Worried the heads too big, need help?

[flippin]

Despite being a smartass, I actually have a legitimate question. It certainly appears that the Dual 80's are the **** and given my Kool-Aid consumption, I have since purchased a couple of sets.

While working on my outboards which are cramped to begin with I use my T72 (1/4") almost exclusively. Tonight I noticed that in a few spots, the head size of the 1/4" Dual 80 made it much more difficult to complete the task. A task which I have done many times in the past without issue using older much more compact 1/4" ratchets.

My question is; "Have others run into the same problem and if so which ratchets do you reach for?"

I guess I am looking for another reason to purchase something which I don't need but want. What do you feel offers the best balance between a compact format and fine tooth performance.

Thanks in advance!!

 

[CWP1616L]

For tight spots, I use a long 1/4'' extension bar with a swivel socket on the end.

 

[Rico.]

I have bought all 3 of these Facom pear head ratchets, and they are as
compact as the round head ones, but stronger, lower profile, sealed, and still
fine tooth. The 1/4" one is really dinky.

They are the most comfortable ratchets I have ever used, and really
recommend them.



facom ratchets

 

[Hanen42]

I love how Snap On ratchets work and they way they look, but I've got a set of 88 tooth Matco ratchets that are way more slim in the head than Snappy's.

 

[Fireball027]

I have several Matco and Snap on 1/4 ratchets. The Matcos heads are a lot slimmer and can get into tighter places.

 

[Skin]

fact, Matco 3/8" ratchets are just as slim as a 1/4" snap-on. Even more so if we throw the reverse lever into the measurement. Dual 80s are nice but they are not compact.

OP sounds like you want a micro or bit ratchet for some of those areas.

 

[DesertRatAutomotive]

I have bought all 3 of these Facom pear head ratchets, and they are as
compact as the round head ones, but stronger, lower profile, sealed, and still
fine tooth. The 1/4" one is really dinky.

They are the most comfortable ratchets I have ever used, and really
recommend them.



facom ratchets

Where do you get these ratchets from? Cant seem to find any online.

 

[Rico.]

Where do you get these ratchets from? Cant seem to find any online.

Steve at the Ultimate Garage has them if You're in the USA... He is also a
member here, so maybe can do you a bit of a deal if you bought all three.


1/4" RL.161
http://www.ultimategarage.com/shop/part.php?cPath=35_253_319&products_id=5350

3/8" JL.161
http://www.ultimategarage.com/shop/part.php?cPath=35_253_320&products_id=5351

1/2" SL.161
http://www.ultimategarage.com/shop/part.php?cPath=35_253_321&products_id=5352

 

[Skin]

heres a quick comparison of what I had on hand

 

[DesertRatAutomotive]

Steve at the Ultimate Garage has them if You're in the USA... He is also a
member here, so maybe can do you a bit of a deal if you bought all three.


1/4" RL.161
http://www.ultimategarage.com/shop/part.php?cPath=35_253_319&products_id=5350

3/8" JL.161
http://www.ultimategarage.com/shop/part.php?cPath=35_253_320&products_id=5351

1/2" SL.161
http://www.ultimategarage.com/shop/part.php?cPath=35_253_321&products_id=5352

Im going to pick me up a set.

Thanks for the links.

 

[kunkernator]

The Gearwrench ratchets are fairly thin and are very reasonabl priced. In fact my 120XP is thinner than my F80.

 

[DesertRatAutomotive]

+1 on the 120xp. Super thin head. And it has a strong mech.

 

[flippin]

heres a quick comparison of what I had on hand

Gotta love this place!!!!! I am always so impressed with the sincere desire to help out! Without sounding overly corny, kinda re-instills a little faith in mankind despite all of the bad **** going on around us.

Thank you for taking the time to assemble those photos. That really helped because I was also considering purchasing one of the Armstrong Aerospace 88t ratchets at Epstein's.

 

[braol]

I have the SO dual 80 ratchets and use them everyday. If the 1/4 dont fit I use a gearwrench.

 

[flippin]

Part of the reason that I was first so excited about the dual 80's was the advertised strength of these ratchets. Effectively my Snappy guy told me that the 1/4" would almost test out as strong as my older 3/8". This was really useful because I am sometimes turning a big fastener in a little place and having the confidence is great. High performance outboards are awesome but there is no room to work especially if you don't want to pull the whole shroud off every time.

How much am I sacrificing strength wise if I elect to purchase a micro tool or one of the other sub-compacts. Micro tool and subcompact in the same sentence from the Japanese guy

 

[Skin]

The micro is only about 3" long so if you can turn it I would think the gear could take it. Wouldn't put a pipe on it though. The one in my pic is from Matco (its of Taiwan coo and the only place I found one like that for sale in the US). Titan sells a few different styles. If its not a question of thickness (probably is) the 72 tooth palm control (sold as MAC/Proto/Facom/pre-bankruptcy SK) are very strong for as little as the head is, width and length wise anyway.

 

[braol]

Part of the reason that I was first so excited about the dual 80's was the advertised strength of these ratchets. Effectively my Snappy guy told me that the 1/4" would almost test out as strong as my older 3/8". This was really useful because I am sometimes turning a big fastener in a little place and having the confidence is great. High performance outboards are awesome but there is no room to work especially if you don't want to pull the whole shroud off every time.

How much am I sacrificing strength wise if I elect to purchase a micro tool or one of the other sub-compacts. Micro tool and subcompact in the same sentence from the Japanese guy

Dual 80s are definitely strong. I have put a cheater on my TL72 a bunch and even on my TLL72 a few times.

 

[davesnothere]

Really? Cheaters on 1/4" rats?

 

[Sloasszx3]

Matco 88t are pretty strong and definitely slim. That's my go to ratchet. The 8inchlong one I think.

 

[crewchief888]

Really? Cheaters on 1/4" rats?

i've done it

not so much for leverage, but to get my hand and arm to a place i can reach.

i have a couple places that you cant see, working by feel, virtually NO access, mostly at arms length.

1/4" dr is the only thing that will fit, hand has to be 10"-12" inches from the ratchet head

 

[Rico.]

Im going to pick me up a set.

Thanks for the links.

You are quite welcome.... Lets us know what you think of them...

 

[cheechi]

Really? Cheaters on 1/4" rats?

I knew a guy who welded a 1/4" adapter to the bottom of his 1/4" ratchet handle so he could add extensions to it.