Favorite short/stubby 1/4 ratchet?

[jimbothecricket]

I used to have one of these small Blackhawk roundish head ratchets (facom style direction change with heart shaped spring) EBAY: BLACKHAWK PROTO 1/4" THIN PROFILE FULLY POLISHED RATCHET 72 TOOTH GW-9945G. I recently gave it away to a family member and find myself missing it more than I thought I would.
I have a 6" 1/4 flex head, but I find the length too long as I rarely need the extra torque for my applications and instead the handle gets in the way. Honestly didn't realize that I liked the shorter length so much when I had that ratchet so looking for a replacement (which might be ordering the exact same ratchet again lol)

 

[Chrome Vanadium Cody]

That looks like a pretty killer deal on the Blackhawk ratchet, I don’t need any more but if I did I’d be all over that. Another option I like is the Wright 2426. Made in USA, reasonably priced, smooth operation once broken in and very comfortable handle shape. 4-3/4” long I believe. 45 teeth which may be a dealbreaker though.

 

[JradM]

I tend to use bit drivers with a 1/4" socket bit when I want a very small 1/4" ratchet . My absolute hands-down favorite is this tiny guy from Wurth (3.9" long):



It's very compact, strong, has 72 teeth, a manual thumb wheel on the top and a pleasure to use. Plus its a great bit driver because it adds no height (the top is dished so you can push out the bit, but the top of the bit is basically flush with the knurled ring when inserted).

I also use the Titan micro bit ratchet a lot. It comes in a 1/4" ratchet version too (though that's not the one I have). It's a very compact 90 tooth roto ratchet:



I also have this Felo 1/4" hex ratchet - ignore the ridiculously oversized bit that comes with it though. I don't know what drove them to make that. Just use a regular one. The slightly bent handle is nice because knuckle clearance can be an issue with a ratchet this small.

 

[charbar]

I took one of my 1/4" ratchets and cut the handle off shorter, cleaned the cut off end up some and then put some thick heat shrink tubing over it to make it a little thicker and easier to hold on to.

 

[Chrome Vanadium Cody]

I use that Titan micro roto ratchet a lot too. Big fan.

 

[cvairwerks]

Got one of these with a socket adapter:

https://www.amazon.com/AK6962-Sealey-Driver-Ratchet-Stainless/dp/B00K1UNJ52?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[lardy1]

Those Blackhawks are a nice ratchet for not a lot of money. So are the Blackhawk 72 tooth I have heard comes from High-5. Same as the 72 tooth Carlyle among others.

 

[FigN⋅m]

Our shop was part of a larger bike shop, so I got to acquire some fun little ratchets/drivers

I like the Wera Zyklop Mini 1. It's pretty comfortable and quite strong


The Topeak Rocket Ratchet (and variants) are versatile, but a bit more fragile


For home/garage, I recently got a Tekton q/r stubby which I'm happy with so far

 

[GrayFlattop]

I have thinner, and I have shorter, but the Neiko 03002A from Bezos is a steal at $13 and change. I like that it doubles as a bit ratchet for insert bits.

AND it's made in Taiwan (not China).

And it IS a fine tooth ratchet at 108 teeth!

 

[Lucid Moments]

I have been using a Bahco 6950 1/4" drive stubby for years and love it.


I also have a Tekton 1/4" stubby and it is very nice as well. I have a Snap-On 1/4" but it isn't a stubby.

 

[Steve_P]

OP: what length are you looking for?

In 1/4 drive,
Gearwrench makes a 5" 90T
Tekton makes a 3" 90T
Both use the same proven and durable mechanism in the standard ratchets and have a very thin head. I have the 5" Gearwrench and have no need for anything shorter unless it's a dedicated bit ratchet.

 

[s3zau]

Ko-ken 1/4” with 3” pretty small

 

[sparky 1971]

I like my old SK roundhead 40970. It's not a stubby like my Tekton, but at only 4-1/2", it's pretty darned close.

 

[ThePostman]

Since this thread is dedicated to the short/stubby class, my favorite is a SK USA flex head LP90. It is ergonomically perfect for tight stuff, hose clamps, dash work, etc. My real winner is a long handled locking flex by Matco. The SK is still a superb ratchet and use it a lot.

 

[darkzero]

Don't know if this fits the subject but here's my newest one that I got for work a few weeks ago. It's more of a wrench but both ends are ratcheting.
The 1/4" drive can be removed also, so 1/4" hex on one side & 5/16" on the other.

I love this little thing, needed to use it today actually & made the job so much easier.

 

[bonneyman]

I use all sorts of shorty ratchets and bit drivers, too.

My favorite small "real" ratchet is my Matco AR4. Supersmooth, nice and tiny, ergo handle.

 

[rust in the eye]

Here is my little buddy from Sunex:
A lifesaver in tight spots like inside dashboards. They also make the same ratchet as a bit driver, just as handy.

 

[Houdini5150]

I enjoy my 1/4 Husky. I have a tekton but the Husky is in a set so I use that consistently.

 

[dyermullet]

I just bought the same ratchet on ebay for $1 less than the auction you linked. It just showed up I haven't used it yet. Packaging said made in USA.

 

[finn]

There was a thread a month ago, probably under the Hot Deals section, where an aluminum roto ratchet (bit ratchet) was offered for $12.

I ordered it, and laughed when it came a while later.

Yesterday I used it for the first time, and I think it’s going to gravitate towards the top of the list. I never in my wildest dreams expected that.

 

[Dave455]

I know they’re expensive now, almost prohibitively so for me, but I think the Snap On is about the nicest.


I probably use this Stahlwille more. I don’t worry about damaging the finish.


The Koken is also nice.

 

[Snapped-off]

Probably the snapon tk72.

 

[kbeefy]

My collection of small 1/4 ratchets.

 

[Shoreline_]

I lost my original 1/4" round head snapon stubby in a customer's car. Still upset about that. Now I have a little Cornwell one. Works excellent.

 

[isb cornbinder]

I like all of my SK ratchets. I have one tiny 1/4" ratchet that followed me home from Princess Auto. This ratchet is perfect in every way, except, the screws that hold it together may loosen up and can fall out.

https://www.princessauto.com/en/1-4-in-dr-mini-ratchet/product/PA0008570426

 

[bcradio]

I know they’re expensive now, almost prohibitively so for me, but I think the Snap On is about the nicest.

Guessing you haven't used the Bahco?

 

[Nutria]

Not a stubby per se, and bone simple, but this open-gear Thorsen 1/4" ratchet is only 4.5" long, and it's what I grab for tight spots. Head 13/16" diameter, handle 3/8" diameter.

 

[Dave455]

Guessing you haven't used the Bahco?

I have, but I’d consider it more of a “standard” length rather than a “short”!

Goodish value though.

 

[bcradio]

I have, but I’d consider it more of a “standard” length rather than a “short”!

Goodish value though.

Mine is definitely a good bit shorter than all my other 1/4 ratchets except my midget ones

 

[ericm]

Snap-On TMK739. It was a road find. One of the advantages of doing a lot of bicycling. I recently disassembled, cleaned and lubed it.

 

[Dave455]

Mine is definitely a good bit shorter than all my other 1/4 ratchets except my midget ones

I like the shape of the shaft on the Bahco.

It makes sense to use an oblong or oval cross section, rather than round. The shaft is stronger in the direction you are applying force, slimmer where you want it to be.

Although common many years ago, few manufacturers offer this shape now.

 

[bonneyman]

No one really talks about it much, but I think there is a limit on small ratchets. There can be "too small" a ratchet. Getting older with stiffening hands has taught my that some ratchets are just too small for me.

Anybody else have this problem?

 

[ericm]

I use them when space is tight and a nut driver type handle won't give me enough torque. Kinda limited use case but sometimes it's the best tool for the job.

 

[Fedwrench]

I think my favorite short 1/4 inch ratchet is the Tekton:

1/4 Inch Drive x 3 Inch Ratchet | TEKTON

Classic non-quick-release ratchet with 90-tooth gear and 4-degree swing. Ultra-compact head and sleek, comfortable handle. SRH01003.

www.tekton.com

Not as short but, probably more useful having an overall small footprint would the Titan roto head:

Titan Tools 11316 1/4-Inch Drive x 4-Inch 90-Tooth Swivel Head Micro Ratchet

Buy Titan Tools 11316 1/4-Inch Drive x 4-Inch 90-Tooth Swivel Head Micro Ratchet with an everyday low price and fast shipping! JB Tools

www.jbtools.com

However, this new VIM short version of their really nice bit ratchet might become my new favorite :

NR400K – VIM Tools

1/4'' DR. NANO RATCHET KIT

vimtools.com

 

[KnurledNut]

Snap-on TM-70B.
Shorter than most 1/4 standard ratchets at 110mm, including its successors T936 and T72.
Lighter than most 1/4 standard ratchets at just 2.8oz/78g.
Thinner head than many 1/4 ratchets at 10mm thick.
Well-balanced and ergonomic with softened edges.
Strong mechanism with light back-drag and easy to find/switch direction lever.
Readily available on the used market.
20t count is a negative. I upgraded mine to 30t. Cost could also be a factor.
Just a beautifully crafted USA ratchet with a timeless proven design.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Wanted to add more pictures for comparison sake. The far left ratchet (smallest) is a $6 eBay one. I wouldn't trust it with much torque, but it functions fine.

 

[Tynee]

I'll add a vote for the Titan Micro 1/4" ratchet. Pick one up at O'Reilly if you want to see how it feels before you commit.

 

[VolvoRyan]

I go with the tiny flex-handle SK LP90. Now you can get them from Olsa. USA made. Not cheap, but very awesome. Since the handle flexes, you can get them into a lot of places.

-Ryan

 

[Jeff]

How short do you need?

 

[bonneyman]

How short do you need?

I've got a short Bonney like that! lol
P.S. In the spirit of full disclosure, I made this out of a damaged ratchet. A friend found a rat with the majority of the handle cut off, and was going to throw it in a parts bin for spare parts. I asked him to send it to me, and made this stubby ratchet.