Who makes the longest 1/2” ratchet

[Big Bad Jon]

Was able to find this on Matco , Snap On and Mac only have ≈26” ones.

Looking for alt alternatives, the longer the better.


Matco one is here.

 

[Old Man Roger]

I have a torque wrench that’s about 3 or 4 feet long?

 

[Big Bad Jon]

I have a torque wrench that’s about 3 or 4 feet long?

Go on…

 

[WhataTool]

I have a torque wrench that’s about 3 or 4 feet long?

That's 3/4"

 

[PWC Repair]

Get whatever has the beefiest gear teeth and weld a piece of pipe on to suit your needs.

 

[KnurledNut]

44” enough?
https://webcat.cornwelltools.com/CT...Super-Strong-Flex-Head-Ratchet-Set-p371692905

 

[Old Man Roger]

That's 3/4"

You’re right, I forgot.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Is it important to be 1/2" drive?

 

[ecotec]

44” enough?
https://webcat.cornwelltools.com/CT...Super-Strong-Flex-Head-Ratchet-Set-p371692905

I saw that on a YouTube toolbox tour.

 

[assassin10000]

Matco does a 31-32", depending on handle.

 

[WhataTool]

OP's post wasn't all that long, it's pretty simple to sound out the words in it and process them all

 

[Big Bad Jon]

Is it important to be 1/2" drive?

I’d rather not have to buy a 3/4” 1-1/2” socket

 

[T444e]

If it was me and I was dead set on 1/2" drive, I'd use a piece of pipe as a cheater. However, if it was me and using an 1-1/2" socket, I'd prefer 3/4" drive. I also have a 42" 3/4" drive ratchet.

 

[terrific]

44” enough?
https://webcat.cornwelltools.com/CT...Super-Strong-Flex-Head-Ratchet-Set-p371692905

I wonder if a company could make what would essentially be a massive pin vise. Maybe 2.5' long and wide enough to grab a ratchet handle. Take the wobble out of the cheater pipe equation.

 

[jblnut]

I’d rather not have to buy a 3/4” 1-1/2” socket

Are you wanting a longer bar to put more force on the socket or for reaching farther or what’s the driver for the long length ?

If you put a looooooooong 1/2” drive ratchet/bar/whatever on an 1-1/2” socket and give it the beans you may certainly destroy the ratchet/bar/whatever. My basic rule of thumb is once you get to 2.5-3x the drive size you need to step up to the next larger drive size. I’d step up to a 3/4” drive and a pipe before finding a longer ratchet in 1/2” drive.

 

[ecotec]

If it was me and I was dead set on 1/2" drive, I'd use a piece of pipe as a cheater. However, if it was me and using an 1-1/2" socket, I'd prefer 3/4" drive. I also have a 42" 3/4" drive ratchet.

The Wright railroad ratchet?

 

[T444e]

The Wright railroad ratchet?

Yes

 

[ecotec]

Yes

I could never justify one, but it is a such a cool ratchet/war club.

 

[T444e]

I could never justify one, but it is a such a cool ratchet/war club.

I can admit justification had nothing to do with the purchase, I just wanted it and Zoro had it at a price plus a discount code I couldn't say no to. It has come in handy over the years. I decided to move into 3/4" drive sockets after putting an 8 foot cheater on a 1/2" breaker bar and jumping on it. I was very surprised the anvil didn't break.

 

[ecotec]

I can admit justification had nothing to do with the purchase, I just wanted it and Zoro had it at a price plus a discount code I couldn't say no to. It has come in handy over the years. I decided to move into 3/4" drive sockets after putting an 8 foot cheater on a 1/2" breaker bar and jumping on it. I was very surprised the anvil didn't break.

I have a 40ish inch 3/4” breaker bar and a 3/4” impact. My 3/4” ratchet is pretty terrible. It isn’t long enough, for sure.

I can’t remember the last time I used my 3/4” impact (like 20 years ago). It still has a deep 19mm in it.

The breaker bar I have used, in lieu of using a cheater bar.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

I have a 44" or so Blue Point 3/4" ratchet (can't remember the exact length). It's a monster.

 

[Wrench97]

What is the torque spec of the 1 1/2" nut?

 

[T444e]

I have a 40ish inch 3/4” breaker bar and a 3/4” impact. My 3/4” ratchet is pretty terrible. It isn’t long enough, for sure.

I can’t remember the last time I used my 3/4” impact (like 20 years ago). It still has a deep 19mm in it.

The breaker bar I have used, in lieu of using a cheater bar.

I don't have a 3/4" impact, but will get one at some point. Some the places I have used the ratchet an impact wouldn't fit.

 

[ecotec]

I don't have a 3/4" impact, but will get one at some point. Some the places I have used the ratchet an impact wouldn't fit.

Unless you work on heavy equipment, the 3/4” impact is not needed as much anymore. Weighted sockets will take out crank bolts that a 1/2”impact and regular impact socket would not.

 

[T444e]

My issue is are not with crank bolts. While I don't work on heavy equipment, I have impact sockets upto 2-3/4" which have been used and I have found 1/2" impacts are not always enough. But I have the long ratchet and I always get something to give one way or another.

 

[Wrench97]

Unless you work on heavy equipment, the 3/4” impact is not needed as much anymore. Weighted sockets will take out crank bolts that a 1/2”impact and regular impact socket would not.

You are correct I haven't touched my 1" in 3 years and the 3/4" I think I used twice both time on lug nuts I never should have needed it on.

 

[Old Man Roger]

You are correct I haven't touched my 1" in 3 years and the 3/4" I think I used twice both time on lug nuts I never should have needed it on.

Things that shouldn’t need it are exactly what 3/4 impacts are for.lol

 

[terrific]

Yes

The Wright railroad ratchet?

Wright 6425 for anyone wondering. Always wanted one of those, but 3/4" sockets are too thick to fit on most things around here.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Is this something to be used on a regular basis ? Does it actually need to ratchet or do you need a breaker bar ?

For the rare occasion, I might use the breaker bar to break it loose and a pipe over my longest 1/2" drive ratchet.

 

[rust in the eye]

I’d rather not have to buy a 3/4” 1-1/2” socket

A 1 1/2" wrench size implies a 1" bolt and perhaps 900FT/LB That is asking a LOT of a half inch ratchet.
Curious to know the application, especially regarding room to swing such a beast.

 

[Big Bad Jon]

What is the torque spec of the 1 1/2" nut?

These are nuts that hold an industrial washer to the floor via concrete wedge anchors. Because of the floor anchors, I do not want to use an impact.

The floor anchors have to be checked for “tightness” weekly, but no torque spec is listed. And because they have to be really tight, I want as much leverage as possible.

I’m trying to stay away from 3/4” drive because I don’t have any other 3/4” sockets. I know if I go 3/4” I’ll need to own the entire set

 

[Wrench97]

I ask because usually what happens when you get too high a torque on a 1/2" is the square drive end breaks.
There is always the option of using a 3/4 to 1/2 adapter on a 3/4 ratchet.

 

[Wrench97]

A 1 1/2" wrench size implies a 1" bolt and perhaps 900FT/LB That is asking a LOT of a half inch ratchet.
Curious to know the application, especially regarding room to swing such a beast.

1" 1/2 lug nuts on Budds were 450 to 500 ft lb, so application does make a difference.

 

[Wrench97]

These are nuts that hold an industrial washer to the floor via concrete wedge anchors. Because of the floor anchors, I do not want to use an impact.

The floor anchors have to be checked for “tightness” weekly, but no torque spec is listed. And because they have to be really tight, I want as much leverage as possible.

I’m trying to stay away from 3/4” drive because I don’t have any other 3/4” sockets. I know if I go 3/4” I’ll need to own the entire set

Quick look shows 250-300 ft lb for 1" anchors so doable with 1/2" for sure.

 

[Big Bad Jon]

Quick look shows 250-300 ft lb for 1" anchors so doable with 1/2" for sure.

It’s not insane torque, but ≈24” ratchets aren’t doing it. Ideally I’d loosen the nut slightly and snug it back down.

 

[NUTTSGT]

These are nuts that hold an industrial washer to the floor via concrete wedge anchors. Because of the floor anchors, I do not want to use an impact.

The floor anchors have to be checked for “tightness” weekly, but no torque spec is listed. And because they have to be really tight, I want as much leverage as possible.

I’m trying to stay away from 3/4” drive because I don’t have any other 3/4” sockets. I know if I go 3/4” I’ll need to own the entire set

If you are worried about buying a 3/4" set, I would suggest a simple and basic set from your local tractor/ farm supply. You can get "cheap" set for way less than $100.


If you buy a set and break a socket, just buy a readily available replacement.

Off hand internet search.
JobSmart 3/4 in. Drive SAE Mechanic's Tool Set, 20 pc. at Tractor Supply Co https://share.google/qbohLmyg8rFhoI5NW

 

[Wrench97]

It’s not insane torque, but ≈24” ratchets aren’t doing it. Ideally I’d loosen the nut slightly and snug it back down.

My 3/4" snap on has 42" handle, with the head probably 45" overall.
Most 1/2" I've seen max out at 24-26".
I use to work with a guy that has Quinn 3/4 extendable that extends to 39".

 

[Big Bad Jon]

My 3/4" snap on has 42" handle, with the head probably 45" overall.
Most 1/2" I've seen max out at 24-26".
I use to work with a guy that has Quinn 3/4 extendable that extends to 39".

I don’t know, extendible ratchets just seem “cheap”


I bought the Matco 36” for $250 on eBay. We’ll see how it works. I have a feeling I’ll be buying a 3/4 set before too long. We’ll see how far down that rabbit hole I go.

 

[mike93lx]

These are nuts that hold an industrial washer to the floor via concrete wedge anchors. Because of the floor anchors, I do not want to use an impact.

The floor anchors have to be checked for “tightness” weekly, but no torque spec is listed. And because they have to be really tight, I want as much leverage as possible.

I’m trying to stay away from 3/4” drive because I don’t have any other 3/4” sockets. I know if I go 3/4” I’ll need to own the entire set

Just use a breaker bar. You don't need a ratchet for this at all

 

[rust in the eye]

It’s not insane torque, but ≈24” ratchets aren’t doing it. Ideally I’d loosen the nut slightly and snug it back down.

Doesn't sound like anything particularly precise here. Why not a cheater?
If just snugging up existing fasteners why use a ratchet? How many degrees are you turning this thing? Seems a breaker bar do as well.