My son came to do his brakes today. He brought some tools he bought. I forget the brand (probably a cheap Chinese brand). He had a ratchet and a torque wrench. They were not the same brand.

Every ratchet I’ve ever owned, including a newer craftsman set, you move the toggle right to set it for loosening and left for tightening. The ones my kid had were opposite. It was driving me nuts (see what I did there).

Anyhow I’m curious. I mean everything is strange these days. But I’m still in the northern hemisphere so ratchets shouldn’t change.

Interesting observation. I've never paid any attention to them. I'll have to take a gander at mine tomorrow

Yes they can differ, I always check them before use. Good luck with your project!!

On my Snap-On ratchets the lever goes to the left for tightening, and right for loosening.

quote:

Originally posted by houndawg:
On my Snap-On ratchets the lever goes to the left for tightening, and right for loosening.

That’s so strange to me. I e had some snap on ratchets for years that are opposite. It I’ve had them since 1988.

Yes, two common examples would be the older 72T Tekton (Taiwan) and 72T Pittsburgh Pro (Taiwan). Maybe some of the Kobalt also. Flip the switch right to tighten on those.

I can stand it either, which is why all my pear head ratchets have the standard switch, left to tighten.

Or you could pick up a Wright round head 41T dual pawl and you will always have to check it before using since you can't tell from looking at it. Still one of my favorites though.

quote:

Every ratchet I’ve ever owned, including a newer craftsman set, you move the toggle right to set it for loosening and left for tightening

I must have 20 plus ratchets spanning decades and price ranges. I can tell you there is no standard. The ones that have righty tighty lefty loosey switch always made more sense to me as a retired machinist. Ironically many of the cheaper ratchets got it right as far as following basic machinist and mechanic rules.

I've done quite a bit of wrenching and have never noticed a trend or standard in a ratchet direction lever, and if you asked me I would assume they are the same. It may be because my habit whenever I install a socket is I test direction by spinning the socket to see if it is going the direction I want. If it isn't, I flip the lever. I'm sure with using at least ten brands of ratchets over the years, I've seen the lever direction vary, but because of how I check, it isn't an issue.

quote:

Originally posted by frayedends:

quote:

Originally posted by houndawg:
On my Snap-On ratchets the lever goes to the left for tightening, and right for loosening.

That’s so strange to me. I e had some snap on ratchets for years that are opposite. It I’ve had them since 1988.

You're right. I had it backwards in my head. Most of my other ratchets with the dial selector are the opposite though. Turn clockwise to loosen amd counter-clockwise to tighten.

I never paid attention, even on those that have the direction marked. I always just check the ratchet for rotation before I use it.

Wow, so weird to find this out. You know, like you've known something all your life and then find out it's not true. I'm really most surprised I've never run into this before. I've used mostly Snap on and Craftsman throughout my life. But I've run into my share of cheap Chinese stuff and others and they have always been the same.

quote:

Originally posted by egregore:
I never paid attention, even on those that have the direction marked. I always just check the ratchet for rotation before I use it.

Exactly.

Same for anything that ratchets.