Ratchet wrench direction

[mr.lemons]

Hi. I have some old snap on ratchet spanners (wrenches) that have 'ON' and 'OFF' stamped on the relevant side which makes it very easy at a glance which way round to put place the spanner on a bolt or nut. I find it especially useful when a bolt is facing away from me so rotation direction is effectively reversed.

I have recently bought some flex head ratchet spanners which have small arrows indicating the direction of rotation. While I do understand how to interpret the arrows it just isn't as obvious to me as On and OFF. I may be a little dumb. I have searched the forum and google regarding this issue and haven't found anything so this may be a problem only I have.

Is there a way to simply mark tools that will not rub/scrape off? I tried a spot of green paint on the ON side but it mostly came off on first use. Thanks.

 

[PelicanPines]

Nail polish sticks better... provided you clean it first.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

Engraving, stamping or etching.

 

[gdocktor3]

People have been known to grind notches into their tools for proof of ownership. Put a notch or two or three on the same side of every wrench to help determine the direction.

 

[ocloc24]

I knew I wasn't the only one who was a little slow haha! I can never remember which way to put it on first

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[Ole Slewfoot]

People have been known to grind notches into their tools for proof of ownership. Put a notch or two or three on the same side of every wrench to help determine the direction.

My gearwrench flexes are factory notched all down the pull side so you can tell without looking if you have to.

 

[ChaseDE]

hehe i have a bunch of different brands and some say on/off some don't. i usually pop a socket on and give it a quick hand crank to ensure i am going the right way.

 

[ocloc24]

My gearwrench flexes are factory notched all down the pull side so you can tell without looking if you have to.

I like that they do that, I noticed none of my other styles of GW have that, some have an arrow though

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[Mr_B]

Just neatly punch stamp L and R on them .

 

[APEowner]

I just give them a twist to see which way they turn before I put them on the fastener.

 

[Ign]

Funny, I always thought the ON/OFF labeling was a bit like instructions on deodorant: “Apply to underarms.”

I give every ratchet or ratchet wrench a spin by hand to see what it’s doing, even if it’s labeled it’s just habit.

That said, an engraver will do what you want. I’d recommend a pneumatic- I have one from CP I love. Or you can buy chemical etching pens.

Anyway now I’m off to label my accelerator: Push down to go

 

[4 Ever-Fish N]

Same here. Never gave it any thought. Maybe I'm slow too.

I just give them a twist to see which way they turn before I put them on the fastener.

 

[KnurledNut]

On YT, Chrisfix has a video named "How to Metal Etch Your Name into Your Tools".
This method might be something to consider if you have time.

 

[Mr_B]

Fact they don't stamp rotation arrows on them at manufacture pretty piss poor really :-/

 

[JohnDeere1]

I always go by the logos on each side only takes a glance.

 

[Rubiman14]

It’s funny because I’m so OCD about this type of stuff, that I should know by looking at them. I don’t. Just like ratchets, I subconsciously check rotation by my hands. Even my stuff that’s stamped.

 

[Empty Pockets]

I just give them a twist to see which way they turn before I put them on the fastener.

Sometimes the simplest solutions are the best

 

[Rubiman14]

Does have me thinking, though. We just got a new laser at work and I’m the programmer

 

[ChevyEFI]

I guess I never had directions printed on round heads, and never had time to lose sleep over it either. Life is good when simple.

 

[B.S.A. (ret.)]

As old-time techs would tell newbies, "Always set your Snap-On ratchets to 'OFF' after use to keep the batteries from running down".

 

[Mr_B]

^ lol

 

[toolmutt]

Nail polish sticks better... provided you clean it first.

Nail polish in the engraving does well, also. (Not sure if that's what you meant.)