Roto Ratchet Fans - Step Inside!

[BirdMobile]

Hi again.
My new stubby, 3/8 drive super compact roto head ratchet.
Details to follow.

 

[BirdMobile]

Side view

 

[BirdMobile]

It's made from a Harbor Freight "T" handled roto "thing":

 

[BirdMobile]

Tag from packaging:

 

[BirdMobile]

Construction is really simple. Take a T15 Torx driver, unscrew the flex joint. Finished.

You now have the smallest 3/8 stubby roto in existence! Enjoy!

 

[espyking83]

Never saw the need for roto ratchets unless you happen to be a jungle-gym mechanic.

 

[gsingh]

I love the roto ratchet I have. Its my go to ratchet most of the time.

 

[thesilverone]

in for the next 15 seconds of fame thread

 

[wild cowboy]

Construction is really simple. Take a T15 Torx driver, unscrew the flex joint. Finished.

You now have the smallest 3/8 stubby roto in existence! Enjoy!

great trick! - and only costs $15 using the 25% coupon!

but it seems whenever I need a stubby that small I am usually using a 1/4" one already

 

[lightning02]

I bought my first roto ratchet 2 nights ago. Was out with the lady and grab one at HF to try out since I never owned one before. See what there story is.

Btw- is there away to lube a HF roto head ratchet? I don't see anyway to take it apart.

 

[BirdMobile]

I bought my first roto ratchet 2 nights ago. Was out with the lady and grab one at HF to try out since I never owned one before. See what there story is.

Btw- is there away to lube a HF roto head ratchet? I don't see anyway to take it apart.

I haven't found a way to disassemble them, but some posts here seem to say it's been done. I just soak the heads of mine in ATF to clean/lube them. Works OK... but the backdrag is pretty bad on HF's no matter what you do. When I bought my 4, I took all of them on the rack and turned them, compared and picked out the least "draggy" of the bunch.

 

[BirdMobile]

great trick! - and only costs $15 using the 25% coupon!

but it seems whenever I need a stubby that small I am usually using a 1/4" one already

Yeah... me too. This is a specialty tool, no doubt... however, more options is always better, especially when it comes to tools.

One other thought - you can always re-assemble everything if you need the longer T-Handled "thing" for other uses.

 

[redwrench60]

Never saw the need for roto ratchets unless you happen to be a jungle-gym mechanic.

I used to feel the exact same way......until I started using one. Now it's my go to ratchet (hard handle long Snap-On roto head) They have so many advantages but they're one of those things that's difficult to explain, I'd have to show you or put one in your hand for a while.

 

[BirdMobile]

I used to feel the exact same way......until I started using one. Now it's my go to ratchet (hard handle long Snap-On roto head) They have so many advantages but they're one of those things that's difficult to explain, I'd have to show you or put one in your hand for a while.

This.

 

[lightning02]

I haven't found a way to disassemble them, but some posts here seem to say it's been done. I just soak the heads of mine in ATF to clean/lube them. Works OK... but the backdrag is pretty bad on HF's no matter what you do. When I bought my 4, I took all of them on the rack and turned them, compared and picked out the least "draggy" of the bunch.

I do the same when buying. Have to test them all out. People look at me weird in the store lol I'll give the ATF a try if there isn't any other way.

 

[rtole]

Cant comment on the hf rotohead, but my snap on rotohead works best dry. Grease locks it up, thin oil makes it sticky, thin film sprays (like royal purple gun oil or superlube spray) make it sticky. Dry graphit makes it sticky, clean and dry, perfect. Its the only ratchet I have seen that doesnt like lube.

 

[wild cowboy]

Works OK... but the backdrag is pretty bad on HF's no matter what you do. When I bought my 4, I took all of them on the rack and turned them, compared and picked out the least "draggy" of the bunch.

Ha! - I do the same thing! - with every ratchet in every store!

people look at me like I am a complete loon!

 

[gigamel]

Works OK... but the backdrag is pretty bad on HF's no matter what you do. When I bought my 4, I took all of them on the rack and turned them, compared and picked out the least "draggy" of the bunch.

Nice ratchets, but the backdrag is crazy high by far the worst of all my ratchets.
The 1/4" HF roto has twice as much backdrag as a 1/2" Wera Zyclop (also a roto!)

 

[nicksnothereman]

I have no idea what the original thing is for and I lego **** all the time. Still can't find out what the ez red double flex 1/4" ratchet is for. Doesn't make no sense to me; sure might be a place for it but you can't really use it normally because it's too floppy plus it's 1/4".

What I'm saying is...this is a slight upgrade I suppose.

 

[BirdMobile]

Nice ratchets, but the backdrag is crazy high by far the worst of all my ratchets.
The 1/4" HF roto has twice as much backdrag as a 1/2" Wera Zyclop (also a roto!)

Sounds about right.
My HF rotos are probably twice the backdrag as my Carlyles, the next most "draggy" ratchets. Something about the roto-head ratcheting mechanism just seems to have more backdrag than other ratchet types. My LEAST backdrag rotos (Husky) have probably twice the backdrag as my WORST pear head ratchet.

The rotos more than makes up for it in overall usefullness though!

 

[BirdMobile]

I have no idea what the original thing is for and I lego **** all the time. Still can't find out what the ez red double flex 1/4" ratchet is for. Doesn't make no sense to me; sure might be a place for it but you can't really use it normally because it's too floppy plus it's 1/4".

What I'm saying is...this is a slight upgrade I suppose.

Someone on this forum posted that the "thing" is really useful for something... can't remember what, and I'm too tired/lazy right now to search for it.

 

[XxToolAholicxX]

I bought my first roto head ratchet at the flea market for $6.00 and it is a very nice S-K 3/8 long handle.

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I am a Toolaholic,Sometimes I regret it,Especially when the Toolman wont give me no credit

 

[BirdMobile]

I bought my first roto head ratchet at the flea market for $6.00 and it is a very nice S-K 3/8 long handle.

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I am a Toolaholic,Sometimes I regret it,Especially when the Toolman wont give me no credit

That definitely deserves a "you ****!"