Rachet pawl needs to be stiffer

Originally posted by Jack Haley

Hi all. I've found it's too easy to knock the rachet pawl around to a different setting while using the driver. Is it possible to produce a stiffer spring to avoid this? Thanks. Jack

4 comments

Comments (4)

Peg

May 23, 2023

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Hey Jack,

Thanks for the feedback and I think I can help you here with an easy mod. It involves disassembling the barrel, but you can adjust the preload on the the spring by inserting an 8mm outside diameter washer (typically these are readily available M5 washers) behind the spring in the barrel. This way you can alter the power of that spring to suit your needs by popping more or less washers into the springs hole.

To do this, undo the small grub screw and slide out the chuck and shaft. Unscrew the knurled brass pin and then slide out the barrel pin and spring. Pop in a washer or two into that hole, pop the spring back in and reassemble as normal. You will now have a more powerful engagement on the ratchet :)

Hope that helps and let me know how you guys get on!

Cheers,

Peg

Anonymous

May 23, 2023

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Replying to

Originally posted by Jack Haley

That helps, but it's still a bit too easy to move accidentally. I think it needs a stronger spring - would also make a more satisfying "click" each time the pin flicks over the teeth....:)

Anonymous

May 23, 2023

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Replying to

Originally posted by Jo Parish

I agree

Russ

Jul 07, 2023

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Replying to

Hi Jack. I bought a box of springs off Amazon to replace the original 0.5mm x 8mm x x10mm. I tried a 0.6mm wire diameter, and a 0.8mm wire diameter. The 0.8mm provided too much resistance when ratcheting, almost to the point where it felt like it was seizing up. I settled on the 0.6mm wire diameter spring which provides a good balance of satisfying click and not too much pressure on the ratchet. However it did not make any difference in preventing accidental movement of the pawl. I thought that this might be due to the spring length at 10mm having a bit of play, so I stretched it out to 12mm but this only made the action of the ratchet too stiff.

So in conclusion I think all that stands to be gained here is a more satisfying click.

(And hundreds of spare springs which I may or may not find a use for in my lifetime...)

I hope that helps.

Russ