I didn’t state it in the video but these were all basically new when they were tested. I also used these over a month before I decided my final rankings. Sorry I wasn’t clear about this in the video.
I walked into Advanced Auto for a battery and noticed the ratchets. Then I saw the three piece foam tray sets. One set is non flexing all metal handles, the other is the flex with the comfort grip. Both sets out the door for under $140 with a discount. That's two 1/4 inch, two 3/8 and two 1/2 inch ratchets for $140. They are fantastic. As a ratchet hoarder and disassembler, they look a lot like Milwaukee on the inside. Simply the best value available! DieHard are simply excellent. I also like older Carlyle stuff. The newer stuff from the last 5 or so years isn't my personal preference.
I really enjoyed your video. I have all 3 Die-Hard flex ratchets. I also am extremely impressed by them. I did put superlube in the 1/4 and 3/8 with good results BUT I noticed the 1/2 I had to take out the superlube and put in 3&1 oil. It preferred lighter lube for some reason. I was also impressed by the internals they were machined very well and used o-rings (all 3 Die-Hard ratchets I have are sealed heads) I don't have an Advance Auto near me so I ordered them online. I also emailed customer service and they assured me they will warranty the ratchets with a simple picture since I cannot take it to their stores.
Great video. I appreciate you taking the time to go through all of these criteria with each of these ratchets. Times being what they are, I need to get the best bang for the buck and still put food on the table. Your video really helps in this regard. Thank you.
I got the icon with. 40% off coupon and the icon 25” breaker bar and put them together with a shim and it’s my go 1/2 ratchet with a lifetime warranty,,,to me the warranty and coupon price is unbeatable it’s easy to switch out I kept that other parts to switch back if it breaks but if put that thing threw its paces and it’s kept up no problems,,,,,
Heck of a deal. I was wondering about putting the head on a breaker bar. I was curious if it would hold up. Glad to hear it does. I'll have to get my hands on another ratchet. I assume they will be on sale for black friday.
I liked this video because you deserve it, u did some testing, took some measurements and thoroughly inspected products. I trust your work. Much better than unboxing brand new tools and offering an opinion on the function & quality of said tool.
Thank you! I try to use the tools and test them instead of just unboxing and talking about their specs. I know it's a weird concept on youtube but I actually use the tools before making the videos.
I’m very impressed with the DieHards. To me they are the best bang for your buck ratchet out there. I know people that love their locking gearwrench. I don’t think you would be in the wrong getting one. Myself I’ve never tried one
I own several of the Diehards and I’m very happy with them. They do have a lifetime warranty but I have no idea how you redeem it but for the price it doesn’t matter. Great video!
I have to get my hands on some more tekton tools. I only own their 1/2” and 3/4” drive sockets. Also their dead blows but them are just rebranded trusty’s
@TwoTurtlesAndAWrench But I do own 4 or 5 ratchets. Long comfort grip 3/8" n 1/2" flexheads 3/8" folding stubby flex n 1/4" stubby non flex. Very happy with all 3. But my Koken's are my new favorite. Love Snap On but haven't found right price n no truck so waiting for the right time. I replaced the handles on the 2 long comfort grip with Snap On hard handles.
I bought the 3 piece Diehard comfort grip, flex head ratchet set on clearance for $29.86 for Advance Auto. First thing I did was open them up and lube them. There was already lube inside, but I added a small amount of super lube. There are rubber o rings in the head, which surprised me. I have a bunch of ratchets but these are by far my favorite ones based on low back drag and feel. The only odd thing was that the 1/4” ratchet came with the handle installed cockeyed (Diehard logo off to the side). All I did was boil a pot of water, put the ratchet handle in for about 30 seconds to soften it up and twisted it back straight. Easy fix.
Damn now that's a deal. The DieHard being a sealed ratchet also surprised me. Usually that's not found in cheaper ratchets. Great tip on fixing the handle. I'll have to remember that.
I bought the 3 piece diehard set in a foam tray. Went back to buy some for work too. There a great ratchet to take a beating while also being a well made ratchet. Usually use my snap on for easier stuff just because some of mine are limited edition colored handles and I don’t wanna break them 😂
@@Bass4LifeBro I have the dark blue, baby blue, pearl white hard handles. I know some come out every year. But I don’t think they make baby blue anymore. Not sure on dark blue. I know they make those in the soft grip tho.
@@XxchickMagnetx nice, just picked up my first Snap On and chose the dark blue (Power Blue as Snap On calls it) comfort grip with extra long handle, 1/4 drive. Same color as my 75 C10 lol.
@ I’ll be honest. I’m not a big tool truck kinda guy. I like finding the best quality but also affordable. Usually use gearwrench and Tekton and various others. But snap on has some of the SMOOTHEST ratchets ever
To date the gearwrench 120xp is probably my favorite ratchets period. I've not done any lube swaps yet. But that being said I just got a two piece set of the Milwaukee 90t stubby 1/4 and 3/8 and they are extremely nice for the money. Very little back drag out of box and has Orings on the faceplate, anvil, and selector switch. I've not seen ratchets 4x the cost with all 3 Orings in it. About to change the lube in them today. Hoping it won't leak bad just because it has an oring everywhere
I like the gearwrench mechanism. Just not a fan of the flex design. I love my Milwaukee power tools but I own zero hand tools outside of their long reach pliers. I might look into them ratchets
@@TwoTurtlesAndAWrench definitely try one! I got the 3/8 and 1/4 stubby in a set. I did the oil swap and having all 3 Orings inside the head it leaked very little after I did the Lucas oil! Shockingly it didn't help my icon much if any but really made the already smooth Milwaukee become even smoother!
In my experience the Lucas only makes a big difference if they are loaded with grease. If they’re dry I don’t see much change. I’ll get them stubys ordered after the holiday bills clear
I've used my Pittsburgh pro flex head as a hammer. I have gear wrench and kobalt flex heads too. I've had a kobalt break and the gearwrench locking system sucks. That old Pittsburgh pro still is smooth and works.
Im a big fan of matco locking flex bc i think they have best locking flex and usa made. There is a bit of bend to them use the first but snappy are 1 for non locking flexs
My absolute favorite ratchet is SK LP90, then the Matco locking flex. I catch so much flack over not saying snap on is the best but those sk LP90 are just butter in my opinion
@ I always wanted a 17 inch 1/2 drive flex ratchet with quick release and small head. I looked all around and surprisingly the only one I can find is the Kobalt one at Lowe’s. If you can find something like that, I would love to hear some reviews. I am going to subscribe now.
Great vid, would like to see more of the Diehard line particularly their wrenches/ratchet wrenches. It seems they have earned their spot at the table, some of that being hype but for the price they deserve to be reviewed to this similar critique.
if you are a career tech buy snap on ratchets. they are the best and i do not regret buying mine at all. BUT if you are a apprentice, casual tech or a DIY guy, there is no need to spend they insane amounts of money, brands like gear wrench and tekton are really nice at a much more affordable cost
I would agree for the few you most use, however there are a number of them that I don't use daily, and for that I would say go for the Gearwrench 120XPs. Also consider other tools trucks, for me Snap On happens to be the only dealer that is interested and invested in me, but for others Matco or Mac may be better options
Matco’s website is easy to navigate and the one I time I ordered something, it arrived in just a few days. I have one of their ratchets and a few Snap On’s. Both are top notch.
I got the whole die hard set 3pc for 30 bucks when they had a clearance sale. Absolutely love them. Seems to be the same as the capri and close enough to the icon to probably say all 3 come from the same manufacturer. The diehard handle is the same as icon handle just different color. The gearwrench 120xp is my go to 9 out of 10 times just due to how smooth it is. I went then the extended ratchets and the locking flexheads and am happy with them. Was getting worried man I been looking daily for new videos 😂 seems you been busy
Haha. Been busy getting ready for winter. Haven't had much spare time. If a guy would keep the yard clean I wouldn't have to spend 3 weeks every fall moving crap so I don't hit it when I'm moving snow. Also I need to quit buying crap cause I'm running out of storage. Dang you got a steal on them DieHards. The Gearwrench is definitely smooth. I just can't deal with the ball detent. I'm pretty picky on tools anymore. I used to use whatever. But in the last 5 years I really turned into a high maintenance guy. And I ain't happy about it. 🤣
@TwoTurtlesAndAWrench yea i shimmer mine and took the ball out im the same way. The extended straight ratchets i have those as well and use them for more breaking fasteners loose when I can. They are solid. Yea i feel you on the winter stuff. Michigan here so it's starting to get cold and time to get things taken care of for sure before the snow hits
How do you figure the deflection measurement goes against the performance of the ratchet? I wonder what the tool engineer for Snap-on would say. I don’t think that measurement would cause any issues unless it’s excessive.
It’s pretty much all about the feel in ones hand. If you’ve ever used a real worn out ratchet u can really feel it. Also people been complaining about it on the forums so I figured I would just throw it in. I don’t know how much the deflection plays into actual gear wear but I assume it is a factor. Probably a nonessential factor but what do I know. I quit engineering halfway through.
I bought the Diehard recently with the insane clearance discount on the set of 1/2",3/8",1/4" for about $20 And after lubing it with super lube I'm thoroughly impressed.
@@TwoTurtlesAndAWrench Heck yeah it is. A family member works for them and let me know right away 😅 Been putting them to the test and cant complain one bit.
I had that same diehard and when I first bought it I greased the head with thick brake grease because I was used to having old low tooth count ratchets. It kept switching directions on me so I threw it away. I realize now that it was my fault, wish I still had that thing
I damn near did the same thing to the Icon. It was packed full of grease from the factory. Didn't work at all. I put superlube in it and it still didn't work. Then I switched to Lucas. Bam a totally different ratchet.
Man I just got a 120xp 1/2 dr 24” fixed head. The back drag on it surprised me at how light it seems. Though I still love my Snappy locking flex heads. Also, I really need to get one of those gauges.
I tried looking up Lucas Freedom oil but couldn't find it. I would like to know which product you were referring to as well. P.S. As for ratchets, Snap-on and Matco are my favorites, both locking, but to tell the truth, I most often grab the Matco first as I like the locking mechanism so much more.
Hello again, Two Turtles and a Wrench Thank you for another Great Video 👍 I enjoyed watching tonight's video. I don't have any of the ratchets. And no flex head ratchets either. I do have Old School Craftsman. Husky 144 tooth, and Harbor Freight Roto Head Ratchets. Again thank you 👌
I have/used many brands daily and snap on is always the go to. I have that same GW ratchet about 3yrs old and I really like it also, it's 1 of my 1st grab 1/2....but I also think alil conscience plays in cuz I'm not afraid to beat up a 45$ ratchet opposed to 250$ tool.
I do the same thing. If I know the job will abuse my tools I will usually not grab my best tool. I do this a lot when it comes to working around fluids or water where I know the ratchet has a good chance of get soaked.
Remember the model of Gearwrench is important. A 120xp is a way better ratchet than a 90 tooth but my favorite is the old 84 tooth. Very similar to Matco
@ I’ve got two teardrop 120xp long handle straight ratchets. The newest ones look nothing like them. The newest ones are also supposed to be the strongest with all the updates..
I like options. I remain a Snap-on fan boy. I have 50ish ratchets, with 30 of them being Snap-on. I really like their 80 tooth pear head ratchets. I retired 7.5 years ago, and I don't feel the need to try the 100 tooth Snap-on models. I own one very nice Matco ratchet. My others are all professional grade, but represent several vintage brands. Snappy is costly, but they have a wealth of variations and options, plus I trust them to be around for decades.
Snap-On ratchets are by far the superior product. I have Matco at home and keep ICON in the cars. Ratchets and pliers are where i get bougie. Pliers are Knipex and then Snap-on. Ratchets are Snap-on and then Matco
I did think about it but I was already too deep in to spend anymore money. If I actual made money on the videos I would be all in but until then I have to keep it in budget.
I got the V-Series. My only issue is the back drag. However I still believe it’s a solid ratchet. I got a really good deal at Lowe’s. They are selling the sets for $60 or the individual for $20. The set with the comfort grips, the 1/2 and 3/8 are great but the 1/4 has a little bitty grip, looks like something you’d get off Temu.
Bro your channels gonna blow keep up the good work and id like to see koken on here and the tonè tools rh4fhx is a 25” 1/2” flex head for sub 75$ after tax to my door new and for a 72t breaker length 1/2 flex head ratchet that price is unbeatable imo and it is also really pretty low profile, it flexed a bit on the 08 m3 axle nut at 202ft/lbs but it did it and lives on…I just wish koken made a z series long handle 1/2” flex head, their long handle 3/8 is just so ergonomic and easy to use, You can start getting a nut on a boat without having to ratchet with your fingers quite impressive
Thanks man. I’m with you koken needs to make a 1/2” flex 18”. I have zero tone and don’t even know anyone that has one. I see them on RUclips and thought about them a couple times. Especially on their smaller head ratchets. Maybe I’ll buy one or two in the future
@ I see, I have that, and I have the Lucas Assembly oil. They both leak, I don’t mind it but then again if you are going to have your ratchets in the heat you might want to service them more frequently and clean that mess lol. I do use the Assembly oil more on my 90 tooth ratchets when I know I won’t be servicing them as often: I use the SuperLube on 84 tooth and lower or when I know I will be using them for a junkyard ratchets which I won’t be servicing as often or will be exposed to high heat.
The Cat / williams is the old snap on 36 tooth design , super high back drag. Definitely outdated . I have a few and usually remove the ball detent spring and either replace it with a weaker one or just shorten it a little.
GW 120xps come with a locking flex. Out of all the locking flex heads GW wins for sure. Diehards are amazing, use them daily. They also sell the diehards in chrome handles too. But snap on still gets me tickle pink.
Yeah. No surprise. It’s a good ratchet. Now it is way over priced and I wouldn’t recommend it for any budget minded guys. It’s really not worth the price.
My favorite pro brand ratchets are the Mac axis ratchets. Strong, smooth, durable, comfortable. If someone doesnt want to spend that much, tekton and husky are great for the price. Icon have not been impressive at all. Carlyle from Napa has excellent quality and warranty but only buy them on sale or lightly used on ebay.
I've never tried any Mac's. I never see a dealer anywhere. I'm not a pro so I don't have trucks around. I just kind of stumble on to trucks at my local shops. I do like Tekton but I have yet to try a ratchet of theirs.
@@TwoTurtlesAndAWrench: I bought a shit ton of Matco 3/8" and 1/4" Locking flex-head ratchets back about 6 months ago when they had their 40% off sale. The only knock I give Matco ratchets is that some of the ratchets I received were lacking proper lube (I mean oil). Once I added alittle Super Lube Oil it was good to go. The 88 tooth is (I feel) a great sweet spot in ratchet tooth count. While the Matco gear isn't as smooth as the Snap-On Dual 80, it is pretty F-ing good. You mentioned you don't like the soft handle, If you buy some Matco ratchets get atleast one with the soft handle. The Matco soft handle is not as bulky (some people have commented) as the Snap-On soft handle. If you need a second opinion on Matco soft handle, ask CP his opinion.
@@TwoTurtlesAndAWrench: Unfortunately, Matco doesn't have any non-locking flex head ratchets. You had mentioned that in your video that you are not a fan of locking flex head ratchets. This is something I needed to inform you on before you commit to Matco.
@@chrisparman2080the good thing about Marco locking flex heads is when they’re unlocked they feel just like a normal flex head ratchet. Smooth, no detent, and the switch is recessed and never gets hit by accident. I think the gear mechanism is a little lacking, but hands down the best locking mechanism out there.
Thanks guys for all the info. Like I said I've never had good luck with locking flexes but I also never had a quality one. I can see a good locking flex being nice for sure. I think a Matco truck stops at my local COOP I'll have to see if I can get on a truck some time.
If koken made a 1/2” flex head it’d be the number one on the market imo as. back drag is literally one of the most important factors for a ratchet. As long as it doesn’t affect her ability that’s the number one factor in my mind.
I’m a fan of Diehard, it’s todays equivalent to the old Challenger by Proto. The depth of the pawl teeth and the running clearance determine the anvil movement. I’d trust the Snap On not to break over the rest.
Hey I get it. I would rarely recommend Snap-on to anyone that has budget in mind. Now I do think there’s a good argument for used eBay 3/8” Snap-on ratchets
If backdrag is an issue, it never has been with me, still an interesting vid though,the old JH williams superratchets 60 years old are still good ratchets
Yeah backdrag ain’t a thing till it’s a thing. I found out the hard way hanging upside down in a skid steer for a half hour trying to get one stupid bolt out. Ever since then I kind of prioritize it. Most new ratchets are good enough.
The bolt was in a place I couldn’t reach. I could only get the ratchet on it. So I ended up using a long stick magnet to hold the socket in place so the ratchet would ratchet. It was a real pain
Snap-On is the best; but I’d try a Mac ratchet or a Marco or a Cornwell. I’ve had good luck with Capri, but frankly Capri, Gear Wrench, Icon, Diehard…are all Taiwanese made tools that are similar quality. Decent tools.
Yes for the most part. The Icon was used on a couple jobs but the rest were all new. The Icon in the video has been altered quite a bit but at the time of the testing it wasn't.
I am wondering if Snap on set the tolerance for white lithium grease and when you change it to the The synthetic Lucas it gave it room to wiggle and some of the other brands
Oh sorry I misunderstood the test were shown after the lube change. My bad. I don’t think the lube will really change the outcome when it comes to the anvil test
@@TwoTurtlesAndAWrench I am thinking the white lithium would take up a few thousands of the play also I would have the dealer put a kit in that ratchet that's not normal for a Snap on ratchet I have a few that are fourty+ years old and never had a problem thank for taking the time to answer my questions I am a new sub
Naw I hear you there. I just feel like it would be so minimal. Thanks for the sub. My goal with the channel is to help people out. I’m trying to give different information than you see on other channels. I also use the tools for a while before I ever make a video. There’s no unboxing and blabbing about how good the tool is without ever trying it. I also try to answer all the comments. RUclips’s setup from my end makes responding to comments a real pain though. So I do miss quite a few.
My understanding is that the Williams ratchets are OLDER/retired Snap On ratchet designs. Outdated by modern standards, for example the tooth count, but still very well built and very durable. The one place they shine is if you are working somewhere REMOTE, they may be the most trustworthy to not need replacement/servicing.
Yes the old Snap-on and the Williams are pretty much the same. In my experience the gears are interchangeable. I have several Williams and I’ve had zero issues. Very durable
OMG Cat is Snap-on band wagon 🤦🤦🤦 half of Cat tools are Snap-on Blue Point aka Williams. Everyday use Snap-on for me and GW has also done very well for me as well. Awesome video
@TwoTurtlesAndAWrench I don't know why all of the sudden the whole Cat tools is the rage it's been like that for many years. I never did anything with it because my closest Cat dealer is 45 minute drive and my Snap-on guy is at my place every 2 weeks lol
Yeah it’s just an internet thing. I got suckered in. I was in need for a for a ratchet and seen a video on it and I’m like sweet I can’t get it at half the price. I should’ve know better. I’m usually pretty good at doin my homework but not this time.
Snap on does seem to be lacking in their QC department. I can’t immediately think of any snap on tools that I have that have minor defects. But from what I’ve seen online. Lots of people are
If your a career tech guy buy icon. I’ve spent many 10’s of thousands on tool trucks. Buy ICON and make adjustments. If it breaks the store is no more than 20 minutes away.
The DieHard ratchets are a real sleeper. They have smooth ratchet mechanisms, are $20 less than the IGOTCONNED and totally blow ICON out of the water. I was never a comfort grip fan as they felt spongy and durability is a factor. I really like the firm feel of the DieHard comfort grip and I think it will hold up over the long haul. I prefer a ball detent on my flex heads. My one and only 1/2" flex head is a 36 tooth US made Craftsman raised panel. I have a 3/8" bent handle flex head DieHard and absolutely love it. I am thinking of getting the 1/2" DieHard flex head as a back up to my Craftsman.
I don't know how much you use your 1/2" flex but I don't think you can go wrong with getting the DieHard. Now, I don't know much about what DieHard offers but maybe they have a ball dent or locking flex. I'm rather new to the DieHard brand. This is the only one I own.
@@TwoTurtlesAndAWrench DieHard ratchets are limited to just the standard flex heads. No ball detent or locking flex heads. I don't use the 1/2" flex head often.
Couldn't agree more. It's very impressive that these mid tier tools are pushing out this kind of quality for the price. I hope this competition brings Snap-on's price down a bit but it probably won't.
@@TwoTurtlesAndAWrench I have been relying on importing a lot of nice Japanese tools. Since the dollar got so strong against the weakened yen. But you need to order maybe 5-10-15 items to make shipping worthwhile.
Of course but it’s the exact same extension so it also shows the tolerance of the anvil itself. Yes certain extensions will work better or worse with certain ratchets. The whole deflection part is for a discussion that was had on a tool forum.
Yes they are made by Snap-on but this one in particular is equivalent to the Williams. Which is also under the Snap-on brand. That video is why I ended up buying that ratchet. I should’ve done my homework more though
@ shit man I’ll be the first to admit that’s how 90% of my tools are bought too I wasn’t trying to sound all godly or anything if I did I just didn’t scroll far enough to see if someone else had said it yet both for you and anyone else that actually looks at comments keep up these kinda videos man I think everyone loves the ratchet comparisons and theres million different ratchets
All good man. I just wanted to make it clear that not all CAT tools are actually Snap-on equivalent. I don’t want guys buying CAT tools thinking they will get a Snap-on 80 tooth
I really like the new Gearwrench 120 XP with the slim head. The Snap -On is just too expensive. It’s just a ratchet and frankly there’s no reason other than the name for it to be that expensive. My nephew is a diesel mechanic and he’d just bought a new 1/2 inch Snap On flex head ratchet off the truck. I let him compare it to my Gearwrench that I had just purchased a few days before. He said he liked the Gearwrench better especially after I told him what it cost. When you can literally buy three or four Gearwrench ratchets for what the Snap On cost you start to realize your money can be better spent elsewhere. And they both have a lifetime warranty so there’s no reason to have to pay for it again.
I agree the Snap-on is way over priced. I’m just not a fan of the ball detent on the this specific Gearwrench. Also I just found out a real flaw in the flex design. The head is drilled too large and all the slop is coming from the loose tolerance between the drilled head and the retaining bolt. I think the Gearwrench is a great option for a straight ratchet
The play in the head is ridiculous to me and I can't really fix it easily. I found out the play is from the hole in the head being too large and or the bolt passing through being too small. I would have to make a bushing to fix it and I don't think it's worth the time right now. Maybe if I get bored when the snow is flying I'll try to fix it. Very poor design.
Unfortunately not. I just don't have the funds to try them all. I already spent too much on these. I was just searching for a 18" long ratchet and these are the ones I bought. I first started with the Icon and loved the length but hated the ratchet. So I ended up buying the gearwrench and didn't like that. Then the Cat. Then I pulled the trigger on the Snap-on and while I was waiting for that a subscriber suggested the DieHard so I picked that up. Basically it was a whole process to find the best ratchet for me. I never intended on buying all these ratchets to compare. I was just trying to find the best one for me. I also borrowed the Capri from a buddy. I do like Vim tools. I have a decent amount of their stuff too.
@TwoTurtlesAndAWrench I only asked because the video they shown it taken 1000ftlb on a flex head I would just like to see someone who don't work for vim do a real teat
I hear you there. Strength is always good but to me it’s more important how well the whole ratchet works and how it feels. I’m not saying I would rather have something that breaks all the time but feels good in my hands. I don’t really abuse my ratchets much. I will almost always grab a breaker bar if I feel I need it. Maybe I’ll check it out at some point.
Hold off on the VIM until next year (2025 in case you are watching in 2025) VIM is going to offer American made ratchets. I have purchased a couple VIM products and i am pretty impressed. After 45+ years turning wrenches and semi retired i wish i could stop collecting tools. It is a illness but i refuse to admit it.
Thanks for using more rigorous testing methods (than some hypothetical other person, don’t have anyone in mind). Now everyone will have to be rigorous because you (and a few others) raised the bar. Separating the wheat from the chaff, providing us a better overall experience, hopefully. Hope I don’t sound salty about something lol, cause I am.
Thanks. I did a lot more testing and comparing but I felt the video was too long the way it is. Also a lot of my other test I did other channels are already doing. Trying to do things a bit different.
Everyone is all up on Icon but they're just a dressed up Pittsburgh so why spend double or triple the price. Haven't tried any Capri bcuz I like a hard handle or cushion grip n don't have with flex head. I won't get the GW bcuz it did horrible on the Torque Test channel. I did get a 1/4" 120xp bcuz I don't use on heavy torque situations. I was impressed with what the TT CHANNEL showed the Tekton doing and I picked up the e/8" n 1/2" n swapped on Snap On hard handles. 3 yrs n not 1 complaint.I love my Koken 3/8" long but I don't put it under serious torque loads. I bust it loose then the fly through with the Koken sometimes or for medium torque applications I just use it. Now, my masterpiece was taking a Pittsburgh breaker bar, putting a Snap On 1/2" flex head ratchet head, n hard handle on the Pittsburgh bar. I kept breaking the anvil on the breaker bar but the handle would flex but not break. So I have Snap On ratcheting quality for 1/3 the cost. The Snap On long 1/2" flex head ratchet goes for $250+. Even $300+. I'm in for sub $100. If the bar breaks I buy either a Pittsburgh breaker bar or maybe I try Icon, a used eBay Snap On breaker bar if it's cheap etc...
you should humble my Theory that if you open the Cat and teh snap on I think they are different internals and not the same as the snap-on I already know that the material composition is an industrial blend Steel and not the same as the snap on blend ... so if you have time can you open them up So I can know for sure if I am right or wrong on the internals ..
@TwoTurtlesAndAWrench It's a much older video but few yrs ago Torque Test Channel tested 3/8" flex head ratchets to failure. Some how their first go with the Tekton showed 600+ft/lbs, YOU READ THAT RIGHT, THE HANDLE WAS BENDING B4 IT SLIPPED. 2ND GO IT BROKE 300 WHILE THE HANDLE LOOKED LIKE A PRETZEL THE MECHANISM, GEARS, ANVIL WERE THE ONLY ONES THAT NEVER BROKE. I decided bcuz of the price I didn't have much to lose. Started using em but didn't like the grip, carpal tunnel makes smaller n thinner handles difficult so I swapped Snappy hard handles and my favorite ratchets are the Koken bcuz of backdrag, Tekton and Snap On is 3rd. I decided I didn't like the Tekton backdrag for 1/4" n didn't have Koken yet so I bought Gearsrench 120xp n put a Snap On handle on it. I hated how small the GW handle was, I was constantly dropping or my hand would slip.
@@TwoTurtlesAndAWrenchonce you go Matco you will see how inferior snap on flex head ratchet are. Snap on is notorious for floppy heads. I also love gearwrench locking flex head ratchets. Basically a cheaper Matco knock off
I personally like the Snap-on. I can tweak it to how I like it very easily. I can’t seem to tweak the gearwrench enough for me to like it. There’s a design flaw in the head and bolt size. I’ll definitely gonna get my hands on a Matco. Haven’t heard nothing but praise.
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I didn’t state it in the video but these were all basically new when they were tested. I also used these over a month before I decided my final rankings. Sorry I wasn’t clear about this in the video.
Been using the Die Hard flex heads (1/4, 3/8, 1/2) for a year now and smile every time I pull them out.
They're very good for the money. They were a complete surprise.
Bruh 😂😂😂 the Katt Williams reference had me dying lol. Great breakdown, man.
Thanks man. Glad you got some enjoyment out of it.
Great topic my friend,your channel is doing great!!
@@jefftovani5535 thanks Jeff. I’m trying. I need to get more videos out though
I love the DieHard Ratchets I love them so much i have two set for the money you can't beat them.
I completely agree. Best bang for your buck for sure.
I walked into Advanced Auto for a battery and noticed the ratchets. Then I saw the three piece foam tray sets. One set is non flexing all metal handles, the other is the flex with the comfort grip. Both sets out the door for under $140 with a discount. That's two 1/4 inch, two 3/8 and two 1/2 inch ratchets for $140. They are fantastic. As a ratchet hoarder and disassembler, they look a lot like Milwaukee on the inside.
Simply the best value available! DieHard are simply excellent. I also like older Carlyle stuff. The newer stuff from the last 5 or so years isn't my personal preference.
Oh man! That Katt Williams “you have an unnatural allegiance to losers” edit just earned my out loud laughter AND a subscription!
😂. Glad you got a good laugh out of it. Thanks for the sub
@ Yes dude! I woke up my wife who was asleep next to me! Hearty laugh at the unexpected clip. Well done!
I really enjoyed your video. I have all 3 Die-Hard flex ratchets. I also am extremely impressed by them. I did put superlube in the 1/4 and 3/8 with good results BUT I noticed the 1/2 I had to take out the superlube and put in 3&1 oil. It preferred lighter lube for some reason.
I was also impressed by the internals they were machined very well and used o-rings (all 3 Die-Hard ratchets I have are sealed heads)
I don't have an Advance Auto near me so I ordered them online. I also emailed customer service and they assured me they will warranty the ratchets with a simple picture since I cannot take it to their stores.
Yeah I’m really impressed by them. Good to know the warranty process seems simple.
That’s really good to know about the warranty if you don’t have a brick and mortar store near you.
Great video. I appreciate you taking the time to go through all of these criteria with each of these ratchets. Times being what they are, I need to get the best bang for the buck and still put food on the table. Your video really helps in this regard. Thank you.
That’s what I’m trying to do. For us regular guys the DieHard is a great ratchet.
Nice work dude! I appreciate this information. Thank you
Anytime bud. Appreciate the support
Dude, that was a very comprehensive test run on those ratchets. Thank you for taking the time. Your channel is amazing! New Subscriber here!
Thanks for the sub. More videos are coming after the holidays.
I fixed a jag for my friend a while back he gave me a old craftsman 1/2 I put sum grease in there its so smooth now
Hell yeah. Can’t beat a “free” tool. Adding new lube can make a big difference on some ratchets.
I got the icon with. 40% off coupon and the icon 25” breaker bar and put them together with a shim and it’s my go 1/2 ratchet with a lifetime warranty,,,to me the warranty and coupon price is unbeatable it’s easy to switch out I kept that other parts to switch back if it breaks but if put that thing threw its paces and it’s kept up no problems,,,,,
Heck of a deal. I was wondering about putting the head on a breaker bar. I was curious if it would hold up. Glad to hear it does. I'll have to get my hands on another ratchet. I assume they will be on sale for black friday.
@ they have 15% off this weekend for itc members
@@DUMPTHETRUCK I might have to run to town. I need a few other things too.
I liked this video because you deserve it, u did some testing, took some measurements and thoroughly inspected products. I trust your work. Much better than unboxing brand new tools and offering an opinion on the function & quality of said tool.
Thank you! I try to use the tools and test them instead of just unboxing and talking about their specs. I know it's a weird concept on youtube but I actually use the tools before making the videos.
I have the Diehard 3/8 version. I love it. I'm debating on whether I'd appreciate the locking Gearwrench over the non-locking Diehard.
I’m very impressed with the DieHards. To me they are the best bang for your buck ratchet out there. I know people that love their locking gearwrench. I don’t think you would be in the wrong getting one. Myself I’ve never tried one
really nice video, first time seeing backdrag before and after oiling
Glad you liked it
I own several of the Diehards and I’m very happy with them. They do have a lifetime warranty but I have no idea how you redeem it but for the price it doesn’t matter. Great video!
That’s where I’m at with them too. I’ve been abusing that 1/2” and it hasn’t shown any signs of quitting.
Good to know Thanks
Glad to help
Very, very happy with my Tekton but didn't like the handle so I swapped the comfort grip for Snap On hard handle
I have to get my hands on some more tekton tools. I only own their 1/2” and 3/4” drive sockets. Also their dead blows but them are just rebranded trusty’s
@TwoTurtlesAndAWrench I am deciding between the new 3/8" universal impact sockets from Tekton n Astro.
@TwoTurtlesAndAWrench But I do own 4 or 5 ratchets. Long comfort grip 3/8" n 1/2" flexheads 3/8" folding stubby flex n 1/4" stubby non flex. Very happy with all 3. But my Koken's are my new favorite. Love Snap On but haven't found right price n no truck so waiting for the right time. I replaced the handles on the 2 long comfort grip with Snap On hard handles.
I have about zero Astro besides their nano sockets. Let me know what you end up getting
I bought the 3 piece Diehard comfort grip, flex head ratchet set on clearance for $29.86 for Advance Auto. First thing I did was open them up and lube them. There was already lube inside, but I added a small amount of super lube. There are rubber o rings in the head, which surprised me. I have a bunch of ratchets but these are by far my favorite ones based on low back drag and feel.
The only odd thing was that the 1/4” ratchet came with the handle installed cockeyed (Diehard logo off to the side). All I did was boil a pot of water, put the ratchet handle in for about 30 seconds to soften it up and twisted it back straight. Easy fix.
Damn now that's a deal. The DieHard being a sealed ratchet also surprised me. Usually that's not found in cheaper ratchets. Great tip on fixing the handle. I'll have to remember that.
Interesting that the Die Hard did so well, I may need to check those out. Thanks for the video.
They're really nice ratchets for the money. I don't see the comfort grips holding up the best but I could be wrong.
I bought the 3 piece diehard set in a foam tray. Went back to buy some for work too. There a great ratchet to take a beating while also being a well made ratchet. Usually use my snap on for easier stuff just because some of mine are limited edition colored handles and I don’t wanna break them 😂
Glad to hear they hold up. Gotta keep them limited editions mint. 😉
Which limited edition colors do you have?
@@Bass4LifeBro I have the dark blue, baby blue, pearl white hard handles. I know some come out every year. But I don’t think they make baby blue anymore. Not sure on dark blue. I know they make those in the soft grip tho.
@@XxchickMagnetx nice, just picked up my first Snap On and chose the dark blue (Power Blue as Snap On calls it) comfort grip with extra long handle, 1/4 drive. Same color as my 75 C10 lol.
@ I’ll be honest. I’m not a big tool truck kinda guy. I like finding the best quality but also affordable. Usually use gearwrench and Tekton and various others. But snap on has some of the SMOOTHEST ratchets ever
To date the gearwrench 120xp is probably my favorite ratchets period. I've not done any lube swaps yet.
But that being said I just got a two piece set of the Milwaukee 90t stubby 1/4 and 3/8 and they are extremely nice for the money. Very little back drag out of box and has Orings on the faceplate, anvil, and selector switch. I've not seen ratchets 4x the cost with all 3 Orings in it. About to change the lube in them today. Hoping it won't leak bad just because it has an oring everywhere
I like the gearwrench mechanism. Just not a fan of the flex design. I love my Milwaukee power tools but I own zero hand tools outside of their long reach pliers. I might look into them ratchets
@@TwoTurtlesAndAWrench definitely try one! I got the 3/8 and 1/4 stubby in a set. I did the oil swap and having all 3 Orings inside the head it leaked very little after I did the Lucas oil! Shockingly it didn't help my icon much if any but really made the already smooth Milwaukee become even smoother!
In my experience the Lucas only makes a big difference if they are loaded with grease. If they’re dry I don’t see much change. I’ll get them stubys ordered after the holiday bills clear
I've used my Pittsburgh pro flex head as a hammer. I have gear wrench and kobalt flex heads too. I've had a kobalt break and the gearwrench locking system sucks. That old Pittsburgh pro still is smooth and works.
I don’t like the gearwrench locking mechanism either. Crazy how a cheap ratchet like the Pittsburgh is better. It’s wild how much a “name” can cost
I thought you were joking with the cat/Williams ratchet but if Williams actually OEM’s for cat that’s perfect
Yeah, Willam’s makes some of CAT’s ratchets
Fair comparison and overall recommendation. Mine wouldn't have been too far off from that. 👍
Thanks for watching 👍
Im a big fan of matco locking flex bc i think they have best locking flex and usa made. There is a bit of bend to them use the first but snappy are 1 for non locking flexs
It seems like a lot of people love the Matco locking flex. I need to get my hands on one. I wouldn’t mind having a locking flex in 3/8”
My absolute favorite ratchet is SK LP90, then the Matco locking flex. I catch so much flack over not saying snap on is the best but those sk LP90 are just butter in my opinion
I have some sk’s in 3/8”. Love em. I hate that sk went overseas. I was a big fan
I got a three piece die hard ratchet set in foam. I was impressed with the quality and the price shipped to the door 100 bucks.
They are very good for the price. I was shocked how well they work. Especially for the price.
I have the GearWrench 120xp old style and Snap On dual 80. Both are good. Can’t really tell any difference. I’m a DIYer. Cannot justify a third one.
What more does a guy need. You have arguably the best ones.
@ I always wanted a 17 inch 1/2 drive flex ratchet with quick release and small head. I looked all around and surprisingly the only one I can find is the Kobalt one at Lowe’s. If you can find something like that, I would love to hear some reviews. I am going to subscribe now.
I’ll keep my eyes open. If I find something I’ll let you know
Great vid, would like to see more of the Diehard line particularly their wrenches/ratchet wrenches. It seems they have earned their spot at the table, some of that being hype but for the price they deserve to be reviewed to this similar critique.
I'm definitely planning on trying more DieHard products in the future.
I used a feeler guage to shim my icon lol. It’s pretty nice now.
There you go. The shim definitely helps a lot. I really like my Icon after screwing with it
if you are a career tech buy snap on ratchets. they are the best and i do not regret buying mine at all. BUT if you are a apprentice, casual tech or a DIY guy, there is no need to spend they insane amounts of money, brands like gear wrench and tekton are really nice at a much more affordable cost
I couldn't agree more.
Koken ratchets > anything else
I would agree for the few you most use, however there are a number of them that I don't use daily, and for that I would say go for the Gearwrench 120XPs. Also consider other tools trucks, for me Snap On happens to be the only dealer that is interested and invested in me, but for others Matco or Mac may be better options
I’m not a pro and Snap-on is about the only tool truck I can get stuff from. I’ve never checked out Mac’s or Matco’s websites though
Matco’s website is easy to navigate and the one I time I ordered something, it arrived in just a few days. I have one of their ratchets and a few Snap On’s. Both are top notch.
The cat/williams is just the snap on 36 tooth ratchets that were replaced by the duel 80.
Yep I agree.
Great info appreciate you
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it
I got the whole die hard set 3pc for 30 bucks when they had a clearance sale. Absolutely love them. Seems to be the same as the capri and close enough to the icon to probably say all 3 come from the same manufacturer. The diehard handle is the same as icon handle just different color.
The gearwrench 120xp is my go to 9 out of 10 times just due to how smooth it is. I went then the extended ratchets and the locking flexheads and am happy with them.
Was getting worried man I been looking daily for new videos 😂 seems you been busy
Haha. Been busy getting ready for winter. Haven't had much spare time. If a guy would keep the yard clean I wouldn't have to spend 3 weeks every fall moving crap so I don't hit it when I'm moving snow. Also I need to quit buying crap cause I'm running out of storage.
Dang you got a steal on them DieHards. The Gearwrench is definitely smooth. I just can't deal with the ball detent. I'm pretty picky on tools anymore. I used to use whatever. But in the last 5 years I really turned into a high maintenance guy. And I ain't happy about it. 🤣
@TwoTurtlesAndAWrench yea i shimmer mine and took the ball out im the same way. The extended straight ratchets i have those as well and use them for more breaking fasteners loose when I can. They are solid.
Yea i feel you on the winter stuff. Michigan here so it's starting to get cold and time to get things taken care of for sure before the snow hits
I feel like in the straight configuration they would really shine
How do you figure the deflection measurement goes against the performance of the ratchet? I wonder what the tool engineer for Snap-on would say. I don’t think that measurement would cause any issues unless it’s excessive.
It’s pretty much all about the feel in ones hand. If you’ve ever used a real worn out ratchet u can really feel it. Also people been complaining about it on the forums so I figured I would just throw it in. I don’t know how much the deflection plays into actual gear wear but I assume it is a factor. Probably a nonessential factor but what do I know. I quit engineering halfway through.
The new gearwrench 120xp locking flexhead is awesome. It's damn near a 1:1 knockoff of the Mac ratchet. Great value for the money.
I’ll have to check that out. Thanks for the info
I bought the Diehard recently with the insane clearance discount on the set of 1/2",3/8",1/4" for about $20 And after lubing it with super lube I'm thoroughly impressed.
Nice grab. That's a steal
$39 for the 3 piece kit but still a great deal
@@jbboozer6726I went today, they didn't have any 3 piece set, they only had em sold separately, and none were in specials 😔
@@TwoTurtlesAndAWrench Heck yeah it is. A family member works for them and let me know right away 😅 Been putting them to the test and cant complain one bit.
I got the three diehard ratchets too when they were on sale for $80. Excellent ratchets for the money.
I had that same diehard and when I first bought it I greased the head with thick brake grease because I was used to having old low tooth count ratchets. It kept switching directions on me so I threw it away. I realize now that it was my fault, wish I still had that thing
I damn near did the same thing to the Icon. It was packed full of grease from the factory. Didn't work at all. I put superlube in it and it still didn't work. Then I switched to Lucas. Bam a totally different ratchet.
Need to try the brand new cp90 Capri locking flex head with comfort grip. They are night and day better than the old one you have here.
I’ll have to check that one out
Cover the handle with heat shrink and replace it when necessary, or use it to make a comfort grip.
Good idea
Man I just got a 120xp 1/2 dr 24” fixed head. The back drag on it surprised me at how light it seems. Though I still love my Snappy locking flex heads.
Also, I really need to get one of those gauges.
I think the Gearwrench fixed heads would be where the 120 really shines.
does adding a shim compromise the integrity of the ratchet?
Not that I’ve found. I would think it would actually improve the strength. But I have no proof of that
What lube you're using? You said Lucas, but which one? Thanks.
Lucas gun oil. He says freedom oil to skirt youtube censorship
I tried looking up Lucas Freedom oil but couldn't find it. I would like to know which product you were referring to as well.
P.S. As for ratchets, Snap-on and Matco are my favorites, both locking, but to tell the truth, I most often grab the Matco first as I like the locking mechanism so much more.
Also he has a link to it on amazon in the description
Lucas Extreme Gun Oil. amzn.to/3CcaXKH. It works great for helping the back drag. It will leak out of some ratchets though.
Hello again, Two Turtles and a Wrench
Thank you for another Great Video 👍 I enjoyed watching tonight's video. I don't have any of the ratchets. And no flex head ratchets either. I do have Old School Craftsman. Husky 144 tooth, and Harbor Freight Roto Head Ratchets. Again thank you 👌
Glad you enjoyed it. How do you like that roto head? I was thinking about trying one.
I have/used many brands daily and snap on is always the go to.
I have that same GW ratchet about 3yrs old and I really like it also, it's 1 of my 1st grab 1/2....but I also think alil conscience plays in cuz I'm not afraid to beat up a 45$ ratchet opposed to 250$ tool.
I do the same thing. If I know the job will abuse my tools I will usually not grab my best tool. I do this a lot when it comes to working around fluids or water where I know the ratchet has a good chance of get soaked.
Me watching this with my 24 tooth proto ratchets lol
😂. Nothing wrong the Proto’s. If it gets the job done that’s all that matters
Those ratchets are bulletproof, excellent for industrial and commercial.
We still use those a lot in aerospace. I won’t say exclusively, but a lot.
Remember the model of Gearwrench is important. A 120xp is a way better ratchet than a 90 tooth but my favorite is the old 84 tooth. Very similar to Matco
This is the first Gearwrench ratchet I own. I've always heard about the older ones being great.
@ I was lucky enough to score a set of locking flex set, 1/4” 3/8 and 1/2” with a stubby 3/8 included on Amazon a couple years ago. They hold up well
Hell yeah. Good to hear they hold up well.
@@peterchristliebthose probably aren’t the 120 tooth cause I haven’t seen them on Amazon.
@ I’ve got two teardrop 120xp long handle straight ratchets. The newest ones look nothing like them. The newest ones are also supposed to be the strongest with all the updates..
I like options. I remain a Snap-on fan boy. I have 50ish ratchets, with 30 of them being Snap-on. I really like their 80 tooth pear head ratchets. I retired 7.5 years ago, and I don't feel the need to try the 100 tooth Snap-on models. I own one very nice Matco ratchet. My others are all professional grade, but represent several vintage brands.
Snappy is costly, but they have a wealth of variations and options, plus I trust them to be around for decades.
I just don’t think you can go wrong with Snap-on when it comes to ratchets.
Nice Chapman case in the foreground 🇺🇸🇺🇸
Good ole Chapman. I mostly use them in my gun shop but I had to break them out for the smaller torx bolts on some of these ratchets.
Snap-On ratchets are by far the superior product. I have Matco at home and keep ICON in the cars. Ratchets and pliers are where i get bougie. Pliers are Knipex and then Snap-on. Ratchets are Snap-on and then Matco
I’m with you there. I cut cost with sockets. Most of them are Tekton, Craftsman, and Sunex
Be cool if ypu grabbed that Craftsman v series 1/2 set from lowes, on clearance right now! I'd like to see that 1/2 v series ranked
I did think about it but I was already too deep in to spend anymore money. If I actual made money on the videos I would be all in but until then I have to keep it in budget.
@TwoTurtlesAndAWrench oh I know! Lowes has a 3 ratchet deal for $59 comes with all 3 flex head sizes at the moment.
Craftsman V-series are not serviceable. Just throw away ratchets.
@JohnCorbet-w4g aw! Good to know after I spent money's on the set! But I'm just a weekend warrior, f it
I got the V-Series. My only issue is the back drag. However I still believe it’s a solid ratchet. I got a really good deal at Lowe’s. They are selling the sets for $60 or the individual for $20. The set with the comfort grips, the 1/2 and 3/8 are great but the 1/4 has a little bitty grip, looks like something you’d get off Temu.
Does anyone know what lucas oil he used?
amzn.to/3PmUzKD It's Lucas Gun Oil
Bro your channels gonna blow keep up the good work and id like to see koken on here and the tonè tools rh4fhx is a 25” 1/2” flex head for sub 75$ after tax to my door new and for a 72t breaker length 1/2 flex head ratchet that price is unbeatable imo and it is also really pretty low profile, it flexed a bit on the 08 m3 axle nut at 202ft/lbs but it did it and lives on…I just wish koken made a z series long handle 1/2” flex head, their long handle 3/8 is just so ergonomic and easy to use, You can start getting a nut on a boat without having to ratchet with your fingers quite impressive
Thanks man. I’m with you koken needs to make a 1/2” flex 18”. I have zero tone and don’t even know anyone that has one. I see them on RUclips and thought about them a couple times. Especially on their smaller head ratchets. Maybe I’ll buy one or two in the future
You said dump some Lucas?
What kind?
I've found Lucas Gun Oil works great in fine tooth ratchets. amzn.to/40OxCXg
@
I see, I have that, and I have the Lucas Assembly oil. They both leak, I don’t mind it but then again if you are going to have your ratchets in the heat you might want to service them more frequently and clean that mess lol.
I do use the Assembly oil more on my 90 tooth ratchets when I know I won’t be servicing them as often:
I use the SuperLube on 84 tooth and lower or when I know I will be using them for a junkyard ratchets which I won’t be servicing as often or will be exposed to high heat.
The Cat / williams is the old snap on 36 tooth design , super high back drag. Definitely outdated . I have a few and usually remove the ball detent spring and either replace it with a weaker one or just shorten it a little.
Cutting the spring definitely helps a bit. But like you said they’re outdated and there’s a lot better options out there
GW 120xps come with a locking flex. Out of all the locking flex heads GW wins for sure. Diehards are amazing, use them daily. They also sell the diehards in chrome handles too. But snap on still gets me tickle pink.
Good to know about the Diehard handles. My store only had comfort grips. I’ll have to check the website out. Also glad to hear they hold up
@ for the money, they’re a steal. Blows all the store brand ratchets away.
@@robertomilanecky Completely agree. They are the best off the shelf ratchets I've found.
I like my Snap On locking flex heads but also am one for one with the GW 120xp flex heads lol I like them both a lot though.
@ the locking soft grip 1/4 120xp is my go to. I love what Gearwrench has done with the 120xp line of ratchets
Snap-on is the BEST
Yep they’re hard to beat
Just earned a new sub, I use lucas assembly lube in mine and love it!
Thanks for the sub! I appreciate it
@TwoTurtlesAndAWrench anytime brother, glad to be here!
We all knew you were gonna pick the snap on. lol
Yeah. No surprise. It’s a good ratchet. Now it is way over priced and I wouldn’t recommend it for any budget minded guys. It’s really not worth the price.
My favorite pro brand ratchets are the Mac axis ratchets. Strong, smooth, durable, comfortable. If someone doesnt want to spend that much, tekton and husky are great for the price. Icon have not been impressive at all. Carlyle from Napa has excellent quality and warranty but only buy them on sale or lightly used on ebay.
I've never tried any Mac's. I never see a dealer anywhere. I'm not a pro so I don't have trucks around. I just kind of stumble on to trucks at my local shops. I do like Tekton but I have yet to try a ratchet of theirs.
@@TwoTurtlesAndAWrench Mac is Stanley/Proto's pro automotive brand.
I do have quite a few Proto tools. I like most of them. The ratcheting wrenches I do have a couple issues but overall they work well.
Snap-On ratchets are my favorite and Matco are my second choice. By the way, I see you on CP's Live shows sometimes.
I’ve never tried a Matco. I see a lot of people praise them. I’m not a pro so it’s hard to get on a truck to check them out
@@TwoTurtlesAndAWrench: I bought a shit ton of Matco 3/8" and 1/4" Locking flex-head ratchets back about 6 months ago when they had their 40% off sale. The only knock I give Matco ratchets is that some of the ratchets I received were lacking proper lube (I mean oil). Once I added alittle Super Lube Oil it was good to go. The 88 tooth is (I feel) a great sweet spot in ratchet tooth count. While the Matco gear isn't as smooth as the Snap-On Dual 80, it is pretty F-ing good. You mentioned you don't like the soft handle, If you buy some Matco ratchets get atleast one with the soft handle. The Matco soft handle is not as bulky (some people have commented) as the Snap-On soft handle. If you need a second opinion on Matco soft handle, ask CP his opinion.
@@TwoTurtlesAndAWrench: Unfortunately, Matco doesn't have any non-locking flex head ratchets. You had mentioned that in your video that you are not a fan of locking flex head ratchets. This is something I needed to inform you on before you commit to Matco.
@@chrisparman2080the good thing about Marco locking flex heads is when they’re unlocked they feel just like a normal flex head ratchet. Smooth, no detent, and the switch is recessed and never gets hit by accident. I think the gear mechanism is a little lacking, but hands down the best locking mechanism out there.
Thanks guys for all the info. Like I said I've never had good luck with locking flexes but I also never had a quality one. I can see a good locking flex being nice for sure. I think a Matco truck stops at my local COOP I'll have to see if I can get on a truck some time.
If koken made a 1/2” flex head it’d be the number one on the market imo as. back drag is literally one of the most important factors for a ratchet. As long as it doesn’t affect her ability that’s the number one factor in my mind.
Couldn’t agree more
I’m a fan of Diehard, it’s todays equivalent to the old Challenger by Proto. The depth of the pawl teeth and the running clearance determine the anvil movement. I’d trust the Snap On not to break over the rest.
Good to know about the pawl depth. The Snap-on in hand is a way beefier ratchet. It's hard for me to convey that through video.
@@TwoTurtlesAndAWrench true. There’s a lot of folks out there have never used a snap on anything but get turned off immediately by the price
Hey I get it. I would rarely recommend Snap-on to anyone that has budget in mind. Now I do think there’s a good argument for used eBay 3/8” Snap-on ratchets
If backdrag is an issue, it never has been with me, still an interesting vid though,the old JH williams superratchets 60 years old are still good ratchets
Yeah backdrag ain’t a thing till it’s a thing. I found out the hard way hanging upside down in a skid steer for a half hour trying to get one stupid bolt out. Ever since then I kind of prioritize it. Most new ratchets are good enough.
@@TwoTurtlesAndAWrench Im intrigued now, how did backdrag keep you from getting a bolt out?
The bolt was in a place I couldn’t reach. I could only get the ratchet on it. So I ended up using a long stick magnet to hold the socket in place so the ratchet would ratchet. It was a real pain
Snap-On is the best; but I’d try a Mac ratchet or a Marco or a Cornwell. I’ve had good luck with Capri, but frankly Capri, Gear Wrench, Icon, Diehard…are all Taiwanese made tools that are similar quality. Decent tools.
I couldn't agree more. The Taiwanese are all really splitting hairs. Basically comes down to how they feel in one's hand
Were all the ratchets brand new never used before you tested them ?
Yes for the most part. The Icon was used on a couple jobs but the rest were all new. The Icon in the video has been altered quite a bit but at the time of the testing it wasn't.
I am wondering if Snap on set the tolerance for white lithium grease and when you change it to the The synthetic Lucas it gave it room to wiggle and some of the other brands
Oh sorry I misunderstood the test were shown after the lube change. My bad. I don’t think the lube will really change the outcome when it comes to the anvil test
@@TwoTurtlesAndAWrench I am thinking the white lithium would take up a few thousands of the play also I would have the dealer put a kit in that ratchet that's not normal for a Snap on ratchet I have a few that are fourty+ years old and never had a problem thank for taking the time to answer my questions I am a new sub
Naw I hear you there. I just feel like it would be so minimal. Thanks for the sub. My goal with the channel is to help people out. I’m trying to give different information than you see on other channels. I also use the tools for a while before I ever make a video. There’s no unboxing and blabbing about how good the tool is without ever trying it. I also try to answer all the comments. RUclips’s setup from my end makes responding to comments a real pain though. So I do miss quite a few.
I like my old USA made Craftsman. The round head fine tooth is the cat's meow. Easco made them.
Good ole American made craftsman. Miss them days
@@TwoTurtlesAndAWrench Going to use them tomorrow. I have to help a relative work on his Chrysler minivan.
Test them in a week. You'll see why that snapy was basically dry. 1 drop on the switch ball.
Thanks for the info
My understanding is that the Williams ratchets are OLDER/retired Snap On ratchet designs. Outdated by modern standards, for example the tooth count, but still very well built and very durable. The one place they shine is if you are working somewhere REMOTE, they may be the most trustworthy to not need replacement/servicing.
Yes the old Snap-on and the Williams are pretty much the same. In my experience the gears are interchangeable. I have several Williams and I’ve had zero issues. Very durable
OMG Cat is Snap-on band wagon 🤦🤦🤦 half of Cat tools are Snap-on Blue Point aka Williams. Everyday use Snap-on for me and GW has also done very well for me as well. Awesome video
Thanks for watching. I’ve noticed some of the CAT stuff is more expensive than the actual Snap-on and Williams stuff. Seems crazy to me.
@TwoTurtlesAndAWrench I don't know why all of the sudden the whole Cat tools is the rage it's been like that for many years. I never did anything with it because my closest Cat dealer is 45 minute drive and my Snap-on guy is at my place every 2 weeks lol
Yeah it’s just an internet thing. I got suckered in. I was in need for a for a ratchet and seen a video on it and I’m like sweet I can’t get it at half the price. I should’ve know better. I’m usually pretty good at doin my homework but not this time.
I wish I'd watched this a week ago. They just closed the advance auto up the road and had diehard tools 1/2 off
You’re like me, always missing the deals.
Snap on does seem to be lacking in their QC department. I can’t immediately think of any snap on tools that I have that have minor defects. But from what I’ve seen online. Lots of people are
I was very surprised with the poor quality. They charge way too much to be lacking.
Thank God all my Snap On tools are mostly 1996 and then 2006 max.
They’re charging a lot more nowadays for a lesser quality product in my opinion. They need to step up their game.
If your a career tech guy buy icon. I’ve spent many 10’s of thousands on tool trucks. Buy ICON and make adjustments. If it breaks the store is no more than 20 minutes away.
Great advice for the new guys out there
The DieHard ratchets are a real sleeper. They have smooth ratchet mechanisms, are $20 less than the IGOTCONNED and totally blow ICON out of the water. I was never a comfort grip fan as they felt spongy and durability is a factor. I really like the firm feel of the DieHard comfort grip and I think it will hold up over the long haul. I prefer a ball detent on my flex heads. My one and only 1/2" flex head is a 36 tooth US made Craftsman raised panel. I have a 3/8" bent handle flex head DieHard and absolutely love it. I am thinking of getting the 1/2" DieHard flex head as a back up to my Craftsman.
I don't know how much you use your 1/2" flex but I don't think you can go wrong with getting the DieHard. Now, I don't know much about what DieHard offers but maybe they have a ball dent or locking flex. I'm rather new to the DieHard brand. This is the only one I own.
@@TwoTurtlesAndAWrench DieHard ratchets are limited to just the standard flex heads. No ball detent or locking flex heads. I don't use the 1/2" flex head often.
Good to know. Thanks
I’m a fan of Diehard, it’s todays equivalent to the old Challenger by Proto
Still have some of them old Challenger tools
Every tool has a hammer side 11:15
😂
Wera do a 1/2” drive ractchet with hammer faces on the sides😅
Mid priced tools are so good these days, your paying that extra 50%+ for an extra 3% quality in the big 4
Exactly, this money difference could be the difference between a successful career or early failure, the 3% performance difference won’t.
In terms of barrier to entry
Couldn't agree more. It's very impressive that these mid tier tools are pushing out this kind of quality for the price. I hope this competition brings Snap-on's price down a bit but it probably won't.
@@TwoTurtlesAndAWrench I have been relying on importing a lot of nice Japanese tools. Since the dollar got so strong against the weakened yen. But you need to order maybe 5-10-15 items to make shipping worthwhile.
I have been dabbling in the Japanese market a bit as of late.
Checking anvil deflection with extension doesn’t make sense. The fitment of the anvil inside the extension female square has big influence
Of course but it’s the exact same extension so it also shows the tolerance of the anvil itself. Yes certain extensions will work better or worse with certain ratchets. The whole deflection part is for a discussion that was had on a tool forum.
Cat is snap on rebrand. Tool box tour covered this with a cat dealer
Yes they are made by Snap-on but this one in particular is equivalent to the Williams. Which is also under the Snap-on brand. That video is why I ended up buying that ratchet. I should’ve done my homework more though
@ shit man I’ll be the first to admit that’s how 90% of my tools are bought too I wasn’t trying to sound all godly or anything if I did I just didn’t scroll far enough to see if someone else had said it yet both for you and anyone else that actually looks at comments keep up these kinda videos man I think everyone loves the ratchet comparisons and theres million different ratchets
All good man. I just wanted to make it clear that not all CAT tools are actually Snap-on equivalent. I don’t want guys buying CAT tools thinking they will get a Snap-on 80 tooth
I really like the new Gearwrench 120 XP with the slim head. The Snap -On is just too expensive. It’s just a ratchet and frankly there’s no reason other than the name for it to be that expensive. My nephew is a diesel mechanic and he’d just bought a new 1/2 inch Snap On flex head ratchet off the truck. I let him compare it to my Gearwrench that I had just purchased a few days before. He said he liked the Gearwrench better especially after I told him what it cost. When you can literally buy three or four Gearwrench ratchets for what the Snap On cost you start to realize your money can be better spent elsewhere. And they both have a lifetime warranty so there’s no reason to have to pay for it again.
I agree the Snap-on is way over priced. I’m just not a fan of the ball detent on the this specific Gearwrench. Also I just found out a real flaw in the flex design. The head is drilled too large and all the slop is coming from the loose tolerance between the drilled head and the retaining bolt. I think the Gearwrench is a great option for a straight ratchet
I thought Capri were 90 tooth?
They might make a 90 but this one is a 72 tooth.
The CAT ratchet are 50/50 if you get snap on or cat one they are 36 teeth but are stout
They are definitely stout. Probably last forever
The Gearwrench is decent but they flex a ton and their floppy
The play in the head is ridiculous to me and I can't really fix it easily. I found out the play is from the hole in the head being too large and or the bolt passing through being too small. I would have to make a bushing to fix it and I don't think it's worth the time right now. Maybe if I get bored when the snow is flying I'll try to fix it. Very poor design.
I would take Icon or Tekton just me tho
Never tried Tekton. The icons are pretty good if you tweak them a bit.
No Tekton?
No unfortunately. Sorry. The funds just ain’t there
No vim hd 1/2 flex head they took it to 1000ftlb
Unfortunately not. I just don't have the funds to try them all. I already spent too much on these. I was just searching for a 18" long ratchet and these are the ones I bought. I first started with the Icon and loved the length but hated the ratchet. So I ended up buying the gearwrench and didn't like that. Then the Cat. Then I pulled the trigger on the Snap-on and while I was waiting for that a subscriber suggested the DieHard so I picked that up. Basically it was a whole process to find the best ratchet for me. I never intended on buying all these ratchets to compare. I was just trying to find the best one for me. I also borrowed the Capri from a buddy.
I do like Vim tools. I have a decent amount of their stuff too.
@TwoTurtlesAndAWrench I only asked because the video they shown it taken 1000ftlb on a flex head I would just like to see someone who don't work for vim do a real teat
I hear you there. Strength is always good but to me it’s more important how well the whole ratchet works and how it feels. I’m not saying I would rather have something that breaks all the time but feels good in my hands. I don’t really abuse my ratchets much. I will almost always grab a breaker bar if I feel I need it. Maybe I’ll check it out at some point.
Hold off on the VIM until next year (2025 in case you are watching in 2025) VIM is going to offer American made ratchets.
I have purchased a couple VIM products and i am pretty impressed.
After 45+ years turning wrenches and semi retired i wish i could stop collecting tools. It is a illness but i refuse to admit it.
@@randysmith9636 Good to know. Wonder who is making them. I do like the few Vim specialty tools that I do have.
Thanks for using more rigorous testing methods (than some hypothetical other person, don’t have anyone in mind). Now everyone will have to be rigorous because you (and a few others) raised the bar. Separating the wheat from the chaff, providing us a better overall experience, hopefully.
Hope I don’t sound salty about something lol, cause I am.
Thanks. I did a lot more testing and comparing but I felt the video was too long the way it is. Also a lot of my other test I did other channels are already doing. Trying to do things a bit different.
If only Koken made a big boy flex head ratchet.
I know right.
What about Tekton?
Sorry. I only tested the ratchets I have. Maybe down the road I'll test some more
@@TwoTurtlesAndAWrench It's ok, I'm in the market for one, and was looking at the Tekton, thanks.
I’m sure the Tekton is pretty good. Their warranty is second to none
put a Snap-On handle on the die hard and you'll have something to pass down
I'm curious how the DieHard handle will hold up. I don't purposely abuse my tools but I also don't treat them like prized jewels either.
Everyone is all up on Icon but they're just a dressed up Pittsburgh so why spend double or triple the price. Haven't tried any Capri bcuz I like a hard handle or cushion grip n don't have with flex head. I won't get the GW bcuz it did horrible on the Torque Test channel. I did get a 1/4" 120xp bcuz I don't use on heavy torque situations. I was impressed with what the TT CHANNEL showed the Tekton doing and I picked up the e/8" n 1/2" n swapped on Snap On hard handles. 3 yrs n not 1 complaint.I love my Koken 3/8" long but I don't put it under serious torque loads. I bust it loose then the fly through with the Koken sometimes or for medium torque applications I just use it. Now, my masterpiece was taking a Pittsburgh breaker bar, putting a Snap On 1/2" flex head ratchet head, n hard handle on the Pittsburgh bar. I kept breaking the anvil on the breaker bar but the handle would flex but not break. So I have Snap On ratcheting quality for 1/3 the cost. The Snap On long 1/2" flex head ratchet goes for $250+. Even $300+. I'm in for sub $100. If the bar breaks I buy either a Pittsburgh breaker bar or maybe I try Icon, a used eBay Snap On breaker bar if it's cheap etc...
I’m the same way with my Koken. I love the Snap-on breaker bar idea. I’m gonna have to try that out
you should humble my Theory that if you open the Cat and teh snap on I think they are different internals and not the same as the snap-on I already know that the material composition is an industrial blend Steel and not the same as the snap on blend ... so if you have time can you open them up So I can know for sure if I am right or wrong on the internals ..
The CAT internals are not the same as the Snap-on 80’s. The CAT’s internals are the same as the Williams though.
Please don't sleep on Tekton, they're very strong for the price.
I’m a fan of Tekton. I have their sockets and a few other things but I have yet to try their ratchets
@TwoTurtlesAndAWrench It's a much older video but few yrs ago Torque Test Channel tested 3/8" flex head ratchets to failure. Some how their first go with the Tekton showed 600+ft/lbs, YOU READ THAT RIGHT, THE HANDLE WAS BENDING B4 IT SLIPPED. 2ND GO IT BROKE 300 WHILE THE HANDLE LOOKED LIKE A PRETZEL THE MECHANISM, GEARS, ANVIL WERE THE ONLY ONES THAT NEVER BROKE. I decided bcuz of the price I didn't have much to lose. Started using em but didn't like the grip, carpal tunnel makes smaller n thinner handles difficult so I swapped Snappy hard handles and my favorite ratchets are the Koken bcuz of backdrag, Tekton and Snap On is 3rd. I decided I didn't like the Tekton backdrag for 1/4" n didn't have Koken yet so I bought Gearsrench 120xp n put a Snap On handle on it. I hated how small the GW handle was, I was constantly dropping or my hand would slip.
@TwoTurtlesAndAWrench Thanks for some solid content and I hope the channel takes off for you.
Appreciate all the info. I love when people share they’re experiences
You need the clown suit 😂😂😂😂
🤡
Tekton ?
It wasn’t in the budget.😂 Do you know if they make a polished handle 1/2” flex in 18”. I couldn’t find any.
@ 😂 oh ! I don’t really know. I know that I’m satisfied with the product. it doesn’t mean I won’t buy other brand.
I think Matco flex-head is the best. Specially after the paw update. 👍
Never owned anything Matco. People seem to love them. I think I’m gonna order a locking flex in 3/8
@@TwoTurtlesAndAWrenchonce you go Matco you will see how inferior snap on flex head ratchet are. Snap on is notorious for floppy heads. I also love gearwrench locking flex head ratchets. Basically a cheaper Matco knock off
I personally like the Snap-on. I can tweak it to how I like it very easily. I can’t seem to tweak the gearwrench enough for me to like it. There’s a design flaw in the head and bolt size. I’ll definitely gonna get my hands on a Matco. Haven’t heard nothing but praise.
Tighten up the pinch bolts to take out the slop WTF
That didn’t work on the Gearwrench nor the Icon
Koken has the lowest back drag I’ve seen.
For sure. I don’t have any of their 1/2” but I do have them in 3/8