Who Makes The Best Ratchet

Today we look at who makes the best mechanic's ratchet. Ratchets may also be called Socket Wrenches. We look at different sized ratchets, different brands like Craftsman, Snap on, Matco, Kobalt, and even a few specialty ratchets

Join me today as be break down:
~ The 3 common drives for ratchets
~ What tooth count is, and why it's important
~ Different handle ends
~ What is the best ratchet for Pros
~ What is the best ratchet for home use
~ When any ratchet will do
~ and more

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GOOD STUFF ON AMAZON

[AnteUp]

Starting my own tool brand, Snap Off. They break on the first try. NO WARRANTY.

[stevenphillips]

snap on keeping mechanics broke for 96 years.

[a.f.s.]

Glad I bought all my Craftsman before they started making it all in CHINA, , , ,

[recoveringnewyorker]

I'm a retired import mechanic and fire truck builder. I have Snap on, Craftsman, Mac, Matco, S.K., J.C. Penny, and Pow'r Kraft (Montgomery Ward) . Kinda tells you how old I am. When I arrived at the firetruck factory my U.S. made tools began walking away. I bought Indian and Chinese made tools to replace them. Mostly from AutoZone and my local flea market. And you know what? They worked pretty well and nobody wanted to steal them! now, whenever I need a replacement tool it's off to Harbor Freight. I wouldn't want to make my living with them, but for what I need them for they work just fine. I've learned in 40 year of repairing and building vehicles, just because the tool is a Craftsman doesn't mean the guy using it is!

[ordinaryk]

If you can find them, Proto ratchets are great. I lucked out and found a 3/8" Proto for $6 at a flea market.

[pilot]

Sidchrome 1/2" & 3/8" ratchets are fantastic, particularly the ones made in Australia up to the 1980's. Other than those, Snap On.

[SubnormalMedia]

my ex's mom made the best ratchet

[Zorbawon]

I grew up as a shade tree while in high school I worked as an auto mechanic and started collecting my own (good) tools. My father who was a millwright said buy quality tools and they will last a lifetime and you will not bust your knuckles on a cheap tool that breaks. Then he purchased me my Snap-on torque wrench for Christmas. Well, as a average teen I knew better and wanted to buy less expensive tools since I could get my toolbox filled fast. You can guess where this is going! One day I was working on an engine block and the the wrench stripped due to the torque applied and I smacked my knuckles on the manifold. Instantly I remembered what my father said as I was trying to mend my
From that day to this I have always purchased the best I could afford and now I have my dads set. BTW I am still using the torque wrench my father purchased for me over 50 years ago.

[ryankincaid]

For the last 20 years, every job I have had, requires me to keep and use my own tools. I used to buy only Craftsman but switched to Kobalt(Sears just kept giving me sass when I would warranty a tool), The "no questions asked" warranty is amazing (I have had to use it a few times) I also have their 18v cordless drill and it is still going strong after 6 years of regular use. Snap-on does make the best tools but I can't justify spending that much more on a tool that doesn't offer a huge amount of benefit. There are a few exceptions to that, of course.

[TheGreatestGinja]

best rachets are the old ones you find at garage sales. i have this old 3/8 proto and the fucking things gets beat to shit. still works great

[SkullAbyssGaming]

I'm no mechanic, but most of my tools I have are from Harbor Freight. I am working on making my transition over to Tekton since many of their wrench sets don't skip sizes. As for power tool, I went with Makita since they are the only major tool company that has a Coffee Maker.

[katzenpapa]

I'm a DYI mechanic/handyman/fixer-upper and Stanley serves me quite well. Though I am looking at Craftsman and Gearwrench since they are decently priced with high rachet tooth count.

[inate]

Im a fleet mechanic and i use 2 Pittsburgh (harbor freight) ratchets everyday. 3/8 and 1/2 flex head fine tooth. They take a beating and keep working for me. If they ever break, i dont care too much since they only cost me $25 each. Rmember it aint a fashion show. If it gets the job done its fine by me!

[NeilLB]

I have 1980's PROTO ratchets my grandpa used at the mine. They are AWESOME. That and my collection of older PROTO closed ends, open ends and adjustable.

[WilliamWonka]

I’ve been using the same Duralast set for the last 8 years. It’s honestly a decent product, and exactly like he said in the video, it’s what feels good in your hand that matters. Making sure you have the lifetime warranty seals the deal and it all depends on your level of usage. As a “weekend warrior” my duralast base set has never failed me, although as expected, as a mechanic progresses, so does his tool set.

Good vid 👍

[blackbirdpie]

After many years of use I found the Matco ratchets to be my favorites. They are smooth strong and compact. I especially like their AFR68LFG it's a 1/4 inch ratchet with a plastic grip handle and a flex head that locks at any angle.. Some guys will disagree, that's fine but they are my pick.

[GH-oijf]

I bought my classic S-K 3/8” ratchet ca 1960 at a 2nd hand store. Still have it. Still works well. Probably my best tool value.

[skydive]

Go for Stahlwille with the drive locks. At least you can pull sockets out from deep recesses with your extension

[gtcam]

For years, my favorite ratchet has been a full polish 11” 3/8 drive Craftsman despite the low tooth count. Lately been looking to replace it and think I settled on a 90t Gearwrench.

[pathfinderreality]

Nepros all the way.
90. tooth count ratchet crafted to perfection.
A work of art.