Ton ton
Well-known member
I especially interested in Roto ratchets other than Kobalt. No Amazon. Thanks.
Favorite 1/4" ratchet.
- Thread starter Ton ton
- Start date
BlakeTheCarGuy
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Capri is my go to for ratchets I love them. Just my preference. Not sure if they make a roto head or not but I’d definitely look into them. If they don’t I believe Tekton does.
bwringer
Well-known member
Take the money you'd spend on some truck brand, walk into Harbor Freight, and walk out with six of their 1/4" rotos. Monkey with them a bit and pick the best ones.
Preload four of them with your most-used sockets; 8, 10 deep, 10, and 12 for Asian vehicles. Adjust to taste depending on what you're doing, of course.
Wonder what to do with all the time and frustration you save.
This is one case where quantity and cost-effectiveness beats the hell out of some vague but humanly undetectable quality increase.
Preload four of them with your most-used sockets; 8, 10 deep, 10, and 12 for Asian vehicles. Adjust to taste depending on what you're doing, of course.
Wonder what to do with all the time and frustration you save.
This is one case where quantity and cost-effectiveness beats the hell out of some vague but humanly undetectable quality increase.
No real experience with roto type ratchets. I've been a professional mechanic for forty plus years and my 1/4 drive stuff has seen lots of hard daily use. I have used many different 1/4 drive ratchets but ALWAYS fall back to the old school SK round head that is about 4.5 inches long, it just has the right size and feel for the job. The little SK ratchet and 1/4"drive Snap On sockets have both served me well and proven to be bulletproof.
No real perceivable quality, cheap, only 24t, but it has lasted me forever and I‘ve grown to love the way it feels in my hand.
Real aggressive knurling which I love on such a small ratchet. Worth a try fro the price if you are into such a thing.
Stanley Proto J4749 1/4" Drive Classic Pear Head Ratchet, 5" - Hand Tool Sets - Amazon.com
Stanley Proto J4749 1/4" Drive Classic Pear Head Ratchet, 5" - Hand Tool Sets - Amazon.com
www.amazon.com
Real aggressive knurling which I love on such a small ratchet. Worth a try fro the price if you are into such a thing.
Same here, I have many ratchets but most of the time I just grab an SK, great customer service as well from SK over the years.
RoundedNut
Well-known member
One of my favorites is actually pass-thru one: https://www.gearwrench.com/gearwren...tooth-xl-locking-flex-head-ratchet-6-1-2.html
I have 20+ and the "normal" sized ones are fine for general use but the newer compact heads are more useful. Like even some of the newer bit ratchets can handle 1/4" square drive tasks.
I have 20+ and the "normal" sized ones are fine for general use but the newer compact heads are more useful. Like even some of the newer bit ratchets can handle 1/4" square drive tasks.
ArtisanFarms
Well-known member
Another vote for the SK. I've had them for 40+ yrs and never found another that fit in my hand better.
demarpaint
Well-known member
And now I have to go get an SK… Assholes. 
wafrederick
Well-known member
My 2 long Snap On 1/4 drive ratchets,have come in handy a lot.The flex head comes in handy getting to the top 2 bellhousing bolts in Dodge trucks when doing engine swaps in the after the intake is removed.
Professional Tool User
Well-known member
My personal favourite is my Snap on roto head ratchet.
four.cycle
Well-known member
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Be bop into an O'Reily's and pick up one of these Titan 1/4 drive micro roto ratchets:
While you're there pick up the 1/4 hex version too:
The Titans are available in a variety of colors and either steel or aluminum handles.
As Lardy1 mentioned, Cripe distributing on ebay has a two piece 1/4 & 3/8 roto ratchet set branded Crescent which is the same as Gearwrench for like $24 plus shipping which is pretty sweet. look on ebay for NAPA and Carlyle version too.
For regular 1/4 drive ratchets I'd recommend Gearwrench as you won't find a thinner head. The SK LP90 series can be great depending on how it left the factory but, the SK 1/4 flex head is just too short at 5 inches, make it 7.5 inches long and they'll have a winner-winner chicken dinner.
While you're there pick up the 1/4 hex version too:
The Titans are available in a variety of colors and either steel or aluminum handles.
As Lardy1 mentioned, Cripe distributing on ebay has a two piece 1/4 & 3/8 roto ratchet set branded Crescent which is the same as Gearwrench for like $24 plus shipping which is pretty sweet. look on ebay for NAPA and Carlyle version too.
For regular 1/4 drive ratchets I'd recommend Gearwrench as you won't find a thinner head. The SK LP90 series can be great depending on how it left the factory but, the SK 1/4 flex head is just too short at 5 inches, make it 7.5 inches long and they'll have a winner-winner chicken dinner.
four.cycle
Well-known member
Actually I just wanted to see if I could upload a photo image. Apparently one cannot enter a photo, and THEN enter text?
I have to enter TEXT and THEN photo image?
How would I go about entering text, then photo, then text, then photo, etc.?
Sorry I'm not sure what you're referring to by "roto head". Maybe I'm not awake enough yet. You mean like the 3870 S-K ?
That's my user set above. Currently my "go-to" ratchets are that old TM739 Snap-on (in the center), and the 2875 Indestro (on the right.) I threw the 2875A Indestro (on the left) in there because they are becoming a bit more available in the second-hand market now (at least on Ebay.) (The difference is the 2875 is a 52-tooth with the three-point selector, and the 2875A is a 60-tooth with the 6-point "star" selector.) I actually prefer the older 2875 because the handle on the later 2875A is a bit puny for my monstrous hands.
I'd guess I probably have about a hundred 1/4" drive ratchets around here - scattered all over. Some are really nice (like those above) and some are clunkers.
Ryan, I find it hard to believe you do not own a 40970 S-K. They're a pretty nice little unit. Personally I find the old Indestro 2875 a bit smoother, and I prefer the feel of the handle, but the S-K unit is a gem. Pick one up off Ebay - you should be able to find one in the range of $15 - $20 bucks. (Least I ever paid for one was $10 incl. shipping, but that was a few years back.)
I have to enter TEXT and THEN photo image?
How would I go about entering text, then photo, then text, then photo, etc.?
Sorry I'm not sure what you're referring to by "roto head". Maybe I'm not awake enough yet. You mean like the 3870 S-K ?
That's my user set above. Currently my "go-to" ratchets are that old TM739 Snap-on (in the center), and the 2875 Indestro (on the right.) I threw the 2875A Indestro (on the left) in there because they are becoming a bit more available in the second-hand market now (at least on Ebay.) (The difference is the 2875 is a 52-tooth with the three-point selector, and the 2875A is a 60-tooth with the 6-point "star" selector.) I actually prefer the older 2875 because the handle on the later 2875A is a bit puny for my monstrous hands.
I'd guess I probably have about a hundred 1/4" drive ratchets around here - scattered all over. Some are really nice (like those above) and some are clunkers.
Ryan, I find it hard to believe you do not own a 40970 S-K. They're a pretty nice little unit. Personally I find the old Indestro 2875 a bit smoother, and I prefer the feel of the handle, but the S-K unit is a gem. Pick one up off Ebay - you should be able to find one in the range of $15 - $20 bucks. (Least I ever paid for one was $10 incl. shipping, but that was a few years back.)
oldwino
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Have a black USA made Williams that I grab most of the time. #2 is a flex head Snappie
matt_i
Well-known member
I go back and forth between two, Wera Zylkop (the fixed head) and a Cornwell TR-301.
plinker
Well-known member
+1 for S-K's 40970, they are perfect. Matco (or Armstrong) locking flex's are the next favorite. I have a couple Snap-on roto's, dont use them much except for TPMS sensors.
I did buy a TK72 from the Snap-on guy a while back on impulse, not really of fan of their 80 tooth but the little booger is growing on me, I use it like its more of a thumbwheel ratchet with a thwipper on it. Nice for low torque/under dash stuff.
https://shop.snapon.com/product/Dua...-80-Technology-Stubby-Fixed-Head-Ratchet/TK72
I did buy a TK72 from the Snap-on guy a while back on impulse, not really of fan of their 80 tooth but the little booger is growing on me, I use it like its more of a thumbwheel ratchet with a thwipper on it. Nice for low torque/under dash stuff.
https://shop.snapon.com/product/Dua...-80-Technology-Stubby-Fixed-Head-Ratchet/TK72
And now I have to go get an SK… Assholes.
Better get two because after you use it you're going to want the 3/8" drop in for one of them.
I never liked roto ratchets, I think every time I've used one I pinched the **** out of some part of my hand.
Other than that, I have a Proto 4749XL that I like a LOT. I also have a Snap-on T936 that I don't really like at all. Lately I've been using a GW 120xp flex head, works great but I've only had it for a year, not sure how long it will last.
Other than that, I have a Proto 4749XL that I like a LOT. I also have a Snap-on T936 that I don't really like at all. Lately I've been using a GW 120xp flex head, works great but I've only had it for a year, not sure how long it will last.
Better get two because after you use it you're going to want the 3/8" drop in for one of them.
Thank god I already have one!
Rabid Badger
Well-known member
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dr_clyde
Well-known member
I've not met a Snap-on ratchet that I didn't get along with. I probably have a dozen or more 1/4" drive rats from them.
My favorite so far is the TRSLF72, which doubles as a speed handle when you need it to. Fantastic for spinning on or off small fasteners then putting some gronk on it to tighten up or cracking loose and speeding off.
I also really like their various extended handle 1/4" drive rats for getting the leverage of a 3/8" ratchet in a 1/4" package. I keep them in my mobile kit so I don't have to carry so many sockets.
My favorite so far is the TRSLF72, which doubles as a speed handle when you need it to. Fantastic for spinning on or off small fasteners then putting some gronk on it to tighten up or cracking loose and speeding off.
I also really like their various extended handle 1/4" drive rats for getting the leverage of a 3/8" ratchet in a 1/4" package. I keep them in my mobile kit so I don't have to carry so many sockets.
ThePostman
Well-known member
I have a little SK roundhead I like for tight spaces, but my favorite is the Proto J4750HTCF (a long handle flex Mac Axis) it's seen a lot of use lately.
ChevyEFI
Well-known member
for really craptastic access scenarios (FPR against firewall) the SO roto wins. I have the 36 tooth TH737. The SK 4.5" and SK 6" get more use though. A Great Neck roto is a good one too.
Dust
Well-known member
Titan Micro 1/4" Racthet
I love this little thing so much. Great to hold in the hand, good teeth feel, and takes a lot of torque. My only gripe is that the two little screws come loose, so it needs tiny bit of Loctite.
I love this little thing so much. Great to hold in the hand, good teeth feel, and takes a lot of torque. My only gripe is that the two little screws come loose, so it needs tiny bit of Loctite.
anndel
Well-known member
Snap-ons: roto-head, comfort grip flexhead, round head fine tooth and 80 tooth long handle.
Lucid Moments
Well-known member
My favorite 1/4" is a Bahco 6950. For ratchets I am usually a Snap-On guy, but I like this little thing more than my 1/4" Snappy ratchet.
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
I love my TLLF72, big money maker and life improver. Snap on 72s and SK round heads are my favorites. Gear wrench is another good option, as the 84tooth head is slimmer than snap-on. At work it's usually snap-on, home I almost always am using SK round heads unless space is an issue.
shop.snapon.com
10 1/2 inches of glory. Add koken zeal low-profile and nut grip sockets for ultimate access and leverage.
Snap-on Store
10 1/2 inches of glory. Add koken zeal low-profile and nut grip sockets for ultimate access and leverage.
I have that with the comfort grip, amazing ratchet.I love my TLLF72, big money maker and life improver. Snap on 72s and SK round heads are my favorites. Gear wrench is another good option, as the 84tooth head is slimmer than snap-on. At work it's usually snap-on, home I almost always am using SK round heads unless space is an issue.
Snap-on Store
10 1/2 inches of glory. Add koken zeal low-profile and nut grip sockets for ultimate access and leverage.