best 3/8 stubby ratchet?

[buffalobill]

I use my 3/8's the most, on everything, and my go to ratchet for general **** is a mac xr8pa. is there anything similar to this in a stubby ratchet for tight stuff, or just when i don't need the leverage? what are other good stubby ratchets? I prefer a thicker handle, thats why i like that mac ratchet over my sk and proto's. I don't care if its soft, just something that isn't so small its uncomfortable to use.

 

[billymade]

Here are examples of different styles of 3/8" drive ratchets. I personally have found that the short handle flex (FC72) and the short handle flex with comfort grip (FHF80) to be particularly useful in really confined work spaces.

I've listed the snap-on version's but there are other brands out there; these are just examples for reference:

http://www.snapon.com/dual80/

stubby handle:

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...group_ID=20864&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

stubby/flex handle:

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...group_ID=20864&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

1/4" body with 3/8" drive ratchet (compact head):

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?store=snapon-store&item_ID=90075&group_ID=24687

1/4" body with 3/8" drive ratchet flex (compact head):

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...group_ID=24687&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

compact swivel round head:

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...id=225&supersede=&store=snapon-store&tool=all

flex head comfort grip, short handle:

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...group_ID=21365&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

flex head comfort grip, flex handle, offset:

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...group_ID=21365&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

low profile:

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...=23967&supersede=&store=snapon-store&tool=all

 

[JSBriggs]

MAC XR-1

MAC XR5MK

Wright 3430

S-K SKT45174

a couple more options here.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=68092

and here.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=49070

-Jeff

 

[binkcat16]

snap on without a doubt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[tonydanzah]

the wright is awesome

 

[Sterff]

I have the Matco BFR48T and Snap-on FCF72. I love both of them and use them very often.

 

[Pro-Painter]

"best" IMHO is a mix of quality and value. The best stubby for the money is hands down the Duralast 73-872. Snap-on inspired, Taiwan made, 36-tooth, local no questions replacement warranty and only $14.99

Next would be the Gearwrench 81209 3/8" stubby. 60-tooth, sealed head,matco 88 swappable, and only $11 from cripe.

With both stubby ratchets above being under $20 and great quality, I cant see paying 5-10x more for a snap-on, mac, or matco stubby ratchet that offers ZERO extra benefits.

 

[cundifc]

I just bought a flex head matco stubby. We shall see how it works.

 

[Hammer1963]

I just bought a flex head matco stubby. We shall see how it works.

Same here.

 

[IBJanky]

I like the Harbor Freight model with the green/black handle

myke

 

[cundifc]

Same here.

They seemed spendy to me.

 

[FergusonTO35]

I have the Mac XR1 and it works great. The ratchet mechanism is rather stiff for close quarters work. Surprisingly it has held up perfectly, all the other Mac 3/8 ratchets I've owned have suffered from broken screws.

 

[Steevo]

I have the old Matco version of that Wright mini-3/8"

But I want the new 72 tooth Husky stubby 3/8" from Lowes.

 

[wchamberlain]

I have both Matco stubbys in 3/8, flex and regular, they are awesome!

 

[JSBriggs]

Matco BR3

-Jeff

 

[Case]

snap on's and gearwrench have both been good to me i grab which ever one i locate first in my box.

 

[Seanbev24]

Since first having the FC936, and now the FC72, I absolutely hate regular stubby 3/8" ratchets. 3/8" drive in 1/4" body is the way to go when using larger sockets in tight quarters.

 

[slipjointed]

In this instance, I say the SK for sure.

It may not be a super high tooth count, but SK's ratchets are superior in certain situations because they have really low resistance, so they are good for situations where you can't get in another hand to hold the bolt steady for the reverse motion.

 

[MXblur]

Matco!!!

 

[Ed_EOD]

Wright 3430 hands down.

 

[SMKS]

Wright 3430

I have this Wright and it is very nice. One of my most used tools. An ebay seller has them for $29 shipped.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wright-Tool...919?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item58908eb257


I also like SK ratchets. There are 3/8" drive in a 1/4" body SK ratchets on ebay for only $23 shipped.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SK-45173-3-..._Automotive_Tools&vxp=mtr&hash=item5d26bba653

 

[buffalobill]

I like that sk, i think i have found what i want. I am not much for flexheads, so that is perfect.

 

[Diesel-Mech]

I have a couple of the Snap-on offerings and a Wright 3430, I like the Wright the best.

 

[1931S/X]

ive had the wright a long time, picked it up at a swap meet, everyone with my thought i was nuts spending 25 bucks on it. i love it, it has saved the day plenty of times.

 

[4x4gearhead]

I have a bunch of different ones but the one Ive been using a lot is the duralast pictured above. The ratchet comes a bit coarse but if you find kirbot's thread on cutting the detent spring down it can be made very comfortable. It is as close as anyone has come to a snap on quality made ratchet made in taiwan in my opinion.

 

[greenepa76]

I love my Snap-On 36 tooth stubby, but the duralast is ratchets are seemingly very close at a 1/4 of the cost now compared to when I got the SO stubby 13 years ago.

 

[twincam00]

Duralast 73-872

 

[Notwerk]

Holy thread revival!

I'll add this, because it's a good deal and can be upgraded to the matco 88 tooth with the appropriate kit from you neighborhood truck:

http://cripedistributingstore.com/i...209-3-8-dr-stubby-full-polish-ratchet-ro.html

As it is, 60-teeth and pretty nice chrome for $11.

 

[DodgeZ]

Holy thread revival!

I'll add this, because it's a good deal and can be upgraded to the matco 88 tooth with the appropriate kit from you neighborhood truck:

http://cripedistributingstore.com/i...209-3-8-dr-stubby-full-polish-ratchet-ro.html

As it is, 60-teeth and pretty nice chrome for $11.

nice

 

[buffalobill]

i dunno, i went with the sk pictured above, the 1/4 ratchet with the 3/8 head, and it is a sweet little ratchet! probably one of the smoothest new ratchets i have ever came across, its probably my 2nd favorite ratchet, right next to the new dual 80 i just picked up.

 

[winlinmac]

This thread is in desperate need of an update. I would opt for the Tekton in this category, its 72-tooth count (could use some lube though) and is smaller than a 1/4" ratchet.

The 3430 doesn't have adequate tooth count for the constraint spaces. And feels kinda brittle. Received mine in this condition,

 

[Rig Rocket]

matco

 

[dnschmidt]

I've got a really nice TOPTUL up on EBay and the price is right. http://www.ebay.com/itm/121984673760?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649 I'm hardly an unbiased reporter in this regard but I consider it to be one of TOPTUL's best ratchet offerings.

 

[winlinmac]

Now that's a surprise. I should have checked your listings before contributing to this thread. That Toptul ratchet and its finish looks gorgeous. What's the tooth count on that beauty?

Edit: Based on the model, appears to be 45-tooth count.

What's your opinion on tooth count in this matter? Is 60-tooth or higher pushing it on these stubbies?

I'd suspect that in these particular ratchets, higher the tooth-count, the higher the chance of slippage. The lower tooth count (45 teeth or less) may actually be the sweet-spot, with coarser teeth, thus making them stronger. Interesting to think about the maximum number of teeth one can squeeze into these little ratchets.

One "pro" I can think of on Wright's model is it's thin handle and adequately sized-ratchet head. The Snap On and Taiwan-made ratchets almost look a bit bulky to be used in tight quarters. Anyone agrees?

I've got a really nice TOPTUL up on EBay and the price is right. http://www.ebay.com/itm/121984673760?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649 I'm hardly an unbiased reporter in this regard but I consider it to be one of TOPTUL's best ratchet offerings.

 

[oldldh]

On the Tekton...

The second one from the bottom is the 3/8" Drive Stubby ratchet...

72 teeth, and quick release, and low profile!!!

From Amazon for $14.99...Tekton #14902...

"winlinmac"....Has all the good photos, so here's one of my bad ones, for a scale view...

 

[martin666]

If I had to pick one I'd say my FK830, but each of these will usually do a particular task a little better than the other. In that case that's the one that's my favorite ( for that day anyway )

 

[dnschmidt]

Tooth count isn't as critical as it is with a longer ratchet since the swing arc is so short. I feel that the TOPTUL is plenty fine enough. These things aren't really used to exert any great force so I don't think strength will ever be tested. With respect to the size of the head it might depend upon the size of your hands. I have very large hands (glove size 11) so I find the TOPTUL head to be perfect for me to be able to get a good grip on it. If I had smaller hands then a smaller head might be handy but for that you can always use a 1/4" ratchet. These tools are primarily used where the bolt or nut is putting up too much resistance for your fingers to get the job done and you need a little extra to get the bolt or nut to get to the point where you can tighten it down. I sort of consider them to be finger extensions.

 

[Wamsutta]

NAPA has one that's 60 tooth. CHT R38S Retail Price $19.35

 

[rhandwor]

I have both a SK and Snap On I like the Snap ON a lot better.

 

[Jim Diesel]

Just like any other type of ratchet, personal prefferences are always going to win. Most decent ratchet manufactures make a quality stubbie. I like SP, GW and SO