Any comments on 3/8" & 1/2" ratchets to buy

[CATMAN]

I will ditto what DieselPower says. I will tell you the best 3/8" rachets I have ever used and still currently use is the long handle Matco "locking" swivel head fine-tooth rachet(Est:$80). The handle feels good in my hand(polished), is easy to clean off, NEVER broken it EVER. The "locking" swivel head can be adjusted straight or at different angles. If you were ever to spend a little more on a one time purchase, I highly recommend this for your 3/8" choice. I promise you, it will be the first rachet you reach for doing 3/8" work. I also own Matco long handle 1/2" locking swivel head rachet ($150-180) Also trouble-free.(Note: I broke the Snap-On long handle-style). I also broke Snap-On 3/8" rachets' gear teeth. I agree there are times that one needs to step up to 3/4" drive instead of beening a bully to one's 1/2" rachet or 1/2" breaker bar. I don't break many tools because I have learned when to go BIGGER on really stubborn bolts/nuts.

 

[RobertN]

I hope you know what I'm saying, its kind of hard to explain by typing.

I know exactly what your saying It is hard to put it in words, unless the other person has had similar expierience

I like the older Craftsman stuff. My Dad has stuff that goes back a long ways. Definitely different than what is out there today. The Snap-on I have is great.

My Dad has an older S-K ratchet/socket set; it is a nice ratchet.

I'd mention Denio's again. You'll find all the brands out there. For those outside the local area, Denio's is a market/ produce/livestock auction that has been in the Sacramento/Roseville Ca area since the 1940's; My Grandfather had an egg and produce booth out there for 45 years before his health failed...

 

[Harvster]

Go to the nearest dollar store and get about two dozen of the cheapest Bangladesh made ratchets you can find. Then put them everywhere, on the walls, in cabinets and drawers, laying around on the floor. This way you always have one handy. Then at the end of the year simply gather up all the busted handles and split sockets, sell them for scrap, and get your $3 back.

 

[RobertN]

Go to the nearest dollar store and get about two dozen of the cheapest Bangladesh made ratchets you can find. Then put them everywhere, on the walls, in cabinets and drawers, laying around on the floor. This way you always have one handy. Then at the end of the year simply gather up all the busted handles and split sockets, sell them for scrap, and get your $3 back.

With this method, make sure to get a couple well stocked first aid kits to take care of the scraped up knuckles and busted fingers from when those ratchets break at the most inoportune time

And, be prepared to eplain to the neighbors where thier kids learnt these new colorful words when you yelled them as those fingers got broke and knuckles scraped

 

[scott_vt]

Mornin Robert,
I really dont have too much more to add to what allready has been said. I do own some real old craftsman tools including a 1/2" ratchet that dates back to the 30's or 40's.

Just one comment, and not directed at anyone in particular ! Also I think that the guys that do this know its wrong but do it anyway ! Ratchets were never designed to be used as breaker bars with cheater pipes hung on the end !
We all have done it at some point in time but honestly dont be surprised when your ratchet breaks ! I was just amused at how many guys said they have done this before !

 

[_RaT_]

Mornin Robert,
I really dont have too much more to add to what allready has been said. I do own some real old craftsman tools including a 1/2" ratchet that dates back to the 30's or 40's.

Just one comment, and not directed at anyone in particular ! Also I think that the guys that do this know its wrong but do it anyway ! Ratchets were never designed to be used as breaker bars with cheater pipes hung on the end !
We all have done it at some point in time but honestly dont be surprised when your ratchet breaks ! I was just amused at how many guys said they have done this before !

Guilty... I wish I had kept the old Craftsman ractchets I got back in the early 70's. Sears offered me the choice of brand new or a rebuild kit. I thought new would be easier to do, but now know the rebuild would probably have been a better choice.

 

[jeffinsgf]

Go to the nearest dollar store and get about two dozen of the cheapest Bangladesh made ratchets you can find. Then put them everywhere, on the walls, in cabinets and drawers, laying around on the floor. This way you always have one handy. Then at the end of the year simply gather up all the busted handles and split sockets, sell them for scrap, and get your $3 back.

This solution ignores an underlying theme in this thread, which is that many of us love the feel of a well made, beautifully designed tool. I think the ratchet resistance RaT discussed might be just one of several issues he, I and several others in this thread would find intolerable with your suggestion.

RaT....yes, FACOM is French. I wouldn't hold that against the company or the product, though. haha.

Lacking a sufficient compressor to make good use of a serious 1/2" pneumatic impact gun, I bought a Porter-Cable electric one. Oooh, I love that tool. I bought a CP 3/8" pneumatic ratchet, but always forget it is in the drawer when it is time to turn wrenches. I always do a head slap when I open that drawer and see it there. I guess I need to take it out of the drawer and lay it on the workbench with the rest of the stuff I actually use. I have a couple of cordless electric impact drivers (one Bosch and one Makita) that I have 1/4" and 3/8" drivers for. Now, those get a workout.

Scott: Guilty as charged. Next time I am at Sears, I promise to get a 3/8" break over bar. I already have a 1/2", I just sometimes forget to go get it.

 

[Harvster]

This solution ignores an underlying theme in this thread, which is that many of us love the feel of a well made, beautifully designed tool. I think the ratchet resistance RaT discussed might be just one of several issues he, I and several others in this thread would find intolerable with your suggestion.

This was sort of a tongue in cheek answer. When I buy tools I will spend the money for quality (unless its something like a Harbour Freight wire brush or putty knife). You see a few years back my in-laws wanted to know what they could get me for Christmas and birthday presents. So I told them a few tool choices. Everything they gave me came straight from the dollar store. Same thing with my FIL's tools. Whenever I go visit I always bring my tool box. Every try and cut metal with a hacksaw blade that came in a pack of ten that had a $0.99 price tag?

 

[_RaT_]

This solution ignores an underlying theme in this thread, which is that many of us love the feel of a well made, beautifully designed tool. I think the ratchet resistance RaT discussed might be just one of several issues he, I and several others in this thread would find intolerable with your suggestion.

This was sort of a tongue in cheek answer. When I buy tools I will spend the money for quality (unless its something like a Harbour Freight wire brush or putty knife). You see a few years back my in-laws wanted to know what they could get me for Christmas and birthday presents. So I told them a few tool choices. Everything they gave me came straight from the dollar store. Same thing with my FIL's tools. Whenever I go visit I always bring my tool box. Every try and cut metal with a hacksaw blade that came in a pack of ten that had a $0.99 price tag?

I pretty much figured your comment was TIC. I know what you mean about hacksaw blades. I only use bi-metal blades and pretty much 32T/inch for cutting conduit etc. I never skimp on my Sawzall blades either. They are expensive but work so much better then the old blades that were not bi-metal.

 

[jeffinsgf]

This was sort of a tongue in cheek answer. When I buy tools I will spend the money for quality (unless its something like a Harbour Freight wire brush or putty knife). You see a few years back my in-laws wanted to know what they could get me for Christmas and birthday presents. So I told them a few tool choices. Everything they gave me came straight from the dollar store. Same thing with my FIL's tools. Whenever I go visit I always bring my tool box. Every try and cut metal with a hacksaw blade that came in a pack of ten that had a $0.99 price tag?

Sorry, I know too many people who do exactly what you've suggested to see that you were being satirical.