Such a thing as non reversible, 3/8 drive ratchet?

[impactims]

I would love to know if this exists.

A ratchet that ratchets in one direction. One that goes one way, one that goes the other way. Rather than a single ratchet that can go in both directions.

Why bother with this?

Well, I am guessing that such a thing would be stronger and smaller than it’s reversible counterpart, all else equal.

 

[john.k]

Very common once with economy socket sets ......with a push thru hex or square drive you reversed by simply turning the ratchet over and pushing the drive piece thru ........no buttons ,levers or anythingg to go wrong ..........some were so simple they had only three parts,and were always made from flat pieces rivetted together.

 

[Jacobs976]

Technically the tool described is just an early 1900s female drive ratchet. They were most commonly made of stamped sheet metal and you flipped it over to go the opposite direction, pushing the male plug through or removing it completely with the socket and reinserting it on the other side.

Modern uses of the same design is basically non-existent. There's no advantage because modern machining allows for much smaller components while implementing a two sided pawl that allows the direction to be changed via a lever.

There are some comparable designs still in use but not with sockets, gearwrench non-reversing ratcheting wrenches, but it's very limited.

Basically non-reversing ratchet mechanisms are only used for wrenches now because that's the only niche the design is viable due to modern machining.

 

[john.k]

One inch drive socket sets still have one way ratchets that you turn over .........far stronger than selector types.

 

[esben57]

Gedore Heyco and other German makes followed the same pattern.
As john.k mentioned, very strong simple mechanism. Often see these at car boot markets usually with the coupler missing.

 

[KnurledNut]

Why bother with this?

Well, I am guessing that such a thing would be stronger and smaller than it’s reversible counterpart, all else equal.

Reversible ratchets are getting smaller and stronger.
It can only be as strong as the weakest link. Its not uncommon for the binding type mechanisms to shear the drive anvil at failure.
Non-reversible sprag clutch style (gearless) ratchets are still being made by several manufacturers, but if strength and size are the determining factors, both have been surpassed.

 

[Dave455]

Wera offer their Zyklop ratchets as either a switch design, or a push through. They are available in 1/4, 3/8 or 1/2 inch drive.


They are an unusual design in a couple of respects, and surprisingly useable, but I don’t think the push through version offers any particular advantage, other perhaps than the omission of the small change lever.

If they made one as compact with a sprag clutch / one way bearing I’d probably be a buyer.

 

[Hannahranga]

I've got a 3/4" torque wrench that's push through like that, it's kinda a requirement of the break back style wrenches.

 

[ThePostman]

My 3/8" Precision Instruments split-beam torque wrench is non-reversible.

 

[mikey03]

Since a quality 1/4 3/8 and 1/2 drive ratchet will hold up to double or triple the torque that will shear off the bolt head on the lower to middle of the sizes for that drive size idk if I really need a ratchet that’s stronger tbh

 

[5ubtle]

Since a quality 1/4 3/8 and 1/2 drive ratchet will hold up to double or triple the torque that will shear off the bolt head on the lower to middle of the sizes for that drive size idk if I really need a ratchet that’s stronger tbh

Well, I am guessing that such a thing would be stronger and smaller than it’s reversible counterpart, all else equal.

As stated in post #1, you might someday want a smaller ratchet head that is still strong enough.

 

[lotus_esprit]

Wera offer their Zyklop ratchets as either a switch design, or a push through. They are available in 1/4, 3/8 or 1/2 inch drive.


They are an unusual design in a couple of respects, and surprisingly useable, but I don’t think the push through version offers any particular advantage, other perhaps than the omission of the small change lever.

If they made one as compact with a sprag clutch / one way bearing I’d probably be a buyer.

Wera tools other than their screwdrivers seem a bit cheap and gimmicky to me