The great winch handle debate.

[rexripley]

Help settle a bet. I’ve bought three winch handles now that don’t seem to fit my winches. My crew insists the star shaped pole that pushes into the top of the winch is not long enough. These are standard winches. They have one broken ass old handle they can jam in there (with 1/4” gap between top of winch and handle). They think its correct.

Is there any standard for the depth of the licking mechanism on winches?

Is it possible mine were re-assembled wrong? (Because standard handles won’t go all the way in to engage the lock with the spring loaded plate.)

Anyone have a link to a definitive resource?

[StuM]

Therre's no such thing as a "standard" winch.

Your crew are probably correct. The diameter of the squre/octagonal drive is fairly standardised (11/16") , but every winch manfacture seems to use a different depth to the locking groove and different length of the stud.
It's quite possible that your winches are too short for the depth of the locking groove.

What brand are the winches and handles?