Matco BFR58 vs TONE RH3CHS

[Draftpick1]

Looking for a small compact ratchet 3/8 in 1/4 body and looking at the TONE RH3CHS or the Matco BFR58. Any feed back on these would be appreciated, Thanks!

 

[setfocus]

Matco BFR58 isn't a 3/8 drive in 1/4 drive body. Thats the normal 3/8 drive head, it's just low profile to begin with

matco does sell "mini" ratchets and the 3/8 and 1/4 versions look like they share the same body.
BFR472TA and
BFR372TA
they aren't part of the 88t line and are probably not made in usa

 

[plinker]

The BFR58 is in fact a 3/8 in 1/4 body, the one in front of me right now and the Matco site prove this. The ratchet is great,I wish they'd have made it a few years ago. Only thing that comes close (IMO) is an S-K 3/8 in 1/4 (dont know the number offhand), only difference is it's slightly slower to change direction and the Matco is slightly thinner.

Matco dealers should have kits available if you want to swap out internals with any 1/4 ratchet (60-88tooth)

https://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/BFR58/3-8-DRIVE-5-EIGHTY8-TOOTH-FIXED-CHROME-RATCHET/

 

[measuredtwice]

The BFR58 is in fact a 3/8 in 1/4 body...

^^ I agree.

Also the repair kit BFR5TK for the ratchet will convert another 1/4 body to a 3/8. You can make a compact locking flex head with the kit.

 

[setfocus]

I could be wrong, normally the drive end looks overly large with 1/4 drive body

 

[measuredtwice]

I could be wrong, normally the drive end looks overly large with 1/4 drive body

The stock photo on the Matco website is not correct. Here's a photo from Google.

 

[Draftpick1]

The BFR58 is in fact a 3/8 in 1/4 body, the one in front of me right now and the Matco site prove this. The ratchet is great,I wish they'd have made it a few years ago. Only thing that comes close (IMO) is an S-K 3/8 in 1/4 (dont know the number offhand), only difference is it's slightly slower to change direction and the Matco is slightly thinner.

Matco dealers should have kits available if you want to swap out internals with any 1/4 ratchet (60-88tooth)

https://www.matcotools.com/catalog/product/BFR58/3-8-DRIVE-5-EIGHTY8-TOOTH-FIXED-CHROME-RATCHET/

I have other 88 Matco/Armstrong and like them. Did not know about the SK although I have not been a fan there ratchet. I have still been looking and found out Koken makes a 36 tooth 3/8 in 1/4 ratchet in several lengths and a flex. That is an option as well do wish they had that in the new 72 tooth.

 

[Mgdoug3]

The short version of the SK is 45173 (4.5"). The long version is 45171 (6.5"). I prefer 45173. Since buying those two, I have stopped looking at 3/8 in a 1/4 body ratchets. I'm not saying it's the best but it's not worth my time or money trying to find a better one.

 

[Ign]

So the RH3CHS appears uber short at 3.5".....there's also an RH3HS that looks to be ~4-5/16" -- I don't know if the latter is truly in a 1/4" body but I'd think so?

I think the "C" in the part # is for compact?

 

[kanai]

RH3CHS - 90mm length

RH3HS - 110mm length

Tone sells a repair kit for both, fwiw.

 

[measuredtwice]

From what I've read on the forum, Tone can be very deceptive and misleading about COO. The ratchets are imported from Taiwan, not made in Japan. See quote below. To me, it's not worth paying big bucks to import a Taiwan ratchet from Japan when I can get Taiwan ratchets in the USA for cheaper (even made by the same OEM).

Tone was one of the early adopters of high tooth-count ratchets in Japan. When they introduced their 72-tooth pearhead ratchets people were led to believe they were a Japanese product, when in fact they were imports from Taiwan.

If the RH3FHX is marked with "Japan", it's a bit deceptive and misleading.

Their new lineup is still imported from Taiwan. Newtools/Hi-Five is definitely one of their sources (probably their primary source).

Regarding the ratchets discussed in the quotes below, only the model with a "C" is a 1/4 body. The other is a short 3/8 body. The size of the ratchet head is different and they take different repair kits.

By the way.... I wonder if the Tone repair kit would fit a 1/4 Blackhawk. I've owned the Blackhawk ratchets which appear to be made by the same company. I paid pennies on the dollar for them. Didn't like them and didn't keep them though.

So the RH3CHS appears uber short at 3.5".....there's also an RH3HS that looks to be ~4-5/16" -- I don't know if the latter is truly in a 1/4" body but I'd think so?

I think the "C" in the part # is for compact?

RH3CHS - 90mm length

RH3HS - 110mm length

Tone sells a repair kit for both, fwiw.

 

[Ign]

Regarding the ratchets discussed in the quotes below, only the model with a "C" is a 1/4 body. The other is a short 3/8 body. The size of the ratchet head is different and they take different repair kits.

{snip}

Thank you, that was my question! I measured the Tone specs on the "C" against my Tekton stubby 3/8" earlier today and wow, the Tone numbers are way less....especially a claimed 19mm OAW for the head.

 

[Draftpick1]

I picked up the Matco BFR58 3/8 in 1/4 body and it's a great ratchet. I has been very handy. So now seeing how useful that one has been any options for 1/2 inch in 3/8 body? I know Tone makes one RH4CH, any others?

 

[plinker]

I had found some 36tooth torque wrench kits that would drop in the typical Craftsman/KD/Napa/Matco/Allen/other Danaher ratchets, Cripe had them a couple years ago. Astro came out with something not too long ago IIRC. Not sure why none of the truck brands makes anything like it as it can/could be handy.

 

[65k10]

I picked up the Matco BFR58 3/8 in 1/4 body and it's a great ratchet. I has been very handy. So now seeing how useful that one has been any options for 1/2 inch in 3/8 body? I know Tone makes one RH4CH, any others?

Here are two options from the German tool companies Hazet and Heyco.
Hazet makes the 916k

HAZET-WERK - Hermann Zerver GmbH & Co. KG

Reversible ratchet ∙ short 916K ∙ Square, solid 1/2 inch (12.5 mm) ∙ 199 mm

www.hazet.de

Heyco

Reversible ratchet talenta, 1/2", 32 teeth | HEYCO Qualitätswerkzeuge

There is also Koken with a 1/2 stubby ratchet.

Koken 3749S-1/2 | 1/2" Sq. Drive, Reversible Ratchet Short

Palmac Tool Company offers the Koken 3749S-1/2 | 1/2" Sq. Drive, Reversible Ratchet Short to order online with a best Price Guarantee. Fast Shipping Available.

palmac.net

 

[txlch]

I had found some 36tooth torque wrench kits that would drop in the typical Craftsman/KD/Napa/Matco/Allen/other Danaher ratchets, Cripe had them a couple years ago. Astro came out with something not too long ago IIRC. Not sure why none of the truck brands makes anything like it as it can/could be handy.

Do you have a part number for these? Were they quick release?

 

[Fedwrench]

Not to derail your thread but, I would recommend Tekton.
they recently released 3/8 in a 1/4 drive body ratchets with or without quick release.

Small Body Ratchets - 3/8 Inch Drive | TEKTON

Get the access and agility of a smaller 1/4 inch drive handle and ratchet head with a 3/8 inch drive tang.

www.tekton.com

If you want one with a comfort grip, buy a 1/4 comfort grip ratchet and this repair kit:

3/8 Inch Drive Small Body Service Kit | TEKTON

Use the 3/8 inch drive small body ratchet service kit to repair your broken Tekton non-quick-release small body ratchet head. SRH9X009.

www.tekton.com

Quick release version also available.

 

[plinker]

Do you have a part number for these? Were they quick release?

Here's the old thread, no QR on these. Part # 64-091 Armstrong torque wrench repair kit for torque wrench # 796AR-91
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/1-2-in-3-8-ratchet.385507/#post-7479747

 

[Wamsutta]

Looking for a small compact ratchet 3/8 in 1/4 body and looking at the TONE RH3CHS or the Matco BFR58. Any feed back on these would be appreciated, Thanks!

There' also the FC72 and the XR5MK.

 

[Chrome Vanadium Cody]

For those looking for a 1/2" in 3/8" body one other option is the Beta 920/55x, sells for about $55 in the US. I have the Hazet 916k mentioned upthread. For me a regular head size 1/2" ratchet with a stubby handle has been more useful (Top RH-3S) but YMMV

 

[Steve_P]

I also have the Tekton 3/8 drive in 1/4 ratchet and it's excellent. I already had a Tekton 1/4 ratchet that was essentially a duplicate, so I converted it using the kit.