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Beware the Ratcheting Wrench Trap

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#1
Randy Thieme

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I was in the process of removing my hardtop using a popular brand of ratcheting box wrench. The exact brand name will be withheld. The key point is that particular model doesn't have a way to reverse the ratcheting action (accept turning the wrench over). I had forgotten one bolt in particular had very little clearance around the cage, just enough to start it using fingers. While loosening the bolt at some point it was apparent it was not going to come all the way out with the wrench on it. And there was no longer enough room to get the wrench off either. Since the ratcheting mechanism could not be reversed screwing the bolt back in to gain clearance was not an option. It was stuck. A hacksaw and a minute or too later the bolt was in two pieces and the wrench freed with only minor scratches. Lesson learned: mind the working room when using ratcheting box wrenches.
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#2
tony senese

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LOL! I have done the same thing, it is really embarassing..... Oh no, I just told everyone! :P :o :blink:

Phew...... that was a close one!

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#3
dmathias

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Craftsman.

Craftsman ratchet wrench have reversing lever. :)
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#4
svvs

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I've got the craftsman ones. The reverse lever is great except for when you get in a tight spot and the lever keeps getting tripped.....like when you're doing a fender and going for that bolt in the front under the bumper....

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#5
Blake Thompson

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I've got the craftsman ones. The reverse lever is great except for when you get in a tight spot and the lever keeps getting tripped.....like when you're doing a fender and going for that bolt in the front under the bumper....


lol i have those cheap ass harbor freight ratchets too, they work great till the occasions when you screw yourself.

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#6
Qik Nip

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I never experienced this mistake personally,(but only by the grace of God), but Shawn Slattery and his able crew chief Pat experienced this one on a wheel lug nut a few years ago (ask Pat why). They cut off the handle and ran the race with the remnants of the wrench on the lug!
Rick
P.S. I think Shawn won.
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#7
pat slattery

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I never experienced this mistake personally,(but only by the grace of God), but Shawn Slattery and his able crew chief Pat experienced this one on a wheel lug nut a few years ago (ask Pat why). They cut off the handle and ran the race with the remnants of the wrench on the lug!
Rick
P.S. I think Shawn won.


Rick, I was reading this thread, and was getting ready to respond on how we screwed up with the wrench, but you covered it well. We still have fun laughing about that. It wasn't funny at the time though. I still have pictures somewhere of that damn wrench stuck on our front wheel. LOL

Pat



 

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