Ultimate 1/4 Ratchets

[rhys99]

Most of you guys probably don't use 1/4 all that much but as a Motorcycle mechanic i use it a hell of a lot, just curios to see what the best brand 1/4 ratchets are? I've got plenty of snap on ones and im just not all that impressed by them, they're very good but im just interested to know whats better. cheers

 

[CafeTools]

The new craftsman quick release is outstanding. It's proably my favorite right now. It's very reliable. Very nice looking chrome. And the quick release is perfect.

 

[scubadoober]

Nepros.net You're welcome.

 

[humpty]

Nepros.net You're welcome.

Awe ****, never should have looked.

humpty

 

[lynx40]

Hi though I've not tried them Bahco looks a nice 1/4 set I've got snap on as well to be honest I don't use it all that much I perfer my britool ( not the new blue/grey range ) it's the black handle with britool in red also the set I usually grab is a colcraft set from clas holson

 

[rijndael]

I really like my Proto J4749XL. It's great for working in cramped spots.

 

[Wamsutta]

How about the new Proto 90 tooth?

 

[rhys99]

How about the new Proto 90 tooth?

Sadly we don't get proto, SK etc in the UK

 

[M6erfan]

Man, I luv my quarters! Use them probably 75-80% of the time (I work on vintage Jap MX bikes).

Not sure if I have a favorite... I have Facom 72t round head (France), Carlyle 72t locking flex (my longest), Snap-on TR72 (my shortest), new Tekton 90t flex. I use them all, I grab the S-o when I need finesse/feel tightening a bolt into aluminum, the Carlyle when I need length for reach/access or a bit of muscle. The new 90t Tekton seems really nice and might become my go-to ratchet, I just got it recently so too soon to tell but looking good so far.

 

[rhys99]

Nepros.net You're welcome.

Done. Seems expensive at first but its actually cheaper than the snap on equivalent.

 

[X1 Mike]

As a former bike tech that still takes care of my own stuff I prefer 1/4" as well and I have 2 favorites to share.

First is my most used all around ratchet a Matco 6" locking flex head.

https://www.matcotools.com/catalog/...-LOCKING-FLEX-RATCHET-WITH-ERGO-HANDLE-GREEN/

The next one comes in a little kit from CruzTools. The kit is designed to be used on the bike but I actually love the little ratchet for setting up controls. It absolutely is swallowed up by your hand and you pretty much cannot strip screws with it unless you are the biggest meathead ever. I don't adjust levers or control housings with anything else. There is a metric or SAE kit available.

https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/cruztools-compact-miniset-tool-kits

 

[bonneyman]

Here's a pic of the main 1/4"ers in my rotation. Not shown but I like it is an older Thorsen open gear. Each has their own pluses/minuses.
Top to bottom:
Bonney
EASCO
S-K
Thorsen
Tru-Test
Matco comfort grip
No-Name Chro-Van

 

[Jtels85]

Most of you guys probably don't use 1/4 all that much but as a Motorcycle mechanic i use it a hell of a lot, just curios to see what the best brand 1/4 ratchets are? I've got plenty of snap on ones and im just not all that impressed by them, they're very good but im just interested to know whats better. cheers

Carlyle (NAPA) Power 90 ratchets with the blue handle. 90 teeth, smooth action, comfort grip. The flex head versions have 72 teeth rather than 90. I’m not sure the reasoning behind that, but it makes no difference in the performance of the tool. They have two lengths of 1/4” ratchets and a locking flex head.

 

[Rickster]

Craftsman RHFT and the Snap-on Swivel Head with a black hard handle are my fav's!

 

[PR1Gneon]

Matco 88

Sent from my SM-J337A using Tapatalk

 

[Air21]

I bought the Titan 1/4 micro ratchet, clipped the spring to lighten the drag and I spin it like I stole it! The head is narrow but kinda thick and the gear and pawl are relatively massive. I'd certain the square drive would shear before anything if I put a cheater on it. And for $14 I don't care where I forget it.

The Titan micro roto ratchet is also great, and of course the gearless ones!

If you want probably the smallest then you want the MAC MR4C also available in flex head.

 

[BarryWells]

Matco 88 Gearwrench 84. Same difference.

 

[MetricTech]

I’ve been a professional motorcycle tech for 14 years now and these are the brands I’m currently using.
Matco 88
Stahlwille 80
Koken Zeal
Nepros 90
Wera zyklop
Sk tuff one & the pro


Metric Tech

 

[Professional Tool User]

Brand isn't that big of a deal as long as the ratchet functions properly and doesn't lock up. I'd be far more worried about what style of ratchet. For your standard pear head style ratchets, there's plenty of options out there. However, if I can only have one 1/4 dr ratchet, it would be my Snap on 1/4 dr rotohead ratchet. Even the green handled quick release Harbor Freight one I bought is quite nice (should be available as a Made in Taiwan rebrand elsewhere). And then there's bit ratchets that with an adapter can function as a super small 1/4 dr ratchet like the Titan ones. Wera and other German brands should have their own equivalents.

 

[DerekV]

There are a TON of close seconds, but my #1 is the SO T72. The size, balance, and "tightness" (i.e. no slop) are just perfect IMO.

 

[toolaholic]

My favorites are Wright , matco 88 long handle , Armstrong aero 10-992, Armstrong locking flex 10-994 . Pics in that order . Plus last pic Wright handle which is super comfy

 

[fallenspirit123]

SK 40970 and gearwrench 84T flex head with comfort handle are my two current favorites. Prefer them over my snap on any day. I'm itching to try more protos and wright ratchets though. My round head proto has a little bit too much backdrag compared to the SK.

 

[fallenspirit123]

I really like my Proto J4749XL. It's great for working in cramped spots.

How is the back drag on it? I really want one of those but I currently own the facom design proto roundhead and it has just a little more backdrag than I would like. Great otherwise.

 

[Greg85mcss]

My favorite right now is the gearwrench 84t flex head. I'm not sure the proper name but I really like the flex heads with the detents instead of a locking mechanism. I have the above wright ratchet with a 3/8 head and it has an excellent feel in the hand. I would strongly consider the 1/4 version if I were in the market.

Sent from my moto g(6) using Tapatalk

 

[IndyGarage]

Wera Zyklop - not the all metal one, although it's really good, the one with the black/green handle.

It is by far the best 1/4 inch ratchet I've found. Virtually all of it's unique features work well in 1/4 inch size. It can be used as a screwdriver, as a ratchet as a flex head ratchet, a speed ratchet. It is completely unique and I cannot figure out why more people don't use them.

 

[mbshop]

Suggest you buy what is available to you. I have 6. The best one? Then one close at hand.

 

[Wamsutta]

Sadly we don't get proto, SK etc in the UK

Can you get Cornwell? They make some nice ratchets in Mogadore Ohio.

 

[346ci]

Cornwell TR72 here, nice ratchet.

 

[Fialaja]

If I had to buy new I’d get the Wright comfort grip.

 

[Bagherra]

I'll be looking into that Wera Zyclops....

 

[KBigg]

I love my carlyle swivel head and my duralast flex head.

Carlyle
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHQ...4uauKbtB4dRrl8NmrkKyKmfSpmlwhuNBoCIR4QAvD_BwE


Duralast (im pretty sure mine is a 72t vs this 100t)
https://www.autozone.com/ratchets-s...tion-full-polish-flex-head-ratchet/565715_0_0

 

[Nineeightyone]

I picked up a 1/4" Kobalt Taiwan ratchet. 72 teeth, good handle size, no awful backdrag and it's quick release. I needed a 1/4" in relatively short order, my local options were somewhat limited -- I had Advance/Autozone/Napa, Lowe's, Home Depot, Harbor Freight. I didn't really want to spend Carlyle money, I'm not a fan of new Craftsman, so I wound up with the Kobalt based on least backdrag/best feel in the hand/good tooth count.

If I were buying on a budget and had more time, Tekton would be my pick. I bought a 3/8" non-quick release ratchet, and it's an absolute dream.

If I were buying without a tight budget, Nepros 100%. I'm still eying them up for a 3/8", everything I've heard is that they're fantastic.

I have a Wera 1/2" Zyclops, and while I love it, it's less a ratchet and more of a weapon -- it's heavy.

 

[mike93lx]

The HF composite is a great ratchet, independent of how cheap it is

 

[Badger 13]

I use the 1/4" ratchet quite often, and usually grab my older Snap-on swivel head.

 

[IndyGarage]

I have a Wera 1/2" Zyclops, and while I love it, it's less a ratchet and more of a weapon -- it's heavy.

For some reason the 1/2 inch zyklop is my least favorite. It is a little heavier than other ratchets, true.

The problem is in the 1/2 inch size the features don't really stand out. When I'm turning 1/2 in sockets you generally need power not finesse. The Zyklop is about having a single ratchet that can replace a bunch of different kinds of tools. I think that's why I like the 1/4 inch so well.

Sitting in my toolbox, beside a bunch of other ratchets, I almost always pick up the 1/4 Zyklop first. That's not true of the 1/2 inch.

 

[Nineeightyone]

For some reason the 1/2 inch zyklop is my least favorite. It is a little heavier than other ratchets, true.

The problem is in the 1/2 inch size the features don't really stand out. When I'm turning 1/2 in sockets you generally need power not finesse. The Zyklop is about having a single ratchet that can replace a bunch of different kinds of tools. I think that's why I like the 1/4 inch so well.

Sitting in my toolbox, beside a bunch of other ratchets, I almost always pick up the 1/4 Zyklop first. That's not true of the 1/2 inch.

Yeah, not to get off-topic but typically for 1/2" I tend to reach for my Pittsburgh Pro composite first. In general I like the composite ratchets for winter work, but I felt the 1/4" was a little more sloppy than I generally want if I'm going for 1/4".

3/8" is probably my most common go-to for a basic job, where 1/4" gets used for tight spots and 1/2" for the bigger items (suspension work, wheels, etc).

 

[X1 Mike]

Suggest you buy what is available to you. I have 6. The best one? Then one close at hand.

That's not even advise.

The HF composite is a great ratchet, independent of how cheap it is

How could I forget about that beut?!?!

I have 6 of those ratchets one of each style in each drive size.

If you are working on streetbikes that is a great tool to have. Way less likely to scratch painted surfaces. If only they had a flex head composite.

 

[davethorik]

My go-to 1/4 ratchet is an Armstrong locking flex. Just picked up a Snap-On TX72 for a song but everything on it needs rebuilt, I'm looking forward to using it.

 

[jimmyin3D]

Snap on THLLFD72 has super long reach with durability and a great handle
Koken Zeal Flex head ratchet low backdrag sleek low profile
SK 40971 60tooth super strong time tested design (any of SK’s 1/4 ratchets are awesome)

 

[CR888]

I love it...not one mention of Tekton! I don't mind my flex 120xp in 1/4", have the 84t as well. After reducing the back drag on both they are pretty slick.