1/4" ratchet preferences.

[Davethorik]

rounding out the list are my armstrong aerospace with 88 clicks and the matching flex head with 60. small,  smooth, compact and lots of clicks with that great shaped handle.

I have a 60t Armstrong 10-994 locking flex I bought new, the first (at that time) new ratchet I'd ever bought. I love that thing. I think it's around 6.5", perfect length IMO.

I have some other nice 1/4 rats, incl. SK, Wright, and a couple RHFT. I grab the Armstrong first, for just about everything except high torque, then I grab the Cornwells. I've found that since I got them, I don't reach for my 3/8 in 1/4 as much.

[hickory n Steel]

rounding out the list are my armstrong aerospace with 88 clicks and the matching flex head with 60. small,  smooth, compact and lots of clicks with that great shaped handle.

I have a 60t Armstrong 10-994 locking flex I bought new, the first (at that time) new ratchet I'd ever bought. I love that thing. I think it's around 6.5", perfect length IMO.

I have some other nice 1/4 rats, incl. SK, Wright, and a couple RHFT. I grab the Armstrong first, for just about everything except high torque, then I grab the Cornwells. I've found that since I got them, I don't reach for my 3/8 in 1/4 as much.

They sound nice, got any pictures ?

[bonneyman]

Well, my camera just freaked out and doesn't seem to want to work. So for the moment I can't get pics of the Blackhawk ratchet I was telling you about. Dang technology!

[bmwrd0]

I usually use nut drivers in that size range, but when I do open up the 1/4 set, it is a pear head. I have never been a big fan of round heads, though I do admire the SK in 1/4, very smooth.

[hickory n Steel]

Well, my camera just freaked out and doesn't seem to want to work. So for the moment I can't get pics of the Blackhawk ratchet I was telling you about. Dang technology!

Was it the ratchet from this post ?
http://garagegazette.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=450.0;attach=2241;image

[bonneyman]

Well, my camera just freaked out and doesn't seem to want to work. So for the moment I can't get pics of the Blackhawk ratchet I was telling you about. Dang technology!

Was it the ratchet from this post ?
http://garagegazette.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=450.0;attach=2241;image

Yeah, that's it.

[hickory n Steel]

Well, my camera just freaked out and doesn't seem to want to work. So for the moment I can't get pics of the Blackhawk ratchet I was telling you about. Dang technology!

Was it the ratchet from this post ?
http://garagegazette.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=450.0;attach=2241;image

Yeah, that's it.

I used to have a ratchet with the thumb wheel and that was a feature I quite liked, I'd love to try this ratchet out.
How long is it ?
It's no biggie if it wouldn't fit in one of my sets, but 6" or less would and that'd be a bonus.

[bonneyman]

Well, my camera just freaked out and doesn't seem to want to work. So for the moment I can't get pics of the Blackhawk ratchet I was telling you about. Dang technology!

Was it the ratchet from this post ?
http://garagegazette.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=450.0;attach=2241;image

Yeah, that's it.

I used to have a ratchet with the thumb wheel and that was a feature I quite liked, I'd love to try this ratchet out.
How long is it ?
It's no biggie if it wouldn't fit in one of my sets, but 6" or less would and that'd be a bonus.

5 3/4" end to end.
It's a bit tight turning, so, you'd have to lube it for sure. The chrome looks good though.

Send me a 5 spot to cover shipping and I'll get it heading your way.

[Uncle Buck]

like others have said. it is hard to pick one. can i pick 3 or 4?

all around handy? an sk round head is hard to beat

comfy? my proto big dawg with hard handle. i don't know i just like it.

rounding out the list are my armstrong aerospace with 88 clicks and the matching flex head with 60. small,  smooth, compact and lots of clicks with that great shaped handle.

I was just interested in the features and designs you like, not one specific rstchet.

Then you confused me too.........I thought you meant my go to 1/4" ratchet.

[highland512]

My all time favorite goto 1/4 ratchet is the Tuff1 sk, great tooth count, one hand selectable, and smooth as glass but it is very thick.

My experience there is no perfect ratchet no matter the drive size. Thats why you need a drawer full of ratchets!! I bet I have 10-15 1/4 ratchets and use them all regularly.

[goodfellow]

Three ratchets seem to make it into my hands every time I need one. Two long handle (a grearwrench flex head and a Williams flex head), and a Wright short flexhead. I use the tried and true SK round head every now and then, but the long handle flex heads are my favorites.

[Cruiser808]

I didn’t care much for flex ratchets, that is until engine hood compartments got crazy tight and crowded. Now they are a necessity and a must have in any tool box.

[hickory n Steel]

That Wright flex head looks like an awesome ratchet, that might have to be something I try out down the road. I need to try out a felx head 1/4 in general but the handle on that Wright in particular looks great.

The piece of air hose is a good idea, I may have to try a piece on my Craftsman and see if it fits my hand a little better.

[Crispycritter]

3 go-to ratchets for me snappy extra long 3/8 flex. Snap on long 1/2 flex or snap on 1/4 flex

[DeadNutz]

Since you wanted to see some different features on 1/4" ratchets here is some variety for you.
First up are from the top: Craftsman Tri-wing with no QR, SK no QR, Snap On no QR with a thin profile, TrueCraft Japan flex that has good detents in the flex w/no QR thumb wheel but a very short handle. Next up is a side view.
Third pic: Husky out of a set no QR but has a thumb wheel and no COO even though the sockets in the set are USA, Kobalt 90T QR that is my go to ratchet, Craftsman I recently got in a box I bought thin head QR and no COO but a thin profile, Allen USA QR with the thumb wheel on the face, No name Japan no QR that came in a box I bought that looks kind of like a Kraueter. Next up is the side view.