Ultimate 1/4 Ratchets
- Thread starter rhys99
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seber
Well-known member
I tried the zyklop. It can do a lot of things but every one of them is slower than just grabbing the right tool. Even using it as a standard ratchet felt awkward. I got rid of that one.
And another mention of Tekton... People really should read the whole thread before commenting.
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.
Sorry to burst your bubble
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Oh yeah, I forgot about the HF composite. Very comfy to use, smooth action, much safer around fancy paint jobs if you do that sort of work.
pakman
Member
My favorite for tight places is the military ratchet that was made by Snap-on
Downwindtracker 2
Well-known member
Well, I don't have any experience with the best 1/4", but thanks to you guys here at GJ, I picked up a Gearwrench flex head and Tekton pivot head. The Gearwrench is the better of the two.
Elsinore13
Well-known member
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- Sep 20, 2017
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My "go to" setup for tearing down cars for estimates. You can tear down half an import with this right here. Matco mini polished 1/4 in drive 72 tooth, it just feels “right”. Matco locking 3 and 6 inch extensions and a set of medium deep Snap On flank drive metric sockets with a deep 8 and 10 mm added in the mix.
I have plenty of other 1/4 in drive stuff but this right here is the all around winner.
I have plenty of other 1/4 in drive stuff but this right here is the all around winner.
Brownsfan
Well-known member
Do you have Mac available to you ? The 90t mac ratchets are awesome. .Pretty much the same as the Proto already mentioned. I think Mac is available across the pond.
JerseyBoatBuilder
Well-known member
joel63
Well-known member
I started by using a Craftsman 1/4 ratchet.
When I changed over, I started using a So TM70B.
I also like the So TMK739 short round head and TR72 quick release.
When I changed over, I started using a So TM70B.
I also like the So TMK739 short round head and TR72 quick release.
ljhhontx
Well-known member
I second that one, love my Cornwell 1/4"
shockwave
Well-known member
My current favorite is proto 90 tooth I got from msc for around 100 or Matco 88 locking flex are my current go to ratchets my 1/4 is my go to
toolaholic
Well-known member
Here’s a Tekton I got on amazon wharehouse deals for about $13. A 90 tooth 3 inch long ratchet .
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taumac
Well-known member
Sam'sAutoParts
Well-known member
I’ve been been using hell out of these lately. I really like using them.
I may have to pick up a 1/4” one the next time I’m in HF. I rarely use my 3/8” SK Tuff1 anymore, but I think I would use a 1/4”.
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Greg85mcss
Well-known member
I really like the Pittsburgh pro ratchets but the backwards selector is kinda a deal breaker for professional use because it's against my muscle memory. I did pick up that 1/4 rotary head last week and it's very handy to break something loose then spin it off like you would turning an extension.
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Dave455
Well-known member
O.P. I think the Snap On are about the best out there. The only thing I notice is that the Snap On tools are a lot less beefy than the older British made 1/4 drive. I think the Snap On is probably optimised for aerospace work.
U.S. made tools are expensive in the U.K. at the mo, due to the exchange rate. I totally agree with everyone pointing you in the direction of Nepros. Awesome tools, but for some reason you have to pay in U.S. dollars on their website, even though the tools are shipped from Japan, so the same applies.
Try looking at other Japanese tools. I normally advise KoKen, but their 1/4 drive is a little on the light side too. Maybe consider their Z Series, designed for automotive work, both in 1/4 and 3/8 drive. The latter is smaller than regular 3/8 drive so perfect for bike work!
Also consider the German makes as it's all good value in the U.K. at present. I don't like Gedore 1/4 drive, it's a bit flimsy and doesn't fit well. Stahlwille is very nice though, as is Hazet. The Hazet seems to be particularly nice in 1/4 drive. It fits together superbly (very rigid) and they offer a range of ratchets to rival (or better) Snap On. The finish is probably more durable too!
Get KoKen from Consolidated tools in Manchester, but pick what you want from the KoKen website as it's better. Get Stahlwille and Hazet from TBS Aachen direct from Germany!
U.S. made tools are expensive in the U.K. at the mo, due to the exchange rate. I totally agree with everyone pointing you in the direction of Nepros. Awesome tools, but for some reason you have to pay in U.S. dollars on their website, even though the tools are shipped from Japan, so the same applies.
Try looking at other Japanese tools. I normally advise KoKen, but their 1/4 drive is a little on the light side too. Maybe consider their Z Series, designed for automotive work, both in 1/4 and 3/8 drive. The latter is smaller than regular 3/8 drive so perfect for bike work!
Also consider the German makes as it's all good value in the U.K. at present. I don't like Gedore 1/4 drive, it's a bit flimsy and doesn't fit well. Stahlwille is very nice though, as is Hazet. The Hazet seems to be particularly nice in 1/4 drive. It fits together superbly (very rigid) and they offer a range of ratchets to rival (or better) Snap On. The finish is probably more durable too!
Get KoKen from Consolidated tools in Manchester, but pick what you want from the KoKen website as it's better. Get Stahlwille and Hazet from TBS Aachen direct from Germany!
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MetricTech
Well-known member
IMO the best all-rounder is Koken. Unfortunately, my favorite Koken, the QR flex head with Wiha screwdriver handle pictured below, is no longer sold. You can buy a Hazet plastic handle that fits over the current metal handle Kokens. They are longer, the head is a little bigger, and no QR, but they are still excellent.
Koken Zeal flex head would be really great with about 2" more handle. I understand they make such a ratchet now, but I was unaware of it at he time.
Nepros 90T QR stubby is the most versatile: attach a spinner handle or other extension to make a speed ratchet, or attach a breaker bar to make an indexing flex head.
Koken Zeal flex head would be really great with about 2" more handle. I understand they make such a ratchet now, but I was unaware of it at he time.
Nepros 90T QR stubby is the most versatile: attach a spinner handle or other extension to make a speed ratchet, or attach a breaker bar to make an indexing flex head.
X1 Mike
Well-known member
IMO the best all-rounder is Koken. Unfortunately, my favorite Koken, the QR flex head with Wiha screwdriver handle pictured below, is no longer sold. You can buy a Hazet plastic handle that fits over the current metal handle Kokens. They are longer, the head is a little bigger, and no QR, but they are still excellent.
Koken Zeal flex head would be really great with about 2" more handle. I understand they make such a ratchet now, but I was unaware of it at he time.
Nepros 90T QR stubby is the most versatile: attach a spinner handle or other extension to make a speed ratchet, or attach a breaker bar to make an indexing flex head.
I hate, I mean I really freaking hate a bar code on a handle. That could be the greatest handle in the history of handles but I'd never own it.
My therapist is adjusting my meds.
I hate, I mean I really freaking hate a bar code on a handle. That could be the greatest handle in the history of handles but I'd never own it.
My therapist is adjusting my meds.
The bar codes on Wiha soft finish wear off after a few uses or when they come into contact with chemicals so not worth worrying about. You can wipe them off with brake cleaner.
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jgromada
Well-known member
i'm thinking a lot of the brands mentioned here in this thread are not even available in the UK where the OP resides! Lots of opinions on people's favorite 1/4 ratchet. By far my least used ratchet size.
I know you own Snappies, already, but do you have the 1/4 TX72 locking flex head? A VW mechanic i follow on YouTube (The Humble Mechanic) ranked that as his favorite 1/4 inch, and also his favorite ratchet of any ratchet he owns in any size. I was able to pick up a new one off eBay from a seller that had a couple at about $50 off retail. At any rate, I love the slim handle and head and the button-on-handle based locking mechanism.
I also own a 6.85 in long GearWrench 120XP 1/4 with a non-locking flex head, but a very slim Matco-like head with a 3 degree swing arc - it uses a 60 tooth mech with dual offset pawls that engage each tooth at two different points, so 60 teeth strong with 120 different positions and only 3 degrees of swing arc. At only $26.47 USD (on Amazon), made in Taiwan (not China) with a beautiful chrome finish and a lifetime warranty from Apex - I definitely recommend it, and it's a relative bargain.
I also own a 6.85 in long GearWrench 120XP 1/4 with a non-locking flex head, but a very slim Matco-like head with a 3 degree swing arc - it uses a 60 tooth mech with dual offset pawls that engage each tooth at two different points, so 60 teeth strong with 120 different positions and only 3 degrees of swing arc. At only $26.47 USD (on Amazon), made in Taiwan (not China) with a beautiful chrome finish and a lifetime warranty from Apex - I definitely recommend it, and it's a relative bargain.
Here's a thread on that tool:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=411095&highlight=high+backdrag
The only thing I have to add is that I subsequently picked up the little Bahco with the same Dual-really-72 internals. It feels a little better than the Snapon branded one, but isn't as good as Koken/Zeal, Nepros, Stahlwille, etc.
Thanks. It's funny, but read that thread and it starts out on the QR version of that same ratchet (TRX72), but seems to branch off into a bunch of other stuff that doesn't have much to do with the ratchet, itself. I also noticed that the OP never mentioned whether his eBay purchase was used or new. If it's used, and S-O's tend to be used by mechanics - that could be an explanation for the lack of smoothness. At any rate, I love my TX72, the fit and finish is excellent, and the backdrag is relatively low. Now, if you're looking for value, even at my $78 eBay price, for new, it's not 3 times better than the 1/4" GW 120XP that sells around $26 on Amazon.
Oh, and the KTC Nepros ratchets are beautiful - but, didn't recall a locking 1/4, and the extended handle 1/4 flex head Nepros was pretty damn expensive, esp when you add in Nepros shipping costs that base shipping price on the cost of the order (the higher the cost the higher the shipping). The Nepros NBR290F would be $102 for the ratchet and $19.90 to ship - so about $122 out the door. That's even more than SO's retail price, and, again, the SO has a (patented) locking mechanism. Although, the Nepros is very pretty....
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davethorik
Well-known member
No different when someone in the USA asks for tool recommendations and British members chime in with a bunch of brands that aren't easily available here. Reading comprehension seems to be VERY low on GJ.
I own the THRLX72 and im honestly not too impressed with it, i also own a 1/4 gearwrench 120xp and would say its smoother than the SO. Then again i always feel like Non quick release ratchets feel smooth when used. The Nepros is on its way so i'll report back on my findings with that
Yes, the Nepros is a rather lust-worthy tool. I think their shipping is a bit outrageous, though, especially for such small items. Regardless, the Nepros line is a rather exotic and rare tool line - so, I'm looking forward to your review.
Does Frank still carry them? I bought mine from him.
Mr Ratchet
Well-known member
I like Matco the best especially their locking flex heads. They have quite a few to choose from including an extra long 12" locking flex head.
I have an 8" fixed head Matco that is my go to for 1/4" drive. I do also like my 1/4" SO due to its short length which comes in handy at times.
I have an 8" fixed head Matco that is my go to for 1/4" drive. I do also like my 1/4" SO due to its short length which comes in handy at times.
Is that $14.90 USD or GBP? $14.90 pound sterling is equal to $18.31 USD using today's exchange rate. That's too much for the manufacturer to ship a 1/4 ratchet. I'm sure there is a massive profit margin on a $102 USD 1/4 ratchet. The manufacturing cost is probably less than $25, so, Free Shipping wouldn't kill them.
xin
Well-known member
My "go to" setup for tearing down cars for estimates. You can tear down half an import with this right here. Matco mini polished 1/4 in drive 72 tooth, it just feels “right”. Matco locking 3 and 6 inch extensions and a set of medium deep Snap On flank drive metric sockets with a deep 8 and 10 mm added in the mix.
I have plenty of other 1/4 in drive stuff but this right here is the all around winner.
What 1/4 ratchet is that one?