Ratchet "wheel turny things"

[thouk]

Hey Ya'll,
I am looking for something and I don't know if it exists. I am looking far an accessory for a ratchet wrench that goes between the wrench and the socket, that will allow me to turn the socket by hand when there is not enough friction to click the ratchet. I think I saw some a while ago that looked like coins with ridges that had the respective square drive cutouts for the ratchets. Any ideas on where I can get what I am talking about would be appreciated. Thanks, Tony

 

[north]

Something like a ratchet spinner?

Edit: Pics of my 1/4" spinner w/ratchet.

 

[Soon2AdjustYou]

I know exactly what you're talking about.

I have a couple from some older Thorsen socket sets I got from my late Uncle. I'll try to get a pic if I can find them

 

[mrholeshot]

It's a thumbwheel. Not to be confused with a thumbwheel ratchet

 

[north]

Ahh, thumbweel. I knew there was another word for it.

 

[MattT]

You mean ratchet spinners?

SO spinner

Blue Point spinner

 

[Wakefield]

you can use it on the extension without the ratchet too.

 

[crewchief888]

ive seen a couple of them @ flea mkts, picked up a SO 3/8 dr a couple weeks ago for $2.
also found an older 3/8 dr CM roundhead w/spinner for $3, and an off brand 1/4 dr long flex ratchet for $2, at a different flea.

takes some looking but they're out there

 

[lbgradwell]

Ahh, thumbweel. I knew there was another word for it.

No, you were quite correct with "ratchet spinner".

I believe "thumbwheel" always implies a stand-alone ratcheting tool...

 

[cglasgow]

I've seen the type thouk is describing -- the ones I recall were plastic and indeed looked like a coin with a square hole in the middle through which the ratchet drive passed. I want to say they came with cheaper socket sets and appeared to be an inexpensive alternative to the type thing pictured in north's & MattT's photos. I don't recall having seen one in years, but in 1972 it looks like you could get them from Sears....

 

[zer01]

Your talking about one of these, seen in the picture circled. I cannot find them for sale on their own but you could make one.

 

[Bruce Lancaster]

The coin type came in both metal and plastic...all I have seen came with ultra-cheap discount store ratchet sets. Quality is probably low, but that should not matter given the torque load expected! I see them all the time in lots of random sockets at flea markets. Have never noticed a coin one for sale anywhere (but the more elaborate extension ones shown above are available from many tool companies) but they are readily available at any quality dealer of used junk sockets. I've picked up a few from the ground at the junkyard and put them into wrench sets...
But if you need them a lot...look around for a ratchet with low resistance, like an elderly Craftsman. Smmoth ratchets save a lot of time and annoyance!

 

[north]

I've seen the type thouk is describing -- the ones I recall were plastic and indeed looked like a coin with a square hole in the middle through which the ratchet drive passed. I want to say they came with cheaper socket sets and appeared to be an inexpensive alternative to the type thing pictured in north's & MattT's photos. I don't recall having seen one in years, but in 1972 it looks like you could get them from Sears....

Those are pictured in the 97-98 catalog from Sears as well. I have seen them on ebay but not for a long time.

Edit: Have seen them in el cheapo sets though and then just the size the set is in.

 

[DanCo]

Matco has a thumb spinner 1/4 pn# ARSA sorry no picture. Its an extension, not the cheapie plastic wheels about an 1 1/4 long

 

[Arnie C]

I have the Craftsman branded ones like the Blue Points shown above. They work great and were under $10 for the 3.

 

[bonneyman]

Are these the things you're talking about?

Heck, PM me your address and I'll send them to you.

 

[Tom2]

I always wondered what those were for. One came with a set I have.. Saved it for years, finally said I don't know what the heck it's for and I think threw it away. Now I'm hoping I still have it/can find it lol

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I have some, i use my 1/4" one all the time. Handy little thing!

 

[Monte]

Gedore has it too. 1/2" part #1940

 

[thouk]

Hey Ya'll,
The wheels that Bonneyman pictured are what I am talking about. I sent him a pm. Thanks again. Monte, where did you find those at? Thanks, Tony

 

[Monte]

Monte, where did you find those at? Thanks, Tony

http://www.gedoretools.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=11264

 

[mrholeshot]

No, you were quite correct with "ratchet spinner".

I believe "thumbwheel" always implies a stand-alone ratcheting tool...

What he wants is a thumbwheel like bonnyman has

 

[Poncho Villa]

I always wondered what those were for. One came with a set I have.. Saved it for years, finally said I don't know what the heck it's for and I think threw it away. Now I'm hoping I still have it/can find it lol

x2 - I had no idea what to do with mine but I'm a hoarder and can't bear to throw anything away. I tossed mine in my tackle box & used them to anchor bait to the bottom of bodies of water. Time to check the tackle box to see if any remain. They're likely wedged between some rocks in a lake somewhere though.

 

[volpster31]

i got a 3 piece set thru sears.com ... they were metal which i didnt expect and cheap

 

[Moose-LandTran]

After i got a couple i wondered how i ever lived without them. I use mine all the time. Numerous times this morning changing a cambelt and waterpump. They're great little tools.

 

[bonneyman]

PM received and the items will go out tomorrow. Enjoy, Tony!

 

[thouk]

Hey Ya'll,
I just wanted to put a big hand out to Bonneyman. He sent me the ratchety thingies. It was just what I wanted. Thanks again to Bonneyman and ya'll. Tony