One Way Bearing Ratchet Style Wrench

Back in my hot rod days, I often found myself in a situation where the space was too confining for my ratchet wrench to move back and forth between clicks -- an awkward way to explain it, but the best I can think of.

I came up with a wrench that used a one-way bearing that had zero backlash, if that's what one might call it. I came across it while cleaning out an old toolbox the other day, and thought I would share it. It was not the best fabrication, but it worked as long as a whole lot of torque wasn't required. To reverse it, I moved the socket to the other side.

Attachment 38283

Also known as a freewheel clutch. Great idea...

Think I had some wrenches like that. Had ball bearings in it that would jam. Turn over for going the other way. But that was back in the 70s.

It uses the standard ratchet type mechanism but I also have a commercial one way ratchet. Instead of the 1/2" square "pin" sticking out, it has the 1/2" square hole going through it instead.

In an automatic gearbox it's called a sprag clutch

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Looks like it uses a one way needle roller bearing, I made similar here
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...187#post172556
But I did not think about using it for a ratchet socket replacement so now I have a futher use for it, thanks for the idea.

Ratchets with sprag clutch are big in aerospace. Some are designed to slip at a specific torque.

I have consumer ratchets with sprag clutches. Staney sole one with a drive pin that you pushed to the other side to reverse direction. IIRC they called it a noiseless ratched. It's a great idea.

Neil