Best Ratcheting Wrench?

[gearya]

What is the best brand of ratcheting wrench? Is it KD?

[VaSteve]

I have a set of gearwrenches I like. Don't know if the best or not.

[yetibone]

I have Gearwrench, and Mountain ratcheting wrenches. I like them both very much, and use them every day.

[jwgn777]

For repetitive use Snap on has the strongest ratchet and will last the longest if used correctly. Some auto techs prefer SK because their ratchet has a fine range of movement. Most mechanic have a wide range of brands to work with.

[fastfredracing]

I've got a set of off brand ones that have swivel heads, and super fine ratchets. I think they are blackhawk brand. I have lost a few over the years, and the snap ones I replaced them with are honestly no better. I have never broken one , and bet I have had them for 10 + years. That snap on ones are really nice though, but hold on to your wallet.

[jwgn777]

Snap On are expensive but are the strongest hand tools made today. Years ago when every tool was made in the US other brands were good and strong. Lets name a few and you can add some that I missed. Bonnie, Black hawk, Vlchek, Williams, Dunlap, .

[Baz]

I've used my Craftsman set for 30 years without any issues. 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" SAE (and later Metric added) with extensions....I have a few cheaper sets for backup and to carry in the truck for emergencies.

[Scott R]

Snap on is using "dual 80" technology on all their ratchet technology. It's a very smooth fine click that really takes some effort out of wrenching. I honestly don't feel as tired after a day of wrenching now.

[jmaxwell]

If you are asking about a ratchet used for sockets, I like the craftsman simply for the socket release feature. I do like the feel of the snap on, though. Just feels more substantial. For gear wrenches, I like the ones with levers to switch directions . The ones withe the push pin is changed too easily by mistake.

[Nostril Cheese]

I use Gearwrench for my normals and Mac Tools for my stubbys. I've had them for nearly 20 years and a lot of hard usage. Never had a problem.

Hazet makes really nice ratcheting wrenches, but they are hard to find in the US.

The Snap-Ons are stupid expensive for what they are.

[Jim Bremner]

If it's for sockets, buy a few. for 3/8" I have a snap-on palm one, a trio of standard length craftsmen and a longer craftsmen. I have a pair of 1/2" plus a breaker and 3 or so 1/4"

I have learned to set up the ratchets with the needed sockets and just change wrenches not sockets. it's faster and nothing rolls away

[Porsche-O-Phile]

I have a set of metric Craftsman swivel-head ratchet wrenches that are absolutely the most valuable tools I have for working on P-cars in particular. Well, maybe the 9201 comes close...

[matthew-s]

I like my SK's. they have a very fine ratchet. They seem to be the best price / performance ratio in my estimation.

[jwgn777]

Swivel head ratchets are always useful. I have an old Thompson that I am comfortable with..

[john walker's workshop]

i use mostly gear wrench. killed a few over the years, they get stuck and won't ratchet. i still like them better than the snap-on ones, even though i'm a snap-on junkie.

[Dan J]

Like John I'm a hopeless Snap On junkie. However these EZ Red ratchet wrenches are amazing
Save on E-Z RED - NR5M at ToolTopia.com

[RANDY P]

why don't you choose the one that you can afford and feels comfortable in your hand?

[RANDY P]

Snap on Dual 80's Craftsman 84 tooth , gear wrenches without the fancy reverse are all I buy and keep.

I like the Craftsman premium the best for a ratchet. (ducking)

[jwgn777]

Speaking of ratchet wenches, here is a cool fine tooth ratchet along with really short sockets by Snap On that gets into small spaces.

[Por_sha911]

I'm happy with the gearwrenches I have. Whatever you buy, make sure it has a flex head. Without, I can't use them the majority of the time.

p.s. jwgn777: your wife will be upset if she sees tool on her couch.