A socket wrench is a tool that inserts into a socket to turn a fastener, usually a nut or bolt.
The tool consists of a ratchet and a socket. A socket is a driver that envelops the head of a fastener, while a ratchet is a wrench device with a handle that fits into one end of a socket.
Why Use Sockets and Ratchets?
While the function of a socket wrench is identical to that of a conventional wrench (that is, to tighten and loosen various fasteners), socket wrenches are better suited to certain tasks.
With a conventional wrench, you have to constantly remove and reposition the tool when there isn’t enough clearance to turn the fastener in full circles. With a racket and socket combination, you can turn a fastener without having to remove and reposition it, adding a certain level of speed and convenience that is hard to achieve with a standard wrench.
Additionally, sockets are designed to fit fasteners completely. This makes them less likely to slip off a nut or bolt, which is a common occurrence with some wrench varieties.
Types of Sockets and Ratchets
There are several types of sockets, ratchets, and accessories that you might consider adding to your toolbox.
Ratchets
Ratchets come in different drive sizes (1/4-inch, 1/2-inch, and 3/8-inch) so that they can fit into different sized sockets.
There are geared models and gearless models.
Geared ratchets operate with a geared drive. The higher the gear’s tooth count, the smaller the movement needed to turn fasteners. Higher tooth counts are beneficial when there isn’t much room to move the handle.
Gearless models operate using a roller bearing and need smaller movements to turn fasteners compared to geared drives.
Jointed and flex-head ratchets let you adjust the handle angle, which can also be useful when working in small, tight areas that are hard to reach.
Sockets
A socket is attached to a ratchet to form a socket wrench.
Here are some things to keep in mind when purchasing the right sockets for your project:
- Size: Large nuts and bolts require sockets with large drive sizes while smaller nuts and bolts need smaller sockets.
- Depth: There are shallow and deep sockets. The former are best for situations where there isn’t much space above the fastener. The latter let you reach recessed fasteners and have the capacity to reach the nut on a longer, threaded bolt.
- Points: There are 6-point sockets and 12-point sockets. Having both allows you to fit a diverse range of fastener heads. There are also universal sockets, which can fit even more fastener types. These can be useful when working with spline, star, and square fasteners.
Types of sockets include:
- Pass-through socket: These are both low-profile and deep and have the capacity to turn a nut on a longer, threaded bolt. This eliminates the need to have low-profile and deep sockets separately. The flip side is that they function only with specially designed ratchets.
- Driver socket: These are able to work with flatheads, hex, Phillips, and star-head screws.
- Impact socket: These function with a cordless or pneumatic impact wrench (also known as an air impact wrench or power impact wrench). They typically have a thicker wall compared to standard sockets and are designed to withstand impact action without breaking. There are both low-profile and deep impact sockets available.
- Spark plug socket: These are deep sockets that fit over a spark plug. They’re lined with rubber inserts that let you properly grip the plug, loosen it, and pull it out.
Other Tools
There are a variety of accessories that can help enhance your socket wrench and make it adapt to a diverse array of tasks. These include:
- Socket adapter: This lets you fit a ratchet handle to a differently sized socket.
- U-joint adapter: This connects a socket to a ratchet and lets you use the ratchet at different angles, which is useful when a standard socket wrench doesn’t have the clearance to move back and forth effectively.
- Socket/ratchet extension bar: This goes between a socket and ratchet to increase the socket’s reach and lets you turn recessed fasteners. They’re available in various lengths depending on how much reach you need.
- Breaker bar: These are used to loosen tight or stuck fasteners. Once you loosen a fastener with the bar, you can go in with a ratchet to remove it fully. They have an extended handle that provides greater torque compared to a ratchet handle.
Conclusion
Your project needs are what will ultimately determine the right socket and ratchet combination for you. Thankfully, socket wrenches are incredibly flexible and can provide a solution for even the tightest, hardest-to-reach situations.