Which ratchet from Amazon?

[sciphi]

I have an Amazon gift card, and a new ratchet is on my wish list. Something that's fine-tooth and will stand up to abuse. Made in the USA would be nice, but is not looking too likely. I'm not the strongest guy, so it's important to be durable. They will be used about 1-2x a month for general automotive repair on Rust Belt cars.

Here are some choices that have caught my eye:
SK:
SK Professional
SK Tuff 1

GearWrench:
GearWrench Flex 4-piece set
GearWrench Full Polish 3-piece set

What do you folks think? I'd like to stay on Amazon if possible.

 

[sciphi]

Darn, missed the time limit to edit.

Here's another choice:
Proto Big Dawg 3/8"

 

[bob15]

I have the SK Professional, probably 25 years old. Very nice, rugged and would work well for part time or daily use.

I have no experice with the other ratchet so I cannot say: good or bad.

One of my favorite fine tooth ratchets is made by Wright Tool. They are mainly sold as an industrial tool, so you know its tough. I used their stuff daily for 5+ years when I turned wrenches for a living. US made tools with American steel. These ratchets are super fine with very little backdrag, much less than the SK.

Check out:

with contour handle (smooth handle, what I own):

http://www.amazon.com/Wright-Tool-3426-D...8641&sr=8-1

also can be gotten with knurled handle:

http://www.amazon.com/Wright-Tool-3426-D...9232&sr=8-1

With comfort grip:

http://www.amazon.com/Drive-Ratchets-Mod...9361&sr=8-1


As for Proto, they have gotten in trouble a couple times for saying their tools were made in USA, when in fact they were forged overseas and only polished here in the states. I reason I will NOT buy anything from Proto anymore. Plus, they are owned by Stanley, which cannot move jobs out of the country fast enough. by living in CT, which is where Stanely is headquartered, I get to see first hand.

Hope this help some.......if your heart is with SK, I would go with the "pro" version.

bob

 

[willix]

Proto is the obvious choice. You want tools to last so don't buy them with your heart.

 

[lipadj46]

+1 to wright, professional quality, made in the USA and not owned by stanley.

 

[The_Jeff]

That 4 pc set was the only one to mention tooth count (60) without a lot of digging.

I have a S-K like the first one, but older and probably coarser tooth. (Found in an estate tool box.) Is probably durable but I rarely use it. I much prefer pear-shaped handles to knurled ones.

 

[Donald]

I am still using my trusty Powercraft (Montgomery Wards) rachet and SAE sockets. I must have gotten them 40 years ago. It has a hard rubber handle that I like (metal under the rubber of course). Guess they do not make them like that anymore.

 

[sciphi]

Ended up with an SK Tuff 1 fine-tooth 3/8" ratchet. $42 shipped to my door. After thinking of everything, and how often it'll be used, the SK stood out as something that "should" stand up to years of moderate use monthly.