[Shop-talk] Quality Ratchets

[scott.hall at comcast.net]

1) proto-blackhawk?  I've got some just blackhawk tools I got from an auto parts store about 10 years ago.  they're great.  made by stanley.  is proto-blackhawk a new thing?  the old catalog I have (yes, I go over it still...so?) doesn't make mention of proto.

2) if sk is no longer owned by facom, I'm buying every 'facom' s-k ratchet I can get my hand on now.  best ratchet mechanism, best rough duty handle.

I am a huge facom fanboy.  shame about the exchange rate nowadays.

 -------------- Original message ----------------------
From: Rush <jdrush at enter.net>
> 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&PART
> NUMBER=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!
> 
> 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.
> 
> 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.