Fine-tooth 3/8" drive wrench recommendations?

[Pipe Wrench]

I am looking for a very fine tooth 3/8" drive wrench about 7 inches long. It should have a low profile head and slim handle. I'd appreciate any recommendations.

 

[Wamsutta]

By your description, it sounds like you're looking for a ratchet instead of a wrench.

 

[WWheeler]

Snap-on 3/8" dr compact swivel head FHCNF72
https://store.snapon.com/Round-Head...ead-Red-Soft-Grip-Swivel-Ratchet-P650298.aspx

Great ratchet!

 

[R_einan]

Love my sk 90, for a fixed head ratchet, but the snap on swivel heads are awesome for movable head.

 

[victor252]

This locking flex head is often on sale for about $35 72 tooth made in Taiwan
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHQR38LFQR

Here is the long version
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHQR38LFLQR

 

[M6erfan]

This locking flex head is often on sale for about $35 72 tooth made in Taiwan
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHQR38LFQR

Here is the long version
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHQR38LFLQR

This^^^

 

[rijndael]

I have the Carlyle Long 3/8 Flex (non locking), it's awesome. It's worth noting the back-drag is a tad high ... if you care about that.

 

[M6erfan]

Also, take a look at the Craftsman 84t thin profile ratchet...

https://www.amazon.com/Craftsman-8-Inch-Profile-Ratchet-9-44995/dp/B00065T1DQ

I have the older USA made 60t version and I like it a lot

And there is a Tekton low profile 72t...

https://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-14932-Profile-Polished-Ratchet/dp/B00KLY1CDY/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1532003889&sr=1-1&keywords=TEKTON+14932

 

[Snaparxon]

Snap-on 3/8" dr compact swivel head FHCNF72
https://store.snapon.com/Round-Head...ead-Red-Soft-Grip-Swivel-Ratchet-P650298.aspx

Great ratchet!

Well said, I would add also that it can take a lot of torque.

 

[Mr_B]

the carlyle is over 9" long
the snapon fhcnf72 fits OP's requirements and is good versatile tool .

 

[M6erfan]

the carlyle is over 9" long
the snapon fhcnf72 fits OP's requirements and is good versatile tool .

Nice ratchet but it's not a 'slim' handle like the OP wants either. The fork below the head is relatively wide. May or may not be an issue...

 

[Mr Ratchet]

Gearwrench 84 tooth would be a good choice.

 

[JiminAZ]

One other option is a Wright 3490. 7-1/32 long, slim handle, dual pawl 82 tooth design. The dual pawl mechanism is very strong. Won't be as low profile as the Snap-on or SK LP90, but it's still pretty slim.

 

[Mgdoug3]

I bought the 4 piece 120 XP Gearwrench set off Amazon for $100. For the price they have treated me well. GW makes a ratchet that describes what you're looking for. I don't use them to break loose rusted or really stuck bolts but they seem to be strong. I don't use any of my ratchets for that so I can't compare strength.

The 84 tooth does have a slimmer head than the 120xp but the 1/4 and 3/8 120xp aren't that thick. The 3/8 can get into tight spaces that my preferred SK ratchets can't reach.

 

[Pipe Wrench]

By your description, it sounds like you're looking for a ratchet instead of a wrench.

Correct, it sounded somewhat misleading. I want a skinny fine-tooth 3/8" ratchet(ing) wrench.

 

[dogdog]

Go try the one they have in Homedepot their husky brand, it is really nice...
I would get it in a heart beat... if I didn't already own too many for my needs...

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-3...cking-Flex-Head-Ratchet-H10038FLRAT/206038527

Ratcheting wrench ? these ?

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-1...rench-Set-SAE-6-Piece-H100DRW6PCSAE/206034120

 

[Pipe Wrench]

The Husky look nice. I'll have to check them out.

 

[WWheeler]

'Ratchet wrench' is a bit of a regional colloquialism. Most places I've lived a 'ratchet' was a ratchet and a 'wrench' was a wrench, and the 'ratcheting wrench' brought to market by Gearwrench is its own animal.

Then I moved to BFE where I started hearing 'ratchet wrench' and sometimes just 'wrench' to refer to a ratchet. Used to confuse me but not any more. I've heard it so much I've gave up trying to correct anyone because as I learned it doesn't work and I'm the one in the wrong for not understanding what they meant. Thankfully it hasn't wormed its way into my vocabulary.

 

[Pipe Wrench]

I apologize for causing confusion. I'm not on my game today and did not express myself as clearly as I usually would. At least I didn't call it a spanner. ;-)

 

[Citation]

Gearwrench 84 tooth would be a good choice.

That or the 72t Husky version of the same ratchet.

 

[Wamsutta]

Correct, it sounded somewhat misleading. I want a skinny fine-tooth 3/8" ratchet(ing) wrench.

1. Reversible or non-reversible?
2. Open end on one end, or box end on both ends?

Being that you want only the 3/8" size, that tells me you're probably after a ratcheting combination wrench. In either case, Snap-on made in Tennessee is going to be the thinnest and the best.

 

[PJNJ]

How about this Carlyle -
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHQR38QR?searchCategory=800.8008&searchIndex=Prod+Tools

It's "only" a 60 tooth ratchet though. For the price it should work well. Carlyle makes good ratchets.

For a little over twice the money, here's a 90 tooth non quick release though it is a long comfort handle -
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHQR38L90?searchCategory=800.8008&searchIndex=Prod+Tools

Here's a locking flex with quick release and 72 teeth -
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHQR38LFQR?searchCategory=800.8008&searchIndex=Prod+Tools

 

[Al Borland]

We have been using the Husky 72 tooth ratchets at work for the last few years.
Small head, about the requested length and damn near indestructible.
One fatality so far, due to a worker disassembling it to "see what it looked like inside" and not being able to re-assemble/keep track of all the parts.

 

[M6erfan]

How about this Carlyle -
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHQR38QR?searchCategory=800.8008&searchIndex=Prod+Tools

It's "only" a 60 tooth ratchet though. For the price it should work well. Carlyle makes good ratchets.

For a little over twice the money, here's a 90 tooth non quick release though it is a long comfort handle -
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHQR38L90?searchCategory=800.8008&searchIndex=Prod+Tools

Here's a locking flex with quick release and 72 teeth -
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHQR38LFQR?searchCategory=800.8008&searchIndex=Prod+Tools

We have been using the Husky 72 tooth ratchets at work for the last few years.
Small head, about the requested length and damn near indestructible.
One fatality so far, due to a worker disassembling it to "see what it looked like inside" and not being able to re-assemble/keep track of all the parts.

You guys obviously missed the post where the OP said we is looking for a ratcheting wrench, not a ratchet...

 

[1foxracing]

If you only need the one 3/8" size I would buy the Dewalt. If you bust it call them and they send you a new one no questions ask.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MRUBDID/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[M6erfan]

or this...

https://store.snapon.com/Ratcheting-Combination-Standard-Handle-15-Offset-inches-3-8-12-Point-SAE-Flank-Drive-Plus-Ratcheting-Box-Open-End-Combination-Wrench-P888307.aspx

 

[PJNJ]

You guys obviously missed the post where the OP said we is looking for a ratcheting wrench, not a ratchet...

Yep, oh well, time to take my meds.

 

[vssjim]

SK X Frame has the lowest arc degree of movement have both Metric and Inch a set of each at work and same for road work set.

 

[Jtels85]

Another vote for the Craftsman 84T low profile ratchet. I have both the 84 tooth Taiwan models and the 60 tooth USA models. All of them are top notch tools!

 

[doojus]

SK X Frame has the lowest arc degree of movement have both Metric and Inch a set of each at work and same for road work set.

x frame is a nice bit of kit but they're very thick, OP specifically asked for thin head and handle

 

[WWheeler]

I'm still not convinced the OP meant a 3/8" 'ratcheting wrench' vs a 3/8 drive 'ratchet wrench'. The 'ing' in parenthesis (post #15) could mean either way and the "3/8" drive" in the title seems to imply the latter.

 

[dogdog]

Lol....

 

[M6erfan]

lol....

+100

 

[Pipe Wrench]

The blame for the confusion falls squarely on me. I had a senior moment when I made the original post. I was going to ask for a fine-tooth ratchet with 3/8" drive, but then I decided that a ratcheting wrench would be more suitable in that particular application. Space is very tight and a wrench will leave me more room. A high tooth count is still mandatory, though. With my 72 tooth ratchet, I could advance one click only under great difficulty and removing a 3-inch bolt took more time than it should have. So a 100-tooth device will certainly work better.

I have now some options to check out in person, so I thank you all.

As for the 100-tooth Husky ratchet, the price seems awfully low at under $30. Is that thing of alright quality?

 

[Tallpilot]

I apologize for causing confusion. I'm not on my game today and did not express myself as clearly as I usually would. At least I didn't call it a spanner. ;-)

Snap-on will be the thinnest. The new Flank Drive Plus reversibles are very thin. Carlyle is pretty good too (90 teeth) but less thin.

https://store.snapon.com/Ratcheting...-Box-Open-End-Combination-Wrench-P888307.aspx

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHQRWRS012

 

[Citation]

I have used the 100T Husky. It's basically Husky's version of the Apex/GW 120T ratchet. The painted finish is very easy to chip. The 72T has lower backlash and a lower profile head.

 

[Pipe Wrench]

I have checked out the very inexpensive 100T Husky. It feels okay with not too much drag, but it's really a 50T ratchet with offset double-pawl. It should be okay for what I might need it, as long as I break the fastener loose with a stronger ratchet or wrench. But for just advancing a loosened bolt, it should be just fine.

As for a ratcheting wrench, I have not yet gotten my hands on one with a high tooth count. I'm afraid a 90 tooth count will be minimum to work in this confined space for which I need it.