3/8 Stubby Ratchet Advice

[JeffKeryk]

I am looking for a 3/8 Stubby Ratchet, with a lotta teeth and low backdrag. Sometimes, especially with V6 transverse engines, you need that special ratchet!
I heard the little Gearwrench isn't bad.
DIY use...

Thanks in advance.

 

[K.Aoi]

https://smile.amazon.com/Wera-07326...988147&sprefix=wera+3/8+ratchet,aps,93&sr=8-3

 

[K.Aoi]

Also not 3/8 but the Wera 1/4 stubby is super useful in tight spaces. https://smile.amazon.com/Wera-Squar...5988195&sprefix=wera+stubby+3/8,aps,82&sr=8-6

 

[FowVay]

I have this tiny little thing that I got back in my jet engine days. It's 1/4 inch drive with 90 teeth and incredibly handy. I think it was a GE specialty tool but I honestly can't remember. It sits in my tool box and comes out when I just need that tiny little ratchet in places that my fingers won't even reach.

 

[HemiBenny]

I like my TEKTON 4-1/2” stubby. I like the way it feels in my hand, it has a slim head, and it’s a 90 tooth. You can get it with a quick release or not. I didn’t get the quick release on mine. $28 online (TEKTON.com) If it happens to break on you, send them a picture and they’ll ship a new one to you, no questions asked. I have yet to use their warranty, but I have read reviews stating that it was effortless.

 

[Trav]

The Tekton looks okay for the money, these are not high torque tools, the Pittsburg pro from HF may be okay also.
For real tight spaces I frequently use 1/4 drive, you can get sockets up to 15mm

 

[Rand]

the pear head ratchet or whatever they call that is usually higher tooth count which was requested by the OP.

https://smile.amazon.com/TEKTON-Stu...138&sprefix=stubby+ratchet,aps,78&sr=8-2&th=1

HF is around 10$ for Pittsburgh pro or 37 for icon.

 

[AutoMechanic]

I bought the Husky one a few weeks ago and I love it. The handle is a little awkward but it works really well. I love it for replacing batteries and stuff. It’s 100 teeth and very smooth. I was looking for a good stubby too and glad I got this one. It’s no Snap-on but it works well and gets the job done. And I understand if you don’t want anything store bought I honestly thought it would be ok at best but turns out I love it. This is the only picture I have at the moment. Hardly any back drag at all surprisingly too. And it’s quick release which I’m not a huge fan of but it’s great if you like it.

 

[MasterSolenoid]

I just replaced my 1/4 3/8 1/2 Armstrong Ratchets with new ones.
I bought the Kolbolt from Lowes.

One feature I like is the 'center button' to push and release the socket.
No more prying the sockets off with a screw-driver.

 

[SubLGT]

I bought the Husky one a few weeks ago and I love it. The handle is a little awkward but it works really well. I love it for replacing batteries and stuff. It’s 100 teeth and very smooth. I was looking for a good stubby too and glad I got this one. It’s no Snap-on but it works well and gets the job done. And I understand if you don’t want anything store bought I honestly thought it would be ok at best but turns out I love it. This is the only picture I have at the moment. Hardly any back drag at all surprisingly too. And it’s quick release which I’m not a huge fan of but it’s great if you like it.

Interesting to see that the stubby does not use the 144- tooth design. I have the 144-T set in 1/4", 3/8", 1/2" drive (it's on sale now at HD for $50). They have lower back drag than my Tekton ratchets, but not as low as Koken ratchets.

 

[Gimpy1]

I like my TEKTON 4-1/2” stubby. I like the way it feels in my hand, it has a slim head, and it’s a 90 tooth. You can get it with a quick release or not. I didn’t get the quick release on mine. $28 online (TEKTON.com) If it happens to break on you, send them a picture and they’ll ship a new one to you, no questions asked. I have yet to use their warranty, but I have read reviews stating that it was effortless.
View attachment 90656View attachment 90657

I was missing a 10mm got 2 12mm sockets. Emailed them, got a response in 10 min, took a pic of both 12mm sockets, got a 10mm 2 days later in the mail. No fuss not issues, an a follow up email apologizing for the error. I have a bunch of Tekton tools, they are good quality inexpensive and have great customer service. Plus their point never expire so I'm saving mine.

 

[SubLGT]

for lowest backdrag:

https://palmac.net/koken-z-series-3725zs-72t-reversible-ratchet-short-3-8-sq-dr/

 

[JeffKeryk]

for lowest backdrag:

https://palmac.net/koken-z-series-3725zs-72t-reversible-ratchet-short-3-8-sq-dr/

Wow, that thing is a work of art...
Decided to clean and Super Lube the greatest 3/8 ratchet in the world. SO 1/4 flex with a 3/8 conversion.
Smooth as silk and backdrag is buttah...

 

[Lenny5160]

I got this one from Lowe’s around Christmas time. Haven’t actually used it yet but it has 90 teeth, good detent on the flex head and low back drag. Great price.

The only odd thing is the on/off switch works opposite of all my other ratchets, but I can’t imagine the stubby being my go-to so I can deal with it.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-90-Teeth-3-8-in-Drive-Quick-Release-Flexible-Head-Ratchet/3381182

 

[Astro14]

Depends on your budget, however...

https://ktc.jp/catalog/index-category/category-list/nbr390s

 

[TheLastWord]

Wow, that thing is a work of art...
Decided to clean and Super Lube the greatest 3/8 ratchet in the world. SO 1/4 flex with a 3/8 conversion.
Smooth as silk and backdrag is buttah...
View attachment 90713
View attachment 90714

View attachment 90715

Nice but not a stubby per your OP.

 

[MasterSolenoid]

I got this one from Lowe’s around Christmas time. Haven’t actually used it yet but it has 90 teeth, good detent on the flex head and low back drag. Great price.

The only odd thing is the on/off switch works opposite of all my other ratchets, but I can’t imagine the stubby being my go-to so I can deal with it.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-90-Teeth-3-8-in-Drive-Quick-Release-Flexible-Head-Ratchet/3381182

I bought the same one - at Lowes / $20.00
The similar Craftsman (at Lowes) was $30.00
Both made in Taiwan.

 

[Sam_Julier]

The Williams 1/4” and Olsa 1/4” swivel head are my go to ratchets. The Husky 3/8” doesn’t get much use but works well.

The Williams set has been invaluable. Same with the Olsa swivel head.

 

[Sam_Julier]

https://www.nepros.net/?cat=2&grp=8

Note the 80mm length.

https://www.nepros.net/?cat=2&grp=9

Note the 100mm length.

Beautiful tools.

 

[MasterSolenoid]

https://www.nepros.net/?cat=2&grp=8

https://www.nepros.net/?cat=2&grp=9

The only problem with tools that nice looking is, "I would never use them".
They would only be for oiling and polishing / but that's just me.
That's why I buy mid-grade tools.
Williams, Tekton, Kobalt