Just How Bad is the Snap On 100-Tooth Ratchet? I have only one complaint and its a deal-breaker.

Just How Bad is the Snap On 100-Tooth Ratchet? I have only one complaint and its a deal-breaker.

[Tools_and_Guitars]

Thanks Doc for a very comprehensive take on this. I haven't had one in hand to truly judge myself, but the only two things I like about it 'appearance' wise is the low profile head and the selector switch seems like a metal upgrade. That being said, I'll stick with my Dual-80's. I like and trust them and they are time-tested.

[terryeffinp]

My snap-on guy just got one in. I had been wanting to see one. He handed it to me the first thing I checked was back drag. I held that ratchet for less than 5 seconds and said, yup I hate it, and handed it back. The Dual 80 is a great product, don't mess with it.

[BA-pzlo]

very strange of snap on to have this problem. how did it get released to the public? they should of known it was a flop before it got released. the executives and bean counters need to be fired. they were always known as having one of the best ratchets. very uncharacteristic of them 😳

[marcmckenzie]

I wonder if Snap-on® has started with a limited, low profile run, in order to get useful feedback and identify quality problems?

[rwbishop]

I went mostly all Koken for ratchets, sockets extensions etc a good while back; life's been 'ponies/rainbows' ever since. Life's too short for piddling with Snap-On's quirks, idiosyncrasies drama & astronomical pricing... not to mention I haven't even seen one of their trucks around town in a decade.

[michaellindsay]

I don't have a horse in this race because I don't buy Snap-on but looking at that thing it's hard to believe they released it. I'm looking forward to seeing the inside of that. Thanks Doc

[oscarquezada]

I have a feeling since snap on is a public traded company investors are pressuring to increase profits. And by doing that they rushed the RND for this ratchet and therefore for the poor performance. This has been repeated with other company they milk a company good name to the ground.

[paulhunt]

My son has been buying the new style. I am adequately stocked up on ratchets, so I am not tempted to add the new version. I am a huge fan of the 80 tooth style. I went to other brands than Snap-On to get smooth fine tooth function until Snap-On introduced the 80 tooth pear head style. I tried a few of the Snap-On round head fine tooth ratchets. They are okay, but they feel quirky to me. I am old enough to recall when SK introduced the 70 tooth ratchet. I purchased 3 versions. SK did a tremendous job with that tool. Extremely thin necked handle, small head, but I didn't particularly like the knurled handle. I used those ratchets exclusively over the old style Snap-On pear head ratchets due to the slim features and short handle swing. I broke the reversing switch actuating pins on the SK, but the Snap-On clone had the same problem. Easy to fix, but disappointing. The SK reversing switch screw was prone to loosen since torquing the screw bound the direction switching function. It eventually dawned on me that a dab of removable loc-tite resolved that issue.

You really get into the weeds with the issues with the new 100 Snap-On ratchet version. I value premium tools and I am guilty of micro analyzing small tool performance issues as well. The small issues can make or break my preference decisions. Snap-On is a great company, and they consistently out perform the competition, but they are not always a winner. I prefer Proto pullers over Snap-On. Their precision tools were long rebranded mid tier tools with Snap-On price premium. Their pliers are arguably rugged, but are often very clunky, stiff jointed and cutters require more hand squeeze force than less expensive brands. I stick with Klein and Knipex for daily use pliers. Proto line up pins are my favorite brand due to the slim and long slow taper. I love my dozen or so versions of Snap-On dead blow hammers and mallets, but the ball pien design is an ugly shape and often a traditional style head is more ergonomic. Snap-On punches and chisels are wonderful, but if Starrett makes an equivalent tool, I will use the Starrett every time. I own several brands of premium wrenches, but Snap-On wrench design beats all competition in every dynamic in my preference. I don't even know how many Snap-On wrench sets that I own, various vintages, features and styles. The vintage wrenches with the slim taper rounded body feels the very best in my hand. Some of the newer logo wrench body corners hurt my hand on hard pulls, but these era tools give features like open end flank drive, and the chrome is shinier. Snap-On screwdrivers are hard to beat. Even makers like Craftsman occasionally made superb scores. I purchased a new late 1970's fiberglass handled ball pein Craftsman hammer. It remains a favorite now going on 5 decades. I own one Matco ratchet that is a preferred winner even though it is the only non Snap-On tool in a kit including about 10 ratchets. I am very loyal to the premium tool brand for each specific trade, but I am not a brand purist. Sometimes I yield to the second runner premium brand simply due to premium brand costs.

Thank you for the 100 tooth detail review.

[jaymechanic]

Hearing nothing but bad reviews over here in the uk. And to me...that comfort grip handle looks cheap. Needs to go back to the drawing board. Its very disappointing for such a industry leading company.

My guess is they released a limited batch to see what feedback they would get

[gtcam]

Snap on is kind of shooting and missing so to speak. They have more competition than ever, and they’re innovation seems to be lagging behind.

I 100% agree with you on the fasteners. The problem with the fasteners screwing into the body of the ratchet itself is that ultimately those holes can strip out where if the screws came in from the back of the ratchet and screw into the cover plate then you have new threads every time you replace the cover plate.

I prefer the older style lock lol

Man, I thought I was the only one that saw that relief cut on the 3/8 anvil. I’ve never heard anybody make mention of it besides me and until you.

[ShawnC]

Got one when it first came out and returned it. Didn't last 3 fasteners before it was messing up. Back drag was horrible. I used Pittsburgh with smoother action and that's very sad.

[garrisong]

My thoughts on this ratchet are if it’s not broke don’t fix it and the dual 80’s weren’t broken. I know everyone always thinks more is better including me but I love the dual 80 ratchets and I even use my tml70 1/4 drive probably more than my tl72. I guess time will tell and I may eventually end up with one of the 100 tooth ratchets but I’m in no big hurry.

[homerj]

I love the old logo, but it looks odd with the new logo on the handle.

[jackdawson]

I really do enjoy what you do it’s really nice to find another human that’s so enthusiastic about tool like myself

[TylerSnyder]

Don't forget that the threads which can get stripped are on the cover plate which can be replaced.

[donwendling]

Twice the back-drag of the F-80 is a huge deal breaker! I'll stick with my "silky smooth" F-80 until Snap On gets their act together. How did you get this one?

[koffibanan]

I'd like to see you get your hands on a Stahlwille finetooth ratchet one day, like a 452QR, see how it stacks up against some of the finer snap ons.

[nordicpride]

If one is complaining about head profile and counting millimeters, you need to just swap that 3/8 for a 1/4. Most of the tight space work I do is ALL 1/4. 90% of my ratchets are Snap On, but Dual 80. Love them. I also buy a lot of 1990’s-2014 vintage Snap On new on eBay. Best ratchets on the market besides Koken Japan (lower back drag).

[xXBurntBaconXx]

I don't like how it looks. It looks like a GearWrench.

So almost all of my rathcets are Snap-On. I have 1 Matco 15" 3/8 Locking Flex. It is my absolute favorite ratchet. That being said, I had issues with the switch flopping when I first got it. After 2 warranties now its been perfect without issue for about 2 years.

[mikemata]

The complaint of the lever being pushed in allowing the ratchet to free spin happened on the previous gen of ratchets too, so get over it