A modded ratchet is a ratchet that is “modded’ by putting a screwdriver handle on it. There are many examples of guys doing this on garagejournal.com and thegaragegazzette.com. I liked the idea so much that I sent a USA Granco ratchet that we had in the warehouse over to our friends at Wilde Tool Co and they sent me back their version today. What they’ve done here is take one of their pry bar handles and put it on a ratchet. It gives it a very comfortable grip with lots of leverage.
At first I thought it looked a little big, but when you put it in your hand it feels just right. (Click on any of the pictures to see the BIG version.) Wilde did a number of strength tests on the handles and were very impressed at how well they held up.
Here’s a shot of the back with Wilde’s name printed in big white letters. We only have one of these right now. Like I said, they just sent us a sample so the only one we have is sitting in front of me on my desk, but I’m planning on making a number of these and see how they sell. I’m also thinking, if a number of guys like the handle, that we would sell the handle separately, so you could hammer it on at home to any ratchet you have lying around. Whadda ya think? I think it’s pretty cool.
PS. Don’t bother looking for it online yet. It might take a few weeks to get the production started. Also, I’m going to visit Wilde next week and start making a small film about the company and it’s facilities.
10 Comments
I would be interested in the ratchet. Especially if the handle was a unique color, not the normal red or black. Maybe a deep green, dark orange…anyway you get the idea.
p.s. Thanks for my order!
I would be very interested in purchasing some of these. Please let me know when they are available. Hopefully they will come in 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 inch sizes. I like the idea of the color being dark green or some color of blue. Thanks
Using the clear handle with the red tops like the design of their screwdrivers would also be a good look. I have quite a few Wilde Tools and am very happy with them so I hope this works out for them.
So, I just got back from Wilde. Great place by the way, and they can get those handles in a number of different colors. The question now is what size hole should I put in them?
Lime green!
@ Tim – While I do like lime green, it would be the ONLY lime green tool in my box.
It would look like a mutant bacteria!
that hand holding the ratchet is what caught my eye. something seems out of place. i prefer handles on 1/2in drive ratchets since i’m usually cranking hard with those
I’m in for one of each size, 1/4″, 3/8″, 1/2″. Please let me know when they are available. My vote is for a deep yellow or deep orange colored handle as they are my favorite colors. Although a rich blue would be nice, too.
Thank you for doing this,
Don
Did anything ever come of this. Have a few old soft handled wrights this would work well with. If not may have to see about destroying a couple prybars.
No, not any time in the near future. But I’m still looking for other options.
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