Cleaning & Lubing Ratchets & Extensions

[itstippy]

I've got my hands on a huge box of old mechanic's tools. Yay me! They are all very dirty with ancient solidified grease, and the original owner marked them all with orange spraypaint. So I've been cleaning tools for days. I'm now at the ratchets and extensions. I'm afraid to throw the ratchets into the parts washer because the cleaning solution would intrude into the drive heads. The extensions I've already submersed and scrubbed. So . . .

What do I do about the spring-loaded ball bearings in the extensions and breaker bars? Is there a secret way to relube them? I've thought about filling a socket (the square end) with WD-40 and pushing the extensions in part-way to depress the detent ball, hopefully allowing the WD-40 to dispell any residual cleaning solution and lube the moving parts. Is there a better way?

I'll clean the outside of the drive ratchet heads carefully, probably with WD-40 and a rag and rubbing. However, I also plan to open the heads and clean & repack the drive gears. I'm sure the grease in there is no longer grease but is instead that putty-like compound that grease turns into after 20 years. What should I repack the ratchet heads with? Bearing grease? White lithium grease? Assembly lube? What does the Snap-on guy use when he rebuilds them?

 

[achris]

Re: Cleaning & Lubing Ratchets & Extensions

I usually use just engine oil in the ratchet heads. You don't want anything too heavy in there as the spring won't be able to move the parts quick enough....

WD 40 is not a lubricant. It's great for washing and getting rid of water (Water Dispersant #40, as tested by NASA), but you need to put something else there to lube and protect.

Chris..........

 

[itstippy]

Re: Cleaning & Lubing Ratchets & Extensions

Thanks, that's what I wanted to know. I'll lube the detent balls & springs by putting a drop of light machine oil on the ball, then depressing the ball with a pliers so the oil runs into the cavity. I already did that with a drop of WD40 so there shouldn't be any water in there. The ratchet heads will get motor oil.

There are a couple strange (to me) tools in this box. I'll snap some pix when I get a chance and we can play "name that tool" (and explain what it's for). Here's a poser: This guy had every wrench type and size in his toolbox.; why did he need eight or nine adjustable wrenches too? What did he use them for? They've obviously been used, but why use what I call a "Crescent Wrench" when he had plenty of open-ends and box-ends available?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Cleaning & Lubing Ratchets & Extensions

Carry the ratchet to an old mechanic and he will probably show you how to take them apart.

Each one is differant but they do come apart. Use that wd 40 or break cleaner and get all the old gunk out and use light oil and re-assemble.

I just can not put the instructions into words on how they come apart but, they are not too hard. Do it over a plastic lunch tray to catch the little detent ball and spring.

Old tools are great. I wish that craftsman had not changed to the cheaper ratchet..... the older ones of 30 years ago were far superior.

To remove old paint use a wire brush or a brass wire wheel.

 

[MrBigStuff]

Re: Cleaning & Lubing Ratchets & Extensions

Thanks, that's what I wanted to know. I'll lube the detent balls & springs by putting a drop of light machine oil on the ball, then depressing the ball with a pliers so the oil runs into the cavity. I already did that with a drop of WD40 so there shouldn't be any water in there. The ratchet heads will get motor oil.

There are a couple strange (to me) tools in this box. I'll snap some pix when I get a chance and we can play "name that tool" (and explain what it's for). Here's a poser: This guy had every wrench type and size in his toolbox.; why did he need eight or nine adjustable wrenches too? What did he use them for? They've obviously been used, but why use what I call a "Crescent Wrench" when he had plenty of open-ends and box-ends available?

You're seeing the end result of this person's years of tool collecting so it may not be obvious. Many people cannot afford to run out and buy every wrench let alone 2 of every wrench when they are first starting out. In the beginning, he may have had one set of wrenches and a crescent (some people call them a "fits all" too). The crescent is used to hold the bolt heads while the wrench is used to tighten the nut. Used properly, a crescent is useful and will not damage fasteners.

I have at least three full sets of tools now and that includes at least 4 crescent wrenches in various sizes. Some I bought, some I inherited. No tools ever leave my collection and will be there when I die.

I used a crescent today even though I have multiples of every size wrench. It was far easier to grab one wrench tray and a crescent and take them to the work than to guess and make multiple trips or carry two trays. That's why some people call it a fits all !!

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Cleaning & Lubing Ratchets & Extensions

Have you seen the electric ones that Craftsman makes now?
Pretty cool, just to heavy.
BTW, I bought one to go along with the rest of the CM tools.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Cleaning & Lubing Ratchets & Extensions

This guy had every wrench type and size in his toolbox.; why did he need eight or nine adjustable wrenches too? What did he use them for? They've obviously been used, but why use what I call a "Crescent Wrench" when he had plenty of open-ends and box-ends available?

Now you sound like my wife talking about my fishing tackle.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Cleaning & Lubing Ratchets & Extensions

In the beginning, he may have had one set of wrenches and a crescent (some people call them a "fits all" tool).

Ayuh,.........

Around here an Adjustable Wrench is known as a "Knuckle Buster"........

And,.......
Even though I've got a Full Tool Set at the Shop in town,....
Another Full Set at My Shop out in the Garage,......
Another Full Set in my 5 Ton Toolbox that looks like an F-250 Ford,.......
A Tool Kit in my Boat,......
And a Tool Kit at the house I'm rebuilding,......

I've got several copies of Knuckle Busters in Every Tool Kit........
Just because they come in Handy now,+ then on less than Frozen nuts,+ bolts............

 

[achris]

Re: Cleaning & Lubing Ratchets & Extensions

Ayuh,.........

Around here an Adjustable Wrench is known as a "Knuckle Buster"........

I'm a little less polite with those things.... We call 'em Nut F...ers.



Chris......

 

[jimr]

Re: Cleaning & Lubing Ratchets & Extensions

don't be afraid to use solvent on the ratchets I just wouldnt use berrymans carb soaker on them just blow them out and and lube them. You can also use air tool oil on them.

 

[Windykid]

Re: Cleaning & Lubing Ratchets & Extensions

Some of my ratchets have a type of zerc fitting on them to recieve some light grease.

 

[arboldt]

Re: Cleaning & Lubing Ratchets & Extensions

Even though I'm not a super mechanic,

1) I have a set of tools I acquired to use when I needed them.
2) I acquired my grandfather's tools after he and my grandmother died (20 yeras apart)
3) I have another set of tools that had been my dad's before he died.
4) Oh, yeah... also several of my father-in-law's tools.

I hope someday to be even 1/2 the mechanic my dad was..

 

[rwise]

Re: Cleaning & Lubing Ratchets & Extensions

why did he need eight or nine adjustable wrenches too? What did he use them for? They've obviously been used, but why use what I call a "Crescent Wrench" when he had plenty of open-ends and box-ends available?

I have a 24" *crescent wrench* I got hold of real cheap on close out. Now I used to run field service for a small company. I used it on one piece of equipment at that job, but more often it was used for bill collecting @ big guys one bouncing a 24" wrench

 

[dolluper]

Re: Cleaning & Lubing Ratchets & Extensions

I use trannie fuild to lube up and clean my rachets,flip them over a spring clip or circlip to remove the rachet head,some use a needle injector to lube also if you don't want to dismantle or a few drops on top ,turn andfew and bottom and turn

 

[Jack Shellac]

Re: Cleaning & Lubing Ratchets & Extensions

A millwright friend told me that sometimes a Crescent is the best to get into a really tight place to loosen a nut. Places you can't get to easily with a fixed size wrench.