Ratchet spanner set: application

A ratchet is a special wrench that is widely used in various fields of activity. It is used to tighten and unscrew nuts during the repair of cars, machine tools and other devices, as well as during construction and assembly work.

According to buyers, the popularity of these product models is explained by their ease of use, wide functionality, and good performance characteristics. In addition, such a tool has a low price and is accessible to everyone.

The appearance of a wrench

The earliest mentions of such an instrument have European roots, where they appeared in the fifteenth century, and by the middle of the nineteenth they were already in widespread use. A large number of them, along with weapons, were produced.

Over the years, the design has changed, and specialized devices have appeared. In Great Britain, the engineer Budding invented the adjustable key, and in France, Le Roy Tribo, the sliding, or French, key. In Sweden in 1892, an improved adjustable tool with a worm mechanism appeared to change the distance from one jaw to another. This is roughly what he looks like now.

Tool requirements

The segment of devices for loosening nuts and bolts continues to improve. New special keys appear and old ones are modified: handles become more comfortable, body configurations become more diverse, experiments with heads continue. The number of manufacturers is growing, and choosing a good tool is becoming increasingly difficult. To do this, you need to know what to require from locksmith devices:

• Maximum service life.
• Convenience and safety at work.
• The maximum force applied to the object being turned away.
• Easy penetration to the plane of a bolt or nut during operation.

The material for the production of metalwork tools is the main factor in achieving maximum operating time. Chrome vanadium alloys can ensure that this condition is met. When purchasing an instrument, you just need to look at the mark. You can also run a file over the body: if there are no scratches, then the quality of the raw material is good.

To ensure that the edges of the working planes do not get lost, you need to monitor their size. When purchasing a specimen for 17, measuring the throat with a micrometer should show minimal deviations. A broken head will roll back the bolts and nuts, break off, and may injure your hand.

Maximum torque is obtained with the optimal body length of the device and the rigidity of the raw materials from which it is made.

Division by design

Over the years, many types of unscrewing tools have been developed. The number of small-scale, highly specialized keys cannot be counted. There are several main types, and all of them are well known to those who have at least briefly encountered the repair of any equipment:

• Horn devices. This is the very first tool that comes to mind when you think of a wrench. Such a device clamps the nut between the jaws - fixes it in the throat. Therefore, its GOST name is a wrench with an open jaw.
• Socket tool. The working part of such a device completely covers the nut and when unscrewing, less force is required due to the greater number of points of contact. They are best suited for regular use.
• Adjustable wrenches are most applicable at home, since one replaces several devices. It is considered a type of open-end wrench with a variable jaw size. They should also include a ratchet wrench.
• End wrenches are most often used when servicing a car and unscrewing hard-to-reach threaded connections. Their working part is made in the form of a hexagon, and the body is straight or L-shaped. The face tool is also suitable for work under normal conditions.
• Tube fittings are made of a hollow part with a hexagon at the end. For operation, it has a hole for the gate. Also used primarily by motorists.

Types of socket wrenches

A tool with a working cavity on both sides of the key body is most widely represented in production and households. It can be straight or curved for ease of use. It is convenient to work with such devices. You just need to accurately select the size of the head so as not to break its edges.

The working part has six or twelve sides. The more faces, the smaller the sector needed to move the bolt and the more convenient it is to work with less effort. On the other hand, the hex design works with more surface contact and is less prone to tearing and corner rolling.

Among the tools of this design we can distinguish separate types:

• Special wrenches used in the installation and dismantling of pipes are quite widely used. They have a slot in the head. Its shape can be S-shaped or crescent. They are often equipped with a hinge mechanism. In addition to pipe connections, they can be used in conditions that require reversing the wrench. Then the hinge part simply tilts to the side.
• Steel ratcheting wrench sets are probably the most common and beloved of all such tools available. They usually consist of double-sided slip mechanisms, on one side of which there is a ratchet mechanism, which allows you to operate the key without stopping to throw it. The direction of rotation is changed by turning it over to the opposite plane. The ratchet device can have up to 72 teeth.
• The arsenal of special attachment devices includes a percussion instrument. On one side there is a regular cap head, and on the other there is a plane for striking.
• Combined horn and cap mechanisms deserve special attention. They combine all the qualities of both types of instruments. Their head size is the same on both sides. Thanks to this arrangement, they can be used to solve an expanded range of problems.

Types of ratchets

Before choosing a ratchet, you need to determine what types of this hand tool there are. In most cases, craftsmen divide all models into 6 categories depending on the type of structure. Representatives of each of them have unique advantages and disadvantages, and are also suitable for performing a certain type of task.

Classification by type of construction:

1. Reversible. This type of ratchet gets its name due to its reverse function. It allows you to screw and unscrew fasteners without moving the tool from one face to another. The reverse is turned on and off using a special core located in the central part of the key.
2. With swivel head. Products of this type are the most versatile. They are equipped with a special head that rotates in different directions and allows you to unscrew fasteners located at any angle to the master. This structural element is often supplemented with a spring ball that holds the working head of the tool.
3. Telescopic. Ratchets belonging to this type are equipped with a telescopic handle. Its presence allows the user to independently choose the optimal length of the tool and reach any structural elements.
4. Shortened. Products of this type are ideal for working in confined spaces. They are equipped with the shortest possible handle, thanks to which the master can get to fasteners located in narrow places.
5. Reinforced. These tools stand out for their durable construction. Thanks to it, craftsmen can make maximum efforts to unscrew damaged nuts (for example, those covered with rust), without fear of the key breaking.
6. Articulated. Models of this type are similar in appearance to keys with a rotary mechanism. Their difference lies in the presence of a movable hinge located between the handle and the working head of the tool. It allows you to tilt the working part at any angle and reach hard-to-reach fasteners.

Purchasing plumbing supplies

To achieve maximum efficiency, you need the right equipment. The main requirement for slip-on devices is that the dimensions of the fastening surface ideally match. It is also recommended to have a set of mechanisms of various calibers on hand. This will make it easier to select the right tool. As a rule, it should contain five or six of the most popular copies. There are universal sets of wrenches. In addition to simple ones, they may include long and short tools, as well as various special keys and keys with increased strength.

You can select special removable heads and open-end wrenches in the kit. With a ratchet, a set of such locksmith tools will not leave you with impossible tasks.

Rating of the best ratchet sets

SATA 09510 (150 items)

Rating: 4.9

SATA key sets are used in such large enterprises as GM, Honda, Samsung. The tool has been certified by American ANSI and German DIN. Experts include a large assortment of tools (150 items), high reliability, strength and durability among the advantages of the SATA 09510 key set. The case, in which all the elements are securely fixed, is made of high-quality polyethylene. To make the heads, the manufacturer used chrome vanadium steel, the end tips are made of S2 steel. To increase the life of the ratchet, an O-ring is installed in the internal mechanism. The set is the winner of our review.

Domestic users admire the strength and reliability of the tool, its versatility, and the thoughtful design of the case.

Advantages

• many items;
• high quality steel;
• convenient case;
• durable ratchet.

Flaws

• not detected.

Pros and cons of devices

The design of such a tool, which includes a faceted working part, ensures maximum contact with the fastener and less force for unscrewing it. In this case, the key is made of durable alloys, which implies the possibility of exerting great pressure on it. Even extensions like pieces of pipes are used for reinforcement. There is a danger of injury here if the impact force exceeds the tensile strength of the steel, so this is not recommended.

In a situation with rusted or rolled bolts and nuts, such a wrench will also perform well due to the shape of the head. It follows the contour of the fastener, and the possibility of failure is minimal.

Due to the smaller area of ​​the working part, the attachment tool requires less space to access the fasteners, which also distinguishes it favorably from its open-end counterparts. A modification with 12 edges allows you to unscrew the nuts in circumstances where the movement of the wrench body is limited to 15-30 degrees. A tool with a ratchet mechanism allows you to work without changing the position of the head. The main thing is not to overdo it with pressure and not to break the ratchet mechanism. An S-shaped wrench with a hinged working part can reach fasteners in inconvenient places.

The main and only drawback that is characteristic of slip-on tools is its design. Due to the closed working part, the area of ​​its use is limited by the height of the mounting pin. This type of device fits onto the nut or bolt only from the top. True, this minus is partly compensated for by S-shaped tools.

Convenience, efficiency and ease of use are the basis of any device. The main thing is not to make a mistake in the selection, and the tool will not let you down. A set of socket wrenches with a ratchet would be a good choice for a gift for a man on any occasion.

Recommendations for selection

Total number of items. First of all, consumers pay attention to the total number of items in the set. And there can be more than 200 units. However, as practice shows, you should not chase quantity. Some of the tools will most likely never be used for work. Therefore, it is worth determining in advance the scope of the keys and making a list of the most important elements for yourself.

Features of the package

. The case contains not only keys, but also equipment and accessories.

1. Tools are considered to be socket wrenches, socket wrenches, wrenches, adjustable wrenches, pliers, pliers, screwdrivers, hammer, ratchet.
2. Useful accessories can include short, long and flexible extensions, magnetic probes, a universal joint for heads, tape measures, indicator screwdrivers, and a magnetic probe.
3. The role of equipment is played by bits, heads with inserts, and socket heads.

Materials

. Manufacturers use a number of materials when making key sets. The reliability and durability of the kit depends on their quality.

1. Chrome vanadium steel demonstrates the optimal combination of high strength and low weight. Heads or spanners are made from it. The strengths of the material include corrosion resistance, beautiful appearance and ease of maintenance.
2. Bits and sockets are made from S2 steel. It has high hardness, but after use the tool should be wiped to prevent rusting.
3. A ratchet is a useful item that speeds up the process of unscrewing and tightening hardware. Since the load is carried on the mechanism, steel structures have maximum durability. Before work, it would be a good idea to make sure there is lubricant inside the mechanism.
4. To store a large number of keys, equipment and accessories, you cannot do without a spacious case. All of them are made of durable plastic. When purchasing, special attention should be paid to the reliability of fixing each item in the grooves and niches.

Our review includes the 7 best ratchet sets. All of them are sold in domestic stores. When distributing positions, the editors of the expertology magazine relied on the opinion of experts, taking into account reviews of Russian consumers.