Welcome back to my series on automotive tools for the beginner do it yourself enthusiast. In today's article I'm going to briefly discuss how to find out if a ratchet is a good ratchet to consider buying or if it's not really an ideal ratchet for your needs. The ratchet is also sometimes referred to as a "Drive" as it drives the socket. There are also the basic quality concerns when looked at nickel or chrome plated tools. You will want to make sure that the plating is even and uniform in its appearance. As well you should be on the lookout for any sharp or rough edges on the tool. This can indicate either improper plating, poor machining, or that it was cast/forged from inferior materials, and should be avoided at all costs.
Now, on to the specifics of a well engineered ratchet. Outside of what is listed above, the major criteria for me is the number of teeth the ratchet has per 360 degrees of rotation. Typically you will find most discount houses have ratchets that use between 20 to 30 teeth. The ratchets I typically like to use have between 40-60 teeth. The reason the tooth count is so important is that in tight places, you may be able to move the ratchet ONLY slightly, but not enough to get a tooth to click which means you can't turn the socket any further. With a greater tooth count, there will be more teeth per degree of movement which allows you to engage and turn the socket despite only having a limited amount of circular movement.
Air Ratchet Wrench
The math on this is pretty straight forward, and it can be done right in the store with a calculator or pen and paper. A complete circle is 360 degrees. Pick up the ratchet you are considering buying and hold the handle in one hand and operate the square drive point with the other. You will want to spin the drive 1 full rotation and count the number of clicks that you hear or feel. Take that number and divide the 360 degree by the number. In other words, let's say that the ratchet had 20 teeth. When you divide 360 by 200, you get 18. That means every 18 degree, there is a tooth. Let's say another ratchet had 30 teeth. When you divide the 360 degrees by 30 teeth you come up with a tooth every 12 degrees. All things being equal, buy the ratchet that only requires you to move 12 degrees instead of 18 when possible.
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Ingersoll-Rand 109XPA 3/8-inch Air Ratchet Wrench Feature
- 70-Feet-lbs. maximum torque at 300 rpm free speed
- Exclusive IR Twin Pawl Plus head design for exceptional durability
- 360 adjustable exhaust directs air away from the operator and the work
- Push button throttle
- Advanced head design delivers extra durability and performance
Ingersoll-Rand 109XPA 3/8-inch Air Ratchet Wrench Overview
Features: Most powerful air ratchet you can buy with 70 ft. -lbs. of torque. * Provides convenient access you need for tight spaces.Available In Stock. |
