What do you call those screwy ratchets with a crank?

[ToocoolZ28]

What do you call those ratchets that have a crank handle on the end? Kind of like a right angle that you turn the crank to turn the socket. I don't know what they are called but I had occasion to use one the other day and it worked where I couldn't get anything else to work. A guy I know had one but he didn't know what it was called either.
I wouldn't expect to tighten anything very tight with it but it did work for what I needed, (clutch adjustment though big headers).

 

[G_P]

I believe they were originally called a "sidewinder".

I've seen a stanley version at walmart.

Sent via carrier pigeon.

 

[rslaback]

I call mine the drawer liner holder downer.

 

[devoncoolman]

Ive got a craftsman one like that. Only use it when i have too. Its just a bit driver with a fold out handle. Not sure it has an official name.

 

[wornoutoldman]

Speed or Spinner Ratchet.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sears-Craft...513?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c35d51db9

 

[McFarmer]

One of the best things for oil pan bolts.

Never mind, I thought you had a speed wrench. Mine works like a breaker bar with a crank.

 

[ToocoolZ28]

Ok, I found one, this is just like the one I used.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Popular-Mec...122?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2581358c3a

 

[davesnothere]

I call those junk.

 

[kursplat]

mine falls into the catagory of "tools my family can get me for while having no idea what i actually want".


and yes i could give them a list, but the things i would want at this point, are either expensive or used. niether a good candidate for a list

edit: i keep trying to find a use for it..............

still looking

 

[retDAC]

This? http://sidewinderproducts.com/_wsn/page3.html

HF sells the 3/8" drive version: http://www.harborfreight.com/3-8-eighth-inch-drive-speed-socket-wrench-4432.html

These are are (were?) made in Taiwan.

 

[CNGsaves]

I believe they were originally called a "sidewinder".

I've seen a stanley version at Walmart.

^ ^ This . . . .sidewinder.

This "tool" will be so rarely used, no reason to buy anywhere other than WM or HF. Heck spending $30 for low quality ratchet that's never used, crazy . . .

Instead use that money to buy something useful at garage sale or CL.

 

[wornoutoldman]

I call those junk.

Now that we know what the OP is referring to, please disregard my original statement. I agree with Dave.

 

[devoncoolman]

Now that we know what the OP is referring to, please disregard my original statement. I agree with Dave.

Yeah i was thinking something different also. That may have a purpose somewhere. But i would never use one. Only purpose i can see would be tight clearance applications but not with that bulky a$$ head on it.

 

[ex-x-fire]

I'd chop that t handle off & weld an extension on it, so I could use it with an air ratchet.

 

[Davefr]

Yeah i was thinking something different also. That may have a purpose somewhere. But i would never use one. Only purpose i can see would be tight clearance applications but not with that bulky a$$ head on it.

Isn't that the truth.

You buy it thinking it'll come in real handy in tight spots but it's one tool I've never used.

 

[Sick Puppy]

There are modern versions of those - Proxxon, Stanley and Facom/sidchrome all have versions, although the proxxon one has a 1/4" socket in the handle to enable T-handles etc to be used...

 

[Jim C.]

I have one just like CGNsaves posted above. I've NEVER found a single use for it and probably never will. The head is big and clunky and I can't think of any job where it will be the "right" tool. To the OP, I would not waste your money on this thing. Mine sat in my box for a few years and I finally got tired of it eating up valuable space. It's now hanging on a pegboard hook out in my shop collecting dust.

Jim C.

 

[Jim C.]

I have one just like CGNsaves posted above. I've NEVER found a single use for it and probably never will. The head is big and clunky and I can't think of any job where it will be the "right" tool. To the OP, I would not waste your money on this thing. Mine sat in my box for a few years and I finally got tired of it eating up valuable space. It's now hanging on a pegboard hook out in my shop collecting dust.

Jim C.

Here's mine, looking as new as it did the day I foolishly bought it.

Jim C.

 

[bluebolt]

Sounds like the OP actually can use this. I picked one up a few montsh ago havn't used it yet. I think a plain angle drive with no ratchet and a female drive end to hook your ratchet to might be more useful.

 

[ImportTuner]

Here's mine, looking as new as it did the day I foolishly bought it.

Jim C.

Mine is in the same condition ... bought it at Pep Boys. Looking back, it was a waste of money.

 

[reman]

I call mine the "Ford starter wrench". It is just the ticket for that pesky top bolt.

 

[Jim C.]

Mine is in the same condition ... bought it at Pep Boys. Looking back, it was a waste of money.

I got mine at a Harbor Freight. It was actually the first time I had ever been in a HF store and that's what I came out with. In the last five or six years since I bought that thing, I've been in a HF store at most three times, which is still more occasions than I've used the ratchet.

Jim C.

 

[beamrider]

I bought one of those about 15 years ago, gets used a lot more than I thought it would.

 

[priceman1414]

Sidewinder Speed Wrench

They've been around for a while. I saw an ad for them in an early 1990s issue of Hot Rod Magazine.

Other brands, such as STANLEY, sell ones called 'rotator ratchets' that are similar except they don't have the " T " on the end of the handle, you just rotate the handle.

 

[Jim C.]

I bought one of those about 15 years ago, gets used a lot more than I thought it would.

I'm not questioning your word. I've had mine for at least five years and haven't used it, or even needed it once. I do spend a lot of my free time tinkering with old Corvettes and woodworking machinery and haven't even considered using it, or found that it was the perfect tool to turn even a single, hard to reach, limited clearance fastener. So I'm just wondering what you use your's for?

Jim C.

 

[USA Tool Supply]

We called them the old fashion name " speed ratchet ". Could not give them away. One day the manager of a " Jiffy Lube " came in to the store and bought one. Later on the same day he came back and bought all the rest of them. God bless that man !

 

[WWIIjeep]

Sidewinder Speed Wrench

They've been around for a while. I saw an ad for them in an early 1990s issue of Hot Rod Magazine.

Other brands, such as STANLEY, sell ones called 'rotator ratchets' that are similar except they don't have the " T " on the end of the handle, you just rotate the handle.

They've been around since the early 1950s. One version called a "Reechit" was patented in 1952.

http://www.datamp.org/patents/displayPatent.php?id=13962

And here's the actual product:



As described in the patent information, it can be turned with a cross-handle, or by 1/2" drive at the end of the handle, or simply by turning the knurled end by hand.

It has saved the day several times.

If you think of them as right-angle drives instead of as close-quarter tools, you may find more uses for them.

They're certainly too large to fit in very tight spaces, but if you ever have a space where there's little or no room to swing a wrench, or to use a socket without adding a very long extension, they may be just the ticket. Granted, modern fine-tooth ratchets allow you to operate with an inch or less of travel, but it will still be slow going. Using one of these right-angle drive tools will likely be faster and easier in such circumstances.

 

[atfulldraw]

love mine - it doesn't get used that often, but when it does, nothing else will do.

just another specialty tool.....

 

[superautobacs]

*snip*

If you think of them as right-angle drives instead of as close-quarter tools, you may find more uses for them.

They're certainly too large to fit in very tight spaces, but if you ever have a space where there's little or no room to swing a wrench, or to use a socket without adding a very long extension, they may be just the ticket. Granted, modern fine-tooth ratchets allow you to operate with an inch or less of travel, but it will still be slow going. Using one of these right-angle drive tools will likely be faster and easier in such circumstances.

When you don't have air tools around these can be the ticket. I've used mine a handful of times. It made the job a lot easier and faster.

I made a thread a couple years ago and got some positive responses from users: Rotary / Twist Ratchets - do they ever see the light of day?http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48846&showall=1