Hypothetical.
If a cordless ratchet had a built-in rotating system with 4–5 common metric sizes (10/12/13/14mm), so you could switch sizes without pulling the socket off…
BUT the head was slightly thicker than standard…
Would that be useful or just annoying?
Assume:
- It’s not for breaking bolts loose
- Just speeding up repetitive removal/install
- Same torque as typical 12V ratchets
Is the time saved worth the bulk?
Or does head thickness kill the whole idea?
Be honest.
I'm picturing, in my mind's eye, a handle that contains the battery, on the end of which, is a head with 4 sockets on it, on a circular disc. You would index the disc round, until it was in the position, relative to the handle, that a normal socket would be. You'd then put that socket on to the fastener in question, and press the button on the handle. This would mean that there was another socket, sticking out, opposite the one you were using? (And two at right-angles to it)
If that's correct, then no, I don't think I would use such a thing, as too many of the fasteners I need to get to, are restricted in the space around them. I like to have the option of a 6-sided socket, for really tight fasteners, and a multi-point socket for ones that I know will come off easily. Then, of course, deep and shallow versions of each socket, and the option to use an extension / wobble bar. After that, I'd need to be able to use allen bits, torx, bits, spline bits, (and indeed, all the variety of non-hexagonal sockets now available).
Thinking about the jobs I typically do, there are plenty where an ordinary 1/2" ratchet would be a bit of a squeeze, so I'm already constrained to 3/8" socketry a lot of the time. A lot of the fasteners (more than half, I think) involve an extension bar as well. I have an air-powered "nut runner" that can do a similar thing (undo fasteners quickly, but not apply much torque), that is a conventional 3/8" design, and I use it very rarely.
