Buy Ratchets & Drive Handles Online in Australia
Ratchets & Drive Handles — Quick Reference
AIMS Industrial stocks more than 70 ratchets and drive handles from Ko-Ken, Stahlwille and Trax, plus an insulated ratchet set from Wiha. The range runs from 1/4" drive ratchets for tight access through to 1" drive ratchets and long handle bars for large bolting. Match the tool to the job using the table below. If you need help choosing, the AIMS team can point you to the right one.
| Tool Type | Best For | Drive Sizes in Range |
|---|---|---|
| Reversible Ratchets | Running fasteners down and out quickly with a standard socket | 1/4", 3/8", 1/2", 1" |
| Flexible-Head Ratchets | Angled access where a fixed head will not fit | 1/4", 3/8", 1/2" |
| Quick-Release Ratchets | Fast socket changes during repetitive work | 1/4", 3/8", 1/2" |
| Telescopic Ratchet | Extra reach and leverage from one tool | 1/2" (410-630mm) |
| Swivel Handles and Breaker Bars | Cracking tight fasteners with a long, non-ratcheting handle | 3/8", 1/2", 3/4" |
| Drive Handle Bars | Large fasteners and heavy-duty bolting | 3/4", 1" |
| Speed Handles | Spinning fasteners quickly once they are loose | 1/4", 3/8" |
| Sliding T-Handles and T-Bars | Two-handed leverage and adjustable reach | 1/4", 3/8", 1/2", 3/4" |
| Insulated Ratchet Set | Work around electrical equipment (Wiha, 10 pieces) | 1/2" |
Choose the drive size to suit the sockets you already own, because a ratchet and socket must share the same drive. Ko-Ken ratchets are listed by gear count, and Stahlwille ratchets by tooth count, from 22 up to 80 teeth. Companion ranges: sockets, impact sockets and bits, socket and ratchet accessories, torque wrenches, ratcheting spanners and hand tools.
Ratchets, Breaker Bars and Drive Handles
A ratchet is the everyday drive tool for any workshop, maintenance or automotive job: it lets you turn a socket without lifting it off the fastener between strokes. The handles in this range do the jobs a ratchet is not suited to, such as cracking a seized fastener with a breaker bar or swivel handle, or spinning a loose fastener quickly with a speed handle. AIMS Industrial supplies these tools for trade, maintenance and engineering workshops across Australia, from single replacement ratchets to the long handle bars used on large industrial bolting.
Q: What is the difference between a ratchet and a breaker bar?
A ratchet turns the socket in one direction while you swing the handle back and forth, which makes it fast for running fasteners up and down. A breaker bar is a long, solid handle with no ratchet mechanism, so it gives you leverage for loosening tight or seized fasteners. A ratchet mechanism is built for speed rather than the highest loosening loads, so it is common to crack a tight fastener with a breaker bar and then switch to a ratchet to run it out.
Q: What do gear count and tooth count mean on a ratchet?
The count is the number of teeth in the ratchet mechanism. A higher count means a smaller swing is needed to move the socket on to the next tooth. As a guide, a 24-gear ratchet needs roughly 15 degrees of swing and an 80-tooth ratchet roughly 4.5 degrees, which helps in tight spaces where you cannot swing the handle far.
Q: Which ratchet drive size should I choose?
Choose the drive size to match your sockets and the fastener. 1/4" drive suits small fasteners and tight access. 3/8" drive is the most versatile all-round size for workshop and maintenance use. 1/2" drive suits larger fasteners, and 3/4" and 1" drive are for large industrial bolting. A ratchet and socket must have the same drive size, or you will need an adaptor.
Q: When would I choose a flexible-head ratchet?
A flexible-head ratchet lets the head pivot so you can work at an angle, which helps where a fixed-head ratchet will not sit square to the fastener. A fixed head is the simpler choice when you have straight access.