course. I won't support closing USA factories in favor of China opening new ones, when I have a choice.
Some I have taken apart, and found this very same single pawl design. Craftsman, KD, Williams round heads I bought in 3/8 and 1/2 have this basic design. Snap on added wording to the direction switch in this patent.
The large floating pawl with many teeth rocks over and wedges into the teeth of the head. There is no pin it rotates on. The more force applied the more the hardened steel pawl is forced into the corner and the teeth grip tighter. The pawl is driven by a thick steel bar which is part of the square drive itself.
This design won't break, slip, or reverse. The handle or socket will break first.
Here is a PDF of the ratchet shoot out.
http://www.sonic.net/~alexz/Ratchet%20shootout.pdf
http://www.sonic.net/~alexz/Ratchet%20shootout.pdf
He doesn't test the type I was referring to. He seems bent on proving something about the low end Craftsman pear shape. He should try more samples of it to be sure. I never use a 3/8 to take wheel lugs off for example, that is less than or about 100 ft/lbs, I use 1/2". The design I was looking at appears to be unbreakable as far as the pawl goes, which is the weak link in the pear shape ratchets.
because of that shootout, i put my craftsman 3/8 on my lugnuts, and no problem loosening my lugnuts... except for a significant amount of muscle needed. On the other hand, i agree, i dont really foresee needing a 3/8 ratchet to go up 200ft/lbs very often. I loosen most bolts with a breaker bar anyway.
i also agree that a bigger sample would be more assuring. perhaps he has a defect in his.
i also agree that a bigger sample would be more assuring. perhaps he has a defect in his.
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I recently bought a "Wera Zyklop" because I like this concept, and I want premium tools. I haven't used it yet.
Any idea where this is made?
There is some speculation on some tool forums that it is not made in Germany.If it is then i will buy one too,it looks like a great concept.
There is some speculation on some tool forums that it is not made in Germany.If it is then i will buy one too,it looks like a great concept.
I now have the Zyklop, and I am having a difficult time getting used to it. Maybe in a few weeks I will be able to give it a fair review.
This was a pretty good thread on GJ showing ratchet innards:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=88511&showall=1
This is a tool mfg website with some ratchet information:
http://www.williamtools.com/Ratchet-Handle-Types.shtml
I thought the latter was from Williams, an old American Co. but it is William, a Taiwanese Co. Apparently the owners name is William.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=88511&showall=1
This is a tool mfg website with some ratchet information:
http://www.williamtools.com/Ratchet-Handle-Types.shtml
I thought the latter was from Williams, an old American Co. but it is William, a Taiwanese Co. Apparently the owners name is William.
1/4" Swivel rachet, looks like I'll be making another trip to HF.
I am planning to pick up both 1/4 Swivel and Composite on my next HF trip. Initially I had thought that my Gearwrench Vortex 1/4 swivel would do the job but when I went to actually use it, I realized that the Vortex ratchet with the included socket adapter really does not work. As soon as you apply downward pressure to the ratchet, the adapter pops out. On 8mm or 10mm sockets, it pops out completely and on larger sockets, it pops out half way.
- Vikas
- Vikas
IMO the strength of a ratchet is only one factor among many to consider. I personally don't like the ones with a big round head- even if they ARE stronger than the pear-head ratchets. 'Cause that big round head gets in the way- and I often need to access tight spaces with a 3/8" ratchet.
If I need a stronger ratchet for bigger bolts... I'll just grab my 1/2" ratchet.
As far as swivel ratchets go, my favorite of all time is she Snap-on FLF80. I had one of these for several years, and it was my favorite ratchet for most things. Long enough for good leverage, flex handle for better access, strong, fine-toothed, fairly small head.
Problem is that these things are expen$ive. Depending on where you buy it, it could easily cost $120. Now some of you will think I'm making this up, but I got mine for $1. Many years ago I found a stripped out snap-on ratchet at a pawn shop and bought it for $1 because the gal didn't know what she had. Subsequent breaking and replacing got me an FLF80. And then karma caught up with me and somebody decided that they needed it more than I did.
Being a cheap [censored], I'm not about to pay $120 for a ratchet- I don't care how good it is. So I bought this one: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605...ku=00944815000P
It's an acceptable substitute most of the time. Not as stong, and not as fine-toothed... but otherwise does pretty much the same thing. And the head is a little smaller for slightly improved access.
If I need a stronger ratchet for bigger bolts... I'll just grab my 1/2" ratchet.
As far as swivel ratchets go, my favorite of all time is she Snap-on FLF80. I had one of these for several years, and it was my favorite ratchet for most things. Long enough for good leverage, flex handle for better access, strong, fine-toothed, fairly small head.
Problem is that these things are expen$ive. Depending on where you buy it, it could easily cost $120. Now some of you will think I'm making this up, but I got mine for $1. Many years ago I found a stripped out snap-on ratchet at a pawn shop and bought it for $1 because the gal didn't know what she had. Subsequent breaking and replacing got me an FLF80. And then karma caught up with me and somebody decided that they needed it more than I did.
Being a cheap [censored], I'm not about to pay $120 for a ratchet- I don't care how good it is. So I bought this one: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605...ku=00944815000P
It's an acceptable substitute most of the time. Not as stong, and not as fine-toothed... but otherwise does pretty much the same thing. And the head is a little smaller for slightly improved access.
The night shift foreman noticed this thieving little [censored] using a nice Snap-on ratchet yesterday... when most of his tools are Made in China. Foreman asked him where he got it, and the thief stuttered that his father-in-law got it for him. So when he came in later that day I said "hey- I heard you found my ratchet. I've been looking for that thing for a while". He hesitated and said that yeah, he found it under a truck. And he handed it over mumbling something about how he doesn't want people to think he's a theif.
I lied and assured him that it was no problem. I mean [censored], I'm sure he was just holding onto it for me for the past TWO MONTHS. Honestly though he's about half retarded so I'll let it slide as long as he doesn't do it again... but I'm gonna go through his toolbox with a fine-toothed comb next chance I get.
Really I'm just glad to have my Snap-on ratchet back. That Craftsman was a sorry substitute. I guess I'll add it to my at-home tools.
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