Best 1/4" ratchet

[Rickster]

Snap-on roto-head with hard handle is my go-to ratchet.

Back-up's are the SK and the Craftsman RHFT.

 

[Skin]

My craftsman premium 1/4" is one of my favorites. Low profile, good length for various tasks, and very strong.

If its the lever that's a turn off look at the MAC 72 tooth Round Heads/SK Tough 1 ratchets. Those would be pretty much impossible to bump into reverse and the design is one of the toughest around easily putting any pear head/tear drop design to shame. Only downside is the head is a little fat which is the case with any round head design.

 

[49 ford f-3]

The Mac MR4C is the best for my money. Buy one on Ebay if you can.

I wrote up reviews of some of the best ratchets on my blog.

Here is a part of my collection (the part I keep at work)

 

[Chuck122]

I am really a fan of sk ratchets but for 1/4", I find I reach for the tf72 more often than the sk.
Hi my name is chuck, and I am a Kool-Aid-aolic.

 

[mercman86]

My go to 1/4" is SK, hands down. Smoother than the snap-on's I own and feels great to use.

 

[DARKSCOPE001]

Sorry im not at work so I cant take a picture but I really like the bahco dual 80 ratchets.

Same thing as a snap on Dual 80 for about half the cost. Only downside is they are only available in one style. fixed compfort handle but I really like the way they feel. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006MHEFJ2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

But I also have the mac mini ratchet that comes in handy from time to time. as well as a few others

 

[genevabuck]

I have about a dozen professional 1/4 ratchets mostly consisting of Snap On and MAC. Recently I bought a HF swivel head head with the quick release button. It is now my go to ratchet. I prefer it over all of the very expensive ones. In the picture it is red, but they sent me a green one. I can't put the thing down.

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-4-quarter-inch-quick-release-swivel-head-ratchet-96781.html

 

[D-bak]

SK is my go to for ratchets, especially the 1/4 drive. I have a couple of them laying in the box.

 

[abvw]

My TLL72 fitted with a comfort grip.

 

[GoFaster2]

My favorite is my HF composite, its smooth and the handle is weighted for spinning small bolts off. And its only $5 bucks

 

[Exceller8]

My favorite is my HF composite, its smooth and the handle is weighted for spinning small bolts off. And its only $5 bucks

I can't believe how many times I grab that ratchet over my more expensive ones. It really is a great tool for the $$$.

 

[Nocturnal-G]

Thought I'd update my favorite 1/4 ratchet... Earlier in this thread I said it was a Triangle 1/4... Not so smooth but pretty good.

My new fav is the Hazet 863-1 ratchet... It is the smoothest I've ever used. It fits in the hand extremely well and is strong. Lets see how well it treats me in the long run but so far I'm extremely impressed. I thought my Zyklop was smooth... This is much more smooth. I don't know how smooth the Snap On dual 80's are but this is hands down the smoothest I've ever used.

 

[Subyroo651]

My TLL72 fitted with a comfort grip.

Please post how you did this?!

 

[98sierra]

If you just slide them on to a normal ratchet that's awesome. I have a few snap on ratchets in regular chrome handle and ONE with plastic handle.. Would love to take it off and be all uniform and what not

 

[ckblum]

I use a GearWrench 84 tooth mostly, but for real tight access I use this http://www.yardstore.com/browse.cfm/4,4792.html

I'd like to eventually get a longer GW comfort grip flex head as well.

I'm just becoming a real big GearWrench fan lately, cheap and good quality.

 

[abvw]

Please post how you did this?!

Easy, buy a comfort grip handle from SnapOn (TH936-12), bore out the handle with a 3/8 drill and smack the handle onto the ratchet.

 

[Flash21]

60tooth / 88tooth are my favorites for Danaher....Matco/Armstrong/Older Cman

Smooth, good Size (low profile head and nicely sculpted handles), easy direction changes, durable, High tooth count

 

[FlushingDIYer]

Woke up yesterday morning, remembering how much easier it would've been to take the nuts loose that were holding the carrier bearing on the passenger-side axle on my Nissan Altima if I'd had a 1/4" flex head ratchet...

So decided to pick up a Toptul CJKN0818 from GJ member dnschmidt. Haven't received it yet, but man, am I thinking about it... hahahaha

Can't really review the ratchet yet, but I'm looking forward to giving it some work!

Are there any updates on the best 1/4" ratchet out there?

 

[WWheeler]

THNF72

I can't imagine a more useful 1/4" ratchet.

I also have a Gearwrench knockoff that's ok, but doesn't really compare.

 

[FlushingDIYer]

THNF72

I can't imagine a more useful 1/4" ratchet.

I also have a Gearwrench knockoff that's ok, but doesn't really compare.

That's a nice ratchet! The Rotohead really makes everything go much, much faster right?

 

[WWheeler]

That's a nice ratchet! The Rotohead really makes everything go much, much faster right?

Where the swivel heads really shine is the time they save being able to swivel straight out to use it in a nut driver fashion to spin a bolt or nut down until snug then swivel the handle out to torque it down, or vice versa to take it off. It's not quite as fast as a cordless ratchet but it easily reaches places no cordless ever will.

I could see some instances where the wider head/handle design might not let it fit where a smaller head 1/4 ratchet might, but I haven't ran into that situation yet but I have ran into places it does reach that my other flex 1/4 ratchets can't.

 

[FlushingDIYer]

Makes sense to me. I can't for the life of me imagine what I'd use a nut driver for. But then again, I just use 1/4" sockets and a handle. Keeping it on the ratchet, I could really see how that would make things really a lot faster.

I was thinking about going this route for a roto ratchet... Cripe is selling a Crescent Roto Ratchet set (1/4" and 3/8") for $25 shipped. Which doesn't seem like too bad of a deal... (And which looks an awful lot like that Gearwrench, no?) But after starting to use a flex head 3/8" ratchet for the first time in my life, I don't know how I lived without one!

 

[Derek420]

Any Snap on 1/4 is great ,I really like the longer ones but I also like my Mac gearless ratchet that is smoother than any other style as it has roller bearings nogear with teeth or clicking and no back drag or swing arc degrees just turns and locks no matter how light of turn. Also reverse switch is in the head and has a nice soft grip but they ddon't make it anymore... I bought mine from snap on truck of all places for $10 lol along with my other Mac and cornwells.... Of all places... Oh and also Cornwell ratchets are very very smooth with 3 rotating parts to reduce friction I only have the 30t versions but are still smoother than my dual80s.. For cordless I like my 7.2v cts561 Snap on little screw guns they are great with a 1/4 bit and is powerful and great for all smaller bolts, nuts, screws I bought 3 with 8 batteries and 2 chargers for $100 and only use 1 but hey got back ups.... The Bahco rats sound cool..

 

[Ms6peters]

For tight work on smaller hardware - 1/4" Koken Zeal with it's soft backdrag is perfect.

Short & Long handle SO for larger h/w

 

[FlushingDIYer]

For tight work on smaller hardware - 1/4" Koken Zeal with it's soft backdrag is perfect.

Short & Long handle SO for larger h/w

Koken Zeal 1/4dr. Flex Head Ratchet, 2726Z


Oh wow, that's pretty nice... Certainly very different from everything else. But that price...

 

[four.cycle]

I can't for the life of me imagine what I'd use a nut driver for. But then again, I just use 1/4" sockets and a handle.

I am assuming from that statement that by "handle" you're referring to a flex-head breaker, correct?

Something along this line, perhaps?



The only difference between that and the "nut driver" (or "spinner", as they're usually referred to) is that the flex-head breaker allows you to tilt the socket 90° each way.
Some guys just don't use spinners. Some do. Personal preference stuff. I prefer the breaker, but I usually grab that Proto model above which has fairly aggressive knurling on the handle, so I can use it like a spinner.

I don't own any flex-head 1/4" drive ratchets. I only have those in 3/8" and 1/2" drive.

The little 40970 S-K touted early on in the thread is a nice little piece of work.
They can be had for $15-$22 on Ebay all day long (used in nice condition.)

Personally I prefer the 2875 Indestro (52 tooth), but they're difficult to find and a used one will run you $24-$35 on Ebay. (Duro Chrome equivalent 4575)

Good (but not as nice as those two above) 1/4" drive RHFT models: 77MC Thorsen, 1069 KAL / 4150 Proamerica (same/same)(US-made, not Japan), 11000 JS Technologies.
(I can't remember all of them.)

Tiniest head model (with an amazingly smooth action) is the 2400 (or 2426) Wright. Ebay prices are all over the place: $15-$30 used on Ebay (incl. shipping.)

I have a little Snap-on but the selector knob drives me nuts.

Experiment with your "roto-head" model - I don't know anything about them.

In the meantime, if you're looking for a good standard-type 1/4" drive RHFT, pick up one of the S-K or Wright models - you'll probably be happy with either of them, and not out a lot of money.

This is what I could dig out on short notice. The Powr-Kraft is a re-branded Wright 2400:



(* The Snap-on is a model TM739 - missed a digit naming the file. *)

 

[bdelmar2]

I have both the raised panel and 'pro' model craftsman and both are close to junk.

I have a set of 3 stubby flex head ratchets I bought on impulse from hf, 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 and they are actually pretty handy and have held up for several years of light use, was $10 for the set.

I also have the roto head black and red gear ratchet 1/4", its ok, but a little stiff. Its my second one, I had to replace the first one because it locked up.

I also have the green handled hf roto head mentioned earlier, and its a pretty good ratchet. Maybe a little floppy, but I haven't tried to tighten the head either. Almost no backdrag. Handy to have a ratchet like that around sometimes.

I also have the t72 Snap on, which is a pretty good ratchet. Handy for tight spaces.

I can't really say which is the 'best' they all have their uses.

Probably the next 1/4" ratchet I would buy would be the Snap on roto head with the comfort grip. The one like the black and red gear wrench, but presumably better quality.

 

[gdocktor3]

Makes sense to me. I can't for the life of me imagine what I'd use a nut driver for. But then again, I just use 1/4" sockets and a handle. Keeping it on the ratchet, I could really see how that would make things really a lot faster.

I was thinking about going this route for a roto ratchet... Cripe is selling a Crescent Roto Ratchet set (1/4" and 3/8") for $25 shipped. Which doesn't seem like too bad of a deal... (And which looks an awful lot like that Gearwrench, no?) But after starting to use a flex head 3/8" ratchet for the first time in my life, I don't know how I lived without

I have them and they are exact same as Gearwrench. I don't use the 3/8" much, but the 1/4" I use often. It's nice for small stuff under hood or interior because you break them free, then rotate the handle up and use as nut driver. Worth it for $26.

Bottom line though, my 1/4" SK 40970 is the best ratchet in that drive size. Better then t72, 120xp, any 36t ratchet, etc I own.

 

[IndyGarage]

Wera Zyklop is by far the best 1/4 inch ratchet I've used.

It's way better than those swivel heads like the ones pictured above

It's a high tooth count ratchet. It has a pushbutton release that works when the head is swiveled. It has a swivel lock that keeps it swiveled. It has a nice soft handle. The direction switch does not get moved in use.

Perfect ratchet

 

[Kaane]

Wera Zyklop is by far the best 1/4 inch ratchet I've used.

It's way better than those swivel heads like the ones pictured above

It's a high tooth count ratchet. It has a pushbutton release that works when the head is swiveled. It has a swivel lock that keeps it swiveled. It has a nice soft handle. The direction switch does not get moved in use.

Perfect ratchet

I do agree it is an awesome ratchet, only 3 issues I have with them.

1. They get super filthy, if you work on cars the handle just attracts grime like no other.

2. The direction wheel is almost impossible to move in gloves and next to impossible in screwdriver mode.

3. In screwdriver mode, can't release socket, so you have to swivel it back to take the socket off.


My favorite go to rachet is a Armstrong 1/4 flex, followed by the Zyklop.

 

[shockwave]

My 2 favorite 1/4 ratchets now are matco chrome 1/4 locking flex head can get into some tight spaces

Next is my 1/4 snap on roto head my go to for intakes both have low profile and are very versatile

 

[Infinia]

I use 1/4" drive the most repairing small engines and electric tools
( I still reach for nut drivers 1st, but break-out a small set when more torque is needed.)
My favorites
1) Wright 2400 > old but tiny

2) 1/4 Roto Head >gotta have quick release for smaller sockets
this 72 tooth one is a good as the others
New to me, this is fast becoming my #1 go to ratchet.

3) S-K 40970

4) CM raised panel >I think I have 5 of these, after all cleaned and lubed some are better than others.
Still handy in the CM 1/4 small blow molded sets, so my go-to more often than not.

This is what I could dig out on short notice. The Powr-Kraft is a re-branded Wright 2400:

thanks good to know

 

[PJNJ]

The best bang for the buck is a used SK. I picked one up at a flea market for $5 this year (to make a Frankenratchet by swapping in the 3/8 guts from a extra SK thumbwheel) and upon disassembly, it appeared to have never been used. And they last a long time. I still have my first SK 1/4 ratchet from @1968. The new ones made by Ideal are actually, in my opinion, better since backdrag seems to have been reduced.

Another very good ratchet I have is the Gearwrench 120xp with the comfort handle. Slim head with smooth action and good length at about 8 inches.

But my current favorite is a Proto 4752a I picked up at a flea market for the princely sum of $3. It also appeared to be unused. It has very smooth action; good backdrag; is a little longer than the SK; and has a built in thumbwheel. Great ratchet.
Here's a link to one on Ebay (and the prices are high so I would keep my eye out for one cheaper at a fleamarket) -
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Round-Head-...195961?hash=item35fdac53b9:g:FFsAAOSwGYVW9vGA

 

[winlinmac]

I prefer rotohead's and flex-heads when it comes to 1/4" ratchets, the rotohead's makes the overall handling and reach easier whereas the flex-heads helps me avoid removing the tires whenever I need to work between the fender liner and wheel hub assembly with the vehicle lifted.

That's a nice ratchet! The Rotohead really makes everything go much, much faster right?

 

[ChaseDE]

Love my little SK 1/4 I got from Grandpa

 

[JMLangford]

Another positive vote for the fantastic little S-K 40970......





.

 

[Super Sport]

I love my little Wright 2426. If I could only have one, this likely would be it since it's small enough to get almost anywhere.

I also have an Armstrong locking flex, a Snap On Roto, and Craftsman Premium that I like. These probably see more use, but that Wright has come in handy more than once.

Oh yeah, I also have a Husky bit ratchet like this, and it has also come in handy. GW and others sell the same tool, but I compared them and the Husky was slightly smaller.

 

[M6erfan]

Don't know if there is a "best" but the Napa Carlyle locking flex 1/4" (R14LFQR) is really nice. It's now my go to and I have Snap-On/Facom, etc.



I also bought a HF composite a year or so ago and it's surprisingly good. For tight spots I use my trusty SO T72...

 

[FlushingDIYer]

I've gotten into the habit of breaking almost all my 1/4" and 3/8" bolts with breaker bars. I'm going to try to use the 1/4" breaker bar like a spinner and see if I can get used to it!

I like the idea of a 1/4" ratchet with the smallest head possible, for those hard to reach areas. It is frankly one of things I love about my SK 40970--it fits everywhere!

But I am starting to see that you also need 1/4" options. I know I would have spun off my carrier bearing bolts the other day much faster had I been able to fit a flex 1/4" head in there.

So what's absolutely needed:
- a tiny 1/4" ratchet
- and a 1/4" ratchet that gives you options (flex, flex long, roto--or all three! )

From what I can see, and as far as tiny goes, nothing comes close to the Wright 2426. Maybe the SK 40970. But the Wright head looks a little slimmer.

And at around $30 bucks, it represents incredible value when compared to the Cornwell TR72 at $77 bucks...

 

[M6erfan]

Also, I find that I'm using this little Anex set more and more...