Ratchet adapters

[madbasser]

Does anyone really use them anymore? I am talking about the ones that fit on a breaker bar to essentially make it a long ratchet.

With today's long flex head ratchets, are these feasible to even own anymore? The strength and flexibility of all the new products seems to make these not as useful anymore, or am i not noticing the real benefit?

Are these adapters made super strong to withstand the high torque applications of breaker bars?

What do you guys say?
Gotta own one; or no need for one?

 

[jamesc]

I have one I inherited, i have used it less then five times. I dont see a point to them anymore. most techs don't have or don't use breaker bars. they are just bulky wastes of space.

 

[rmsg0040]

I had a snap on sv67, believe it was 32 teeth, after I got my slf80; the ratcheting adapter was rendered useless and traded it on the truck.

I still have breaker bars, keep a 24" one in the trailblazer in case of an emergency

Dont buy it would be my opinion, just get a long ratchet and call it a day.

 

[Steevo]

I have one, and have only ever used it as a hand ratchet.

 

[Sincitymetalworks]

I used. Them when I was a apprentice when I couldn't afford new tools since then they have set in my box

 

[GirlnAgarage]

I've have a ratchet adapter on my To Buy list. It isn't often but I've used the breaker bar in positions where I had to remove and reset the bar for each swing. Since I work one handed and I'm a light weight, I need the leverage of a breaker bar, usually the 24" one for higher torque apps. The jobs I definitely use the bar for is shock and suspension items on the truck.

Anyway, I've been meaning to find a 1/2" adapter for the few times it applies. Would speed up the work a little bit for me. I don't have a compressor air tools so I don't have an impact or other air tools. I'm one type of user that could still use one - not a lot of tools but just enough to get the job done.

 

[rmsg0040]

I found with the adapter, after you put it on the breaker bar and load a socket on it, it became very bulky.

 

[bassbone52]

It comes in handy if you only have a beam style torque wrench, especially when tightening lug nuts.

 

[TDLMOMOWERS]

I have an old Herbrand Ratchet Adapter that I got in a box of tools at a garage sale. It is 1/2 drive and works great. When I worked as an industrial truck mechanic, I used it alot and loved it.

 

[JeremyManning]

I add it to a nut driver to make a ratcheting driver

 

[crewchief888]

i havent used mine since i left the deere dealer i worked for 14 years ago.
with a 24" breaker bar it was great for torque turning rod bolts.

albiet this was when the longest 1/2" dr ratchet was 15" or so.

 

[unslow1]

I've got five or six and never use them. I used to before I got clicker torque wrenches.

 

[JASTECH]

I have a 1/2" drive rat-adapter by Proto. Don't use it much anymore, bought the Rat Breaker bar and not tried it yet, will soon though.

 

[TwoInch]

they are too bulky for most apps that i have thought about using them on. would speed up lugs a bit i guess. nothing i see as a must have tho, not with the long handle ratchets of today.

 

[lok]

How strong is this thing guys? Can it really stand well at the end of a break bar?

 

[franzdom]

The general consensus is quite different in this thread than the one I started when asking about it a few months ago, so I thought I would share that thread. There are lots of good ideas and uses for them it turns out.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=121115&highlight=adapter

 

[RV8guy]

I use one on a speed handle. If your in a tight spot and can't make a full turn it's really nice to have.

 

[RRmech]

I have a 15", 1/2" drive Proto Big Dawg ratchet.
If THAT bad boy can't do the job, then out comes the impact wrench.

Steve

 

[unslow1]

Thanks for the other link. I only have 1/2 ones but I could definitely see using a 1/4 for a ratcheting nutdriver. The 1/2 ones are nice for turning over an engine or 6-71 blower you are assembling if you don't have a ratchet that big.

 

[Brad54]

I recently picked up an old spring-loaded, external tooth Snap-on 1/2-inch ratchet adapter. It's in fine shape, except for the dulled finish.

You have to press down on the breaker bar head to engage the teeth, then let up to disengage them and rotate the head, press/lift/press/lift.
Seems awkward. Makes for mandatory two-handed operation.

I threw it in my road trip/track/junkyard box. There have been one or two times I wished I had a long HD ratchet, so I may use it two or three times in my life.

And during those few times, I'm certain I'll be thinking how smart I was to keep it!

-Brad

 

[camarotoolman]

Tractor resto guys still like them. I sell all I get, although I don't get as much as before. Course nothing brings as much as it used to.

 

[jetmech09]

I use mine on my speedhandle. Makes things a whole lot easier.