What is a ratchet and how does it work?

	The ratchet is a mechanical device consisting of a gear and a pawl. The ratchet mechanism allows the tool to which it is attached to rotate in a circular motion in one direction, but not in the opposite direction.
Three-way or reversible ratchets
	A ratchet ratchet is also called a reversible ratchet as it has three different positions. One setting disables the ratchet, allowing direct drive of the tool in both directions of rotation. Another setting engages the ratchet and allows the tool to rotate clockwise only. The final setting engages the ratchet and allows the tool to rotate counterclockwise only.
5 way ratchet
	The 5-way ratchet is so named because it has five different positions. The first three are the same as for a three-way ratchet. However, it has two more settings.
	The first of the additional settings is a double ratchet. In this position, the ratchet mechanism rotates the drill clockwise, regardless of whether the handle and drive wheel are turned in one direction or another. This allows you to drill faster than a setting that only allows the drill to rotate clockwise, as the drill rotates clockwise on both forward and reverse strokes of the handle.
	The last setting of the 5 position ratchet is the spindle lock. In this position, the drill is locked and will not rotate. This position is useful when you really need to tighten the chuck on the drill or if you need to change the chuck.
	How to tell a XNUMX-way ratchet from a XNUMX-way ratchet If you don't have a hand drill user manual, then the easiest way to tell if a ratchet is a 3-way or 5-way ratchet is to count the number of positions the ratchet can be set to. If the ratchet can only be set to 3 positions, then it is a 3-way ratchet, if it can be set to 5 positions, then it is a 5-way ratchet. For more information on ratchet mounting positions see our page: How to Change the Ratchet Setting of a Hand Drill or Shackle
Should I choose a 3 or 5 way ratchet and why?
	The main benefit of choosing a 5-way ratchet is if you need to drill a lot of holes quickly in a tight space that won't allow you to make a full turn of the rotary handle. When using a double ratchet, the rotary handle can be moved back and forth in the space available for drilling the workpiece.
	However, hand drills can no longer be purchased new with a 5-way ratchet due to the lack of demand for such a specialized tool, especially since most people now prefer power drills. A 3-way ratchet hand drill will be more than adequate in most situations, and due to their greater availability, they will likely cost a lot less than the old 5-way ratchet hand drill.
What does 12-point mean when it comes to ratchets?
	Many hand drills or staples are advertised as having a 12-point reversible ratchet. This means that the gear inside the ratchet has 12 teeth. Thus, the pawl will engage the ratchet every 30 degrees. The more points or teeth on the ratchet, the more often the pawl will engage the ratchet, allowing it to be used with less handle movement and therefore in more confined spaces.
What is the difference between closed and open ratchet?
	As the name suggests, a closed ratchet has the pawl and gear completely enclosed in the body, while an open ratchet has part of the gear and pawl exposed. An open ratchet may allow dust, wood chips and dirt to enter the ratchet.
	This can have several negative consequences, including: the drill not spinning smoothly, increased wear on the ratchet, or the ratchet completely clogged.
	Higher quality enclosed ratchets will have an oil port to lubricate the ratchet, which will allow the ratchet to run more smoothly and minimize wear on the ratchet.
Which ratchet setting should I choose?
	If the job you are doing requires driving screws and removing them from the workpiece, you should select a direct drive setting that will allow the chuck to rotate in both directions depending on which way the rotary or sweeping handle is rotated.
	If you are doing a job that only requires drilling, then you are better off choosing a ratchet setting that will allow the chuck to only rotate the bit clockwise when you use it. This means that the drill will always rotate in the correct direction to drill into the workpiece.
	If you're doing a job that only requires unscrewing screws, then your best bet is to choose a ratchet setting that will only allow the chuck to turn the bit counter-clockwise when you use it. This means that the drill will always rotate in the correct direction to remove the screws from the workpiece.
	If you are using a hand drill with a 5 position ratchet to drill holes in a workpiece that is in a tight space, you should select the double ratchet setting. This means you won't need to make a full turn of the rotary handle, instead you can quickly drill holes by moving the rotary handle back and forth in the available space.
	If you have a hand drill with a 5 position ratchet and want to remove the chuck to replace it, you must set the ratchet to the spindle lock position as this will prevent the drill from turning rather than unscrewing the chuck. For more information on changing the ratchet setting of a hand drill or shackle see our page:How to Change the Ratchet Setting of a Hand Drill or Shackle