ratchet wrench abuse?

[Skin]

Dang video taken down. Seems like it was mildly interesting.

It was a rehosted video from the Matco channel (also removed from there for whatever reason) that showed them using a 13mm Snap-On, Matco, and GW ratcheting wrench on a torque meter with a pipe. Snap-On racheting end broke at something like 140 foot pounds, Gearwrench ratcheting end breaks/binds at around 150, and the Matco wrench beam bends at about 170 but still has a fully functional ratcheting end.

Take the 'Matco is best!' result with a pinch of salt but I posted it to show that a 6" 13mm ratcheting combo wrench can take well over 100 foot pounds before something snaps. Nobody is going to put that amount of force on 6-8" ratcheting combo wrench without using their foot, a hammer, or a cheater.

 

[sector9]

It was a rehosted video from the Matco channel (also removed from there for whatever reason) that showed them using a 13mm Snap-On, Matco, and GW ratcheting wrench on a torque meter with a pipe. Snap-On racheting end broke at something like 140 foot pounds, Gearwrench ratcheting end breaks/binds at around 150, and the Matco wrench beam bends at about 170 but still has a fully functional ratcheting end.

Take the 'Matco is best!' result with a pinch of salt but I posted it to show that a 6" 13mm ratcheting combo wrench can take well over 100 foot pounds before something snaps. Nobody is going to put that amount of force on 6-8" ratcheting combo wrench without using their foot, a hammer, or a cheater.

Thanks for the recap!

 

[nicksnothereman]

How much is too much force on ratcheting combo wrenches? Obviously, doubling up, using a hammer or cheater is too much. But what about just using your hand strength or using the **** of your palm to pop free the fastener? Sometimes I'm almost too wary of using them fearing I'm going to break one and not be able to replace it (craftsman USA).

Anything with a ratchet I don't hammer. I'll tap it with a mallet if I don't have the right tools to torque it to spec until I get the right tools to torque it to spec (usually 1-2 days) on my own stuff. Even then I only do it with impact sockets and a breaker bar typically with either a mild deadblow hammer or just a mallet (I don't have any fancy rubber mallets, I just use a tent stake hammer I picked up for a couple bucks) depends on how much torque needs to be applied.

I don't tell people how to do stuff but you really shouldn't be doing things to a degree that you lean on such a warranty. Because despite what it says on the package they might or might not honor that warranty.

BUY A 1/2 BREAKER BAR and cheap impact socket set if you're having issues removing fasteners with what you have on hand.

 

[BK13]

They ought to make a ratcheting wrench with a strong nonratcheting 6 point box on the other end (for breaking loose first).

Close.... Whole bunch of them at the top of the page.

http://www.gearwrench.com/wrenches/ratcheting/xl-series

 

[Dennis93]

I guess you guys will never use it to its full potential. I have beaten mine with a hammer quite a few times and almost half the time use an impact behind it. To the idiot that said a ratcheting wrench doesn't make anything go faster is exactly why the old timers can't keep up. Open your minds, but at the same time use your head. The amount of time I have saved by not walking back to the toolbox for the proper wrench and beat off something with a ratcheting wrench will more than make up for the time it takes me to warranty it.

 

[Subyroo651]

SEK offers these:

Where could one procure a set of these? in the US?

Checked Ebay,Amazon and general Google search..

 

[HighwayTrout]

I only use them to adjust slack adjusters. I've found that it doesn't take much to ruin the internal paws. Grease, grime, and sand gum it up and makes them useless. Bursts of penetrating oil sometimes helps.

Then again I never use them for breaking any bolts loose.

 

[Skin]

Where could one procure a set of these? in the US?

Checked Ebay,Amazon and general Google search..

try emailing franks tools, [email protected]

 

[KinzeMech]

I only use them to adjust slack adjusters. I've found that it doesn't take much to ruin the internal paws. Grease, grime, and sand gum it up and makes them useless. Bursts of penetrating oil sometimes helps.

Then again I never use them for breaking any bolts loose.

I have warrantied a few in a past years for ratchet mechanisms that locked up. I'm reasonably convinced if they could be opened like a standard ratchet, cleaning would have resolved the issue (I work on ag equipment, there's no practical way of protecting the tools from that kind of dirt, dust, and filth.

I have wondered what they would do if put in an ultrasonic cleaner like for gun parts or brass casings. (I don't have such a device yet)

 

[arms1970]

It's all about using the proper tool for the job. Why use a breaker bar when you can use a ratchet?



It takes less time to go to the box and get a breaker bar or a standard box end wrench than it does to warranty a broken tool..........

Exactly. Why have that breaker bar in your box if you're not going to use it.

 

[KinzeMech]

Exactly. Why have that breaker bar in your box if you're not going to use it.

Because it's 50% longer lever arm breaks loose 50% tighter fasteners than a ratchet?

I also use the breaker bar for backing up an impact when the other side is in a recessed hole inaccessible with a wrench.