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Best bit ratchet 1/4

Dumber than lumber

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Dec 19, 2015
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1,894
This question comes up pretty often. This Wera is the one I use most often.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004ISLNRE/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I also have this little Sunex set that I keep in my desk drawer that sees a lot of use.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N4MA7MM/?tag=atomicindus08-20
I have the Wera and the Sunex 1/4” drive ratchets in sets that include bits (but not sockets). They are both terrific ratchets, but i prefer the Wera.
I had a Bostitch kit as well, but gave it to a teenager. How many wrench sets does an old guy need when he can get some tools to a younger generation?
 
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Jland

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Oct 15, 2020
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Colorado
I have a snap on sk and craftsman.. and to be honest since they don’t really ever get much torque put on them.... they all are about the same.. the sk is a tad smaller tho
 

Al Borland

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Jan 20, 2016
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I have this set, the super small size has saved me many times 4F05C48E-4792-4F68-B0ED-BD4FC3453B66.jpeg

I would like to add these but haven’t seen them in person.
These are great! I also have a HD Husky flex-head that i keep with a set of older Black and Decker nut driver bits and some screwdriver bits. Great midget socket set that takes up next to no space. They have a rubbery stringer they go in and everything goes in a little pouch in the bottom of the tool bag.
 

RoundedNut

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Aug 8, 2018
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driveway
You should try the Taiwanese locking flex head. Facom/USAG, KS Tools, Toptul, Würth, Deen, and probably a half dozen others sell a version. (Wera, short sightedly, does not.) It’s IMO in the pliers wrench category in terms of versatility.

I “like” Koken better but USAG gets 10x the use.
Yep, I've got the Tone branded locking flex head with the keyed extension so it can be used as a t-handle. Its the most versatile out of my bit ratchets so it may be considered "best" but different types work best in different situations.

Here's my bit ratchets along with some 1/4" square drive ratchets that have compact heads that I use an adapter with. Some of the smaller ones can take stubby bits as short as 12mm:

PXL_20210703_145423603_01.JPG
 

Jland

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Oct 15, 2020
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To be honest I didn’t even realize I had a 1/4 bit driver until I saw this thread then I remembered I have 2... so many tools so little time!!!
 

Tools4Me

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Jun 22, 2021
Messages
546
I have this set, the super small size has saved me many times 4F05C48E-4792-4F68-B0ED-BD4FC3453B66.jpeg
I really like Titan's 1/4" square drive and bit ratchets as well, but I use and prefer the straight handled version vs. the offset handle version shown above. They are my main and pretty much only close quarters stubby ratchets. I really like how the internal mechanism is quite a bit beefier than most other tiny ratchets without adding too much mass to the head. The straight handled set is Titan 11202. I think the overall working geometry is better with straight handles, and the handle is a bit thinner too.

I slipped a small piece of rubber tubing over my handles to make them more comfortable and give myself more grip when my hands are a little greasy. I'm not a fan of smooth chrome on any ratchet handle if I can help it. I also used a Dremel to cut the selector switch a bit shorter. Stock, the switches stick out from the edge of the ratchet head a little bit, and I found they would catch on things sometimes when taking the ratchet out of my pocket. I was nervous that I might someday snap the selector switch off if I left them stock. After modding the selector switches, they don't catch on anything and they are less likely to switch from being bumped during use as well.
 

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anavrinIV

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Oct 2, 2014
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280
I would like to add these but haven’t seen them in person.
CC66B445-B31C-4841-98D4-E8EC16BE96AE.jpeg
I have one of these in silver, saw them online but bought it when I finally found one at Oreillys a couple months back. Not much use on it yet but I really like it and it's tiny to fit almost anywhere. Thinking about picking up the 1/4" version as well, I can think of a few places where it would be a better fit than my regular flex head 1/4" ratchet.
 

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JBH

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Jan 17, 2018
Messages
811
No love for Anex? They seem to specialize is small drive stuff.
None here. That’s a very crude ratchet. I don’t know if I still have mine or if I tossed it.

Their half height bits work great on other bit ratchets though, and can be very useful.
 

measuredtwice

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Mar 17, 2019
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1,705
Location
USA
ASG-2106-SWISSAK-09.jpg

Several of them copied the Victorinox bit ratchet and extension. Some even copied the appearance of the handle. This video shows the Victorinox and the clone from Topeak. The head on the Victorinox is super tiny and can be helpful when there's limited access.

 
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Dave455

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Mar 19, 2013
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Location
Sussex, England
You should try the Taiwanese locking flex head. Facom/USAG, KS Tools, Toptul, Würth, Deen, and probably a half dozen others sell a version. (Wera, short sightedly, does not.) It’s IMO in the pliers wrench category in terms of versatility.

I “like” Koken better but USAG gets 10x the use.
This forum is totally awesome. It’s got to be the only place where you can confess that you own nearly a dozen versions of basically the same tool, and the first response is that you need another! Love it!

Actually, you’re totally right, and I already have one of these on my wish list. Until you actually use one you don’t fully appreciate how well made they actually are, and how much attention to detail there is.

At present there are quite a few deals in the U.K. and you can get the set with the plastic box and bits for not much more money than the ratchet alone.A633BB9D-7A02-4A95-BF35-1ECA9CD13631.jpeg
 

Mr Ratchet

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Mar 3, 2011
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Michigan
I like my Wera. It's the best for me because of it's small size. May not be the best for the next guy though. I've not needed one in a larger size.....Yet. I'll add one if that day ever comes though.
 

JBH

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Jan 17, 2018
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JradM

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Sep 4, 2019
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Alberta
A lot of bit ratchets here - but no one mentioned my favorite: the Wurth/Zebra compact bit ratchet with cushion grip.

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I prefer small bit ratchets. This one is compact, has a small head, doesn't add height, has a nice grip. I like it a lot.

Wurth re-brands tools from a bunch of manufacturers (lots of Felo and Knipex), so I presume someone else made this - but I don't know who.
 

pfbz

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Dec 17, 2008
Messages
955
I have a bunch of mini bit ratchets that are excellent (Wiha, Wera, Vim, Icon, Titan, etc.), but recently converted this Icon G2 1/4" flex head to 1/4" hex using a snap-on repair kit.... My new favorite bit ratchet!

1771554312390.jpeg
 

ChevyEFI

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Sep 2, 2012
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8,721
Location
Phoenix, AZ
I have a bunch of mini bit ratchets that are excellent (Wiha, Wera, Vim, Icon, Titan, etc.), but recently converted this Icon G2 1/4" flex head to 1/4" hex using a snap-on repair kit.... My new favorite bit ratchet!

1771554312390.jpeg
I saw a video on the 1/2" similarities.
Did the 1/4" require any fine tuning to fit/work?
 

pfbz

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Dec 17, 2008
Messages
955
I saw a video on the 1/2" similarities.
Did the 1/4" require any fine tuning to fit/work?
Zero. It is a drop-in replacement. You actually can just swap the anvil itself and leave the HF pawl and selector, or replace all of it. Works with the 3/8" conversion as well, but for that one you will need a new SO cover plate as well.
 

mikey03

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May 17, 2024
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2,089
I have a bunch of mini bit ratchets that are excellent (Wiha, Wera, Vim, Icon, Titan, etc.), but recently converted this Icon G2 1/4" flex head to 1/4" hex using a snap-on repair kit.... My new favorite bit ratchet!
that’s crazy! What are the odds that harbor freight just so happened to independently design their own ratchet that fits to the exact tolerance of the snap on anvil kit!
 

pfbz

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Dec 17, 2008
Messages
955
that’s crazy! What are the odds that harbor freight just so happened to independently design their own ratchet that fits to the exact tolerance of the snap on anvil kit!
They likely designed it as close as they could to the exemplar without violating patents. Just like every other tool company. The pawl's are a bit different, the SO being two pieces connected by a spring, the Icon being a single piece, so my guess is that is where the active patent lies.
 
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