Koloss Hammer Ratchet Has Arrived

Stuey · May 4, 2010

Wera's Koloss hammer ratchet has finally arrived, and it's unbelievable!! (Can you tell that I'm excited?!)

Teaser Pics via ToolGuyd

It's a bit pricey, somewhat ugly, but it feels as solid as a rock, and I look forward to determining whether the Koloss is innovative or gimmicky.

What do you think?

Teken · May 4, 2010

Just another gimmick . . . But, at least the vendor *has* been listening to the people because otherwise they wouldn't have made it!

yiranhu · May 4, 2010

So is the sole purpose of this for the ratchet to double as a hammer? When I saw the post, I thought it was a manual impact wrench of some sort.

Teken · May 4, 2010

yiranhu said:
So is the sole purpose of this for the ratchet to double as a hammer? When I saw the post, I thought it was a manual impact wrench of some sort.

Yes, its meant as a dual purpose tool, for those who are too lazy and stupid to get a real impact device / hammer . . .

ImportTuner · May 4, 2010

Too big and bulky .. especially in tight spaces

ZRX61 · May 4, 2010

Wow, a ratchet that comes standard with restricted access so you can't use it in confined quarters......
However, I can see the benefit for Harley owners who don't own a wrench big enough to use as a hammer...

Stuey · May 4, 2010

yiranhu said:
So is the sole purpose of this for the ratchet to double as a hammer? When I saw the post, I thought it was a manual impact wrench of some sort.

Teken said:
Yes, its meant as a dual purpose tool, for those who are too lazy and stupid to get a real impact device / hammer . . .

Yep. Although, apparently a lot of people do use their ratchets as hammers to drive pins and parts together.

ImportTuner said:
Too big and bulky .. especially in tight spaces

That's also true - a huge downside for the tool. As part of the review, I intend on gauging its performance against a regular 1/2" drive ratchet.

y20dth · May 4, 2010

I think it is aimed at the builders industry. Where a worker is on a scafolding, and cannot carry a lot of tools. Where a worker's primary job could be to insert a bolt (if necessary with the hammer), and tighten it.

I think I saw an earlier modell, by another mfg somewhere, so it would not be innovative.
But I don't think it is gimmicky.

ZRX61 · May 4, 2010

y20dth said:
I think it is aimed at the builders industry. Where a worker is on a scafolding, and cannot carry a lot of tools. Where a worker's primary job could be to insert a bolt (if necessary with the hammer), and tighten it.

If that were the case the handle should have been a spike...

Zrexxer · May 4, 2010

y20dth said:
I think it is aimed at the builders industry. Where a worker is on a scafolding,

You hit the nail on the head. Scaffold assemblers have long used a combination ratchet/hammer; Snap On even makes one: http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...6&group_ID=345&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

Teken · May 4, 2010

I don't doubt for a minute that there is a need for this tool, hence why the manufacture decided to produce it . . .

Personally, I feel this type of product continues the trend of promoting improper usage of said tools . . .

I have seen first hand so called mechanics using said ratchet as a hammer. These are the same people who are waiting for the (insert tool maker here) for a warranty claim.

Because they were too stupid & lazy to get up and retrieve a hammer or what ever impact tool they required for said job . . .

I dunno, it seems in this day and age people are trying to reinvent the wheel . . .

Jeepguy · May 4, 2010

ZRX61 said:
If that were the case the handle should have been a spike...

an Alignment spike is available for the handle, also an extension handle for the ratchet. The tool is very well thought out, still gimmiky but it serves the purpose its intended for, by the way its not intended for any type of automotive application, it is a construction tool. oh yeah, i am a banana

BanjoSavesTheDay · May 4, 2010

I think it looks like it could be very handy. Unfortunately, I am still a banana.

lametec · May 4, 2010

tonydanzah · May 4, 2010

Its not improper tool usage if its built to be used as a hammer. It has no direction switch to get damaged.

sk farmer · May 4, 2010

thanks for the new sig line teken. and yes, i voted banana.

FNFS2000 · May 4, 2010

Right, its not an everyday work on your car tool, great for construction and possibly millright trades with that liner spike attachment. A good beefy nutbuster to have in the box for sure though, I'm really impressed overall, particularly with the connection of accessories, locks it slop free.

Art From De Leon · May 4, 2010

It looks like a duck wearing earmuffs.

Stuey · May 4, 2010

ZRX61 said:
If that were the case the handle should have been a spike...

Like this one?

http://chadstoolbox.com/05003696002-wera-8781-c-koloss-centering-pin.aspx

I ordered an extension to go along with the ratchet, but not the centering pin.

lametec said:

haha. *Hertzfeldt voice* "my ratchet is too big."

arkangel06 · May 4, 2010

Im a banana and its an abortion

lipadj46 · May 4, 2010

ZRX61 said:
If that were the case the handle should have been a spike...

They do sell a spike that goes in the end.

lipadj46 · May 4, 2010

Zrexxer said:
You hit the nail on the head. Scaffold assemblers have long used a combination ratchet/hammer; Snap On even makes one: http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...6&group_ID=345&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

Those are a bit different though, the drive size is unique to those scaffold ratchets so you would have to buy specific sockets to go with the ratchet and the sockets bolt onto the ratchet so they can't fall off and kill someone on the ground.

I ordered a Koloss and the extension handle, unfortunately I was not in the first round on the waiting list from chad's toolbox. I ordered it just because I think it is interesting not necessarily because I need one.

Stuey · May 4, 2010

lipadj46 said:
I ordered a Koloss and the extension handle, unfortunately I was not in the first round on the waiting list from chad's toolbox. I ordered it just because I think it is interesting not necessarily because I need one.

I don't ordinarily use ratchets as hammers, but wanted to try out the Koloss since it seems like it would be stronger.

Heck, it's designed to be used with a handle extension! Granted the extension comes with a warning not to exceed enough torque that could bend the handles, but still - an official ratchet handle extension!

y20dth · May 4, 2010

Stuey said:
I don't ordinarily use ratchets as hammers, but wanted to try out the Koloss since it seems like it would be stronger.

Heck, it's designed to be used with a handle extension! Granted the extension comes with a warning not to exceed enough torque that could bend the handles, but still - an official ratchet handle extension!

I don't mean to go offtopic, but regarding a ratchet extension...
I have recently acquired this one, and I just love it:

Stuey · May 4, 2010

Whoa, that looks awesome! I've seen extendable ratchets before, but not like this.

Unless I'm mistaken, 600 NM is about 440 foot pounds, which is about 220 pounds at 2 feet. Is that right?

y20dth · May 4, 2010

According to the torqueconverter http://www.boltscience.com/pages/convert.htm It's about 442 Lb-ft.
The ratchet extends to 590mm, that should be about 1,9 feet.
So.. 232 Lb at the end of the handle. You're pretty much right. :beer:

The good thing about it is, that you can put a lot of force on a bolt, BUT also get good feedback from it, if that makes any sence.
If you hit a wrench or a breaker bar with a hammer, or stick a tub over a breaker bar, you lose all feeling for the bolt connection.
With the extended ratchet, you keep that feeling, so you can avoid stripping the threads or the bolthead.

arkangel06 · May 4, 2010

That hazet looks awesome!!!!!

Stuey · May 4, 2010

y20dth said:
According to the torqueconverter http://www.boltscience.com/pages/convert.htm It's about 442 Lb-ft.
The ratchet extends to 590mm, that should be about 1,9 feet.
So.. 232 Lb at the end of the handle. You're pretty much right.

The good thing about it is, that you can put a lot of force on a bolt, BUT also get good feedback from it, if that makes any sence.
If you hit a wrench or a breaker bar with a hammer, or stick a tub over a breaker bar, you lose all feeling for the bolt connection.
With the extended ratchet, you keep that feeling, so you can avoid stripping the threads or the bolthead.

I was going by the Koloss + extension which came to roughly a 23" or so. You have a good point about retaining the "feel" of how tight the bolt is.

Now... how long before someone uses their Koloss to hammer a wrench?!

Stuey · May 5, 2010

Looks like there are a lot of banana voters in here...

I know that at least lametec gets the reference. =) Anyone else?

AdamtheMillwright · Jan 14, 2011

Picked one up with extension and had no problem threading a 1/2" bolt and nut together till they stripped in a vise. I think it was a class 5 bolt. Impressive since my Ingersoll rand impact gun can’t strip a bolt that size. Also it can strip 3/8" no problem without the extension. I think it will come handy for concrete floor anchor bolts since they have to be hammered in then tightened.
I’m comfortable using it as a breaker bar.

AdamtheMillwright · Jan 14, 2011

Wera koloss is max 600 Nm

chewy7 · Feb 27, 2011

heres a hammer poll lol

nato · Feb 27, 2011

...my spoon is too big!!!!

Hertzfeld is teh shyt, btw FTW!

chewy7 · Feb 27, 2011

ahhhhhhhhhhhhh

Koloss Hammer Ratchet Has Arrived

What Do You Think About the Koloss?

Uch, it's an abomination!

Hmm, looks like it could be handy.

I am a banana.

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