Socket Handles There are four types of handles used with these sockets. (See fig. 2-5) Each type has special advan- tages, and the experienced worker chooses the one suited for the job at hand. The square driving lug on the socket wrench handles has a spring-loaded ball that fits into a recess in the socket receptacle. This mated ball-recess feature keeps the socket engaged with the drive lug during normal usage. A slight pull on  the  socket,  however,  disassembles  the  connection. RATCHET.— The ratchet handle has a reversing lever  that  operates  a  pawl  (or  dog)  inside  the  head  of the tool. Pulling the handle in one direction causes the pawl to engage in the ratchet teeth and turn the socket. Moving the handle in the opposite direction causes the pawl to slide over the teeth, permitting the handle to  back  up  without  moving  the  socket.  This  allows rapid turning of the nut or bolt after each partial turn of the handle. With the reversing lever in one position, the handle is used for tightening. In the other position, it  is  used  for  loosening. HINGED HANDLE.— The hinged handle is also very  convenient.  To  loosen  tight  nuts,  swing  the  han- dle at right angles to the socket. This gives the greatest possible  leverage.  After  loosening  the  nut  to  the  point where it turns easily, move the handle into the vertical position, and then turn the handle with the fingers. SLIDING T-BAR HANDLE.—  When using the sliding bar or T-handle, the head can be positioned anywhere along the sliding bar. Select the position that is needed for the job at hand. SPEED  HANDLE.—   The  speed  handle  is worked like the wood-worker’s brace. After the nuts are first loosened with the sliding bar handle or the ratchet handle, the speed handle can be used to re- move the nuts more quickly. In many instances the speed  handle  is  not  strong  enough  to  be  used  for breaking loose or tightening the nut. The speed socket wrench should be used carefully to avoid damaging the nut threads. Accessories To  complete  the  socket  wrench  set,  there  are  sev- eral  accessory  items.  Extension  bars  of  different lengths  are  made  to  extend  the  distance  from  the socket  to  the  handle.  A  universal  joint  allows  the  nut to  be  turned  with  the  wrench  handle  at  an  angle. Universal sockets are also available. The use of uni- versal joints, bar extensions, and universal sockets in combination with appropriate handles makes it possi- ble to form a variety of tools that will reach otherwise inaccessible  nuts  and  bolts. Another  accessory  item  is  an  adapter  that  allows you to use a handle having one size of drive and a socket having a different size drive. For example, a 3/8- by 1/4-inch adapter makes it possible to turn all 1/4-inch   square   drive   sockets   with   any   3/8-inch square drive handle. HACKSAW The hacksaw is a handy portable metal cutting tool that can be used for cutting sheet metal, bolts, and pipe.  A  hacksaw  cuts  on  the  push  stroke  only;  the blade  should  be  installed  in  the  frame  with  the  teeth facing  away  from  the  handle.  Figure  2-1,  view  H, shows two types of hacksaws with the blade in the proper   position. CHISELS Chisels  are  tools  that  can  be  used  for  chipping  or cutting metal. They will cut any metal that is softer than the materials of which they are made. Chisels are made from a good grade tool steel and have a hard- ened  cutting  edge  and  beveled  head.  Cold  chisels  are classified according to the shape of their points, and the width of the cutting edge denotes their size. The most common shapes of chisels are flat (cold chisel), cape, round nose, and diamond point (fig. 2-7). Figure  2-7.—Types  of  points  on  metal  cutting  chisels. 2-5