Winch bits for a 3/8 inch right angle drill

May 25, 2016
15
Hunter 340 New Orleans, LA
I know that there are many Sailor’s that are getting a little help raising their main sail or themselves up a mast from cordless drills being used on their winches. Looking for recommendations for a winch bit for a 3/8 inch right angle drill. What are you using?
 
Jan 22, 2008
8,050
Beneteau 323 Annapolis MD
... Looking for recommendations for a winch bit for a 3/8 inch right angle drill. What are you using?
I had that idea earlier this year. The usual winch handle tool is 11/16 square (IIRC). If you get a 3/4 inch socket drive, you can grind or machine it down to 11/16. Round off the corners.
 

capta

.
Jun 4, 2009
4,877
Pearson 530 Admiralty Bay, Bequia SVG
Are you sure 3/8" will have the power you need? Most I've seen are 1/2" drills.
 
Jan 7, 2011
5,276
Oday 322 East Chicago, IN
Here’s an option.

You’ll probable need a heavy duty 1/2” drill.

I use the Ultimate Cranker bit on a Milwaukee 1/2 inch right-angle battery operated drill. Raises my full-Batten main very quickly.

I wanted to use it to crank me up the mast, but not enough power to do that using my small cabin top winch. Plan to try to reroute the halyard to a primary winch at the end of the season...

I had issues with my chuck “unscrewing” on my drill, so I went with the Ultimate Cranker which replaces the chuck Completely.

Greg
 
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May 25, 2016
15
Hunter 340 New Orleans, LA
Are you sure 3/8" will have the power you need? Most I've seen are 1/2" drills.
Yes, I’m sure It has the power. I’m just looking for a winch bit that will fit or a creative alternative.
 
Jan 22, 2008
766
Hunter 340 Baytown TX
I know that there are many Sailor’s that are getting a little help raising their main sail or themselves up a mast from cordless drills being used on their winches. Looking for recommendations for a winch bit for a 3/8 inch right angle drill. What are you using?
Wish I could remember where I got this thing, Danny, but it’s probably been 10 years (I don’t know how I haven’t lost it). If it was still available, the Google searches I just did and I’m sure you’ve done would have found it. And the drill has enough power and leverage to handle almost everything that goes up on my 34’ boat.
A48F27E7-D73C-4B04-A815-53611A2A6D8C.jpeg
4BCF85E4-093A-41F4-B46B-08F8049B075F.jpeg
 
Jan 22, 2008
8,050
Beneteau 323 Annapolis MD
Wish I could remember where I got this thing, Danny, but it’s probably been 10 years (I don’t know how I haven’t lost it). If it was still available, the Google searches I just did and I’m sure you’ve done would have found it. And the drill has enough power and leverage to handle almost everything that goes up on my 34’ boat.
View attachment 184556View attachment 184557
Now THAT's what I'm talking about in my post #2. Though the above needs flats to go in the drill chuck. Alot easier to start with a 3/8 drive shaft with flats to prevent slippage/spinning , and a 3/4 inch square drive ground down.
 

higgs

.
Aug 24, 2005
3,694
Nassau 34 Olcott, NY
I use the Ultimate Cranker bit on a Milwaukee 1/2 inch right-angle battery operated drill. Raises my full-Batten main very quickly.

I wanted to use it to crank me up the mast, but not enough power to do that using my small cabin top winch. Plan to try to reroute the halyard to a primary winch at the end of the season...

I had issues with my chuck “unscrewing” on my drill, so I went with the Ultimate Cranker which replaces the chuck Completely.

Greg
I have the 28 volt Milwaukee RA and have the same problem with the chuck lossening. Do you have details on the Ultimate Cranker?
 
Oct 2, 2008
3,810
Pearson/ 530 Strafford, NH
We’ve used our 28v Milwaukee right angle drill several times until my wife had it spin her around the cockpit. That was six years ago and she hasn’t used it since.
 
Jul 6, 2013
223
Catalina 30TR, Atomic 4 2480 Milwaukee
I use the Ultimate Cranker bit on a Milwaukee 1/2 inch right-angle battery operated drill. Raises my full-Batten main very quickly.

I wanted to use it to crank me up the mast, but not enough power to do that using my small cabin top winch. Plan to try to reroute the halyard to a primary winch at the end of the season...

I had issues with my chuck “unscrewing” on my drill, so I went with the Ultimate Cranker which replaces the chuck Completely.

Greg
I have the same set-up. My original Cranker fell out of the chuck, and now lies at the bottom of Lake Michigan.
I replaced it with the Ultimate.
 
Jan 22, 2008
8,050
Beneteau 323 Annapolis MD
... drill several times until my wife had it spin her around the cockpit. That was six years ago and she hasn’t used it since.
Not used the cockpit? No wonder I've not seen you folks !
 
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Jan 7, 2011
5,276
Oday 322 East Chicago, IN