just like the title, i am looking for a light 1/2 drive ratchet. regular handle length. i have a few 1/2 ratchets like the cman raised panel, williams(SO 936 guts), kobalt(danaher style) but they are clunky. i am considering the harbor freight composite but not sure on the offset grip.
looking for a lightweight 1/2 drive ratchet
- Thread starter reptilezs
- Start date
I bought the 3/8" drive of this brand along with there metric wrench set and they are very good quality of tool. The action on the ratchet is smooth and tight.
I switched my ratchets over to the Pitt Pro Composites. I have spent 2 days wrenching on my Harley project and am really enjoying them much more than my old Craftsman Raised Panel Ratchets.
The Pitt Pro has a nicer socket retention setup, finer more accurate action, and they arent as cold on my hands.
superautobacs
Well-known member
I have this ratchet.
Yes, it's light, but the ratcheting mechanism (at least on mine) has a flaw in it so I can't recommend it. Of all the Japanese-made tools that I own, that ratchet is probably the only tool that I wasn't happy with. That's not to say that Asahi's other products are bad...I love their wrenches.
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tweedlestan
Well-known member
What kind of flaw?
nicksnothereman
Well-known member
Not exactly lightweight. Lighter than most though. Offset is no big deal, can cause minor clearance issues though.
Maybe get a light 3/8" and use a 3/8" to 1/2" adapter? Not what you asked but...1/2" duty is not somewhere people use light tools because of what most people would use it for (so companies don't typically make them). 3/8 with an adapter should be lighter than a comparable 1/2".
The one the other guy mentioned is 50 bucks (on their site) so kind of a big risk to blind buy (something you can't check out in store). Most of the other "lightweight" ratchets appear to be those taiwanese composites (they're all similar in design not sure if they are from the same factory). The 3/8" variant is indeed lightweight; still offset.
1950mercury
Well-known member
Get the hf composite they are nice,..if you dont loke it your only out like 10 bucks
shampoop
Well-known member
what size fasteners you working with? Might just want a strong 3/8" ratchet.
Look for some SO's used. Generaly are lighter than most, and use them daily.
But gearwrench has some descent ones to.
I personly love my flex head kobalts, for the price.
But go to sears, and the other places. pick them, feel them out, and choose what feels best.
But gearwrench has some descent ones to.
I personly love my flex head kobalts, for the price.
But go to sears, and the other places. pick them, feel them out, and choose what feels best.
For cheaper ratchets that are lighter than most, I'd go with the composite HF or they're a ratchet Northern Tool and Tractor Supply both carry under different names. It's very slender with rubber inserts; it's fairly light weight, and is a decent little ratchet. I think the 1/2" drive models usually go for $20-25 bucks.
For purpose built light-weight ratchets, I'm really not sure. I'm sure somebody makes one...
For purpose built light-weight ratchets, I'm really not sure. I'm sure somebody makes one...
fastener size is usually 24 or 26mm depending on the brand but torque is 20-25 ft lb. i do not like adapters. i am working on suspension forks on a bicycle. the damper cartridges are soft aluminum.
Applesauce
Well-known member
Just got these super-low-profile KTC-Nepros adapters. This is a Snap-On FC mechanism in a TL72, with the Nepros adapter and a 1" deep impact socket hanging off the adapter's magnet for reference. Basically turned a 1/4" ratchet into a 1/2".
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senor fozz
Well-known member
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- Apr 29, 2013
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- 543
At least someone makes a Al ratchet. The platic looks interesting but does it come in 1/2"(the ones in the pics look like 3/8")
nicksnothereman
Well-known member
They make em in 1/2" but they're 70 bucks. No joke.
You could try a palm ratchet but...it would probably hurt your wrists if you're able to loosen the fasteners. Probably best bet is just the 1/2" composite. They're essentially a type of plastic anyway...a hard plastic. I wouldn't pay the snap on asking price, the harbor freight is more than fine. But still...these aren't really "lightweight"; I have a 3/8" which is what I'd call noticeably lighter than comparable but the harbor freight 1/2" comp isn't. I'm sure it's lighter than full steel 1/2" ratchets but it's not light in my opinion.
Great ratchet though; use it all the time.Since the torque required is only 20-25 ft/lbs, have you considered getting the 24mm and 26mm sockets in 3/8 drive? Another option could be something like the old Snap-on sf720 or lsf720 ratchet. Its a 1/2" drive ratchet in the body of a 3/8" ratchet.
Applesauce
Well-known member
Want to pop the cover off one of those and show us the mechanism? I'm trying to figure out what kind of wear surfaces are in there...
tweedlestan
Well-known member
I'd say it's a Proto-style dual pawl.
Applesauce
Well-known member
Wow... I can't believe those pawl seats are aluminum! I wonder how long it would last under normal use. Seems like the pawls would destroy the handle itself in pretty short order.