What are these ratchets for ?

[rustyric]

Find number two from this weekends scavenge at the local boot sale is these heavy duty ratchets.

They have a tapered socket, and a point that screws in and out. I guess they are for winding a large augers into timber with.

[wvtools]

Those are ratchet drills, typically used for structural steel in conjunction with a clamp that holds them in place while drilling.  The point on the backside unscrews as you drill to force the bit through the workpiece.

[Bill Houghton]

Yep.  They were used for lots of heavy construction work.  You would brace up a stout timber for the ratchet to work against; the term for this timber, in the early 20th century, was an "old man," apparently implying that old men were still good for something, if only to stand around.

[rustyric]

Ratchet Drill ! As I suspected, but steel not wood. Many thanks for your prompt replies

[Bill Houghton]

Well, early in the 20th century, they were used for wood timbers, too - bridge building and the like.

I used to have one; sure wish I hadn't given it away.  Not that I need it; they're just cool.

[Plyerman]

A drawing of a ratchet drill and old man, ready for action:





Even better, a short youtube video of a fellow using one:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zG1Dby44EnM

[Lewill2]

Some also call them boiler drills. Used in confined work spaces.

[turnnut]

 thanks for the video.

[Twilight Fenrir]

A drawing of a ratchet drill and old man, ready for action:





Even better, a short youtube video of a fellow using one:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zG1Dby44EnM

Very cool video, thanks! I've often wondered how these worked, descriptions I've read have always been lacking...