Ratchet Practice

[lauver]

Gang,

I'm a ratchet & socket guy 1st and foremost.  My all-time favorite ratchets have the classic knurled handles. 

I do like wrenches though, when they are the tool of choice for special applications.

As to the spinner adapter option, I have a few but seldom use them.  Instead, I prefer the ratcheting thumbwheel.  Often they are the most compact ratchet option available when torque is not required.   And they don't require much storage space in the old tool chest.

[bonneyman]

I'm with Gary on this one. It's ratchets and sockets first and foremost.

But with the advent of ratcheteing box wrenches, I see the sweetness of a socket adapter in a GearWrench with a shortened shallow socket. Losing that overall thickness of 3/8" can make the job.

[hickory n Steel]

I can see one of those coming in handy, I may have to keep an eye out for one.

Not too long ago I picked up a Craftsman 1/4 sliding T handle for dirt cheap and with recent use I've been wondering how I ever got along without it.
Now I just need a good spinner handle with a drive plug in the back ( I had a yellow handle Proto but it was busted )

[bonneyman]

I can see one of those coming in handy, I may have to keep an eye out for one.

Not too long ago I picked up a Craftsman 1/4 sliding T handle for dirt cheap and with recent use I've been wondering how I ever got along without it.
Now I just need a good spinner handle with a drive plug in the back ( I had a yellow handle but it was busted )

Someone did a "how thin a socket/ratchet can you go?" thread (I think it was GJ) and they had a ratcheting box with a cut down to a stub adapter and a ground down shallow socket. It was noticeably thinner.

I don't think a Saltus wrench would fit where that thing could go.

[muddy]

Until this thread I didn't really think about it. However now that I'm thinking about it, I think I don't really have a "favorite". I use both equally at work. At home I do go for the socket and ratchet.

[J.A.F.E.]

All these different approaches and yet all work quite well.

[strik9]

I do a lot of sudpension and brakes so DOE work best in some cars.  I do sockets on a breaker ad wrench a lot and the spinny handle ratchet in tough spots.

  The CH water wheel clicker is used most as a 10mm bit driver.  Yeah, its poor but it does work.  Nevermind I have a Wurth set up for that too which is really nice. 

[hickory n Steel]

I can see one of those coming in handy, I may have to keep an eye out for one.

Not too long ago I picked up a Craftsman 1/4 sliding T handle for dirt cheap and with recent use I've been wondering how I ever got along without it.
Now I just need a good spinner handle with a drive plug in the back ( I had a yellow handle but it was busted )

Someone did a "how thin a socket/ratchet can you go?" thread (I think it was GJ) and they had a ratcheting box with a cut down to a stub adapter and a ground down shallow socket. It was noticeably thinner.

I don't think a Saltus wrench would fit where that thing could go.

I've got a ratcheting box end Craftsman ( professional I believe ) that I found on the ground a year or so ago and I've thought about doing something with it.

My idea is to turn a grade 8 12mm bolt into a 1/4" adapter you put into a socket, place the socket on the fastener, then take the wrench to it.
I don't know how well this would work, but it's really the only thing I would be able to do.

[J.A.F.E.]

There are similar adapters that work quite well. Might be a good learning experience.

Strik made some and he sent a couple that I use.

[hickory n Steel]

10 min to find the right bolt then do a bit of filing on it and now I've technically got a low-ish profile 70 tooth 1/4" ratchet.
I found a stepped bolt in the old bucket-o-stuff that was slightly oversized and filed it till it was a tight press fit into the wrench, then I cut and filed the end into a 1/4" fitting.
Sockets arent retained perfectly and can fall off but I may be able to come up with a solution.


It's not pretty and probably not very heavy duty, but it technically works.

[J.A.F.E.]

The shoulder on the bolt is a good idea. Try a magnet for retention.

[hickory n Steel]

The shoulder on the bolt is a good idea. Try a magnet for retention.

That could work, I'll try drilling a pocket in the side for a small neo magnet.

[J.A.F.E.]

That should work well and will tend to magnetize the socket which may help hold the fastener.

[hickory n Steel]

It sure ain't pretty but it'll work.

[J.A.F.E.]

Looks well done to me. It functions for the intended purpose and you got to use some tools making it. Win all around.