50/50/90 Rule for Ratcheting Wrenches

[PiperCub49]

50/50/90 Rule: If you pick up a non-switching ratcheting wrench, you have a 50/50 shot that it's going to turn in the right direction when you put it on the fastener. 90% of the time, you'll be wrong.

I have the GearWrench ratcheting wrenches that require you to flip them over to change direction. In other words, they don't have the selector switch. I was thinking about engraving them or painting them (or both) so that I know which side is "on" and which is "off". Has anyone done something similar or found another solution that doesn't involve twisting the mechanism with your hand to check for direction every time you pick the darn things up?

 

[Yarpo]

The open end of the wrench indicates which way the box end is ratcheting in a sense. Open end pointed to the left, the wrench will rotate left or clockwise over the top tightening the nut or bolt. Open end pointed to the right, the wrench will rotate right or counter clockwise over the top loosening the nut or bolt.

 

[toolmutt]

My nonreversible Gearwrench brand wrenches have ridges along the edge of the wrench that your hand will be on when applying force to turn the fastener. It is smooth on the "reset" or ratcheting side. I've used this feature to know which way to apply the wrench when I'm using it in tight, one hand only situations. I don't know if they are still making them this way.

Edit: Using Yarpo's photo for further explanation, the ridges are on the edge opposite of Yarpo's arrows, the side your hand will push against to make the wrench rotate in the direction of his arrows.

 

[Real_PhillBert]

I hate the non-reversible wrenches, about 15 years ago I was putting long tube headers on my mustang with my father when he backed a header stud up against the strut tower. I had to cut a $40 ARP stud and wait a week for another one. After that I pretty much swore off the non-reversible ones.

 

[pat9198]

The open end of the wrench indicates which way the box end is ratcheting in a sense.

This is exactly how my brain sees it.

 

[mr.lemons]

My first ratcheting wrenches were the old style snap on that had 'on' stamped on them so I was a bit lost when I changed over to the forged type.

Rather than learning a new way to identify direction I dremeled the new ones. Rough but functional. I did try paint before scratching up my wrenches but it wore off after a few uses.

 

[DTuck]

At that point, you should have cut the wrench. Probably less cost than the header stud. At that point you didn't want the non-reversible wrench anymore, but still needed the header stud.

Exactly.

 

[visionguru]

50/50/90 Rule: If you pick up a non-switching ratcheting wrench, you have a 50/50 shot that it's going to turn in the right direction when you put it on the fastener. 90% of the time, you'll be wrong.

I have the GearWrench ratcheting wrenches that require you to flip them over to change direction. In other words, they don't have the selector switch. I was thinking about engraving them or painting them (or both) so that I know which side is "on" and which is "off". Has anyone done something similar or found another solution that doesn't involve twisting the mechanism with your hand to check for direction every time you pick the darn things up?

My GW ratcheting wrenches have direction switches. Even that isn't helping that much. Still have to try and change direction accordingly.

The open end of the wrench indicates which way the box end is ratcheting in a sense. Open end pointed to the left, the wrench will rotate left or clockwise over the top tightening the nut or bolt. Open end pointed to the right, the wrench will rotate right or counter clockwise over the top loosening the nut or bolt.

That's a smart observation. However, my non-switching ratchet wrenches are GW X-beam, the open end is perpendicular to the ratcheting end.

Probably to stamp/engrave/paint with "on"/"off" marks is a pretty good solution.

 

[Real_PhillBert]

At that point, you should have cut the wrench. Probably less cost than the header stud. At that point you didn't want the non-reversible wrench anymore, but still needed the header stud.

Shoulda, coulda, woulda. It was a long time ago.

 

[PartsGuy]

Rather than learning a new way to identify direction I dremeled the new ones. Rough but functional. I did try paint before scratching up my wrenches but it wore off after a few uses.

Both of those wrenches were already clearly marked with directional arrows.....

 

[BarryWells]

Once again. Proto rules that game, as they do almost everything. Wallet smasher but nothing else is even close.

 

[Fedwrench]

some of you guys really take your tools too seriously

For ratchets or ratcheting wrenches, i never look at the off on switch, or the angle of the open end. It's reflex for me to simply rotate it a few clicks to see which way we're moving then get to work

oh, i've only seen the knurling on the edge of the wrench beam on regular Gearwrench flex head ratcheting wrenches. it is a nice touch.

 

[bonneyman]

I always pinch the box ring between my thumbs and index finger and click it a few teeth to determine the rotation before putting it on. Been doing it so long it's basically a reflex. I do the same with my ratchets.

My non-reversible GW's have been outstanding for over 20 years.

 

[Indexmill]

The open end of the wrench indicates which way the box end is ratcheting in a sense. Open end pointed to the left, the wrench will rotate left or clockwise over the top tightening the nut or bolt. Open end pointed to the right, the wrench will rotate right or counter clockwise over the top loosening the nut or bolt.

I'll be damned; I never knew that. Is it universal?

 

[toolmutt]

some of you guys really take your tools too seriously

For ratchets or ratcheting wrenches, i never look at the off on switch, or the angle of the open end. It's reflex for me to simply rotate it a few clicks to see which way we're moving then get to work

oh, i've only seen the knurling on the edge of the wrench beam on regular Gearwrench flex head ratcheting wrenches. it is a nice touch.

The photo I posted is a flex head. I thought the knurling was on a standard set that I no longer have but am probably mistaken. Yes, it is helpful. I've used it more than once to know which way to use the tool when I'm elbow deep into some space and can't even see the wrench!

 

[Yarpo]

I'll be damned; I never knew that. Is it universal?

Not many people seem to, but it was taught to me by one of the first mechanics I worked under. I don't know if its universal across all brands, but of the few brands I have personally used that are non reversible, this held true.

some of you guys really take your tools too seriously

For ratchets or ratcheting wrenches, i never look at the off on switch, or the angle of the open end. It's reflex for me to simply rotate it a few clicks to see which way we're moving then get to work

oh, i've only seen the knurling on the edge of the wrench beam on regular Gearwrench flex head ratcheting wrenches. it is a nice touch.

Its just something that was pointed out to me long ago and figured I'd help share the knowledge. Not sure how that's considered taking tools to seriously lol. Do I always do this? Nah. I usually click them a few times in my fingers too, and I've NEVER looked at the on and off selector for a ratchet. However its exactly relevant to the OP's topic of getting the direction wrong 90% of the time, and something that can be corrected based on a simple visual

 

[mr.lemons]

Both of those wrenches were already clearly marked with directional arrows.....

I find ON/OFF simpler than the arrows. Simple works best for me.

 

[bimmer630]

The open end of the wrench indicates which way the box end is ratcheting in a sense. Open end pointed to the left, the wrench will rotate left or clockwise over the top tightening the nut or bolt. Open end pointed to the right, the wrench will rotate right or counter clockwise over the top loosening the nut or bolt.

This concept drove me nuts with my MAC ratcheting wrenches.. They were the same as gearwrench in that sense.. But I broke the 12mm and when I warrantied it, Mac had switched the wrenches to a facom sourced wrench, with the open end pointing in the opposite direction... annoying

 

[joe_padavano]

So, just like USB cables. And any other 50-50 chance.

 

[visionguru]

So, just like USB cables. And any other 50-50 chance.

USB-C changes all that. 100% first time.

 

[HaroRider]

I cant use a HF ratchet because the selector is backwards. Drives me insane.

 

[Ign]

There's also an 80/20/20 rule for hiking and mtn biking trails: 80% of the people are on the first 20% of 20% of the trails

Anyway for ratcheting wrenches I always just hold 'em and test in my hand before putting on the fastener