To loosen a nut or bolt, the socket handle should turn counterclockwise. To tighten a nut or bolt, the socket should turn clockwise. If the socket is not turning in the appropriate direction, turn the lever on the back of the ratchet to switch the direction.
What is a ratchet used for?
A ratchet and socket combination (sometimes called a socket wrench) lets you turn a nut or bolt without repositioning the tool on the fastener — like you need to do with a wrench when there isn’t enough room to turn it in a full circle. This can make the work quicker.
How do you reverse a socket wrench?
How do I keep my wrenches organized in a toolbox? – Related Questions
Why do sockets have rounded corners?
Whether the tool is 6-point or 12-point, it is common for the vertices to have a rounded shape at the tips. This avoids engaging with the fastener at fragile corners by increasing the likelihood of contact on the sides instead.
How do you use a monkey wrench?
Once both jaws of the monkey wrench firmly grip the flat sides of the fastener, you can begin to apply pressure to either tighten or loosen the fastener. If you want to tighten the fastener, turn the monkey wrench clockwise. Conversely, if you want to loosen a fastener, turn the monkey wrench counterclockwise.
Where is the flip switch on a socket wrench?
Are ratchet wrenches reversible?
The reversible ratcheting combination wrenches from GEARWRENCH are a staple for every tool box. The flush-mounted reversing lever allows the user to switch motion left to right without needing to remove the wrench from the fastener increasing productivity.
How do you unloose a ratchet?
How do you change the direction of a torque wrench?
Rotate the handle clockwise to begin tightening the nut or bolt. Almost all torque wrenches have automatic return functions so you don’t need to reposition them on the nut or bolt. For this type of wrench, simply move it counterclockwise to reset it.
Should you put a torque wrench back to zero?
Anyone working in torque will have been taught to wind their torque wrench back to zero after every use. Certainly, if the wrench is wound back at all it should not be adjusted below the minimum scale marking (usually 20% of maximum) – never to zero as this can adversely affect the calibration of the wrench.
Does it matter where you hold a torque wrench?
For accurate results, most torque wrenches have to be operated with your hand centred over the marked load point. It is also essential that this load point is observed when it comes to calibrating the torque wrench.
How do you know if torque is clockwise or counterclockwise?
The direction of rotation is related to the direction of torque by a related right-hand rule. If you point your thumb in the direction of the torque, your fingers will curl in the direction of rotation. Clockwise rotation is caused by negative torques; counterclockwise rotation by positive torques.
Does turning clockwise tighten or loosen?
While today screws come in standard sizes, and typically are tightened by turning clockwise (and loosened by turning counterclockwise), this is a recent invention.
What direction is positive for torque?
Counterclockwise is the positive rotation direction and clockwise is the negative direction. For example, a torque that rotates an object counterclockwise is a positive torque (see figure 6 below).
How do you tell if torque is up or down?
What happens when torque is unbalanced?
A bigger force means a bigger torque, and a larger distance from the pivot point also means a bigger torque. And just like with linear forces, unbalanced torques cause an acceleration – in this case an angular acceleration. They cause the rate of rotation to change.
What happens if you under torque a bolt?
Typically, an under torqued bolt will deform and be unable to provide as much clamping force as needed. An over torqued bolt will break.
How do I know my torque is tight?
After tightening the bolt, mark the bolt surface and that of the product or workpiece. Then loosen the bolt. Re-tighten it until the markings re-align. The torque needed to return the bolt to its original position is the torque value of the bolt.
Is it better to have high torque or low torque?
“Higher torque at lower r.p.m. means you have a lot more horsepower at lower r.p.m., which makes it easier to tow things from a standstill. That’s usually how trucks are geared,” Murray said. “High torque at higher r.p.m. means more power while you’re already underway, which usually results in higher top speed.