Magnetized Ratchet
Ethan Diaz, Mokaddes Wahab, Javier Munoz, Dustin Rodriguez, Anthony Cuzo, Karen Ordonez,
Munjer Masrur
The City College of New York
ENGL 21007: Writing for Engineering
Professor Crystal Rodwell
May 8, 2023

Ratchets are always a hassle. Every time there is a different automotive fastener found, a
different socket size is needed to remove the fastener. However, with the innovation of the
magnetized ratchet, it adjusts to the fastener that is being added or removed from the vehicle
without having to ever change the socket. This tool comes in handy when the right socket isn’t
available and when the user is in a time crunch to get the task done. With a press of a button,
magnets are charged, creating an electromagnetic magnet, and the ratchet is ready to use.
Comfortability and effectiveness is the priority for our customers, so higher-quality materials is
what the company strives for. With an initial funding of $10,000 that was gathered from friends
and family, research and possible solution ideas to create this product were achieved, and
potential prototypes can be developed. The electromagnetic magnets, the on and off buttons, and
the rechargeable battery work together for the ratchet to function the way it was designed. A
plan was developed to figure out how this innovation could possibly be manufactured and how it
can be tested to make sure it works properly. The magnetized ratchet will make a difference in
the mechanical world.

MAGNETIZED RATCHET                                                                                                                                                              2
Table of Contents
Abstract (Karen Ordonez) 1
Introduction (Javier, Ethan) 3
Technical Description (Ethan) 4
List of Parts (Ethan, Anthony) 4
Aluminum Copper Shell (Anthony) 5
Battery Compartment (Dustin) 6
Electromagnetic Magnet (Dustin, Mokaddes) 6
Rubber Covering and Button (Dustin) 6
Innovation Process (Ethan, Karen, Munjer) 7
Materials (Ethan, Karen) 7
Cost (Ethan, Javier) 8
Labor Power (Karen, Munjer) 9
Appendices (Mokaddes Wahab) 10
Test for Durability 10
Survey for Reliability 11
Evaluation of Cost 11
References 12

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Introduction
In 1835, the first patented wrench was created and credited to Solymon Merrick, who is
believed to get the design from early coach wrenches. The wrench was created to tighten and
loosen nuts and bolts. The ratchet was soon introduced in 1863, with the use of sockets, created
by J.J Richardson. The ratchet is mainly used in the automotive industry but automotive
companies require different socket sizes to accomplish various tasks in the field (“Haus of
Tools,” 2021). The changing of the tire, the fixing of the engine, and the construction of the
interior require the removal and application of various fasteners that come in all shapes and sizes.
The problem with various fastener sizes is that the socket for the ratchet needs to be changed
every time the fastener is a different size.
With different-sized fasteners, it requires various sockets to remove and attach to the
vehicle, and most of the time mechanics waste valuable time searching for the right sized socket.
Instead of having to change the socket, there is a solution that will use an electromagnetic
magnet to attach to the bolt and have a strong attraction that the bolt will be able to tighten and
loosen easily. Any size up to ½ inch which is the usual highest size used on automobiles. This
will help tighten and loosen different size bolts without constantly changing the socket size. A
ratchet and a set of sockets are expensive and mechanics have to spend more money to get the
right size socket to get the job done if they don’t have it in their inventory. Instead of having a
large set of ratchets and sockets that takes up space and costs a lot, there is one ratchet that works
for various sockets at a better price.
Technical Description
Automotive fasteners are materials that mechanics use on a daily basis to fix and improve
vehicles. Automotive fasteners consist of nuts, bolts, and washers, but the most common

MAGNETIZED RATCHET                                                                                                                                                              4
fasteners used are bolts. The bolts are mainly made from stainless steel with a magnetic backing
and are mainly located in the transmission, the chassis, the engine, the interior trim, the front and
rear axle, and the steering (“Rapid Direct,” 2023). With the different sizes, styles, and shapes, the
right tool to complete the job is likely lost or needs to be ordered, making the job a lengthy
process for both the mechanic and the consumer. The development of the magnetized ratchet will
help mechanics get the job done faster and provide mechanics more versatility in which jobs are
done, as specialized ratchets and wrenches wouldn’t be needed. The magnetized wrench adapts to
the different automotive fasteners, reducing cost and the need for other wrenches and ratchets for
jobs that require multiple and different ratchets to complete.

List of Parts
The magnetized wrench consists of 6 parts. The parts include an electromagnetic magnet,
battery compartment, lithium-ion batteries, a rubber button, a rubber hand grip, and an aluminum
copper shell. When the battery is activated with the press of a button, the magnets will activate
from the current the battery is producing. Once activated, the ratchet will be placed on the
automotive fastener and the magnets will attach itself to the intended fastener. The user will then
use the magnetized ratchet as any other ratchet, by turning the ratchet to unscrew the fastener.
After the user removes the fastener from the vehicle, the button has to be pressed to deactivate
the magnets. Once the magnets are deactivated, the fastener will detach from the magnets and the
ratchet is ready to use for the next fastener. This same process applies to screwing in fasteners
back into the vehicle. To place the fastener back in the vehicle, the fastener is placed in the
location it needs to be. The ratchet is then placed on top of the fastener and the button is pressed
to activate the magnets. Once the fastener is attached to the magnets, the user screws the fastener

MAGNETIZED RATCHET                                                                                                                                                              5
back into its place. After completion, the button is pressed, which deactivates the magnets and
leaves the fastener tightened in its original location.
Figure 1: 3D Model View of Magnetized Ratchet
Aluminum Copper Shell
The shell of the magnetized ratchet consists of an aluminum copper casing that has a
length of 110 mm and a diameter of 12 mm. It is silver in color and is very lightweight. Also,
aluminum copper metal has a density of 0.276 pounds per cubic inch and it has a low oxidation
rate when in contact with high levels of heat which is important when working in cars. When
cars are being worked on in mechanic shops, the car is still hot as it is being worked on. This low
oxidation rate allows for the longevity and durability of the ratchet to last. The purpose of the
shell is to cover and organize the wires that are connecting the electromagnetic magnets and the
batteries.
Battery Compartment

MAGNETIZED RATCHET                                                                                                                                                              6
The battery compartment is white in color, made with hard plastic and is 40 mm in
length, and has a diameter of 12 mm. The purpose of the battery compartment is to hold the 5
lithium-ion batteries in place and send current through the shell, into the magnet. There are also
5, 4.2 volt lithium ion batteries that are connected to each other through wires in a + − + − + −
series, referenced in figure 2, which will give the magnets a higher strength when 20v are sent to
the magnets.
Electromagnetic Magnet
The electromagnetic magnet will be made from a circular-shaped iron and a copper wire
will wrap 25 times around the iron to create the magnet. The copper wire will wrap around the
iron and will connect to the batteries. Once the batteries are activated, the copper will be charged
and create the magnet. The electromagnet would be 0.55 inches in diameter and height.
Rubber Covering and Button
There are two rubber casings that are used in the magnetized ratchet. The first rubber
casing is used to provide grip and comfort for the user. The rubber casing is also used to hold the
battery compartment and body together. This rubber casing is a red-orange color that is 100 mm
with a 12 mm diameter. The second rubber casing is a black rubber used for the on and off
buttons. The rubber buttons have a diameter of 3 mm and are used to provide comfort for the
user and protect the user from any harm that can be caused by contact with the batteries and the

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magnet wires. The third button has a diameter 2 mm to demagnetize the magnet momentarily to
freely move the magnet while tightening or loosing the bolt.
Innovation Process
Materials
The magnetized ratchet will require help from several manufacturers and factories to be
able to construct the product. The ability to construct the product requires a silver cylinder 110
mm by 110 mm aluminum bronze shell with an 12 mm diameter, a 100 mm by 100 mm orange
rubber grip, with a 12 mm diameter, a 100 mm long white plastic battery compartment with 12
mm diameter, 4mm by 4mm round black rubber, on/off button, 5 4.2Volts lithium batteries, and a
circular electromagnet that has a copper wire wrapped around 25 times.
To be able to source the right materials with the best quality, the need to go from
manufacturer to manufacturer to determine what fits our needs is needed.. Also, after all the right
materials are sourced, the search for the right factory that specializes in tools or the creation of
automotive parts and vehicles is needed to be able to construct the product with the highest
quality. To be able to find the best manufacturer and factory that is willing to produce our
product with quality, it will take about 6 months to test and satisfy with the right factory.
Before the phase of finding and sourcing materials to manufacture the magnetized ratchet
for consumer sale, various prototypes needed to be made to determine the right sizing,
comfortability, effectiveness, and if the invention can actually work in the field of mechanics.
The purchase of materials for prototypes would have to be purchased retail and out of pocket, to
be able to construct and develop the prototypes.

MAGNETIZED RATCHET                                                                                                                                                              8
Cost
Materials Price of Development
1. Aluminum Bronze Scraps $10.00
2. 4.2 Lithium Ion batteries x5 $6.40
3. Copper Wire $1.88
4. Iron Scrap $1.00
5. Rubber $10.00
6. On/Off Slide Switch $0.76
Total $30.04
Figure 3: Price of One Unit
Expenses Price per Month
1. Place to Rent $5,000
2. Labor Costs $20,000
3. 5,000 Ratchets $150,200
Total $175,200
Figure 4: Expenses Per Month
The creation of the first prototype will cost around $30 for materials and will cost $5,000
for a studio to develop the prototypes and $20,000 for labor costs. Initial funding of $10,000 was
gathered from friends and family, which is being used to create the first prototypes. During the
process of trial and error with prototypes, the company will work alongside family-owned
mechanic shops in the Bronx and Queens to test the functionality and effectiveness of our
magnetized ratchet. Based on the feedback that is received from the mechanics, the feedback will
be used and interpreted to adapt and make changes to the product, to allow for the innovation to
work as intended. We seek to sell the magnetized ratchet at $100 per unit. A month of selling the

MAGNETIZED RATCHET                                                                                                                                                              9
product will create a profit of $169,800 a month at the start of the company. There will be an
increase of productivity from 5,000 units per month to 10,000 units per month within the first
two years.
Brand Item Name Cost
Pittsburgh 225 Piece Mechanics Set $149.99
Milwaukee 50 Piece Socket Wrench Set $125.00
Magnetized Ratchet 1 Piece Ratchet $100.00
Figure 5: Comparison of Mechanic Ratchet Sets
Mechanics ratchet sets contain most socket sizes that are found in cars. Looking at Figure
4, top trusted brands will cost you up to $150 for a set of ratchets and sockets. While there are a
lot of pieces that come with the sets, that is not always a good thing. It takes time to switch out
the sockets and find the right socket sizes. With the magnetized ratchet, there is no need to
switch out the sockets, as the magnets adapt to the automotive fastener size. This allows for the
job to get done quicker, while also saving mechanics money on tools. The magnetized ratchet
also saves time and money for people who want to do hands-on work with the magnetized
ratchet themselves. They do not have to buy a different socket size every time the bolt size is
different, and it saves them money from having to buy large sets, with socket sizes they will
never use.
Labor Power
The development of the prototype will take about 1-2 months and each mechanic shop
will have a 2-week trial of testing the product. This process of development and receiving
feedback will continue for how long it takes to develop a magnetized ratchet that achieves the
goal of making a tool that can work for all fasteners found in vehicles.. There is no timeline for
the completion phase of the final prototype. After developing the working prototypes, filing for a

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patent is needed, to protect the idea and innovations from being stolen from other corporations.
The filing will cost upwards of $20,000 and will take 22 months to get approved. After getting
the patent filed, there is no other labor power required to bring this product to shelves and
mechanic shops across the world. All the labor power will be sent to the factories that are
working on the development and distribution of the product. Once the final prototype has been
developed, each unit will sell for $70.
Appendices
Before assessing the final product, its functionality must be tested. In order to test this,
the manufacturer would complete the tasks designed for the ratchet in several conditions such as
the handle being covered in some grease. If the user is still able to have a decent grip on the
ratchet after it is coated lightly with grease then it passes the test. A test would be run to test the
main feature where the ratchet would be used normally and if it is able to hold in and screw bolts
that are three different sizes then it will pass the test.
Test for Durability
In order to assess how successful the product is it will be evaluated through its durability,
reliability, and cost. When it comes to durability the wrench will be assessed in terms of how

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long the end user uses the product before a part needs to be replaced or it breaks. For this, the
body of the wrench, which is made of aluminum, will be evaluated through tension tests to see
what it would take for the ratchet to break. From this test, the material and the shape of the
ratchet is being evaluated. The second major component that will be tested is the electromagnet.
Experiments will include putting the ratchet under extreme heat and doing drop tests to assess
what it would take for the electromagnet to stop working. Repair trials would be a pivotal part of
the durability test as designing it to be easy to repair can increase its overall lifespan. For this
purpose, after the ratchet is broken, methods of repair will be explored utilizing the tools that
would be available to the end user.
Survey for Reliability
To test reliability, sample tests would have to be done where the ratchet would be given
out to different groups, such as mechanic shops and also individual users in order to evaluate
how often the product is used and any defects or issues with the ratchet such as a handle that is
hard to hold. The most important question asked when evaluating the ratchet, however, will be
the effectiveness of the magnet as that is the core feature the wrench is built around. Other
questions such as how often it’s used, what they had issues with while using it, and how they
repaired it, if they did, would be asked. From the feedback provided an improved second version
of the ratchet can be developed.
Evaluation of Cost
Finally, in order to assess cost, the reliability data from the previous study would be used
to assess who the ratchet is most useful for, in regards to cost. A second study will be run, after
the first 6-12 months of sales, asking users what they think of the price in regards to how often
they used it and would they recommend this ratchet to others, with the price tag of $70. These

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questions have a different aim than the first which seeks to address the ratchet itself ignoring
cost as a factor. This will help in determining what needs to be fixed for the ratchet.
The magnetized ratchet is a game changer for the mechanic world. With the reduction of
tools needed, the less mechanics have to spend on tools to complete their job. It will also reduce
the amount of money mechanics spend, and help speed up the repair process for the customers.

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References

Haus of Tools. (2021, January 27). History and Origin of Wrenches and Ratchets.
https://hausoftools.com/blogs/news/history-and-origin-of-wrenches-and-ratchets
Rapid Direct. (2023, February 3). 11 Different Types of Automotive Fasteners.

11 Different Types of Automotive Fasteners