CGarage
Well-known member
It better be a locking flex head 
Titanium 1/4" Drive Ratchet 2.0
- Thread starter teagueo
- Start date
That would be nice!It better be a locking flex head
Got back some gears and bit ratchets from heat treating today.
Gears went from 45 HRC to 52/53 HRC. These are the non-magnetic Nickel Cobalt alloy version that @cargar has been asking about.
The fit on a socket is beyond tight and Koken Zeal sockets BARELY fit. That's the nice part of making tools in small batches, the tolerances can be controlled to a much better degree.
As-machined and sanblasted in the same furnace.
Gears went from 45 HRC to 52/53 HRC. These are the non-magnetic Nickel Cobalt alloy version that @cargar has been asking about.
The fit on a socket is beyond tight and Koken Zeal sockets BARELY fit. That's the nice part of making tools in small batches, the tolerances can be controlled to a much better degree.
As-machined and sanblasted in the same furnace.
I saw these on IG and Teague wow man this is beyond impressive Dude!!! Heat treated Nickel Cobalt alloy geez manGot back some gears and bit ratchets from heat treating today.
Gears went from 45 HRC to 52/53 HRC. These are the non-magnetic Nickel Cobalt alloy version that @cargar has been asking about.
The fit on a socket is beyond tight and Koken Zeal sockets BARELY fit. That's the nice part of making tools in small batches, the tolerances can be controlled to a much better degree.
As-machined and sanblasted in the same furnace.
BlitzcrankJapan
Well-known member
I received my 1/4" socket wrench here in Australia.
Looks and feels great. Although I haven't had any time to actually use it. Great to see it comes in a nice plastic case and also has a foam insert for sitting in a tool box.
Would love to have one of the 1/2" ones if they were made again.
Looks and feels great. Although I haven't had any time to actually use it. Great to see it comes in a nice plastic case and also has a foam insert for sitting in a tool box.
Would love to have one of the 1/2" ones if they were made again.
I'd just like to say if you could make a ratcheting screwdriver/bitholder with this quality I think you would hit it out of the park. I like the bit ratchet you posted for tight spaces but the majority of the time I'm using a regular driver so I can apply more force downwards to stop cam-out.
I use the PB Swiss ratcheting bit holder, it's usually recommended above everything else & it feels better than anything I've tried (most of the high end ones). But the tooth count isn't super high, it's got some backdrag, and there is still some bit wobble. PB doesn't update their stuff often and I'm surprised another company hasn't come out with a better product. Well I guess there was that Linus Tech Tips driver, I think that was created out of the same frustration...
I follow the Tools forum on Reddit and the amount of people who go on there asking "Whats the best screwdriver money is no object" is insane. People always respond with that project farm video and the Linus & PB drivers get recommended, people should be throwing your name in the hat. The number of clueless homeowners looking to purchase a premium ratchet is way lower than those looking for a screwdriver or drill/driver.
Please make a titanium bit holding ratchet with high quality internals that beat the PB Swiss. Make the bit fit better by either very closely machining the bit holder, or looking into a locking system like the Wiha Centrofix which uses two locking balls and locks any type of bit rock solid. If you can find a way for it to take power bits without having them wobble that would be amazing because everyone has a lot of those and they fit like **** in everything. Make them compatible with Japanese bits too for more options. And lastly for the handle maybe try either something slim or a ball end like Vessel. I don't need a lot of bit storage, 1 or 2 extra bits usually enough the rest aren't far away. As for stubby vs full size, I would start full size as it's used most often and more comfortable. A ball grip makes a full size pretty small. And we don't need a long bulky shaft like on the Snap-On, it should be a short handle and minimally protruding bit holder with the option to use a bit extension if you want more length.
Since I already wrote all that up I'll throw out another quick idea. I'd be interested in a 1/2 ratchet as well. For 1/2 I currently have a breaker bar and a Snap-on flex-head super short ratchet. The Snap-on is great because it's built like a tank, but it's heavy and overkill for the length. Using your weight saving technology I'd be interested in a 1/2" with strong internals that is short to medium length but weighs much less. I think that would be more impressive that a lightweight 3/8, which you can already get in a 1/4 body. And a really high quality strong 1/2 would be amazing you can just throw a 3/8 adapter and use it for that.
Excited to see what you have in the pipeline, the attention to detail and quality of the 1/4 is really astounding!
I use the PB Swiss ratcheting bit holder, it's usually recommended above everything else & it feels better than anything I've tried (most of the high end ones). But the tooth count isn't super high, it's got some backdrag, and there is still some bit wobble. PB doesn't update their stuff often and I'm surprised another company hasn't come out with a better product. Well I guess there was that Linus Tech Tips driver, I think that was created out of the same frustration...
I follow the Tools forum on Reddit and the amount of people who go on there asking "Whats the best screwdriver money is no object" is insane. People always respond with that project farm video and the Linus & PB drivers get recommended, people should be throwing your name in the hat. The number of clueless homeowners looking to purchase a premium ratchet is way lower than those looking for a screwdriver or drill/driver.
Please make a titanium bit holding ratchet with high quality internals that beat the PB Swiss. Make the bit fit better by either very closely machining the bit holder, or looking into a locking system like the Wiha Centrofix which uses two locking balls and locks any type of bit rock solid. If you can find a way for it to take power bits without having them wobble that would be amazing because everyone has a lot of those and they fit like **** in everything. Make them compatible with Japanese bits too for more options. And lastly for the handle maybe try either something slim or a ball end like Vessel. I don't need a lot of bit storage, 1 or 2 extra bits usually enough the rest aren't far away. As for stubby vs full size, I would start full size as it's used most often and more comfortable. A ball grip makes a full size pretty small. And we don't need a long bulky shaft like on the Snap-On, it should be a short handle and minimally protruding bit holder with the option to use a bit extension if you want more length.
Since I already wrote all that up I'll throw out another quick idea. I'd be interested in a 1/2 ratchet as well. For 1/2 I currently have a breaker bar and a Snap-on flex-head super short ratchet. The Snap-on is great because it's built like a tank, but it's heavy and overkill for the length. Using your weight saving technology I'd be interested in a 1/2" with strong internals that is short to medium length but weighs much less. I think that would be more impressive that a lightweight 3/8, which you can already get in a 1/4 body. And a really high quality strong 1/2 would be amazing you can just throw a 3/8 adapter and use it for that.
Excited to see what you have in the pipeline, the attention to detail and quality of the 1/4 is really astounding!
I didn't know a few of you guys on GJ ordered a ratchet - thanks for helping support the cause!
@reclaimer @cargar
For the bit ratchets, the design is still in testing so there's no release date set yet - it's in the same state as it was since last September...
The real reason for making them is most of the current hex bit drivers have terrible back drag. We've made it so that the thumbwheel actually feels nice to use, which for me is the real selling point for using these in tight quarters.
There was the option to slap a logo on a currently produced Taiwanese bit ratchet, but these feel pretty nice to use and look better in my opinion.
@reclaimer @cargar
For the bit ratchets, the design is still in testing so there's no release date set yet - it's in the same state as it was since last September...
The real reason for making them is most of the current hex bit drivers have terrible back drag. We've made it so that the thumbwheel actually feels nice to use, which for me is the real selling point for using these in tight quarters.
There was the option to slap a logo on a currently produced Taiwanese bit ratchet, but these feel pretty nice to use and look better in my opinion.
Going by your posts, I think you're one of the guys that can compare it with some of the Premium Japanese brands - looking forward to seeing what you think of it!
We'd love to make one. That's where the lightweight would be a HUGE difference. That is one colossal chunk of Titanium to machine though.
Thanks for the kind words brother! Haven't considered making one until I read your post.
My first thought was LTT made almost exactly what you're saying but it is still a plastic tool (although a very nice one). I guess there is some room for improvement for guys who want the absolute best at any cost.
Somewhere around 2015, I cobbled together this Carbon fiber screwdriver for my own moto travel use but never considered really producing something for the market. It has next to no wobble in the shaft like you're mentioning. I should've taken my Matco ratcheting screwdriver internals and popped them in there!
Wow. It's always good when someone who knows quality tools tells you about a gap in the market and exactly how to solve it! Everything you're saying makes sense even down to the bit storage. Noted lol.
We have been getting a lot of requests for 1/2" drive lately. I think you're right; the weight difference between an optimized Ti design and standard steel 1/2" ratchet would be absolutely out of control...Manufacturers leave a TON of meat on 1/2" drives in particular and for the larger ratchets, I don't think having a slim neck is really as important so the wider beam style we use would be less of compromise.
I appreciate that! We'll see what we can get done in 2024.
These are only prototypes at the moment, so I don't want to give away too much on them yet. Casting is a good guess though!
That one's a solid drive screwdriver - I wish it was ratcheting...I saw your ratcheting screwdriver and kinda hoped one was in the pipeline
The 1/2" drive ratchet is actually in the works right now. 1/2" drive and 1/2 the weight, it should be pretty ridiculous!
DMLS TiCP or Ti64?
oh I see still awesome
It's light on weight and back drag, but also lightens your wallet lol.
Let me know what you think when you use it. Glad you like the look of it!
ricleh
Well-known member
I received my ratchet a few days ago and am very impressed with the quality. I look forward to new tool offerings from you.
Thank you for the kind words brother - I hope it lives up to the hype!
codeadidas
Active member
Any chance you have updates on when preorders will open up again? I’ve been stalking the TRO homepage for months now lol.
oldschoolcraft
Well-known member
Curious what the thought process was on going this route. Are you expecting most of your customers are primarily Koken users? Or just like it better so that's what you built?
Personally I think Dvorak keyboard layouts are more efficient as compared to QWERTY keyboards. The theory goes that QWERTY layouts were originally designed because typists were breaking early typewriters by typing too fast than the machine could handle, so they purposely rearranged the keys to make them less efficient to slow down users.
For a couple of years I switched everything to Dvorak because I wanted to do things the right way, the efficient way, in spite of what 99.9999% of the world does. Dvorak might have made me 10% faster and reduced repetitive stress injuries of typing by 10%. Who knows, it's better but I couldn't quantify it.
Every time I bought a laptop or external keyboard, I meticulously took all of the keys apart, rearranged them into Dvorak layout, and then re-configured the device to recognize the layout.
I also made sure to tell everyone how much better I am then they are because of my custom keyboard layout. Similar to Vegans and Crossfitters.
Then I started a new job where I had to use office computers, and wasn't able to use my own keyboards. I was much slower on the QWERTY keyboards since I had lost practice with it.
I realized I was making my life miserable to be a computer hipster. If the whole world switched to Dvorak, it would be great. But if I have to use other people's devices on a regular basis, it's worse for me.
Ultimately I just use QWERTY keyboards and Snap On style ratchet direction mechanisms because it's not that much worse, you get used to it, and it makes my life easier overall because it's what everyone is doing. And my life was worse when trying to split between the "correct" way, and the common way.
I dont mean this as a troll or anything, just wondering what led you to the design decisions because I'm genuinely curious. I can tell from the amount of detail put into this that every detail was thoroughly considered and I find the rationale for decisions fascinating, especially when they differ from the norm. And discussing my personal journey down doing things the correct way that goes against the stream.
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The direction of the switch wasn't considered in the design process. To me, it really is just a "convention" just like some manual cars have reverse to the far right of the pattern and some you push down on the shifter and up to the left. Either way works.
It's second nature for me to spin the socket to check which way it's going before popping it on to a fastener... it definitely alienated some customer bases for an already niche tool, but I think all the benefits outweigh the drawback of a switch that you're not used to. I do understand guys who use a ratchet for a living don't want to change.
The mechanism we chose ticked all of the boxes we needed, so that's why we chose it regardless of the switch.
I had no idea that was even a thing lol. How hard would that be to adjust from QWERTY? Honestly, that sounds tough, but I like your dedication to what you think is better!
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We'll have to update the homepage so you have something more interesting to see next time lol. I'll be sure to let you know as soon as we have it lined up. Thanks for the interest brother!
We're actually in the process of testing a 1/2" drive, and a limited edition run of our 1/4" gear made from an Ultra High Strength Steel alloy. Just getting the heat treatment tuned as the ductility and fracture toughness drop off with the insane strength levels.
Here's another Titanium tool that should be out soon...
The fitment on both the internal and external hex is tighter than anything on the market, by a MILE.
This combination fits on a WR250F without removing the tank. First time trying to use a 1/4" drive on a spark plug socket...
The fitment on both the internal and external hex is tighter than anything on the market, by a MILE.
This combination fits on a WR250F without removing the tank. First time trying to use a 1/4" drive on a spark plug socket...
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Classic lol. Glad the Ti is working out for you!
Here's a review from an Aussie bike mechanic and tool fiend:
escapecollective.com
And a nicely shot review from a Japanese tool review channel. He's the most in-depth tool reviewer I've ever seen, brutally honest on all manufacturers. Nice range of tools too.
Threaded #13: The return of New Tools Day
Hands-on with new things from Park Tool, Feedback Sports, Luberetta, ZTTO, Wera, and a handful of desirable brands you'll likely be hearing of for the first time.
escapecollective.com
And a nicely shot review from a Japanese tool review channel. He's the most in-depth tool reviewer I've ever seen, brutally honest on all manufacturers. Nice range of tools too.
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PMD1966
Well-known member
How much does it cost? I can't find the price.
It's listed on our website if you select a coating type. They're all out of stock at the moment.
Daytonaer
Well-known member
Is there a plan to make another run of the 1/4 Ti ratchets?
If so do you have an estimated timeframe?
Thanks
If so do you have an estimated timeframe?
Thanks
Thanks brother! There are a couple cool things in the pipeline...
@Daytonaer
There is a limited edition 1/4" version in the works, set for release in the next few months.
We will post an update here once they're ready - they'll probably be the most insane hand tool on the market.
It's perfect for a complete superlight moto toolkit. You kind of feel like James Bond with one packed under the seat lol.
There have been a few guys in Europe order them - the UK has been the worst with VAT so far...
How's progress on these going?
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