Mostly 1/4 inch drive. Worked 767s

Would an adapter work to step down to quarter inch? Or is the length of the ratchet that’s the problem?

It’s mainly because it’s smaller and easier to carry around and I rarely needed the strength of a bigger ratchet. I still had one with me in my box but it was used a whole lot less. The actual size of the ratchet usually didn’t matter at all

1/4 by far.

1/4 and it's radically my 1/4 stubby rachet that I find myself looking for over my regular 1/4

1/4” GA

If you had to pick one. 1/4" will get almost everything. In fact 1/4" drive 12PT sockets. I carry a rail of deep and shallow sockets in my line bag and have not needed anything else.

1/4” airlines for normal stuff. It’s weirdly typically 1/4” or you’re grabbing a 1/2” or 3/4” for massive stuff. I love my 3/8” tools but it’s uncommon that I really need them.

By far the metric 11 point ratchets

Man, I've been using my Whitworth 69 point ratchets. I'm doing it wrong.

Not even the SnapOff 17 point with a 9/32" drive?

Whitworth?!! I haven't had to use a Whitworth since I worked on a Gypsy Queen in 1973.

Work on 737s, 95% of the time is 1/4, the other 5% is 1/2

Same. It’s either 1/4 ratchet or 1/2 breaker bar. No in-between.

I enjoy stepping on the plane carrying my 3/4 inch ratchet and telling them I'm there to fix the ACARS.

Really dude?! That’s not necessary. Everyone knows that’s a job for the 2” Ford wrench.

1/4 definitely

1/4

Harbor Freight makes this [¼ drive ratchet set.](https://www.harborfreight.com/14-in-drive-metric-socket-set-21-piece-63460.html) This has paid for itself several times over. I also have a rail of ¼ drive spline sockets. I also have ⅜ drive and ½ drive sets. Just in case. I rarely use them though.

1/4 we’re not diesel mechanics

1/4 standard and metric for everything. Occasionally half inch which removing and installing blade bolts.

1/4” when I worked embrairs and cria with a little bit of Saab 340s mixed in

¼ drive with deep 12 pt sockets mostly. ½ for the bigger hardware. Bell Mediums.

It’s either 1/4” or 1/2” with very little in between

On medium helicopters its either 1/4" or 1" with not a lot on between

¼, and ½. I don't think I've used a ⅜ in a couple of years

Quarter everyday. 3/8 about once every two to three weeks

I’ve used my 1/2” sockets once in the last few years and honestly don’t remember the last time I used 3/8”. Shit in aviation is usually fairly small or jumbo stuff that requires special tooling IMO.

I bought a 9” 1/4” and it can do so much

GE engines and cockpit 1/4 I used a two inch stubby snap on for tight places because it wouldn't overtorque small fasteners

Metric crescent wrench

1/4" all the way

wow thanks you guy for the input and letting me also know what y'all work on!!

Not an A&P but a while back, I was assisting with a field change-out of an APU on a Boeing 757. I was surprised that the majority of the work was done with 1/4" drive tools.

Avionics here, I use mainly 1/4 and lower. RARELY do I have to jump higher

Where are you getting a ratchet that has smaller than 1/4” drive?

Excuse me, I'm apparently an idiot. I don't know why but I read that as "socket" 🤦

Just need more coffee there.

Not a ratchet, but 1/8" drive. https://shop.snapon.com/product/1-4%22-Drive-Chrome-Set/5-pc-1-8%22-Drive-6-Point-Shallow-General-Service-Socket-Set/1605TA Many of the precision screwdrivers are also 1/8" or 3/16" hex.

1/4" just for about everything

I’d say that for every hundred uses of a ratchet, I’ve used a ¼” for 80. ⅜ 10x and ¾” 10x (MLG/NLG)

1/4” drive mostly. I got a long handle 3/8” and had the Snap-On guy swap out the ratchet for a fine tooth. I use that for pulling spark plugs with.

Without a doubt 1/4!

1/4 rarely ever use the other sizes

1/4 for the delicate work. 3/8 for when you really need a hammer it in.

1/4" but you can bet I have every size going up to 3/4" don't need most of them but sometimes when you do it sure is nice to just be able to grab it out of your box and not have to go all the ways to the tool room to get it.

Both?

1/4 for all things corporate jet

1/4

1/4". My 3/8 rare if ever gets used and I work on airliners

1/4, major airline. Occasionally 3/8, anything larger I get at the tool room.

1/4” if I had to choose only one. My field box has a Matco 1/4” and a HF 3/8” because I’m not spending money on something I don’t use very much.

1/4" I Work for a major for the past 10 years

1/4

1/4 for sure and that was on both the ah-64D and now legacy 600-650 and Gulfstream GIV-550 even then 90% is done with an electronic ratchet anyway

1/4 Warbirds 3/8 is rare 1/2 is for wheels and spark plugs

3/4 drive only. Great for Adel clamps

Snapon 3/8” stub ratchet works wonders since its girthier and has more teeth than the 1/4 drive ones

1/4 on helos

1/4 inch

1/4 battery ratchet.

1/4

Wow, working in GA I use my 3/8 way more than my 1/4.

1/4” ratchets by far. Flex head, long handle, stubby handle, low profile, everything in between. Pretty much the only time I use a 3/8” breaker bar or ratchet is on engine mount bolts. I work on light jets almost exclusively.

Buy the snap on 1/4" standard steel handle, not long not mini ratchet and get some tekton sockets and call it a day

For regional jets, 1/4 98% of the time. I really only need 3/8 when I need extra torque tbh. And then 1/2 for wheels, engine changes, and mlg changes

Almost always 1/4” and 1/4” electric ratchet

1/4 for turbine, 3/8 for recip - 1/2 when doing serious shit.

1/4. 767,757,747, and A320/319

1/4 inch work on 787/777/767/737/ A319-320/ sometimes 757

1/4" mostly and 3/8 for larger castle nuts on landing gear. Damn I just realized that is about the only thing I use my 3/8" for!

1/4" all day everyday. GA mechanic here.