tail stock spanner for SB13B lathe

[Toolmaker51]

My preference is the fixed wrench as well. Having the clamp nut set for minimum clearance makes the difference. Just reach under tailstock, and hand-tighten while you test the travel. Works whether the plate is pulled up by operating the nut, or a cam lever. Occasionally, a lock nut or dab of Loc-Tite is needed to retain that setting. Often enough, the flat wrench proves superior, tighten or loosen without additional fiddling; like in deep hole drilling.

Flat ratchets do work, sometimes. The issue comes from them not all created equal, with ratchet action too coarse for available swing within the casting, and then turning it over or switching the pawl, loses additional degrees of movement.