Stubby 1/2" ratchet recommendations?

[JradM]

I was doing something the other day where I thought it would be handy to have a shorter 1/2" drive ratchet. That doesn't come up a whole lot - usually I want the extra leverage in 1/2" socket sizes - but an excuse to buy another ratchet need not be terribly strong.

However, my searches haven't revealed all that many options. Seems like the utility of a short 1/2" ratchet is probably pretty low. Nevertheless, my search persists. Any recommendations?

I am particularly fond of Proto ratchets. I wish they'd put a 1/2" drive square in a 3/8" body like they do with a 3/8" in 1/4". Here's my leading candidate so far (but it's still quite long at 9 & 3/8" for what I have in mind):



I'm not all that interested in tool truck brands, but otherwise I don't much care. Bonus points for anything unusual (stubby flex maybe? short roto ratchet?).

 

[mike93lx]

This came up in a quick Google... No experience, but it's 5.1"

1/2

The 1/2" Drive Stubby Ratchet is 130mm long and perfect for confined spaces. JTC-3018

www.carnagetools.com

 

[JradM]

Not bad! Affordable too - not sure if I can get it shipped to Canada but I'm going to check it out.

I found this Tone RH4FCHS that I'm liking the looks of too:

 

[JradM]

I'm also liking this, but I'm not sure where I'd get it in Canada. Maybe an Amazon.de purchase?

 

[darkzero]

I used to want a stubby 1/2" drive ratchet also but I went with a cheaper solution.....

Thing is for my needs I rarely use 1/2" ratchets, I only own a few of them & they never get to come out to play. 1/2" sockets I mostly use with impacts. But there are times where I'd like a stubby ratchet to use for quicker removal of bigger fasteners by hand in tight areas or whatever.

I just use step up adapters & a couple of yrs ago I bought 2 sets of these low profile adapters. Came with 1/2" to 3/4" also but I don't own any 3/4" sockets.



On bottom is 1/4" body with 3/8" drive with the 3/8" to 1/2" low pro adapter & 27mm socket. Exagerated but you get the idea. On top is a "standard" length 1/2" ratchet.



Oh almost forgot I had this, this thread reminded me. When I worked on cars for a living a customer gave me this cheap generic dual drive stubby. It's pretty thick but it came in really handy.



I recommend getting the low profile adapters. The ones I got are from Titan & I paid less than $10ea a set. But this is GJ so get a stubby 1/2" ratchet also!

 

[sparky 1971]

Snap On makes a stubby 1/2" drive ratchet. Before I make that the most expensive ratchet in the drawer, I will put a 1/2-3/8 adapter on a stubby or compact 3/8 ratchet. I actually have considered buying the S-O in the past just to have it in case I need it, but can't think of one time it would have been the only thing that would have worked.

Ihttps://shop.snapon.com/product/Dual-80-Technology%2C-Chrome-(1-2%22)/1-2%22-Drive-Dual-80-Technology-Stubby-Handle-Flex-Head-Ratchet/SKF80A

 

[65k10]

If you have a Proto 5249 or 5250 (the old 24 tooth models), a J6008rk rebuild kit will convert them from 3/8 to 1/2 drive. I have done several. They don't have the smallest head and a pretty low tooth count. However, they are fairly affordable to do and the repair kit is easily found.

Koken does make a stubby 1/2 ratchet as well, but I do think the Tone might be more useful with the flex joint and higher tooth count. https://kokenusa.com/products/reversible-ratchet-short-1-2sq-dr?_pos=4&_sid=d4176e28e&_ss=r

 

[Mgdoug3]

I second using low profile adapters. They're not too handy when using 1/4 to 3/8 but using the 3/8 to 1/2 is thinner than my 1/2" drive ratchets especially if I'm using a 3/8 in a 1/4 body ratchet. I came across these adapters on Amazon one day when they were dirt cheap. I didn't think they would hold up long but I have had them for around 3 years and they all still work like new. I use the 1/2 to 3/4 often on my Milwaukee impact using heavy 3/4 impact sockets and nothing has broke yet.

 

[KnurledNut]

My poor-mans stubby (Apex 1/2sq pin to 3/8hex ball adaptor on a GearWrench stubby 3/8” (3-3/4” OAL)):

 

[Kscardsfan]

If you have a Proto 5249 or 5250 (the old 24 tooth models), a J6008rk rebuild kit will convert them from 3/8 to 1/2 drive. I have done several. They don't have the smallest head and a pretty low tooth count. However, they are fairly affordable to do and the repair kit is easily found.

Koken does make a stubby 1/2 ratchet as well, but I do think the Tone might be more useful with the flex joint and higher tooth count. https://kokenusa.com/products/reversible-ratchet-short-1-2sq-dr?_pos=4&_sid=d4176e28e&_ss=r

Now I’m gonna be on the lookout for another 5249 to rebuild.

 

[JradM]

If you have a Proto 5249 or 5250 (the old 24 tooth models), a J6008rk rebuild kit will convert them from 3/8 to 1/2 drive. I have done several. They don't have the smallest head and a pretty low tooth count. However, they are fairly affordable to do and the repair kit is easily found.

Koken does make a stubby 1/2 ratchet as well, but I do think the Tone might be more useful with the flex joint and higher tooth count. https://kokenusa.com/products/reversible-ratchet-short-1-2sq-dr?_pos=4&_sid=d4176e28e&_ss=r

Me too! I really like that idea. It's a frontrunner - I think the Tone ratchet would work out to be about the same price, but Proto tickles my fancy. Plus I already have the J5248s (which is the 3/8" in a 1/4" ratchet body), so it would make for a nice match.

BTW, I do already have a 3/8" to 1/2" spinner adapter. Not as low profile as what's been mentioned here, but not too dissimilar either. I'll admit that is a pretty good workaround for what I'm hoping to achieve.

 

[JradM]

Wait a minute...

The J5249RK is a 3/8-inch drive repair kit for use with the J5248S AND the J5249 ratchets.

If you're telling me the J6008rk 1/2-inch rebuild kit fits the J5249 - would it also fit the J5248S?

The J5248S is a tiny 5" ratchet (since it uses a ratchet body originally for a 1/4" drive) - versus the 7" J5249. Maybe that's TOO tiny, but still seems like a fun project!

A 1/2-inch drive square would be absolutely massive in that tiny ratchet.

 

[KnurledNut]

Wait a minute...

The J5249RK is a 3/8-inch drive repair kit for use with the J5248S AND the J5249 ratchets.

If you're telling me the J6008rk 1/2-inch rebuild kit fits the J5249 - would it also fit the J5248S?

The J5248S is a tiny 5" ratchet (since it uses a ratchet body originally for a 1/4" drive) - versus the 7" J5249. Maybe that's TOO tiny, but still seems like a fun project!

A 1/2-inch drive square would be absolutely massive in that tiny ratchet.

J5248S takes J6064RK.

 

[JradM]

J5248S takes J6064RK.

Dang it. I think you're right. The J5249RK was listed on a couple retail sites as for use with the J5248S and J5249 - but not on Proto's website.

 

[Dave455]

The Proto ratchet that you show is actually a ”re-badged” Facom “Palm Control” ratchet. Both Facom and Proto are owned by SBD.

Facom do (or did) offer a short handle version, but I’ve only seen them in 3/8 drive. They are nice.

I like these ratchets a good deal. They were quite innovative when they first appeared, probably 30 years ago now. Sadly, under SBD ownership, many of these patterns are being discontinued. Facom part number in 1/2” drive would be an S.161E but I don’t think they ever made one.

Facom were always a bit slow with these. They had been making the “Palm Control” ratchets with rubber handles for several years before they made the steel handle versions.

So, another vote for the KoKen! As you say, there are not a lot of options in 1/2” drive.