My new favorite 1/4" ratchet

Steevo · Jan 6, 2014

I was at Auto Zone on Friday, buying ball joints for my Ford Explorer, and being a good tool hound, I was looking at what they had on display while I waited (and waited, and waited).
I came across this very nice little Titan 1/4" - 60 tooth ratchet.
I was immediately attracted to it. Very smooth action, very small form-factor, and very nice build quality and finish.

So I bought one. $9 and change.

Here are some comparison pics, next to my vintage Snap-On TM70 (my previous favorite 1/4" ratchet):

It is nearly an inch shorter:

It has a perfect handle offset:

It has a quick-release button that my TM-70 lacks:

It is very nicely built:

I don't have a small enough Torx driver to take it apart, or I'd show you its insides.

It has a 60-tooth ratchet mechanism. (My TM-70 has 36)

The finish is clearly better than that of the Snap-On extension in this picture:

For $9 in 2014 dollars, I think this is the best deal in a ratchet I have ever bought, especially considering that my TM-70 Snap-On was bought in about 1979, and for at least three times as much (in 1979 dollars).

Oh, and COO is Taiwan.

ishiboo · Jan 6, 2014

Wow, you'd be impressed with the bigger Titan/Kobalt/HF ratchets then as well

An interesting 1/4 is their "ratchet-less ratchet":

Might not be a bad one to add to your collection for $14

warweapon762 · Jan 6, 2014

I have a couple different varieties of the Titan ratchets including the ratchetless one and boy oh boy do they work well!!

Pretty durable too, had a friend of mine put a 3ft cheater bar on one to see if we could break a 8mm bolt free that was practically corroded in place and it did the job without a hitch. Still works good too.

I've been really impressed with Titan's stuff lately.

mrbreezeet1 · Jan 6, 2014

might have to get me one, I only have about 8 1/4" ratchets.
Need another one.

Farleyfan · Jan 6, 2014

I like the offset in the handle, could save some skinned knuckles.

jeremy v · Jan 6, 2014

I have a couple Titan ratchets and I have been very happy with them, and I agree with others here that the offset is nice in many situations. Just as a side note, you might want to take it apart and clean off all the sharp metal sticking out where the selector switch enters the head of the ratchet. That looks like it might tear a nitrile glove when fumbling with the selector switch.

cburnscrx · Jan 6, 2014

ishiboo said:
Wow, you'd be impressed with the bigger Titan/Kobalt/HF ratchets then as well

Just to clairfy...the Titan ratchets are NOT the same as the Kobalt/HF ratchets. I know I have both. I took them apart and posted in the Kobalt flex head thread. Close, yes, the same? No.

*I have the Titan comfort handle...LOVE it!

ckadams00 · Jan 6, 2014

Well I tend to follow those on here who seem to have their Sh*t together and after Steevo's bench build I'm all in. Gonna go seek one out, looks nice.

flippin · Jan 6, 2014

I have one as well!! Came as a set with the same ratchet but set up for hex drive instead. Available at Princess Auto under the ProPoint label for the Canadians out there.

http://www.princessauto.com/pal/1-4-In/2-pc-1-4-in-dr-Quick-Release-Offset-Micro-Ratchet-Set/8384893.p

KnurledNut · Jan 6, 2014

Your snap on is still working after 35 years.
I like your new ratchet too.

whyNick? · Jan 6, 2014

ishiboo said:
Wow, you'd be impressed with the bigger Titan/Kobalt/HF ratchets then as well

An interesting 1/4 is their "ratchet-less ratchet":

Might not be a bad one to add to your collection for $14

I have one of these, it's a slick little (non) ratchet.

340wedge · Jan 6, 2014

" you'd be impressed with the bigger Titan/Kobalt/HF ratchets then as well

An interesting 1/4 is their "ratchet-less ratchet":

I got the 1/4 and 3/8 inch ratchet-less ones for Christmas about 10 years ago, I LOVE them, totally a Go-to ratchet, especially in tight spots.

wrenchr · Jan 6, 2014

Wow that autozone display actualy had a tool and not a gimmick tool like double headed ratchets and such? I might have to scope it out.

MAD · Jan 6, 2014

If you like the little Titan ratchet, you will probably like the little micro ratchets from Sunex. Very similar action, size and features but with an even thinner head.

Second and third picture show the flex head Sunex and the Titan ratchet side by side.

They also make it in a straight non-flex version and a bit ratchet.

http://www.amazon.com/Sunex-9723-Universal-Mini-Flex-13-Piece/dp/B004D339U8/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1389061547&sr=8-3&keywords=sunex+ratchet

SCscoutguy · Jan 6, 2014

It is $10 at my Autozone according to their website. I might have to stop by there on my way home tomorrow and pick one up to go with the 20+ other 1/4" drive ratchets I have.
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ac...o-ratchet/_/N-25el?itemIdentifier=230066_0_0_

The Ratchet Man · Jan 6, 2014

Steevo, they make a non-offset version of the ratchet and bit driver too. The handles are about 3/4" shorter and only about half as wide. The head is exactly the same between the offset and non-offset. I think I got 2 at Pepboys and the other 2 at Northern Tool. I have all four.

jmm · Jan 6, 2014

flippin said:
I have one as well!! Came as a set with the same ratchet but set up for hex drive instead. Available at Princess Auto under the ProPoint label for the Canadians out there.

http://www.princessauto.com/pal/1-4-In/2-pc-1-4-in-dr-Quick-Release-Offset-Micro-Ratchet-Set/8384893.p

I've got that particular ratchet as well (mine's branded Titan, though). Christmas 2012, I think, they were on sale for like 4.99 or so. Since it was a bit ratchet for smaller stuff, I clipped the spring and boy is it smooth! Really nice little tool.

nicksnothereman · Jan 6, 2014

Steevo said:
I was at Auto Zone on Friday, buying ball joints for my Ford Explorer, and being a good tool hound, I was looking at what they had on display while I waited (and waited, and waited).
I came across this very nice little Titan 1/4" - 60 tooth ratchet.
I was immediately attracted to it. Very smooth action, very small form-factor, and very nice build quality and finish.

So I bought one. $9 and change.

Here are some comparison pics, next to my vintage Snap-On TM70 (my previous favorite 1/4" ratchet):

It is nearly an inch shorter:

It has a perfect handle offset:
It has a quick-release button that my TM-70 lacks:

It is very nicely built:
I don't have a small enough Torx driver to take it apart, or I'd show you its insides.

It has a 60-tooth ratchet mechanism. (My TM-70 has 36)

The finish is clearly better than that of the Snap-On extension in this picture:

For $9 in 2014 dollars, I think this is the best deal in a ratchet I have ever bought, especially considering that my TM-70 Snap-On was bought in about 1979, and for at least three times as much (in 1979 dollars).

Oh, and COO is Taiwan.

Most taiwanese stuff is great...I don't really know why. I think they take pride in what they make (at least nowadays).

This isn't "professional grade" but hey that don't mean it's not worth owning. I've gotten use out of far crappier ratchets. I've got 25 cent 1/4" "christmas" ratchets I use at home. :lol:

I've been trying to break them...honest! :sad:

NC-Shaun · Jan 7, 2014

jeremy v said:
Just as a side note, you might want to take it apart and clean off all the sharp metal sticking out where the selector switch enters the head of the ratchet. That looks like it might tear a nitrile glove when fumbling with the selector switch.

Just what I was thinking

tweedlestan · Jan 7, 2014

MAD said:
If you like the little Titan ratchet, you will probably like the little micro ratchets from Sunex. Very similar action, size and features but with an even thinner head.

Second and third picture show the flex head Sunex and the Titan ratchet side by side.

They also make it in a straight non-flex version and a bit ratchet.

http://www.amazon.com/Sunex-9723-Universal-Mini-Flex-13-Piece/dp/B004D339U8/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1389061547&sr=8-3&keywords=sunex+ratchet

Where did you get the flex version?

90zcar · Jan 7, 2014

I do like the fact that your using a 1/4" ratchet that you bought back in 1979... Makes me smile!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

fordkid88 · Jan 7, 2014

I love Titan products, their gear wrenches are tough as hell.

MAD · Jan 7, 2014

tweedlestan said:
Where did you get the flex version?

I bought the Sunex flex ratchet from Amazon.com. It came in a set with metric spline sockets but I have seen them sold separately.

Here is the link again.
http://www.amazon.com/Sunex-9723-Universal-Mini-Flex-13-Piece/dp/B004D339U8

cheechi · Jan 7, 2014

The Ratchet Man said:
I think I got 2 at Pepboys and the other 2 at Northern Tool. I have all four.

Ratchet man, are yours branded Titan also? I assume this is the 2 from Northern.

jmm said:
I've got that particular ratchet as well (mine's branded Titan, though). Christmas 2012, I think, they were on sale for like 4.99 or so.

jmm where did you get it on sale that low? I like the design of it, especially the offset. I don't need one but in the future, if it's on sale low enough I'll probably buy it anyway.

The Ratchet Man · Jan 7, 2014

cheechi said:
Ratchet man, are yours branded Titan also? I assume this is the 2 from Northern.

Yes, all 4 are Titan branded. The link did not work for me on my phone but the straight set is item #19607. After seeing the price though I don't think I got them from there. I paid $9.99 for that pair I think. The offset pair was from a Pep boys display rack and they were $11.**.

I'll try to take some pictures when I get home to show the length difference. I prefer the straight ones.

tweedlestan · Jan 7, 2014

MAD said:
I bought the Sunex flex ratchet from Amazon.com. It came in a set with metric spline sockets but I have seen them sold separately.

Here is the link again.
http://www.amazon.com/Sunex-9723-Universal-Mini-Flex-13-Piece/dp/B004D339U8

Thanks. I could have sworn the link in your first post took me to a bit ratchet last night. I could have been drunk though. :lol_hitti

Steevo · Jan 7, 2014

jeremy v said:
I have a couple Titan ratchets and I have been very happy with them, and I agree with others here that the offset is nice in many situations. Just as a side note, you might want to take it apart and clean off all the sharp metal sticking out where the selector switch enters the head of the ratchet. That looks like it might tear a nitrile glove when fumbling with the selector switch.

FYI, I took a pointed scribe/dentist tool and flicked away that loose piece of plating/machining waste.

Looks better now.

jmm · Jan 7, 2014

cheechi said:
Ratchet man, are yours branded Titan also? I assume this is the 2 from Northern.

jmm where did you get it on sale that low? I like the design of it, especially the offset. I don't need one but in the future, if it's on sale low enough I'll probably buy it anyway.

Autozone. It was on an endcap -- not an item they normally carried (I think).

The Ratchet Man · Jan 8, 2014

Comparison pictures:

ndoran · Jan 8, 2014

90zcar said:
I do like the fact that your using a 1/4" ratchet that you bought back in 1979... Makes me smile!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

not sure why, I also have a Britool 1/4inch ractchet I purchased in 1979 and the same snap on ratchet. I just assumed that this was normal performance for a top quality ratchet.

:beer:

e-tek · Jan 8, 2014

30 replies about a 1/4" AutoZone ratchet.....

WoooHooo!!! WAY TO GO STEEVO!!!!!

merikgvr4 · Jan 8, 2014

Here is another reply. Because of this thread, I checked out the ratchet @ Autozone, tomorrow will hit Pepboys.

Sent from my NookTablet using Tapatalk

stage20 · Jan 8, 2014

mrbreezeet1 said:
might have to get me one, I only have about 8 1/4" ratchets.
Need another one.

same here. i probably have at least that many or more. why not. never have enough.

i got hooked on the harbor freight composites, which are also sold under titan name.

my favorite ratchets i have. ive used the 1/2 inch one for a hammer multiple times and even locked it down in a vise to see if i could break the handle because a friend told me they were junk. did not break with a 2ft cheater bar on it.

i like these as well. the long version with the flex head has helped me in a pinch a few times. the length is nice for breaking stuff loose too.

these ratchets along with the composite ratchets are one in a few of quality tools they have, IMO.

Danglerb · Jan 9, 2014

EZred I think sells one like the HF called the quarter stick, no clue on how different they are I've only seen the HF and it looked OK.

cburnscrx · Jan 9, 2014

stage20 said:
i got hooked on the harbor freight composites, which are also sold under titan name.

Um, not exactly...

The Titan is on the left, the Harbor Freight is in the middle, and the Kobalt is on the left. You'll notice that the pawls from the Titan wouldn't fit in either the HF or the Kobalt. Are they similar, yes, are they the same...no

Additionally the Titan does not have a screw that goes in the direction lever, while both the HF and Kobalt do.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cburnscrx/8785885650/ http://www.flickr.com/people/cburnscrx/

ADSR · Jan 9, 2014

I have the propoint 2 pc. as well. They are very handy!

Scotsman1886 · Jan 9, 2014

Ok thanks once again for helping me spend money. I got one now

SCscoutguy · Jan 9, 2014

cburnscrx said:
Um, not exactly...

The Titan is on the left, the Harbor Freight is in the middle, and the Kobalt is on the left. You'll notice that the pawls from the Titan wouldn't fit in either the HF or the Kobalt. Are they similar, yes, are they the same...no

Additionally the Titan does not have a screw that goes in the direction lever, while both the HF and Kobalt do.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cburnscrx/8785885650/ http://www.flickr.com/people/cburnscrx/

Those are conventional ratchets though. I believe the composites like he was talking about are the exact same ratchet.

quattroJoe · Jan 10, 2014

I picked one of these up today thanks to this thread, $9.99 at Northern Tool. Seems like a sweet little ratchet, I'm looking forward to putting it through the paces.

Thanks for the heads up!

stage20 · Jan 10, 2014

I ws referring to composite. My old one looks exactly like an old red handle titan. I've got a new one from hf that has a diff haandle. Not sure if there was a design change across the board but I prefer the older style

My new favorite 1/4" ratchet

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