The idea has always interested me, but I gotta here my ratchet so know I'm actually driving the fastener properly and generally the potential benefits of a gearless ratchet aren't something I have a need for. The gearless ratchet concept has actually been around since I believe the 30's, but it's just never really taken off no matter who was making it.
I use the 1/4 in because it's so strong and I often have to use it in tight areas. It also requires less resistance to spin back so you can keep loosening even after other ratchets stop but yes, sometimes I catch myself going back and forth and I'm not doing any work because I bumped the switch on the back to the middle 🤦♂️
All manual ratches are "gimmicky", not just gearless models. Gears on a ratchet give you "back drag" of the fastener. This effect renders a manual ratchet as more of a tightening/loosening tool as opposed to a proper fastening/un-fastening tool. Only swivel head ratchets provide you with both functions.
These 'sprag clutch' ratchets are nothing new... coming/going numerous times from various mfgs through the ages. A friend bought a Mac version c. mid 70's. He initially liked it, but soon there after it began occasionally slipping... then became 100% useless once dunked in the solvent tank. IMHO, sprag clutches are in reality a bit 'fussy', & not well suited to the typical 'hostile' shop use environment... I think its amazing they work as well as they do in automatic transmissions & all.
Mine is slipping now! Thankful for the warranty but I agree, not very useful. Once or twice I've had one in a tight access area and was able to get it to loosen with only about 5 degrees of movement
Interesting ratchet, Nice tool review man.
Thanks Wyatt! Much smaller rotation required for engagement but overall just a little too awkward for daily use
The idea has always interested me, but I gotta here my ratchet so know I'm actually driving the fastener properly and generally the potential benefits of a gearless ratchet aren't something I have a need for.
The gearless ratchet concept has actually been around since I believe the 30's, but it's just never really taken off no matter who was making it.
I use the 1/4 in because it's so strong and I often have to use it in tight areas. It also requires less resistance to spin back so you can keep loosening even after other ratchets stop but yes, sometimes I catch myself going back and forth and I'm not doing any work because I bumped the switch on the back to the middle 🤦♂️
Nice demonstration.I have been wondering if these are worth the money.
This one is not. I traded mine back in. It's too top heavy and the direction switches when you bump things and it starts to slip. 😔
All manual ratches are "gimmicky", not just gearless models. Gears on a ratchet give you "back drag" of the fastener. This effect renders a manual ratchet as more of a tightening/loosening tool as opposed to a proper fastening/un-fastening tool. Only swivel head ratchets provide you with both functions.
These 'sprag clutch' ratchets are nothing new... coming/going numerous times from various mfgs through the ages.
A friend bought a Mac version c. mid 70's. He initially liked it, but soon there after it began occasionally slipping... then became 100% useless once dunked in the solvent tank.
IMHO, sprag clutches are in reality a bit 'fussy', & not well suited to the typical 'hostile' shop use environment... I think its amazing they work as well as they do in automatic transmissions & all.
Mine is slipping now! Thankful for the warranty but I agree, not very useful. Once or twice I've had one in a tight access area and was able to get it to loosen with only about 5 degrees of movement