Astro Nano Ratchets

[_brian_]

I recently purchased from Astro their nano 3/8 (#93808) and 1/2 (#91210) drive ratchets. I wanted to share my thoughts and ask for the thoughts of others.

The ratchets overall seem very nice. The handle is of good length and the head is for sure smaller than the head of a regular size ratchet. My only "complaint" is that the head, while smaller, is not thin. The nano design seems to cut the size in all the other areas though. The mechanism seems to have 72 teeth by my count (I did not see a tooth count advertised), which for me is just fine. The button for the quick release seems like a hollow plastic. I can wiggle the button cap a bit leading me to this conclusion. Not sure if it matters as most ratchets have a plastic button. The directional lever is nice, it has solid engagement and no slop when engaged. The lever moves very slightly when the ratchet turns, I have not disassembled the ratchet to elaborate further on its design. The ratcheting itself is fairly tight and has little of what many call "back drag" - I am not so sure that is the proper term to use.

Astro states that the standards for the respective ratchet drive size are met for the ratchets despite their small size, but I am not sure I would use these as my daily ratchet, but more a special purpose / use when needed ratchet. Personally I usually prefer to use the largest size tool I can for the job, especially if I am breaking things loose, using cheat methods, etc.

As these are new to me, what have others experienced with these ratchets? How do they hold up? Has anyone disassembled one?

 

[WhataTool]

The push release on mine seem metal, a magnet sticks to it. I use the long version constantly under the hood. For the price, was very happy. Most of the time when I need extra space it's side to side for a ratchet, not low profile thickness wise otherwise i'd be using a wrench. But i get what you mean.

 

[_brian_]

The push release on mine seem metal, a magnet sticks to it.

I am corrected. It felt plastic to me. I can confirm your statement, since your reply I checked with a magnet and indeed, it does attract. So it seems that it is a metal cap that fits in a floating manner, vs being a part of the button itself.

Most of the time when I need extra space it's side to side for a ratchet, not low profile thickness wise otherwise i'd be using a wrench

Your statement here also makes sense. I run into many cases where I need a low profile socket... which was actually how I was introduced to the Astro nano series of things. In most of those cases to date, it is not a hex fastener I am working with, but a triple square (XZN), hex, etc, making the socket and ratchet the best option as the wrench selections for those fasteners are slim.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

I have the standard length 3/8 and 1/2, and the long 3/8 and 1/4.

The long ones were almost too long. Especially since it wasn't a flex head. Tried to find a use but couldn't. The other two I like for bench work where I need hand tools but I change sockets a lot. Stuff like running tap socket. I normally don't like quick release, but in that application it is preferred.

 

[dnschmidt]

My advice to Chris to to make the longer ones in a flex head. That would be the cherry on top of my ice cream. TOPTUL makes a 1/4" drive flex head that I love and is seven inches long I sold a ton of these when I was in the TOPTUL business and never had one complaint. Here's the details: https://www.toptul.com/en/product-520577/Super-Long-Flex-Head-Ratchet-Handle.html

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

Oh I made a flexhead, the problem is in order to make it the same strength (which is not a spec I'm willing to budge on) the yoke & neck becomes larger than the head. Current flex head joints aren't unnecessarily large, they are the size needed for the task. So the space savings disappear, and knowing that there's even other existing brands I'd personally rather purchase that what our final design was.

 

[dnschmidt]

^^^^ This is an honest man.

 

[Belanice]

The ratcheting itself is fairly tight and has little of what many call "back drag"

Open it, cut spring and lube.

 

[_brian_]

Open it, cut spring and lube.

Thanks for showing the insides. I am not sure I would want to cut the spring though. I believe you are doing so in order to reduce the pressure that the pawl pushes on the gear?

 

[_brian_]

Oh I made a flexhead, the problem is in order to make it the same strength (which is not a spec I'm willing to budge on) the yoke & neck becomes larger than the head. Current flex head joints aren't unnecessarily large, they are the size needed for the task. So the space savings disappear, and knowing that there's even other existing brands I'd personally rather purchase that what our final design was.

Wow, thanks for sharing. It is great to hear this type of information. As a user of the tools, I always have questions and of course thoughts on improvement (that of course you never thought of, LOL!). It is interesting to hear the logic behind decisions and it makes me a better consumer. Making buying decisions based on this kind of information vs my opinions seems like a far better option.

It is comments like this that gave me comfort in ordering these ratchets blindly. Knowing that there is high importance on the user vs plain profits (I wont bash the brands) is why I keep buying Astro tools.

One thing I would like to see, although not functional, is for the brand to be a bit more pronounced. It is very light. The inclusion of a part number would also be good. However, I understand that this would likely increase costs.

 

[Astro_Pneumatic_Tools]

Open it, cut spring and lube.

We of course can do this to reduce backdrag, but we already have some people with thoughts on the tool being too "sloppy" or "loose" so it's a fine line to the users taste like many things.

The above image speaks to Brian's point on the tool thickness well, check out that pawl width, for the size of ratchet that's a massively wide pawl to tooth engagement interface. And 10 teeth engaged at any point. Making that slimmer can make the ratchet head thinner, but every mm thinner is max torque capability left on the table and it's a exponential effect as you remove more.
It's not the smallest ratchet in the world, I've been to Japan. I've seen how small they get, but bring them over to my test bench and we'll see who survives a jack handle extension (Not including 1/4" drive, people often dont get that humans are capable of breaking an extended handle 1/4" drive ratchet basically whenever they are determined to)

 

[_brian_]

We of course can do this to reduce backdrag, but we already have some people with thoughts on the tool being too "sloppy" or "loose" so it's a fine line to the users taste like many things.

The above image speaks to Brian's point on the tool thickness well, check out that pawl width, for the size of ratchet that's a massively wide pawl to tooth engagement interface. And 10 teeth engaged at any point. Making that slimmer can make the ratchet head thinner, but every mm thinner is max torque capability left on the table and it's a exponential effect as you remove more.
It's not the smallest ratchet in the world, I've been to Japan. I've seen how small they get, but bring them over to my test bench and we'll see who survives a jack handle extension (Not including 1/4" drive, people often dont get that humans are capable of breaking an extended handle 1/4" drive ratchet basically whenever they are determined to)

Thanks Chris for the explanation. This does make sense, especially with your point on the Japanese tools vs your testing. I would understand if you cannot answer this, but is it possible to share with us the testing results?

but bring them over to my test bench and we'll see who survives a jack handle extension

I would be curious to see how the Astro Nano ratchets test. I agree with you that the 1/4 testing is not as relevant, I see this with many of the tests I see on YouTube. Considering one ratchet better over another at torque that exceeds the max socket size (its respective size bolt) for the drive is borderline irrelevant.

I had a chance to use the ratchets on brakes, I removed and replaced them on my Camaro to see these in operation. One thing I can for sure say is that I have increased use for my 1/2 drive sockets now, where prior I was not so easily able to use them in many cases. I will say that while I did order these blind (without asking questions, holding them, etc), I did hesitate. I had concern due to the pictures and the size of the head I could derive from there. While I still see a need for a slimmer head, I also see the benefit this style provides. Given your explanation, I understand that you cannot have it all, you cannot take from everywhere and maintain strength.

Thanks for bring such things to the market. I hope to see more like this in the near future, especially a flex head version. I know you have some of that special metal sitting under a bench somewhere you reserve for Eric O

 

[_brian_]

Before this thread gets too old, I wanted to post an update. My initial opinions were a bit off. These ratchets are worth far more than a specialty tool. I really appreciate the 1/2 drive ratchet. The size difference there is most relevant. I would order today a long handle version of it. The handle design is most comfortable to use and the reverse lever is smooth and spot on.

I wish there were an option for a standard length 1/4 drive, but I will be purchasing what is available soon. I Would also like to see the flex head option. I understand what Chris has stated, and I appreciate his opinion. I will state however, as a user, that I have no intent on abusing these as I do with standard sized ratchets with things like a hammer to help motivate things.

I find the internals to be inadequately lubricated. I opened them and used some super lube grease and at least to me, the performance is better. I get there is more cost to such things, but we are talking maybe a penny per ratchet; a price increase of $1 to cover it is ok by me. I am not so happy with the retaining internal circular clip. I understand the design and the reason for variation, but I am being honest.

I am quite happy with the two ratchets of this series I have. I look forward to acquiring the ones I do not have, and hope to see more options in the near future.

 

[Belanice]

I wish there were an option for a standard length 1/4 drive

You mean this? 130mm Length
Probably made by the same manufacturer.


And this => Astro Products(Japan) RH479