Thin profile ratchet differences?

[olds70supreme]

I need additinal clearance to remove a fastener and am looking online at a Craftsman slim profile ratchet. Could anybody tell me what the difference in thickness of the "head" is versus a regular ratchet? Basically the distance from where the socket seats to the back surface (where the release button is).

Also, does anybody know of any other brands with a slim profile ratchet?

Thanks.

 

[krusty the clown]

matco.......

 

[posaune]

My post about an SK ratchet has pics of a 3/8" drive one next to the SK and a Proto. Check HERE. Hopefully that 'll help.

 

[caper]

Old style proto's were real thin,good for tight spots.

 

[john w]

If I measure from the top of the push button release on my c=man low profile to the top of the reversing lever of my SO 832 plug ratchet, it's 1/8". The c-man is a good bit lower in profile than the rest of my 3/8 ratchets.

 

[ilya]

Gearwrench drive adapter

I got this adapter set from Sears during 30% off Gearwrench sale. Here's one from Amazon.com:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002NYCZO/?tag=atomicindus08-20

The adapters come in 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" drive sizes. 1/4" adapter fits into 10mm wrench, 3/8" fits into 13mm wrench, and 1/2" fits into 19mm wrench. There might be a SAE version of this set as well.

These adapters convert ratcheting wrenches into thin-profile ratchets which might rival dedicated thin-head ratchets in thickness.

 

[Chris Adams]

What drive ratchet? I can mike my Craftsman low profile, or others but don't want to do all of them...

 

[Tool Pants]

Thin profile. Polished pro. Raised panel. All 3/8" drive Craftsman.

 

[lauver]

Olds70,

Round head ratchets (regardless of brand) are thicker than tear drop ratchets or boxhead ratchets.

If you want a nice thin ratchet, try the GearWrench teardrop ratchets. They're about as thin as they get, and the models with the flex-handles are great in applictions where clearance is an issue. GearWrench makes a 4-piece ratchet set with flex handles and covers 1/4", 3/8" (2), and 1/2" drive sizes for about $100. And 60 teeth to boot! Nice fit and finish...very easy to live with.

EDIT:

Craftsman MN 43797 1/2" drive round head ratchet---0.980"

Craftsman MN 44985 1/2" drive teardrop ratchet---0.765"

GearWrench MN 81306 1/2" drive teardrop ratchet---0.645"

 

[olds70supreme]

Sorry for the confusion, I did not communicate what I was asking. I meant to ask if anybody knew the dimensions of a "thin profile" design that they had. Aka, if somebody owns a Craftsman thin profile ratchet could they measure it and post? That way I can compare to my ratchet (which is a 1/2" Allen) and measure the available space to see if buying it will solve my problem.

BTW, thanks for all the posts thus far. It is nice to be able to draw upon others to help save a wasted purchase, etc...

 

[john w]

Sorry - can't help with 1/2 drive, neither of mine are low profile.

 

[Chris Adams]

OK, ½ inch it is.
In the low profile Craftsman 1.3 inches is the narrowest you could wedge it into.
Regular Craftsman (the cheap ½ sold everywhere) is 1.56 inches

Oddly the thick 710 SnapOn is only 1.45. Really only 1.35 but if you push it in beyond the end the shift selector bulks it out.
The shift selector is very flush on the thin profile.

If you want thin, look into the socket insert type ratchets.

 

[lauver]

Thin profile. Polished pro. Raised panel. All 3/8" drive Craftsman.

Tool Pants,

Great photo; it clearly shows the thickness difference between the Craftsman 3-ratchet lineup. If you want to go one better, add the fine tooth round head ratchet or the old EE round head ratchet. They are both thicker yet.

 

[caper]

Maybe you should look for a 1/2" in a 3/8"body.

 

[zuspiel]

Maybe you should look for a 1/2" in a 3/8"body.

Does anybody make one? I might also be interested in that. I only know the Snappy 3/8 in 1/4...

 

[Chris Adams]

Maybe you should look for a 1/2" in a 3/8"body.

While measuring the Craftsman I also measured my 1/2 in 3/8 Proto. Just about as thick as the Snap-On. I think the pass through socket/ratchets are about the only thing really thin, except for a Gearwrench of course.

Cheap method, get Harbor Freight gear wrench adaptors.
Set costs little, the half inch one fits in a 19 mm or 3/4 drive Gearwrench.
It measures 1.3 deep.

 

[Major Ramifications]

BTW, thanks for all the posts thus far. It is nice to be able to draw upon others to help save a wasted purchase, etc...

Don't you blaspheme in here. A tool is never a wasted purchase.

 

[Fedwrench]

The thinest ratchet I've found is the gearwrench or Matco 60 tooth ratchet. The thinest overall set up is the Craftsman wrench socket in a gearwrench.
The Gearwrench vortex pass through socket sets are a close second.

 

[Coach James]

Don't you blaspheme in here. A tool is never a wasted purchase.

!!!

Coach

 

[48548]

The thinest ratchet I have used, is the craftsman professional ratchet wrenches. Okay not a ratchet, but much smaller and you can use it like a ratchet if you have the correct size. The lever doesn't even get in the way.

 

[Tool Pants]

I bought the 1/2" version at the flea market yesterday. The 1/4" and 3/8" I bought abought at the flea market 3 months ago. You have already seen my picture of the 3/8" thin profile next to the polished pro and raised panel.

First picture is 1/4" and second is 1/2". They are in the same order as my 3/8" drive picture. Thin profile. Polished pro. Raised panel.

 

[bchee]

I noticed that the quick release button on the Craftsman thin profiles changed. The newer ones are smaller in diameter, but stick out more.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Bumping an old thread for newer members to read.

Also note that the Armstrong/Matco regular are thinner than the thin profile Craftsmans.

 

[DennisH2014]

I need additinal clearance to remove a fastener and am looking online at a Craftsman slim profile ratchet. Could anybody tell me what the difference in thickness of the "head" is versus a regular ratchet? Basically the distance from where the socket seats to the back surface (where the release button is).

Also, does anybody know of any other brands with a slim profile ratchet?

Thanks.

The Proto 3/8" in a 1/4" body is very low profile, you could check that out.

 

[wild cowboy]

the thinnest 1/4" and 3/8" ratchets on earth - from your friends at Harbor Freight tools!