Almost 40 years ago, I purchased one of my first big ($) Snap on ratchet set. Stubby, standard and extended flex head 3/8" drive. I used the stubby to get at exhaust flanges on the then new front wheel drive cars. Most had the exhaust manifold on the back side of the engine. Didn't use a cheater bar ever, but was constantly breaking the teeth. It was a "fine" tooth head. Snap On dealer got tired of swapping it out and finally replaced the head with a standard tooth head. He insisted I was abusing it. Still have the set and the red plastic tray it came in. Without the fine tooth in that stubby ratchet, it kind of hampers it's use in tight spaces. I've learned to take the time to get the proper tool for the job you're doing. I really enjoy my new Kobalt 90 tooth ratchets of all sizes. Haven't broken on yet. They all seem to be up to every day use. For me, the 90 tooth format seems to be the sweet spot.
My grandpa sold autoparts and some tools into the 80s when tool trucks started. He said that as he was going to shops to drop off parts anyways, how could tool trucks be able to compete against his efficiency. Apparently he lost out to the tool trucks as they had much higher margins. Went to just selling parts and became friends with some of those local tool truck owners. Kobalt makes some nice stuff like the cordless you mentioned. I like their power tool selection in particular. Lowes isn't as prominent by me and I think the region is neglected. Asked for a left hand drill bit set once and between about 6 of them they didn't know what I was talking about. Menards and fleet farm on the other hand are usually right on.
@@Jaspel I think where the tool trucks over for parts stores that delivered was that they offered payment plans for us guys who couldn't afford to pay for the big expensive items.
Thanks for making this. I just bought a set of Apex built ratchets and I was curious to see the mechanism and how they worked. I'm happy with my purchase
Take the damn grease out. The things dont spin 3000 rpm. Use gun oil. Nothing more. Works on an M16. My Plomb 24, and certainly Kokens 24-36 are "smoother"
I picked up a set of husky 144 ratchets and they don’t match the body of my basic 72 tooth. I really bought the set to have the exact match and feel as I became used to using them. I didn’t know Apex made husky until I saw a report of supplier of the year for Home Depot ad.
Tekton's 90 tooth is similar to that 84 tooth and it's pretty strong. I suspect the sweet spot for that design is 72-90 teeth. I've noticed the mechanism in the 60 tooth there seems to give more backdrag, whereas the Proto style used by HF seems to be the least (excluding gearless ratchets). I do like that 24 tooth Proto style mechanism, though; it sounds sweet.
Nice comparison. Last year I picked up a Sata 3 piece 72t set off of Amazon. Really like them. Basically the same as Husky and Duralast ones I believe. Always loved 84t Gearwrench been using for years. 120xps? I personally only use them in 1/4 inch. Long handle straight and flex ones are great.
@@Jaspel Check out the Proto classic pear head ratchets, j5449 and j5450 for 1/2 inch. They basically haven't changed much in 80 years (same repair kits). Also, the Williams 36 tooth ratchets use the same mechanism as some older Snap-On 36 tooth ratchets.
@@sfx1999 I'll keep an eye out for those protos. Pretty saturated at this point if you know what I mean... Those Williams 36 are awesome and I have a few of both in 3/8 and 1/4.
I have some of these. Not bad pieces. Hard to compare them to my Snap Ons though. I have never had reason to take those apart. They just flat out work. Make me money every day!
@@Jaspel Cheap tools can be your friend in many instances. I have many cheap tools. I only have one brand I trust with no support from a truck. That would be Snap On Tools. I only wish they sold aviation specific tools that they made. They outsource those.
@@upsidedowndog1256 What about Proto, Wright, and SK? Don't they make some? Although I did just see Wright seems to sell the SK safety wire pliers that I've seen on some toolbox tours of GA mechanics.
