To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Looking for 1/4" long handle ratchets

liliysdad

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 18, 2008
Messages
5,394
I don't recommend those Williams ratchets. I bought a whole set and really wanted to like them, but they have horrible back drag. Literally among the worst I have ever experienced. It's a real pain when working in confined spaces. Unless you're on a really tight budget, I would just get a used Snap-On TLLF72 off Ebay for $90-100 and be done with it.


While I prefer the Matco Eighty8s, the advice to splurge for a truck brand is valid. I have Snap On Dual 80s, Matcos, VIMs, Williams, Cornwell and SK ratchets in my box.

I’ll take the Snap On and Matcos every single time. They are worth it , and you can get them quite cheap on eBay.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Steve_P

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 15, 2010
Messages
5,185
I respectfully and very politely DISAGREE WITH YOU ! 😁

Tell us about your modern ratchets that have 70+ teeth. And the transverse engine vehicles that you work on where a slim head and low backlash matters because you've got an inch clearance to the frame rail and can't even see the bolt head. I'm guessing you only work on old vehicles.

If you own a 90T Gearwrench ratchet you'd know the Williams is outdated and inferior to nearly anything you could buy tomorrow at Autozone, Home Depot.....

So, I'm guessing you work on old stuff with old ratchets and it works for you. Which is fine. But some of us work on stuff where clearance and backlash actually matters.
 

Steve_P

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 15, 2010
Messages
5,185
While I prefer the Matco Eighty8s, the advice to splurge for a truck brand is valid. I have Snap On Dual 80s, Matcos, VIMs, Williams, Cornwell and SK ratchets in my box.

I’ll take the Snap On and Matcos every single time. They are worth it , and you can get them quite cheap on eBay.

Yeah, when you want the longer ratchets, especially with a flex head, this is where you are almost forced to pony up the $ for a Matco or SO on ebay. OP doesn't want to do this, so he's stuck with the bargain brands if he actually wants a 10"+ ratchet. And that is fine, it is what it is.
 
OP
3

308guru

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 17, 2017
Messages
460
I’ll take the Snap On and Matcos every single time. They are worth it , and you can get them quite cheap on eBay.

I looked but didn’t see any I’d place in the “cheap” category. Send some links my way if you could; I’m not finding them.
 

Johnny_opm

Member
Joined
Nov 28, 2023
Messages
13
I would get the new gearwrench 120xp locking flexhead. It's 9in which is a good length for a long 1/4" Drive. The whole point of getting a long 1/4 is to access hard to reach spots, which isn't always easy with a fixed head, and can a huge pain with a regular flex head if the head keeps flexing as your trying to get seated on a fastener. The locking flex really shines in this situation.

120xp locking 1/4"

Wouldn't recommend the williams. High backdrag and low tooth count, it's just not great for that hard to reach stuff.
 
OP
3

308guru

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 17, 2017
Messages
460
I would get the new gearwrench 120xp locking flexhead. It's 9in which is a good length for a long 1/4" Drive. The whole point of getting a long 1/4 is to access hard to reach spots, which isn't always easy with a fixed head, and can a huge pain with a regular flex head if the head keeps flexing as your trying to get seated on a fastener. The locking flex really shines in this situation.

120xp locking 1/4"

Wouldn't recommend the williams. High backdrag and low tooth count, it's just not great for that hard to reach stuff.
I had this one high on my list but after reading and watching some reviews I dropped it. It looks great, but the locking button that doesn’t lock up tight would likely drive me nuts. It could work perfectly as a ratchet but I’d be endlessly wiggling the head back and forth wondering why they didn’t make it better. Yes, it sounds like a stupid reason, but I know myself all too well.
 

bobg03

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 29, 2020
Messages
3,420
Location
conway sc
After completing a project this weekend I realized a long handle ¼” drive ratchet would really be helpful.

One long handle flex that caught my eye was the Williams JHWM-52EHFA. It’s a pretty coarse tooth count which *****, especially for a ¼” ratchet; Any drop in upgrades that fit? I do have the long handle ½” and it’s quite nice but the low tooth count is very noticeable.

It appears that Gearwrench makes some as well and those would already have the high tooth count I’m after.
I have the williams in both 1/4 flex and 3/8 fixed. They are my go to for many things, even b/4 a snap on.

I tried the gearwrench first, the williams just feels so much smoother, the gearwrench was donated.
 

MoonRise

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 5, 2010
Messages
4,028
Location
NJ
- snip-snip-snippity-snip-snip---

I realize your username is 308Guru... so what you're saying is analogous to "I want to have a two rifle setup that will handle all of my rifle needs. A 308 and a 30-06" when really you should pair your 308 with a 556. Unless you're big game hunting then I guess pair the 308 with a 45-70!
308 and 30-06 is not enough capability difference, like you said. 308 and 223 (keeping with the designation in 'Merican units :lol: ) split to the lower end. Or go 308 and 338 to split to the higher end, but some big game regions still list the 375 as the minimum allowable and others restrict 'military' calibers so you may have to rechoose on the 308, and if you want/need to go to a bigger thumper level add something in the 458 class/group, and of course a little 22LR. :LOL:

Check Astro's choices and offerings. In ratchets of course. :lol:

1/4" drive, 10 inch long, Nano (small head) #91410


3/8" drive in a 1/4" body, 12 inch long Nano #93812


3/8" drive in a 1/4" body, 8 inch long Nano #93808


No longer available, but shows up on their web page, 1/4" and 3/8" wobble head ratchets, set #9719

 

Wamsutta

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 8, 2014
Messages
10,876
Location
Amarillo, Texas
Tell us about your modern ratchets that have 70+ teeth.

I have one FHF80. It is the smoothest ratchet I have ever tried. I don't see any reason to try and top it. I consider it the gold standard.

I still use my 30 tooth and 36 tooth ratchets on a regular basis. I'll probably at some point get some more 80 tooth ratchets, but I'm in no hurry.
 

MarkH

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 19, 2005
Messages
1,353
Location
Kansas
The hard point of giving advice on what to use is we each do something different. Based on what we do, we each have an opinion. We have a very wide spread of things to maintain. Cars, real trucks, powered machinery from small to large, implements, buildings, etc. We have found there is no one size fits everything design. That has given us larger sets of tools to make each job and person be the most efficient than most people have seen. It is a larger set of tools than my father and uncles could ever dream of. They also vary by location shops, support trucks, pickups, items on the machines, and emergency kits have differences. We run older paid for machines and we use them more than many people do. So we have the luxury of fine tuning the tools to the job. Very few items become toolbox queens.

In the tool mentioned our routine is the industrial brands. Wright, Williams, Proto. Mid tooth count but maintained and very smooth. For some of the tighter spaces we have high tooth count small head wrenches. The Snap on and Cornwell wrenches are used even though I have never seen a Cornwell truck around. For use on some of the implements we still have 70 year old 20 something teeth ratchets used. They seem to work better with a rusty fasteners. Again give years and maintenance some of the smoothest ratchets we have.

My favorite for years has been the old SK roto ratchet. Most adaptable to everything I do. Would I recommend it to everyone, no. To someone who works like me yes. For everyone I need to know how you work to recommend. Though the years I have seen many people struggling with tools that are well known but do not always fit what they do. There is the need to experiment and find out what works for you. If you have the volume of work it is what I recommend. In most jobs time is money. At times we need to experiment to see what makes the use of time most efficient.
 

liliysdad

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 18, 2008
Messages
5,394
I have one FHF80. It is the smoothest ratchet I have ever tried. I don't see any reason to try and top it. I consider it the gold standard.

I still use my 30 tooth and 36 tooth ratchets on a regular basis. I'll probably at some point get some more 80 tooth ratchets, but I'm in no hurry.

Folks are different. I had a several 36 tooth Snap On ratchets in the drawer, and they day I got my first Dual 80 was the day I sold every 36 tooth I owned. The only thing in that realm I have left is a Williams Flex head, and it will get shuffled to a road box at some point when I replace it.
 
OP
3

308guru

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 17, 2017
Messages
460
Seems there's a new top contender. I definitely need to get a chance to check out the Milwaukee flex head. That looks really nice and Northern Tool apparently has them in stock.
 

KnurledNut

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 28, 2011
Messages
8,139
Location
n/a
Seems there's a new top contender. I definitely need to get a chance to check out the Milwaukee flex head. That looks really nice and Northern Tool apparently has them in stock.
I'd like to give them a try.
 
Last edited:

mikebaker1129

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 16, 2014
Messages
1,576
Location
Huffman,TX
Tell us about your modern ratchets that have 70+ teeth. And the transverse engine vehicles that you work on where a slim head and low backlash matters because you've got an inch clearance to the frame rail and can't even see the bolt head. I'm guessing you only work on old vehicles.

If you own a 90T Gearwrench ratchet you'd know the Williams is outdated and inferior to nearly anything you could buy tomorrow at Autozone, Home Depot.....

So, I'm guessing you work on old stuff with old ratchets and it works for you. Which is fine. But some of us work on stuff where clearance and backlash actually matters.
I love Williams for most things, but I am retiring my 1/4 flex head Williams ratchet.
I was working in a tight area and it was horrible.
Swapped it out for a snap on .
 

Steve_P

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 15, 2010
Messages
5,185
I love Williams for most things, but I am retiring my 1/4 flex head Williams ratchet.
I was working in a tight area and it was horrible.
Swapped it out for a snap on .

Yep, my experience as well. I'm also a Williams fan, but these ratchets just have too much backdrag and too few teeth for many modern vehicles. I said backlash in my post, but I meant backdrag LOL. I'd much rather use the round head Williams or SK if there's room for the taller head height.

Edit- those Milwaukee ratchets look pretty good! Do they use the typical 90T mechanism that GW, Tekton, Capri, SK... does?
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Iron Horse

Active member
Joined
May 12, 2024
Messages
28
Yeah, I knew when I found this site it might be hazardous to the wallet. I have ratchets out the wazoo. Snap-on (fav), mac, -V- craftsman, SK, Icon, etc. Now I see these nice milwaukee ratchets . Oh boy.....
 

MichaelP

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 27, 2009
Messages
944
Location
IL/WI border
Look into Mac products. They have very nice long (up to 13") 1/4" locking flex 88-tooth ratchets. For example, AFR128LFR (the last letter is the handle color, in this case, Red)
 

Dakotadadv8

Well-known member
Joined
May 30, 2021
Messages
1,483
If you change your mind 1/4 drive SO TLLF72 extra long flex and standard T72 works well together.
 

ChevyEFI

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 2, 2012
Messages
8,738
Location
Phoenix, AZ
If the Astro nano 10" length suits you, they did a great job on a fixed ratchet that fits the hand and feels like you can get right to work.
 

SouthernIllinois

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 14, 2024
Messages
1,675
I have a regular and long handled Snap-On 1/4 ratchets that I love and just this week I picked up a round head/swivel Icon ratchet.

The Icon is quickly becoming my favorite.

Although it's not overly long, its plenty for a 1/4".

Screenshot 2024-07-07 at 6.57.21 PM.png
 

kctgb

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 7, 2024
Messages
305
I needed a long handle 1/4 ratchet to get into a tight spot not long ago. Harbor Freight is a 5 minute drive from my garage. I went over and bought their 1/4 extendable/collapsable ratchet with 1/4 on one side and 3/8 on the other side. I ground off the 3/8 anvil so I could get into a tight area. Still have the $12.00 ratchet, It’s been working well since last year.
 

ronkz650

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 29, 2022
Messages
220
Location
Denver, CO
I like the little Titan roto ratchet. The only complaint I have is the tiny screws that are tightened to set the tension of the roto always come loose, and you have a floppy ratchet which gets annoying. It's not like it comes loose once a month or whatever, it comes loose after about 10 minutes of use. I finally put red loctite on the screws and hope it helps. Haven't used the ratchet since.
 

Kurt4440

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 3, 2009
Messages
2,448
Location
Western New York
I needed a long handle 1/4 ratchet to get into a tight spot not long ago. Harbor uFreight is a 5 minute drive from my garage. I went over and bought their 1/4 extendable/collapsable ratchet with 1/4 on one side and 3/8 on the other side. I ground off the 3/8 anvil so I could get into a tight area. Still have the $12.00 ratchet, It’s been working well since last year.

Did they have any of the 1/4" + 3/8" combo ratchets in stock when you purchased your ratchet?
These are 14 3/8" long with a "low profile" head.

Screenshot_20241012-165702(1).png
 

ChevyEFI

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 2, 2012
Messages
8,738
Location
Phoenix, AZ
Has anyone out there used one of those Titan roto thingies
Hop in OReillys and look near the front counter. They had the 4"? version for years and recently started stocking the longer version. It's not the lowest back drag or smoothest but better lube will probably help. And:
the tiny screws that are tightened to set the tension of the roto always come loose, . . . put red loctite on the screws
That has been my experience on multiple round head (roto usually) designs.
 

mike93lx

ALLIANCE MEMBER
Joined
Dec 9, 2013
Messages
37,554
Location
Richmond, VA
Did they have any of the 1/4" + 3/8" combo ratchets in stock when you purchased your ratchet?
These are 14 3/8" long with a "low profile" head.

Screenshot_20241012-165702(1).png
I have that one. It's fairly handy, although the handle profile *****.

Combined with nano sockets, it can get in some decently tight spots
 

Kurt4440

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 3, 2009
Messages
2,448
Location
Western New York
I have that one. It's fairly handy, although the handle profile *****.

Combined with nano sockets, it can get in some decently tight spots

Correct, I really like my Nano sockets.
The ratchet is a good choice for a travel tool kit. Handle comfort becomes more of an issue with age and arthritis.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom