I did a bit of search and didn’t find a dedicated thread already. So I made this one.
Looking to get a new ratchet or two. Requirements - 1/4 drive and 3/8 drive. American Made. Smooth action - fine mechanism. Now I don’t so much care if it’s 80 tooth, or ___ dual pawl. Or 120 tooth etc.
I’ve looked into Proto and SK as well as Williams. I have some SK stuffs - I like them. I have Stahlwille german stuff also. In fact the 1/4 driver ratchet I’d be replacing is a Stahlwille. It has too much slop now that it’s worn. Before buying replacement parts - I think I want to just buy an american made quality ratchet.
Handle size - Not to particular I don’t need a long handle - but I’m not against a 10 inch for the 1/4 drive. I might consider a flex head provided it has solid engagement. I don’t often like flex heads and thus never bought one.
Poly handle - also don’t care.
Push button release - is a nice to have but not a hard requirement. My favorite 1/2 drive is a Quick release. I would do thing for the socket retention I would like to get my 1/4 and 3/8 in the same fashion. but the smoothest ratchet I’ve ever used up till now was not a QR style (SK 120).
SO I have an idea what I want but thought I would open up a thread to see what other like and why.
I have a few US made Craftsman ratchets and they are ok but not very exciting, my wife got me a DeWalt 100ish set for Christmas though I haven’t used it more than once on a brake job but the ratchets were quite smooth and engaged very nicely. I’m not much of a garage guy at all I usually try to talk my son into the wrenching (ASE certified mechanic) and he is a big fan of Matco, but has stuff from all the tool trucks(to my dismay), his recommendation to me(and his friends) has always been Williams because they are 1/2 price SnapOn.
Thank you I’ll add both to the list. Leaning right now towards a williams model for the 3/8th but I sort of which I could put my hands on one first before I buy it.
(Shrug)
Anymore, these days, I just hit the local Snap-On truck. They pretty much have anything you might want, and the warranty can’t be beat. Besides that, having used Snap-On ratchets for more than 40 years and never having the need for the warranty, is the final determinant for me.
After some more looking I’m now leaning towards the new SK 90 series. or 90 pro, whatever it’s called. Their new teardrop head.
Since I no longer do hangar work I will no longer pay nor consider tool truck pricing. Especially when I know for a fact the snap on is a williams or the MAC is a Proto. And I don’t have to pay that price up front.
If I go purely on I’ve never had one break thought process I’d stick with one from Autozone. Which in my 1/2 drive set that I bought in an emergency many moons ago - Its never broken and I’ve even put a cheater bar on it. It is not what I would call a quality ratchet.
still however on the look for a 1/4 driver also. I have an SK thumbwheel that I love so I might well just get their 1/4 drive DT model.
I’d love for the 1/4 to have QR though - only because I find I am more often trading sizes in mid process with the 1/4 drives. I might consider something like that wera rotating head for the 1/4 driver. Since I current find I trade from the ratchet to the thumbwheel or a spinner handle when I use 1/4 drive.
I got an Armstrong one awhile back from HJE that I like. Doesn’t look like they carry it anymore. I think they replaced it with the SK 90 you mentioned.
I’m having the hardest time finding the Armstrong MAXX ratchet for sale anywhere. Incidentally I’m struck out on Proto. Williams has one that I would consider and I’ve still got the SK 90 in mind but only for the 3/8’s size. They have a DT120 device for 1/4 drive but it’s only in the short handle size. I don’t so much mind that but for the 1/4 drive I’m staring to lean towards a flex ratchet as I realized that’s what I use the most.
well crap - I didn’t know that they still have an open internet page for them makes one think you can buy them.
Guess I’m getting an SK90 for the 3/8 and probably a SK DT120 for my 1/4. Thought I sort of what a QR or a flex for the 1/4 driver might get a cheapo for that.