3/8 in 1/4 Body

[bixxjs]

Hi all
Any recommendations on a 3/8 ratchet in a 1/4 body?
I know Wright handtools makes one but they
aren't sold in the UK.

 

[Renchi]

Enjoy...

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=251165

 

[Buster21]

I have the SK 45173 and 3767

 

[Tenex]

I made an SK 45173 by putting the 45173-2 rebuild kit into my 40970. It has the lightest backdrag I've used. The 84 tooth and 120XP Gearwrench ratchets aren't even close.

 

[M6erfan]

Ko-ken 2725Z, they make a flex version too...

 

[derosa]

Order it through Amazon? I find for lots of lighter duty things now I just grab that one, especially involving smaller hex sockets there is a flex handle as well.

 

[Loscaldazar]

The SK is a great bet for this. 60 teeth, and some of the lightest back drag with a very smooth mechanism. I'm normally not a big fan of round head ratchets, but the 1/4 drive (or 3/8 in 1/4 drive body) SK roundhead mechanism is one of the best

 

[Billy Jack]

I've had the Snap On FC72 for at least 25 years and it's my absolute favorite ratchet. Often I'll use a longer ratchet in tight spaces to break a bolt loose then switch to the little guy to work it the rest of the way out. Based on my satisfaction with my other SK's, (one from the 60's, a couple from the 80's and one from around 2000), I wouldn't hesitate to buy the SK 45173 if I needed another.

Bill

 

[Jarhead0408]

I have two S•K offerings. One flex and one non-flex. They're extremely smooth with no back drag.

 

[a52-830]

i have two or three (like i needed more than one? but that is beside the point.)

the current favorite is a Wright 3430:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001YJJL88/?tag=atomicindus08-20

of course, if you are one of those knurled handle people, this isn't for you . . . .

 

[Rewind97]

What's the purpose of this? Just to be able to fit into tighter spaces?

 

[Billy Jack]

What's the purpose of this? Just to be able to fit into tighter spaces?

The shorter handle gives you room for more swing with fewer obstructions. The lighter weight handle is less tiring too.

Bill

 

[Jarhead0408]

Lets you fit a smaller ratchet head, with a larger socket, in a smaller space. Good example would be somewhere you need to put a 19mm but you don't have much space to do it. The 1/4" ratchet wouldn't have a socket to use and the regular 3/8" ratchet head might be too large.

I doubted I'd need it at first too. I took others advice who told me to buy it and it would be worth it. They were right and I'll echo their advice. It's totally worth it.

 

[j-guenth]

I have a Snap-On and a Matco ratchet. I like the Matco. It's the older Matco Model BR5T, it has a slightly longer handle.

 

[1950mercury]

I have a wright,snap on and sk all of them get the job done. The wright probably has the smallest head

 

[M6erfan]

FWIW...

Wright 3430:
45 teeth
Head dia. 27/32 = 0.8438" or 21.4313mm
Head depth (inc. selector) .523" or 13.2842mm
Total length 4.73" or 120.142mm

If you are going for the most compact, The Koken I mention above is a bit smaller than the Wright in every dimension...

 

[Nigelhirst]

Hi all
Any recommendations on a 3/8 ratchet in a 1/4 body?
I know Wright handtools makes one but they
aren't sold in the UK.

Koken 2749ps is probably the best option other than the Wright: if you really want the Wright, Damar will get one for you but it might take some time. Or you could use Amazon.com

 

[four.cycle]

also made by Proto as a 5248S pear-head:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/PROTO-PROFE...=item2cb8a62369:g:iS0AAOSw3xJVdSua&rmvSB=true
Sold 01/23

for the price, if I thought I really needed one I think I'd go for that Wright mentioned above.

 

[a52-830]

i just bought a (used) wright off ebay for my son, 25$ shipped.

looked lightly used, if at all. we shall see.

 

[drtyler]

The 3/8 drive from Facom J.161 will fit into the 1/4 ratchet R.161. Not a bad idea for a small 3/8 ratchet.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=5327085&postcount=31

 

[skruft]

I have a Snap-on but rarely use it, as can usually get away with 1/4. Also I have been given (by someone losing it in the street) an oddball, I think Kobalt or Husky, that has a 1/4 drive on one side and 3/8 on the other.

 

[M6erfan]

Koken 2749ps is probably the best option other than the Wright: if you really want the Wright, Damar will get one for you but it might take some time. Or you could use Amazon.com

Nice ratchet, but his is just a stubby 3/8 not a 3/8-1/4. Aside from total length, this one is larger in every respect compared to the 2725Z, and it has 24T vs 36T

 

[dutchgray]

As a fellow UK resident, I would just get the Wright or SK from Amazon.com or a US based eBay seller and pay the postage and taxes. These are a small and relatively inexpensive item so its not too costly to do. I have the Wright and the SK flex head I bought this way. Neither brand is really available here.
The Koken Zeal line is not carried by any UK seller either as far as I have found. My Zeal stuff I imported from Japan with the associated postage and taxes. Rakuten Global sellers I tools and Matsura are both good.

 

[bubinga]

The cornwell one is nice, I have it. Not sure of the number.

 

[johninct]

What's the purpose of this? Just to be able to fit into tighter spaces?

If you break it free with something longer then try to spin it off with just the socket you sometimes can't turn it but if you had just a little more leverage it is easy to take off.

 

[OutsideMachinist]

I often find I need a slimmer profile ratchet head way more often than a shorter handle. Thats an easy fix, cut the handle. Bit more difficult to take excess off the head.

 

[WWheeler]

Interesting timing on this topic. My Williams M-52EHFA ratchet just arrived today just in time for a bit of drive enhancement surgery.

I've been waiting for this ratchet to show up for a long time with the Snap On kit just sitting here ready to go in it.

 

[Local]

Interesting timing on this topic. My Williams M-52EHFA ratchet just arrived today just in time for a bit of drive enhancement surgery.

I've been waiting for this ratchet to show up for a long time with the Snap On kit just sitting here ready to go in it.

That's a good deal and fun project let us know how it ends up.

 

[woody6904]

That's a good deal and fun project let us know how it ends up.

Have the Williams conversion and a Wright 3430. The Williams is a handy ratchet, but I use the Wright more often. If I could only have one it would be the Wright.

Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk

 

[WWheeler]

I'm loving it so far. This will hold me over until I finally give in and get an FHCNF72.

I personally don't see myself having much use for a 3/8" dr in a 1/4" dr body unless it's a flex ratchet.

 

[mikebaker1129]

I have the Williams flex ,Sk ,Proto pear head,Facom,Craftsman conversion on a round head.
I prefer the Facom with the 3/8 head. The SK and Williams come in 2nd for me with the edge going to Williams.

 

[Rarified27]

Forgive my ignorance- I have zero SO/Williams product knowledge.

Would the M-52EFHA accept a repair kit with a higher tooth count?

 

[mixxmstrmike]

Here are a few pictures of the Duralast model I picked up a few weeks ago... 73-868, quick release is very convenient. Recessed switch lever, 72-tooth, non-serviceable head (no screws), not sure if that's a good thing, but the warranty is top-notch.

Head size compared to my FC72.

Some length comparisons next to the FC72 & FCF72

Mike

 

[ssdave]

I bought a cornwall one recently by accident, saw it and bought it with another 3/8" ratchet, thinking it was a 1/4" drive. Haven't had occasion to use it yet, but it sure is a nice little ratchet.

I normally just use a Snap-on Midget, that's my first try on anything, only go bigger if the bolt won't loosen with the midget, or if it's obviously a larger fastener than the midget can handle.

 

[davethorik]

I like using these ratchets instead of a stubby 3/8. I converted a SK 1/4 and picked up a used Matco. The Matco is the old 36 tooth Craftsman style, I like the SK a lot better.

Found out through trial and error the 3/8 SK thumbwheel kit fit in the standard 1/4 handle.

 

[bixxjs]

Ta for all the recommendations,I'm going to look at the
SK and Wright models.

 

[Nigelhirst]

Nice ratchet, but his is just a stubby 3/8 not a 3/8-1/4. Aside from total length, this one is larger in every respect compared to the 2725Z, and it has 24T vs 36T

Actually, that is the 1/4 stubby with a 3/8 drive square. The stubby 3/8 is part number 3749ps. But it does have 24 t.....

 

[WWheeler]

Forgive my ignorance- I have zero SO/Williams product knowledge.

Would the M-52EFHA accept a repair kit with a higher tooth count?

Not possible.

More info here:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1370542

- - - - - - - - - -
@ mixxmstrmike

I'm not seeing your images. Looks like they are hotlinked from their source so not everyone will be able to see them.

 

[Nigelhirst]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=5466&pictureid=67567
Wright vs Koken!

 

[kythri]

If that Koken is sold as a 3/8" in a 1/4" body, then that's just craptacular. That head is enormous, and would be even worse as a 1/4" drive.