Impacting a bolt off with a ratchet on the other side

[Sugarfryz]

So for a few years I’ve used a ratchet and a socket to keep a nut from turning while I use my impact wrench to get it off. Never failed me, I have good Snap on ratchets and usually they never fail. Lately they’ve broken literally every time I’ve tried. I had a particularly stuck nut and it was hurting my hands bad to hold onto a wrench on the other side. The vibrations started to kill my palms, the wrench was smacking my hand. So I brought out my big Snap on 1/2 ratchet and it spun the ratchet backwards and blew it out immediately. I was pissed, I guess I learned my lesson. From now on I guess I only have to use a wrench. Lately I’ve broken them every time I’ve tried but never had an issue before.

 

[Farmall450]

Yeah that's got to be tough on the rats. Do you ever wear gloves? Might help with the wrench biting your hand.

 

[Arctic Circle]

Here?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/SNAP-ON-1-...092081?hash=item1a124b91b1:g:W74AAOSw8aNXGSp5

 

[BigT69]

I use a socket on a breaker bar instead of a wrench for a backup sometimes.

 

[dutchgray]

I use a socket on a breaker bar instead of a wrench for a backup sometimes.

Yeah or a sliding T bar.

 

[Sugarfryz]

I don’t know why but I guess I’ve just been blowing up my ratchets lately. Maybe it’s becosue I work on semi trucks now instead of cars and the bolts are tighter

 

[lakeroadster]

Yeah or a sliding T bar.

Awesome point.. a good answer to this..

What tool do you have in your arsenal.. that you've never used?

Strouty's recent thread "One way to spin it.........." made me think of the "Wizard" tools I inherited from my Father. It has a 1/2" Drive Slide Bar.. it's like new, he never used it. And I have never used one.

So what's the purpose of it?

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=376224

 

[apollo11]

So for a few years I’ve used a ratchet and a socket to keep a nut from turning while I use my impact wrench to get it off. Never failed me, I have good Snap on ratchets and usually, they never fail. Lately, they’ve broken literally every time I’ve tried. I had a particularly stuck nut and it was hurting my hands bad to hold onto a wrench on the other side. The vibrations started to kill my palms, the wrench was smacking my hand. So I brought out my big Snap on 1/2 ratchet and it spun the ratchet backwards and blew it out immediately. I was pissed, I guess I learned my lesson. From now on I guess I only have to use a wrench. Lately, I’ve broken them every time I’ve tried but never had an issue before.

I never really even thought of doing that.
There is too much movement to be effective.

 

[DTB]

I bought a comfort grip breaker bar to use on the back side of the impact. Between that and some gloves it is a lot easier on the hands.

 

[stercorarius]

Also one of the benefits of electric impact ratchets is that it doesn't hurt nearly as much as doing it with an air impact

 

[scubadoober]

For reference you are putting the impact on the nut with the wrench on the bolt? Your language suggests otherwise.

 

[OutsideMachinist]

Either way- No matter what you use or where you use it, it will wear out. Tools are consumables. Wrenches, sockets etc arent meant for a lifetime or even your grandkids,not if you use them to make money. To answer the question, I use a combination wrench, modified or cut off one most of the time to back up an impact wrench.

 

[cherrybomb]

You must really hate your ratchets to abuse them like that IMO.Use a tee handle or breaker,wear a glove,problem solved.

 

[gdocktor3]

You must really hate your ratchets to abuse them like that IMO.Use a tee handle or breaker,wear a glove,problem solved.

Seriously. I'd try biting the nut with my teeth before using a ratchet.

I generally use my DBE wrenches when "holding back" on nuts as they have a larger, rounder beam. Other options are adjustable wrenches and pipe wrenches. Never a ratchet....

 

[WittHay]

Never used a ratchet or held onto the wrench when using i/2" drive sizes. Either a 12- point socket on a breaker bar, double box end wrenches or the open end of good wrenches, to hold the nut or bolt from turning. You can always jam it against something.

The fun part is the tightening, you usually need a long prybar to pry the wrench of the nut or bolt when fully torqued

 

[Tallpilot]

Extra long pattern DBE wrenches are perfect for this; especially if you are working on Class 6+ trucks.

 

[Billythekid1]

I have Mac boxed end wrenches but they have a hard handle on the opposite end best way for me

 

[thatguysb]

Yep, breaker bar works fine. blows the **** out of the ratchets.

 

[jdlong]

Ratchets have their place and I would never put them up against impact blows securing a nut. Simply because they are not designed for that. I always grab a 6 point flat wrench. Not the best but way better than relying on the miniature pawls and teeth in a ratchet.

 

[Danglerb]

With an impact the small motion between whacks allow the ratchet pawls to partially disengage, then try to engage with the next impact, recipe for wrecking the ratchet especially something like a newer 72 tooth. Seems like you would not get full effect of the impacts either.

 

[sberry]

Tightening doesn't hurt as much but impacting especially in loosen on rusted will eventually stretch box ends out too.

 

[stikman56]

Seems like you'd not do that to start with. That's what breaker bars and wrenches are for IMO.

 

[Danglerb]

Tightening doesn't hurt as much but impacting especially in loosen on rusted will eventually stretch box ends out too.

When you have access to threads, spray with Kroil and wait, and or maybe some heat. Beating on stuff shouldn't be the only thing you try.

 

[Mr Ratchet]

If you have the room why would you not use a breaker bar. That's what they are made for. A wrench if room is too tight for a breaker. If you are using a ratchet you'll have room for a breaker bar though

Space permitting, I use my breaker bars as much as I can to break bolts and nuts loose with or with out and impact.