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Tool Talk Discussion Forum

Ratchet preferences

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ShepFL

02-07-2005 06:21:02

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This weekend while the weather was nice I decided to get some over due stuff done. Did a lot of wrench turning with my sons.

While teaching them how to change spark plugs on the truck we broke one off RH side of Chevy motor (dam heat sheilds - who dreamed up that idea?)

All my ratchets except 3/4" have a lever to quickly switch directions. My young sons (Mark and Dusty) tools do not have this. They were proud to offer Dad use of there tools but by the end of the day they learned the advantage of that quick switch lever. Now they claim they will be seeking a 3/8" ratchet with switch lever.

What is your preferance? Standard ratchet or lever ratchet?

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Opa A

02-08-2005 09:56:30

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Re: Ratchet preferences in reply to ShepFL, 02-07-2005 06:21:02

I used to love my old Craftsman standard style, double paw ratchets. The 1/4 and 3/8 finally wore out after 15 years of constant use. I still have the 1/2 inch drive and it is the toughest ratchet I have, many snipe marks on it. I bought them in the early eighties and any Craftsman ratchet I have bought since has been junk. I now have Snap On sealed lever ratchets in the shop and other than the price they are great, especially if you happen to back a bolt out far enough to have the back side ot the head bind on something, you can always flip the lever and regain clearance to get the ratchet off. Have Westward lever style on the service truck because sometimes they walk off in someones pocket and then I'm not out much, and my local CNH dealer handles them for warranty and replacement without question.

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John Garner

02-07-2005 16:13:55

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Ratchet Preferences? You betcha! in reply to ShepFL, 02-07-2005 06:21:02

Hi, my name is John, and I am a hand tool junkie with a special weakness for ratchets.

My druthers, in order:

1. Open head ratchets. Except for a couple of Wright models, open head ratchets haven't been made in the US in 30+ years. I have several, mostly Thorsen 77's, that I save for assembly work in the shop. Can't get these guys anymore except by getting lucky at a flea market, so there's no point in risking loss or damage.

2. Closed round-head ratchets, especially in smaller drive sizes (1/4, 3/8, and 1/2). The Facom "Palm Control" is the queen of the ball, with the "SK Professional", the last-generation New Britain, the Craftsman QUICK-RELEASE round head (or its Easco, KD, and Allen brand cousins), the last-generation Vlchek/Penens/Challenger, and the Williams "Superratchet" filling out the court. Note that the current-model Danaher and Craftsman round-head NON-quick-release ratchet are specifically excluded from this group.

3. Double-pawl oval-head ratchets, especially in the larger drive sizes (3/4 and up). The long-discontinued-in-small-drive-sizes Armstrong "flat" ratchets and the Proto oval-heads are wonderful.

4. (This space reserved for future use.)

5. Single-pawl oval-head ratchets such as the Snap-On oval head, the MAC oval head, the Cornwell oval head, the old Indestro/Duro-Chrome oval head ratchets.

6. (This space reserved for future use.)

7. (This space reserved for future use.)

8. (This space reserved for future use.)

9. The current-model Craftsman single-pawl oval-head ratchet and its Allen, KD, NAPA cousins.

10. Whale feces on the bottom of the ocean.

11. Current-model Danaher NON-quick-release round-head ratchets sold under the Allen and KD names.

12. Current-model Craftsman NON-quick-release round-head ratchets. Not only do these things have the lousy mechanism of their Danaher-brand cousins, but they have miserable grips. These things are not worth the effort it would take to drop them into the ocean.

Having said all that, I'll add that if, for some perverse reason, I was only allowed to have current-model ratchets from one of today's makers . . . Wright all the way!

John

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dhermesc

02-09-2005 11:15:40

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Re:You da man in reply to John Garner, 02-07-2005 16:13:55

I now know more about ratchets then I ever dreamed of.

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Redd

02-07-2005 15:55:59

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Re: Ratchet preferences in reply to ShepFL, 02-07-2005 06:21:02

I have to agree with CNKS, in my 20 yrs as a mech I find that the lever ratchets are easy to "slip" in the in between mode. Probably the biggest disappointment was my Snap on ratchets. When you're working them fast spinning out a bolt its easy to knock the lever into neutral. Conversely, the "dial" kind are sometimes hard to use cause it takes two hand to switch, usually. My favorite? A Wright brand with a flip lever in the handle and the exposed gear that you can spin with your fingers (that and I found it):)

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Jason(ma)

02-07-2005 15:25:21

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Re: Ratchet preferences in reply to ShepFL, 02-07-2005 06:21:02

I LOVE my snap-on "lever" ratchets. They just work great. Take a look at the Auto Zone ones, I've bought a couple to try out and they seam really nice, haven't broken yet. Not to mention they look a lot like my old snap-on's. I have yet to find a Sear's ratchet I like, sockets + wrenchs yes, ratchets no.

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Alan Y.

02-07-2005 12:42:10

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Re: Ratchet preferences in reply to ShepFL, 02-07-2005 06:21:02

I much prefer the lever type although I have many of both types. Sticking levers are sometimes due to lack of maintenance. It pays to occasionally disassemble the ratchet head, clean and re-lube it.

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RustyFarmall

02-07-2005 07:56:31

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Re: Ratchet preferences in reply to ShepFL, 02-07-2005 06:21:02

Both styles have their good points and bad points. I have both styles, the knob style is in a kit that I carry with me in the truck just in case I may need some tools. My ratchets of choice are my 30+ year old Snap-ons, or my 35 year old Indestro. Both of these have the lever, and one is as good as the other, although what cnks said is true, sometimes the lever doesn't always lock in, but some of that is due to normal wear and abnormal abuse.

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NEsota

02-07-2005 11:03:10

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Re: Ratchet preferences in reply to RustyFarmall, 02-07-2005 07:56:31

My only MATCO brand tool is a 3/8 spark plug ratchet. I think it is the greatest and rarely use the regular 3/8 ratchet. Because of the length of the handle and its, strength there are times it is used instead of moving up to a 1/2 drive. You will like it too, after getting over the sticker shock.

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CNKS

02-07-2005 08:52:24

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Re: Ratchet preferences in reply to RustyFarmall, 02-07-2005 07:56:31

I don't think Craftsman has a very good reputation on their ratchets. I have had other problems with them also, not related to abuse, as things such as cheater pipes, hammers and my medium size foot are only used on the breaker bars themselves. I need to replace a couple of my ratchets--with some other brand, have had no problem with sockets or combination wrenches, etc.

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the tractor vet

02-07-2005 07:48:25

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Re: Ratchet preferences in reply to ShepFL, 02-07-2005 06:21:02

All of my ratches are S&Ks from the 1/4 inch thru the 3/4and they have been in the toolbox since i was a pup only broke one myself but my one buddy broke the 3/4 drive with out a cheeter pipe but he was half animal could lift the rear of my 73 ford f250 4x4 off the ground .

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CNKS

02-07-2005 06:40:49

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Re: Ratchet preferences in reply to ShepFL, 02-07-2005 06:21:02

I prefer the ones with the knob (use thumb and forefinger) on top of the rachet mechanism. My experience with the lever (mostly craftsman) is that it is not always positive engagement, sometimes not engaging and sometimes locking in between. The heat shields are an agreement between GM and the various band-aid manufacturers.

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Big Jim

02-08-2005 01:32:01

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Re: Ratchet preferences in reply to CNKS, 02-07-2005 06:40:49

I am totally sold on the lever sytle. Way too many times I've had the dial ones change direction in a tight spot or while I'm trying to hold it tight on a nut. My son told me that, if you have a Craftsman ratchet, you want to get the rebuild kit they sell at the stores. A new ratchet has a couple of plastic parts but the kits are all metal. Suprisingly, Snap-On is not at the top of my list for 3/8 or 1/4. They seem to wear out faster than some of the others.

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