Need a good 1/4" ratchet

[mooman]

Is that second one considered the RHFT Craftsman? I'd like to try one of those.
Just a little nervous about rebuilding it if it ever needs it.

 

[mrholeshot]

No love for the Mac?

http://cgi.ebay.com/MAC-Tools-MR6-1...tem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item483b7d1fe7

I wouldn't pay the shipping if they were giving them away. MAC left a bad tate in my mouth when Stanley took a very active roll and started selling Asian tools at Tool truck prices. I've never been crazy about MAC ratchets. When I had them they were getting a kit about every two weeks

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

Is that second one considered the RHFT Craftsman? I'd like to try one of those.
Just a little nervous about rebuilding it if it ever needs it.

I've only got (4) 1/4" ratchets. I just got the Plomb and have never used it. I much prefer the Fairmount, which was made in the 50's or early 60's, over either of the Cman ratchets. More comfortable, thin profile and nicer action.

Moonman the RHFT is the second one on chopper1..
It is a great ratchet, just little pain in the *** to take part, there is a snap ring under the bottom...... its almost the same as the SK's with the snap ring......

 

[plinker]

Is that second one considered the RHFT Craftsman? I'd like to try one of those.
Just a little nervous about rebuilding it if it ever needs it.

Napa has the same ratchet, you could get a kit from them.

 

[Rickster]

I buy and sell a lot of 1/4 dr ratchets so I'v had a chance to handle a lot of different brands. I would recommend three top 1/4 dr ratchets:

Snap-on hard handle roto head. This is a great all around 1/4 drive ratchet. Can't say enough about being able to rotate the handle straight and drive the socket like a screwdriver.

SK: small and oh so smooooth.

Craftsman RHFT: Been around forever, well balanced, works great.

If any of you guys are looking to pick up an extra ratchet, let me know. I have a bunch of different brands available.

 

[Robertob]

Here's an old stock like the one I mentioned above - Easco with the thumbwheel on the bottom near the drive.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Kal-1-4-Ratchet...aultDomain_0&hash=item5d22d925a5#ht_500wt_928

 

[filtered]

My vote is a used Armstrong 10-996 if you can find one. The head is the size of a penny. It's fine tooth and indexable. I bought mine off here for less than $30.

 

[MattT]

The TF936 I have is better than the T72.....

The older, non sealed, TM75 is smaller still. T72 looks bloated next to a TM75.

 

[mrholeshot]

If any of you guys are looking to pick up an extra ratchet, let me know. I have a bunch of different brands available.

1008 Nutdriver set? How much?

 

[Jeeper]

My new go to 1/4 is the armstrong 10-996

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Armstrong 10-992...... super smooth, low profile ratchet.

I'd second this. I have an Armstrong 60-tooth 3/8" ratchet and love it. Really comfy handle, best chrome i've ever seen (It's so silky smooth and perfect.) and it's just a great ratchet. The action is really smooth and easy. It's just great ratchet overall.

 

[BWright]

My new go to 1/4 is the armstrong 10-996

I wish the handle was longer though. It isn't even an inch longer than the 10-992. I was kinda disappointed in that when I got it.

 

[mrholeshot]

I love the length of that one.

 

[Robertob]

I like the locking of it... What's the street price on one of those?

Man I wish armstrong was easier to get locally without having to pay shipping. Same goes for Wright.

 

[Robertob]

any love for the snap-on round headed 1/4 drive? I've never used one.

Or what about the Williams M-52A round head? Kinda plain looking but cheap and USA made.

 

[lynam]

I have 2 macs i use daily
Here is pics of the type your looking for try ebay for a used one.

 

[AustinRoepke]

Here's Matco 88-tooth vs SK picture:

Digital caliper readings on head thickness:

Matco AFR58T: 9.3mm head, ~10.6mm with the lever
SK 40970:~13.3mm head, 15.6 with the lever

To be honest, I think the Matco's overpriced. It's by far the nicest 1/4 drive I've used, but it's not worth the $70 Matco wants for it (nor is any other 1/4 ratchet IMO). For a cheaper 1/4 drive, I'd go with an SK like the one in the picture.

 

[mooman]

Wow! Three pages of help from you guys.
Thanks alot. Keep 'em comming. Your giving me alot to think about.
Craftman RHFT is in the lead in my book.

 

[KEH]

I don't think you can go wrong with an SK. No one has mentioned Cornwell which I like fine. It's compact, but a real compact one that is easy to use is no longer made..the Thorsen with the exposed gears and the easy thumb lever direction change.

The Cornwell direction change system can be used with the thumb, but it takes a little getting used to.

KEH

 

[babzog]

My new go to 1/4 is the armstrong 10-996

Love the length on that one! I could have used that when I did some work on the Civic earlier this year. How long is it?

 

[MattT]

Matco AFR58T: 9.3mm head, ~10.6mm with the lever

What's the width of the Matco head? I'm wanting to try a fine tooth and Matco is top of the shortlist.

SO TM75 9.6mm thick x 22.0mm wide head. 11.4mm thickest on lever.
SO TM76 9.7mm thick x 21.3mm wide head. 11.2mm thickest on lever.
SO TM831 10.9mm thick x 22.7mm wide head. Lever fell off
Mac MRR7 11.3mm thick x 24.6mm wide head. Round head.

 

[BWright]

Love the length on that one! I could have used that when I did some work on the Civic earlier this year. How long is it?

That is actually a picture of the 1/2 inch model. The flex in 1/4" drive is not considerably longer than the standard. Only 3/4" or so. Look at the bottom two ratchets in this picture for reference.

 

[tonydanzah]

matco makes the thinnest highest tooth count 1/4 ratchet hands down

 

[TCJ1981]

Snap-on TF72 or THNF72(if you like soft handles).

what i use the most.

 

[solitaire]

why do you not like the Cman thin profile ratchet?

 

[mooman]

I don't find it comfortable in my hand. Also, I keep hitting the direction lever while using it.
That's why I think a round head would work for me.

 

[Davefr]

I'd go for the SK. I also hate small ratchets that have the lever.

1/4" ratchets need to be round head IMHO.

 

[walrus]

any love for the snap-on round headed 1/4 drive? .

Its a nice ratchet, the one I have has a really short handle. Don't know the model# off the top of my head though.

 

[mooman]

I ended up getting a Craftsman RHFT from Rickster and Love it!!

 

[hofferwood]

That is what counts!!!!
for you and Rickster
Chuck

 

[49 ford f-3]

Boy, I sure give the MAC MR4C some love. You would have to Ebay it or have a student discount to get it for less than $30, but even at $52 it is a steal if clearance is an issue for you.

It is the smallest current production ratchet that I have found, but it does have a really short handle if you are one who really torques on stuff (I'm looking at you, auto mechanics). For my purposes it is awesome. Our aviation maintenance shop (7 guys) have 6 of them between us.

I reviewed a bunch of 1/4" ratchets on my blog

This is the only way that I have been able to make a thinner ratchet:

It is a Craftsman driver with a ground down adaptor.

Even this setup is barely skinnier than the MAC.

 

[cole_CT]

Almost certain that you can buy a GearWrench 120xp 1/4 drive ratchet for far less than $30 on Trident with Mike's current sale

 

[ac427]

Bit of a thread revival. I just wondered if you guys had seen the Wera Zyklop Mini and what you thought of it?


http://www-us.wera.de/catalog_us.html?L=1&file=/en-US/root_category_ratchets_zyklop_mini.html

http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd100/ac289/Wera-Bit-Ratchet-Size-Comparison.jpg

 

[jeepman1]

I have it and use it everyday... I do hvacr and find myself using it at the angle setting or as a ratcheting screwdriver... I like it a lot. I've only had it for 9 months but so far I've not had any issues.

Sent from my XT1055 using Tapatalk

 

[ac427]

Hi Jeepman, At the angle setting ?

I think you have the Zyklop 1/4" (which also caught my eye because of the Chro Moly construction) rather than the Zyklop Mini

The Zyklop Mini is for confined spaces

 

[jeepman1]

Yes I do[emoji1] [emoji1] for whatever reason your pic didn't load when I looked at this thread originally.... My fault !

Sent from my XT1055 using Tapatalk

 

[tt350z]

I got a chance to play with the zyklop mini when the WERA rep brought some.

I really liked it. The thumbwheel is nice, especially when in a confined space and theres not enough backdrag to make it ratchet. Just spin it down with your thumb instead of trying to get squeeze in your other hand to run the fastener down.

I probably dont need one for my personal home use, but for my work (Aviation) that would come in handy quite a bit.

 

[Kensgarage]

My OLD Challenger by Proto is the smoothest and lightest back drag on the planet.
This is a close second and the QR makes it great.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/PROTO-J4749...229574?hash=item4d23455ac6:g:O4gAAOSw42JWDpvM

All my Wright socketry is 3/8" but I have the 3/8 in the 1/4 body as well (3430-3440). Due to using them I'd buy this(and might anyway ) in a heartbeat too.
http://www.royalsupply.com/store/pc...-45-Teeth-High-Strength-Rachet-2689p50227.htm

I'll be damned. Grab this
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Proto-Chall...817650?hash=item4af26d1f72:g:4MYAAOSwZd1VZiak

 

[Kensgarage]

When I got to the shop I looked at mine closer Challenger w/ a small Proto logo under that and 1060-1.
Exactly like this but mine is minty.I grabbed the others again. The only thing close to that slick is a 1/4" 84 tooth Gearwrench I have.

PHOTO too big for forum style,view online. I hate side scrolling.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pgRmb1wBdV0/UMAWn-2fQsI/AAAAAAAAASQ/EUE5-W8p4ak/s1600/Jared's+pics+548.JPG

 

[M6erfan]

The OP asked for the smallest head possible, AFAIK that would be Carlyle, I just did a thread on this...

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=306902