Garage Gazette
TOOLS AND THE SHOP => MECHANIC HAND TOOLS WE USE => Topic started by: bonneyman on January 06, 2019, 03:21:15 PM
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After finding that little Matco AR4 the other day I decided to line it up with my other users and see how it compared. Here's what I've got:
EASCO Paint brush EASCO RHFT
Plumb Bonney V-702
Blackhawk Thorsen 77MC
Snappy FM71 SK 40970
Thorsen open gear Matco AR4
By the way, what did Matco call these ratchets? Or is there a trade name applied to the style?
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As you can see, none of the others have as small a head profile as the Matco, and virtually all of the handles are short (for my hand). Funny how different drive size ratchet of the same brand are so different. I love the SK 3/8" roundhead, but the corresponding 1/4"er is just too small.
The only other "ergo" style rat I have is the paint brush handle. But it dwarfs the Matco on all counts - though very comfortable to hold.
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The Thorsen open gear is smaller and thinner overall - with the gear cover removed. And you can't fault it's durability. But it's not a fine tooth ratchet (actually it's quite coarse), so, when needing such a thin rat you kinda need fine action as your clearance is typically limited in these situations. So, the Thorsen falls short here.
No other 1/4" ratchet that I've held in my hand is as nimble and small as the Matco. Plus, it's ergo handle gets bigger toward the end, making it surprisingly easy to hold for such a small thing. All around a great tool! Too bad they've discontinued it. >:(
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I might do a similar comparison on my 3/8" rats if you guys want. I can already see that the results of that comparison will be totally different. (Though I don't have a Matco BR8 rat to compare to.)
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I might do a similar comparison on my 3/8" rats if you guys want. I can already see that the results of that comparison will be totally different. (Though I don't have a Matco BR8 rat to compare to.)
Would love to see a comparison of the 3/8 and maybe even 1/2!
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Those Matco round heads were made by Wright. Wright even offers that handle style as their "contour grip."