Tool Talk

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Lewill2 on September 04, 2013, 10:50:01 AM

Title: Illuminated Ratchet and Extensions
Post by: Lewill2 on September 04, 2013, 10:50:01 AM
Traveling again for work, this time in Laurinburg NC area. We are working second shift so I stopped by the local Lowes store to see what I couldn't live without. The tool area is always good for browsing and killing time. I saw for the first time that I remember a lighted ratchet and a lighted extension. They have a LED mounted in the end of the drive lug and a switch to turn it off and on. Looks like another gimmick to get you to buy another ratchet as if we needed an excuse. I didn't look to see about the battery. 
Title: Re: Illuminated Ratchet and Extensions
Post by: fflintstone on September 04, 2013, 11:03:33 AM
I have seen them before. I would never buy a china ratchet, but I would consider a lighted extension. I could save your bacon sometime. If you use tools and don’t just look at them.
Title: Re: Illuminated Ratchet and Extensions
Post by: Nolatoolguy on September 04, 2013, 02:03:27 PM
I guess I could see it helpful in some applications, but I don't have a big enough need for me to go and buy one.
Title: Re: Illuminated Ratchet and Extensions
Post by: OilyRascal on September 04, 2013, 03:51:05 PM
Lights incorporated into tools seems somewhat of an emerging fad.  Drills, saws, now ratchets.  The drill light serves only to drain my battery down.  I've not once found it useful.  The light on my Dewalt 12" saw serves only to put some shade on my pencil marking and therefore blocking what would otherwise be a great view down the blade onto the board/mark.  These types of accessories inhibit me more than assist.  I haven't tried a ratchet with a light, but it occurs to me it would probably be about as useful as the others.
Title: Re: Illuminated Ratchet and Extensions
Post by: Bill Houghton on September 06, 2013, 02:47:07 PM
Like a handsaw with a laser on it...
Title: Re: Illuminated Ratchet and Extensions
Post by: fflintstone on September 06, 2013, 05:28:36 PM
Lights incorporated into tools seems somewhat of an emerging fad.  Drills, saws, now ratchets.  The drill light serves only to drain my battery down.  I've not once found it useful.  The light on my Dewalt 12" saw serves only to put some shade on my pencil marking and therefore blocking what would otherwise be a great view down the blade onto the board/mark.  These types of accessories inhibit me more than assist.  I haven't tried a ratchet with a light, but it occurs to me it would probably be about as useful as the others.

I have to disagree, my newer Ridgid cordless drill has a little light on it and I have found it very handy. Ty are tiny LED’s and they draw next to no current.
Title: Re: Illuminated Ratchet and Extensions
Post by: rusty on September 06, 2013, 05:37:28 PM
Still trying to figure out why you can not read an illuminated manuscript in the dark.....
Title: Re: Illuminated Ratchet and Extensions
Post by: Branson on September 09, 2013, 06:52:16 AM
Still trying to figure out why you can not read an illuminated manuscript in the dark.....

The proper batteries are nearly impossible to find.