Recommendation on ratchet wrench brands

At the risk of angering the "Search police", I am looking for any thoughts or recommendations on ratchet wrenches. Not sockets - just the ratchet wrench.

What I am interested in specifically is the "toggle lever" that you use to switch from tighten to loosen. On the lower quality wrenches like Kobalt, Husky, Master Mechanic.... that damn lever moves around on its own while I am using the wrench, and either ends up in the middle (locked solid) or the opposite of whichever direction I am trying to crank the nut/bolt. I have to stop and flip it back to the desired orientation, and keep wrenching. I really, really hate that!

I am hoping that somewhere in tool paradise, there are brands that don't do this. Snap-On? Mac? Cornwell?....

Anyone have any suggestions, I would be most appreciative.

 

I’ve been buying “GearWrench” lately. However, if only the best will do you’re looking at professional tools.

 

I love my Snap On ratchets ! Then I had outstanding dealers and my Tool buying was pretty much done at least 10 years ago.

All others are considered throw away`s

 

Haven't seen a ratchet like you're describing....?

 

Maybe try something like this? The head swivels around and the ratcheting mechanism is rebuildable. With Snap-on, you get what you pay for but there is that steep initial cost. We use Snap-on at work with a few MAC tools. To put this out there, we dont have that specific tool that I linked but looking at the picture it looks like it has what you need so I cant give you a hands on representation but Snap-on has been good to us in the past.

-J

 

Huh. I always thought floppy lever was just part of wrenching life. My cheap craftsman set does it sometimes, but not nearly enough to annoy me.

For stuff that needs a delicate hand, I use a breaker bar/cheap torque wrench or I'll use a ratcheting combo wrench, whichever the job calls for.

 

Used to turn wrenches for a living and I tried them all (Snap-On, Matco, Mac, Cornwell, Crafstman, Klein, Gear-Wrench, S-K, Proto, Wiha, Wera, Hazet, Whitworth and others) and still own many.

Best is the Snap-On fine tooth ratchets. Lots of styles but the sealed heads are the way to go. For economical choice, I go with the Craftsman slim line polished 75 tooth series. I see the newer ones look different (so can't speak to them) but the ones I used and still have are these:


It's a subjective call on which is the best since everyone's hands are different and feel-in-the-hand is an important criteria.

 

Snap on seems to have the smallest lever and is definatly does not flip flop, I own some husky and gearwrench ratchets for when I dont need it to be snap on/mac quality and I have not had issues with the levers, granted they do not get used(abused) nearly as much as my professional grade ratchets which I use at least 80% of the time. I have not used milwaukee ratchets but have used some of their other hand tools which are a nice step up from husky/gearwrench quality, might be worth looking into if you don't want to pay for costly professional grade ones.
That said if you work on vehicles more then 10 hours a week having your two most used ratchet sizes snap on or mac will make your life a little easier, less frustrating, and more enjoyable.

 

I’m no expert but I’m a big fan of my Milwaukees. I don’t run into issues accidentally switching them, personally. I also have a Kobalt that has held up great for years but I do occasionally accidentally switch it.

 

If you have a Fastenal close by they carry Rock River. That's what we use at work , and they're reasonably priced.

 

I have them all. Snap on, Mac, gear wrench, Blackhawk. Hard to beat the blackhawk if you just a diy

 

How it feels in your hand really plays into just which brand you will use.

I had great Snap On and Matco Tool dealers the Matco ratchets just hurt my hands when really pulling or pushing. The Snap On Ratchets did not hurt.

I try not to think just how many Snap On Ratchets I have.

 

Are you asking about a ratchet or ratchet wrenches? If it’s a ratchet snap on is unbeatable

 

I have a mix of snapon(off), tekton, icon, gear wrench, and titan. All have worked good for me.

 

Snap-On is the top of the heap for a reason, feels the best in your hand, ratcheting mechanism is butter smooth and never flinches. But I use my stuff every day, year after year..

For weekend warriors go with Blue Point

 

Mountain 5-Piece Metric Double Box Universal Spline Reversible Ratcheting Wrench Set; 8 mm - 19 mm, 90 Tooth Design, Long, Flexible, Reversible; MTNRM6

 

Unless you are dumb like me and back the bolt out too far up against something. Now the wrench is stuck on the bolt. Flange head bolts are nice, until they aren’t. Yeah, Ram and their tight clearance bolts on the front differential.
Finally got the bolt turned back in enough with super skinny needle nose pliers.

Lesson learned.

 

Never used this website, but I really like the way the Stanley rotator ratchet works. Instead of a lever you rotate a dial. In addition, the handle rotates for tight places.

 

Granted it all depends on just how your tools get used.

When my Snap On dealer retired The new dealer was a Twat Waffle I never bought a tool from him.

 

The direction lever didn't flop on any of the 5 ratchets in the two Stanley socket sets I bought.

For more leverage I bought a 17" Pro-Point 3/8" drive flex head ratchet. The direction lever is looser, but you aren't using it continuously, just a couple of initial cranks to break loose the fastener.