Best 1/4" ratchet

[Tucker99]

Just saw that thread about 1/4" deep wells. I thought I was the only one to use 1/4" drive almost eclusively. Yep, I've snapped my share of bolts from ****-******* a 3/8" ratchet. Problem with the 1/4" ratchets is I keep hitting the direction changer thingy. Looking for a 1/4", fine tooth ratchet with the direction changer in the ratchet head. My old arthritic hands could also appreciate a cordless drive. Not looking for anything with a lot of torque, 25 Lbs or so. A straight drive as apposed to right angle drive. Any suggestions gents??

 

[muck0nator]

what about a roto ratchet?
http://www.gearwrench.com/catalog/r...hets/roto_ratchet/stockdetails.jsp?part=81224

i bought the set 1/4 and 3/8 and love them

 

[ganymede]

Or a t-handle with a ratchet adaptor.

 

[Delray]

I have an SK skt-40970 which is fine tooth and small enough to get in tight spots. The old round head Craftsman are good but I think the head is bigger. For less than tight spots the roto head is great. I have the Snap On version THNF72 and I use it a lot but it's expensive.

 

[DTB]

I love my Matco 88 in 1/4 drive.Also have the Napa Carlyle 1/4 drive flex head 90 tooth ratchet and it has been good so far.

 

[TAMPAGT07]

I always just grab my HF composite....(the older style with the thinner handle.)

 

[bonneyman]

I have an SK skt-40970 which is fine tooth and small enough to get in tight spots. The old round head Craftsman are good but I think the head is bigger. For less than tight spots the roto head is great. I have the Snap On version THNF72 and I use it a lot but it's expensive.

+1 on the round head S-K. Additional pluses:
Still American-made, and rebuild kits and warranty still available.

The C-man RHFT rats are also a good rat. Lots of folks think they are the best ratchet to bear the Craftsman name.

 

[wannab20hatch]

Milwaukee m12 cordless. Gets used more than any other ratchet I have.

 

[sk farmer]

amstrong 88 tooth aero and armstrong 60 tooth locking flex from epstein hardware.

the old sk roundhead is also tough to beat.

 

[ilovevocs]

Milwaukee m12 cordless. Gets used more than any other ratchet I have.

Just bought one in 3/8 and I am really impressed, no regrets.

 

[bobcatdan]

Snappy's roto part number tm727. I own two of them if I could only have one 1/4 ratchet, it would be that one.

 

[Nocturnal-G]

I have been using the Triangle Tools 1/4 ratchet these past few weeks... At first I hated it but its grown on me. The mechanism isn't as smooth as some of the higher end stuff but I like it.

 

[noggs]

For the cordless aspect...

I have the Snap-On CTS661 with a 1/4" Insert, and I love it. It will take apart all those little 6-10mm bolts on a vehicle interior. Also the CT625 has more torque, but I find that the "screwdriver" works just as well for what I do.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=740395&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=745790&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

 

[03protege]

My Craftsman Premium is my favorite 1/4" ratchet and it is also very small so it is the goto in tight spots.

If I need a little more torque I grab the SO TLF72

 

[kunkernator]

My favorite is my 84 tooth flex head Gearwrench. My favorite stiff ratchet is my Craftsman thin profile.

 

[Brownsfan]

Snappy's roto part number tm727. I own two of them if I could only have one 1/4 ratchet, it would be that one.

X2. I would be heartbroken if I ever lost it. Had it for 13 years.

 

[Toolgarage]

Milwaukee m12 cordless. Gets used more than any other ratchet I have.

x2 i love that thing

 

[ChevyEFI]

Great neck 1/4" roto.
SO tm737 roto which is too easy to accidentally hit the selector.
Both keep me from grabbing the basic SK 1/4" ratchet 99% of the time.

 

[hofferwood]

N.B.

 

[billymade]

Iimport: Gearwrench

GearWrench 81011D 1/4-Inch Drive Full Polish Teardrop Ratchet

Industrial: Williams premium ratchet (936 snapon series) or Bahco Dual 80

JH Williams M-52EHA Enclosed Head Ratchet

BAHCO 6950 1/4 Inch Drive Enclosed Head Ratchet

(USA) Professional: Snap-On Dual 80

https://www.snapon.com/dual80/

 

[TheGrooveking]

Mine 4 go to are:

SK 1/4"
Snap On TL72
Matco 88 tooth locking flex cushion handle
Gearwrench cushion grip roto

TheGrooveking

 

[Mr. Tool]

Maybe consider one of these 1/4' ratchets from Nepros or Koken?

http://www.nepros.net/?p=2&s=3&t=0&tt=Tool

http://www.levelchrome.com/Koken-2753P-160-REVERSIBLE-RATCHET-14SQDR-160MM_p_420.html

 

[CWP1616L]

I recommend a Proto round head:

LINK

 

[rmsg0040]

^^ basically a facom, can also get the mac version too

 

[mrjaw14]

Armstrong MAXX 1/4 locking flex head (60T) is AWESOME smooth as butter. I also have a snap-on TL72 I got with a bogo that I really like as well. both put my craftsman raised panel to shame. If you're using the ratchet as a 3/8 replacement to keep from over torquing then you'll want a regular or flex head so you can put some balls behind it, not a roto in my opinion. I see roto as more of a finesse tool on fasteners that aren't on tight and you can just zip them off, not having to break anything loose.

 

[scaltura]

TL72 all day long

 

[Danglerb]

HF 1/4 stubby roto head.

 

[Tucker99]

Is there a round head 1/4" drive that is also quick release?? Just bid on a vintage Craftsman round head, sweet old thing, but don't think it's fine tooth.

 

[Maexle]

The ratchet in this set is really nice:

http://www.sears.com/triangle-19-pc-uni-grip-metric-socket-set/p-00912744000P

I like the triangle 1/4" ratchet a lot, the set was on sale for 20$ at sears for a long time, now it's up to 30$ but still worth the price for sure. And the sockets are nice too, nice grip, nice finish over all.

 

[Delray]

Is there a round head 1/4" drive that is also quick release?? Just bid on a vintage Craftsman round head, sweet old thing, but don't think it's fine tooth.

There is one on Ebay now that is quick release. The Craftsman # they give is 43178

 

[Applesauce]

Confused as to whether you're looking for an air wrench or a hand ratchet... For the latter, I've been running a Snap-On TL72 for a few weeks now, and don't see myself using anything else ever again. I use a 1/4" ratchet as my primary tool.

 

[grogthegreat]

Lots of fans here of the Snap-On TL72

I'm personally split between the Armstrong Maxx 60 tooth locking flex and the Snap-On TLL72. I use the 1/4" drive as my main ratchet and only grab the 3/8" when I need to.

 

[Rezeppa]

Snappy's roto part number tm727. I own two of them if I could only have one 1/4 ratchet, it would be that one.

Agree that or the TM737 100% best ratchet made period. Both are equal. I love my old hard handle version. the swivel head SO is the best 1/4 drive over any other version.

 

[theknurl]

TF-72;
about all i use.....

obviously not on my wheel nut 55mm socket 176lbft

 

[Brownsfan]

Agree that or the TM737 100% best ratchet made period. Both are equal. I love my old hard handle version. the swivel head SO is the best 1/4 drive over any other version.

It's too bad it's not made any more. It has just the right stiffness on the roto head. The new version is 72t I think the 737 is 36t. Mine has the black hard handle. It is like 13 years old at this point and still works like new.

 

[87FoRunner]

I really like the round head husky that goes for $5 shipped. Round head with an easy thumb wheel.

I also like my flex head long gearwrench 60 tooth pear head, and my t72 for tight places.

 

[bobcatdan]

The SO rotos as far as I know were always fine tooth. I bought the 3/8 version because it was 72 tooth. I liked it so much I bought the 1/4 which is also fine.

 

[wise]

I use a Jet 40-something tooth ratchet thats been to hell and back in one peice... I plan on getting a 72 tooth long flex snap-on soon though.

 

[rusty65]

My snap on roto head is my favorite 1/4 ratchet I own

the picture is of when I just got it it has a lot more use on it now so that's why it looks brand new.

 

[Gotmayhem]

import; gearwrench

GearWrench 81011D 1/4-Inch Drive Full Polish Teardrop Ratchet

industrial: williams premium ratchet (936 snapon series) or bahco dual 80

JH Williams M-52EHA Enclosed Head Ratchet

BAHCO 6950 1/4 Inch Drive Enclosed Head Ratchet

usa pro snapon: dual 80

https://www.snapon.com/dual80/

Sums up my feelings as well, though I might choose the SO roto head over their dual 80 but that's completely personal preference.

http://www.toolsdelivered.com/Willi...ols-1-4-Inch-Drive-Chrome-Ratchet-Drive-Tools

http://www.toolsdelivered.com/Willi...ols-1-4-Inch-Drive-Chrome-Ratchet-Drive-Tools

You will not find a nicer 1/4" ratchet for ~$15 anywhere.