Welcome to our website. Here you will be able to find suppliers of a ratcheting wrench that will allow you to do the work at hand.
What is a Ratcheting Wrench?
This is a special type of wrench, whose end enclosures ratchet. This allows a bolt or a nut (fastener) to be loosened or tightened without having to remove and reposition the wrench. Some ratcheting wrenches have a one way ratchet and must be flipped over to change direction. Others have a dual direction ratcheting mechanism that can change direction by moving a small lever.
The ratcheting wrench is also know as a ratchet wrench or a ratcheting box-end wrench. They are usually combination wrenches with a wrench on each end although they are available as single-ended wrenches. Many have a ratcheting box-end on one end and an open-end on the other. Some folks call a socket wrench with a ratchet drive handle a ratcheting wrench but we are not talking about socket wrenches here.
Ratchet wrenches are excellent for working in tight spaces and once you get a set you will probably use them instead of your non-ratcheting wrenches. They can be a real time (and wrist) saver.
Features to Look for Before Purchasing a Ratcheting Wrench
Construction – There are two primary construction types, stamped and forged. The stamped type of wrenches are pretty bulky when compared to the forged type. The wall thickness is considerably more than a standard box-end wrench while the forged type has a wall thickness almost as thin as a standard wrench. The forged type is preferred for tight spaces. One advantage of many stamped types is that they have a reversing lever built in so you don’t have to flip the wrench over to change direction like you have to do with the more compact forged type.
Ratchet mechanism – The better ratcheting wrenches have a finer ratcheting mechanism. While a standard 12 point box-end wrench requires 30 degrees of movement to engage a fastener, a fine tooth ratcheting wrench only requires 5 degrees. This means that with a ratcheting wrench you can turn a fastener in a tight space that would be impossible with a standard wrench. If you’ve ever had to flip a standard wrench repeatedly from one side to the next in order to be able to barely move the fastener then you’ll love a ratchet wrench with a precision mechanism.
Configuration – Ratcheting wrenches are available in SAE and metric sizes. They are usually offered as combination wrenches with a ratcheting wrench on both ends or a box-end ratcheting wrench on one end and an open-end wrench on the other. They may be flat along the entire length or have an offset on each end. Each type has its advantages. Besides standard lengths, they are available in ‘stubby’ lengths that allow for them to be used in very tight spaces.
Box end – Some of the better wrenches are designed to provide a flat contact with a fastener’s surface. This distributes the load over a wider area and minimizes or eliminates the rounding of fasteners.
Flexible Head – Some wrenches allow for the box end to tilt up to 180 degrees with 11 positions. The position can then be locked with the flip of a small lever. These flexible ratcheting wrenches allow access to fasteners where a socket can not.
Warranty – The better manufacturers offer a lifetime warranty.
Proper Use and Care of a Ratcheting Wrench
Since a ratcheting wrench has a precision ratcheting mechanism, it is not intended to be used to free over-tightened or frozen fasteners. Be aware that the application of extreme torque loads to the box end may break the mechanism. If there’s room, a regular 6-point socket should probably be used.
The ratcheting mechanism should be lubricated from time to time with a light oil or even WD-40.
Go to the Wrench Set page or look here to Find a Wrench Set.