Areas 1/4" swivel ratchet

[rick carpenter]

I need a short 1/4" swivel ratchet. Ares seems to have a decent reputation, however their ~4" 42xxx series ratchets are aluminum. I know never to put a lot of torque on a 1/4" ratchet of any kind but would this hold up over the long run?

 

[ColoradoMech]

I have no experiences with Ares but I do have a Matco micro 1/4 ratchet that Ive put quite a lot of torque on without issue. Rarely use it but when I need it, nothing else will do. I see that they are pricey though

Ratchet Link

 

[lardy1]

Those little Titan brand are very similar looking. I have a couple of those (bit holding and 1/4" square) and they're pretty nice for certain applications. As for durability.....I can't say. Mine don't get used a lot and it's almost always the bit version. They're pretty reasonably priced so I won't cry if they break.

 

[Fedwrench]

No experience with the Ares ratchet. on the tiny Titan 1/4 drive roto ratchet. They also have aluminum handles for less weight and color options but, the ratchet head and internal pieces are steel. How much torque are you going to generate with your wrist? I think you'll be ok, and I don't think you can get much smaller than the Titan. people have trimmed theTitan Handle though. Good luck in your quest

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c/titan/titan-1-4-inch-drive-micro-swivel-ratchet/ttn0/11313?q=titan+ratchet&pos=0

 

[tamaraw]

a) It's a stubby 1/4" drive tool, not easy to put much torque on that.

b) I think only the handle is aluminium?

c) It's $20 USD or less

Go for it if it interests you, it should work fine, and if not, you're hardly out anything.

 

[Steve_P]

I also have the Titan bit ratchet; it has a steel handle and head and is surprisingly nice for the $. I don't have the 1/4 drive model, but I'd definitely get one based on the bit ratchet.

 

[four.cycle]

Go with the Titan. Buddy of mine LOVES the two I gave him. Just chop the handle off. Less than $20 bucks out the door at O'Reilly's.
Tekton also makes an itty-bitty 1/4" but their swivel-head model probably would not lend itself well to handle shortening.

Titan 11066 1.4 dr swivel-head ratchet

Titan 11313 11318 micro ratchets

Titan 11318 1.4 dr swivel head micro bit driver

* don't forget to also pick up the 30936 3-piece adapter kit package while you're at it.

 

[BrandonV]

I need a short 1/4" swivel ratchet. Ares seems to have a decent reputation, however their ~4" 42xxx series ratchets are aluminum. I know never to put a lot of torque on a 1/4" ratchet of any kind but would this hold up over the long run?

A good quality 1/4 ratchet can take a lot of torque.

Lots of places in Europe people just buy 1/4" and 1/2".

 

[rick carpenter]

A good quality 1/4 ratchet can take a lot of torque.

Lots of places in Europe people just buy 1/4" and 1/2".

I found an old WWII Army film on the net about mechanics' tools. All they were using was 1/4" and 1/2".

And thanks @everyone, looks like Titan is the one to get.

 

[Gebirgekind]

Another mention for the little Titan roto. One thing to note that's easy to miss is there are actually two versions, aluminum and steel. The aluminum-handled are a little cheaper, lighter, and come in an array of colors. The “titanium” version is all steel with a tough ti plating, I like to think it’s more durable because I spent a few more dollars on it . But honestly it’s surprisingly robust and punches above its class.

There’s also a basic silver steel-handled for a little less.

 

[Etchase]

$10! At the moment

Limited-time deal: ARES 42113 – Silver 1/4-Inch Drive 90-Tooth Mini Swivel Head Hex Bit Ratchet - 250 Degree Swivel with Magnetic Insert for Bit Retention – 4 Degree Sweep for Tight Spaces https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C8VFTTZ5?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[four.cycle]

^
MJD / MJD Industries LLC, dba Ares Tools, 22620 88th Ave. So., Kent, WA 98031 / https://www.arestool.com/ / est. /

Looks very similar to the Star Asia LLC "Titan", but with some distinctive differences.
It appears the company direct markets through their own website or Amazon only - they have no retail distribution and do not sell through other channels.
Google street view puts them in an industrial park section of the lower Kent Valley, just a few blocks down the street from Wilmar ("Performance Tool"). Definitely NOT a manufacturer - strictly a distributor. No COO information on the website.
No feedback here on Ares from actual "hands-on" use:

ARES Tools.. Yikes...

I keep seeing Ares tools advertised across amazon and other places, decided to take a look.. They're pretty enough and as far as I can tell come in at a price point a littler higher than Tekton in most cases. But wouldnt you know it, when you start getting curious about what kind of warranty...

www.garagejournal.com

ARES Tool - Made in the USA

American made automotive hand tools - Shop all tools! Shop our USA made products including deadblow hammers, ball peen hammers, plier organizer racks, bit organizers, impact ready turbo sockets, and our family of hammerless tools including punches, chisels, and nail setters.

www.arestool.com

 

[619DioFan]

I have a variety of ratchets from titan tools. Very happy with them.

 

[tez929rr]

I love those Titans. I probably have a half dozen of them now and it’s always the first 1/4 ratchet I reach for.

 

[Belanice]

I only have Titan 11328(7" long). There's no problem in applying a torque of 42.7Nm(31.5ft-lb). No damage was found after taking it apart.

 

[KnurledNut]

Worth noting, the aluminum handle micro-ratchet Titan yokes are bigger/thicker than their steel siblings.

 

[nbpt100]

This is one of those items where there are lots of decent choices for under $30. I would stay away from anything made out of aluminum. What is the feature? A steel 1/4" ratchet is not very heavy and if plated well, it will not rust, unless abused. In my opinion it is not worth overthinking. As long as it feels good in your hand. Has a decent reversing lever/switch. Get at least 72 teeth. One that can lock at a given angle may be a feature you like. Maybe not? I have a VIM that I use a lot and I like, but the reversing switch is hard to use with one hand. 1/4 inch is one of those sizes you do not put a lot of torque on. In my opinion, a Quinn from HF would be fine if you live near a store. No bs warranty.

 

[Samuel D]

I found an old WWII Army film on the net about mechanics' tools. All they were using was 1/4" and 1/2".

Would be interested in a link to this film if you have it handy.

 

[nbpt100]

I had a memory lapse. Quinn does not have a roto. It is a Pitts Pro. For a home gamer or part time mechanic it seems like a good value option.

1/4 in. Drive Quick-Release Swivel Head Ratchet

Amazing deals on this 1/4In Dr Quick Release Swivel Head Ratchet at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

 

[lardy1]

$10! At the moment

Limited-time deal: ARES 42113 – Silver 1/4-Inch Drive 90-Tooth Mini Swivel Head Hex Bit Ratchet - 250 Degree Swivel with Magnetic Insert for Bit Retention – 4 Degree Sweep for Tight Spaces https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C8VFTTZ5?tag=atomicindus08-20

One came in the mail today. I won't send it back because that drives up prices but I don't recommend it over the Titan. Way wider in the hips and pretty cheesy feeling. I didn't use it yet but just the width of it tells me I probably won't reach for it with the Titan available. I mostly bought it out of curiosity.

 

[rick carpenter]

Would be interested in a link to this film if you have it handy.

Sorry, that was a long time ago and I didn't keep the link.

 

[finn]

I ordered one today. I’m out the price of a latte or two if it’s unusable.

Plus I didn’t have to go to a store . $10 and change, including tax delivered to my door.

I have had good luck with Ares tools, so far. This brings my expenditures with them to about $50, for four ratchets.

I’ll report back if any one of them fails.

 

[finn]

^
MJD / MJD Industries LLC, dba Ares Tools, 22620 88th Ave. So., Kent, WA 98031 / https://www.arestool.com/ / est. /

Looks very similar to the Star Asia LLC "Titan", but with some distinctive differences.
It appears the company direct markets through their own website or Amazon only - they have no retail distribution and do not sell through other channels.
Google street view puts them in an industrial park section of the lower Kent Valley, just a few blocks down the street from Wilmar ("Performance Tool"). Definitely NOT a manufacturer - strictly a distributor. No COO information on the website.
No feedback here on Ares from actual "hands-on" use:

ARES Tools.. Yikes...

I keep seeing Ares tools advertised across amazon and other places, decided to take a look.. They're pretty enough and as far as I can tell come in at a price point a littler higher than Tekton in most cases. But wouldnt you know it, when you start getting curious about what kind of warranty...

www.garagejournal.com

ARES Tool - Made in the USA

American made automotive hand tools - Shop all tools! Shop our USA made products including deadblow hammers, ball peen hammers, plier organizer racks, bit organizers, impact ready turbo sockets, and our family of hammerless tools including punches, chisels, and nail setters.

www.arestool.com

The warranty (or lack of warranty) story has been debunked in the last several posts in the thread you linked.

Ares has a Limited Lifetime Warranty.

Not that it matters for a $10 ratchet.

 

[Etchase]

I purchased two pistol grip lineman’s pliers, and both were so stiff, they were almost unusable. Tried working them in for an hour and no improvement. Lots of burrs on the gripping teeth. Didn’t bother trying to fix that. Ares quality is so low on these items, I won’t be trying any of their other products. I didn’t bother with any attempt at warranty. Some tool importers are better than others.

 

[Shocker]

I got my 2 ratchets. They work OK but man is the direction change wheel stiff!