A process for making ratchet wheels includes a step of providing a work with a first end and a second end, a step of punching the work by means of a punch so as to define a large recess through the second end, a step of cutting away the first end of the work, a step of defining two annular grooves in a periphery of the work and a step of forming a plurality of teeth on the work. The process may include, before the step of cutting away the first end of the work, a step of punching the work in order to define a small recess with a diameter smaller than that of the large recess, a step of punching the work so as to define an opening with a diameter smaller than that of the small recess wherein the opening extends through the first end of the work. The process may include a step of defining a shallow recess in the second end of the work before the step of defining the large recess.