[Shop-talk] Quality Ratchets

[Rush]

I've been shopping new ratchets and sockets to replace my inadequate 
Craftsman set too. I purchased these ratchets for tight spaces. Proto 
Blackhawk Rotators in 3/8" and 1/2"
<http://www.stanleyproto.com/default.asp?CATEGORY=BH%5FRATCHET&TYPE=PRODUCT&PARTNUMBER=34950R&SDesc=3%2F8%26%2334%3B+Rotator%26%23153%3B+Ratchet> 
They work like a charm for nuts where you just don't have any swing, but 
the handle is too loosey-goosey for everyday ratcheting. Shame they 
don't offer a 1/4" BTW, Proto and Proto Blackhawk are Stanley 
companies, so Rotators can also be found under other Stanley brands for 
cheaper, although I got mine for $20 each from eBay!

I've also got very lucky on eBay recently with Facom palm-control, 
comfort-grip ratchets. 
<http://www.pro.facom.fr/CatalogueGeneral/Catalogue/PAG-CAT-02.aspx> I 
was able to get 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 ratchets, in separate auctions, for 
about a quarter of retail, the only way I could afford them. They are 
superb everyday ratchets, but very pricey in the US if you are buying 
retail. I love Steve at UltimateGarage.com, but he is the most expensive 
Facom dealer in the US. Harry Epstein 
http://www.harryepstein.com/sk-facom.htm can usually be counted on to 
have some good deal on Facom and many other tool brands. I've gotten a 
lot of good deals on Facom stuff from this eBay seller. 
http://myworld.ebay.com/kgtoolshop. This guy also carries a lot of Facom 
deals. http://stores.ebay.com/KOMMEN-Closeouts BTW, FACOM is also a 
Stanley company. http://www.stanleyworks.com/bu_facomtools.asp

If I sound like a Facom fanboy, I am. Many of my handtools have been 
gradually converted over to Facom and I have been very pleased with all 
of them.

Last, but not least, I am thinking of picking up this set of Gearwrench 
ratchets that most resembles your specs. 
<http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280215429675> 
Or maybe this KD Tools ratchet for added flexibility. 
<http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360051244456>

BBTW, SK tools recently became an independent company again. 
http://www.skhandtool.com/Default.aspx?fusemode=15 They were purchased 
by Stanley and merged with Facom for a few years. So many of the product 
are strikingly similar or the same, just with a different name printed 
on them. You still see a lot of SK/Facom tools being advertised on the 
net. I'm thinking of getting SK 6-point sockets to replace my Craftsman 
sets, because they offer flats-grip profiles in every one.

Jon

Wayne wrote:
> I am going to replace my <, 3/8, and = drive craftsman ratchets with
> something of higher quality and precision. I want a ratchet that doesnt
> require half a football field of movement just to ratchet ahead one click.
> I want to buy fixed head version and flex head versions, but I dont want
> the typical flex head design that pivots outside the perimeter of the head.
> You probably know the type, many of them end up as floppies which wont
> hold a position and have no means of tightening the pivot.