Optimizing the Rotator Ratchet

[AmericanPreferred]

I know the rotator's didn't catch on so good, but mine have saved enough work for me to keep em around. I have the Blackhawk version in 1/4 and 3/8. My only complaint is the heads are pretty dang thick esp the 3/8. Has anyone seen an adapter from 1/4 to 3/8 that does not add thickness to the ratchet. The 1/4 hole would be inside the 3/8 square. It would also be nice if this piece was magnetic to help hold the fastener, as well as the socket since the spring ball would be lost. I can make my sockets shallow enough, but if a set is out there I would like to have a look. BTW I have GearWrenchs, and pass thru kits all ready, but being able to get on a bolt does not mean you can turn it with either of these. Generally speaking if I can get the rotator on it, I can quickly remove it if I can break it loose. Being able to hold the bolt for starting would be ideal in many situations as well.

 

[diesel research]

as close as you're gonna get!

 

[plinker]

They work well too. Grey penumatic makes them.

 

[blackz26]

I'm confused, you have the Blackhawk 3/8 and 1/4 rotator already but want adapters in both sizes? What am I missing? I have the 3/8 Blackhawk, but see no improvement in speed.

 

[AmericanPreferred]

I am trying to lose thickness, not gain speed. Also 1/4 drive sockets above 14 or 15mm are hard to come by. The 1/4 ratchet is thinner than the 3/8. I only want 1/4 to 3/8. Thanks for the quick replies guys I will check out the Grey's. Are they magnetic?

 

[plinker]

Magnetic attachment to the socket. Tooltopia.com has them about $18ish (IIRC) for a set of three.

 

[blackz26]

Ah I see. Good someone gets use out of them mine sets dorement. Lol

 

[AmericanPreferred]

I have found them at several places, but none answers this. Are they plastic? After I started this thread I realized it could be made out of 1/16" stock. I may try and make one. I am sure I have something I could cut up.

 

[TwoInch]

no, no respectable tool company would make a drive adapter out of plastic...

 

[Mohawk Dave]

I have the same want. Here's a link for anyone else...http://www.tooltopia.com/grey-pneumatic-103ra.aspx

 

[diesel research]

i have the set i posted, its magnetic and not plastic.

if you dont have the small lip, it will be difficult to remove from the socket.

 

[jeremy v]

After I started this thread I realized it could be made out of 1/16" stock. I may try and make one. I am sure I have something I could cut up.

Another option is to just grind down a spare or junk 1/4" drive socket to make a 1/4"-3/8" drive adapter, or grind down a 3/8" drive socket to make a 3/8"-1/2" adapter.

I made both of the ones pictured in about 10 minutes each using junk sockets, a bench grinder, a dremel, and about 2-3 minutes of hand filing for each one for the final smoothing to ensure a snug fit when being used. There isn't a magnet with the ones I made, but they do have the ball detent dimple for the ratchet to engage and a thin piece aluminum foil inserted between the socket and the adapter makes a nice snug fit if you need the socket to stay in place hands-free.

The small adapter is a 1/4" - 3/8", and the larger one is a 3/8" - 1/2". The specks inside the adapters (that make them look rough inside) are just dust flakes etc that have stuck to the thin grease coating I put on them to protect them from rust.

 

[AmericanPreferred]

Thanks for that Jeremy, I hadn't thought of it that way, I was trying to figure how I could cut a square hole in a junk adapter. Going to the grinder now.

 

[AmericanPreferred]

You were right, didn't take long at all. I have been done for about 20 minutes, but for some reason I sometimes have trouble getting on this site. I didn't leave a lip at all on mine, the ratchet holds it in place, and it fits the socket tight enough to hold the socket. The bevel in the socket lets it sit pretty snug to the ratchet. Now if I can just magnetize it to hold the bolt I'll be in business. Thanks for saving me $20.