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Ratchet Wrenches

  1. #1
    Lifer Garandman's Avatar
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    Ratchet Wrenches

    Need to buy a nice set - maybe not pro level but a nice metric set with fine ratcheting. They seem to vary in price from $30-40 at HF to over $200 for a six piece metric set!

    What’s a good one in the $50-100 range? Have an HF set and they seem fine but finer ratchet would be better.

    Are the flex heads worth it?

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  2. #2
    Backwoods lobster boy number9's Avatar
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    Re: Ratchet Wrenches

    I've always had good luck with Gearwrench. Flex heads are great if you're working on difficult stuff, like my old E36 BMW shitbox... otherwise, I prefer not to have them.

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  3. #3
    Wizard loudbeard's Avatar
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    Re: Ratchet Wrenches

    I picked up this set back in November and it's really nice. Has Metric 6mm - 18 mm and SAE 1/4 - 3/4". I have them in my every day tool kit, use them frequently, and have no complaints.

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  4. #4
    Lifer
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    Re: Ratchet Wrenches

    I have a full Gear Wrench kit. They are okay.
    Mine are flex head. I would not seek those our or pay any extra for them. Not a very valuable feature.
    I haven't used the HF kits, only fondled them in the store. They seem comparable. Their hand-tools seem to be improving more and more every day. I'd keep those and spend the money on something else were I you.

    On this subject. I have a "fine tooth" Gear Wrench brand, flex-head ratchet. It is my go-to ratchet for every day use. The flex head on the ratchet is a terrible idea. I would rather have a nice fixed head with a cheap flexy for the 1-2 times per decade it is needed.

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  5. #5
    Lifer Falko's Avatar
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    Re: Ratchet Wrenches

    I have a set branded DeWalt. I don't know who makes them for them but they are pretty decent. I think they were like $40 for a set of 7-ish.

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  6. #6
    Super Moderator OreoGaborio's Avatar
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    Re: Ratchet Wrenches

    I got something like this set... Had em for years & they still look and work like new.

    https://www.gearwrench.com/wrenches/...rench-set.html

    Here's that set on amazon: https://www.amazon.com/GearWrench-85.../dp/B001GMT6R4

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    Last edited by OreoGaborio; 07-07-20 at 12:33 PM.
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  7. #7
    Unsafe At Any Speeds Jim's Avatar
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    Re: Ratchet Wrenches

    i use my Craftsman ones all the time. i did get the reverse ratcheting ones to make things quicker.

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  8. #8

    Re: Ratchet Wrenches

    here is my single data point: the ratchet part of my gearwrench 10mm broke...it just spins freely

    all the others seem to work fine, and I use the 8mm a lot

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  9. #9
    Lifer ZX-12R's Avatar
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    Re: Ratchet Wrenches

    Many years ago someone on this forum posted about a GEARWRENCH special where a number of their products were deeply discounted. I bought the combination wrenches with the swiveling box end and the double ended box wrenches in both metric and SAE. I use them quite often and they've been holding up well.



    Ratchet Wrenches-gearwrench-jpg

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  10. #10
    Kosher Assassin Stoneman's Avatar
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    Re: Ratchet Wrenches

    Quote Originally Posted by Jim View Post
    i use my Craftsman ones all the time. i did get the reverse ratcheting ones to make things quicker.
    Yup, I've had a Craftsman set (go figure) for years. A buddy busted one up trying to use it to loosen a stuck bolt but it was replace under their lifetime warranty. Other than that, they've held up well.

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  11. #11
    Lifer Garandman's Avatar
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    Re: Ratchet Wrenches

    Does Craftsman still have lifetime warranty? The brand was sold off by Sears and is apparently replacing the Kobalt brand at Lowe’s.

    Answer: yes. And Lowe’s has 10% veteran discount.

    https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-7...Set/1000594135

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  12. #12
    Kosher Assassin Stoneman's Avatar
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    Re: Ratchet Wrenches

    Quote Originally Posted by Garandman View Post
    Does Craftsman still have lifetime warranty? The brand was sold off by Sears and is apparently replacing the Kobalt brand at Lowe’s.

    Answer: yes. And Lowe’s has 10% veteran discount.

    https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-7...Set/1000594135
    I was told by a higher up at Lowe's that they're more or less like an surplus place for Craftsman tools. They almost never know what they'll be getting in for stock or how much of a supply they're getting.

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  13. #13
    Lifer Falko's Avatar
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    Re: Ratchet Wrenches

    Ace hardware carries Craftsman now as well.

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  14. #14
    Wizard loudbeard's Avatar
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    Re: Ratchet Wrenches

    This would be a better thread if it were about “Ratchet Wenches”

    Just saying...

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  15. #15
    Backwoods lobster boy number9's Avatar
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    Re: Ratchet Wrenches

    Quote Originally Posted by loudbeard View Post
    This would be a better thread if it were about “Ratchet Wenches”

    Just saying...

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  16. #16
    Lifer golden chicken's Avatar
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    Re: Ratchet Wrenches

    72 teeth enough?

    https://www.tooltopia.com/gearwrench-9602.aspx

    I believe these are also 72 tooth, but this set only goes to 19mm

    https://www.tooltopia.com/gearwrench-9620.aspx

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    Last edited by golden chicken; 07-07-20 at 04:51 PM.
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  17. #17
    Full of comments kmf's Avatar
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    Re: Ratchet Wrenches

    Quote Originally Posted by nhbubba View Post
    On this subject. I have a "fine tooth" Gear Wrench brand, flex-head ratchet. It is my go-to ratchet for every day use. The flex head on the ratchet is a terrible idea. I would rather have a nice fixed head with a cheap flexy for the 1-2 times per decade it is needed.
    Flex head ratchets work awesome if you know how to use them.

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  18. #18
    Posting Freak caddydaddy's Avatar
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    Re: Ratchet Wrenches

    Quote Originally Posted by Stoneman View Post
    Yup, I've had a Craftsman set (go figure) for years. A buddy busted one up trying to use it to loosen a stuck bolt but it was replace under their lifetime warranty. Other than that, they've held up well.
    Same here. I bought a set in 1993, and I think I've had to swap out the 1/4" and 3/8" drive once in that time.

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  19. #19
    Unsafe At Any Speeds Jim's Avatar
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    Re: Ratchet Wrenches

    Quote Originally Posted by caddydaddy View Post
    Same here. I bought a set in 1993, and I think I've had to swap out the 1/4" and 3/8" drive once in that time.
    i've got one to adjust the OEM slipper. it's the only tool i've found to easily reach the nut with the little bit of space.

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  20. #20
    Lifer Garandman's Avatar
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    Re: Ratchet Wrenches

    Quote Originally Posted by kmf View Post
    Flex head ratchets work awesome if you know how to use them.
    Shots fired! What do you have?

    I’ve heard the “new” Craftsman are good, and complete trash. Have to take a look.

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  21. #21
    Lifer Garandman's Avatar
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    Re: Ratchet Wrenches

    Quote Originally Posted by number9 View Post
    Absolutely terrifying! right up there with the chick in Play Misty For Me.

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