How do you fix a loose ratchet on these?

Loose ratchets usually stem from worn brass hinges or stripped screw threads in the carcase. You can tighten the existing screws if the timber is sound. If the wood is stripped, a restorer will need to drill out the old holes and glue in hardwood dowels. Once set, they can re-drill pilot holes and seat the original brassware firmly.

I found one with a top that tilts but there isn't a ledge to stop the book sliding down into my lap when I use it, is a piece missing?

Yes, it sounds like the book ledge has been lost. Most antique reading tables originally had a raised batten along the lower edge specifically to prevent volumes from sliding off. Sometimes these ledges were fixed permanently with glue and dowels. On other models, they were removable and slotted into two small brass-lined holes on the table surface. You can usually check the lower edge of the reading flap for empty dowel holes or a faded shadow in the polish. A cabinet maker can fashion a replacement to match the timber.

Can they hold modern heavy art books?

A well-made Georgian or Victorian reading table handles heavy folios without trouble. The brass ratchet mechanisms were built to support large leather-bound bibles and dictionaries. Just check the hinges connecting the easel to the tabletop. If those joints feel tight, modern art books won't cause a problem.

The brass column on the table I am looking at goes up and down but it won't lock into place when I turn the side screw, what causes this?

The locking mechanism relies on friction between the brass screw and the inner metal column. Over decades of use, the tip of that side screw wears flat and loses grip. In some cases, the internal brass collar itself has split due to someone over-tightening the screw in the past. This prevents the collar from clamping down around the rising strut. An antique restorer can inspect the thread and file a new profile onto the tip of the screw. If the collar is cracked, it requires specialised brass soldering to repair.

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Antique Reading Tables from the 19th Century

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Designed to support books at an adjustable angle for reading whilst seated or standing, an antique reading table is a compact, height-adjustable piece of furniture featuring a hinged top resting on a central column or standard legs.