Bought a new 3/8" ratchet and other tools

I ordered a new 3/8" Tekton straight ratchet. I already have their flex head, but it's a little annoying when I don't need the flex head. I've also got thier 1/4" drive flex head. I like them both. The new ratchet was delvered today, and I didn't realize how small the head would be. I think it's going to be really nice, to use! Tight working clearances always frustrate me, and having the really small head should help out.

www.amazon.com/dp/B07GH9Q9S7

I also ordered a 1/4" drive socket "spinner handle". It came in the other day, and I've used it once. I bought it becasue it was only $8. It works, but I think the handle is a little goofy looking, and I wonder how well it will clean up because it's kind of rubber-ish.

www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLJ46247

I also just got in a set of bolt extractor sockets. I bought the HF version, but am going to return them. They're not helical, and they were more expensive. I found a cheap Chinese version of the original Rocketsocket/Turbosockets. I almost bought the $70 US made kit, but thankfully, I don't need them very often. If I were taking a whole project car/truck apart, I'd go ahead and buy the expensive ones. I just have a couple of bolts that I can't remove on my Electra before I scrap it.

www.amazon.com/dp/B08HPLNTX5

I have heard good things about Tekton but haven't gotten anything from them yet. I tried out the Icon 1/4" ratchet which was great except for the backdrag was so high I couldn't get it to ratchet on the small fasteners you want a 1/4" for.

So I did the right thing and chucked a square to hex adapter in my drill and spun the ratchet at high speed until it got warm. Backdrag is super light now and it works great. Did not have as much success with a Gearwrench bit ratchet, only made it slightly better, so YMMV.

Komet said:

I have heard good things about Tekton but haven't gotten anything from them yet. I tried out the Icon 1/4" ratchet which was great except for the backdrag was so high I couldn't get it to ratchet on the small fasteners you want a 1/4" for.

So I did the right thing and chucked a square to hex adapter in my drill and spun the ratchet at high speed until it got warm. Backdrag is super light now and it works great. Did not have as much success with a Gearwrench bit ratchet, only made it slightly better, so YMMV.

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I can't bring myself to spend Icon money at Harbor Freight. I did look at them when I was shopping for the flex head, and there was something I didn't like about the Icon, but I don't remember what it was. Also, HF doesn't sell individual sockets, so I can't easily replace one, or by a size I need. Then their socket rails are junky, too. Tekton socket rails I think are made by Ernst, or at least work the same. The one thing I don't like about the Tekton sockets is that the size is a bit hard to see, for me.

I bought this set and took the top off. It fits in a slim drawer of my box and the ratchet in it is very nice. Its just as tight and smooth as my long handle SnapOn.

https://a.co/d/fKuFLeW

454cid said:

I can't bring myself to spend Icon money at Harbor Freight. I did look at them when I was shopping for the flex head, and there was something I didn't like about the Icon, but I don't remember what it was. Also, HF doesn't sell individual sockets, so I can't easily replace one, or by a size I need. Then their socket rails are junky, too. Tekton socket rails I think are made by Ernst, or at least work the same. The one thing I don't like about the Tekton sockets is that the size is a bit hard to see, for me.

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Agreed on the pricing, I used a 20% off coupon which made it more reasonable. I was thinking of going Tekton to fill out the 4.5mm and 5.5mm gaps in my socket tray. I'm not a completionist but I see those empty spots and for some reason it bothers me not having those ones specifically.

RDF1 said:

I bought this set and took the top off. It fits in a slim drawer of my box and the ratchet in it is very nice. Its just as tight and smooth as my long handle SnapOn.

https://a.co/d/fKuFLeW

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That's got quite a few of those swivel sockets I see guys using on YouTube with thier battery powered impacts. That's something else I wouldn't mind having, but they're $$$ and I dont feel I have the need to justify buying one, at this point.

RDF1 said:

I bought this set and took the top off. It fits in a slim drawer of my box and the ratchet in it is very nice. Its just as tight and smooth as my long handle SnapOn.

https://a.co/d/fKuFLeW

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That’s a nice set, wish it was 12pt


These are my ratchet’s on my service truck, my 3/4 is in a different box. As you can see I have all different brands, but my snap-on is my go to.
And yes all my drawers are that clean and organized on the truck

I recently replaced all of my USA made Craftsman sockets with Tekton. Got the whole 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 on sale for 400. Came with some of the drive tools. So far I am impressed. My go to ratchets prior to this were USA made Craftsman Professional Thin Profile 60 tooth. These 90 tooth Tekton ratchets may be my go to now. The set came with quick release ratchets, and I would rather have the non-quick release, but it is what it is.

Overall I'm super happy with the Tekton quality so far, and now I have way more sockets than I used to. My 1/2" drive deep sockets were only sets of 7, now they're sets of 20ish. All 6 point(all of my 1/2" stuff was 12 pt before).

Now I just have to sell the USA made Craftsman stuff.

1952Chevy said:

I recently replaced all of my USA made Craftsman sockets with Tekton. Got the whole 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 on sale for 400. Came with some of the drive tools. So far I am impressed. My go to ratchets prior to this were USA made Craftsman Professional Thin Profile 60 tooth. These 90 tooth Tekton ratchets may be my go to now. The set came with quick release ratchets, and I would rather have the non-quick release, but it is what it is.

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My older US made ratchets are all 32 tooth, I think. Mostly I've been using my 72 tooth HF Composite ratchets, which I still like.... especially when it's cold out! Unfortunately the 1/4" drive ratchet doesn't always work right. It may get replaced with a Tekton Composite.

What about the non-quick release to you like better? I've considered buying one for clearance reasons.

1952Chevy said:

Overall I'm super happy with the Tekton quality so far, and now I have way more sockets than I used to. My 1/2" drive deep sockets were only sets of 7, now they're sets of 20ish. All 6 point(all of my 1/2" stuff was 12 pt before).

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I've only purchased 1/4" drive deepwell sockets from Tekton, so far. I'm not sure what I'll buy next. I think I will likely sort through my existing sockets and see where I'm lacking and go from there. Also, I'd like to figure out a way to store my extensions better.

454cid said:

My older US made ratchets are all 32 tooth, I think. Mostly I've been using my 72 tooth HF Composite ratchets, which I still like.... especially when it's cold out! Unfortunately the 1/4" drive ratchet doesn't always work right. It may get replaced with a Tekton Composite.

What about the non-quick release to you like better? I've considered buying one for clearance reasons.


I've only purchased 1/4" drive deepwell sockets from Tekton, so far. I'm not sure what I'll buy next. I think I will likely sort through my existing sockets and see where I'm lacking and go from there. Also, I'd like to figure out a way to store my extensions better.

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I too love the HF composites except that they are bulky. I don't see the Tekton composites on their site anymore, but I could be missing them. From my understanding they are the same ratchets but were more expensive from Tekton, so I would continue to buy the HF. You can also warranty out that ratchet at HF.

I like non-quick release for clearance mostly. I've had a few times where I'm in a tight spot and have accidentally hit the button and dropped the socket. I don't have an issue with quick release, just would like some that aren't quick release as well. On my thin profile ratchets the button sits flush so I have had less of an issue hitting that button on accident, but the Tekton ratchets it's not flush.

Extension storage/organization is a tough one. Mine are all just laying down in a drawer, but I feel like there has to be a better way to store them. I have thought about getting trays and putting all of the same size extensions in each tray. My problem with that is not being able to easily see which extensions did not make it back in the box.