Tried a new grip tape on my ratchet and it actually helped with hand fatigue

I've been dealing with some hand cramps after long shifts turning wrenches on Cessnas and Pipers. Last week I swapped out the smooth handle on my Snap-on 3/8 ratchet for one of those cushioned grip tapes you see on tool trucks. Figured it was just hype but I needed something cheap to try before spending on a whole new tool. After three days of using it on a tough landing gear job, my hand felt way less sore by the end of the day. The grip absorbs more vibration than I expected especially when you're torquing tight bolts in tight spots. I learned that a simple $8 fix can make a big difference if you're putting in 10 hour days. Has anyone else tried something like this or got another trick for saving your hands?

2 comments

2 Comments

johnson.adam2d agoTop Commenter

Did that tape make it harder to clean grease out of the knurling?

xena_taylor642d ago

Oh man, I've gotta push back on that a little, @johnson.adam. In my experience, taping off the knurling actually made cleanup way easier since the grease just peeled right off with the tape instead of getting stuck in every little groove. Your mileage may vary depending on the tape quality you used, but for me it was a total time-saver.