HexBit Ratchet V1

I made a ratchet for hex bits that actually works. It is designed to be used together with a hex bit holder, because the longer shaft helps transferring torque and I’ve included a feature to hold it in place. It does not have a reverse switch but it works in the other direction if you just flip it around.

Printing instructions:

- Use 100% Infill for all parts

- Print the part Ratchet with the springs on the build plate. This is important for the internal bitholder feature.

- double check the part Bottom Cover when placing it on the slicer. It has a round feature that needs to point upwards.

- Print the Bit Spacer 2x (one for each side)

Assembly Instructions: (Bold indicates the part)

1. Place the Ratchet in the Handle Body and apply a bit of grease to the springs and into each „tooth“ of the outside gear.

2. Add grease into the groove on the top and place the Top Cover onto the Ratchet and the Handle Body. It should fit without much friction, but you may need to click it in.

3. Place the Bit Spacer on the Top Cover and secure it with three M3x8 screws. The screws connect the Bit Spacer, the Top Cover and the Ratchet.

4. Turn it around and place the Bottom Cover on the Handle Body. The side with the small round extrusion should face towards the Ratchet. It creates 0.2 mm clearance to reduce friction.

5. Mount the second Bit Spacer to the Bottom Cover with three M3x8 screws. The screws connect the Bit Spacer, the Bottom Cover and the Ratchet.

Breaking it in

Now everything is connected and it’s time to break it in for the first clicks. You can either use a 6 mm allen key in the hex hole or you clamp a hex bit in a vise. In anyway, make sure you have a controlled way to apply torque for the first few clicks. Once it has clicked a few times, do a few revolutions to spread the grease. Then count up to 25 and go back and forth while advancing one click at a time so the grease gets to every corner. Now the ratchet should work just fine. If it feels stiff, play around with it and do a few more revolutions, it will eventually start to feel „normal“.

The limitations of this design:

I am actually surprised how much torque it can transfer. However, we’re talking about a 3D printed PLA pocket ratchet, so you won’t be changing tires with it :D With that being said, I stress tested it with a drill and even when the friction of the ratchet gets low, it still didn’t skip. From that I conclude that under normal desktop / household conditions it can last quite long.