Comments on: Hot or Not? Gimmicky Ratchet Wrenches

By: Joe

Joe — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 18:00:17 +0000

MSC Industrial carried this rather gadgety tool in for severl years in its catalog, but apparently no longer.

Grainger has offered this Westward brand crank ratchet for a number of years: http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/3VA95. The hinged crank portion is normally stored in the handle, but when you want to use the crank, you just pull it out. This Asian tool has been sold by a number of companies, including Harbor Freight.

Can someone provide a link to this Snap-on socket tool?

By: ega278

ega278 — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 19:32:13 +0000

The Stanley Rotator ratchet has become my favorite. I have a half dozen or so various “specialty” 3/8″ ratchets for those “just in case” situations. One with an extendable handle for more leverage when you need it, flex-head/handle ratchet for fitting into any odd place, an offset long handled flex-head ratchet, stubby flex-head ratchet, thin profile ratchet for more clearance.

The rotator has a much thicker head, but because I can twist the handle back and forth to speed removal once the fastener gets loose enough is the main reason why I always grab it first now.

I say HOT!

By: Jim K.

Jim K. — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 21:43:34 +0000

I’d second the Snap-On spark plug socket vote. I’ve had one for awhile and it’s proven itself invaluable.

By: Mike lee

Mike lee — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 13:55:45 +0000

Hot, I brought a sidewinder year ago and it came in handy when I had to remove spark plugs. These days you need all the gadgets ratchets to remove spark plugs, especically on V-8’s. I just brought the Black and Decker model, which you just spin the handle to turn the socket. I haven’t use it yet, but If you use it one time on removing a spark plug; it will pay for itself.

By: dogfriend

dogfriend — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 00:58:20 +0000

I have one of these:

http://www.stanleytools.com/default.asp?CATEGORY=SMT+RATCHET+OTHER&TYPE=PRODUCT&PARTNUMBER=89-962&SDesc=3%2F8%26%2334%3B+Drive+Rotator+Ratchet

and it works well. I use it more often than any of my other ratchets. It works like a regular ratchet, but you can twist the handle and it will turn also - great when you can’t swing it normally.

By: _Jon

_Jon — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 18:47:16 +0000

My Snap-On spark plug socket driver is priceless to me. After I have broken the bolt / nut loose, I pivot it to spin more like an off-set screwdriver. It also has a toggle type direction, so I can flip it with a single finger or thumb, for those (many!) times where it is set in the wrong direction.

By: KMR

KMR — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 18:37:52 +0000

Why can’t someone make a Sidewinder style ratchet but with a 1/4″ drive at the handle end. This way I can use it as a regular ratchet without looking stupid, and if needed to get to those odd angles, I can add my 1/4″ drive ratchet in place of their built-in handle.

It’d be cheaper to produce too!