Long handle 1/2" ratchet

[f4 plt]

How often do you use a 24" handle 1/2" ratchet

 

[kumquat]

never

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Occasionally when something is really tight. A breaker bar maybe better though.

 

[SpiderDave]

Second that on Blake there,... same here. Or a weapon I suppose if the handle was grippy enough. Ha!

 

[Walkers]

16” max, then impact wrench.

 

[like2wheel]

Man. I clicked on this just to find out what a cachet was.

 

[BillK]

I actually use mine pretty regularly. I use it at the shop to turn engines over while assembling them with special sockets that go on the end of the crankshaft. Also for disassembling engines where that much torque is needed. Impact guns are not allowed to be used on an engine in my shop, period.

Also use it to loosen lug nuts. I am stubborn and refuse to use an impact even though I have them. I just have seen too many worn lug nuts in my time. With the 24" ratchet it is just as easy and faster than dragging the impact out.

 

[Pontiac787]

My 24” ratchet will loosen things the Milwaukee mid-torque won’t.

 

[FMB4]

"Impact guns are not allowed to be used on an engine in my shop, period."

Had a motorcycle mech take the end of a crank shaft off while trying to remove the end nut with a 1/2" impact gun.

 

[AngryBeaver]

About half a dozen times a day. A quality 1/2” 24” ratchet replaces breaker bars in today’s age. There isn’t room for impacts on most equipment…..

 

[finn]

Quite frequently.. The small head allows access to places inaccessible with an impact.

 

[Cruzan80]

About half a dozen times a day. A quality 1/2” 24” ratchet replaces breaker bars in today’s age. There isn’t room for impacts on most equipment…..

I will still use breaker bars when something is really stuck. But I am a DIY guy, so I don't need the speed aspect, and I dont feel like trying to warranty a busted ratchet, just in case. I usually switch when it starts turning into cheaters and/or a hammer to knock the end of the handle to help vibrate it loose.

But for a mechanic where they need the speed, I completely get what you are saying. I am behind the times (also have air-powered impacts, oh my!).

 

[CraigStu]

I just add a cheater pipe onto whatever I am using that I can't get the bolt/nut loose with. My 73 yr old non-athletic body is more at fault than the tool though.

 

[nostromo7]

I will still use breaker bars when something is really stuck. But I am a DIY guy, so I don't need the speed aspect, and I dont feel like trying to warranty a busted ratchet, just in case. I usually switch when it starts turning into cheaters and/or a hammer to knock the end of the handle to help vibrate it loose.

Same. The only tool I've ever broken, years ago, was a ratchet I used to break loose a particularly stubborn lug nut. After that I bought a breaker bar and whenever I start to feel like I need to use the cheater pipe on the end of a ratchet to get something loose I smarten up and reach for the breaker bar.

Sure, an expensive long-handle ratchet could 'replace' it, but the breaker bar was only about $15 and it's perfectly fit for purpose. I otherwise don't need a long-handle ratchet.

 

[f121]

24” flex ratchet gets used wherever a breaker bar would be used, sure it might break but it’s strong af and has a warranty.

20 years ago I would have used it all the time, these days it’s whenever I have something properly tight and cannot fit an impact in, suspension bolts on IRS vehicles generally. I don’t think it would be as much use without the flex because the access is key really.

 

[stroked93]

I have a Titan 24 inch ratchet that is my go to. A short handled 1/2 drive ratchet collects dust in my tool box.

 

[Firebrick43]

I use mine all the time, a snap on, pretty much as a replacement for the 3/4 inch ratchet. I work industrial maintenance on large machines. I have stood and bounced on it several times (250lbs) with no breakage yet. Its a lot handier than a 24" 3/4 ratchet. The 42" ratchet only comes out occasionally just to break things free and then I switch to the 1/2" snap on.

I haven't used a breaker bar in probably a decade, been thinking about getting rid of all my breaker bars. I use the piss out of my 18" 3/8 ratchet.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I actually use mine pretty regularly. I use it at the shop to turn engines over while assembling them with special sockets that go on the end of the crankshaft. Also for disassembling engines where that much torque is needed. Impact guns are not allowed to be used on an engine in my shop, period.

Also use it to loosen lug nuts. I am stubborn and refuse to use an impact even though I have them. I just have seen too many worn lug nuts in my time. With the 24" ratchet it is just as easy and faster than dragging the impact out.

Mine is the go-to for turning the engine over by hand in the Mustang.

 

[Ton ton]

I use mine pretty regularly.

 

[Mgdoug3]

I use my 24" ratchet more than any other 1/2" ratchet. I use it mainly for the leverage but occasionally lean on it when I don't have enough swing for a breaker bar.

 

[ex-x-fire]

A lot more then a short handles one. I'd use a 3/8 with an adapter before a short 1/2.

 

[ChefRex]

Daily.

 

[Sumboodie]

Never. Go to 3/4" or ugga dugga. That's on heavy equipment.

 

[CS454]

Not as often as my 30" Matco Flexhead...24" is the cats *** in non-flex though.

 

[ThePostman]

All the time! Alignments number one one, and couple it with the monster tie rod tools. I bought both sizes. I'm in northern VA, close to IAD, crank pulley bolts come to mind as well. I have an icon flex head 18" I use the most, I have a 3ft schedule 40 cheater I use on it. I love proto/Mac they have some tempting things pertaining to this thread, but a new cab is quickly becoming the priority. Wright 6425 for everything else, and if I don't want to lug Mr 1" with a dedicated line straight from the horse over.

 

[Sgtboz]

How often do you use a 24" handle 1/2" ratchet

Guys removing bottom bolts on shock absorbers used to/still do use them regularily.

 

[plinker]

Not always every day but regularly as the jobs demand (or if I dont feel like straining myself and go right to overkill). I'll use my 24" fixed head Matco pretty often for some caliper bracket bolts on trucks, the occasional lug nut and engine turning. Also, on pretty much anything where I want "feel" instead of having the "ugga dugga-ugga dugga, aw ****" moments like when something breaks off or the clip nut splits and the bolt just spins.

If that doesnt do it, 3/4 drive.

 

[HFlashman]

I'm just an everyday guy and tools are personal use. I only purchased a 24 inch ratchet for vehicle and trailer lug nuts (for on the road). However, when you need it, you need it, I use it all of the time. It has saved a lot of time and heartache which usually requires asking for help.

 

[LSU]

I keep one in my truck with cheater pipe. I used it to bust lugs on boat trailers, etc. it is a “just in case” tool.

 

[Draftpick1]

I don’t work in the auto industry but I use a 24 inch breaker bar on large industrial transformers, leverage is a big mechanical advantage why long breakers and ratchets exist save your joints IMHO work smarter not harder