Is anyone using a ratchet adapter? If so, when do you use it?

[MN_Runner]

I have a few breaker bars (1 in 3/8" drive and 2 in 1/2" drive). I bought one 3/8" ratchet adapter (Snap On S67) and one 1/2" ratchet adapter (Snap On S77) thinking these would make my breaker bars more useful and versatile. But in reality I am not so sure about the utility. These adapters are aesthetically beautiful but they are just too bulky and obstructive. How are you using this ratchet adapter? Is this a useful tool?

 

[wrenchguy]

i put them on my milwaukee fuel and start my vintage air-cooled engines with it. when it starts it spins up rpm and i pull it off the crank nut. i never used them on a breaker bar. i don't know why they make them buy glad they did.
video of 1 starting engine.

 

[MN_Runner]

i put them on my milwaukee fuel and start my vintage air-cooled engines with it. when it starts it spins up rpm and i pull it off the crank nut. i never used them on a breaker bar. i don't know why they make them buy glad they did.
video of 1 starting engine.

I thought you were kidding but it is an awesome idea and potentially a great IP (patent idea).

 

[Richard Cranium]

I have a couple of them, But never have used it.

 

[Jeeper]

Ratchet adapters seem like they aren't needed given the massive selection of high tooth, long handle, quality ratchets that are on the market now a days.

 

[mbshop]

I had several. But they were rarely used and became space takers. So unless you really have a specific need for them then just pass on owning them.

 

[Jbullfrog]

I use a ratchet adapter on a sliding T-bar for thread chasing.

 

[Scout Driver]

I've got a Harbor Freight ratcheting breaker bar (same principle as the ratcheting adapter). Best use I have found for it is rusty fasteners that for every turn out you give them, you run them back in a turn or so to clear the threads and reduce the risk of breaking the fastener. Lock the bar to turn the fastener back and forth a short ways, and ratchet it to turn the fastener farther quickly. That said, it doesn't see a lot of use. But, its handy in specific instances.

Scott

 

[Teenager with old tools]

I only use it because I have it. I only have it because a friend didn't use it. Mostly because I'd rather have a normal 1/2 ratchet a breaker bar and adapter than a ratchet breaker bar and long ratchet


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[gdocktor3]

Keep a breaker bar, ratchet adapter and 7/8" socket behind seat of my truck for tire changes. That's about it though.

 

[gdocktor3]

i put them on my milwaukee fuel and start my vintage air-cooled engines with it. when it starts it spins up rpm and i pull it off the crank nut. i never used them on a breaker bar. i don't know why they make them buy glad they did.
video of 1 starting engine.

What's the purpose of the ratchet adapter??? I'm lost.

 

[WWheeler]

I have an old snap on 1/2" adapter 67B that I got off ebay because, well, it was a Snap On tool which I don't have all that many of and I saw time running out on an auction so I threw up a $15 bid at the last 5 seconds and won. It showed up at my door a week later and it's almost like new.

I put it in my tire change kit with a breaker bar & set of flip sockets but several years and tire changes later I haven't ever used it. It's just been faster to swivel the breaker bar handle straight out and spin it once the lug nut is loose. I guess it might have been a waste of money if I never use it but for whatever irrational reason I still do like having it.

 

[white 450]

I only have one and it's a big Proto 3/4 drive, but when you put it on the 40" Tekton breaker you have a seriously mean ratchet. The last time I used it was to break the nuts off an early 60's C10 trailing arm bolts and it made short work of them. Under a lift provided the room to swing it but I can't really see many uses for them, or at least my set up.

 

[T45]

Obsolete thanks to f80 style ratchets...

/thread

 

[WWheeler]

My brother just pointed out that he uses one on his beam style (non-ratcheting) torque wrenches. Now that he mentions it it seems like they would be pretty handy for that.

Only beam torque wrench I have is a 1/4 inch for when I need down to 10-20 or so inch lbs. Does Snappy make a 1/4 one?

edit: yep, found it. TM67A or newer TM77
Might have to keep a look out for one.

 

[unslow1]

I have a few and years ago used them on breaker bars. They haven't been used for several years now. The ratchets these days can handle the leverage.

 

[four.cycle]

For those of you curious about this item, they are usually available on Ebay in Herbrand.
Currently a 3-piece set is up for auction from the Alloy-Artifacts collection:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1960s-Herbr...ewItem&hash=item2cb6dd37f3:g:0yAAAOSwB09YRwLo

The 1/2" drive model seems to be the most abundant, followed by the 3/8" model. I rarely see the 1/4" drive models listed separately.

Somewhere on this site is a thread explaining how to disassemble and service the unit (with step-by-step photos.)

 

[Derek420]

Yes Snap on makes a 1/4 one, I'd love to have a ratchet adapter in 1/2 so I could use it on my beam torque wrench as what I was thinking when I read the title. I have never found one used and don't do eBay anyone want to come off one since no one uses them well I'll pay or trade for it and use it lol.

 

[yhprum]

Used with speed driver to take out aircraft panel screws by the hundreds. Nowadays we use battery powered impact tools, but this is a sweet combination for that job.

 

[TonyCH]

Bought one (SO F67B) few years ago, felt like a good idea at the time. But I cannot remember using it even once, just sits in my toolbox. Maybe some day?

 

[wrenchguy]

What's the purpose of the ratchet adapter??? I'm lost.

when the engine starts it'll spin faster than the drill rpm, when it does the adapter allows it to, hence the drill doesn't spin uncontrolably outa ur hand.

 

[T45]

But the motor would have to turn the opposite direction of the drill for that to work. No?

Try it out...once the motor is outpacing the drill, the effect is like the drill is falling behind (the latter is like the backwards ratchet swing). Only when the drill is outpacing the engine is the force being applierd.

 

[M6erfan]

Keep a breaker bar, ratchet adapter and 7/8" socket behind seat of my truck for tire changes. That's about it though.

This is the only use I can think of...I haven't bought the adapter yet, but seems like it makes sense and keeps the tire changing tools compact

 

[wrenchguy]

This is the only use I can think of...I haven't bought the adapter yet, but seems like it makes sense and keeps the tire changing tools compact

i shoulda mentioned i get some mowers and engines cheap because broke recoils. most run fine and i start and sell em, new owernr likes the way they start. another adapter in use in the world.

 

[MShaw]

I have used my 1/2" drive one on my non ratcheting torque wrench for over 50 years. Never use it anywhere else.

 

[413dan]

cool thread, learned some interesting stuff. thanks wrench guy, that's pretty neat. and nice job with that little cat

 

[velillen01]

We use them quite frequently at work when using non-ratcheting torque wrenches. We have mostly 1/2" and 3/4" drive ones made by Proto. We have a lot of "do not exceed" torque values so we use the torque wrenches to ensure we dont exceed them. The ratchet just saves time not having to switch back to a regular ratchet

 

[ken w.]

I have then in every size from 1/4" - 3/4" . I use them mostly on non ratcheting torque wrenches and breaker bars. The 3/4' drive I bought because it was cheap. I have not used that one yet.

 

[Gotcha640]

When we have team work days on the race car or the off roaders, it's not uncommon for 6 people to be working at the same time. I can afford extra breaker bars and adapters a lot easier than flex head ratchet handles.

 

[Dave455]

I have ratchet adaptors in 3/8 and 1/2 drive and use 'em a lot, but hardly ever with a breaker bar!

They generally get used with a sliding T in the mid position and a reasonable extension!

Makes a superbly balanced tool that can be used one handed better than anything else! I use this combo for screws as much as nuts end bolts!

 

[OutsideMachinist]

Torque wrenches.

 

[joe_padavano]

I thought you were kidding but it is an awesome idea and potentially a great IP (patent idea).

It's called a Bendix drive and there's one in the starter of every vehicle you own.

 

[ken w.]

When I use a ratchet adapter on a breaker bar I brake loose the fastener then put on the adapter. Mostly for wheel nuts on the road where I have no impact wrench.

 

[Know Wosad]

I have beam type torque wrenches so I use them with those ( Proto). The final pull gets done without the adaptor for more accuracy.......kinda contrary to the beam wrench itself.
Hey. Garlits used them, Good enough for me.

 

[Know Wosad]

Sorry. For the young guys around here. Florida is a strange place but gave us Garlits, Smokey Yunick and the Allman bros band. That alone pays for its sins

 

[bsg1]

i have Snap-on adaptors in 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" drives. these were all swap meet finds and it appears that the previous owners never used any of them as they all came to me in like-new condition. i haven't used them either.
i have a 1/2" drive PLOMB adaptor in like-new condition that i recently picked up at the same swap meet. i picked that one up just to add to my PLOMB collection and haven't used it.

 

[maxpower_hd]

I have a 1/2" one and I have only used it a couple of times. I thought it would be more useful than it is. I used it for removing stubborn lugs once when I couldn't use an air impact and I used it for a few rusty large bolts on a tractor.

 

[cliftonbros89]

I've considered buying a 1/2" and 3/4" drive adaptors I just never have. The more I've thought about it the more I find I probably wouldn't use one. Then I thought of them for a sliding t-handle. But I never use those either. It's either a ratchet or a breaker bar. All my torque wrenches are ratcheting as well. So I can't say I'd have to have one. Plus any mechanics I know never use them. I'm not sure I even know any mechanics personally that have one. I can't say I ever spotted one on the Snap On truck when there was one. I've also never seen one on my current Matco truck.


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[ChaseDE]

I have one that used to be my grandpa's, never really use it though....Snap-On

 

[wrenchguy]

todays video of ratchet adapter use, u got it……. starting a small engine. skip to 3:30 for adapter use.