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I have been working with Husky’s new 144 position ratchets, and so far they’ve been a pleasure to use.
We have entered a new sponsored partnership with Husky Tools and Home Depot, where they send over a selection of tools for review consideration, and we’re expected to produce a certain number of posts. This review is a part of that arrangement.
Today, we’ll be looking at their 3-piece ratchet set, which is available at Home Depot for $70.
This set comes with ratchets in 1/4″, 3/8″, and 1/2″ drive sizing.
Frankly, I thought the pricing was going to be a bit higher than this. $70 for 3 ratchets? Rewind a few years to where I was looking for a more premium mid-range ratchet set to upgrade my raised panel Craftsman ratchets to, and this set would have been at the top of my short list.
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The ratchets feature a traditional pear-shape head, quick release button, and reversing lever.
The handles have a polished chrome finish and slightly contoured grip.
It seems like a small touch, but I like the small laser etching on the ratchet head, which indicates these are 144 position ratchets. It’s a small touch, but could help users who have multiple ratchets of different styles and want to know which one they’re picking up.
Maybe it’s part of the branding? But to me, it’s a nice touch. I sometimes reach for a coarser-geared ratchet for loosening fasteners, sometimes with the use of a dead blow hammer. I mean, I always use a breaker bar of the right size.
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Here’s a look inside, at the dual pawl mechanism. You have staggered teeth, and with what I’d presume is a 72T gear (I didn’t count), you get 144 clickable positions.
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Here’s the gear and socket anvil.
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I have been using the 1/4″ and 3/8″ sizes, but not yet the 1/2″.
So far, all of the sizes are very smooth to turn and comfortable to grip. The socket quick release is more refined than on some of my personal-use ratchets, with a firm detent that is both secure and easy to release.
Husky describes these as PRO Access ratchets, and with an “industry leading” 2.5° arc swing (360/144).
For some tasks, a 36 tooth ratchet might be just fine. For others, you might need a 72 tooth ratchet, to turn a socket in tight spaces and between obstructions.
But there will be other times when you turn a ratchet one way and another, and it’s just not enough to advance the gearing one click so that you could continue with the next torque application.
With 144 positions, the ratchet performs in a similar manner as if it were a 144-tooth ratchet, and that 2.5 degree swing will get you out of a bind.
If you’re shopping for your first ratchet set, or a solid-mid-priced ratchet set, this one seems to be a very good option so far.
If you don’t think you’ll need a 144 minimal swing arc, Husky also makes a full-polish 72T ratchet set, currently priced at $55 at Home Depot.
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Lastly, I love, love, LOVE the foam drawer insert that the ratchet set comes with. It has a hard plasticky top surface, presumably easy to clean, on top of a soft foam cut-out.
Husky – please continue in this direction with drawer inserts like this one!!
Is there a downside? Absolutely. These ratchets are a little bulkier than some of my ratchets with smaller drive heads, but that’s not unusual. I always figure this is tied into the socket quick release button. If you want a smaller ratchet head, you usually have to forego any quick release feature, or considerably increase your budget.
Who Should Buy This: Users looking for a 3pc ratchet set with full polish handles, very small minimal swing arc, and socket quick release button for under ~$75.
Price: $70
Buy Now: 3pc Set via Home Depot
Buy Now: 1/4″ via Home Depot
Buy Now: 3/8″ via Home Depot
Buy Now: 1/2″ via Home Depot
NOTE: As mentioned at the start of the post, we are currently in a paid partnership with Home Depot and Husky Tools, and this post is a part of that.
