Looking for a 1/4″ ratchet

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 09/02/2017 11:03:36:

Posted by Michael Gilligan on 09/02/2017 10:31:15:

Posted by JasonB on 09/02/2017 08:10:17:

Neil problem withusing a ratcheting spanner is that don't have any means to retain the screwdriver bit so it either drops out also you can't apply any pressure to it to keep it in the screw head as the spanner just slides along the shank.

.

A problem nicely avoided with the Pro'sKit ratchet that I mentioned yesterday **LINK**

http://www.proskit.com/screwdrivers/multi-purpose/offset-ratchet-with-sockets

…. and several others, of similar style

MichaelG.

The second one I linked to avoids this too.

Its also the same ratchet that I linked to in my first reply once taken out of the plastic holder with the bonus of being a little thinner than the one with the 1/4" sq drive sticking out the back.

For really tight spots I also keep a couple of cut down hex bits, don't get used much but have got me out of problems in the past. Looks like the ratchet gets a fair bit of use by the way the black coating has polished off.

[Ex contributorParticipant @mgnbuk]

type in 1/4" drive you get every socket set supplied by man and beast.

Try typing "1/4" hex bit ratchet" into Ebay – brings up many makes & types from around £8. The Wera 8001A I Iinked to earlier is on Ebay for £22 – about what it cost (+Vat) from RS Components 3 or 4 years ago.

Nigel B

[John Stevenson 1Participant @johnstevenson1]

Thanks guys, lots of good and useful links and TBH a bit spoilt for choice. Do a more detailed reply later

[Nick HulmeParticipant @nickhulme30114]

Teng TM029, probably the most compact reversible ratchet you can get, it directly drives 1/2" screwdriver bits with the head adding about 1mm to the overall length of the bit

 

http://www.teng.co.uk/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/1000×1000/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/1/6/167360106.jpg

 

 

Edited By Nick Hulme on 09/02/2017 13:17:38

[John Stevenson 1Participant @johnstevenson1]

Now that is nice Nick and comes in its own box as opposed to a bubble pack – tempted.

The problem with the type with a 1/4″ drive on or the ones with a boss is you loose too much space.
I have between 3/4″ and 1″ max to get in between two cabinets to remove 4 Allen screws. You can get in with an Allen key on its own but it’s a 1/6 of a turn at a time. These modules can take from 1 to 2 hours to change.
Going back is easy as we fit the screws from the inside and fit a tapped keep plate into the small gap.

[Ex contributorParticipant @mgnbuk]

I have between 3/4" and 1" max to get in between two cabinets

The Wera 8001A head is 12.2mm thick. The Allen key bits I have are 25.2 long & a bit inserted in the head measures 27.3 overall. The bits have scope to be ground down on the 1/4" hex part by around 7.5 mm, retaining the full length of insertion into the bolt head, so this could just about meet your criteria.

HTH

Nigel B

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

That pic of mine is 15mm back to tip of insert when cut down, pozi or allen key would make no difference. Still leaves space for a Vaughan mini wonderbar behind to apply pressure to keep the bit in the screw head though you should not need it with a hex screw.

Edited By JasonB on 09/02/2017 15:34:53

[pierre ehly 2Participant @pierreehly2]

Hi,

The rolls-Royce of tools:

Snap-on Box ratched (1/4×5/16)

pm

[John Stevenson 1Participant @johnstevenson1]

Posted by pierre ehly 2 on 09/02/2017 15:59:53:

Hi,

The rolls-Royce of tools:

Snap-on Box ratched (1/4×5/16)

pm

Not in my book.

The Rolls Royce of overpriced tools maybe.

[Chris SheltonParticipant @chrisshelton11794]

Hi I use this one from Mac Tools quite often, I think it was about £25.00.

Bits are held in magnetically.

HTH

[Les Jones 1Participant @lesjones1]

Hi John,
I have found my ratchet screwdriver. The bits are not quite standard. The hexagon is deformed to prevent it pushing through the hexagonal hole in the ratchet. It is made by the American company "Xcelite" and is model Xl-27

Here is a picture of the deformation on the hexagon that retains it.

You can buy this from Amazon but is rather expensive. (£20.51)

Les.

Edited By Les Jones 1 on 09/02/2017 16:45:42

[Michael BriggsParticipant @michaelbriggs82422]

If it's a set you are looking for !: **LINK** !

[peak4Participant @peak4]

Posted by John Stevenson on 09/02/2017 14:23:47:
Now that is nice Nick and comes in its own box as opposed to a bubble pack – tempted.

The problem with the type with a 1/4" drive on or the ones with a boss is you loose too much space.
I have between 3/4" and 1" max to get in between two cabinets to remove 4 Allen screws. You can get in with an Allen key on its own but it's a 1/6 of a turn at a time. These modules can take from 1 to 2 hours to change.
Going back is easy as we fit the screws from the inside and fit a tapped keep plate into the small gap.

I have looked at both models in the past. The Teng one seems very similar to the Stanley one I linked to earlier, even down to the writing on the twisty bit of the ratchet.

I guess the Teng one may well be better made, and/or with better quality inserts, but for me personally, I like having 1/4" sockets at both ends, rather than 1/4" + 8mm (as per the Teng variety), as it lets me crack a tight fixing on the motorbike, before using the ratchet end.

Each to their own obviously, but maybe I'm a skinflint too at £15, with a few sockets thown in, as well as bits in a case, as opposed to about £30. I'm sure the added sockets aren't as good as Britool/Teng/Halfords Pro etc. I've only used them with this little ratchet and haven't broken them or rounded off any fixings (yet &nbsp

Regards

Bill

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