1/4" ratchet: something that I really need?

[jmhinkle]

Since when Tekton is a "quality" brand?

Since they redesigned their line up and started making one of the best ratchets on the market hands down.

 

[clinebarger]

I couldn't live without one......Or Four.

 

[Danglerb]

If a 1/4 ratchet works, I generally use it for clearance etc advantages, but just as much of a reason is that I have 1/4 drive powered ratchets and impacts, which means I have to have a full set of 1/4 drive sockets.

 

[bcradio]

OP??

 

[visionguru]

Since they redesigned their line up and started making one of the best ratchets on the market hands down.

That's some kind of praise over a store brand, I respect that. But to me, Tekton doesn't offer a good value for the quality. Plenty of other brands out there are similar/better and cheaper.

 

[Real_PhillBert]

Absolutely. I use my 1/4 drive stuff more than my 1/2 drive.

 

[jmhinkle]

That's some kind of praise over a store brand, I respect that. But to me, Tekton doesn't offer a good value for the quality. Plenty of other brands out there are similar/better and cheaper.

This tells me you haven't used their newer 90T ratchets. I reach for it over my dual 80 every time and put it up there with my Nepros on operation. It's not the piece of jewelry the Nepros is to look at, but prettier than the Snap on in your hand. On a strictly value to quality aspect, there is no ratchet on the market that comes close to the Tekton. No "store" brand works as well or feels as good.
Plus the cashback for future purchases when purchasing directly from them is an added benefit.

 

[M6erfan]

I use 1/4" drive anywhere I can, up to about 14mm.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

This was about 35 years ago. We had our Rabbit in at a small VW dealership. The mechanic was using a 1/4" drive . Mmmm, that's interesting I thought. I'll have to look for some and try it out. In those days even Rabbits fit 3/8" drive. When I started millwrighting, it was 1/2" and a lot of 3/4" . The last mill, it was 1/2 and some 3/8. The little HD Husky 1/4 got used the odd time on control boxes. I've been working on some '70s Mercury outboards, that's almost pure 1/4. Still only that fine tooth Craftsman from the Rabbit time. I haven't seen Tekton in Canada.

 

[Junkdrawer Dog]

I would rather have 1/4 drive and 1/2 drive and skip 3/8 altogether. Do 1/4 up to 13-14 mm and 1/2- 9/16. Then 1/2 drive down to 10mm and 7/16. I lived that way a good number of years and it worked fine. Full coverage with more room in the box.

 

[Yarpo]

I rebuilt several Ford Escapes; 1/4" was needed for most of the intake bolts, front cover and water pump bolts, fuel rails, etc. Without 1/4" drive, it would have been very difficult to impossible to do some of the work. At the same time, using my old Craftsman stuff would have resulted in many rounded off fasteners.

For small shop work on tools and equipment, and for working on passenger vehicles, I use 1/4" drive more than any other. Quality 1/4" drive has changed the status of my 3/8" drive from most used to least used, behind both 1/2" drive and 1/4" drive. And, that's not a quality difference between the different drives. I have Snap-on and Proto both in all of the drives, so it's an apples to apples comparison. 1/4" drive flat out work, and clear a lot better, as well as being more agile and easier to use.

Yeah I do a lot of those light duty engine jobs (Valve covers/water pumps/intakes etc) and 1/4" is my favorite. I actually rarely use my 3/8" stuff other than on my ratchets/impacts. My 1/4" tools are probably my favorite and I would recommend multiple 1/4" ratchets to everyone!

 

[Parrothead]

Funny you mention not using the 1/4 ratchet very often, as I almost never use my 1/2.

I’ve got them all though just in case.

 

[johninct]

1/4" will sometimes get in a place where 3/8" just won't fit. If you can do a job without taking extra stuff apart, I feel you are better off.

 

[usdemt]

Saw a youtube video recently where a snap on dealer was touring some of his clients boxes. 2 of the semi mechanics said that their favorite tool was the 1/4 ratchet....semi mechanics.... Times are changing on fastener size and I use 1/4 most followed by 3/8 and a very far distant 1/2.

 

[Samuel D]

semi mechanics.... Times are changing on fastener size and I use 1/4 most followed by 3/8 and a very far distant 1/2.

Is it the fastener sizes that are changing, or is it the access to them along with 1/4"-drive tool quality and diversity?

 

[mikehaugen]

Years ago when I got this job at a factory (large industrial machinery) I thought for sure I was going to need to invest is large 3/4" or maybe even 1" drive tools. Truth is it's rare to find fasteners large than 1/2"/12mm. The company has a set or 2 or larger sockets but I use them more as seal drivers than sockets. I love my 1/4" stuff and use it more than anything.

I guess the theory is on say a large bearing housing it's better to put 16 1/2" bolts vs 4 3/4" or 1" bolts... at least it makes sense to me.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[usdemt]

Is it the fastener sizes that are changing, or is it the access to them along with 1/4"-drive tool quality and diversity?

I am by no means an old timer. But I think its because the engineering is allowing for smaller fasteners to hold more then ever, as well as the smaller tool to handle more torque then ever before. The size is just a bonus to be more easily manipulated. Its also interesting that you now see a ton of screws and bolts with smaller socket sizes then the actual diameter of the bolt itself. This is where I am coming up with this theory

 

[Alpine4x4]

I use my 1/4" drive stuff all the time. Dash work it is essential. This last summer I needed to remove the bolts holding the U-joint on my pickup. A 3/8" socket was too large to fit in the space. A 1/4" fit just fine and I got to use my new snappy long handled flex 1/4" ratchet to break them loose. The ease at which that whole operation went down more than paid for the tools. I could have sat there for an hour 1/4 turning them out with a wrench...

 

[CR888]

Love this place three pages to tell a vanished OP something tool co's & users have known for many decades...yes 1/4" tools have purpose.

 

[skernv99]

Love this place three pages to tell a vanished OP something tool co's & users have known for many decades...yes 1/4" tools have purpose.

OP is still here..I decided by page 2 I am going to buy a long handled 1/4" ratchet

 

[jmhinkle]

OP is still here..I decided by page 2 I am going to buy a long handled 1/4" ratchet

Not a bad choice, but what I'd consider the last of a 1/4" need. It's like a tight place 3/8" and I didn't own one until recently. I do find myself using it more than expected lately. It's the standard length and stubby where 1/4" really starts to shine in my opinion.

 

[getbent4x4]

Buying one the mega cman kits when they are at their lowest is the best route. But to answer your question you just need a basic 1/4th drive ratchet with a small extension. It keeps you from breaking plastic panels and plastics since you cannot control the tighteness with a 3/8th ratchet for those delicate parts.

Here's another trick. buy chrome 1/4 and 3/8th sockets sets in metric and sae.

Buy 1/2 drive only in impact sockets and extensions. Chrommoly suggest.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

I use 1/4" sockets on a spinner handle quite often. Most of my spinner handles do double duty as extensions. The 1/4" ratchet is useful for breaking fasteners loose or snugging them up. I also use them on my 1/4" impact.

 

[928'er]

Absolutely!

I'm just a DIY'er and I've got six (make that eight - forgot about my "in car" tool kits) ¼" drive ratchets in various configurations (flex head, roto, indexed, etc.). Probably one of my most used tools.

 

[619DioFan]

I have a variety of 1/4'' drive ratchets. my two most used are the tekton 72 tooth flex head and the HF swivel/roto head.

 

[ClappedOutBport]

I use a 1/4" a lot for engine covers, heat shields, coil-on-plugs, etc. Although anywhere I can fit a dewalt 1/4" impact, I tend to use that for everything but the final snug.

 

[lhloy]

Today's nicer 1/4 ratchets with good metallurgy seem to me to be about as strong as my older 3/8 ratchets. My practice is to use a longer extension on 'suspect' fasteners, and should I notice a bit of torque wind-up, only then do I switch to the 3/8 sizes, before anything breaks. Haven't broken anything yet. Of course, I don't use my 1/4 on fasteners larger than 9/16.

 

[jgromada]

It is probably 1/2 you can never get and not miss it if you never work on a car's suspension. 1/4 will get more use for sure. If you only get one then obviously 3/8.

 

[mc4life27]

I use my 1/4 the most. I will mainly by 1/4 over 3/8 for example if I need a 9/16 I have both 3/8 and 1/4 I will use 1/4 always unless the bolt or but it too tight and the 1/4 will not break it loose. Also I have an adaptor that goes 3/8 male to 1/4 female so I can use just about any size I come across in 1/4 and even have /1/2 to 3/8 but I always grab my 1/4 over any other size.


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[KenC]

I have 6 1/4" drive ratchets. SO, Craftsman, old SK, Proto and, believe it or not, my most used is a HF Rotoratchet. Not a great ratchet, lots of back drag, but LOVE the roto feature. Break a bolt loose, use the ratchet til it turns free enough to use it as a nut driver. my Craftsman was my most used until it started reversing when I didn't want it to. It is a 44994 from Sears, best they had available 10 years ago. Called Craftsman's 800 number, a new 120 tooth is on the way.

 

[MikeF2316]

I use 1/4 drive on hose clamps - usually a 7 mm hex on what I work on. Plus any screwdriver type screws where there are clearance issues, and pretty much any bolt under 10 mm. I wouldn't want to be without one.

 

[ZRX61]

I have one 1/2, one 3/8



...& 6 or 7 1/4 drives..

 

[ChrisLS8]

OP is still here..I decided by page 2 I am going to buy a long handled 1/4" ratchet

Look up the Pittsburgh 67994. That thing is just awesome.