Ratcheting adapters.. who uses them?

[bimmer630]

Does anyone use a 3/8” ratcheting adapter? I can’t see the use of one... But i ended up with one.
Long story but i had a 1/2” snapon ratcheting adapter (which I DO have a use for....I use a long non ratcheting bar to put torque angle on crankshaft bolts and the ratchet adapter helps)
Anyway I broke the 1/2” one.
Emailed snapon, they emailed back and forth about 40 times with me (lol) and finally sent me a shipping label and said to box it up and send it in.
Yesterday I got a package from them and it’s a F77A 3/8” drive ratcheting adapter. Cool little piece, but not correct.
I email them back and they said sorry for the mix up.. keep the 3/8 and we will send you the correct 1/2” also.
Free tools are cool.. but I can’t think of anything that this thing would come in handy for

 

[t4runner]

I have had a set of them for going on 40 years and have used them maybe 5 or 6 times. Unless all you have is breaker bars and no ratchets I don't see the point in them.

 

[lardy1]

I've thought about buying them so I can use breaker bars as long handled ratchets. But I haven't pulled the trigger on them because, like t4runner points out, I likely wouldn't use them much.

If I see one at garage sale pricing I'll probably buy it.

 

[bimmer630]

I bought the 1/2” for 20 something bucks off eBay, because i have the long 36” 1/2 bar and didn’t want to invest in another long ratchet. I only found one purpose for the adapter and the bar combo, but for 20 bucks it was worth it. When it broke, my SO truck guy told me to “chuck it in the scrap, nobody uses those anymore” and I’m like... ok... but it’s a snapon tool and your job is to repair them (I’ve bought a ton of tools from this guy).
I didn’t really push the issue and I decided to snap a pic and email it to snapon customer service..
They were very helpful and didn’t even ask for proof of original ownership, receipts, etc.
And now I’m ending up with TWO adapters for the total investment of 25 bucks or so haha

 

[Davefr]

They're a very useful addition for a non ratcheting torque wrench.

 

[99driver]

You will see a lot of aircraft guys use them. They're usually used on the end of a speeder handle for installing and removing panel screws on an aircraft. Restricted space and lots of screws that you need to put copious amounts of pressure into so you don't strip the screw (or to remove the stripped screw the last guy hogged back in there)

 

[bimmer630]

Ohh! I didn’t think of putting one on a speeder

 

[plinker]

They're a very useful addition for a non ratcheting torque wrench.

Yep, have one on a preset tire torque wrench, works nicely.
https://www.amazon.com/ATD-Tools-12555-Pre-Set-Torque/dp/B0792MTDM4/ref=asc_df_B0792MTDM4/?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=&hvpos=&hvnetw=o&hvrand=&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583726542114777&psc=1


Another use would be on a T-handle, you could apply steady pressure while turning.

 

[MattT]

I used to use them quite a lot back in the day on breaker bars and speeders. Now I've got long ratchets and power tools.

Only thing I still use the 3/8" for is my inch pounds Torqometer. There's a spot for it molded into the case so that's where it stays.

 

[seber]

I keep one on a sliding T handle. There are times when nothing else will do. I also keep one with a breaker bar in my travel kit to save space over a breaker and and a ratchet.

 

[toolmiser]

Couple nice uses posted that I had never thought about. I have a couple that I picked up at garage sales and have never used them in the years I've had them.

 

[f121]

I have a snap on 1/2" from about 2003, was a birthday present from my parents, it got a lot of use in the days before long handled ratchets, torque wrenches with built in ratchets, and electric impact wrench.

It was super useful with an 18" or 24" breaker bar on it, suspension bolts that need driving all the way, axle retaining nuts, crank pulleys. Basically anything tight or grotty. These days, it's a curiosity really.

 

[jkherd]

I have one for my 1/2" breaker bar, I don't use it often but it sure helps when I do.

 

[bixxjs]

I regularly use mine on a 4 foot breaker bar and 3 foot cheater bar to break loose fasteners on hydraulic pump housings,it’s a beast.