Best 1/4" ratchet

[lardy1]

I have the quick release, locking flex Carlyle and I love it. I wish I could justify buying the 3/8.

 

[turnthewrench 2.0]

Almost always reach for my Carlyle 90T. Also like the Proto 24.

 

[Fialaja]

Indestro 2870 gets my vote

 

[Sterff]

My favorite is the Williams M-52EHFA. Less than $25 and made in USA.

 

[nichocha33]

Carlyle long locking flex, followed by Carlyle mini locking flex



Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[z-edition 006]

Usag 237B1/4

 

[HazetMatt]

I don't know if it's the very best but my Nepros in blue chrome is the best looking!

 

[JBH]

IMO, this one (Wiha x Koken) overall

While this one isn't technically a 1/4" ratchet, the USAG/Facom locking flex head ratchet for 11mm outer hex pass-through 1/4" sockets is very useful for tight spaces.

Unfortunately it does not come with a 11mm to 1/4" drive square adapter, but you can hack your way there with a Snapon 11mm outer hex to 1/4" hex bit adapter, and then a 1/4" drive adapter bit.

 

[Ralf11]

Which 1/4" ratchets have the lowest backdrag?

 

[Jack84]

Which 1/4" ratchets have the lowest backdrag?

Ko-Ken.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[chappys4life]

Snap-On THLF72 is my favorite. If too much gearwrench 1/4 flex soft handle. Its my go to backup when not using the snap on

 

[mc4life27]

Snap-On THLF72 is my favorite. If too much gearwrench 1/4 flex soft handle. Its my go to backup when not using the snap on

Here is what I have and so far my snappys are my favorite but the felo has to be right in line just different but it’s also just a bit ratchet. The one in the picture in the side are but ratchets I also have more are here some where. But felo is an awesome ratchet
Also has anyone seen this snap on ratchet before. Got it maybe 20 years ago for 3 bucks at a swap meet


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[dubdoc]

Nothing beats my little S-K, but I added this nice "Ultrapro" from NAPA the other day.

 

[chappys4life]

Glad I’m not the only ratchet hoarder


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Indexmill]

Glad I’m not the only ratchet hoarder


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

That ain't no hoard.

 

[Lprock]

I had been holding out on buying a snap on rachet, but I pick up a new THLL72 and I love that rachet. It has to be a damn near perfect 1/4 rachet.

 

[chappys4life]

Nice! I need to pickup another t72 to do a 3/8 conversion

 

[ZX3ST]

Matco 88 tooth gets my vote for 1/4" drive. Mine's probably 12-13yo and it's always the first one I reach for.

https://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/AFR58/1-4-DRIVE-5-EIGHTY8-TOOTH-FIXED-CHROME-RATCHET/

 

[pelletman]

Milwaukee M12, Snap on various and HF composite and roto

 

[Iowafox]

I have to admit my favorite as of right now is a ratchet that says NAPA with a the big logo on it. Not the Carlyle model its got a snap ring to hold the plate its a fairly fine tooth and it is a good little unit. I also paid $40 something for a 1/4 Carlyle comfort grip fixed head and man that thing is sweet! I have to say those 2 are my favorites. I don't use the Carlyle one much as it is in my tool bag and the older napa one is in my socket kit and just easier to grab. I do however also have a sweet little MAC USA 30 something tooth that sits at home for now as I find finer teeth work better for me right now.

However I really want to get myself a hard handle flex head 1/4 ratchet. Was thinking about the newer ICON model but the selector switch is just a bit bulky for me.
I also don't use 1/4 all to often more times then not I reach for a 3/8 drive as I don't tend to work on small parts. But I will be soon rebuilding a carb on my 1977 Oldsmobile so I will bet some quality time with my 1/4 drive tools!!

 

[Ralf11]

Ko-Ken.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

the Zeal or their standard line?

 

[Jack84]

the Zeal or their standard line?

I only have the Zeal in 1/4.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[JBH]

the Zeal or their standard line?

I’d say they’re about the same.

 

[jgromada]

Like most of you I have a bunch of 1/4 ratchets. I really don't want or have anything too long i think it would break the fastener. My fave is an Icon and that has turned out to be really smooth with minimal backlag.

 

[chappys4life]

Like most of you I have a bunch of 1/4 ratchets. I really don't want or have anything too long i think it would break the fastener. My fave is an Icon and that has turned out to be really smooth with minimal backlag.

I use a Snap-On THLF72 or GW Flex that are both the same size. I have never had a issue with the longer handle breaking fasteners. They are only 8 1/4" long vs hf icon 1/4 which is 6" or the flex being 7"

2 weeks ago reinstalled headers in my mustang using arp bolts into aluminum heads using the Snap On with no issues.

 

[afm]

Which 1/4" ratchets have the lowest backdrag?

My Wera Zyklop Speed ratchets (the rubber-handled roto ones) have the lowest backdrag of any ratchet I've ever handled, Ko-Ken included. On the other hand, Wera's all-metal ratchets have high backdrag.

 

[Kandyman]

Reading all your posts does not leave me one definition. The ratchet is listed here a lot. And each of them is good in its own way. But these tools are usually designed to twist and not tear and not pull. I have, for example, a ratchet that I slightly redone the design itself there, of course, a nightmare, but now I can tear even hardened bolts and nuts with a ratchet. Moreover, I dressed and more than once on this ratchet extension pipe and broke the boiled joints.

 

[Fialaja]

Love my Indestro...

 

[MJK]

SK 40970, followed by TRF72.

 

[Lucid Moments]

I am a big fan of the little Bahco 6950 that I bought based on the tool truck equivalents thread a few years ago. For when you need a tiny little ratchet it is great. Enough torque for the fasteners it was meant to be used on and so close to no backdrag as to make no difference.

 

[senlow]

Love my Indestro...

That's one of my favorites and I usually prefer pear heads.

 

[csnow]

I currently have a couple varieties of Snap On and MAC. I picked up a cheap flex head Kobalt a couple of years ago and it quickly became my 1/4 driver of choice.

 

[ForrestT]

4 I like are SK 40790, Pittsburgh Pro Roto Head, Cornwell Blue Power Roto, and current go to is the new 90 tooth Tekton flex head. All very affordable new or used and each has their place for certain jobs.


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Mgdoug3]

I use my LP90 flex the most but I wish it was longer.

 

[lardy1]

I ordered a Proto 90 tooth in 3/8" drive. If I like it, I might try the 1/4" drive version. Don't ask me why. I already have way too many ratchets.

 

[StHaGe]

Elora 1450-1D

 

[M635_Guy]

Time will tell if the Snappy roto can knock the Icon roto out of the top spot. I rarely use a regular 1/4", but I'm just a DIY hack.

 

[Kandyman]

Well, I personally like my old ratchet, which I tear down any, including rusted fasteners. It was made during the USSR and still works perfectly. You can wear a pipe as an amplifier and tear down the boiled bolts.

 

[dubdoc]

My modest collection