My favorite 3/8s ratchets are my 1979 craftsman and then my 2022 composite HF. I have many ratchets (Snap On Mac etc) but these are my go too. A well worn 3/8s is such a delight to use. I just keep them clean and oiled.
Your Current Favorite 3/8th drive Ratchet ?
- Thread starter ChrisD46
- Start date
I get frustrated with the lever constantly reversing my ratchet, so I use SK ratchets.
My absolute fav, a stubby little beast that never reverses itself no matter how ham-fisted I am:
My absolute fav, a stubby little beast that never reverses itself no matter how ham-fisted I am:
I’ve got a Snapon 3/8” swivel head ratchet that I invariably use unless I need a special size.
Snap On Dual 80
Stahlwille 80
Where are you finding the gen 2 standard length? I heard they are coming out but have not seen any in the wild.
Great ratchets and tools ditto Hazet.
Craftsman Professional from 2011/2012. Just feels great in my hand, 84 tooth count, very slim head. Little bit longer than an average 3/8" ratchet. Wish I would've bought the whole set back in the day. Mine is well used and abused, but works amazing. Have taken it apart and cleaned/lubed it a few times. I have quite a few other ratchets (other Craftsman's, SK, Gearwrench, HF, etc) but haven't found one I like the feel of as much.
I have the full set of these exact ratchets. When I first bought them (around 2012 or so) I actually didn’t really like them, as they weren’t very smooth, but I took them apart, cleaned and oiled them, and with some use they smoothed right out. Nowadays I love them, and I wish i could find more ratchets with that fat, square handle design, it’s very comfortable.
Wanna sell? LOL. I love them. I want to find something similar just as backups but every time I try, I just end up using this one.
I love them nowadays, and usually reach for them first, but at first they were pretty notchy, before I opened them up and cleaned and oiled them. I love the fat, square handle and wish somebody would copy it. If you know of any other ratchets that have this fat, square handle, please let me know. Nowadays comfort grip seems to be all the rage, but I really don’t care for them.Will do lol! I agree, it's a rarity. The newer Craftsman rachets kind of have the square handle but the heads are huge and the quality just isn't there. Completely different. I can't get used to rounded handles.
Yeah I’ve looked at the newer Craftsman ratchets that look similar, and they just feel so cheap
They remind me of the 72 tooth Capri set that I have, what a disappointment that 3/8” has been. They sent me a replacement and it jams up under light use just like the original one. Money down the drain on those.Bought this as part of a set in 1968 after towing home my first car that needed a ton of work. Still love it.
They made good tools then, not so good now imo.
I have the 1/2" drive version from my Grandpa's tools, love it. At a garage sale like 10 years ago I got the 1/4" drive version and the 3/8" drive version for like $1.50 total, just needed a cleaning and lubing. they work awesome now! I agree, I doubt they make them like these anymore.
These 2 from Matco are really nice.
But when low profile or flex head is appropriate I reach for the vintage long handle Craftsman. It fits into places my fav Pittsburgh can't!
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