6 Tips to Using a Ratchet Efficiently

One of the most commonly used tools is probably the ratchet and socket, but ratchets are also used in many other forms.

Here are some tips for the best use of a ratchet:

Hand Pressure Only

Always use a ratchet by hand—do not use a hammer or lever to try to make the ratchet take in one more click.

Disengage Button

The hand brake on your car has a ratchet and a button to disengage the ratchet—use the disengage button when applying the hand brake to prolong the life of the ratchet assembly.

Levers with Calculated Ideal Length

Load restrainers are often tightened by ratchets. The ratchet operating lever is the right length for the optimum amount of pressure to be applied by hand.

Reversible Ratchets

Some ratchets enable the pawl (the part that engages with the teeth) to be reversed so that it will not contact the teeth—do not re-position the pawl while the toothed element is in motion.

Best Fit

Ratchets and sockets need to be carefully selected so that the drive bar of the ratchet is a snug fit to the socket and that the socket is the correct size for the fastener it is applied to.

Always Pull a Ratchet

To get best performance from a ratchet always pull—pushing on a ratchet can cause accidents—especially if the push weight is greater than the ratchet is designed to take.  

Ratchets are very useful tools and using them properly will help them work effectively and more safely.