Neat Video, Matco ratchets

[kwoswalt99]

Another reason could be to make the ratchet better.

Perhaps they want a tougher material in the head and a more brittle but stiffer material in the handle.

No, I think Bobcatdan has it right. All the ratchets heads are identical and they can put different handles on them.

 

[Loscaldazar]

Friction welding machines can also be used for a variety of sized ratchets, breaker bars, etc. Forging requires a new mold for every variation of ratchet, handle, flex head, breaker bar, etc.

Even with the post welding trimming and induction heating, spin welding is cheaper longterm than forging for ratchets and breaker bars. Both methods (forging and spin welding) are stronger than the ratchets or drive tangs (on breaker bars), so the cheaper method here is the better method.

Here's another video of it, this time from the Sk factory.
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[Skin]

No, I think Bobcatdan has it right. All the ratchets heads are identical and they can put different handles on them.

They don't look identical to me. The flex heads have more material to accommodate the joint. Look at them being machined and its pretty obvious they're a different forging blank.

 

[toolman9w]

They don't look identical to me. The flex heads have more material to accommodate the joint. Look at them being machined and its pretty obvious they're a different forging blank.

I noticed this too after we discussed it. I looked at the ones on the truck the heads are quite a bit different.