Choosing a Ratchet- There is more to it than you think

[@1974kenm]

My eyes opened when I realized there was a world beyond that Sears Craftsman 1/2" ratchet that came in the set I got when I was 13. So many choices.

[@davidkanengieter]

I'm a Matco locking flex head fanboy. But I didn't want to pay to upgrade to comfort grips, so I put heat shrink on them. Works good for a non slip grip.

[@pdaddy879]

That gearwrench 120xp flexhead comfort grip is a monster and super smooth...love it love it love it!

[@11bangxiaolaohu]

I love the Matco lock mechanism. But my Matco ratchets do slip more often than my Snap-on’s

[@davevincent5024]

Ironically the shop I work at we have several long handle matco long ratchets, we have to because they break so frequently! , snap on's don't break as often and if they do ,at least we can get them warranted!

[@blakewaddell451]

The Matco locking flex head was the first tool I ever bought on a tool truck and I love it. If I have to use the Snap-on I use the old plastic hard handle one like you showed I don’t like the other grip as much from them.

[@jamesbergfeld5923]

They are like a women they all feel different.

[@ozzstars_cars]

😁

[@niallcosgrove5596]

And cost money 💰

[@ronijr4918]

@@niallcosgrove5596 🤣they are expensive.

[@UNEEK_LOGIK]

Snap On Blonde white girls- LOVE THEM Mac Tools Latina’s/mexican Girls- WANT THEM MATCO black girls - I’ve tried it but ain’t my flavor

[@jeffcuevas5918]

@@UNEEK_LOGIK matco is more like a country girl

[@ironman1518.]

Used Craftsman for YEARS!!! Since late 60's till a few years ago.......I like Gearwrench and Milwaukee.

[@x2122]

Gearwrench 3/8 84t extended flex with a comfort grip is my go to. I like the detents that hold the flex head in place.

[@scuba422123]

I have the comfort grip snap on but it seems everyone is liking the matco mike glad to see atlanta is over the covid, with spas gyms bowling all opening back up

[@betty123ism]

I think this is great advice. In hindsight, I think I could have actually saved a good amount of money by only buying ratchets on the tool truck vs buying online. The online ones were only slightly cheaper, though some of them seem to be of comparable quality, but I ended up buying probably twice as many as I need because I ended up not really liking about half of them.

[@Toyotas_n__Tools]

You would really like the mac locking flex head, its the best of both worlds with the matco and snap on. The button is perfect and so is the grip, that locking button is so positive on it.

[@blazebox71]

I got away from the mac locking flex heads because my button kept getting stuck and wouldnt work properly that being said my preferred ratchets are the mac flex head ratchets

[@CPthetooladdict]

2:05 says don't listen to the guys on the internet says a guy on the internet lol 😉😉😂😂😂😂😂 tool preferences are 99% opinion based and influential I've broke everything it's a mechanical and they can all fail. Thanks fun vid! My go to rachet is the cordless one because what mechanic especially a flat rate one has that kind of time to use a rachet more then 10% of the time.

[@ozzstars_cars]

If my battery ratchet had 500 lb ft of torque I would be dangerous. 😁

[@Arathull6076]

red lock tight fixes the tightening issue on the snappy rachets

[@nthnhansen]

Gearwrench 120xp is a great ratchet as well. Flex-head version amazing for those tight spaces.

[@pdaddy879]

Man, best ratchet I've ever used. Super smooth, super strong. I have the flexhead comfort grip

[@flat6targa]

I like snap on chrome handles, yes I have big hands too. The chrome handles wipe off easy and because in 1/4 and 3/8 they are smaller in tight spots you can ratchet more. My favorite is my 15” 1/2 drive ratchet. Don’t have any flex heads. I work on dump trucks.

[@asmautollc]

This is the most thoughtful ratchet preference vid I think I’ve ever seen on KZbin.

[@hawkins8765]

Just bought bought matco love it except light use teeth are skipping now he's gonna rebuild it Friday when he comes I'm not saying it's bad things happen but I love the grip and feel of it and the fleshed lock

[@billbeckett1021]

I have all of my Matco ratchets in my service cart. I leave the Snap On in my tool box. Just like the Matco feel and they do the job. Great vid as always!

[@kanerichardson7065]

I love my18" Matco flex head but I break it all the time..I should probably get a 1/2" for tighter bigger bolts

[@zannusx]

I have a 1/2" flex head Snap On ratchet that I bent with a pipe, but the head and gears stayed solid. I also have the same 3/8" flex head Snap On you showed here and never had any issues with it in the 5 years or so I've had it. I did pick up the long comfort grip 3/8" Matco a couple weeks ago and I like the thinner head design over the Snap On.

[@smitty2jones]

I have a snap on like that red handled on (in periwinkle blue!) With a fixed head, a snap on locking flexhead with the comfort grip, a matco locking flex head with a chrome handle, and a cornwell flex head with a chrome handle. The blue snap on is my favorite, but I'm not really sure it's because of the handle. I think I just feel more secure because it's a fixed head and I've broken the flex head about a billion times. When my matco broke at the flex, it took him almost a year to get the replacement because they were going through a redesign and weren't available 🙄. I don't use that one much anymore because we don't have a matco guy in the entire city. I do much prefer their locking flex head to snap on's, but if it breaks... 🤷‍♂️

[@BLAKEDILLONRACINGDEVELOPMENT]

The 2 things I don't like about the Snap on rachets, is the bulky locking mechanism and the anvils breaking. My FAVORITE is the Matco.

[@raider762]

For 1/4" its a snap on y shaped yoke circle head ratchet with comfort grip. For 3/8" its a snap on long long comfort grip.

[@jaymechanic1228]

100 percent agree personal preference... i finaly found a ratchett thats perfect FOR ME . .and its mac axis line. Swapped my snap on for the mac, nothing wrong with snap on racthetts , just the new mac ones work so well for me , and i love the locking feature / comfort grip

[@snapmac5547]

I like the Mac locking mechanism. It fits flush and doesn't catch on anything like the Snap On or Matco.

[@FGomez_Z66]

Love my Icon ratchet from harbor freight its taken quite a beating 😅 broke my snap on ratchet and had it warrantied, but i havent touched it since i got the icon.

[@douglasmckoon5797]

As DYI person, I have the long handle 1/4 Snap On I love. My wife even bought me a second one, she won't admit it but she always asks for it when she needs a ratchet. For 3/8, I have four Snap On ones in the box that I use occasionally. For 3/8 I use the Craftsman thin profile USA ratchet 44995. I still have the 60 tooth gears. That handle is perfect for my hand. I have an extra one of those too. I really don't use 1/2 much, but the Snap On is my go to for that.

[@Conqueef-tadoor]

I thought I was the only person who was a fanboy of the Craftsman USA made thin profile ratchets. I've have them since the mid 90's and still one of my favorite ratchets!

[@lewydmusic]

I totally agree the racbet you love is up to YOU! No one else. I bought a Marco rachet about a year ago to test out that locking flex because I thought it was a neat idea. Not long ago, I mistakenly sheared the teeth of the locking mechanism (not rachet head) I thought "oh man he will never warrenter this" so I put the anvil in the vice and turned and turned.... All I did was jump the vice, anvil edges worn, internals didn't break. Between that and the feel of handle, I'm sold on Marco!!

[@BigFrogs4x4]

Love my gearwrench 120xp ratchet set.

[@ryanloftus6578]

I use snap-on, but have a flex head 1/4 matco because the head is so thin.

[@TinoR626]

Matco is moving away from AJ, easy way to tell is the new ones are laser printed not stamped.(this started with the pink ones last year. Also anything else that comes in the soft foam tray made in the US comes from the same place.) They are being made in Ohio. This is the reason a few months back they had a shortage of rebuild kits and had a qc issue with the first few batches of paws as they were weak and would snap really easy.

[@t20594]

It comes down to what guy is willing to show up and sell or service you.

[@charlesshankle3178]

This is an excellent video, thorough. My favorite ratchets are Matco Flex head and Cornwell 72 tooth, straight contoured grip. I look at dealer support and the ability to get rebuild kits. My Matco and Cornwell dealers have given the best support in this regard. All of the tools truck ratchets are excellent, you can't go wrong from a technical perspective. Your personal preference and comfort comes first.

[@patrickcallahan2210]

What are your thoughts on the less expensive options? Are there any brands that would be a more budget-friendly option for us armchair mechanics :)

[@RJM_2023]

Gearwrench 81275 has been great for me. $82.49 on Amazon. Same rebuild kit as a matco 88. Comes with a 3/8 and 1/4".

[@robertjohnson1096]

Craftsman

[@ivantinoco2643]

Hobo freight, crapsman, queerwrench, your welcome...

[@RJM_2023]

Another good locking flex head ratchet, is husky. But comes in a black finish. No comfort grip. You can also look at the Napa Carlyle 3/8 locking ratchet 72 tooth. That is under $77.00.

[@hiluxmad]

Dewalt have a fine tooth cheaper ratchet its available on mac truck ,it works nice and is strong

[@mikecar17]

Love my 88 Matco 12" none grip i beat the crap out of it, and its still going strong.

[@technoman53]

I have and use Matco and Snapon ratchets. I wish they made versions with knurled handles. I have one beefy Wright ratchet with a knurled handle that I really like.

[@cowtipper-ir4zc]

I like Matco ratchets but when I broke it all I had to do is bring it on the truck and had it rebuilt

[@ViperMods_216]

I love the mechanism on the Mac axis locking.

[@Toyotas_n__Tools]

Have you tried the mac ratchets yet? I have a locking flex head 1/2' drive ratchet in the length of that snap on ratchet you dont wanna replace yet and like it a lot. I have the fhllfd80 and when that doesnt work I'll grab the MAC

[@cardo1111]

Good, honest, informative vid on ratchets and personal preference also another reason I hate lending out tools and these days choose not to, unless they're the ones you don't care much about. They never seem to come back as they left.

[@nickg3805]

I recently bought a few Tekton ratchets for in dash work and love the thin heads to get into tight spots. Even bought a 3/8 and it is nice but the handle is too skinny to be comfortable all day. Asked them about a comfort grip and they are coming out with them later in the year or next but in the mean time I bought a set of composite ratchets. Call me crazy but I love the fat comfort handles. I wish I could get the thin heads and flex and stuff with thick fat handles like that.

[@toolsmetals2148]

100% Truth and I do have a large selection of SNAP-ON Ratchets in all makes Locking and Non Locking but each ratchet serves it own purpose when called upon depending on the work at hand

[@jonsimmons3507]

Wish I had a Cornwell guy,I really want that long ratchet. I love those handles. Great video as usual. Thanks.

[@kevinjohnson9736]

We don't have any trucks but a Snap-On and MAC. I've got the old style handle on my snap-ons and the hard handle on a MAC. The hard handles have always reminded me of popsicles 😂

[@michaelanderson9869]

Please post a review soon on the new Snap on CTR768W1 3/8 extended Brute cordless ratchet.

[@donjames5761]

my grand father gave me a old -v- series craftsman ratchet it has served me well for many years ive beat it with hammer i've used a cheeta pipe an bent the piped getting a rusted truck seat bolt off this thing just wont die. now the handle isn't the most comfortable, i did try snap on an it bent an i tried newer craftsman it stripped as well as pittsburgh the plastic handle broke it was an expandable ratchet. maybe im just too hard on tools

[@procyonia3654]

Agreed I bought alot of ratchets to find them with appropriate knurling, its gotta bite in abit. I realize most guys on this channel probably arent big on knurled handles, but I work in industrial, and I am always covered in hydraulic oil, slurry, wastewater from pumps, whatever. Never found a comfort grip or even hard handle that holds up. Blackhawk round flexhead, with knurled thumbwheel for 3/8 Proto (actually made by Facom) round flex head for 1/2

[@brettgray348]

I do love me some Matco ratchets. I do love the handle and the locking head. It just feels good in the hand

[@nickhouze8849]

I have that matco ratchet,I like the way it handles but teeth felt weird and I haven't had a matco guy in years hadn't used in a bit.i have all snap on ratchets at work,I don't like one of my 1/2 its been rebuilt but still handles weird

[@DDescalchuk57]

Tighten the cross bolt on the flex head little dab of blue loctite my snap on flex head has zero slop now and I use it as my go to 10 hour days

[@chrissargent9212]

Having three different style ratchets myself, snapon comfort grip and the hard handle and cornwell. My go to is the hard handle snapon. The reason is ALL of the soft handle ratchets are susceptible to the harsh cleaners and chemicals found in the repair industry. They get a gooie fell to them after a while and start to break down.

[@mc617a]

I really like my Snapon ratchets. Eventually the oil and transmission fluid eats up the comfort grips so one by one I’ve been installing old school hard handles on them. I put a screwdriver hard handle on my long 3/8” flex head which is perfect for my needs.

[@bubba.watercraftj7269]

Those snap on flex head ratchets that become loose can be repaired. Take the torx screw out and slide the head from the handle. There’s a small thrust washer between the handle and the ratchet head. (Recessed in the ratchet head) (try not to lose it). It looks like a lock washer. Your snap on dealer should have them.

[@jamesbruno5896]

I use all Snap On ratchets as you said personal preference yet I don't have a ton of Snap On tools! Thanks for sharing!

[@whitfitness]

Agreed 100% which ever fits best for you, after using all of the major brands I still turn to Gearwrench semi locking flex heads.

[@Mtbslacker]

I've used Snap On ratchets for 25 yrs on Caterpillars and have never broken one (unless I was misusing it). Like, pulling so hard that I was prepared for it to give. I am curious to try the Matco since you and Koon Trucking rave about them. They have a 30" 1/2 drive flex head that I've been eyeing.

[@brandonmurphy4657]

I really liked old Armstrong tools

[@schematic671]

I've never thought about purchasing a comfort grip until seeing this. I remember staying away from them whenever i tried a co workers Snap On comfort grip, and they were sticky and bulky. I'll give it another shot.

[@jondurrett9277]

I personally love my snap-on ratchets. I have 6 of them and 5 have the comfort grip. The only problems I've had with them are the screws tend to come loose and I've torn up a couple of the grips but I replaced those

[@davidmendez9854]

I like Matco tools but man my 3/8 keeps stripping inside.. I'm on the 5th rebuild.

[@Elkblood01]

I'm a snap on ratchet guy through and through with the comfort grip. Plus if they offer, with the quick release.

[@93sundance]

I bought a used SK bent handle off the Mac truck for $10 and loved it but broke it. Bought a Mac to replace it and love it more. I can get into so many areas a flex handle can't.

[@poonbandit9924]

I like my mac and snap on for the most part something about an ask half inch that I love tho

[@epicragegaming2016]

i absolutely hate the matco handle on 3/8 or 1/2. the ball at the end just eats into my hand. i love the snap on comfort grip tho, fits my hand perfectly. i've also bent the hell out of a matco ratchet, and i've seen the locking mechanism eat the teeth and even when the lock is engaged, it doesn't do anything because of the groove. i have a long 1/4" matco locking flex and i love it, the handle doesn't seem to bother me. its nice and slim. the mac comfort grip is pretty nice as well, but i would never recommend a mac ratchet. worst ratchet ive ever owned. i don't believe in brand loyalty, get something that feels nice in your hands, you have to use it and you are paying for it. snap on or matco, they will pretty much perform the same. gear wrench has a flex head that i will call semi locking, it doesn't have an actual lock, but its not smooth to swivel like the snap on, has some teeth to keep it some what in place, great ratchet aswell.

[@87FoRunner]

Top 5 Cornwell tools! Pretty please. I just got a Cornwell rep at the shop.

[@jeffharper410]

No obstructions or odd positions to consider, My favorite 3/8 ratchet is a 1990's 36 tooth standard length, comfort grip Snap on with Cheveron EP 2 red grease . My favorite 1/2 Ratchet is a Stahlwille 512 36 tooth comfort grip with the same grease, being no weird obstacles to overcome. I find a course tooth rachet with high pressure grease is smooth and lasts forever. I have a 17 inch Mac pair head also course tooth count same grease , they are reliable mules. Fine tooth rachets ,I use 100% Teflon grease very thin like a heavy oil. A little tiny tube is $60.00. But it really extends the life. How you maintain a hand rachet can be just as important as what brand you choose.

[@eddieds312]

The shop I'm at only has 2 tool trucks Cornwall and SO so I'm limited

[@linkedmoo_man]

Great video! I know I for one have multiple different brands of ratchets, for different applications, depending on drive and grip style (comfort grip vs non comfort grip)

[@vinny2883]

Thanks for the video. For some reason, I only have snapon ratchets. I have tryed other brands and borrowed other brands, but always went back to snapon. Only some styles of snapon. I realy like there comfort grip rather then there no grip all metal.

[@Terry_Baker]

3/8 Matco comfort grip flex head is my go to. Have all the sizes as well as a Icon 1/4 swivel head I use as a nut driver. Got that 1/4 flex head, crank handle Snap-on that came out before Christmas. Rarely use it now..

[@satamanschmidt3428]

Oddly Mike in the rest of the world, yes, there is a world out there other than the USA, 3/8" drive is fairly uncommon. When I sold TOPTUL they had a huge 1/4" drive selection and a huge 1/2" drive selection. Their 3/8" drive selection was much smaller. I found this odd but, according to TOPTUL in Taiwan, the ROW uses either 1/4" or 1/2". I use 3/8" drive almost exclusively. Weird isn't it.

[@xXCP1993Xx]

It needs to feel like an extension of my arm. I have the snapon long handled non locking flex head as my daily driver.

[@nachos_70firebird66]

I have ratchets from Snap On, Mac and Matco. True as well I've gravitated towards Matco Ratchets.

[@DeadeyeDgen]

I don't know about you but I use what works the best until I find something that works better. After working on cars for a long time you find different things will work better for you . I like snap on rachets but I have one tiny 1/4 matco and I love it. It so much smaller than any other ratchet and saves me alot

[@Eggomania86]

I am a fan of knurled handles, in my hands I can grip them better especially if you work around solvents and oil. For me it's a tie between Proto Precision 90 and the classic SK ratchet.

[@fuelediowa]

Very true many guys buy marketing and opinion over what they actually like in use. I bought a mid grade ratchet that I really wanted to like. Now this was expensive for me but not snap on or Marco prices. I tried to love this thing and found myself grabbing a ratchet I paid half the price for twice as often. Use tools that work for you. Not tools you have to work to use.

[@johngibson3594]

Some techs just break stuff doesn’t matter what brand. I like collecting ratchets and tools in general. Some for their gimmick look and some for form or functionality. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@markdavid578]

I’ve had a lot of Matco ratchets rebuilt and I’m not even hard on ratchets. My favorite ratchets are the MAC axis ratchets, due to the grip

[@KeepingitAnalog]

I like the MAC flex head the best.

[@blazebox71]

My personal preference are my mac axis ratchets with either comfort grip or the old school metal handle depending on what I'm going to use it for the most I have 2 snap ons and they are good tools I just prefer the mac ones

[@anthonygm85]

I have at least 30 ratchets all makes my personal preference is my snap on green comfort grips and sk lp90 and even a Stanly 72tooth quick release from Wal-Mart thats 20 years old. I just got some really old proto 1/2 that I'll be using soon,I have a snap on f80 that's was a waste of money the handle is to short for my liking but feel good still

[@TheShane1230]

I’ve had ratchets I got from harbor freight years ago that they don’t make anymore. Have a soft grip and have never given me a problem. However my Matco ratchets are similar but definitely feel better and more durable. You definitely get what you pay for!

[@larryborkstrom3580]

Always buy a USA ratchet depending on feel of it Matco ratchets have a great feel to them so does Snap on and Mac got so that have many years of service my go to is my chrome long handle 3/8 72 tooth been using since the mid 90s

[@wyattoneable]

If you make your money using tools what you say makes perfect sense. People have purchased tools for me for birthdays, etc. and while I appreciate the thought, they are tools I normally don't use because they don't fit the way I like to work.

[@davidscott7005]

Textron swivel head, Gearwrench 120XP flex head are both good. My 35 year old rectangle Craftsman is OK. My HF Pittsburg is junk but cheap!

[@ZetaN7]

I guess I'm gonna miss out on Matco from where I am at. I don't have a truck dealer.

[@claimdisputed4820]

Snap-on hard handle is my personal preference. Locking flex head >>> non-locking flex head.

[@stevemazzarella7212]

I have all different brands been collecting for 30 years.. I like different things about each one!!

[@dc5723]

My favorite is my 3/8" drive Snap-on bent handle flex head comfort grip ratchet. I have old SO bent handle flex head from the 1980s. I like all brands.

[@1970chevelle396]

My 1/2 drive flex head Snap On ratchet lasts about 2 years. I had people leave comments saying that's not possible that ratchet has to be rebuilt every two years, Snap On lasts forever. That ratchet gets used more than the rest of them.

[@cowboy41231]

I have mostly Snap-on (due to BoGo sales), gearwrench 120xp (love them), my original tekton bent handle from like 8 years ago (love it’), the new icon gold 3/8” ratchet (love it, and yes it’s a go-to’) ... I’ve gotten rid of craftsman and as new up to 78 tooth? Or whatever weird count that was..... and I just acquired an extended handle soft grip 1/4” CORNWELL soft grip. Personally I love the cornwell square blocky grip, they don’t hurt and you can get a good grip on them....I don’t care what brand it is, but if there’s too much backlash I delete it . Tooth count manufacturing has a direct reaction to tight or sloppy backlash and rarely do I ever see other mechanics/people reference the true degree it takes to apply “work”..... I’ve felt 80tooth Snap-ons as tight (or tighter) than 120xp or sk xframe wrenches (which have 244 positions with 6 tiny pawls) ..... as Mike just said, it’s 100% preference BuT you have to FEEL it for yourself!

[@haywardsautomotive6156]

I've been using Snap-on ratchets since 1974 and only replaced one but I overhaul and lube mine PLUS they make breaker bars in every size & length so if you break a ratchet from misuse you know it. Their 1/4" extended long reach ratchet has been tested to 100 ft ls of torque so if you break that ratchet you are definitely using the wrong size. To each his own and all comes down to preference, hand size, comfort level, etc and if you like Matco, Mac, Snap-on, etc you will enjoy using it over the others. I have a lot of different size ratchets and know which one fits the bill without abusing it or use the one that I know I can't over torque or under torque the fastener. Having multiple manufacturer's ratchets is also fine b/c you might like certain features. It's all up to the mechanic and using a little Loctite on a flex head will tighten them right up.

[@cjjames8787]

The bolt your torquing would break before any so ratchet. Im talking about any double pawl 72 tooth and up pref a dual 80.

[@willclemons7664]

Have you ever tried a MAC axis locking flex head?

[@xstubsx]

hahahha my snap on. had a floppy head so bad. my dealer felt bad every time they saw me use it with electrical tape. eventually they just warrantied the whole ratchet.

[@lefthandedarcher2126]

I’m a diy guy so cost wise I’m at a lower scale of ratchets, I own old craftsman, Stanley, kobolt, gearwrench, and Pittsburgh pro. I never use the old craftsman they’re square handles suck, the kobalt is a tank, the Stanley is in my portable stuff and for the price isn’t terrible, I’ve broke the Pittsburgh several times however it’s easy to warranty, gear wrench is my newest and my go to the 120xp is nice and as a diy probably the highest end I’ll buy. I bought a 36 tooth snap on at a garage sell two days ago for $25 and cleaned it up I used it to change my oil just because it’s not bad but I prefer my gear wrench handle and the 120 tooth count is nice

[@moparfanboy]

MATCO ratchets are solid but it took them forever to release the red handle. Personal preference, but it kept me from getting one

[@2010challengerRT]

I loved the Snap-on comfort grip but the newest versions are thicker and not as good in my opinion. I kinda switched to the hard grip ones. Also, I'm a sucker for the weird colors they come in now. I think the Mac Axis ratchet would be my next choice. Unfortunately we don't have any Matco dealers in my area but that would be a consideration too.

[@knasasduckkiller]

Now I’m a snap on ratchet fan. The one Matco I’ve used I loved but no Matco guy so no option for me to get and have someone rebuild it for me. But I’ve definitely broke my fair share of snap on ratchets. Bar over every motor I run a over head on with a 1/2 in long hand flex head and I own 2 of them because for whatever reason it’s a 50 50 shot baring over a 15 liter or bigger cat if it will live. C18s it’s almost a garentee it’s going to die.