What is your current favorite quality 3/8” drive ratchet ? Key for me would be a good grip and a solid , tight , no wiggle lock up with smooth action . I’m tired of my current no name 3/8” drive ratchet with its smooth grip and loose , wobbly action with all sockets that is causing me to round off bolts… Time to upgrade !
Your Current Favorite 3/8th drive Ratchet ?
- Thread starter ChrisD46
- Start date
I've got quite a few 3/8" ratchets, but my 12" swivel head snap-on is what I reach for EVERY time unless I need something lower profile or a shorter handle. Even then, if I need something for tighter clearances, I'm generally reaching for a 1/4" drive or box end ratcheting wrench. It's an extremely smooth ratchet and has handle some pretty extensive abuse over the last 10yrs. I like a little longer handle for both leverage and to keep my knuckles further away from objects that don't move when you punch them....
https://shop.snapon.com/product/Rou...h-Soft-Grip-Swivel-Head-Ratchet-(Red)/FHNF100
As for 1/4" I like my Matco (see, not just a snap-on fanboy LOL) 7 3/4" flex head ratchet. Very nice compact head, ratcheting mechanism and the locking flex head comes in handy. I've also abused it quite a bit over the years and it just keeps on ticking! Of course, you have to know when you need to stop before the 200lb gorilla is too much for 1/4" drive. haha
https://www.matcotools.com/catalog/...-locking-flex-ratchet-with-ergo-handle-orange
https://shop.snapon.com/product/Rou...h-Soft-Grip-Swivel-Head-Ratchet-(Red)/FHNF100
As for 1/4" I like my Matco (see, not just a snap-on fanboy LOL) 7 3/4" flex head ratchet. Very nice compact head, ratcheting mechanism and the locking flex head comes in handy. I've also abused it quite a bit over the years and it just keeps on ticking! Of course, you have to know when you need to stop before the 200lb gorilla is too much for 1/4" drive. haha
https://www.matcotools.com/catalog/...-locking-flex-ratchet-with-ergo-handle-orange
I do not have one, but I would see what the Harbor Freight Icon ratchet looks like. This might be a hard ratchet to beat for the money.
Many variations available, flex head, with grip handle, etc.
Be sure to get on their mailing list for discounts and coupons.
https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-drive-professional-low-profile-ratchet-56193.html
or
https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in...vel-head-ratchet-with-comfort-grip-64698.html
Many variations available, flex head, with grip handle, etc.
Be sure to get on their mailing list for discounts and coupons.
https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-drive-professional-low-profile-ratchet-56193.html
or
https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in...vel-head-ratchet-with-comfort-grip-64698.html
I know this is kind of a strange one.
I have a ton of ratchets, including a 1/4 and 3/8 Armstrong, but my favorite is an Ace Professional, that I bought in a 3/8 set about 30 years ago for something like $4.97 with a MIR.
Here is a photo of it:
https://www.acehardware.com/departments/tools/hand-tools/ratchets/23598
I have a ton of ratchets, including a 1/4 and 3/8 Armstrong, but my favorite is an Ace Professional, that I bought in a 3/8 set about 30 years ago for something like $4.97 with a MIR.
Here is a photo of it:
https://www.acehardware.com/departments/tools/hand-tools/ratchets/23598
I have a stubby version of this and the backdrag is crazy high. It's now in the donate pile.
My current favorite is Koken.
Honestly, it's a soft handle Dual 80 flex, about 15" long IIRC. It's the one ratchet I never put back in the drawer because I'll just be pulling it out again within seconds.
I'm not saying it's THE best, but for whatever reason it works the most for me. If I lost it I'd have to replace it immediately
I'm not saying it's THE best, but for whatever reason it works the most for me. If I lost it I'd have to replace it immediately
Not relevant to the topic. Try again.
I have a lot of ratchets I really like but favorite depend on what I am doing with it. Right now in this cold if I need to work outside for some reason this is my favorite ratchet, it is a good one and not weak like you would think.
https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-drive-teardrop-composite-ratchet-59856.html
https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-drive-teardrop-composite-ratchet-59856.html
Believe it or not, a Gearwrench teardrop ratchet I bought off of Amazon 5+ years ago. I believe it is a 120XP model and it was a combo set with a 1/4" and 3/8" wrench. The 3/8" has a super long handle which gives you nice leverage on sticky nuts and bolts.
Link to Amazon
Link to Amazon
These are my go to ratchets these days. I broke the 1/4 once (honestly was abuse) and they replaced no questions asked.
https://www.gearwrench.com/all-tool...drive-72-tooth-dual-material-roto-ratchet-set
https://www.gearwrench.com/all-tool...drive-72-tooth-dual-material-roto-ratchet-set
^^^^This inexpensive Pittsburgh composite ratchet has been my daily go-to 3/8" ratchet for years. It is has excellent grip and long enough leverage for most fasteners not requiring a 1/2" ratchet. The 72 tooth gearing is good enough for most situations and the backdrag is better than average, especially considering the price and lifetime warranty. The only real drawback is that it is harder to clean oil/grease from the handle due to the non-slip composite texture,
This is my go to. I have longer ones and shorter ones but this one is always first.
The hard handle and the 3/8 in the 1/4 body. And the Ko-ken with the detent in the center of the flex.
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