Harbor Freight Professional Indexable Flex Head Ratchets Review

Here is a review of The Harbor Freight Pittsburgh professional articulating indexable 3/8 and half inch ratchet which are surprisingly high quality . .

[@herbwag6456]

I have the 3/8 size gotten recently. Thanks for explaining how to use it in unique ways!

[@CatusMaximus]

Yes these ratchets are actually quite the Time Saver

[@GarenP]

To help finding this - the item number for the 3/8" in this video is 62316, and the item number for the 1/2" is 62315.

[@jameshall4385]

Great tool. Harbor freight is really stepping up their game.

[@CatusMaximus]

Yes

[@johnnydoggs]

Great tool reviews you cover all the good ones very interesting.

[@CatusMaximus]

Thank you

[@MrGonzo4000]

Great review I bought this by accident and was gonna take it back but now no way lol thanks for the info Mike

[@ckent1975fm]

I think the offset helps protect the locking switch. I could see accidentally bumping it to unlock in a tight space if it were a more in line design. Gonna add them though. Great find

[@japhle]

in function, this is kinda like the Nepros stabbey ratchets, their 1/4in drive stabbey ratchet is 50 mm long with a 1/4 in receiving end on the handle, but with those you would be able to offset other directions with the use to flex joints or extenders

[@socal_expat1856]

Good vid. I gave a couple of old Husky indexable ratchets, their indexes are far more limited, but have been a life saver a few times

[@CatusMaximus]

Thank you, yes indeed they are

[@VietLe-USA]

Saw this on Harbor Freight but couldn't figure out how to use it. Googled it to another KZbin channel. The guy there just took it apart and spent the next 10 minutes babbling about its mechanism.. without showing how it is used. I was about to give it up, then I found your channel. Thanks for showing its application, especially at 7:47 where you could just spin out the nuts. That's neat.

[@bobbymcdonald1]

Outstanding review. Thanks! subscribed

[@CatusMaximus]

Thank You

[@BruceLyeg]

Good video. I gotta see your tool box! You have more tools than anyone I've ever seen on YT.

[@CatusMaximus]

Yes and I haven't reviewed every physical socket set because of excessive redundancy. A couple more videos involving half inch and then we move into the 3/8, after that a few videos involving three quarter inch drive and 1 inch Drive. And then there's pliers, striking and struck tools, wire working tools, crimpers, pry bars, L wrenches, machinist tools and measuring instruments, pullers, specialty tools, Electronics test and repair tools... we have a long way to go

[@cbmech2563]

Good question, just how many tool boxes do you have? 😲😂 Did you keep the home Depot box when you compared it to the Harbour freight?

[@Toyotas_n__Tools]

I found the offset feature is what throws me off from getting into a 'groove' with the ratchet and liking it for full time use. When I say full time use I mean the whole time for a brake job, or a alternator, and etc.. that way you get a feel for all your ratchets and can decide when which one will work better.

[@CatusMaximus]

Yes they're not the best for full time use, but I do find myself using them rather often because they are fast when you can use their special functions

[@jackfrost3560]

Liked it so much got the 1/2" on as well got it on sale with a 5off coupon got. Them basically free.

[@csimpson9447]

Good! You show the unique properties - and very handy & useful - for this tool. By the way, I cannot find another version of these; unique to HF! Replaces a speed spinner! Without your tips, I would agree with 'probably useless', but, not! Thanks. Maybe worth an update.

[@roadrunner40]

Bought a rachet like that over six years ago. I still haven't found a good use for it. But I have use ratchets that swivel the other direction multiple times.

[@CatusMaximus]

They're handy for suspension because you usually have plenty of space and you can use its special capabilities to run the Fasteners out quickly

[@mattmgarza]

If you are breaking loose an oil pan bolt but don't wanna jack the vehicle up and need the leverage of a 1/2" ratchet, but the handle of the ratchet keeps hitting the ground, this type of ratchet will make that possible.

[@haroldpatton01]

I Love mine!!

[@76Starship]

I have one of those ratchets but with a different name. It's been sitting in my box for about 8 years, waiting for a chance for glory.

[@darylcross5610]

Thanks for the great video even pulling it apart to show it is a robust design. I was looking wondering if a 1/2 or 1/4 inch version was avalible. I have a 3/8 Ampro version, and have one other way to use it, fold the head under the handle and you can use it by gripping it at the head making a fast ratcheting T handle shape. Only issue its not evenly balanced like a T handle but it works well as a stubby or long ratchet this way. If you reverse the head/ handle as you suggest then its 360 degree spin and my T handle method would not work.

[@mtmchenry]

Interesting I'll have to check them out. Could come in handy sometimes. Just found your channel and subscribed.

[@CatusMaximus]

Thank you so much

[@mengvaj87]

Dude you can find this set at True Value Hardware Store. I was able to get all three of these Ratchet. The only thing about it is that it doesn't have the rubber grip but it's more straighter than the one you got at HF. Check it out. These 1/4 ratchet is the most I've used on everything unless I'm dealing with something a bit bigger

[@ClientGraphics]

Harbor Freight also might have changed the handles as they were only available in red and black and not with the gray.

[@trekzilladmc]

I just looked there today for them and they did indeed change them to red.

[@WHATDATTOOLDO]

I did some research those look identical to gearhead sold at pepboys and they have a 1/4 one they don't sell them online but it says they still sell them in store the handle looks exactly the same as yours now the Pittsburgh pros have the red and black handel

[@toolinhand]

Nice. I just bought the Stanley indexible ratchet. These are a better design, but the Stanley one was made in 2000.

[@CatusMaximus]

Yes lots of manufacturers have the same design since the patent ran out. I think that's why Stanley tried their own design so they can patent it

[@robby844]

@@CatusMaximus Stanley was actually the first one to come out with it. As stated in my other comment I bought one for my dad. I looked and called MANY places to find a different brand at that time. Stanley was the only manufacturer of it at the time....

[@mattmgarza]

I'm surprised to see them with the grey and black grip. The set that I have from Pittsburgh has the black and red grip.

[@ClientGraphics]

Does your 1/2” ratchet head sit slightly off center? Mine felt like it was half a click off and all the ones in store checked out slightly off center as well. That is something I noticed while the 3/8” ratchet aligned perfectly in the center. I like the 3/8” ratchet. Had to return the 1/2”

[@CatusMaximus]

Yes and I forgot to mention that in the review is that the splines in the handle portion weren't cut in alignment with the ratchet head, a small price to pay for how useful they have been for me.

[@yrtuag]

I have one branded Bluehawk from Lowe's. Bought it when they were purging Bluehawk tools a few years ago. Paid next to nothing for it.

[@tooolboxx]

Couldn't find them at HF; are they still available? No one seemed to care about asking for a model number, so......

[@megaeverything101]

good channel

[@CatusMaximus]

Thank you

[@upsidedowndog1256]

I have always been interested in a 1/4" drive version of this but the SO didn't have the same switch for the swivel. If it did I would have bought it. I bought new tires for my truck instead.

[@CatusMaximus]

I found a couple Brands online that make 1/4 inch version and somebody mentioned in a comment earlier that Cobalt may have 1/4 inch version as well. That seems humorous to me, not buying a quarter inch Snap-on ratchet and having enough money to buy new truck tires instead

[@upsidedowndog1256]

Catus Maximus I will have to check that out. I have found a few things Kobalt makes that are of the highest quality for 1990's prices lately. A 3/8" drive stubby swivel ratchet for 20 bucks was a no brainer and is really nicely made. The SO indexing ratchet was well over $100, my tires were $200 for 4!

[@dyer2cycle]

...you must have a little truck...tires(P215/75/15) for my Ford Ranger were $65-$75 each when I had that truck back in the 1980's.....@@upsidedowndog1256

[@johngibson3594]

Kobalt I think makes 1/4 I have the same set only 3/8 and 1/4 ,you can leave the head unlocked and do a push and pull which is a huge advantage. I also have craftsman indexing wrenches. Great video.

[@CatusMaximus]

I'll have to check it out a quarter-inch version would complete the set

[@yrtuag]

@@CatusMaximus: I have the Blue Hawk version from Lowe's, item # 0420137. Got it super cheap, they were discounted with other Blue Hawk tools.

[@trekzilladmc]

I just picked up a set of these today----the 3/8" and 1/2". I ended up getting the Menards Performax brand which I noticed are the exact same ratchet as the Harbor Freight. They had them on clearance, plus the 11%-off. They did actually have a 1/4" drive one too if you were still looking for one at your local Menards.

[@CatusMaximus]

Thank you so much they don't have that store in my area but it is neat to know that in the future I can pick up a quarter inch version of one of these

[@trekzilladmc]

@@CatusMaximus Would you like one? I picked up the last two at Menards today on clearance and I'd be happy to send you one to have. You could even do a video review on it.

[@trekzilladmc]

@@CatusMaximus It's brand new still on the packing card.

[@mechanicjesse5430]

Do they still make these

[@mikebaker3662]

I may have missed it,but was the Tooth count mentioned

[@CatusMaximus]

72

[@mikeprice8307]

I think this one is a better option than purchasing a set of indexing wrenches!

[@mattmgarza]

True---but wrenches can get into spots that sockets can't (and vice-versa).

[@robby844]

Bought one for my dad back when Stanley first brought them out. He used the fuck out of it. Now I gotta find it again. Lol

[@andrewm5190]

Carlyle makes a similar ratchet, have you had a chance to check them out? Heard Carlyle makes some good stuff.

[@FahimibnDawud]

Carlyle makes surprisingly great tools! I didn't trust them at first but my buddies have them and I've been amazed that they just keep on going and getting the hell beaten out of them!

[@omaraamer7946]

How can I get this ratchet

[@gulabkeerio4392]

Good morning

[@bricegraham8256]

Ima get so much flack for this comment but I really want a Snap On version of this. It's a lot nicer looking and the handle is straight.

[@georgioocean7629]

I found it to be useful removing the bolts around your transmission but it’s not professional quality. I think it’s beginning to skip.

[@stevenhobson2292]

Mine sticks.

[@yrtuag]

In my comment below, I forgot to mention my Bluehawk version is a 1/4" drive model. Just watched this video again because I'm getting ready to purchase the 3/8 & 1/2" model from H.F.

[@truckerpeterose]

This is the most useless ratchet I have ever seen. The only good thing about this ratchet is I paid $16 for it and sold it for $20. I literally could not bare to even look at it in my toolbox. If someone could link a video of someone finding an actual use for this pos I would definitely appreciate it.

[@44warden]

That makes ABSOLUTELY no sense. Why would a moron buy a unique ratchet and before an opportunity to use it's uniqueness is presented sell it in frustration??? Reminds me of my childish friends who throw the fricking remote control because they're pissed! Grow up! It was 16.00!!!

[@roadrunner40]

@@44warden Trucker88 is correct. You may think it is unique but it certainly is not useful. I acquired this ratchet a few years before this video was produced. I did not sell or throw it away nor did I find any good use for it. No one has been able to put up a video or tell a real-world scenario where this ratchet is THE tool for the job.

[@44warden]

@@roadrunner40 good morning. I've used this tool a couple times doing suspension work and I really like it but everybody is entitled to their opinion.

[@popupheadlights]

@@roadrunner40 used it for a cam angle sensor and for a Alternator belt replacement due to the angle of the bolts it was very sick to have

[@roadrunner40]

@@popupheadlights That's cool. What year vehicles?