The ratchet spanner can have flared or ring head shape and helps turn fasteners quickly.
It is an effective and versatile garage tool often used for tightening and loosening nuts and bolts. Because you don’t have to remove or reposition the tool, the ratchet function makes work easier. Here’s more about how a ratchet spanner works and why you need one.
How Does A Ratchet Spanner Work?
The ratchet spanner mechanism only allows an open-ended ring head to turn a fastener in one direction. The fastener, for one, remains tightly fitted to the ratchet. You can change the direction of the movement by turning the ratchet over or by pressing a lever. Some ratchet spanners also have arrows etched on them that indicate the direction.
The mechanism involved is based on a spiked gear and a spring-loaded pawl. As the gear of the spanner turns, the pawl fits into a groove making the click sound that a ratchet spanner produces. This prevents motion in the opposite direction.
Turning the tool reverses the motion of the spanner. However, most ratchet spanners have two pawls. One of them engages with the gear while the other moves away from the gear. Often there is a lever that allows you to switch between the active pawl and the opposing pawl.
What Are The Different Types Of Ratchet Spanners?
Ratchet spanners come with one ratcheted and one non-ratcheted head or two ratcheted heads. The non-ratcheted head can be used when the fastener is at its tightest. The head size of a ratchet ranges from 6mm to 40mm.
The length varies from 130mm to 450mm, increasing with the head size. Larger tools have stronger mechanisms and longer handles to provide the required leverage to tighten or loosen the fastener.
The most common head type of a ratchet spanner is the ring head. Some ratchet spanners have reversible heads accommodating two sizes on two faces of the spanner. Ring heads are generally more flexible. Open-ended spanners can also have ratcheted mechanisms. Here the spring-loaded pawl sticks out of one side of the spanner, and the fastener head acts as the gear. Sometimes, flare nut spanners also come with ratcheting mechanisms.
How To Open A Ratchet Spanner?
Ratchet spanners usually come in a spanner set that contains spanners of different sizes, a spark plug wrench, screwdrivers, and a ruler for measuring the tire. You can easily open the spanner set using the handle of the case.
You can disassemble a ratchet spanner by rotating the ratchet head fast until the geared barrel, the spring-loaded pawl, and the snap ring come off. Then, you can clean the internal parts of the spanner and assemble it back again.
Remember, a good ratchet spanner can last you for a lifetime. Additionally, these are easy to maintain and hard for one to get worn out. The sockets of the spanners are changeable because they are of standard sizes. That’s another reason to get the best ratchet spanner you can – because you probably won’t need another for a while. Visit RS Online, and shop the range today!