olivia_carr7•2d agoProlific Poster

Comparing 12 inch ratchets vs comfort grip ones on a 737 flap job this morning

I had to pull 16 screws out of a flap track fairing on a 737-800 today at the hangar in Memphis. Tried my old craftsman 12 inch ratchet with the bare metal handle on the first 8 and my hand was cramping up after the third one. Switched to my coworkers snap-on with the comfort grip for the other 8 and flew through them in half the time with zero hand pain. That rubber grip makes a huge difference when you're reaching into tight spots and need leverage. Anyone else swap out their old ratchets for the cushioned ones or am I just getting soft?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_elliot2d ago

Man my buddy Dave had the exact same problem last year working on his old Mustang. He had this rusty old 3/8 ratchet from his dad that would slip and bite his hand every time he pulled on it. He finally got one of those matco comfort grips and said it was like night and day. He texted me a picture of his hand all cut up from the old one and I was like dude just get the rubber one already. He says he can get twice as many bolts out before his hand gets tired now.

hugo_nelson1d ago

Hey @the_elliot, did your buddy ever try putting some grip tape on that old ratchet handle before he got the new one? I've wrapped the handles of a few of my old tools with hockey tape and it stops the slipping dead in its tracks.