What is your favorite ratchet?

[SpatiallyAware]

For 1/4" this is my favorite:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-8-Piece-Bit-Ratchet-Set-64723T/100041241#.UZVsEMp9CYw

For 3/8":

1/2"

 

[SpatiallyAware]

And waiting on one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/Wright-Tool-34...t+ratchet+3430

 

[manimal]

 

[SpatiallyAware]

3/4" drive?

I've owned a couple of snap-on ratchets, whatever is the common regular 3/8" and 1/4", and they just never felt that great to me. I know that's sacrilege, but my cornwells and protos feel smoother.

 

[jagec]

"Nice place you got here. Be a shame if anything were to happen to it. Say, me and the boys live in the area, for just a few percent of your profits we can keep a close eye on things and make sure that no one does anything rash..."

 

[phucheneh]

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=682403&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

Although I unfortunately bought mine before they moved the stupid button to the bottom. And I need the spring-loaded bit than engages the head replaced, it slips if you pull hard. I've yet to find any locking flex that doesn't eventually quit locking. But it's still infinitely more versatile than a fixed ratchet, and not a knuckle-busting troll of a tool like a non-locking one.

I got tired of having that one fixed and bought a Matco:
http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/BFR128LFT/3-8-DRIVE-88-TOOTH-LOCKING-FLEX-RATCHET/

...on which the lock broke in about 1/10th the time. Completely. And 88 teeth my fucking ass, it's rougher than Snapon's 60 tooth ratchets.

Even so, it's still better than most. I'll castrate myself before I use a Craftsman ratchet. Those pieces of shit feel like they have about seven gear teeth, and they were hand cut by a retarded toddler with Parkinsons.

edit: oh, and for 1/4" I use a THL936A (...yeah, I had to go look at it). Even at 36 teeth, it's still smoother and resets more quickly than most other 1/4 ratchets. And it's got a bitchin' green handle. And it was free because I found it underneath someone's carpet.

 

[SSSnail]

I bought one of those Craftsman tool set from Sears, the Made in 'Murica one, and been using it to do stuff to my car. Seem to work well, the set has all the tools I'd need to fix just about anything.

Of all the ratchets, I guess I use the 3/8" the most, so that's my favorite.

 

[compman25]

And waiting on one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/Wright-Tool-34...t+ratchet+3430

That little Wright is a great ratchet.

 

[phucheneh]

For all you bolt breakers:

 

[ThatsABigOne]

Rachet is a ratchet for me. All I need is extensions and good bits.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

For all you bolt breakers:

Heh. I have a cornwell stubby in my house, somewhere.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CORNWELL-3-...292?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e79b57a1c

 

[SpatiallyAware]

That little Wright is a great ratchet.

I'm excited for it to arrive. I use my smaller ratchets the most... Particularly that 1/4" husky, it's a quality little tool.


I always use two ratchets when working on cars, a 1/2" body with a 3/8" head for breaking bolts loose or snugging them up and a regular 3/8" to scoot the bolts in and out.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=682403&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

Although I unfortunately bought mine before they moved the stupid button to the bottom. And I need the spring-loaded bit than engages the head replaced, it slips if you pull hard. I've yet to find any locking flex that doesn't eventually quit locking. But it's still infinitely more versatile than a fixed ratchet, and not a knuckle-busting troll of a tool like a non-locking one.

I got tired of having that one fixed and bought a Matco:
http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/BFR128LFT/3-8-DRIVE-88-TOOTH-LOCKING-FLEX-RATCHET/

...on which the lock broke in about 1/10th the time. Completely. And 88 teeth my fucking ass, it's rougher than Snapon's 60 tooth ratchets.

Even so, it's still better than most. I'll castrate myself before I use a Craftsman ratchet. Those pieces of shit feel like they have about seven gear teeth, and they were hand cut by a retarded toddler with Parkinsons.

edit: oh, and for 1/4" I use a THL936A (...yeah, I had to go look at it). Even at 36 teeth, it's still smoother and resets more quickly than most other 1/4 ratchets. And it's got a bitchin' green handle. And it was free because I found it underneath someone's carpet.

I dunno, I just can't get used to flex head ratchets. Granted I don't spin tools for a living so I don't care about having to mess with extensions. I have a couple, a SK 3/8" and a mac spinflex 1/4". Neither of them ever get used.

http://www.mactools.com/shoponline/product/tabid/120/p-319577-14-drive-7-spinflex-ratchet.aspx


FWIW... While I hate the modern taiwan "beam" craftsmans, I do really like my thin profile 3/8".. More than the snap-ons, protos, and other 'truck ratchets' that I've owned and used. It's a 60 tooth armstrong mechanism and VERY smooth... Also, I know the pros hate them, but I really like having a button release. And it's heavy so it balances well.


My next ratchet will be 3/8", long handled, must have >60 teeth, and I really want a little thumbwheel on the back of the ratchet.

 

[slag]

I don't like flex head ratchets either. I'm sure they have their place, I just don't want that part flexing on me when I'm pulling or pushing on the wrench on a tough bolt.

 

[SSSnail]

I'm excited for it to arrive. I use my smaller ratchets the most... Particularly that 1/4" husky, it's a quality little tool.


I always use two ratchets when working on cars, a 1/2" body with a 3/8" head for breaking bolts loose or snugging them up and a regular 3/8" to scoot the bolts in and out.

I use the proper sockets for the drives... and for snugging up, there are torque wrenches.

 

[phucheneh]

I dunno, I just can't get used to flex head ratchets. Granted I don't spin tools for a living so I don't care about having to mess with extensions. I have a couple, a SK 3/8" and a mac spinflex 1/4". Neither of them ever get used.

http://www.mactools.com/shoponline/product/tabid/120/p-319577-14-drive-7-spinflex-ratchet.aspx


FWIW... While I hate the modern taiwan "beam" craftsmans, I do really like my thin profile 3/8".. More than the snap-ons, protos, and other 'truck ratchets' that I've owned and used. It's a 60 tooth armstrong mechanism and VERY smooth... Also, I know the pros hate them, but I really like having a button release. And it's heavy so it balances well.


My next ratchet will be 3/8", long handled, must have >60 teeth, and I really want a little thumbwheel on the back of the ratchet.

If it's an Armstrong head, I think that's the same as Matco. I know I've seen Armstrong ratchets that look and feel identical to the 3/8 Matco I have. So that's good stuff. The difference between it and Snapon is noticeable but overall fairly minor. Best I can explain it is, with my Snapons, you only seem to feel simple quick 'clicks.' With others, it's like you can feel the pawl going up the ramp, building tension, and then clicking.

And like I said, I won't use non-locking flex. The locking ones can be used as non-locking, but it's rare that I do so. The advantage is in cramped spaces. I've had occasions where a 6" 1/4" ratchet would not fit, no matter the extension setup, but my foot long 3/8" would, because I could put the handle in just the right orientation to clear all the stuff in my way.

A locking flex with wobble sockets is like god mode.

 

[Baked]

Kobalt 14-piece 3/8-in Drive Xtreme Access Socket Set

Sure it's made in China and it's a Lowe's store brand. But I've been using it for about a year, and it's been serving me really well so far on all my projects and I'm looking forward to using it for years to come. I got it for $15 on sale. Despite what the review said, my sockets have stayed in place securely during usage and was equally easy to pop out from the rachet.

 

[mztykal]

Melissa!

Oh wait...tools! I like my old Snap On stuff but the new Kobalt 80 tooth ones I got are pretty damn good!

 

[TonyH]

1/4 1 Snap on and 2 Craftsman
3/8 4 Snap On 1 stubby, 2 regular, 1 flat handle and a fine tooth Indestro
1/2 Long handle Snap On
3/4 OTC

 

[leper84]

If I were at work I'd take a picture of this thing on my cart just to illustrate the size-

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=682694&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

Thats my "don't give a sh*t, you're coming off" ratchet

Sorta pissed they don't sell the big one with the comfort handle that locks at the same time, but I haven't had it really turn into an issue yet.

I do have the snap on flex-locking-comfort grip in 3/8ths and 1/4 and they've paid for themselves many times over already.

 

[tortoise]

Girard SpinRatchet was purchased at Ace Hardware, but appears to be discontinued . . video.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

And waiting on one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/Wright-Tool-34...t+ratchet+3430

Ok so far I am LOVING this thing....


Next purchase will be a long 3/8" fine tooth long handle, no flex head, prefer a quick release button.

Either snap-on 80, or maybe another wright. Leaning towards snap-on only for the comfort handle... It really helps when breaking tough bolts loose.