Best 1/4" ratchet

[FlushingDIYer]

Don't know if there is a "best" but the Napa Carlyle locking flex 1/4" is really nice. It's now my go to and I have Snap-On/Facom, etc.



I also bought a HF composite a year or so ago and it's surprisingly good. For tight spots I use my trusty SO T72...

The following flex-head ratchets seem like they're around the same non-pro quality and build. With the Carlyle (90 teeth) being a little more than twice as much as the Gearwrench (60 teeth). And the Toptul (72 teeth) representing the bargain basement option at $15. Cheaper than the HF (72 teeth), but of course, without the warranty... Man, this is the test I'd like to see on Youtube!

The Carlyle CHT R14F90

The Harbor Freight 62331

Toptul CJKN0818

GearWrench 81009P

 

[M6erfan]

FYI, the Carlyle I linked to is 72t and I paid around $35 for it on sale from Napa. I believe they are built by Kabo Taiwan, really nice quality and lifetime warranty too.

Here's the link to the mini review I did of it...

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=306902

 

[FlushingDIYer]

FYI, the Carlyle I linked to is 72t and I paid around $35 for it on sale from Napa. I believe they are built by Kabo Taiwan, really nice quality and lifetime warranty too.

Here's the link to the mini review I did of it...

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=306902

Thanks for posting this. I agree with your insight, it's probably the best option for a DIYer who needs a longer locking flex head. Especially taking into consideration the ease of replacement.

But at that price point, I bet a lot of folks just go the HF route...

We don't have a lot of Napas here in Queens I need to compare its build quality to my Toptul which should be arriving sometime today!

 

[JoJoSnap]

That's a nice ratchet! The Rotohead really makes everything go much, much faster right?

So is harbor freight brand rotohead ratchet. Very happy with it


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[JoJoSnap]

I love my little Wright 2426. If I could only have one, this likely would be it since it's small enough to get almost anywhere.

I also have an Armstrong locking flex, a Snap On Roto, and Craftsman Premium that I like. These probably see more use, but that Wright has come in handy more than once.

Oh yeah, I also have a Husky bit ratchet like this, and it has also come in handy. GW and others sell the same tool, but I compared them and the Husky was slightly smaller.

That one wright ratchet handle has the same look as the craftsman premium/armstrong...


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[PJNJ]

The following flex-head ratchets seem like they're around the same non-pro quality and build. With the Carlyle (90 teeth) being a little more than twice as much as the Gearwrench (60 teeth).

The Gearwrench isn't 60 teeth - it's 120 teeth.

 

[four.cycle]

From what I can see, and as far as tiny goes, nothing comes close to the Wright 2426. Maybe the SK 40970. But the Wright head looks a little slimmer

^ Correct.* The Wright 2400 (and the 2426) have a significantly smaller head diameter than the S-K 40970. Difference in head thickness is fairly negligible.

From memory (since I was too lazy to go out and dig one out), the S-K is almost the same size head diameter as one of the Thorsen 77MC models I posted on the previous page. Not quite as big in diameter, but larger than the Wright (or the JS Technology 11000.)

(* actually there are a few that are smaller: Chapman Mfg., Oxwall, G.M. Mfg. Co., North Bros. (Yankee) - but those are small stamped-steel "sandwich" type units - real low-end stuff, and most likely not within the scope of this discussion. Handy if you need super-tiny on a low-torque application. )

 

[1950mercury]

The Gearwrench isn't 60 teeth - it's 120 teeth.

Gear wrench is a 60 tooth dual pawl...not 120 tooth

 

[gdocktor3]

So is harbor freight brand rotohead ratchet. Very happy with it


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I bought a HF 1/4" Roto to compare to the Crescent/GW and it's not as nice as the Crescent. It's been in my truck box untouched since the day I bought it and compared the two.

 

[IndyGarage]

I do agree it is an awesome ratchet, only 3 issues I have with them.

1. They get super filthy, if you work on cars the handle just attracts grime like no other.

About the same as all my other tools - They clean easily.

2. The direction wheel is almost impossible to move in gloves and next to impossible in screwdriver mode.

This is true - but it also won't get switched in tight quarters either - it's a trade off. Today I was using another brand - nice 1/4 inch tool, but I was working on a diesel engine in a van - no room for anything and the ratchet kept switching on me, and worse yet, it kept getting the socket release pushed and dropping sockets. This has never happened with the Zyklop.

3. In screwdriver mode, can't release socket, so you have to swivel it back to take the socket off.

Not true - the Zyklop is designed for the release to work in any orientation. Including screwdriver mode - you just push forward on the swivel button and it releases the socket.

BTW the Wera handle on the Zyklop is the same as their very good screwdrivers, which makes the zyklop the best ratchet I've ever used in screwdriver mode. It also has a plastic ring around the body that allows you to ratchet the tool using the handle and hold it steady with your second hand holding the plasting and the body of the tool rotating inside it. You can tell it was screwdriver engineers that designed the Zyklop.

They make a kit with a 1/4 inch Zyklop, some sockets, a hex drive adapter and a bunch of screwdriver hex bits and it's one of the most useful small tool kits I've come across.

 

[PJNJ]

Gear wrench is a 60 tooth dual pawl...not 120 tooth

Yes you are correct. So to correct myself, with the dual pawl it has an effective tooth count of 120.

 

[KEH]

It's hard to go wrong with the old SK round head. The Wright round head is great also.

I have found that it's not all that important to have superfine teeth in a 1/4 inch ratchet since the 1/4s are so small they are fine tooth enough. I have just obtained a Proto pear head and while those are coarse tooth ratchets and have been since the 1930s? it seems fine enough for most work.

KEH

 

[JoJoSnap]

I bought a HF 1/4" Roto to compare to the Crescent/GW and it's not as nice as the Crescent. It's been in my truck box untouched since the day I bought it and compared the two.

Ok if you say so, I use hf for for my work everyday. Very handy and easy to use to work in confined areas. Doesnt matter what brand.. swivel head is there and im happy with it


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[MN_Runner]

I have two Mac Tools 1/4" ratchets. One (MR572K) is made in Taiwan and one (MR5K) made in the USA. I think one from Taiwan is actually better and smoother than the one from USA. These are the only 1/4" ratchets I own and I am pleased with them.

 

[1badbird]

I have too many favorites to recommend just one. From left to right: s&k, wright, oxwall, indestro, speedmaster

 

[four.cycle]

^ thanks 1badbird for the side-by-side of the Wright 2400 and S-K 40970.

wonder who the OE was on that Speedmaster?

I have just obtained a Proto pear head and while those are coarse tooth ratchets and have been since the 1930s? it seems fine enough for most work.

As noted, a 1/4" drive ratchet is only about 5 inches long; for most purposes the size negates the necessity of having a million teeth in the mechanism. The little 4749 Proto is a great unit - why else would they have been selling them for over 6 decades? Size of the drive head might dissuade some, but they're not really much larger than the older Craftsman or other makes of pear-heads. ($20-$24 incl. shipping used on Ebay)

I dug through another box and found a few more:

1/4" drive ratchets by four.cycle, on Flickr

L to R: Challenger 1060D, Wright 2426, Wright 2400, KAL 1049, Thorsen 77MC, HWI 308107 (rebranded Thorsen 77MC), Thorsen Allied 77MAL (Spain), Husky 20202 (Import?), Easco 711106, Indestro 6072 pear-head (24-tooth), Walden 3150 pear-head (20-tooth), Indestro-Roberts 2880 pear-head "SLR250" quick-release (24-tooth), Duro Chrome 4575 (52-tooth)

.... more out in the garage but those boxes are really heavy. enough for now.

FlushingDIYer: The bottom line is that there really aren't many "bad" ratchets out there - some are just better than others.
Again, I think your best best for a 1/4" RHFT (conventional type) would be the 40970 S-K and either a 2400 or 2426 Wright (both shown in photos just above.) Note the earlier Wright has a knurled round handle - that fancy sculpted handle is the later version.

 

[1badbird]

Not sure and it feels like it works on friction not teeth

 

[Infinia]

Ok if you say so, im happy with it


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maybe he didn't like the green handle

 

[JoJoSnap]

Best 1/4" ratchet

maybe he didn't like the green handle

Yeah too much snobby hang ups here... who cares if its snap on, gearwrench, kobalt, crescent, harbor freight, blah blah blah... all functionin the same.


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[Yankee]

I have found that it's not all that important to have superfine teeth in a 1/4 inch ratchet since the 1/4s are so small they are fine tooth enough. I have just obtained a Proto pear head and while those are coarse tooth ratchets and have been since the 1930s? it seems fine enough for most work.

KEH

I agree about the tooth count. I have a Wright Cougar USA 1/4 pear head that I've had at work since 1999. It's 24 tooth, smooth and a tank... I'm sure it will last me another 20 years.....Work supplies our tools, but I'm going to make sure it follows me home when I retire...

 

[stage20]

Noone is really mentioning the cordless versions. The Milwaukee m12 line is very nice. I have a 3/8 version. The selector is completely recessed into the head

 

[Derek420]

Woke up yesterday morning, remembering how much easier it would've been to take the nuts loose that were holding the carrier bearing on the passenger-side axle on my Nissan Altima if I'd had a 1/4" flex head ratchet...

So decided to pick up a Toptul CJKN0818 from GJ member dnschmidt. Haven't received it yet, but man, am I thinking about it... hahahaha

Can't really review the ratchet yet, but I'm looking forward to giving it some work!

Are there any updates on the best 1/4" ratchet out there?

I just bought this ratchet off eBay and ran into this pic, it's the exact one I bought for $15.30 shipped, what a bargain I jumped on it at that price last night I compared prices and got this one less than half price yay! can't wait to get it, wonder how smooth it is compared to my truck brand 1/4s I didn't need it but price was to good to pass up. Anyone tried this or own it.

 

[Derek420]

I have two Mac Tools 1/4" ratchets. One (MR572K) is made in Taiwan and one (MR5K) made in the USA. I think one from Taiwan is actually better and smoother than the one from USA. These are the only 1/4" ratchets I own and I am pleased with them.

I have the Mac like the left one but flex head and I'm no fan as it isn't smooth at all and awful back drag but I only paid $10 for it used from a snap on truck of all places lol. I also got the gearless soft grip 1/4 Mac same price and time and it's smooooth I love it and no clicking, backdrag, or high swing arc it basically has none and for $10 a steal. I have a couple cornwell rats also which are very smooth, I'd say equally to my dual 80's but quiter, well depends for some reason my 1/2 snappy is most quite compared to 3/8 and 1/4 which is loudest and I have a gearwrench 84t and love it = to snappys. I like everything lol, I don't own a single matco rat so dunno about those I wonder how the 88t is....now gotta buy it as you guys talking about toptul got me wanting to try them.

 

[Garage&Beer]

Generally use one of these, however i usually always pick up the Par-X first. Lots of times I'll have several out with different size sockets and extensions on them, keeps from having to change all the time.
Par-X, snappy,new s-k, old s-k, fleet, thorsen, blackhawk and williams.

 

[mbshop]

Love the collection. I have about 5 or 6. A mix also. My favorite being the two sk ratchets. But normally I just grab whats in reach.

 

[FlushingDIYer]

I just bought this ratchet off eBay and ran into this pic, it's the exact one I bought for $15.30 shipped, what a bargain I jumped on it at that price last night I compared prices and got this one less than half price yay! can't wait to get it, wonder how smooth it is compared to my truck brand 1/4s I didn't need it but price was to good to pass up. Anyone tried this or own it.

For the price, you're getting a quality ratchet for less than the HF one!! Took three days to get from AZ to NYC, too! I really like the finish on these tools. It's not flashy. But it feels like it's going to work well for me. I am always working on driveways so having something that isn't going to chip (e.g, those sockets) sounds like a good way to go!



Out of all my ratchets (SK, Craftsman) it's pretty smooth... probably smoother than all the rest.

 

[MN_Runner]

I don't own a single matco rat so dunno about those I wonder how the 88t is....now gotta buy it as you guys talking about toptul got me wanting to try them.

I would like to try a Matco and Cornwell ratchet. I need to buy one long flex 1/2" ratchet - debating among Snap On, Cornwell and Matco.

 

[Derek420]

I would like to try a Matco and Cornwell ratchet. I need to buy one long flex 1/2" ratchet - debating among Snap On, Cornwell and Matco.

I have the 28" snappy flex soft grip smooth as butter compared to my other dual80s and a 15" non flex cornwell 30t? Very smooth as well and back drag is like nonexistent and is my go to 1/2 I did have the dual80 15" snappy nice as well.
Just bought a long flex Carlyle 3/8 today mint from flea market for $12 and it's awesome I also have the snappy version and it's just as good IMO. I had been wanting to try a Carlyle but they are not cheap.

 

[Derek420]

For the price, you're getting a quality ratchet for less than the HF one!! Took three days to get from AZ to NYC, too! I really like the finish on these tools. It's not flashy. But it feels like it's going to work well for me. I am always working on driveways so having something that isn't going to chip (e.g, those sockets) sounds like a good way to go!



Out of all my ratchets (SK, Craftsman) it's pretty smooth... probably smoother than all the rest.

Pretty sure I bought the last one unfortunately so to, anyone else who is wanting one it will be $30+ I can't remember but it could have been 40-50 idk but I compared the prices when I bought mine and jumped on it all. Even at the higher price im sure it's worth it. Can't wait to put it in active duty as I prefer to use 1/4 ratchets and sockets any chance I can just wish it was the xl long version but oh well I'll just buy the 12" snappy I wanted.

 

[Know Wosad]

***** Tyme !
The best are the EZ Red,Gearwrench,Wright, SK.If you need LONG Buy the EZ or GW. That Snappy is junk. So is that ****** Williams.
Shorties ? Get a Wright or an SK.
I speak from experience....NOT "I heard"

 

[BFHtime]

I did not read the whole thread just the first page.

I suggest he snapon roto ratchet. Put he the grippy ratchet thing on first if you have trouble taking the sockets off. Looked it up tms70 ratchet spinner. I like these for pulling off little sockets, when my hands are slippery. You can torque with handle at 90 degrees or whatever angle, then put it on axis and act like you are starting a fire. When do that it takes me time to get my cordless impact then to do it by hand.

For 1/4 inch electric. I love Makita 3 speed impact, brushless. In the low setting I have been to this on plastic interior parts. So it is great for low torque plus the trigger is variable speed too. Just need an adapter, and there are several ways to go about it with adapters and things. Will extensions, swivels, and other gear you can get them in just about anywhere. For example it was great for putting in a clutch pedal under dash on a Lexus, where it was hard to get access.

I use impact so much more now, since getting it. I probably would go all impact but sometimes the bulkier sockets are too tight to fit.

 

[Know Wosad]

OH forget tooth count. Thats stupid. The two I photo'd and placed higher up, near the blue socket rail are KTC/Japan Quick release. About 30 tooth I think. SLICK ratts too.

 

[Parrothead]

One of my favorite 1/4 drive ratchets is the Husky. Don't laugh, really. It's 72 tooth, a gearwrench clone, super thin head and it has quick release. It really is a good ratchet.

 

[colin39]

I love my facoms so ill reach for the roundhead top left normally

Or one of the 7 in here

 

[Macduf]

My collection is small, but the nicest seems to be the plumb.

 

[Cope]

Is there a round head 1/4" drive that is also quick release?? Just bid on a vintage Craftsman round head, sweet old thing, but don't think it's fine tooth.

I have a 1/4" Craftsman Q/R round head with built in spinner.

 

[Cope]

I've gotten into the habit of breaking almost all my 1/4" and 3/8" bolts with breaker bars. I'm going to try to use the 1/4" breaker bar like a spinner and see if I can get used to it!

I like the idea of a 1/4" ratchet with the smallest head possible, for those hard to reach areas. It is frankly one of things I love about my SK 40970--it fits everywhere!

But I am starting to see that you also need 1/4" options. I know I would have spun off my carrier bearing bolts the other day much faster had I been able to fit a flex 1/4" head in there.

So what's absolutely needed:
- a tiny 1/4" ratchet
- and a 1/4" ratchet that gives you options (flex, flex long, roto--or all three! )

From what I can see, and as far as tiny goes, nothing comes close to the Wright 2426. Maybe the SK 40970. But the Wright head looks a little slimmer.

And at around $30 bucks, it represents incredible value when compared to the Cornwell TR72 at $77 bucks...

I have both that Cornwell and a Matco branded Wright like yours. They're in my road box. Both are nice ratchets.

 

[Cope]

My favorite is my TM739. Like it so much that I bought a second one.

 

[WickedMainer]

i have snap t72 snap tl72 snap on tll72 a matco low profile and a couple old protos and a plomb. I don't dislike any of them but the plomb and protos make every ratchet look silly until matcos and snap ons fine tooth. If I had to pick two it would be a tll72 and an old proto/plomb. If proto had an old long handle my wallet would be a lot more full.
I think the craftsman ratchets(except a flywheel head one) are utter and complete garbage including the old v and not even for free. There fine tooth are nice but for the money I can think of plenty others I would buy at that price. Heck I threw my craftsmans in the garbage when I started and used some cheap Stanley's. I don't care that they have a lifetime warranty, they aren't worth the drive to sears to replace.... its pathetic they haven't improved in decades and people still buy them, I don't get it...

 

[onarant]

I have that Bahco, really like it. That and the SK are my go to 1/4" ratchets.