Ratchet wrench tested

Ratchet wrench tested

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Without ratchet wrenches or ratchets, unscrewing and screwing on trim parts, covers, wheels, attachments or units would be a laborious task. Anyone who has ever done this work with a simple ring or open-end wrench, which has to be repositioned every half turn, will appreciate the advantages of a lever ratchet. Once the small lever or adjusting ring on the ratchet head is set to open or close and the appropriate socket is placed at the push of a button, hexagon screws can be screwed in or out quickly, easily and usually with just one hand.

UNIVERSAL TOOLS

“I like to use the half-inch ratchets to open the oil drain plugs, while the quarter-inch ratchets are usually sufficient for screwing covers,” says Katja Haller, who recently completed her training as an automotive technician at Pappas in Wiener Neustadt and has now switched to customer service. “With the large half-inch ratchets I can of course exert a lot of force, but I also need a lot of space to be able to pivot the tool,” says Katja. The quality of a ratchet is judged by how robust the socket mechanism is, how much play there is when turning, how well the handle fits in the hand and, of course, the weight of the tool. “If you work a lot overhead, a light ratchet is definitely an advantage,” says Katja. After some time in intensive workshop use, even the best ratchet gives up the ghost. “Usually the first switching mechanism weakens and becomes loose or jams,” Katja knows from experience. Although the tools can withstand some hard falls to the workshop floor, that doesn't exactly extend their lifespan. Katja concludes: “We say: If the tool falls out of your hand, it’s high time to go home!”

BERNER LEVER SHIFT RATCHET ½ INCH

Teeth: 60 teeth
Length: 253mm
Weight: 550 grams

SPECIAL FEATURES
Switching lever, locking of the socket wrench inserts via a ball using a push button with one finger, robust construction, ergonomic design, 3-component handle with bend, soft grip cover to prevent the risk of slipping.

"The ratchet has a pleasantly large safety button and a quick changeover lever, which are a bit far apart for my rather small girlish hands. The play in the socket is relatively large."

KUNZER 7SS150-KN12 RATCHET

Teeth: 72 teeth
Length: 250mm
Weight: 581 grams

SPECIAL FEATURES
Switch lever, cranked design, quick release with push button, two-component plastic handle, non-slip grip coating.

"The large button for locking the socket mechanism is easy to operate, the play in the socket is slightly larger than with other ratchets. It is also relatively heavy in my opinion."

BETA RATCHET 920/55

Teeth: 72 teeth
Length: 275mm
Weight: 550 grams

SPECIAL FEATURES
Switch slider, chrome-plated surface, ergonomic, non-slip handle.

"The slide for switching is quite difficult to operate, but the socket is really tight and has little play. Small disadvantage: there is no locking mechanism for the socket."

WERA ZYKLOP SPEED

Teeth: 72 teeth
Length: 267mm
Weight: 650 grams

SPECIAL FEATURES
Freely pivoting ratchet head, can be fixed at 0°, 15° and 90° using a slide switch, knurled wheel switching, ergonomic ratchet head, flywheel to accelerate the screwing process, can also be used as a screwdriver in the 0° position.

"The swivel mechanism looks cool, but the massive head makes the ratchet bulky and heavy. I prefer to use extensions with joints on conventional ratchets."

FÖRCH REVERABLE RATCHET FINE TOOTH, SUPER NARROW, ½ INCH

Teeth: 72 teeth
Length: 246mm
Weight: 350 grams

SPECIAL FEATURES
Tool lock with push button, lever switching, extremely slim head (26mm), max. torque 710 Nm.

"I like that the ratchet is light and narrow and therefore suitable for tighter spaces. A clear negative point for me is the difficult changeover lever."

WÜRTH REVERABLE RATCHET ½ INCH AHK 07120120

Teeth: 72 teeth
Length: 250mm
Weight: 550 grams

SPECIAL FEATURES
Turntable switching, handle material made of 2-component plastic, compact, slim head, cranked ratchet body, chrome-plated.

"With the square connection without a lock, you can quickly change the sockets. In my experience, however, this type of connection wears out more quickly in the long run than a connection with a lock."

KS TOOLS SLIMPOWER RATCHET ½ INCH

Teeth: 72 teeth
Length: 245mm
Weight: 356 grams

SPECIAL FEATURES
Switch lever, ball lock with push-button quick release function, 710 Nm maximum load, extremely slim head (32mm), ergonomic 2-component handle with soft zone, high-gloss chrome vanadium.

"Light, narrow, perfect for overhead work. The switch lever is small but moves smoothly, the locking button is large, the socket has little play. My favorite in this ratchet test, I would like to take it with me straight away!"

WÜRTH REVERABLE RATCHET ½ INCH CHK 071201201

Teeth: 48 teeth
Length: 250mm
Weight: 550 grams

SPECIAL FEATURES
Lever switching, handle material made of 2-component plastic, safety lock with convenient quick ejection, cranked ratchet body, chrome-plated.

"With the lock at the touch of a button, the socket sits really tight. Compared to the other ratchets, it clearly has the least play. Small disadvantage: changing it is a bit more strenuous."