1/2 drive in 3/8 size ratchet

[oscarsnapkin]

Look, the reality is that plenty of cars were repaired for decades with a set of craftsman raised panel combo wrenches, a few screwdrivers, a 36 tooth ratchet and a handful of sockets...

No flex-stubby-nano-micro-macro-90_tooth-ratcheting-anti-slip stuff, the job just got done. Sometimes you headed to the grinder to modify a tool to work, or cobbled together something to give you access in a tight spot.

That said, i really enjoy having some choices and tools that make the job easier and more pleasant. Just today, I used my semi-fancy mountain wrenches, my Koken 2726ZB-3/8 with a nut-grip 13mm and Koken spinner, AND my Tone RH4FCHS while working on my 911, all made the work faster and with less cursing. Could I have gotten it done with the craftsman top handle tool box I had in 1980? Eventually.

I certainly agree with you. However, cars have become exponentially more difficult to work on. Not just because of the technology involved, but access can be near impossible at times. My first car was a ‘65 Mustang. I could change the oil while standing. Everything was accessible from the hood, no need to crawl underneath except maybe to remove the drain pan. My current vehicles? Not a chance. Not to mention, and a lot of you probably agree, sometimes it’s just fun to have tools “just because.” Nothing wrong with collecting them. I think collecting things like sports memorabilia, coins etc is painfully boring. Other people like it. I look at it this way, while it’s enjoyable to me to collect and organize my tools, they also serve a purpose when I need them to. To bring it back on topic, the small 1/2” ratchet I posted above I’ve probably used no more than a handful of times in almost 30 years. I’m sure I would’ve made out just fine on those jobs without it. Nonetheless, I certainly don’t regret buying it and I like that it is there in my ratchet drawer. Most of us appreciate antique tools because of the history involved and knowing that some long ago deceased person used them. You and I are no different. 50 years from now someone will by this ratchet at my kids’ garage sale, and that person will wonder who used it and what it was used for. In my mind this is how I justify a lot of the tools I buy that I know I may never have the chance to use. I think it’s neat.

 

[mreisner]

I bought this one off the truck when I was a kid back in the 90’s. I picked up a second one years later that I later sold. I believe this has been discontinued for quite some time, but I could be mistaken.

I picked up one of those at an estate sale and I've made a few also for friends, the Anvil is still available but not the faceplate, the faceplate has to be ground out with carbide tooling as it is extremely hard.

 

[lund]

I just use a stubby handle 1/2" drive roto ratchet. To me, this is almost perfect for speeding off larger broken-free fasteners in car suspensions where you often are working in obstructed areas, tire lugnuts, etc. I also end up using it a lot in various low torque assembly work to speed things up. You flip the handle up to quickly rotate like a screwdriver. The short handle fits in most everywhere since the handle is short and the head is reasonably compact.

I have a particular model that I think is (gulp) Harbor Freight from years ago, Pittsburgh Pro line. The printed logo rubbed off. I think they still offer this line of roto ratchet, BUT only with longer handles. This is a shorter stubby handle one that was not sold for long over a decade ago. It has only modest back drag and a lot of gear teeth for short arc swing (though that matters less with the short handle). I do not know if other vendors provide something similar. But for the one I have, the handle is also oval and a nice grip (easy to clean but soft grip and not spongy) which makes it nice to spin with a little leverage when needed. Also it is quick release which is great to quickly swap sockets with no issues in low torque applications. I am not a pro, but I gave it heavy use over the years and it has held up very well.

Something like this is far better for speeding off nuts than a fixed angle or flex ratchet -- even if shorter handle. I see little or now advantage to alternatives. If you can find something similar, try it, and you will see what I mean. It may not be as fast as battery impact for a pro, but it is getting there and fits in much more compact spaces without grabbing a bunch of extensions and flex sockets.

 

[Samuel D]

I have a Hazet 916HPK, which is the sort of ratchet the OP was asking about: a 1/2″-drive anvil in a 3/8″-drive body less than 8″ long.

There’s a picture here showing it superimposed on a regular 1/2″-drive Hazet ratchet for size comparison:

916HPK - HAZET – Das Werkzeug

www.hazet.de

I’m not sure why anyone else buys these things, but I’ll tell you why I did.

Too many of my sockets, bit sockets, drive extensions, etc., are 1/2″-drive. One reasons for that is they’re cheaper on the used market here than the less common 3/8″-drive. Because guess what: I’m not the only one wishing I had more 3/8″-drive tools.

Hazet prints a hilarious warning on the head: max 400 Nm. I’d like to see someone put 400 Nm (300 ft-lb) through this dinky handle. But the warning shows that there’s no need for 1/2″-drive at this handle size. So why not enjoy the smaller head size, lighter weight, and lower backdrag of a 3/8″-drive mechanism?

 

[KnurledNut]

I have a Hazet 916HPK, which is the sort of ratchet the OP was asking about: a 1/2″-drive anvil in a 3/8″-drive body less than 8″ long.

There’s a picture here showing it superimposed on a regular 1/2″-drive Hazet ratchet for size comparison:

916HPK - HAZET – Das Werkzeug

www.hazet.de

I’m not sure why anyone else buys these things, but I’ll tell you why I did.

Too many of my sockets, bit sockets, drive extensions, etc., are 1/2″-drive. One reasons for that is they’re cheaper on the used market here than the less common 3/8″-drive. Because guess what: I’m not the only one wishing I had more 3/8″-drive tools.

Hazet prints a hilarious warning on the head: max 400 Nm. I’d like to see someone put 400 Nm (300 ft-lb) through this dinky handle. But the warning shows that there’s no need for 1/2″-drive at this handle size. So why not enjoy the smaller head size, lighter weight, and lower backdrag of a 3/8″-drive mechanism?

Good point I didnt think about. Countries where 1/4 and 1/2 drive sets are more of a standard/heritage than 3/8.
I could have used that Hazet recently doing some front engine service.
I wouldn’t mind having that in my arsenal.