glenmore
Well-known member
Probably a dumb question but whay are some model ratchets made with or with out quick release? What are the advantages of one over the other?
Why are ratchets made with and without quick release?
- Thread starter glenmore
- Start date
wantedabiggergarage
Member Emeritus
A couple of reasons:
1. Originally (and for years of legal wrangling) a patent license issue
2. More recently, head depth/space and ease of removal.
I have a spark plug style ratchet, that doesn't have the quick release. I have used a quick release style before; it may work fine on cars, but on vans and some other vehicles, moving the ratchet hits the $#@M button. Also as they age, they do get easier to remove sockets from (still an issue with wet hands).
1. Originally (and for years of legal wrangling) a patent license issue
2. More recently, head depth/space and ease of removal.
I have a spark plug style ratchet, that doesn't have the quick release. I have used a quick release style before; it may work fine on cars, but on vans and some other vehicles, moving the ratchet hits the $#@M button. Also as they age, they do get easier to remove sockets from (still an issue with wet hands).
malibu101
Well-known member
I can thing of 3 reasons--
1- Some people like the quick release
2- Some people don't like the quick release
3- We can argue the merits here on GJ
1- Some people like the quick release
2- Some people don't like the quick release
3- We can argue the merits here on GJ
chadster1
Well-known member
I can thing of 3 reasons--
3- We can argue the merits here on GJ
Thats the most important reason right there. Plus there is always the debate over the COO of the quick release mechanism.
Also on the Koken catalog I have, it also states that the quick release are weaker in design than the non-quick release versions. I can't say this is true or not, but why would they post it if it wasnt? I can understand why they say it as the gear isn't solid in the core, but to say it is actually weaker does surpise me some.
speed bump
Well-known member
Some people like em, others don't. Me I don't really care
The Muffin Man
Well-known member
Since most brands offer both types of ratchets, I would guess that the main reason is clearance related.
I would imagine that the pawl and gear's teeth are much more likely to strip before fracturing the ratchet gear.
Perhaps Koken's reasoning is based on the principle that more moving parts yields a less reliable mechanism?
I would imagine that the pawl and gear's teeth are much more likely to strip before fracturing the ratchet gear.
Perhaps Koken's reasoning is based on the principle that more moving parts yields a less reliable mechanism?
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bgott
Well-known member
They drill out the anvil for the release mechanism, which weakens it.
tjmonsen5
Well-known member
I only have quick release ratchets. How hard is it to remove a socket from a non-quick release? Same as pulling a socket off of an extension im guessing?
superautobacs
Well-known member
You guessed right.
How often do we fracture/shear off the square drive on a ratchet??
Tool Pants
Well-known member
As stated, the square drive has a hole drilled in it for the pin that operates the quick release. This is a 1/2" Craftsman I saw at the flea with the square drive sheared off. You can see the pin sticking out.
Adam of the Craftsman message board fame works at my local Sears. When I go to the store he shows me the bin under the counter for returned ratchets. Common to see a sheared off drive. For some reason the ones I have seen in the bin were 1/2" drives.
Adam of the Craftsman message board fame works at my local Sears. When I go to the store he shows me the bin under the counter for returned ratchets. Common to see a sheared off drive. For some reason the ones I have seen in the bin were 1/2" drives.
Attachments
Quick releases can wear down over enough cycles, then they just start to drop sockets. Or, on the flipside, there's a KD 3/8" QR Ratchet at work that eats sockets. They get stuck on so bad it takes a vice and a hammer to get them off -- I've seen some of the 1/2" Craftmans QR's do the same. Weird. Had a Snap-On that lost the ballbearing..somehow.
Never had trouble with my non-QR ratchets, in any size.
Never had trouble with my non-QR ratchets, in any size.
charlie_nj
Well-known member
Probably because the 1/2" drives are most the most likely candidate for the 4 foot cheater pipe.
I have both quick release (Cman, Toptul) and non quick release (Snapon, Proto, SK, GW). Don't really have a preference either way.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Like a lot of tool design aspects, it's a matter of personal preference. Some people like full polished wrenches, others prefer satin finished, while still others may want black oxide finish. You can also view as being similiar to options on a car, you can have the basic no frills model, or a model with more. Used as intended (without the torque assist bar), I don't think the quick release versions are that much weaker in design that, you would snap the drive off in normal use. Use what you like best and can afford.
superautobacs
Well-known member
i have used craftsman ratchets with quick release my whole life. i just recently started using sk and snap on ratchets. so i am in the habit of pressing a button to get the socket off. when i want to change sockets i still put my thumb where the button would be on the craftsman when using a snap on. it's kind of hard for me to get used to a non release ratchet.
BRTMechanic
Well-known member
I think functionality is the subject here, ever tried to pull a socket off a non-quick release ratchet with grease or oil on your hands while lying on your back under a car fishing for that other socket to attach to your ratchet. It is virtually impossible, and freaking irritating.
Kevin54
MEMBER EMERITUS
Working in a production type atmosphere (Tool & Die / Die repair) when working on greasy dies your hands or gloves tend to get greasy. If you have a tight socket, the quick release is a blessing. I've had to take a screwdriver to pop some sockets off of a not QR ratchet. And when you are in a hurry to get a die back out to the production floor, you don't have time to wash your hands off and wipe the tool down just so you can get some gription to change out a socket.
TheGrooveking
Well-known member
Personally I prefer quick release, so she can gain quick access if needed.
TheGrooveking
DARKSCOPE001
Well-known member
just my thoughs but i think its all a matter of personal preferance. Ive only really used cman tools so I cant say for other brands. but i have the cman pro ratchets and I quite like the qr havent had a problem with it so far. Also I think that if you are snapping the drive off the ratchet you are abusing the tool. use either a breaker bar or a larger drive. but thats just what I think. Ive seen to many mechanics hang off a ratchet and then when it breaks they blame the tool. they make breaker bars for a reason use them. your ratchets will thank you
JUST MY $0.02
Sean Scott
your ratchets will thank you JUST MY $0.02
Sean Scott
ukvauxtech
Well-known member
I only have SO ratchets and the 3/8 qr i have is terrible. 2 repair kits in as many years as it constantly looses its grip on sockets.
It's really not too hard to pull a socket off a ratchet.
It's really not too hard to pull a socket off a ratchet.
petty4243
Well-known member
i have at 24 y/o benchtop pro qr ratchet that has never failed me, best damne cheap tool i ever bought, same tokeni have virtually every basic design in ratchets and use almost all of them regularly... they all have a purpose and place they work best inin defense of the non qr ratchets, i tend to have several ratchets in use at same time to eliminate having to switch sockets while under a vehicle when i can... simply quicker and easier... not to mention less chance of the socket rolling away from you when you need it...
shovel
Well-known member
just my thoughs but i think its all a matter of personal preferance. Ive only really used cman tools so I cant say for other brands. but i have the cman pro ratchets and I quite like the qr havent had a problem with it so far. Also I think that if you are snapping the drive off the ratchet you are abusing the tool. use either a breaker bar or a larger drive. but thats just what I think. Ive seen to many mechanics hang off a ratchet and then when it breaks they blame the tool. they make breaker bars for a reason use them.
JUST MY $0.02
Sean Scott
Right Sean,
I would never put a cheater on a ratchet. If I broke a ratchet with a cheater bar, I believe my Dad would have beaten me with it (deservedly so!) I do work with guys that regularly tear up Snap-On FLS 80 ratchets with a 1 1/16 socket on the end. I have rebuilt a couple so far. I dont know if they are trying to give me a hernia or prove their manhood on a 4-bolt flange. Maybe I was just raised wrong.
As far as the QR, I kind feel strongly both ways. I used to prefer them, but now not so much! How is that for ****-*** logic!