I have in the past busted ratchet guts by sticking a 6' pipe on a ratchet and hopping up and down on the end of the pipe.. even busted a craftsman and snap-on that way.

Believe it or not, a few years ago I picked up a Stanley 200 some odd piece set from WalMart, and that ratchet in that set is tough as nails.

I've done stuff with that ratchet that would make you cringe even if using a breaker bar.. it's now become something of a game to see if the Stanley even CAN be broken!

an idea is only stupid if you think about it rationally.