Backdrag for one. They don’t seem to demand the same tolerances from their spring suppliers as better makers do, so feel is all over the place. I have a couple Koken 1/4 square and hex bit ratchets - all feel exactly the same. Ditto for an 80T Stahlwille fixed head and flex head. Even the Reverse Gear bit ratchets - Facom/USAG, Wera, VIM, KS Tool, Würth, Tone…all feel the same. But one can’t say the same about Snapon dual72.
Favorite 1/4" ratchet.
- Thread starter Ton ton
- Start date
Backdrag for one. They don’t seem to demand the same tolerances from their spring suppliers as better makers do, so feel is all over the place. I have a couple Koken 1/4 square and hex bit ratchets - all feel exactly the same. Ditto for an 80T Stahlwille fixed head and flex head. Even the Reverse Gear bit ratchets - Facom/USAG, Wera, VIM, KS Tool, Würth, Tone…all feel the same. But one can’t say the same about Snapon dual72.
I have 30+ modern Snap On ratchets, 6 in 1/4" (excluding 3 rotos), and my experience doesn't agree with this claim. Within a drive size, mine all feel the same and every one has lower backdrag than most others except Nepros - and none of the others are sealed. Seems you're the only "one" claiming this and I wouldn't consider any of the ones you mentioned "better makers".
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cstmg8
Well-known member
Have to say I agree. That or I just can't feel the difference.
Al Borland
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2016
- Messages
- 1,598
Little Titans are nice, but would be nicer with a Knurled handle. Usually like a round-head in 1/4", but don't use them often enough to really care.
1/4" in my daily bag is actually a bit driver, flexhead HD Husky (APEX) with nut driver bits and screwdriver bits. They live in a little zipper pouch with a cheap deep well set in a Cough drop tin held shut with a rubber band. Never fails to work.
1/4" in my daily bag is actually a bit driver, flexhead HD Husky (APEX) with nut driver bits and screwdriver bits. They live in a little zipper pouch with a cheap deep well set in a Cough drop tin held shut with a rubber band. Never fails to work.
I have no reason top doubt your claim (and I've read other complaints), but I'll say that I must have got a "good one". My little TR72 mechanism feels like a Swiss watch. Not the lightest backdrag but nowhere near the worst that I've experienced (I have Ko-kens, so I know the standard on light backdrag).
never rest
Active member
Williams USA 1/4" flex.
Josh the IH guy
Well-known member
For roto head, I like my red handled gearwrench...
But honestly, I love my little HF composite ratchet. I've had it like 20 years. My box also has a few older craftsman, round head husky, and round head SK. But that little composite feels so good in my hand, and it's never let me down....crazy, I know.
But honestly, I love my little HF composite ratchet. I've had it like 20 years. My box also has a few older craftsman, round head husky, and round head SK. But that little composite feels so good in my hand, and it's never let me down....crazy, I know.
nbpt100
Well-known member
For 1/4" drive it is the VIM locking roto. I could not find a link to the 1/4 drive but here is a 3/8.
It is a steal at this price.
It is a steal at this price.
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I used to own several Snap-on T72 series ratchets (regular, long handle, and flex handle), but I ended up selling them all off after about a year of using them. Backdrag was the main reason why I sold them, but I also found the ratchet head to be a bit on the large side. That being said, there aren't any 1/4" ratchets I know of where I'm happy with the backdrag when stock, except maybe the 1/4" harbor freight (Taiwan made when I bought mine) composite ratchet that uses Proto pear head style internals. That's a very cheap but nice little general use ratchet, once you slim down the very bulbous handle design.
The main reason I gave up on the Snap-on T72 series, was because if I cut the spring and performed other small mods to the internals, I could get the backdrag to lessen about 60%, but any more and it started to have function issues. I can modify other ratchet designs to noticeably lower backdrag without having those same function issues.
For the last 5-7 years, my main 1/4" drive ratchets have been Taiwan Gearwrench 84 tooth ratchets (pretty common 5-10 years ago). I'm not sure if they are still being made or not. Most Gearwrench ratchet designs aren't super impressive to me, but they did a really good job with their 84 tooth 1/4" drive ratchets. One or two came with small burrs internally that prevented them from functioning correctly out of the box, but that was an easy fix and their ratchet design is very easy to modify for low backdrag. Almost all my current 1/4" drive ratchets (8 of the 10) have slightly less backdrag than my stock Snap-on ratcheting bit screwdrivers (SSDMR4A, etc). That level of backdrag is where I start to smile when using a 1/4" ratchet. Much higher than that and I start to wonder if it can be modified or else I sell it off and look for something else.
javyLSU
Well-known member
FYI that link is to a 1/4” bit ratchet, just don’t want people to buy thinking it’s a 1/4” square drive ratchet… The 1/4” square drive ratchet is significantly more expensive:
I've mentioned many times how much I love my Icon 1/4" roto...
The SO is great also, but I do find myself reaching for the Icon first. That may just be because it was the first of the two in the box, but I did try a number of others (Pittsburgh Pro, Carlyle, etc.) and didn't like them nearly as much as the Icon. The SO was a gift to myself later, and it's been nothing but excellent.
The SO is great also, but I do find myself reaching for the Icon first. That may just be because it was the first of the two in the box, but I did try a number of others (Pittsburgh Pro, Carlyle, etc.) and didn't like them nearly as much as the Icon. The SO was a gift to myself later, and it's been nothing but excellent.
Walkers
Well-known member
I have that same SO swivel head. It is my most used tool, along with its extension set, u-joint, and semi-deep sockets.My two most frequently used 1/4” ratchets, aside from the battery ratchet. Can’t recommend them enough…
BlakeTheCarGuy
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I don’t have very many 1/4 ratchets but out of the ones I do have I guess my Craftsman raised panel that another member sent me from here to complete one of my sets. I plan on buying one from the Snap-on truck he was out sick last week and it was my first week on the job so I didn’t get to get anything. I have 6 quarter inch drive ones that I can think of right now. And 3 are Craftsman and 1 PowerBuilt and one extra cheap no name that was in a bucket of tools from an Estate Sale and one Stanley that the head moves on. So I guess the Craftsman raised panel wins. The PowerBuilt head is a little weak it’s a round head version and the internals always move back and fourth.
You are correct. I didn't know Carlyle even offered bit ratchets.
javyLSU
Well-known member
It’s pretty new, they released it about 6 months ago if memory serves…
GrantCee
Well-known member
1/4" drive often requires close access and so head size counts...
As does a recessed direction lever!
gjusername
Well-known member
Hey TY for posting about that sale on the bit ratchet. Even though it's off topic for this thread. I've had my eye on that ratchet but I was waiting for a sale. I even looked at their website a few days ago and went through their ad looking for any sales or coupons for carlyle and I didn't see the sale price so I'm glad you notified me! That's a decent enough price to justify the totally unnecessary purchase to myself.
jrbpit1
Well-known member
These are my 1/4” ratchets. I also have an older Crescent 1/4. The Mac 1/4 is super nice. Selector switch works very smoothly, with little effort. Selector lever is stamped USA, so that’s a few bonus points. Yes i bought it brand new off a tool truck. No I didn’t get it at a garage sale, flea market, or a pawn shop for pennies on the dollar. And I could of probably bought 10 HF ratchets for what I paid for the Mac. The SK works great as well and has an awesome knurled grip. 
allinon72
Well-known member
For some reason I always reach for my old Craftsman smooth chrome pear head. Not the raised panel, the smooth handle (forget what we used to refer them as back in the day).
Dakotadadv8
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 30, 2021
- Messages
- 1,483
ThePostman
Well-known member
Mac axis/proto precision 90, long handle flex head . I have 1/4 and 3/8, both in proto, I like the knurled handle as well. I own lots ratchets, I grab these first, daily use, pro environment.
BMoscato
Well-known member
I was just thinking the same thing after reading this thread! lolAnd now I have to go get an SK… Assholes.
ShadowBoxer
Well-known member
Hi,
Rather than start a new thread that ends up with 5 posts on it (maybe), I thought I’d ask a question here and probably get more experienced eyes on it anyway.
I just got a Snap-on TM738. It’s my first rotohead/swivel ratchet and it’s seen some use.
Everything works but it definitely feels a little worn. That is not too big a problem though as I am planning on some rather light, specific work helping me out on my lathe.
The main issue, and question, is what size is the bolt that squeezes the sides together?
This ratchet came with it missing.
Thanks for any clues as to what to buy or how to get one of those bolts for the ratchet.
Rather than start a new thread that ends up with 5 posts on it (maybe), I thought I’d ask a question here and probably get more experienced eyes on it anyway.
I just got a Snap-on TM738. It’s my first rotohead/swivel ratchet and it’s seen some use.
Everything works but it definitely feels a little worn. That is not too big a problem though as I am planning on some rather light, specific work helping me out on my lathe.
The main issue, and question, is what size is the bolt that squeezes the sides together?
This ratchet came with it missing.
Thanks for any clues as to what to buy or how to get one of those bolts for the ratchet.
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javyLSU
Well-known member
Agreed - call Snap-on. If you don’t have a dealer their phone support has always been excellent the few times I’ve used it.
I like the VIM bit ratchets, the HF composite 1/4", and the old Thorsen open gear ratchet for those tight jobs. Those open gear ratchets from Thorsen, Action, and Wright have really small head diameters for the drive size.
Though, since acquiring a Matco AR4 ergo handle, it is quickly moving to the head of the line. (I think Wright makes one like it as well). Small head, decent grip for polished handle, and nice fine action. I wouldn't use it to break a frozen bolt free, though.
Though, since acquiring a Matco AR4 ergo handle, it is quickly moving to the head of the line. (I think Wright makes one like it as well). Small head, decent grip for polished handle, and nice fine action. I wouldn't use it to break a frozen bolt free, though.
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A fine tooth Made in Japan 3/8" dr round head shorty with a 1/4" adapter is what I use most of the time. I've had this ratchet since the early '80s. I have a vintage Proto 1/4" but rarely use it. The Proto, of course, has a much thinner head so there's that going for it. Had a mid '70s Action by Thorsen 1/4" round head but it wondered off many years ago (the back drag was pretty stiff IIRC).
four.cycle
Well-known member
^ that Matco looks suspiciously like a model 2426 Wright:
$20 bucks new from this guy:
$21.80 for an earlier model with a round knurled handle:
others listed from $28 and up.
I have an earlier 2400 model in both Wright and a re-branded "Powr-Kraft" - nice little ratchet. VERY small head diameter.
$20 bucks new from this guy:
WRIGHT TOOLS 2426 1/4 IN DRIVE 4-5/8" 45 TOOTH RATCHET | eBay
Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for WRIGHT TOOLS 2426 1/4 IN DRIVE 4-5/8" 45 TOOTH RATCHET at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!
www.ebay.com
$21.80 for an earlier model with a round knurled handle:
Vintage Wright 2426 Knurled Handle 1/4 inch Drive Ratchet 4.5" Long Made in USA | eBay
Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Vintage Wright 2426 Knurled Handle 1/4 inch Drive Ratchet 4.5" Long Made in USA at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!
www.ebay.com
others listed from $28 and up.
I have an earlier 2400 model in both Wright and a re-branded "Powr-Kraft" - nice little ratchet. VERY small head diameter.
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kelpaso1
MEMBER EMERITUS
Snap-On. End of story. Cant stand any other make of ratchets. All others feel cheap to me. Smallest head also than all other makes.
bsaint
Well-known member
My fav one is a little flex head non locking hard handle from Snap on. Think it's purple.
four.cycle
Well-known member
ShadowBoxer
Well-known member
Hi,
Thanks for the reply.
I did call Snap-on. After being on hold for a while a nice guy answered and ended up helping me.
I actually have 3 tools that need parts/repair, two ratchets and a multi-position pry bar.
For the pry bar he is sending parts/repair kit.
A small pearhead ratchet from (I think the 1950s) and this swivel head he said were too old and they don’t have parts for them. So he wants me to send in the originals and they will exchange.
Now I’m torn. I like that the rotohead has a metal selector switch - that looks like maybe zinc?
I am sure the new one will be plastic. Also I don’t know how big the new version will be.
Anyone know what I should expect?
Any good reason to favor the older one (probably from the 1980s)? Smaller size, all metal parts, etc.?
Regardless of my anxieties, I have to say I’m impressed. It looks like Snap-on is handling things.
Sometimes you get what you pay for.
Even if it’s 40 years later.
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four.cycle
Well-known member
my "go to" is either that little Snap-on or this little gem I've been using for the last 50 years - the 2875 model on the LEFT, which has a 52-tooth mechanism.
Indestro upgraded it in the early 1980s to a 60-tooth mechanism and sold it as a 2875A - the unit on the RIGHT - and put the "star wheel" selector knob on the back instead of the earlier "tri-wing" selector.
There are currently EIGHT of them left in stock at Whatchamacallittools in Oklahoma City and they are priced at $12.99 each, which is ridiculously cheap for this piece of machinery. Ask for Richard on the phone. You can thank me later.
Indestro upgraded it in the early 1980s to a 60-tooth mechanism and sold it as a 2875A - the unit on the RIGHT - and put the "star wheel" selector knob on the back instead of the earlier "tri-wing" selector.
There are currently EIGHT of them left in stock at Whatchamacallittools in Oklahoma City and they are priced at $12.99 each, which is ridiculously cheap for this piece of machinery. Ask for Richard on the phone. You can thank me later.
