$7.99 Duralast 1/4" Flexhead Ratchet compared to $148 Snap On. Not almost the same, but good enough?

[@drengskap]

Oh no - that Duralast ratchet has the old batwing pawl with a loose detent ball bearing, the same as the old Snap-On F936 ratchets. Good luck getting that SOB back together, Doc - hours of frustration and profanity guaranteed!

[@lastbesttool]

Don’t worry I’ve been down this road before. kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJCqZ4Z5r75rnq8

[@thelred-ph3lq]

So true. 😂

[@jaylestingi]

They are a pain to get back together, however a man originally assembled the pieces, which means a man can RE-assemble them! I didn't realize there was another style of mechanism available!

[@Bass4LifeBro]

Takes 3 seconds lol

[@ScoutCrafter]

In my opinion Taiwan is making the best value tools in the world right now. 😃👍

[@thooks1234]

No doubt John! The Icon stuff from HF is outstanding IMO. For pliers tho, Knipex is the king. $30 for a pair of Cobras or Twin Grips? No brainer!

[@BA-pz3lo]

taiwan is not a country according to john cena

[@NicksStuff]

@@thooks1234 Hasn't Icon made a decent carbon copy of the Knipex plier-wrench for half the price?

[@thooks1234]

@@NicksStuff I guess it's a decent copy, but it's $40 and yes, it can be $30 with a coupon a few times a year. I'll say this- I'm not a HF hater, I have a lot of HF tools, but Knipex is the gold standard and the ICON pliers are not the same. I have the ICON slip-joint pliers that are a copy of the Snap-on and they are "Ok". I also have the needle nose ICON that are a SO copy and they are good. I'm not a fan of the ICON red plier grips. Kinda thick, kinda sponge-y. But yes, for a decent discount, the ICON pliers are a great value.

[@rogerpedrosa1854]

Agree👍

[@mikefisc9989]

I appreciate you doing reviews of more affordable tool options. I don't have a need for a $140 1/4" ratchet. As a homeowner DIY guy, it just isn't a good use of my money when I can use an $8 ratchet to remove the float bowl off the carb of a lawn mower engine.

[@williamster2015]

You will never need a 140$ 1/4" ratchet as a professional either. I've been doing Millwright work for 14 years as well working in the agricultural industry all my life. Snap-on is over priced for a name....that's all. You can spend 25$ to 35$ on equal and even better ratchets do the same design

[@yzrippin]

Every professional I know buys really nice stuff to sit in their drawers to gawk at and the cheapest Pittsburgh crap they can find to actually use because they know they're going to break what they're going to use regardless of what manufacturer makes it and they don't want to break their hundred and $40 ratchet when they can break a $3 swap meet ratchet

[@benjaminjwilson6694]

Holy shit, he's back. Finally. We missed you. Glad you are back.

[@MOZARTF]

Hi. Thanks for this analysis. Interesting to see that in the end of the video the tool's internals seems to be of superior quality than expected. As a DIY these basic tools are adequate and have better perceived value than 1/18 of the premium brands. From Brazil my sincerely congrats for the Channell and extensive information Sir.

[@Not_Sure_]

It's just a 1/4 drive ratchet. You don't need a Snap-On.

[@larryburns4605]

I have high end and some duralast tools and duralast for the $ is a great product I work on heavy equipment and only broke 1 socket chrome on a impact lol and 1 wrench that I was abusing so for the $ good product.

[@OldBeaterGarage]

Want the best of both worlds? Take the Duracrap head and toss it, spend $30 on Matco REPLACEMENT HEAD Part No. AFR8TKHA and bolt it to the cheap handle (I did it with the 1/2 & 3/8 breaker bars can't see why the 1/4 wouldn't work).

[@brentfowler2317]

Doc, my man, I've got a couple Duralast tools, sockets, 3/8"ratchet and so on. Also i was telling John, on his channel not long ago. I was able to go to a yard sale and picked up like 22 Blue Point sockets, and a 3/8" Snap-On 80 tooth, closed head ratchet. Plus like 10 or 12 other tools. Anyhow he asked 25 dollars for the bunch. I got home and started looking though so the stuff I picked up. And the Blue Point sockets and the Snap-On ratchet, i priced all of on the Snap-On website. And it was right around 500 dollars worth of tools. The ratchet alone was $147.99 and i was like holy smokes. Anyhow not bragging, just pointing out to readers, that yard sales are a great place to look for awesome tools. And if you don't find anything worth buying. Then don't buy anything. Then your just out of a little time to walk around! Anyhow great video as usual. Thanks for the awesome content. Keep up the great work. And until next time. Take care!!

[@dlajb]

Looking forward for those expensive and inexpensive alternatives videos!!

[@mlieser1230]

That looks like the original Duralast version. The current ratchets look exactly like a Gearwrench with a snap ring retaining the plate. I have a Matco 1/4 flexhead that looks very much like a Gearwrench. I have some Duralast ratchets and so far they have been good. For the money they aren't bad and will get the job done.

[@TGC1775]

You get what you pay for usually. The difference is warranty usage. If I have 18 wrenches for the price of a snapon and 12 break. I will get them replaced for free without begging a tool truck to visit me.

[@craigjorgensen4637]

So, how many do you break? I spent a lot of years in the tool business and most techs rarely if ever break anything. There are always a few who can break ball bearings with a rubber mallet!

[@TGC1775]

@@craigjorgensen4637 If. I’ve broken maybe 3 my entire 30+ years on earth. 😂

[@craigjorgensen4637]

Some of the imperfections on the Duralast are of very little or zero consequence. It will do ANY job the Snap On will do. Is the Snap On ratchet better? Of course it is! Is it worth 20 times the money? Add sales tax and the increase grows! Sorry…..don’t think so!

[@alandesgrange9703]

The sales tax in NY is 8%, so the sales tax on the Snap On is more money than the cost of the Duralast ratchet.

[@cashcow4383]

Who needs a warranty when you can buy 5 of the duralasts, and still have 100 bucks left over

[@JDeWittDIY]

If the cheap one snaps when you're in the middle of something you can skin your knuckles and depending on the tool, might not have a way to finish the job without running out to replace it. The second part doesn't apply to a ratchet of course, but it might for other less common tools.

[@DavidWeinberg-cm9xd]

It was 92 in FL today, I'd love to live there right now? I've been here 18 years, moved from NJ, and can't stand the heat 10 months out of the year? Duralast is better than Titan, I can tell you that from experience?

[@marko11kram]

Sounds like an interesting series

[@rayallen5971]

I love Snap-On ratchets, but I've used that duralast 1/4 flex professionally for the past 2 years with no issues

[@jdrs4214]

I surprisingly, love Duralast and Craftsman Tools. They’re within my wealth level. I can’t afford the Snap On stuff, because if I had the wealth, I’d’ve already bought the Snap On truck, and it’s truck driver.

[@spencerd1079]

Doc, can you please checkout Capri’s new comfort grip ratchets? In my humble opinion, they are the closest replica to snap ons ratchets so far.

[@thooks1234]

I used to be a (US MADE) Craftsman-only buying guy. I snubbed my nose at other tool makers in the retail market. Mind you, this is from when I was 18 or so until my mid 40's. I didn't buy any late US Made Craftsman stuff, I could tell it was going to junk. I didn't buy many tools at all in the 2000's. Now, my sockets are more Tekton, Pittsburgh and Icon than Craftsman. I still have all my Craftsman stuff, but I'm slowly changing out all the 12pt Craftsman/etc to 6 point Icon. I have zero Snap On tools. I think I used to have a 10mm wrench and screwdriver, a low-life Chevrolet tech left in my 1998 Z71, which fell into the steering shaft u-joint under the hood and locked my steering while turning into my (long) driveway off of a state highway. Scary situation. I don't really desire tool truck tools. I will never get my money's worth out of a Snap On tool. As far as ratchets, I've got plenty, although I'm sure I will buy more. I've never, ever broken one, none, not even the hated Craftsman ratchets. I really don't see all the fuss in wanting a $200 193-tooth soooper-dooper ratchet, either. I hate using a manual ratchet, especially after buying a battery ratchet (Husky) and then buying a real battery ratchet (Milwaukee M12). I've seen these $10 ratchets at AZ. I didn't need a $10 ratchet, so I passed. I have assembled several tote-along tool kits with my Wera Tool Check, Icon Bits, Icon 1/4 Ratchet/extension and handful of metric sockets, some Knipex Cobras, pliers wrenches and screwdrivers. I don't care what brand gets me out of a bind and back home. I think your viewers would enjoy more "budget" tool reviews, especially building tote-along kits with high(er) quality, retail-mass-market available tools.

[@dnzgarage]

I took the time to read your entire comment and I find that I agree however, for me I have a fair amount of snap-on tools which I mostly bought used or through promotional sales and theyre the tools I used the most. I have many other brands as well. I use the snap on stuff as it has worked better for me in certain jobs but other tools I dont use often I purchased in much less expensive brands and they work fine. In the end I believe it comes down to what you do, and what you need in a tool. There is a tool for every one and every different job. Cheers

[@jdrs4214]

I gave myself a very bloody hand, because I put my profession, on a set of Harbor Freight/Pittsburgh extensions and adapters, while working on a GM product. I’ll never make that mistake, buying their tools, ever again!!!! Since I can’t afford Snap Ons or Matcos, I use Duralast and Craftsman Tools. They haven’t disappointed me yet.

[@thooks1234]

@@jdrs4214 You might change your approach and get rid of the GM products.... Switch to Toyota.

[@Fedwrench]

I think the issue with the Duralast excessive lateral head play when held in the adjustable wrench, is that huge gap between the base of the ratchet head and the forked handle. Someone at Gearwerench/Apex has screwed the pooch with that gap, The ratchet head needs to sit lower in the forked handle to reduce lateral movement. There should be no more than approx 1/16 of an inch between the head and handle. Capri's 72 tooth ratchets share the same classic batwing pawl design but, there's have minimal lateral movement but, they aren't $8 either. Thanks for sharing.

[@thooks1234]

I wanna know how so many people are breaking ratchets. WTH are you doing to them? I guess the rust belt is tougher, but there's proper tools out there to deal with it, from PB Blaster, heat, breaker bars and blue wrenches. If you're using a 1/4" ratchet to break loose 9/16" or 14mm bolts, you're just asking for trouble to start with.

[@robertdieder4178]

agreed, the trend on youtube to "test" durability is to break the ratchets by subjecting to torque that isn't practical to the ratchet anvil size. Prior to the 80s tool kits were packaged with sliding t-handles specifically to break bolts loose before using your ratchet.

[@markifi]

everything is inexpensive compared to a snap on, they're 10x overpriced. if anything, the duralast is appropriately priced for what it is.

[@JohnLennon-yg4ut]

agreed. they’re ain’t no ratchet in the entire world good enough I would pay over a 100 dollars for. Most of my harbor freight and auto zone tools have lasted me 10+ years so far cause I take care of them.

[@BA-pz3lo]

doc have you used the new z series koken ratchets yet? its very nice im impressed i hate to say it but i like it better than my snap on ratchets

[@jaylestingi]

I have a few Snap On wrenches and they are nice but for the most part, they are marketed as a luxury brand or in this case a brand for "professionals"--in the same way that $1500 Mike Amiri jeans don't look or fit a whole lot differently than distressed Target jeans for $30. Even if I had all the money in the world, there is NO WAY I'm spending $150 on a 1/4" flex head ratchet! Generally a flex head is thicker and less usable in the tight confines of a modern engine bay so it won't be subjected to much torque, I have a Duralast 1/4" flex head I use all the time and it has been great, just pull the cover off once in a while to put some moly grease in and keep going!

[@tomthumb2815]

No sure about 1/4 drive , but with 3/8 and 1/2 drive , flex head is much more difficult to get right . Flex head the quality quickly shows with use

[@NicksStuff]

Why not gut the snap-on to compare?

[@venturalopez4945]

Damn wish I could find one for 8 bucks all the ones in CA are 26.99

[@boosted2.4_sky]

Yup.. they're decent...👍good "batwing" design All day long...I have every manufacturers brand.. if used properly they will last.....Snap-on to Duralast

[@davidsainsbury6196]

Just out of curiosity have seen Cactus Maximus Video his review on the Duralast 100 tooth indexing Flex head Ratchet and maybe you give your comments about his video

[@rogerpedrosa1854]

Ive been around different shops and fleet maintenance shop where i see these gun ho guys strong arming and breaking these tools and than bashing it, it made in china or taiwan crap. I always put them in there place. When your using that much force your doing something wrong or use a impact. A true mechanic will know the full potential of a tool. I have this ratchet inlove it.

[@skeedadyl]

Jeez this is $30 now!

[@MattLitkeRacing]

This would be good for my dirt bike tool kit. If I drop it in the mud who cares!

[@michaelthompson7570]

Tekton,capri,milwaukee,,,,,,,lots of ratchets,,,how many are really needed???

[@slayerment]

Yes.

[@boosted2.4_sky]

Need?.. NEED?.... want☝️

[@aussiehardwood6196]

Pretty amazing really.

[@jaynearman256]

The duralast tools that are coming into the new advance Auto in Maryland they all say China made in China now at least the ones in our state the ratchets in the sockets

[@isaacharo5501]

Good luck trying to warranty that Duralast trash. Every time I visit an AutoZone it's mixed info, "yes, it's covered bring it in". Then immediately to some bullshit to not warranty the damn tool. You can have better luck warranting out a tool at Harbor Freight!

[@craigchiddo2794]

I thought they had cheaper out and went to china

[@fester1957]

He should not be putting that much of a load on a quarter inch ratchet anyway

[@robertcasey3528]

Nowhere is that Duralast ratchet $7.99 cheapest I could find was $17.99 thumbnail is a bit of a stretch of the truth

[@lastbesttool]

$7.99 at Ace Hardware.

[@user_19]

Wait what? ACE ???

[@nordicpride9708]

Sorry but the head size and mechanism build quality of the Snap On is superior to that Taiwan made ratchet. Anyone who thinks the only difference between these is price is simply huffing glue. And I own a few Taiwanese ratchets. Snap On makes the best ratchets hands down. Duralast lol….

[@scottmann3002]

The car barreling down the road at 100 mph had its brakes and wheels fixed in the back yard with Duralast tools. Works great, wheels haven't come off.

[@aguycalledlucas]

A one to one comparison is not the point of the video. I think we all agree with your statement. No need to point out the obvious.

[@ChopxAnkx]

Salty you overpaid

[@nordicpride9708]

@@scottmann3002 Man what a data point….🙄

[@Rainwen1die]

Jee who would’ve thought the 100 dollar tool beats the cheapo one… lol you sound so pretentious