Ratchets For Professional Use

02Pilot said:

Another unconventional approach is the Euro brands. I'm really impressed with the Wera tools I got recently, including the ratchets, though I haven't had them long enough to speak to their longevity. I have a Facom 3/8" ratchet that I've had for a very long time that still works perfectly. But I also go for breaker bars quickly when confronted with stubborn fasteners.

I have been looking at Wera. They look like really well made tools

I’ve used jobsmart sockets from tractor supply in 3/4” drive for stuff I know is a bitch to remove. They may be chrome foreign junk, it’s never let me down for the price point.

For breaking bolts loose, don't use a ratchet. Use an air or electric impact - they will not only work faster, but they're far less likely to break the bolt or strip the threads, because the sudden input of impact energy instantly overcomes all of the friction in the joint. Think of how it is a lot easier to knock than to push a hub or bearing along a tight-fitting shaft.

Other than that, Craftsman ratchets have been worse than Harbor Freight for as long as I've been wrenching (15 years), and my Snap-On 3/8" FL80 has only had to be rebuilt once.  If you don't like the tool-trucks, the Autozone Duralast sockets and ratchets are copies of old Blue Points made on the original dies.

chaparral said:

For breaking bolts loose, don't use a ratchet. Use an air or electric impact - they will not only work faster, but they're far less likely to break the bolt or strip the threads, because the sudden input of impact energy instantly overcomes all of the friction in the joint. Think of how it is a lot easier to knock than to push a hub or bearing along a tight-fitting shaft.

 

Other than that, Craftsman ratchets have been worse than Harbor Freight for as long as I've been wrenching (15 years), and my Snap-On 3/8" FL80 has only had to be rebuilt once.  If you don't like the tool-trucks, the Autozone Duralast sockets and ratchets are copies of old Blue Points made on the original dies.

I’ve had good luck with the Duralast sockets. 

I used to work in manufacturing engineering. If it could be broken, the assembly group would figure out how. We used to use Armstrong, but those were bought by Stanley, who owns everything now. Gearwrench was the only brand able to take their abuse.