suggest a decent 1/4" ratchet

[mech-tech]

Up until this point I've been using a Craftsman 1/4" ratchet, and it serves the purpose, but I would like something with a finer tooth for tight work. I am a big fan of proto ratchets but after trying the 1/4" I was suprised at the amount of swing it takes before the next click engauges. I dont get any tool trucks at work, but proto and armstrong are easily ordered at the near industrial stores. I had a cheap chinese ratchet, but it did not last long, even at low torque.

What is working for you guys in the 1/4" ratchets? Any ratchets to stay away from? How about the kobalt, duralast, or other brand tools found at local auto parts stores? It probably wont see any socket larger than 7/16".

 

[franzdom]

Armstrong 60 or 88 tooth.

 

[Vibrolux]

The Proto J4952F has 72 teeth, I like them.

Also consider a dual pawl Wright if you want fine teeth. Duralast is great but only 36.

I bought a new 72 tooth Kobalt and the QR button fell out before I even got to use it.

 

[crewchief888]

i've got 1/4" dr ratchets from SO, mac, duralast, SK, and a couple of CM no name lookalikes.

i'd take anything over the sk.

ive broken the drive off on every SK 1/4" dr ratchet i've ever laid my hands on.

2 of them were '50's vintage sk wayne,

for the price the duralast is pretty good.

 

[cascivic]

gearwrench flex head 6o tooth flex and good price

or a roto is nice in 1/4 too kinda does the same thing but can take fasteners off like a screwdriver which in this size is more likely

 

[Vvmvbb]

Craftsman premium
It's sweet.

 

[richfinn]

You wont be disappointed with a Snap-On in any drive size, I,m not a Snap-On fanboy or anything but when it comes to ratchets you cant really beat them.

 

[OEXL16B]

I like a round head for a 1/4" drive, so I'd probably get the Wright 2426 or 2492.

 

[mvptrukin]

Hello my name is.......and I am a snap-onaholic! But I got that Armstrong aerospace 88 ratchet on HJE day for $32 and it is great! You can't get any snappy 1/4" drive ratchet for that price or with that tooth count.

 

[gReves]

Just bought a very nice 1/4" Kobalt ratchet at Lowes. Was full polished and if I remember right, 72 tooth for 24 bucks. Very smooth action and with a quick release too.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_337318-22328-85857_4294707908__?productId=3381176&Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1

 

[OEXL16B]

Re: suggest a decent 1/4" ratc

I changed my mind. The Facom R.155A is what'd get to replace my Japanese round head if it ever quit working.

 

[John316]

Duralast makes a decent ratchet, but it's 36 tooth like the Craftsman (but still a step up). I like the 1/4 in Gearwrench. Same basic design as a Matco or Armstrong w/ 60 tooth (84 tooth in newer versions coming out now) and will accept the matco 88 kits.

 

[drew03cmc]

Cornwell TR301 and Wright 2400 are the two mainstays in my box.

 

[rmsg0040]

You wont be disappointed with a Snap-On in any drive size, I,m not a Snap-On fanboy or anything but when it comes to ratchets you cant really beat them.

I was disappointed with the snap on TL72, handle was very thin and hurt my hand so I returned it and got a THLFD72 (hard handle flex) > much better.

Get what feels good in your hand.

 

[OEXL16B]

FACOM R.155A

 

[NC-Fordguy]

Craftsman premium
It's sweet.

x2....

84 teeth

If budget is a concern..Lowes

 

[OEXL16B]

They gotta flex-head too.

FACOM R.158A

 

[markf4e]

wright 2426 http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/Ratchets/2426.html

or

Armstrong 60 or 88 tooth

http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/Ratchets/10-992.html

http://store.harryepstein.com/cp/Ratchets/10-994.html

Plus you can warranty the armstrongs at those industrial stores (like fastenal) very easily .

 

[Mr Ratchet]

Quite a few good choices out there. I would start with GearWrench and then the Armstrong Maxx for a little more.

You don't say if you want a longer one or shorter one. The Armstrong Maxx also has a locking flex as well.

 

[chris6278]

Recommend either armstrong maxx, matco or craftsman premium

 

[mech-tech]

I am leaning more towards a regular length ratchet, but never thought about Wright! I was looking at the kobalt, but could not get over the price for a non US tool. Do the selector levers accidently get reversed on any of the suggested ratchets like the craftsman do?

 

[osborn.ozzy]

long flex by Williams

 

[shampoop]

Love my harbor freight composite 1/4" drive. The combination of long curved neck handle and the quick release, is pretty awesome in some situations. They actually have a very nice ratcheting mechanism, smooth, strong, low drag. I use it almost as often as my standard dual 80 snap on 1/4" ratchet. Never use my craftsman 1/4" drive.

 

[OEXL16B]

Allot of it depends on how you hold your ratchet. When I have an extension on the ratchet, I hold the ratchet like I would a T-handle.


-

 

[dirtrider]

I like the Dual 80's, but I also own a 1/4 Craftsman premium (not the thin profile ones) which is awesome although mine seems to skip occasionally.

 

[thesilverone]

Wright, SK, Armstrong, Craftsman preminum

 

[Fedwrench]

If you have access to proto tools at a discount, I would recommend the Proto premium pearhead. It has 45 teeth and is probably one of the strongest ratchet designs out there.

http://www1.mscdirect.com/cgi/NNSRI...re=ItemDetail-_-ResultListing-_-SearchResults

You can also get any of the FACOM ratchets shown in the thread branded Proto too. Stanley bought FACOM a few years ago. The Facom clones are made in Italy as are the current Facom round head palm control ratchets.

The Armstrong Maxx 60 or 88 tooth version shouldn't be overlooked either. Thin head for access, comfortable handle, and crisp ratchet action make it a ratchet that's definitely a keeper. Gearwrench offers the same ratchet design internally (60 and 84 teeth) in more sizes and shapes too if you want a bargain.

 

[SuzukiGS750EZ]

I have a craftsman, snapon and gearwrench fine tooth. I vastly prefer my gearwrench. Smoother than the snapon and more comfortable. Head is also smaller. Craftsman makes a nice 1/4 but I still prefer the gearwrench.

 

[markf4e]

I am leaning more towards a regular length ratchet, but never thought about Wright! I was looking at the kobalt, but could not get over the price for a non US tool. Do the selector levers accidently get reversed on any of the suggested ratchets like the craftsman do?

You can't accidentally hit the wright into reverse, pretty difficult to do on any round head for that matter

 

[Davefr]

You can't accidentally hit the wright into reverse, pretty difficult to do on any round head for that matter

Yes, get a round head. I absolutely hate selector switches on these small pear head ratchets. You're always accidentally reversing them.


Those Facoms or SK versions are real nice.

 

[jeffk14]

Love my harbor freight composite 1/4" drive. The combination of long curved neck handle and the quick release, is pretty awesome in some situations. They actually have a very nice ratcheting mechanism, smooth, strong, low drag. I use it almost as often as my standard dual 80 snap on 1/4" ratchet. Never use my craftsman 1/4" drive.

The problem is, there are no bragging rights that come with the HF composites.

They are some extremely smooth and nice ratchets to use though. Especially for the ridiculously cheap price.

 

[markf4e]

Cornwells are also fairly hard to accidentaly reverse http://www.cornwelltools.com/webcat/products.php?product=TR3-%252d-1%7B47%7D4%E2%80%9D-Ratchet-Chrome

 

[jjjrmx5]

The problem is, there are no bragging rights that come with the HF composites.

Actually, you can brag about how f&^*(&g cheap it was. LOL.

If you have teh coin I'd suggest Snap-On 1/4" or 1/4" flex.

If not , the Williams, Proto, Wright , Armstrong and the Gearwrench flex are all capable tools.

 

[Mickey O]

I really like the Craftsman thin profile (or what ever it's called), USA made version only. Excellent ratchet and you can still find the USA made ones at some stores.

$18 with free shipping, ask seller if its USA made before buying (not mine)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Craftsman-1...H_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27c960a9bb&vxp=mtr

The one below, $24.50, looks to be a USA made one (not mine):

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BRAND-NEW-C...424?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4167f00ce0

 

[Davefr]

Cornwells are also fairly hard to accidentaly reverse http://www.cornwelltools.com/webcat/products.php?product=TR3-%252d-1%7B47%7D4%E2%80%9D-Ratchet-Chrome

Cornwell makes world class ratchets but unfortunately the 1/4" TR3 doesn't come with fine tooth. (that's something the OP wanted)

 

[burf151]

I like a round head for a 1/4" drive, so I'd probably get the Wright 2426 or 2492.

I have both of these, and love them.

 

[markf4e]

Cornwell makes world class ratchets but unfortunately the 1/4" TR3 doesn't come with fine tooth. (that's something the OP wanted)

Good call forgot that fine tooth part, but the cornwell ratchets are amazing!

 

[plinker]

My choice is a S-K 40970. Very compact design. I've used the **** out of one mine and only stripped the pawl after four years of hard use doing thing's I probably shouldnt have used it for.

I also like the 60 tooth Craftsman/Gearwrench/ete.. style ratchet's.


IMO, for a 1/4 ratchet 50-60 tooh is a minimum. 36 tooth or so is useable, but the more teeth the better in this case.

 

[cascivic]

I'm surprised no one else is saying get a roto? I only use my 1/4 gear wrench roto since it can be used normally or screwdriver style

 

[Dale B]

In spite of Crew Chief's bad luck , I've used a round head S-K for 40 years , still works great. The secret is don't use a cheater pipe on the handle , just fingers......