I almost bought a Titan for giggles. Thank you for testing them As far as Crapsman I have been BURNED TO MANY TIMES. I would rather go to flea market and buy a old elcheapo
I have a couple Craftsman ratchets from the 90s and I wanna throw them as far as I can see them every time I use them.They are always going to neutral on me.Now the sockets from that same set have served me very well,I love them.
They are beefy cheep ratchets the lockup hes showing happens to almost all floating pawl ratchets the pawl wedges against the inside of the ratchet its not the gears messing up
I’m not a professional just a hobbyist and family Mechanic. I’ve settled on tekton gearwrench sk and matco. It all pretty much feels good to me. Not snap on level quality but pretty close. I can tell you tekton is legit. I had a problem with a 3/8 torque wrench. Not expecting a free replacement i emailed them. Their lifetime warranty does not cover torque wrenches. Never got a response but three days later there was a brand new torque wrench in my mailbox. Pretty impressive.
I'm a big fan of the Icon tools. I own the flex head 3/8, standard 3/8 ratchet, 1/4 inch flex head ratchet, a set of the flex head metric ratcheting wrenches, The Icon screwdriver set, the Icon pick set, I've been super happy with all of it. I also own some Tekton stuff. I like it also, but I'm going to keep building my Icon tool collection as much as I can if they continue to produce them at the quality that I've seen so far. I'm not a pro mechanic or anything, but I like these tools way better than my old school American made Craftsman stuff.
My 3/8" Milwaukee ratchet action is excellent. Icon is my other favorite. Craftsman V series. Their design has a little more back drag. I don't mind because I get a recessed reversing switch.
The other downfall, is if you break an American made craftsman and take it back, you will get a poorly made wrench back. I like the gearwrench better than the craftsman made in USA ratchet wrenches I have.
I've tried quite a few over the years. Honestly happy I bought a Snap-On fhbf80 back in 2007 when they were only $100 new. Now 175. Also a big fan of the matco 88. The problem I have ran into with so many cheaper ratchets is the lock up. In fact the only low-cost brand I even kept is gearwrench. I've never had a problem with those which is more than I can say for sk, tekton or hf. One of these days I need to try proto along with williams. The cost on those doesn't look bad online and for the most part I really like all of their other tools. Oh, before I forget, the other thing I like about my snap-on, my matco 88 and even these gearwrench xp ratchets is how Little Resistance they have backpedaling. There's nothing worse than a ratchet that has so much resistance it twists what you're trying to turn the other direction when you actually ratchet.
I have the long Tekton 3/8 and it locks up. It's now at home. Replaced it with the gearwrench equivalent. I really like the stubby 1/4 from Tekton. I also have the 3/8 Icon and no issues after a year.
I bought 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 inch HF ratchet sets almost 40 years ago. I've used them on cars, trucks, motorcycles and boats and they work just fine. As other people have noted, use breaker bars not ratchets for tight stuff.
In 1976 I was a service teck for a national mfg. As such overhauling customers equipt. was always a challange! I was stuck on one job in particular where I had to remove a internal safety relief valve and I only had a 1/2 inch drive Craftsman breaker bar it was a 24"! the only socket available anywhere near was a 1 3/4" by 3/4 drive. I had to use it with a 3/4" x 1/2" reducer and the 1/2" x 24" Craftsman breaker bar,and a 6' pipe on the end and 2 people at once trying to take out this s/r valve ! The valve didnt come out but we did bend the Craftsmen breaker bar 8" out of shape before the 1/2" drive shattered like a .457 magnum gun shot. Say what you will about Craftsman tools, but after that I swore by Craftsman Tools , they were tough!
I agree. I still have all my craftsman tools I bought at sears in the 70's and 80's. They are the best. Made in the good old USA. Wish they were still around.
Sometimes fail is a safety issue. I'm retired, and gave most of my tools to my son. He was removing the caliper from his car and the HF let go. His hand slammed into the frame and he has been off work for 6 weeks - broke it in 2 places, with a glove on. It's not knowing if a tool will fail - they can all do that. It's knowing when, out of the blue
@Jack Dudley Austin Jr. sometimes you just don't have a choice, a well designed vehicle will always give you the space you need to not be in that position but people make mistakes and id say most vehicles on the road aren't designed all that well, or are just really cramped
After 32 years of turning wrenches daily as a mechanic. Out of all the ratchets out there. I still like my Snap On ratchets the best. Runner up would be the older SK/Wayne. For me it all comes down to the feel of the tool. The balance of it and the action has a lot to do with it.
I agree , but likey would reverse the preference , there used to be a Canadian made brand " grey " that was very good . Not sure if they are still operating
@@outinthesticks1035 Yes they are and I still use my 40+ years old set, It never broke but the satin finish look horrible! Ho and the name is "Gray" not Grey.
@@fredcailloux2526 I stand corrected on the spelling , a co-worker had a 3/4 drive set that were mil surp after WW2 . He broke one socket taking the wheels off a trailer and asked for warranty , the dealer asked how long a snipe he had and he told that three of them were bouncing on a 16 foot piece of pipe . He still got warranty
I bought the titan the other night on an impulse, it was pretty and felt good in my hand. I wonder if a good cleanup, debur job and some lapping compound would fix it. Going to try and smooth out a grey pneumatic 3/8 ratchet as well when time permits.
Wow u definitely saved me some money on the Titan ratchet I almost bought one to try out. Out of the ones you showed my favorite would be the icon and tekton but honestly my go too is usually Pittsburgh pro they have always did the jobs I've needed and priced right. I own icon, gear wrench, tekton, Pittsburgh pro, Mac, snap on, and old school usa craftsmen and then some Amazon off brands and I swear I always lean back to the super cheap Pittsburgh pro lol maybe it's the thought in the back of my head that I don't care about it so I beat on them thing but I usually use them.
The most impressive ratchet I own own is the one that came with my Wera Tool Check Plus ,I don't know about how smooth I'd consider it but the damn thing has taken it's fair share of overdoing it and hasn't failed yet
When I seen the Titan ratchet I knew it would lock up on you because I too purchased that cheap made ratchet, first thing I noticed when I used it was beam flex and when the fastener I was removing broke free the ratchet was locked up, off to the junk draw it went and purchased the proto 90 tooth precision ratchet...now that's a fine smooth working ratchet, anyway another great video keep up the good work!
Power Torque and Titan share that same ratchet design with the same blue handle. It would be interesting to see if the Power Torque version holds up better.
@@ClientGraphics , I waited a year to watch you break that Titan ratchet. Then you finally got to it. ... well i have the whole set of Titan, P.T., but i dont have the Klutch version. ... im satisfied with them. I have not had a lock up problem with them. And i have two of each. So 12 all together. They are my go to, and fit wonderful in my hands.
I have the performance tool ones also and it’s a decent tool. Picked it up at O’Reilly auto parts, but they don’t stock them any more. The Klutch ones are from Northern Tool right? I have not tested them but they come in a black color rather than blue.
I have been using the new craftsman line since Stanley relaunched the brand. They have not failed me once. I have been continuously impressed by them. They even went so far as to warranty a several older tools that had warnout. A phone call was all it took and the next day there was a box at my door.
Craftsman is my choice. Warranties are easier than HF because of the number of lowes stores near me. Also, their cases are great and the 81pc gun metal kit is simply amazing, it's portable, all of the peices lock into the case, it's all 6 point sockets and has both 1/4 and 3/8 sets. Only complaint is that they aren't sealed and aren't serviceable ratchets so my 3/8 has filled itself with motor oil and my 1/4 feels like it's got some grit inside of it.
I had a tekton 8” ratchet 3/8 drive and paid $25 for it from the site. For the price, I loved it. It was my go to, I gave it to my buddy when I left that shop, have yet to replace it but I will def buy more tekton, actually have the 1/4” socket set and I use it all the time
I bought that Titan ratchet from Autozone and had heard of the issues with it. I still bought it. I cleaned the original factory lube, which did not have much. I used a good synthetic lube and reassembled it. I have had no issues with it locking up... so far. For the price point, I am fairly pleased with the purchase of the Titan. I will add one more qualifier though, I do not use this ratchet daily, so that will play a part in one's decision to purchase it. Just a word to the wise, if you do, go ahead and clean it and use a good synthetic lube on it from the get-go. At 55 years old, I have learned to do that with any new ratchet I buy just to make sure it is lubed properly. I have the Tekton ratchets and love them. They came lubed well and no issues. I also have the 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" drive Icon swivel head ratchets, they absolutely rock and have become my standard go-to ratchets.
Most floating pawl ratchets lock up like that its just the pawl wedging against the inside of the ratchet head.. its not a problem with the gears or slipping you just ratchet it back one click after you come down on somthing real hard and it unjams
I like the look and feel of the Titan ratchet, but yes the lock up problem is annoying. Putting some 3in1 oil on it helped abait the problem. My favorite ratchet is the power torque one that looks the same but has a push button release. Good tool. Works well, great price
I used to work for a place that sold the Titan. I always loved the look of the blue handle, but I knew it was crap from customers buying them, so I never did myself lol
First and foremost, a 3/8" shouldn't be used for anything high torque. It would be interesting to see a comparison of 1/2" ratchets where high torque is more common.
Well said Stephen! My old craftsman 3/8 ratchets (that I abused and used like a breaker bar) had 24 teeth and would take the abuse. I was a major appliance repairman for 27 years and installed hundreds of pumps and gearboxes with my U.S.A. made Craftsman tools No issues.
my favorite mechanics tool is the USA made Snap On I have it for over 30 years and trouble free working at Olsmobile .My second set is the US Made Cobalt (lowes) never had any issues and had it for 15 years working Toyota.
Tbh I'd take icon. I remember everyone giving so much heat because it "copied" snap on. Shows that icon/milwaukee tools are at the top for pro sumer grade.
I like a serviceable ratchet. I have a couple that I have never been able to get apart, so I use them sparingly. I know I bought them from tool trucks when I was working in the shops back in the day. The ones that I can take apart I use a lot, like daily, and I disassemble, clean, and lube them at least once a year. I love my vintage Made In USA tools, most of which I bought before they were "vintage." All of them are serviceable. My absolute favorites are my S-K round-heads. Not only are they serviceable, but I recently upgraded my 1/2" drive ratchet (good ole model 40170) to the new 90-tooth dual pawl internal mechanism. How absolutely awesome is it that I could buy a brand new, 2020 ratchet assembly and just put it right into my old ratchet that was made sometime in the 70s? There was nothing wrong with the original mechanism, so I kept it, of course. I know I will be passing those tools on to my sons-in-law when I am gone. There's something comforting in that. I did want something new for the toolbox. I didn't think it was a good idea to have a toolbox with nothing but 40+ year old tools in it. But I didn't want to spend big money. So I bought a set of Tekton ratchets and a couple of socket sets. All made in Taiwan and of decent quality. Honestly, I rarely use them. In fact, I took them apart last winter, cleaned and lubed the internals and wiped down the external surfaces, and I don't think I have used the 1/2" drive ratchet since. I got so excited when I upgraded the old S-K that I have rarely used anything else. Except for my most recent project. I grabbed my Powr-Kraft 100 ratchet. I don't even know how old it is, but it served me well and, knowing it was probably about 50 years old, gave me something of a thrill to hold it in my hand.
I have the original TITAN ratchets when they were sold by NAPA 20 years ago. They were excellent ratchets. I still have the offset 1/2 in drive. Love it. It was the first soft grip for the brand. They were absolutely made by a different manufacturer.
I’ve wanted to try Tekton ratchets, might have to order that long one. I have the Klutch branded version of the Titan and I have the same problems. Very gritty, even with fresh Super Lube, and it locks up.
Best thing to do is skip the foreign ratchets and just buy Snap on. I dont recommend buying alot from them, but their ratchets are a must have. Other American tool companies still produce old style round head designs (wright, proto). Gearwrench ratchets are good, I think they are the only comparable Taiwan brand that comes remotely close to snap on. But even then, once you buy Snap on you dont need any other ratchet, just my opinion as a professional tech. I love affordable tools but sometimes it's worth the money.
I think I can finally go along with this. I have a Kobalt 1/4" and 3/8" that I thought were okay for many years because they came in a big set. But then I finally got a 3/8" Snap-On and it's night and day. I can't speak to durability because I only used them to replace mirrors on my truck, but the usability was a different world.
Snap on is over priced. My snap on flex head comfort grip would slid right off and the truck would not warranty it. $150 20 years ago and the ratchet was unsafe to use. my Pittsburgh Pro flex head is way better. Also I am a professional mechanic for Mercedes 27 years. Also My Gearwrench flex heads are awesome.
I bought a Tekton SRH21108 3/8" flex head ratchet and i hav been using it for the past 3 years and it has become my favorite ratchet. It has less drag than my Snap on and i prefer it.
I love tekton products. I also like that harbor freight makes it so easy to swap the icon ratchets out. The feel of the tekton ratchets is similar to that of icon. Both are incredibly good ratchets. As for the other two brands, I wouldn’t even spend my money on them. Unless I absolutely had too
Any possibility of testing "new" 1/2" gedore ratchets and the old 1993z-94? I'm very curious about the 1993z-94. Belzer and SATA are not widely known but, if you come across those brands one day.... Great guy, great ideias, great set ups. Keep it up buddy, and greetings from Brazil 🇧🇷
I've found after using the Tekton tools for a couple of years now to be a very good brand of tools also found that several of there tools are made here in the USA.
I have the Tekton 3/8 bent handle ratchet and it works well I also have the Icon 3/8 gold ratchet I only bought it for decoration but I'm sure it's quite capable
2 years ago I bought a new Craftsman 3/8 drive ratchet from Lowe's. Lasted 3 days before it locked up and wouldn't release. Lowe's refused to take it back because of the 4 serial numbers on the handle of the ratchet. Never again.
I have all the tektons except the really long straight handles and they are great. also have the swivel icons also great. but the comfort handle on the icons is nice.
So the only brand that did not fail was Craftsman, which is guaranteed so the fact that is not servicable is immaterial. Seems like a very clear winner here. Although, it is very obvious you are partial to the Icon brand though, so perhaps you could expand on why you like them so much.
I have both Icon and Craftsman V Series 3/8" ratchets. I like the Craftsman recessed reversing switch better. I find ratchet action and back drag varies with design and brand. Both are high quality in my Opinion.
I know a buddy of mine that had got a brand new non quick release titan ratchet 3/8 like your and went to change the alternator on a 2004 Pontiac grand prix gtp supercharged Buick 3800v6 series 3, and it locked up trying to loosen up the bolt and then stripped the teeth off the gear trying to get it unlocked with the same bolt on the alternator took it apart and it was dry no oil or grease inside it at all,he said for the money I won't buy another one, his buddy got the parts store auto zone he got it from to replace it went to give it back to my buddy with the gtp Grand Prix and he's like hell no you keep it.. lol, and honestly I kinda like how the craftsman v series comfort grip handle 3/8 ratchet looks but for a more expensive professional series type ratchet I don't want something I can't service.
..worth mentioning, the older Duralast sold at Autozone, Made in Taiwan, were EXCELLENT ratchets..smooth, strong, and serviceable...they have now cheapened them up-they are still an OK tool, but NOT anything like the older ones...I believe they are now made in Red China, also...
Regarding the Icon, there was an early model which I believe was recalled for this reason and the new one was redesigned and has corrected this issue. I know this video is now 2+ years old but just wanted to point this out.
My Gearwrench 90T have been my favorite ratchets, but for the price I think Capri ratchets are the best value. I also have a Tekton 3/8 flex head, but it's one of my least favorite ratchets, the handle portion is too heavy and it just flexes too easy.
I am using craftsman again because lowes has gotten them and gone back to bring a broken one in and just grab a new one. I took a 30 year old one that finally locked up back and they did not bat an eye.
I have two Titans and a tekton and I had the same exact issue where the Titans lock up and the Tekton wore in and locks up. I was able to remedy this with superlube and a little working it in for anyone whos interested
I maintain a rental fleet of motorcycles and have become a Tekton fan. The newer craftsman wrenches and sockets were starting to make nuts look like I was using an adjustable wrench on them. Just sloppy tolerances. Switched to Tekton and the issue went away. Free shipping on orders over $50 when ordered on their website. I don’t have to wait in a long line ant the local understaffed harbor freight. 10% credit off on the next order when you create an account on their website. All of their wrenches, ratchets, and sockets I purchased were made it Taiwan, They tend to have better metallurgy than china. Great product warranty but I have not had any issues with the product
My standard ratchets are hilka. I tried their 1/4 drive first and was so impressed l bought their 3/8 and 1/2 to go with it and l ended retiring my Clarke ratchets. The Clarke's were good but their direction levers were just obtrusively long and would get in the way and you'd inadvertently change when you didn't want to. I needed a change lol
when I saw some thumbnails on the right with Icon 'fixed' I new this video was going to have the locked up Icon that was recalled a year ago! All was fixed now with beefier internals on the upgraded rachets...
Craftsman girl still have my original USA made 9 series from when I was a kid. Broke one 3/8 ratchet but back in those days you walked into sears and walk right out with a new one in less than 10 minutes. Lol. Wonder how it works now? Got a new set from Taiwan coming curious to see how they hold up. Tekton has my interest peaked though with sets that don’t skip, a tip for craftsman wish they followed that as well.
I have a couple of Koken Z 72T flex ratchets. Pretty fine. But only in 3/8 drive so far. I like them better than my Snap-On. They’re smoother and more compact. I’m not big on warranties. Tool is more likely to fail to do it’s job properly than it is to break. That’s when I get rid of them. When they get sloppy. Some are pretty poor when they’re brand new. But they’re “guaranteed “. To do what? Bust your knuckles?
I purchased a 3/8ths, extendable ratchet from Walmart & I think it is made by Stanley but, not 100%. I used it to a almost failure, I heard a snap or Crack sound however, It still works fine! I have never seen this lock up issue & YES, It would definitely bother me! Many of my tools are older & used regularly! I find myself purchasing more & more from Harbor Freight! Just not a big fan of their electronics such as electric die grinder, bench grinder(both 6" & 8"!), bother failed instantly!!! I have a Central Pneumatic 20 gall air compressor & the air releif valve to allow air to escape because the electric motor does not have enough power, it constantly fails to the point where, I use a drain valve! Does anyone know where to get a GOOD AIR RELEIF VALVE FOR A CENTRAL PNEUMATIC 20-GALL AIR COMPRESSOR? ITS A 20 OR 26 GALL?
I actually love Titan ratchets. I haven’t ever used the full sized models as I like to treat myself to SnapOn and Matco for ratchets. The Titan micro ratchets are awesome though. They are decently smooth for the 15-20 bucks that they cost and they fit in places other ratchets don’t. I wouldn’t go putting a great amount of force on them but when you are contorted up under a dash board dealing with small fasteners, they sure are great little tiny ratchets.
So here's my stories I suppose. The tekton 24 inch same one you had,I've owned it for quite some time as a breaker bar,a regular ratchet for hard to reach bolts on diesels,broken lugnuts free with it,and after just a year,it didn't seem very good and seemed to lock up a bit unless I broke it free with a bolt (quite annoying) well I took apart the ratchet and to my surprise,no lubricant at all. I mean it was drier than a bone. So I packed it with grease, everything spun Amazing,sounded amazing..week later it's binding worse than before. Then again I'm someone who will use a tool until it is nothing but dust lmao. Idk. Just something to share Edit:I took apart all my tekton ratchets after and none had any lubricant at all. The 3/8 and 1/4 ratchets feel,sound,and work much better now 🤙
Too much will make them lock up also guy!!!! I found something light like automatic transmission fluid works the absolute best!! Worth a shot! I swear by it
Chris, I've been bouncing through your videos watching you torture ratchets 😂. I think in one of your videos I seen a Nebraska license plate on the wall. Are you from Nebraska?
I bought a 6inch titan 1/4 inch drive at a local parts store and it locked up the first time I used it. I returned it for replacement and the second one locked up on the way home spining it with my fingers. I threw it in the trash when I got home. Lesson Learned about titan.
I use my titán 3/8 and 1/4 every day. I have rebuilt my 3/8s with a ares rebuild kit. It took a long breaker bar and a ton of pressure to break it. And it’s been great as long as I don’t add a 4 ft breaker bar on it. The 1/4 seems sloppy and I wish it did not have so much play in it. I do use ir ruff every ray. I have a cobalt flex 1/4 rthat i love. Just wish it was as long as the titan 1/4.
I have the titan set with that ratchet I find that there ratchet do bind not a fan I recently bought the craftsman v series flex set I can say I like them a lot been a mechanic for 32 years now the only complaints on them is the 1/4 “ one the soft grip handle needs a bit more length the 3/8 could use it to but it’s ok not terrible and Tekton well been doing good with them at home no issues
LOL... 50 Years ago I bought a set of 3 flex head Taiwan no name ratchets with plastic switches for $6.00 for the set. The guy who was selling them out of the trunk of an old Buick claimed they had a lifetime warranty... (didn't say from who) They looked like they were machined by children and the chrome looked painted on, but they were only $2.00 each so, what the heck... Well the 3/8 ratchet switch broke off after only 30 years of hard use when I dropped it on a concrete floor... The other two are still in my tool box and the 1/4 inch is my favorite 1/4 inch ratchet... To be fair I have a set of real USA made Craftsman ratchets I use for the toughest jobs and only use the 1/2 inch flex head where the craftsmans don't fit... Still... $6.00 for 50 years was a pretty good deal. And I'm sure each and every one of those ratchets you tested were worth at least $2.00 a piece too. And still likely better than most tools made in China these days.
I had the older craftsman USA ratchets those would lock up all the time. I had to play with the selector switches constantly to complete an automotive job. Trash. Those were only 36 tooth ratchets too.
I don't mind going to the store and getting a replacement... I've also switched over to kobalt and never have any issues exchanging anything which I've only done twice on ratchet wrenches but I knew I should've grabbed my breaker bar but it was cold and my back hurt so I gave it the beans and broke the 8mm and 5/16.. No questions asked thou
I’m a Craftsman fanboy since I was a teenager in the ‘90s, but their quality is not the same but the technology on the tool is okay. But lately I’ve gotten on the Tekton train🚂 and been getting there tools. I love Tekton’s 6point ratcheting wrench 🔧
always been a big tekton guy. warranty is amazing. tool quality is great for what you pay. 10% back on every purchase and 15% off for students make it a no brained for me. love the no skip sockets and i beat the living shit outta my sockets. i have never bought impact sockets in hope that my chromes break and yet to have. this is with a matco 1/2 impact gun taking tires and other suspension bolts off daily. tekton is no joke and clearly is on top. give me a try!
i love the new v series ratchet, handle feels great, finish is great. just wish there was not as much backlash. they are tight ratchets, especially the 1/4 drive. Bets budget ratchet has to be gearwrench. They feel great in hand, tooth action is nice. Take a beating. The only thing with gearwrench is there chrome. every gear wrench ratchet i’ve boughten looks like it’s been tossed around a shop already. the chrome scratches fairly easy
I wouldn't buy anything from Titan, but I own several brands and my favorite for daily wrenching are my Capri.. thats why I own 9 of them. I also have several 20 to 40 year old Craftsman rachets in every size from my dad when I was growing up, and even with their lower teeth count I'd put them against any Strap-On or anything else. They are what I turn to when I need to really beat the hell out of something! It's sad that people get suckered into buying only expensive brands, as there are many great brands that perform just as good, if not better, for a much lower price! Also, I bought one ratchet from Astro, because it was a really small long handled 1/4" ratchet, but with 3/8" internals and anvil. It has been a great ratchet so far too! I have beat the heck out that thing too and it hasn't failed me yet.. very impressive for such a low priced ratchet!
..I see now that I don't want to buy any Titan ratchets, but I have some Titan extensions and torx and hex bit sockets, and they have been excellent...
Tekton blows my mind. I have bowed mine. I used it on a N-14 Cummins. Zero problems and just love mine
Awesome video
I almost bought a Titan for giggles. Thank you for testing them
As far as Crapsman I have been BURNED TO MANY TIMES. I would rather go to flea market and buy a old elcheapo
I buy old Craftsman at flea/thruft stores.
@@1mikewalsh my dad goes to garage sales and buys sk and proto
I have a couple Craftsman ratchets from the 90s and I wanna throw them as far as I can see them every time I use them.They are always going to neutral on me.Now the sockets from that same set have served me very well,I love them.
They are beefy cheep ratchets the lockup hes showing happens to almost all floating pawl ratchets the pawl wedges against the inside of the ratchet its not the gears messing up
I’m not a professional just a hobbyist and family Mechanic. I’ve settled on tekton gearwrench sk and matco. It all pretty much feels good to me. Not snap on level quality but pretty close. I can tell you tekton is legit. I had a problem with a 3/8 torque wrench. Not expecting a free replacement i emailed them. Their lifetime warranty does not cover torque wrenches. Never got a response but three days later there was a brand new torque wrench in my mailbox. Pretty impressive.
I'm a big fan of the Icon tools. I own the flex head 3/8, standard 3/8 ratchet, 1/4 inch flex head ratchet, a set of the flex head metric ratcheting wrenches, The Icon screwdriver set, the Icon pick set, I've been super happy with all of it. I also own some Tekton stuff. I like it also, but I'm going to keep building my Icon tool collection as much as I can if they continue to produce them at the quality that I've seen so far. I'm not a pro mechanic or anything, but I like these tools way better than my old school American made Craftsman stuff.
Blasphemy
My 3/8" Milwaukee ratchet action is excellent.
Icon is my other favorite. Craftsman V series. Their design has a little more back drag.
I don't mind because I get a recessed reversing switch.
The other downfall, is if you break an American made craftsman and take it back, you will get a poorly made wrench back. I like the gearwrench better than the craftsman made in USA ratchet wrenches I have.
Praise the lord, and pass the 10mm.
That should be a Capital L brother👍
I've tried quite a few over the years. Honestly happy I bought a Snap-On fhbf80 back in 2007 when they were only $100 new. Now 175. Also a big fan of the matco 88. The problem I have ran into with so many cheaper ratchets is the lock up. In fact the only low-cost brand I even kept is gearwrench. I've never had a problem with those which is more than I can say for sk, tekton or hf. One of these days I need to try proto along with williams. The cost on those doesn't look bad online and for the most part I really like all of their other tools. Oh, before I forget, the other thing I like about my snap-on, my matco 88 and even these gearwrench xp ratchets is how Little Resistance they have backpedaling. There's nothing worse than a ratchet that has so much resistance it twists what you're trying to turn the other direction when you actually ratchet.
If you had to pick between these two, which would it be? I’m liking the quick release on the Snap-On. BFR128BLFR or FHRX80A.
I have the long Tekton 3/8 and it locks up. It's now at home. Replaced it with the gearwrench equivalent. I really like the stubby 1/4 from Tekton. I also have the 3/8 Icon and no issues after a year.
I bought 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 inch HF ratchet sets almost 40 years ago. I've used them on cars, trucks, motorcycles and boats and they work just fine. As other people have noted, use breaker bars not ratchets for tight stuff.
Hello again Chris and Mrs. CG
It's good to see more of you. Thank you for another Great Video.
In 1976 I was a service teck for a national mfg. As such overhauling customers equipt. was always a challange! I was stuck on one job in particular where I had to remove a internal safety relief valve and I only had a 1/2 inch drive Craftsman breaker bar it was a 24"! the only socket available anywhere near was a 1 3/4" by 3/4 drive. I had to use it with a 3/4" x 1/2" reducer and the 1/2" x 24" Craftsman breaker bar,and a 6' pipe on the end and 2 people at once trying to take out this s/r valve ! The valve didnt come out but we did bend the Craftsmen breaker bar 8" out of shape before the 1/2" drive shattered like a .457 magnum gun shot. Say what you will about Craftsman tools, but after that I swore by Craftsman Tools , they were tough!
I agree. I still have all my craftsman tools I bought at sears in the 70's and 80's. They are the best. Made in the good old USA. Wish they were still around.
You sure it didn’t sound like a 47.5 magnum?😂😂
Sometimes fail is a safety issue. I'm retired, and gave most of my tools to my son. He was removing the caliper from his car and the HF let go. His hand slammed into the frame and he has been off work for 6 weeks - broke it in 2 places, with a glove on. It's not knowing if a tool will fail - they can all do that. It's knowing when, out of the blue
@Jack Dudley Austin Jr. sometimes you just don't have a choice, a well designed vehicle will always give you the space you need to not be in that position but people make mistakes and id say most vehicles on the road aren't designed all that well, or are just really cramped
A Comparison table of models in the beginning and results at the end would be a substantial improvement. Keep up the testing!
I just recently got a set of four Tekton ratchets. So far I really like them.
I love all my Tekton tools and my 72 tooth 3/8" ratchet! Best ratchet I ever owned
Please can you test the wera zyklop 8000 A , 8000 B , 8000 C ? Im wery interesed how would thy hold up . Thanks
After 32 years of turning wrenches daily as a mechanic. Out of all the ratchets out there. I still like my Snap On ratchets the best. Runner up would be the older SK/Wayne. For me it all comes down to the feel of the tool. The balance of it and the action has a lot to do with it.
I agree , but likey would reverse the preference , there used to be a Canadian made brand " grey " that was very good . Not sure if they are still operating
@@outinthesticks1035 Yes they are and I still use my 40+ years old set, It never broke but the satin finish look horrible! Ho and the name is "Gray" not Grey.
SK ratchets for me please!!!
@@1mikewalsh New SK are now Chinese made, Gray are Canadian made industrial tools , most of their ratchet are 20 or 40 teeth.
@@fredcailloux2526 I stand corrected on the spelling , a co-worker had a 3/4 drive set that were mil surp after WW2 . He broke one socket taking the wheels off a trailer and asked for warranty , the dealer asked how long a snipe he had and he told that three of them were bouncing on a 16 foot piece of pipe . He still got warranty
Really like tekton tools and tekton’s way of doing business. Unfortunately they’re not producing 6 pt combo wrenches right now.
I bought the titan the other night on an impulse, it was pretty and felt good in my hand. I wonder if a good cleanup, debur job and some lapping compound would fix it. Going to try and smooth out a grey pneumatic 3/8 ratchet as well when time permits.
Wow u definitely saved me some money on the Titan ratchet I almost bought one to try out. Out of the ones you showed my favorite would be the icon and tekton but honestly my go too is usually Pittsburgh pro they have always did the jobs I've needed and priced right. I own icon, gear wrench, tekton, Pittsburgh pro, Mac, snap on, and old school usa craftsmen and then some Amazon off brands and I swear I always lean back to the super cheap Pittsburgh pro lol maybe it's the thought in the back of my head that I don't care about it so I beat on them thing but I usually use them.
i am a professional mechanic and I love my Pittsburgh Pro flex head ratchet set. Love them.
The most impressive ratchet I own own is the one that came with my Wera Tool Check Plus ,I don't know about how smooth I'd consider it but the damn thing has taken it's fair share of overdoing it and hasn't failed yet
When I seen the Titan ratchet I knew it would lock up on you because I too purchased that cheap made ratchet, first thing I noticed when I used it was beam flex and when the fastener I was removing broke free the ratchet was locked up, off to the junk draw it went and purchased the proto 90 tooth precision ratchet...now that's a fine smooth working ratchet, anyway another great video keep up the good work!
Pretty much my experience except but I let it happen twice to ensure it wasn’t just one random bad one😢
Too bad too because it's a good looking ratchet
I had a Tekton fail, they just had me send them a photo, they sent me a tool. Easy peasy.
Power Torque and Titan share that same ratchet design with the same blue handle. It would be interesting to see if the Power Torque version holds up better.
I actually have that one, it’s quick release. The Power Torque did not exhibit the same issue as the Titan tool ratchet.
@@ClientGraphics Good to know. 👍
@@ClientGraphics , I waited a year to watch you break that Titan ratchet. Then you finally got to it.
... well i have the whole set of Titan, P.T., but i dont have the Klutch version.
... im satisfied with them. I have not had a lock up problem with them. And i have two of each. So 12 all together.
They are my go to, and fit wonderful in my hands.
I have the performance tool ones also and it’s a decent tool. Picked it up at O’Reilly auto parts, but they don’t stock them any more. The Klutch ones are from Northern Tool right? I have not tested them but they come in a black color rather than blue.
@@ClientGraphics , yep.
I have been using the new craftsman line since Stanley relaunched the brand. They have not failed me once. I have been continuously impressed by them. They even went so far as to warranty a several older tools that had warnout. A phone call was all it took and the next day there was a box at my door.
Craftsman is my choice. Warranties are easier than HF because of the number of lowes stores near me. Also, their cases are great and the 81pc gun metal kit is simply amazing, it's portable, all of the peices lock into the case, it's all 6 point sockets and has both 1/4 and 3/8 sets.
Only complaint is that they aren't sealed and aren't serviceable ratchets so my 3/8 has filled itself with motor oil and my 1/4 feels like it's got some grit inside of it.
I just ordered that set lol. Bummer about the ratchets was interested in seeing the difference in the 120 vs my old set of 72 ratchets.
I had a tekton 8” ratchet 3/8 drive and paid $25 for it from the site. For the price, I loved it. It was my go to, I gave it to my buddy when I left that shop, have yet to replace it but I will def buy more tekton, actually have the 1/4” socket set and I use it all the time
I bought that Titan ratchet from Autozone and had heard of the issues with it. I still bought it. I cleaned the original factory lube, which did not have much. I used a good synthetic lube and reassembled it. I have had no issues with it locking up... so far. For the price point, I am fairly pleased with the purchase of the Titan. I will add one more qualifier though, I do not use this ratchet daily, so that will play a part in one's decision to purchase it. Just a word to the wise, if you do, go ahead and clean it and use a good synthetic lube on it from the get-go. At 55 years old, I have learned to do that with any new ratchet I buy just to make sure it is lubed properly. I have the Tekton ratchets and love them. They came lubed well and no issues. I also have the 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" drive Icon swivel head ratchets, they absolutely rock and have become my standard go-to ratchets.
Most floating pawl ratchets lock up like that its just the pawl wedging against the inside of the ratchet head.. its not a problem with the gears or slipping you just ratchet it back one click after you come down on somthing real hard and it unjams
I like the look and feel of the Titan ratchet, but yes the lock up problem is annoying. Putting some 3in1 oil on it helped abait the problem. My favorite ratchet is the power torque one that looks the same but has a push button release. Good tool. Works well, great price
I used to work for a place that sold the Titan. I always loved the look of the blue handle, but I knew it was crap from customers buying them, so I never did myself lol
First and foremost, a 3/8" shouldn't be used for anything high torque. It would be interesting to see a comparison of 1/2" ratchets where high torque is more common.
Well said Stephen! My old craftsman 3/8 ratchets (that I abused and used like a breaker bar) had 24 teeth and would take the abuse. I was a major appliance repairman for 27 years and installed hundreds of pumps and gearboxes with my U.S.A. made Craftsman tools
No issues.
my favorite mechanics tool is the USA made Snap On I have it for over 30 years and trouble free working at Olsmobile .My second set is the US Made Cobalt (lowes) never had any issues and had it for 15 years working Toyota.
Tbh I'd take icon. I remember everyone giving so much heat because it "copied" snap on. Shows that icon/milwaukee tools are at the top for pro sumer grade.
Do you know if the V series will be sold in Lowes or online only?
I like a serviceable ratchet. I have a couple that I have never been able to get apart, so I use them sparingly. I know I bought them from tool trucks when I was working in the shops back in the day. The ones that I can take apart I use a lot, like daily, and I disassemble, clean, and lube them at least once a year. I love my vintage Made In USA tools, most of which I bought before they were "vintage." All of them are serviceable. My absolute favorites are my S-K round-heads. Not only are they serviceable, but I recently upgraded my 1/2" drive ratchet (good ole model 40170) to the new 90-tooth dual pawl internal mechanism. How absolutely awesome is it that I could buy a brand new, 2020 ratchet assembly and just put it right into my old ratchet that was made sometime in the 70s? There was nothing wrong with the original mechanism, so I kept it, of course. I know I will be passing those tools on to my sons-in-law when I am gone. There's something comforting in that.
I did want something new for the toolbox. I didn't think it was a good idea to have a toolbox with nothing but 40+ year old tools in it. But I didn't want to spend big money. So I bought a set of Tekton ratchets and a couple of socket sets. All made in Taiwan and of decent quality. Honestly, I rarely use them. In fact, I took them apart last winter, cleaned and lubed the internals and wiped down the external surfaces, and I don't think I have used the 1/2" drive ratchet since. I got so excited when I upgraded the old S-K that I have rarely used anything else. Except for my most recent project. I grabbed my Powr-Kraft 100 ratchet. I don't even know how old it is, but it served me well and, knowing it was probably about 50 years old, gave me something of a thrill to hold it in my hand.
I like the old S-k. also the old Williams are great fine tooth and dual pale.
Chris. Let us know the warranty experience on the V-series .
Great as always. I still love the Tekton
I have the original TITAN ratchets when they were sold by NAPA 20 years ago. They were excellent ratchets. I still have the offset 1/2 in drive. Love it. It was the first soft grip for the brand. They were absolutely made by a different manufacturer.
The V series stuff seems really nice, I don't really need another ratchet but thats never stopped me before lol
I’ve wanted to try Tekton ratchets, might have to order that long one. I have the Klutch branded version of the Titan and I have the same problems. Very gritty, even with fresh Super Lube, and it locks up.
Best thing to do is skip the foreign ratchets and just buy Snap on. I dont recommend buying alot from them, but their ratchets are a must have. Other American tool companies still produce old style round head designs (wright, proto). Gearwrench ratchets are good, I think they are the only comparable Taiwan brand that comes remotely close to snap on. But even then, once you buy Snap on you dont need any other ratchet, just my opinion as a professional tech. I love affordable tools but sometimes it's worth the money.
I think I can finally go along with this. I have a Kobalt 1/4" and 3/8" that I thought were okay for many years because they came in a big set. But then I finally got a 3/8" Snap-On and it's night and day.
I can't speak to durability because I only used them to replace mirrors on my truck, but the usability was a different world.
Snap on is over priced. My snap on flex head comfort grip would slid right off and the truck would not warranty it. $150 20 years ago and the ratchet was unsafe to use. my Pittsburgh Pro flex head is way better. Also I am a professional mechanic for Mercedes 27 years. Also My Gearwrench flex heads are awesome.
I bought a Tekton SRH21108 3/8" flex head ratchet and i hav been using it for the past 3 years and it has become my favorite ratchet. It has less drag than my Snap on and i prefer it.
"MuH TeKtOn" I really do not get why people suck off tekton. Its the same stuff from the pittsburg factories.
I love tekton products. I also like that harbor freight makes it so easy to swap the icon ratchets out. The feel of the tekton ratchets is similar to that of icon.
Both are incredibly good ratchets. As for the other two brands, I wouldn’t even spend my money on them. Unless I absolutely had too
I mean the v crap from craftsman seems ok but overpriced and unserviceable
I like my Icon ratchets, but they seem to have more backdrag than my tekton.
Any possibility of testing "new" 1/2" gedore ratchets and the old 1993z-94? I'm very curious about the 1993z-94.
Belzer and SATA are not widely known but, if you come across those brands one day....
Great guy, great ideias, great set ups. Keep it up buddy, and greetings from Brazil 🇧🇷
I've found after using the Tekton tools for a couple of years now to be a very good brand of tools also found that several of there tools are made here in the USA.
I’m curious about Teng and Boxo Tools brands. I have seen them popping up in a few CZcamsrs videos. Can you test their ratchets?
I have the Tekton 3/8 bent handle ratchet and it works well I also have the Icon 3/8 gold ratchet I only bought it for decoration but I'm sure it's quite capable
2 years ago I bought a new Craftsman 3/8 drive ratchet from Lowe's. Lasted 3 days before it locked up and wouldn't release. Lowe's refused to take it back because of the 4 serial numbers on the handle of the ratchet. Never again.
I have all the tektons except the really long straight handles and they are great. also have the swivel icons also great. but the comfort handle on the icons is nice.
Thanks for opening one up.
I agree. Thanks.
I have the 1/2 titan never had a lock up or issue. Don't use it that much but I do enjoy that it's lighter.
From Taiwan,
Gearwrench 84 tooth
I also like my Icon long-flex
I also bought the OEM flexhead while on a tool-binge but I haven't used it yet.
So the only brand that did not fail was Craftsman, which is guaranteed so the fact that is not servicable is immaterial. Seems like a very clear winner here. Although, it is very obvious you are partial to the Icon brand though, so perhaps you could expand on why you like them so much.
I have both Icon and Craftsman V Series 3/8" ratchets. I like the Craftsman recessed reversing switch better. I find ratchet action and back drag varies with design and brand. Both are high quality in my Opinion.
I have 5 of the icon ratchets they are my favorite. I also own the tekton ratchets also.
Why would any sensible person need to apply that much torque to a ratchet in normal shop conditions? That's what breaker bars are made for.
I know a buddy of mine that had got a brand new non quick release titan ratchet 3/8 like your and went to change the alternator on a 2004 Pontiac grand prix gtp supercharged Buick 3800v6 series 3, and it locked up trying to loosen up the bolt and then stripped the teeth off the gear trying to get it unlocked with the same bolt on the alternator took it apart and it was dry no oil or grease inside it at all,he said for the money I won't buy another one, his buddy got the parts store auto zone he got it from to replace it went to give it back to my buddy with the gtp Grand Prix and he's like hell no you keep it.. lol, and honestly I kinda like how the craftsman v series comfort grip handle 3/8 ratchet looks but for a more expensive professional series type ratchet I don't want something I can't service.
I use the titan ratchets DAILY never had one issue in four years. Mine is a Klutch from northern tools but it's the same tool
..worth mentioning, the older Duralast sold at Autozone, Made in Taiwan, were EXCELLENT ratchets..smooth, strong, and serviceable...they have now cheapened them up-they are still an OK tool, but NOT anything like the older ones...I believe they are now made in Red China, also...
Would you kindly please make a video of you using your favorite ratchet tools on working on cars?
Regarding the Icon, there was an early model which I believe was recalled for this reason and the new one was redesigned and has corrected this issue. I know this video is now 2+ years old but just wanted to point this out.
My favorite ratchet is the Craftsman #02548. I think it was branded at the time as either premium or professional, before sears went under.
Underrated ratchet. One of the best of all time no questions. I only wish they would have had some other versions (flex/stubby/etc)
My Gearwrench 90T have been my favorite ratchets, but for the price I think Capri ratchets are the best value. I also have a Tekton 3/8 flex head, but it's one of my least favorite ratchets, the handle portion is too heavy and it just flexes too easy.
I am using craftsman again because lowes has gotten them and gone back to bring a broken one in and just grab a new one. I took a 30 year old one that finally locked up back and they did not bat an eye.
Yes, they have been tolerant about exchanging without a receipt. A different store let me pay the extra difference to upgrade my ratchet.
Good film, Client. Now, onto part two with Carlyle, Gearwrench, DeWalt, and Milwaukee. I like my Carlyle 3/8” ratchets.
All good choices👍 I’ve had a couple of those brand you mentioned after lots of use exhibits some lock up.
@@ClientGraphics that can happen. If I can ask, which brand ratchet are you referring to?
I have two Titans and a tekton and I had the same exact issue where the Titans lock up and the Tekton wore in and locks up. I was able to remedy this with superlube and a little working it in for anyone whos interested
Glad I found this video, I was considering the Titan ratchet until I saw how it binds up 😐
Wright and Proto are my go to. No problems since....the sixties
I maintain a rental fleet of motorcycles and have become a Tekton fan. The newer craftsman wrenches and sockets were starting to make nuts look like I was using an adjustable wrench on them. Just sloppy tolerances. Switched to Tekton and the issue went away.
Free shipping on orders over $50 when ordered on their website.
I don’t have to wait in a long line ant the local understaffed harbor freight.
10% credit off on the next order when you create an account on their website.
All of their wrenches, ratchets, and sockets I purchased were made it Taiwan, They tend to have better metallurgy than china.
Great product warranty but I have not had any issues with the product
My standard ratchets are hilka. I tried their 1/4 drive first and was so impressed l bought their 3/8 and 1/2 to go with it and l ended retiring my Clarke ratchets.
The Clarke's were good but their direction levers were just obtrusively long and would get in the way and you'd inadvertently change when you didn't want to.
I needed a change lol
when I saw some thumbnails on the right with Icon 'fixed' I new this video was going to have the locked up Icon that was recalled a year ago! All was fixed now with beefier internals on the upgraded rachets...
Craftsman girl still have my original USA made 9 series from when I was a kid. Broke one 3/8 ratchet but back in those days you walked into sears and walk right out with a new one in less than 10 minutes. Lol. Wonder how it works now? Got a new set from Taiwan coming curious to see how they hold up. Tekton has my interest peaked though with sets that don’t skip, a tip for craftsman wish they followed that as well.
I have a couple of Koken Z 72T flex ratchets. Pretty fine. But only in 3/8 drive so far. I like them better than my Snap-On. They’re smoother and more compact.
I’m not big on warranties. Tool is more likely to fail to do it’s job properly than it is to break.
That’s when I get rid of them. When they get sloppy. Some are pretty poor when they’re brand new. But they’re “guaranteed “. To do what? Bust your knuckles?
Great comments Stephen Zies. It's scary what's on CZcams by people running tests that they feel are informative!
I purchased a 3/8ths, extendable ratchet from Walmart & I think it is made by Stanley but, not 100%. I used it to a almost failure, I heard a snap or Crack sound however, It still works fine! I have never seen this lock up issue & YES, It would definitely bother me! Many of my tools are older & used regularly! I find myself purchasing more & more from Harbor Freight! Just not a big fan of their electronics such as electric die grinder, bench grinder(both 6" & 8"!), bother failed instantly!!! I have a Central Pneumatic 20 gall air compressor & the air releif valve to allow air to escape because the electric motor does not have enough power, it constantly fails to the point where, I use a drain valve! Does anyone know where to get a GOOD AIR RELEIF VALVE FOR A CENTRAL PNEUMATIC 20-GALL AIR COMPRESSOR? ITS A 20 OR 26 GALL?
I actually love Titan ratchets. I haven’t ever used the full sized models as I like to treat myself to SnapOn and Matco for ratchets. The Titan micro ratchets are awesome though. They are decently smooth for the 15-20 bucks that they cost and they fit in places other ratchets don’t. I wouldn’t go putting a great amount of force on them but when you are contorted up under a dash board dealing with small fasteners, they sure are great little tiny ratchets.
So here's my stories I suppose. The tekton 24 inch same one you had,I've owned it for quite some time as a breaker bar,a regular ratchet for hard to reach bolts on diesels,broken lugnuts free with it,and after just a year,it didn't seem very good and seemed to lock up a bit unless I broke it free with a bolt (quite annoying) well I took apart the ratchet and to my surprise,no lubricant at all. I mean it was drier than a bone. So I packed it with grease, everything spun Amazing,sounded amazing..week later it's binding worse than before. Then again I'm someone who will use a tool until it is nothing but dust lmao. Idk. Just something to share
Edit:I took apart all my tekton ratchets after and none had any lubricant at all. The 3/8 and 1/4 ratchets feel,sound,and work much better now 🤙
I have seen several people comment on the lack of lube in the Tekton ratchets. I think I'll open mine up and feed them.
@@marko11kram I recommend it. They really do sound better than a snap on ratchet after they're greased.
None of my ratchets had grease in them. Adding it made a difference.
Too much will make them lock up also guy!!!! I found something light like automatic transmission fluid works the absolute best!! Worth a shot! I swear by it
Chris, I've been bouncing through your videos watching you torture ratchets 😂. I think in one of your videos I seen a Nebraska license plate on the wall. Are you from Nebraska?
Huge fan of the Icon tools, screwdrivers to wrenches and everything in between !!
Agree great quality for the price.
I'm a Tekton fan myself .. Quality is great and good prices and the ratcheting mechanism on the ratchets are smooth.. icons are 50/50 with smooth ness
Is there a chart we can see with the top 25 strongest ratchets
If a quality name brand like craftsman is Taiwan. I would rather have harbor freight .
I bought a 6inch titan 1/4 inch drive at a local parts store and it locked up the first time I used it. I returned it for replacement and the second one locked up on the way home spining it with my fingers. I threw it in the trash when I got home. Lesson Learned about titan.
I use my titán 3/8 and 1/4 every day. I have rebuilt my 3/8s with a ares rebuild kit. It took a long breaker bar and a ton of pressure to break it. And it’s been great as long as I don’t add a 4 ft breaker bar on it. The 1/4 seems sloppy and I wish it did not have so much play in it. I do use ir ruff every ray. I have a cobalt flex 1/4 rthat i love. Just wish it was as long as the titan 1/4.
Despite what people say about the appropriate use of ratcheting tools, I appreciate seeing stuff tested to failure.
I have the titan set with that ratchet I find that there ratchet do bind not a fan I recently bought the craftsman v series flex set I can say I like them a lot been a mechanic for 32 years now the only complaints on them is the 1/4 “ one the soft grip handle needs a bit more length the 3/8 could use it to but it’s ok not terrible and Tekton well been doing good with them at home no issues
I prefer snap on for every day use but i have some husky ratchets from Home Depot that i haven’t had any problems with yet so far
LOL... 50 Years ago I bought a set of 3 flex head Taiwan no name ratchets with plastic switches for $6.00 for the set. The guy who was selling them out of the trunk of an old Buick claimed they had a lifetime warranty... (didn't say from who) They looked like they were machined by children and the chrome looked painted on, but they were only $2.00 each so, what the heck... Well the 3/8 ratchet switch broke off after only 30 years of hard use when I dropped it on a concrete floor... The other two are still in my tool box and the 1/4 inch is my favorite 1/4 inch ratchet... To be fair I have a set of real USA made Craftsman ratchets I use for the toughest jobs and only use the 1/2 inch flex head where the craftsmans don't fit... Still... $6.00 for 50 years was a pretty good deal. And I'm sure each and every one of those ratchets you tested were worth at least $2.00 a piece too. And still likely better than most tools made in China these days.
I had the older craftsman USA ratchets those would lock up all the time. I had to play with the selector switches constantly to complete an automotive job. Trash. Those were only 36 tooth ratchets too.
I have the same spyder drill bits love them.
They worked really nice. That ratchet and head were really hard metal.
I don't mind going to the store and getting a replacement... I've also switched over to kobalt and never have any issues exchanging anything which I've only done twice on ratchet wrenches but I knew I should've grabbed my breaker bar but it was cold and my back hurt so I gave it the beans and broke the 8mm and 5/16.. No questions asked thou
I’m a Craftsman fanboy since I was a teenager in the ‘90s, but their quality is not the same but the technology on the tool is okay. But lately I’ve gotten on the Tekton train🚂 and been getting there tools. I love Tekton’s 6point ratcheting wrench 🔧
always been a big tekton guy. warranty is amazing. tool quality is great for what you pay. 10% back on every purchase and 15% off for students make it a no brained for me. love the no skip sockets and i beat the living shit outta my sockets. i have never bought impact sockets in hope that my chromes break and yet to have. this is with a matco 1/2 impact gun taking tires and other suspension bolts off daily. tekton is no joke and clearly is on top. give me a try!
i love the new v series ratchet, handle feels great, finish is great. just wish there was not as much backlash. they are tight ratchets, especially the 1/4 drive. Bets budget ratchet has to be gearwrench. They feel great in hand, tooth action is nice. Take a beating. The only thing with gearwrench is there chrome. every gear wrench ratchet i’ve boughten looks like it’s been tossed around a shop already. the chrome scratches fairly easy
I wouldn't buy anything from Titan, but I own several brands and my favorite for daily wrenching are my Capri.. thats why I own 9 of them. I also have several 20 to 40 year old Craftsman rachets in every size from my dad when I was growing up, and even with their lower teeth count I'd put them against any Strap-On or anything else. They are what I turn to when I need to really beat the hell out of something! It's sad that people get suckered into buying only expensive brands, as there are many great brands that perform just as good, if not better, for a much lower price!
Also, I bought one ratchet from Astro, because it was a really small long handled 1/4" ratchet, but with 3/8" internals and anvil. It has been a great ratchet so far too! I have beat the heck out that thing too and it hasn't failed me yet.. very impressive for such a low priced ratchet!
..I see now that I don't want to buy any Titan ratchets, but I have some Titan extensions and torx and hex bit sockets, and they have been excellent...
I have the titan ratchet and no issues. But I use it in normal situations. I dont use it to remove lug nuts
Carlyle is my favorite taiwan made brand. Just purchase used or on sale to save some coin.
Own a bunch of icon tools. Really love the quality and look of the tools.
Great video!
An impact, if you got it
or
Breaker bar and then ratchet. Use the Ratchet to remove the fasteners and your tools will live longer.
Proto (Stanly) industrial ratchets are the best I've ever owned. 2nd would probably be Snap-on.
I own Stanley ratchets from the middle 1990s, and they are excellent ratchet action and quality.
Great video 👍