Where to get a good fine-tooth ratchet?

[Black88GTA]

Well, after years of service, I finally managed to break my favorite ratchet 🙁 Husky CB-43, rest in pieces. I went out and got another Husky, because I liked my old one so much...but the new one blows. The old ratchet made a nice click-click-click noise, and a nice tight feel when you turned it, with no play in the mechanism. Great for close quarters. *sniff* I miss it already.

The new one, on the other hand, makes more of a clank noise, the drive mechanism wobbles like crazy and has lots of play in it, and the head is bigger, making access to tight places tougher. Forget about using it in close quarters, or with limited movement - the excessive play in the mechanism and wide arc between teeth make it all but useless in these situations. It has the feel of those cheap Chinese wrenches you get in the bargain $5 throwaway sets. Ugh.

So, I counted the clicks to one full rotation for each, just "on a hunch"...sure enough. The old ratchet took 60 clicks for one full rotation, the new one just 41! WTF??

So who makes a GOOD 3/8" fine tooth ratchet these days that you can pick up in a store for a decent price? I'm looking to spend maybe $15 - 20 on the wrench alone, but want to be able to get it locally. I want one like my old wrench, not this new bullshit.

I don't really like the "pear head" wrenches that seem to be so popular now - it's a PITA trying to fit a huge fucking wrench head on a bolt with limited clearance. I don't understand why everyone thinks these are so great.

So, with this in mind, does anyone have any recommendations? Pic of old wrench for reference.

 

[Fayd]

since husky falls under the standard of cheap crap, just go to sears, buy a craftsman, and live happy that you've stepped up in quality.

 

[Black88GTA]

Originally posted by: Fayd
since husky falls under the standard of cheap crap, just go to sears, buy a craftsman, and live happy that you've stepped up in quality.

I looked on the Craftsman web site...the tools they try to pass off as "fine tooth" ratchets are only 45 tooth (8 degree arc). I want a 60 tooth (6 degree arc) like my old one was.

I guess Husky really has sunk a long way. My old wrench was awesome.

 

[Rubycon]

Text

 

[Black88GTA]

Originally posted by: Rubycon
Text

That looks decent...I don't think I've seen a True Value hardware around here though - unless I just haven't noticed it? I will keep an eye out for that when I'm out looking probably next weekend. Thanks for the link!

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: Black88GTA

Originally posted by: Rubycon
Text

That looks decent...I don't think I've seen a True Value hardware around here though - unless I just haven't noticed it? I will keep an eye out for that when I'm out looking probably next weekend. Thanks for the link!

Hmmm...the quality may not be what you want...
"MING SHIN USA(IMPORT)"

I guess it depends on what you use it for, how often, and how bad your knuckles will hurt when it breaks and your hand smashes into some sharp piece of steel...😀

Or how fucked you'll be if it breaks and you're depending on it...out in the middle of nowhere. 😛

This is a bit more spendy than you asked for...but it's a much better quality ratchet:
http://www.skhandtool.com/Defa...x?fusemode=10&pid=3886

or these:
http://www.skhandtool.com/Defa...?fusemode=10&pid=43175


AND, they're even finer toothed than your old one...😀

 

[jlee]

Originally posted by: Black88GTA

Originally posted by: Rubycon
Text

That looks decent...I don't think I've seen a True Value hardware around here though - unless I just haven't noticed it? I will keep an eye out for that when I'm out looking probably next weekend. Thanks for the link!

I think Ace Hardware is True Value up here..might be the same where you are?

 

[Leros]

Originally posted by: BoomerD
Hmmm...the quality may not be what you want...
"MING SHIN USA(IMPORT)"

That reminds me of when I worked at a factory a few summers ago. The plant manager barely spoke any English but he made damn sure to tell me "no china" every time I went out to buy tools.

 

[Colt45]

Good quality ratchet and <$20 doesn't exist, unless it fell off the truck.

 

[Billb2]

? 80 tooth gear

 

[herrjimbo]

Originally posted by: JLee

Originally posted by: Black88GTA

Originally posted by: Rubycon
Text

That looks decent...I don't think I've seen a True Value hardware around here though - unless I just haven't noticed it? I will keep an eye out for that when I'm out looking probably next weekend. Thanks for the link!

I think Ace Hardware is True Value up here..might be the same where you are?

we have both ace hardware and true value stores here in s.e. wisconsin.

i believe the true value's are all individually owned, unlike ace.

 

[SuperSix]

I have this Husky Pro
(Sorry, pic only)

VERY fine teeth, the only gripe I have is that sometimes, because of the position of the rotation direction lever, it will reverse while in use.

http://img353.imageshack.us/im...hromeproratchet7hy.jpg

 

[Triumph]

Try this.
If that doesn't work, search for item number 69406502. 3 piece SK 72 tooth set for $135. Keep in mind that MSC doesn't usually like to ship to private individuals, but there are ways around that.

 

[Rubycon]

Originally posted by: BoomerD

Originally posted by: Black88GTA

Originally posted by: Rubycon
Text

That looks decent...I don't think I've seen a True Value hardware around here though - unless I just haven't noticed it? I will keep an eye out for that when I'm out looking probably next weekend. Thanks for the link!

Hmmm...the quality may not be what you want...
"MING SHIN USA(IMPORT)"

I guess it depends on what you use it for, how often, and how bad your knuckles will hurt when it breaks and your hand smashes into some sharp piece of steel...😀

Or how fucked you'll be if it breaks and you're depending on it...out in the middle of nowhere. 😛

This is a bit more spendy than you asked for...but it's a much better quality ratchet:
http://www.skhandtool.com/Defa...x?fusemode=10&pid=3886

or these:
http://www.skhandtool.com/Defa...?fusemode=10&pid=43175


AND, they're even finer toothed than your old one...😀

I think with the OP'd budget he or she is going to be limited to an imported product unless it's hot. 😉

 

[Demon-Xanth]

What about one of those "toothless" ratchets?

 

[rivan]

Originally posted by: Rubycon

Originally posted by: BoomerD

Originally posted by: Black88GTA

Originally posted by: Rubycon
Text

That looks decent...I don't think I've seen a True Value hardware around here though - unless I just haven't noticed it? I will keep an eye out for that when I'm out looking probably next weekend. Thanks for the link!

Hmmm...the quality may not be what you want...
"MING SHIN USA(IMPORT)"

I guess it depends on what you use it for, how often, and how bad your knuckles will hurt when it breaks and your hand smashes into some sharp piece of steel...😀

Or how fucked you'll be if it breaks and you're depending on it...out in the middle of nowhere. 😛

This is a bit more spendy than you asked for...but it's a much better quality ratchet:
http://www.skhandtool.com/Defa...x?fusemode=10&pid=3886

or these:
http://www.skhandtool.com/Defa...?fusemode=10&pid=43175


AND, they're even finer toothed than your old one...😀

I think with the OP'd budget he or she is going to be limited to an imported product unless it's hot. 😉

$22 for the import of dubious quality, or $53 for one that'll last his lifetime.

 

[Sluggo]

SK @ Amazon

 

[BoomerD]

It makes me smile to see so many people recommend QUALITY tools over cheap junk...🙂

 

[Fayd]

Originally posted by: Billb2
? 80 tooth gear

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog...apon-store&dir=catalog

that's the one he'd be looking for.

 

[Black88GTA]

Thanks all for the recommendations! The S-K fine-tooth ratchets look awesome, but yeah, a bit spendy. Although I may break down and just buy that so I don't have to keep replacing broken wrenches, if I can't find anything decent in my price range. I have pretty much given up on spending less than $20 though - seems a decent ratchet is more expensive than I thought. Haven't bought one in a while - the the old Husky I had came from a used tool store, and the new one was $12 at HD.

I've decided not to limit myself to what I can find locally, as I'd rather wait a week or two for something that I'm going to be using for (hopefully) years, rather than just grab whatever's on the shelf. I have some things I want to get done immediately, but I can live with my junky new wrench for a couple weeks while I wait.

What is the consensus on Stanley Proto tools? I heard from someone at work that they are nice, but would like more opinions. I found this, which looks perfect for what I need from a wrench - 72 tooth gear, small heads, and $43 shipped for a set of 3. I just don't know much about this brand. There is a lifetime warranty, but I don't think that really means much.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: Black88GTA

Originally posted by: Fayd
since husky falls under the standard of cheap crap, just go to sears, buy a craftsman, and live happy that you've stepped up in quality.

I looked on the Craftsman web site...the tools they try to pass off as "fine tooth" ratchets are only 45 tooth (8 degree arc). I want a 60 tooth (6 degree arc) like my old one was.

I guess Husky really has sunk a long way. My old wrench was awesome.

ebay is about the only decent source for the vintage fine tooth craftsman rachets. Sometimes CL has a gem or too.

 

[Fayd]

Originally posted by: Black88GTA
Thanks all for the recommendations! The S-K fine-tooth ratchets look awesome, but yeah, a bit spendy. Although I may break down and just buy that so I don't have to keep replacing broken wrenches, if I can't find anything decent in my price range. I have pretty much given up on spending less than $20 though - seems a decent ratchet is more expensive than I thought. Haven't bought one in a while - the the old Husky I had came from a used tool store, and the new one was $12 at HD.

I've decided not to limit myself to what I can find locally, as I'd rather wait a week or two for something that I'm going to be using for (hopefully) years, rather than just grab whatever's on the shelf. I have some things I want to get done immediately, but I can live with my junky new wrench for a couple weeks while I wait.

What is the consensus on Stanley Proto tools? I heard from someone at work that they are nice, but would like more opinions. I found this, which looks perfect for what I need from a wrench - 72 tooth gear, small heads, and $43 shipped for a set of 3. I just don't know much about this brand. There is a lifetime warranty, but I don't think that really means much.

does stanley carry a lifetime warranty that's easy to get serviced?

i really dont know. that's why i recommend craftsman, but as you mentioned they're unavail in fine tooth.( 🙁 )

 

[BoomerD]

I can't speak to Proto's current quality...since Stanley bought them, quality MAY have gone down the toilet...but Proto USED to be decent quality tools. Comparable to, or slightly better than Craftsman, but not nearly as good as Snap-on. I still have an old 3/4" Proto ratchet in my tool set that's probably 40 years old. (very coarse geared though...maybe 30 teeth?) I think I have some assorted Proto wrenches in my misc. wrench drawer as well.

 

[Squisher]

Originally posted by: BoomerD
I can't speak to Proto's current quality...since Stanley bought them, quality MAY have gone down the toilet...but Proto USED to be decent quality tools. Comparable to, or slightly better than Craftsman, but not nearly as good as Snap-on. I still have an old 3/4" Proto ratchet in my tool set that's probably 40 years old. (very coarse geared though...maybe 30 teeth?) I think I have some assorted Proto wrenches in my misc. wrench drawer as well.

I think I have a Proto ratchet that only goes in one direction, but you push the square driver out either one side or the other. It's ancient.

 

[Colt45]

I've got an ancient proto set around here somewhere. I seem to recall one of them finally giving up. I like the thumb lever on snap-on a lot better though, vs. the slot thing on protos.