1/4 drive ratchet with extension handle

[firstyearchevelle]

Came out of my Williams roll cabinet haul. When I first saw this I thought someone jammed a cheater bar on this 1/4 ratchet. After cleaning the gunk from around the ratchet handle I could see it was manufactured this way. Bare steel handle measures 12 inches and has a roll pin that looks like it holds the collar to the knurled handle. Where the ratchet handle is stuck into the collar it’s filled with metal. Not sure of the ratchet brand, maybe Duro?

Post in thread '2022 Garage Sale Thread'
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/2022-garage-sale-thread.491610/post-9396379

 

[four.cycle]

^ it's either an Indestro 2875 or a Duro Chrome 4575 - 52-tooth model.

 

[Username already in use]

^ it's either an Indestro 2875 or a Duro Chrome 4575 - 52-tooth model.

Could also be WIZARD branded.

 

[four.cycle]

yeah... Wizard used that same "paddle" handle... not sure if there was a "Westcraft" or "Westline" like that... ???

(Western Auto stuff is pretty much off my radar screen, so that would not have occurred to me.)

I have to wonder why the hell they'd do that to a perfectly good ratchet... that unit isn't capable of handling a real high torque load.

 

[bmwrd0]

I have an old Blackhawk ratchet, the type with the hollow handle you could add an extension to, that someone jammed an SK breaker bar into. No, I don't know why someone would do that.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

If not for leverage than for the extra reach

 

[firstyearchevelle]

I have an old Blackhawk ratchet, the type with the hollow handle you could add an extension to, that someone jammed an SK breaker bar into. No, I don't know why someone would do that.

I originally thought this was a homemade job.

I have to wonder why the hell they'd do that to a perfectly good ratchet... that unit isn't capable of handling a real high torque load.

I’m surprised it has made it this long.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I agree that the pin and the steel seemingly forged inside that extra handle around the handle of the ratchet is a step above homemade, but you guys aren't thinking it came from the factory like that, are you? I'm thinking an aftermarket shop did that.

 

[senlow]

I agree with Private Lugnutz. That ratchet did not come from the manufacturer with that cheater attached. The entire assembly would be plated if it were factory made. The workmanship is definitely superior to the typical homemade cheater. It appears that the cheater bar was bored to fit the OD of the ratchet. The ratchet was probably pressed into the cheater bar and the voids filled with what appears to be solder.

 

[Username already in use]

They probably just wanted a more comfortable handle/grip on the ratchet. Those paddle handles are not very comfortable to use.

 

[four.cycle]

very seriously doubt that went out the door of the factory like that...

I remain mystified.

 

[bmwrd0]

I would guess it was for access, not torque. If you have a small nut tucked way back into some recess, it might make sense to put something like this together.

 

[3baygarage]

I noticed that in the GS thread. Interesting mod for sure. The knurling is what realy shows they weren’t playing around!