Ratchets are essential in any car workshop, both to ensure the quality of the work done and to minimise the time spent on it.
Given their importance, there is nothing better than knowing which are the most common types and which are the most suitable for your workshop. We’ve written this article to help you out.
What is a ratcheting socket wrench?
A ratcheting wrench is a type of clamping tool used to tighten or loosen screws or nuts. Its function is to transmit a significant amount of torque, and it is widely used in car repair shops.
What types of ratcheting wrenches are there?
Ratcheting wrenches can be manual or pneumatic and come in various sizes and types.
Manual ratchets
Manual ratchets are tightening tools that manually transmit torque to nuts or bolts.
They are designed to precisely deliver a significant amount of torque and are widely used in home maintenance and repairs.
There are different types of hand wrenches, including fixed and adjustable ratchet wrenches and those with a screwdriver, among others.
These tools are usually low-budget and easy to use for small projects or maintenance tasks.
Pneumatic ratchet
A pneumatic ratchet is a tool that works with compressed air to tighten or loosen screws or nuts.
The tool operates using compressed air, supplied by an external source such as an air pump or compressed air compressor, which pushes air through a hose to the tool and then operates the clamping mechanism.
Pneumatic ratchets are widely used in car repairs due to their high torque, ease of use, and lower risk of injury when compared to hand tools.
Ratchet torque wrench
Ratchet torque wrenches are used to accurately tighten bolts and nuts, ensuring that the tension applied is adequate for the material used, therefore avoiding damaging or loosening it.
This is often the best alternative to using an impact driver.
A torque wrench is calibrated to release its grip when it reaches a certain specific torque, making it a very useful tool.
In addition to the previous ones, this type of wrench can be classified according to its design:
- A single head, comprising a head and a handle, for use with fasteners with a specified diameter;
- A double head with two heads (one with a ring with a ratchet mechanism and the other with a head that may have a ring or an open wrench).
They can also be straight or have a deviation (useful for working with fasteners in hard-to-reach locations).
They can also have other features, such as a flexible head (practical for unscrewing vertical fasteners) or a switch (allowing you to reverse the movement).
Which tips are used on ratchet wrenches?
Although you can use this tool to assemble and disassemble fasteners of the appropriate type and diameter, you should also follow the following safety precautions:
- Do not use ratchet wrenches as a lever or hammer;
- Do not apply too much force to the handle. Damaged fasteners are best unscrewed with a standard wrench, that is, without a ratchet;
- When working, avoid the head of the wrench slipping on a nut or bolt, for example, as this may damage it;
- Clean the wrench with a dry, soft cloth and store the ratchet wrench in a dry location with low humidity (in a tool cabinet or toolbox, for example).
Which ratchet wrenches are available in the KROFtools catalogue?
The importance of this tool certainly makes it worth investing in. As such, different sizes of ratchets with varying specifications are available in the KROFtools catalogue:
Reversible Ratchet 1/2″
This tool is 245mm long and compatible with the 12012K repair kit. Click on the image to find out more about our Reversible ratchet 1/2″ (ref. 12012).
Reversible Ratchet 1/4″
With a length of 154mm, this tool is compatible with the 12014k repair kit. Click on the image to find out more about our Reversible ratchet 1/4″ (ref. 12014).
Reversible Ratchet 3/8″
With a length of 193mm, this tool is compatible with the 12038k repair kit. Click on the image to find out more about our Reversible ratchet 3/8″ (ref. 12038).
Pneumatic Ratchet 1/2″ 68Nm
With a speed of 150rpm, this ratchet has a maximum loosening force of 68Nm and an average air consumption of 4 CFM (113L/min). In addition, it weighs only 1.2 kg.
Click on the image to find out more about our Pneumatic Ratchet 1/2″ 68Nm (ref. 9221).
Pneumatic Ratchet 1/4″ 41Nm
This ratchet, which has a maximum release force of 41Nm, has an average air consumption of 4 CFM (113L/min) and a speed of 200rpm. In addition, it weighs only 0.5 kg.
Click on the image to find out more about our Pneumatic Ratchet 1/4″ 41Nm (ref. 9220).
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