looking for a strong 1/4 ratchet

[mrjaw14]

When working on a something where clearance is an issue sometimes 1/4" is the only size that will fit. so I'm wanting to get a relatively nice 1/4" ratchet, preferably a flex head.

The best I can find is the snap on dual 80 1/4" flex head, but it retails for $100. I'm not a pro, so that's a bit stiff for one ratchet.

Gearwrench makes a copy, but it's probably no where near as strong. I thought about the C-man raised panel flex head, which seems to get good reviews, but if it's the same head design as my other 1/4" raised panel ratchets, there are only 1-2 teeth that get engaged at a time.

I'm looking for something that I can really crank on if I have to, but will not intentionally abuse.

Anyone got suggestions?

 

[SMKS]

The Gearwrench uses basically the same mechanism that's used in the Armstrong/Matco/Craftsman fine tooth ratchets. Some GW ratchets have now been upgraded from 60 to 84 teeth. If you don't mind Chinese, that would be a decent choice. If you want USA made, you could go with Armstrong. I've been really impressed with my Armstrong MAXX ratchets, but I don't own the 1/4" version.

 

[mrjaw14]

can you elaborate on the mechanism that's used in the Armstrong/Matco/Craftsman fine tooth ratchets? I'm not familiar with it. how is it in terms of strength compared to the regular 30 tooth ratchets?

 

[warmpancakes]

1/4 breaker bar?

 

[bimmerZ5]

Gearwrench makes a copy, but it's probably no where near as strong. I thought about the C-man raised panel flex head

I'm not sure what makes you think a craftsman RP is going to be better than a GW? GW is going to be 10x better than any craftsman RP ****. I've used the GW 60t ratchets for a while now and they've been solid. I just got their 120xp ratchet and love them, but haven't used them long enough to say much.

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

Autozone's Duralast ¼" flex head is about as good as you can get for an import (Taiwan). If you are more interested in a USA made piece, SK40972 runs under $50 and is virtually indestructible, as is the Proto J4757 for around $50.

 

[CWP1616L]

Facom R.158A

 

[sk farmer]

call jori at epstein hardware and get yourself an armstrong. tool truck quality (virtually the same as the matco but with 60 teeth rather than 88, it can be upgraded but probaly not needed) at well off truck price.

 

[Mickey O]

I'm not sure what makes you think a craftsman RP is going to be better than a GW? GW is going to be 10x better than any craftsman RP ****. I've used the GW 60t ratchets for a while now and they've been solid. I just got their 120xp ratchet and love them, but haven't used them long enough to say much.

How did you come up with the 10x number? Fact is the USA made craftsman is 30x times stronger than the GearWrench ratchet.*










* I made that up because when in Rome.....

 

[Davefr]

If you want high strength in the size of a 1/4" handle then look at some of the 1/4" ratchet handles with 3/8" mechanisms. I know MAC makes them and I suspect others do also.

 

[buffalobill]

if you need leverage, matco makes some 8" 1/4 ratchets with a hardhandle. i have one, its probably my favorite ratchet. mine is a 60 tooth, iirc.

my train of thought with it is, if i am working on something i don't want to break, i can lean on the ratchet, and blow it up if i have to, rather than have to try and drill out a broken bolt/stud in a goofy area. it would be less hassle to trade it in/rebuild it. If i used a 3/8 ratchet, i would probably end up breaking the bolt. so far, i haven't blown it up, the thing is suprisingly tough. its a little sticky on a few of the teeth though, but i figure thats where my 220 lbs were pushing on it.

 

[buffalobill]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MATCO-RATCH..._Automotive_Tools&hash=item23257e7465&vxp=mtr

there ya go, thats what i got, 45 plus shipping, and no soft handle to absorb grease. i love this thing, and the price aint too bad either

 

[sk farmer]

i did forget to mention that i despise most cman pearhead raised panel ratchets. i find them to be like garbage filler in large sets that include allen wrenches, driver bits and ignition wrenches to increase the item count at low cost. end of rant

that said, the craftsman 1/4 raise panel flex ratchet at 40 dollars is not cheap but it is a solid performer with a good feel. it also lacks the crappy quick relase of the other raised panels(a good thing). supposedly it uses the same internals as the older matco 1/4 ratchets wich explains the nice feel. finding one is hit and miss, some stores have them, some don't. they were discontinued and went closeout but now seem to be available again. it might be worth a look but since it is completely differant than any other cman ratchet replacement or kits will more than likely be an issue in the future.

 

[JSBriggs]

Wright 2492

-Jeff

 

[Subyroo651]

If you want USA made, you could go with Armstrong. I've been really impressed with my Armstrong MAXX ratchets, but I don't own the 1/4" version.

I have a Snap-On THR72 but my favorite of all of them is my Armstrong 10-994
Soo much smoother than the SO and has less resistance which is great on 1/4" stuff. Also the locking Flex is indispensable! ..

 

[SMKS]

can you elaborate on the mechanism that's used in the Armstrong/Matco/Craftsman fine tooth ratchets? I'm not familiar with it. how is it in terms of strength compared to the regular 30 tooth ratchets?

It uses a single pawl and should be quite a bit stronger than a Craftsman pear head. I believe that's because there's significantly more contact between the gear and pawl on the fine-tooth mechanism. I've never had any problems with my long locking flex Maxx ratchet, and I've torqued on it pretty well. I also haven't heard about people breaking their Armstrong Maxx or Matco 88 ratchets very often.


http://toolguyd.com/armstrong-maxx-locking-flex-head-ratchet-review/

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=130377

On the Armstrong Maxx ratchets, the 1/4" and 3/8" non-flex ratchets have been upgraded to 88 teeth. The locking flex ratchets originally stayed 60 teeth, but it's not clear to me if they've kept it that way or upgraded them to 88 teeth.

 

[firebox40dash5]

if you need leverage, matco makes some 8" 1/4 ratchets with a hardhandle. i have one, its probably my favorite ratchet. mine is a 60 tooth, iirc.

I've got the 88T, and I love it. My 6" locking flex is my go-to 1/4" ratchet, but if I need more leverage, it's got it. I have snapped anvils on both of those, and got one bum rebuild kit (skips a ton) out of those, but it is what it is. I didn't pay anywhere near retail for either, I got them on ebay for little more than you'd pay for a good CM at the store. I wouldn't turn down the Gearwrench or Armstrong version either, but IIRC the Gearwrench flex-head doesn't lock, unless they changed it.

 

[FiendFX]

snap on 1/4 flex is the best for me. check on ebay for good prices.

 

[DSLTRK]

Look, it doesn't matter what brand you choose in regards to strength. Almost all pawl designs exceed the strength of the drive lug, so the lug will simply fail first- a non-quick release ratchet will always be stronger than one with QR.
With that set aside, I look at ease of use and clearance/how slim the profile is. Any Apex-made thin profile rat gets my vote.

 

[camarotoolman]

I'd get an SK if they make them, I think they do. I just looked on feebay, Lazer 1s is al I saw. The cheapest so when for $45, they bring some good money, would like to fine a bunch cheap @ the fleemarket! I have a new c-man, I'll take $35 shiped.

 

[mrjaw14]

Good suguestions guys, I appreciate it. Now let me ask you guys this: locking vs non-locking flex? and also how is armstrong to deal with for warranty? worst case with SO is I have to pay $10 for a rebuild kit, but what about with armstrong? I went to their site and they said to go to a distributer for service. If I get one of the Armstrong 10-994 amazon has one for 53 inc shipping. I had a member here offer me a SO dual 80 flex head for 60, and I'm inclined to go that route since it's more of a known quantity. The locking flex of the armstrong is appealing though. Is the SO tight enough that it doesn't matter, or is the Armstrong 10-994 the better ratchet with equivilent warranty? never delt with them so I'd like to know what the options are

 

[DSLTRK]

Good suguestions guys, I appreciate it. Now let me ask you guys this: locking vs non-locking flex? and also how is armstrong to deal with for warranty? worst case with SO is I have to pay $10 for a rebuild kit, but what about with armstrong? I went to their site and they said to go to a distributer for service. If I get one of the Armstrong 10-994 amazon has one for 53 inc shipping. I had a member here offer me a SO dual 80 flex head for 60, and I'm inclined to go that route since it's more of a known quantity. The locking flex of the armstrong is appealing though. Is the SO tight enough that it doesn't matter, or is the Armstrong 10-994 the better ratchet with equivilent warranty? never delt with them so I'd like to know what the options are

Locking flex of course! You can't imagine how irritating it can be when trying to get a socket in deep on a glow plug. The non-locking Gearwrench I have just kept moving, I wish I had the Armstrong or Matco locking version then.

Armstrong is easy to warranty, but you must be near an authorized distributor like fastenal. I don't think Armstrong will warranty over the phone.

 

[mrjaw14]

I do have fastenal around, will they warranty if I don't buy through them? I have an amazon gift card, and amazon has one for $53, so it'd cost me next to nothing out of pocket for a brand new armstrong. but if I can't get it fixed if it gets busted then I'd rather pay a bit more for a SO. Found a brand new one on ebay for 65. From what I've heard though if you buy a SO on ebay, even if it's new, that they won't warranty it. correct?

 

[FiendFX]

the snap on flex head is quite sturdy.. doesnt move much.

 

[DSLTRK]

I do have fastenal around, will they warranty if I don't buy through them? I have an amazon gift card, and amazon has one for $53, so it'd cost me next to nothing out of pocket for a brand new armstrong. but if I can't get it fixed if it gets busted then I'd rather pay a bit more for a SO. Found a brand new one on ebay for 65. From what I've heard though if you buy a SO on ebay, even if it's new, that they won't warranty it. correct?

Yes, they will

 

[03protege]

My dual 80 flexes are very tight, you have to position the head where you want it, it doesn't move by itself. They are also very new, so I was curious as to how this would be affected in the future.

 

[Subyroo651]

I do have fastenal around, will they warranty if I don't buy through them?

If you have a Matco driver near, you could just warranty out the guts for a Matco kit. Its the same stuff.. I have an Armstrong 12-994 1/2" locking flex that I just upgraded to an 88T kit. Ether way, don't let the warranty hold you up..

 

[woody 73]

Maybe times have changed but I remember 40 years ago my shop teacher telling us to use a breaker bar first, followed by a ratchet. Even though the op said space was tight a small 1/4 breaker bar with a socket should still come out to the same size as a 1/4 ratchet; it is True that years ago space was never a problem like todays cars,but I still try and grab the breaker first, before the ratchet.

 

[Mr Ratchet]

Another vote for the Armstrong Maxx locking flex head.

 

[FiendFX]

Another vote for the Armstrong Maxx locking flex head.

how long is the ratchet?

 

[losabio]

If you want high strength in the size of a 1/4" handle then look at some of the 1/4" ratchet handles with 3/8" mechanisms. I know MAC makes them and I suspect others do also.

I think that the 3/8" in 1/4" bodies are just 1/4" guts with a 3/8" square on 'em. I would expect them to be just as strong as the 1/4" that they're based upon.

If clearance is an issue, how about using a deep offset box wrench in the appropriate size? If you can get a ratchet + socket onto a bolt, I imagine that the deep offsets would work there too.

 

[mrjaw14]

how long is the ratchet?

The picture is deceptive. It's actually 6.25" according to Armstrong's site. The SO is 6.15 I think. maybe someone who has one can confirm this

 

[Subyroo651]

how long is the ratchet?

 

[FiendFX]

same size as the snap on flex. i guess $40 more you can get a 72 teeth.

 

[nanofrog]

I have an Armstrong 12-994 1/2" locking flex that I just upgraded to an 88T kit. Ether way, don't let the warranty hold you up..

By chance, do you have a P/N or a link to that kit?

I'd like to do the same, but so far have only located the 88T kits in 1/4 & 3/8 DR.

Thanks.

 

[goodysgotacuda]

I have the locking/flex 1/4" 80 tooth Snap On and the two dollars. They've been very good to me. One trans fill plug on a BMW can only be accessed with a 1/4" and super thin allenhead socket. You'd have to smack the ratchet with a hammer to to break it loose...they have never skipped a beat.

 

[FiendFX]

I have the locking/flex 1/4" 80 tooth Snap On and the two dollars. They've been very good to me. One trans fill plug on a BMW can only be accessed with a 1/4" and super thin allenhead socket. You'd have to smack the ratchet with a hammer to to break it loose...they have never skipped a beat.

locking flex 1/4" comes with 80 tooth? thought it was 72

 

[Subyroo651]

By chance, do you have a P/N or a link to that kit?
I'd like to do the same, but so far have only located the 88T kits in 1/4 & 3/8 DR.
Thanks.

Sure, I initially had an order into Matco for them but then I found a truck and got it there instead.
Matco 88 tooth rebuild kits: (They're Unavailable for Online ordering, Phone or dealer ordering only)
AFR8TK (1/4")
BFR8TK (3/8")
CFR8TK (1/2")

locking flex 1/4" comes with 80 tooth? thought it was 72

They are considered part of the 80 Series but they are in fact 72-teeth due to the size limitation of the 1/4" gear

 

[kiatech]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MATCO-RATCH..._Automotive_Tools&hash=item23257e7465&vxp=mtr

there ya go, thats what i got, 45 plus shipping, and no soft handle to absorb grease. i love this thing, and the price aint too bad either

I the same one but the matco guy put a 88t kit in it.

 

[crewchief888]

i think ive tried them all,
and broken them all.

both ratchets and breaker bars

right now the leaders of the 1/4" ratchet pack are
newish duralast long flex
long SO
import copy of a CM round head flex <---- $1 pawn shop find

brand new cornwell i havent had a chance to abuse yet

mac and SK have been tossed in the "fix them if i ever feel like it pile" for now