1/4" rachet with swivel head at Harbor Freight

[ron in sc]

Just bought the 1/4" ratchet from Harbor Freight in photo below, sale price was $9.99. It is made in Taiwain.

It appears to modeled after the Snap on TH737 drive swivel head ratchet with softgrip which retails for about $90. I’ve been bidding on ebay for one of these several times but I was not willing to pay anymore than $56, so I never was the highest bidder.

[Tooljerk]

I have a Snap-On version. It is the coarsest ratchets I've ever owned.

My SK 3/8 roto feels so so much better.

[amishman]

I own 5 of the HF swivels. The full size are the first ones they came out with that had decent handles, but cheapie inserts that showed the size. The newer versions have the handles like the ones you showed. I also have 2 of the stubbies. I need to get the 1/2" stubby.

I think they are pretty nice myself. I seem to be using them before anything else these days. Once you get the nut loose, I swivel the ratchet and use like a screwdriver for very fast removal of the nuts. Neat design.

As for the old handle versus new handle., I kind of like the older design on terms of length. I put the two 1/2" driver side by side, one new handle, one old handle, and the old handle is about 1.5" longer. Maybe a bit more leverage. The newer handle on the 1/2" is nice, but the newer handles on smaller 1/4" and 3/8" seem a bit too small for me. Mostly the 3/8" model that I need the most.

Anyway, I think they are all good. I am happy to own them.

tj

[Nova72]

gearwrench also has a copy out, its $30(maybe 60?) for the 1/4 and 3/8ths. i have the 1/4 Snap-On and love it. might try the toptul 3/8 though.

[bchee]

I own 5 of the HF swivels. The full size are the first ones they came out with that had decent handles, but cheapie inserts that showed the size. The newer versions have the handles like the ones you showed. I also have 2 of the stubbies. I need to get the 1/2" stubby.

I think they are pretty nice myself. I seem to be using them before anything else these days. Once you get the nut loose, I swivel the ratchet and use like a screwdriver for very fast removal of the nuts. Neat design.

As for the old handle versus new handle., I kind of like the older design on terms of length. I put the two 1/2" driver side by side, one new handle, one old handle, and the old handle is about 1.5" longer. Maybe a bit more leverage. The newer handle on the 1/2" is nice, but the newer handles on smaller 1/4" and 3/8" seem a bit too small for me. Mostly the 3/8" model that I need the most.

Anyway, I think they are all good. I am happy to own them.

tj


:lol_hitti
If you have 5 of those ratchets, I'm not surprised you use them before any other ratchet!

seriously though, I have the 1/4 and 3/8 harbor freight rotos (older handle) and am very pleased with them. I put the 1/4 to work and I really like it.

I also prefer the older handle, because when you're using it in-line like a screwdriver you want a screwdriver handle. I bought the new handle 1/4 style but returned it. It's about 1/2 shorter and flattened, so when I tried spinning it, it didn't feel natural.

The most noticeable difference with the HF rotos is that they are quick release. I don't think any other roto has quick release.

The other thing I like about the HF roto is that the direction selector is easy to switch. I stole this pict from 48584. The top ratchet is not HF, but the selector is similar. The raised area doesn't taper towards the edge of the head.

[amishman]

I should have said I have 5 different sizes, not all 5 the same <grin>

I have 1/4, 3/8, & 1/2 in larger and 1/4 & 3/8 in stubby.

I own a nice thinline craftsman set and a regular craftsman set and a crescent set but I keep reaching for the hf. Good stuff. Tj

[bchee]

I should have said I have 5 different sizes, not all 5 the same <grin>

I have 1/4, 3/8, & 1/2 in larger and 1/4 & 3/8 in stubby.

I own a nice thinline craftsman set and a regular craftsman set and a crescent set but I keep reaching for the hf. Good stuff. Tj


Now I'm confused. HF makes stubby rotos? Craftsman makes rotos too?

[amishman]

Now I'm confused. HF makes stubby rotos? Craftsman makes rotos too?



Yes, they make full size and stubs.

tj

[eschoendorff]

The rotos are dfinitely handy ratchets. I wouldn't use them in high TQ situations, but if I didn't already have the Snap On versions, I would definitely be looking at the ones at HF. I have heard only good things about them.

[Frank Elson]

I use my Britool ones before anything else these days.
Thanks for the tip Chammy :thumbup:

[chammyman]

I love my britools as well.

The main gripe with them if your talknin to someone else and have yor hand to far up you can get a nasty nip at the pivot and the soft handle gets dirty easily and dunted if you crack a nut and it hits somethign sharp

[Frank Elson]

I'm an ignorant git who never talks to people so that bit is ok. :thumbup:

Mine are already quite dirty but I never mind a bit of good honest dirt. I do rub my tools down with a soft cloth after use tho.

[bchee]

I was at Harbor Freight today and looked at the stubby rotos. They aren't quick release like the standard length handles. I also noticed that there is no brand marking anywhere on the tool, not even the handle. I was really thinking long and hard about getting more ratchets. In the end decided not to.

[chammyman]

I wipe mine off with some brake/carb cleaner and paper towel, gets the grime off them.

I was under a truck last week changing a clutch and was soake din oil and was thinking for that work a plain chrome handle would be nice.

[Frank Elson]

I was under my caravan this afternoon and a voice asked if I was OK. I wasn't 'cos I'd just worked out that one of the suspension mounts is split, so I said so, in... er... choice language.

Then I crawled out and it looks like I found a good way of getting rid of the Jeovah's Witnesses :-)

btw, I am also a Minister, but lapsed :-)