Ratchet socket drivers
Turbo Mini Forums

My Clarke 3/8" ratchet socket driver has just given up the ghost after 6 years of loyal service, so I'm in the market for a replacement, but also an upgrade at the same time.

I'm after something that will last a good long while but will not break the bank, any suggestions please?

I've had a look at the Halfords Pro drivers but they have mixed reviews at best; they are drawing me in with the lifetime guarantee though!

never had a problem with my halfords gear except when i used an impact gun on a socket and broke it, it was replaced for free with no recipt about 5/6 years after i bought it, cant really complain

Yes i moved to the darkside

Instagram @jdm_brett

ha

Edited by Brett on 19th May, 2014.

Yes i moved to the darkside

Instagram @jdm_brett

I've half a dozen 3/8 ratchets. My favourite to use out of them all are my Britool A45's, I have two of them.
I also have a Snap on 936 which I'm not over impressed with, its strong but the ratchet mech is pretty coarse. I have a CAT ratchet which is a Snap on rebranded. I also have a pair of Facom, a "rotator" which is mega useful for certain jobs, and a stubby fine tooth Facom which again is useful for certain jobs.
I also have in 1/2" drive a Bahco ratchet which is a very nice slim thing.
Britool wise they have changed the design and I don't think you can buy the A45 any more. So make sure you have one in your hand before you buy. Otherwise have a look at Bahco as I think its good gear for the price.

I have Usag, Bacho, Facom and Gedores in different sizes. My favorite are Usag with Facom on a good second :)

www.shag.no

I have taken halfords rachets back with hammer marks in the handle and they have still exchanged them

That said since i bought britool 3/8 and 1/2 flex head rachets i have not used anything else
http://www.tooled-up.com/product/britool-3...d-275mm/180730/

I think Halfords require the reciept to change stuff now, even with the lifetime warranty.

Craftsman stuff is very nice.

Metric is for people who can't do fractions.

Thanks guys.

I will try and get hold of some of the aforementioned brands of ratchets to see how they feel in use; I too am not a fan of the clunky mechanism ones so I'll choose carefully.

A shame that the Clarke one gave up really as that was really smooth up until i started leaving it in a damp garage, the mechanism got extremely stiff, right up until it seized almost completely, so it's a pain in the arse to use now.

I like the look of the Bacho ratchets so will read up a bit more about them

Can the clark one be stripped and serviced?

As for ratchets, i've got a selection from halfords, britool, snapon, teng and mac. All fine for what they are designed for ( fex heads, stubby etc).

I've also been recommended unior tools recently. On the same ilk as gedore apparently and german made. Prices were very reasonable for claimed quality

I have a 1/2" Halfords ratchet, got plenty of meat to it, lifetime warranty and cheap with a trade card. I love it. I've also used all their sockets with an impact gun and haven't broken anything yet.

Good point Rob, there is a circlip on the head of the Clarke ratchet so I could strip it down and see if it can be saved before splashing out.

I had an old CK 1/2" ratchet that seized up but was absolutely fine after it was stripped, cleaned and oiled. Come to think of it, i'm sure I've still got it somewhere

My Snap on 3/8" is 27 years old and was serviced (free) 7 years ago by the Snap on man - new ratchet parts.

I confidently expect it to outlast me.

I took my Halfords ratchet to two different depots ,and both told me no warranty on moving parts , here's a kit to repair it for a fiver.(approx.).very fed up I was .

Medusa + injection = too much torque for the dyno ..https://youtu.be/qg5o0_tJxYM

snap on do two ratchet systems a coarse one and a fine one. I have the coarse as you cannot get a "quick release" variant of the fine mechanism. its been great, I use it alongside a halfords pro ratchet and the halfords is on its 3rd mechanism and I dont discriminate with beating on either. I would love the fine mechanism with quick release but cant get it, that said the apprentices in my old work used to ruin the fine mechanisms fairly regular. I have a clarke pro 1/2" flexi head long handle ratchet and it gave 9years of service before needing a rebuild, as they were only £30 I bought another.

turbo 16v k-series 11.9@118.9 :)

Denis O'Brien.

halfords pro for me , good kit and no quibble returns