Cheap Vs Expensive Ratchets

Here I am going over cheap or inexpensive ratchets Vs Expensive Ratchets.

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[tshadow]

Amen on the less expensive tools. Some guys (especially the non professional) love to talk about how great Snap On is, but they don’t own any. I grew up on Craftsman, now I’m a Kobalt fan. My tool box holds Craftsman, Husky, Kobalt and Duralast tools. They all keep my cars and motorcycle running.

[prairiefarmer]

Tekton is the new craftsman if you ask me. I had bought a decent amount of Kobalt in years past because I liked the tools, and had a Lowe’s right by me. Now that Lowe’s is slowly phasing out Kobalt hand tools, I’ve been moving into Tekton. Plus their warranty is something you can’t beat now that I’ve moved to a rural area.

[ED-esqv]

As I’ve gotten older, I enjoy the feel of high end tools more than I used to. I used tools more when I was younger, and I only cared about toughness and fit.
In some cases, the Tekton feels better to me than the snap on, and I would prefer it. I mostly only have used snap on tools, because I never shop anywhere that would have new.
If I’m going to buy a tool without feeling it first, it better be a reasonable price, so that leaves me ordering tekton.

[acidforblood]

Just picked up 2x 243 piece Gearwrench sets 1x in 6 pt. and the other in 12 pt. These are my first starter mechanic sets for DIY. I'm not a mechanic by trade. I probably could've gone for something else like Tekton or Sunex but I had my heart set on Gearwrench. Seeing as I'm not going to be using them consistently like a mechanic would with proper care and using my brain (not to be too rough with them if I can avoid it, and pick a beater tool if I need to) I think they should last a few decades till I'm dead. I realize some professional mechanics out there will think I'm stupid for buying them seeing as its lost on DIY or the flipside being the claim for downward quality control and warranty issues but meh. I need to start somewhere. I respect peoples choices and their budgets. To all the mechanics out there busting their asses off to make a living to me you are heroes that need to be recognized. It makes me angry when I hear how cut throat it is in many trades out there. A lot of men like myself like working with our hands. We need job security and to be treated fairly.

[randybrown]

I been a auto tech for over 30 I have a shop in southern Missouri and I have a good amount of tools but never bought top line tools but the cheaper tools work good and if one brakes I buy another one and don't brake many and I do a lot of work

[timothylockhart]

Very thorough comparison, I'm a fan of the bang for the buck mindset when it comes to tools. Especially since almost every hand tool has lifetime warranty through the big box stores.

[gtcam]

I boxed up and stored all my Craftsman stuff simply because if I do break it, they’ll replace it with some imported piece. Now I have a lot of Tekton and Gearwrench

[desertratedc]

Tekton 90t ratchets are holding fine for me as a Chevrolet mechanic. The current ratchets I am putting to the test is some olsa roto head ratchets that I got sent by accident instead of the wobble extensions. They seem allright so far. Better then the icon and pittsburg roto.

[andym]

I love my Tekton 90 tooth ratchets. The Snap Ons are great, but I do not like the thick head design. I like the very slim design of the Tekton. If Tekton would start making these in the USA, I would be even more impressed. I also have a Pittsburgh swivel head 1/4 inch ratchet. For the price, it is pretty high quality. Only complaint I have about it is it is quick release and there is a lot of tooth drag. But it is great for under dash work.

[mandapalque]

Tony: On the 1/4" ratchet, Chros from Client Graphics testes a good amoutn of 1/4" ratcheta and the: TEKTON, CAPRI. ICON ratchets broke at higher torque pounds than the SNAP-ON. Also, i use the PITTSBURGH PRO flex head 1/4" and is is so smooth that it is my go to ratchet, fornthe past 5 years. I work on scooters and motorcycles, once a bolt is tight enough, that i would need to do a lot of pressure, I grab my 3/8" ratchet. I have NEVER broke any ratchets cz i NEVER buse them. Also, back drag is important for auto mechanics, the Pittsburgh PRO are the best, according to another video from Chris. So. Thanks for this video. I wanted to add the advantages of the PITTSBURG PRO ratchets.

[guyconnell]

$70 for a new Craftsman ratchet. I had no idea. LOL. I recently jumped on the new GW reduced profile 3/8" ratchets. A stubby and a regular length. Phenomenal.

[greghandy]

I think a big issue is the quality of the actual sockets, which is not discussed. A cheap socket can round out a bolt causing misery. As I have become older, I don't have time to mess around and lack patience. If I have to pay more to avoid the frustration I will spend it. The ratchet wrench is also important - like it was mentioned fine tooth is the way to go, and a clean direction switch feel. You know when you are using a cheap tool. Sometimes it is better to spend more than you had planned than less than you should - life is too short for cheap tools.

[bobbygarrett]

You know me Tony, every ratchet I currently use is Carlyle. Catch em on sale, can’t beat them with a stick!Thanks again, Brother.

[Grodd]

I have to agree with this posting. I have a mixed tool box of ratchets ranging from Kobalt, Craftsman, Huskey, to Armstrong, BluePoint, Mac, Cornwell...and one Snap on. They all work fine. Back in the day the truck brands really put emphasis on comfort. Yes, there was quality but Craftsman back in the day got the home mechanic through just as Armstrong, Proto some of the others. But the grips were not as nice so back then I could see it especially if your using tools day in day out as a trade. Now everyone has copied the high end truck brands. My Kobalt and Blue point are just as comfortable as an older Mac. I have Mac screw drivers that are super comfortable, especially compared to the old hard plastic Craftsmans. I went to Home Depot picked up a set of Milwaukee and they have just as nice a grip and the whole set cost less than one Mac.

[mamakd]

I love my GW ratchets. I just bought a 90T 1/2 drive flex head for $44. The 120xp is even cheaper at $38 right now, but I wanted to try out the new 90T. Good deal 👍

[michealrobinson]

I too love my Snap-On but I just picked up a Pittsburgh Pro 72 tooth 3/8" comfort grip, and it's a nice ratchet. Can't wait to put it to the test. Also got a husky 1/4" that works like a dream, and actually prefer it over my Snap-On simply because it's smoother with less back drag

[ryankosik]

Snap on, gearwrench and tekton are all I buy now

[TheDSMIVTR]

I find it interesting that inexpensive tools are always placed alongside Snap-on. I think it would be interesting to see a shootout between high-end ratchets like Snap-On, Proto and Wright. Granted, Proto and Wright are more for industrial use (and few know that Proto, let alone Wright, exist!), but a torture test between the three would be a fun watch. I know. No need to dump hundreds of dollars into three ratchets. But I'd still like to know who the real king of the hill is.

[dukefanshawe]

I have husky and Icon tools. I just bought two SK USA round head ratchets. I can't wait to try them out

[altonbarbee]

Matco silver eagle ratchets are my every day go to. They are inexpensive and lifetime warranty. I only wish they had the flex head versions.