Tool Review: Steelman PRO Cobra Series 160 Tooth Ratchets

The Steelman PRO Cobra Series 160 Tooth Ratchets have the finest tooth count available on the market to ensure performance in the tightest of spaces, according to the company. These ratchets only require a 2.25-degree swing to move the ratchet drive. A dual TPR and chrome handle provides an ergonomic grip and sleek style. All Cobra 160 Tooth Ratchets exceed ANSI specifications. Steelman PRO 160 Tooth Ratchets are available in 1/4” (No. 98861), 3/8” (No. 98862) and 1/2” (No. 98863) drive sizes. In addition, a 2-pc set with 1/4” and 3/8” drives (No. 98885) and a 3-pc set with 1/4”, 3/8” and 1/2” drives (No. 98860) are also available.

The review

Lou Fort, lead technician at K.A.R.S Inc., recently reviewed the Steelman PRO Cobra Series 160 Tooth Ratchets at his in Huntingburg, Ind.-based shop.

Fort tested the ratchets on a variety of applications. He utilized the 1/4” drive to change HVAC actuators and lower fan shroud hardware on Ford diesels. Fort employed the 1/2” ratchet for servicing suspension components and performing adjustments during alignments. But of all the tools in the set, the 3/8” ratchet saw the most action in Fort’s shop. It was used to change out spark plugs, attend to alternators and service caliper style brakes.

Fort was quick to praise the ratchets after putting them through a considerable amount of testing.

“I like the extremely low swing arc of these ratchets,” he says. “At only 2.25 degrees, you can definitely remove or install fasteners in tight spots faster.”

Fort says he appreciates the shapes of the handles and the soft grips molded into them, noting that they are quite comfortable to hold. He also says the ratcheting heads of the tools in the set were all “very smooth.” Though he mentions that he found them to be “a bit tight,” Fort says he expects the ratcheting heads to loosen up with continued use.

“All three of these ratchets are quite hefty,” Fort continues. “They have some weight to them, and I couldn’t help but feeling like I was really holding something when I was using them.”

While the Steelman PRO Cobra Series 160 Tooth Ratchets do not come with any accessories, they do come in a slip-covered tray that can be used to organize them neatly in a tool drawer. Fort says the slip cover also features quite a bit of information about the tools, including a picture of the ratchets, a reminder they have a lifetime warranty, a list of the set’s contents, a picture of one of the ratchets in use and more.

A few features Fort didn’t like were the design of the directional lever or the size of the heads on the ratchets, but he is quick to say “both of these drawbacks are almost not worth mentioning, and I expect they are as result of the 160-tooth ratchet mechanism.”

Overall, however, Fort thought highly enough of the Steelman PRO Cobra Series 160 Tooth Ratchets to give them a rating of 10 out of 10.

 “The low swing arc and hefty feel of these ratchets leave a favorable impression,” he says.