Stanley Hand Tools - 1/4 Drive Rotator Ratchet (89-961)

- the people with the 1 star reviews don't understand how this thing operates, it seems.I have the 3/8" Stanley and the Lowe's kobalt 3/8 one too. Finally went with the 1/4". Why these aren't more well known or popular I don't know. These are brilliant when you are in that space where there is none or close to no room for normal ratchet rotation. Also great in normal situations where you can just rotate the handle back and forth and get the nut or bolt on or off fast. The build quality and feel is really good on these, better than the kobalt- not sure if kobalt even has these anymore.These make a lot of situations so much easier I I don't know why everyone doesn't have one. The only thing better is a power tool.

Best tool ever

I like that you can twist back and forth and the ratchet goes in one direction until you switch directions. I notice others say they had trouble switching directions on the 1/4 inch drive version, mine had the same. I just put it in motor oil overnight and it fixed it, I’m sure as you use it it willBreak in. I have the 3/8 drive Stanley in this version as well, it worked fine out of the box! Only pit just the rachet part in oil not the whole handle.

I read a lot of reviews that complained about not being able to change direction or having a tough time changing direction of this ratchet and I must say mine was near impossible to switch direction on when I got it. However, adding some oil and putting it through some tough challenges using a large size socket on some tough messed up thread nut and bolt combinations I set up for it broke it in quite nicely in just a few minutes. Now it reverses direction with one hand easily. My advice buy it, break it in and enjoy. The only complaint is it has a tendency for the handle to spin due to gravity when you have deep socket or extensions on it and are trying to put it on a bolt. You must hold it by the head to get it on.

I can't lie about this one. I really thought the reviews about not being able to switch directions were left by those that just don't know how to operate the tool. Well, I was wrong! The direction selector, which as stated on multiple reviews, is the two wing turny knob right there on the back side of the ratchet head, pretty much where you would think it would be if there wasn't a flip lever right at the handle interface. Well, that is it! As it would turn out, yes, the turny knob on the back of the ratchet head is exactly where it is. BUT, out of the package, well, it's pretty well stuck where it's at. With some fiddling with turning the drive, twist grip, and just giving it the old standard ratchet action all at the same time, the direction selector finally decided to move. This ratchet is assembled dry. I forsee some oil of any type, turning this into the "handy in the limited applications where it would be handy" jobs into a success. I also would say for light duty use, it would be a good ratchet for all applications. I mostly got it for headlight adjustments and getting past unused threads In hard to reach places. I'm confident it will do what I purchased it for, once it gets a little oil in the mechanism. Will report back if not.

This type of ratchet in 1/4" is absolutely brilliant. Buy several. They're GREAT gifts for hard-to-shop-for men that use tools. Literally awesome for some tasks (ZX14 owners take note if you're installing PAIR blockoff plates or doing spark plugs or valve cover stuff--you can do without this type of ratchet, but you'll be happier with one).

Absolutely love this tool. It's not the best 1/4" drive ratchet you can buy, but with the rotating handle drive, it's incredible helpful in those situations where you can't use a regular socket wrench due to a too small operating angle. If you work maintenance in the automotive, aerospace, or a similar industry, this is something you should definitely have in your tool box. My only (partial) complaint would be the shortness of the handle. If they made a long handle version of this, I would buy it in a heartbeat.

I heavily doubted whether I even needed to buy this thing long after I got it. I even saw a YouTube video where a guy said it was nothing but a gimmick. It wasn't until I had to install some parts in an aggravatingly tight spot on my car that this ratchet became a godsend.There are other sizes of this tool out there in 1/2" and 3/8", but I believe this size is the most ideal. Over time I've found that the smaller my ratchet is the better I can maneuver it in where it needs to be. With the 1/2" version I have by another brand, it's just too big and bulky to be of any use.The only thing I wish they did is put a hole in the handle for a 1/4" ratchet. It would make it easier to tighten bolts down completely when clearance is too limited for swinging the handle. I know it's possible as my 1/2" rotator ratchet has that on it.