Thank you for all of your timely and informative videos. I know that I'm not alone when I say that I watch all of them. I have been using some of my ratchets for 60 years thanks to the mantainance practices my Grandfather taught me.
Great video! I must be your first viewer of this video. Since it says that there have been no views, I have been greasing my ratchets since I worked for the Boeing Airplane Company back in the late 1960s. And IT DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE. As to the 1/4" Craftsman ratchet, I found one of them under my manufactured home a few years ago, and it was frozen with rust. The model I have has a star wheel on the back of the ratchet that you can use to start screws, and on the side that the sockets connect to, there is a not a spring, but it is like a split ring, like a key ring, only flattened. That split ring can be removed to access the gears, which I did, and polished the rust off, and then packed the housing full of grease, and it works flawlessly. I also have t sockets sets 1/4" and 3/8" made by a company that used to be called "S K WAYNE" back in the 60s. the name is a bit different now, but I have been using those ratchets and sockets now for 54 years and counting now.
I got all four S-K ratchet sets back in the 1960s. Can't complain although the 3/4" drive flex handle broke the pin when excessive horse power was applied to it. Cut the head and thread off a 3/8ths grade 8 bolt and Loctite it in. Fixed.
@@41plymouthnut87 S-K has changed hands several times since the Wayne merger. In 2010 they went bankrupt and the brand was purchased by Ideal Industries. Ideal has reintroduced S-K as a premium hand tool brand and socket sets run several hundred dollars. I have some S-K tools that I acquired in the 70s to supplement my Craftsmans and I still have most of them. I would love a set of new S-K tools but just can't afford them. Recently I bought some vintage S-K sets on eBay. My most recent find is an almost complete 1/4" drive set in the original green box. In the 70s I would have paid about $25 for it. Today I had to spend $70. Love the simple design of the ratchets and the high quality of their manufacture. I also love how easy the old style round head ratchets are to disassemble, clean, and lubricate and if necessary, repair. I will be passing these old S-K tools (and the Craftsman that I still own) on to my sons-in-law and maybe even my grandchildren.
"Your not going to go broke buying grease" Words to live by!! I've been doing this for years with my Craftsman ratchets, 35 years old and still working perfect.
My dad was a large engine tech and used all kinds of oil, mostly motor oil and wd40. I have them now and they are in great condition. They are 70-80 years old and no rust.
I agree, i did the same to all my ratchets. Not only this will protect them from rust and wears, but it also makes them more quiet and more responsive. Some have a ring instead of screws but all can be taking a part and maintained, good video.
Some Craftsman ratchets have a needle point lube hole. I wore out a Craftsman ratchet years ago and the tool salesman at Sears asked if I had ever lubed it. I asked how and he showed me. Then he handed me a new ratchet. Nice video. JoeB
Great tip donyboy73. I have been an appliance repairman for 30+ years and never thought of this. I can't recall ever having one wear out or break, but it makes very good sense. Thanks for what you do!
Donny this is a good practice even if you don`t use your ratchets to make a living. It`s snowing like the dickens here today so I`m going to do this now.
Well done donyboy73. If your using hand tools that means your either making or fixing or maintaining something. So why not maintain your ratchets. I use silicon grease for the pawls and operate my sealed and gearwrench stuff in a cup of ATF. Keeps everything slick!
I often give the ball bearing that holds the sockets on too a little greese. Just push it in with lithium on your finger and roll it if you can. Don't wait till it's hard to get sockets on and off.. Another great video Donneyboy.
Good advice, Don. Easy to do and no doubt extends the life 10x's of even the cheapest ratchet. Your channel is one of my favorites on TH-cam. I've used a lot of your advice. Thanks!
Hey D B, What a great tip!👍🏻👍🏻 I have some ratchets that are 50 years old, never thought about maintaining, will do it later today. I thank you and my ratchets thank you!✌🏻️
Great video. I am gonna have to set aside some time to lube my ratchets. That's one thing I think of but then forget. Thanks for showing us how to care for our tools.
Thanks for the tip.. I'm a small engine guy too.. and it's funny how we are busy maintaining people's blowers,trimmers and mowers I wonder how many of us doing this..
Great advice... an old uncle of mine use to boil grease to liquify it and the pour it into bearings and things.. when the grease cooled down it solidified again... old timers did this all the time to grease bearings
If a thick Grease solidified the ratchetIng mechanism might not operate very well especially in small ratchets. Think about how well red lithium grease protects bearings. That grease holds up well to extreme pressures and stays on things forever. I'm guessing it won't solidify over time or behave badly in cold weather.
@@randywl8925 back in the day mechanis stripped down bearings and the rebuilt them not like now we just replace. Boiling grease really works to allow it to run. I must do a video on it. TH-cam is a great platform for sharing and learning
In our farming operation, dirt and dust are our biggest problems. Our ratchet maintenance includes a complete disassembly and thorough solvent wash before any lubricant is added. Just be careful to contain the detent ball and spring when the reversing rocker is removed -- that pesky ball can fire out of the housing like a bullet.
Totally agree. Tools that get used day in and day out (mechanic by trade) do pick up dirt, grit and grime from the machines they are used on, and ratchets do need to be cleaned out occasionally and then re-lubricated. I treat them as I would any bearing assembly. I would never apply new grease to a bearing that is still filled with old dirty grease. If you are taking it apart anyway it's only a few extra minutes to clean it out first. An ultrasonic cleaner will do all the work for you!
Good Idea. I've Been An Auto Mechanic For 49 Years. 33 Years In Dealers. Ratchets Are Made For Speed Not For Breaking Loose Or Tightening. That's Why If You Buy A Set Sockets Extensions swivel And BREAKER BAR. That's What The Breaker Is Used For. Breaking Loose And Tightening. Once Loose The Use The Ratchet. If You Do It That Way They Will Last As Long As Mine. I have A 3/8 Drive Craftsman Ratchet Since I Was 18 Years old And I'm Now 67 Years Old And it Still Works Like New. To Lube My Ratchets I've Always Once In A While Drop Them In A Coffee Can Over Night With Gear Oil. Even The Smallest Openings In The Ratchet Will Allow The Oil To get Inside. I Have Lots of Ratches Craftsman , Snapon , Blackhawk , Mac , Vulcan , And They Are OLD And All Still Work. If You Use A Tool For What it Was Truly Designed For it Will Lasttttttttttttttt.
Thanks Stephen, I do have a few Craftsman ratchets that were made in USA that I've had since I was 18 too! I should make a video on your suggestion about dipping them in gear oil overnight! have a good weekend!
I always lubricate my ratchets and I also use spray clear grease on my pliers because if they aren't used in a while they start to seize up. It does make your tools last longer I have a over 20 year old Snap on ratchet that is still in good working order.
Ratchets should never be greased. You can find that information from the manufacturers. Ratched maintenance consist of: 1. Disassembly and thorough clean in kerosene or parts washer solvent. 2. Lubricate with a light machinery oil such as gun oil and re-assemble. 3. Subsequent lubrication can be done without disassembly. The reason not to use grease is that grease will build up with dirt and cause the pawls to ride higher in the teeth which could result in tips of teeth breaking off ruining your ratchet., also the tolerances (which can be quite fine with higher end tools) were derived with a light oil lubricant in mind. Certainly maintain your ratchets, it will prolong their life and make them more pleasant to use, but use the right lubricant.
I got one of my dad’s(RIP) old craftsman 1/2 drive. It has a grease fitting on top. But I did what you did in the video. But I used a all purpose grease from my grease gun. After getting the screws off I packed it. After seeing this I like the lithium grease. Can I get a degreaser and clean it up? Or should I just leave it?
Hi love your show. I would like to see you rebuild a Hydro pump for zero turns like on encores or something like it. If you have how can I find it. Thanks keep up the great work.
Good Morning DB73, I buy those cheeper wratches, and oil them when they feel like a binding sensation. I use none of my tools for a living. All good points here as always. Don't forget to Make those screws DB73 tight, LOL... With my luck, I would open a ratchet and a Gazillion tinny Ball bearings would spring out on to the floor :-(
The craftsman ratchet looks like it has black flat spring retainer, like the old 3/8 ones. They peel off with a small screw driver :-) I have an old 3/8 japan made ratchet i bought in one of those 30 piece socket sets when i was a teenager in 1983 Ish. It's still working fine over 30 years later, i regularly washed it out and re-greased it. i used parafin or wd40 to wash the grease away, wd40 has been around for a long time.
No matter how hard I try, I always end up getting caught in the rain working on stuff. Or I step inside and a storm will come thru and my tools and ratchet get wet. For me this is a must.
Snap on ratchets are my favorite also. They cost a lot but they are the smoothest ratchets around. You can email snap on and they will send you a rebuild kit for the ratchet if you need one
My favorite 1/4 drive ratchet is an 88 tooth Matco. I also have a Snap-on, an S-K, and several Crapsman. Shoutout for the Wiha screwdriver, they're my favorite small drivers and my favorite 1/4 hex bits.
@@martinblouin3639 I never bash somebody's personal preference, unless it's Milwaukee or Harbor Freight. Milwaukee is no longer a US company. They are entirely chinese owned, designed and manufactured. Harbor Freight is passive aggressive, and their stuff isn't worth saving money to risk your life or health.
Hey don guess what I’m going to do today, thanks for the great idea that’s one of those things a guy never seems to think about, that’s why I prescribe 👍🏻
I'm from the school that if the ratchet or assembly is assembled from parts, then those parts HAVE to come apart someway. Like sealed bearings, you can remove the seal and grease them.
I have disassembled, cleaned, and oiled my craftsman usa ratchets every few years since buying them new over 20 years ago. The ratchet action is noticably better afterwards. I lost the 1/4" ball bearing last time. Had to google a while to find Craftsman's specs on ball diameter so i could buy more.
That was a good idea I never though about it and bearings go dry and humidity to it is like you said and it is cheep cheep insurance and what 1 cent worth of grease and 5 minutes of your time versus buying a new snap on Tool 🤔🤔🤔🤔
I disassemble my ratchets every couple of years and lubricate them with a product called Super Lube. I have been using that stuff for decades and the only times my ratchets have failed are when I lent them to my son-in-law. I used to have a policy that if he needed something, all he had to do was take it from my toolbox. My only rules were to treat them right and put them back when he was done. Well, he managed to break a vintage, 1/4" drive, Made in USA, Craftsman, ratchet. How do you break a 1/4" drive ratchet? I don't know, but I bought that ratchet in the 70s when I was first learning to work on cars. It almost made me cry. I took it to Lowes to get a ratchet repair kit and guess what? They don't carry them. I'm not even sure they still make them, because the Craftsman brand is now owned by Stanley and are made in China. I got Lowes to replace the broken ratchet, but it's not Made in USA. I keep thinking I should have tried harder to find a NOS vintage repair kit. But that's all in the past. Also, one time he borrowed my 13mm combination wrench. I went over to his house and tripped over a bump in the dirt. I looked down, and there was my wrench, sticking up out of the driveway! I was appalled! Naturally, I have rescinded my original policy, and my toolbox is locked for the first time in over 20 years. I'm just glad I never lost the keys.
Thanks Don 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 Great information !
Thank you for all of your timely and informative videos. I know that I'm not alone when I say that I watch all of them. I have been using some of my ratchets for 60 years thanks to the mantainance practices my Grandfather taught me.
Great video!
I must be your first viewer of this video. Since it says that there have been no views, I have been greasing my ratchets since I worked for the Boeing Airplane Company back in the late 1960s. And IT DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
As to the 1/4" Craftsman ratchet, I found one of them under my manufactured home a few years ago, and it was frozen with rust. The model I have has a star wheel on the back of the ratchet that you can use to start screws, and on the side that the sockets connect to, there is a not a spring, but it is like a split ring, like a key ring, only flattened. That split ring can be removed to access the gears, which I did, and polished the rust off, and then packed the housing full of grease, and it works flawlessly. I also have t sockets sets 1/4" and 3/8" made by a company that used to be called "S K WAYNE" back in the 60s. the name is a bit different now, but I have been using those ratchets and sockets now for 54 years and counting now.
Too bad SK Wayne went belly up. They are owned by Stanley and renamed Wayne. I also have some SK Wayne tools and have used them since the 60's.
I got all four S-K ratchet sets back in the 1960s. Can't complain although the 3/4" drive flex handle broke the pin when excessive horse power was applied to it. Cut the head and thread off a 3/8ths grade 8 bolt and Loctite it in. Fixed.
Wow 😳
@@41plymouthnut87 S-K has changed hands several times since the Wayne merger. In 2010 they went bankrupt and the brand was purchased by Ideal Industries. Ideal has reintroduced S-K as a premium hand tool brand and socket sets run several hundred dollars. I have some S-K tools that I acquired in the 70s to supplement my Craftsmans and I still have most of them. I would love a set of new S-K tools but just can't afford them. Recently I bought some vintage S-K sets on eBay. My most recent find is an almost complete 1/4" drive set in the original green box. In the 70s I would have paid about $25 for it. Today I had to spend $70. Love the simple design of the ratchets and the high quality of their manufacture. I also love how easy the old style round head ratchets are to disassemble, clean, and lubricate and if necessary, repair. I will be passing these old S-K tools (and the Craftsman that I still own) on to my sons-in-law and maybe even my grandchildren.
"Your not going to go broke buying grease" Words to live by!! I've been doing this for years with my Craftsman ratchets, 35 years old and still working perfect.
Great tip. I usually grease a ratchet as soon as I’ve bought one, and they’ve lasted for years! Worth the 2 minutes to do it. 👍🏼🇨🇦👍🏼
just greased all my ratchets i just bought. they were all bone dry inside.
My dad was a large engine tech and used all kinds of oil, mostly motor oil and wd40. I have them now and they are in great condition. They are 70-80 years old and no rust.
Great advice and tips .
A little maintenance goes a long way to keep your tools in good shape.
Thanks Don👍
I agree, i did the same to all my ratchets. Not only this will protect them from rust and wears, but it also makes them more quiet and more responsive. Some have a ring instead of screws but all can be taking a part and maintained, good video.
I still use my grandpas 1960s craftsman ratchets
AWSOME 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Some Craftsman ratchets have a needle point lube hole. I wore out a Craftsman ratchet years ago and the tool salesman at Sears asked if I had ever lubed it. I asked how and he showed me. Then he handed me a new ratchet.
Nice video.
JoeB
Great tip donyboy73. I have been an appliance repairman for 30+ years and never thought of this. I can't recall ever having one wear out or break, but it makes very good sense.
Thanks for what you do!
Donny this is a good practice even if you don`t use your ratchets to make a living. It`s snowing like the dickens here today so I`m going to do this now.
Well done donyboy73. If your using hand tools that means your either making or fixing or maintaining something. So why not maintain your ratchets. I use silicon grease for the pawls and operate my sealed and gearwrench stuff in a cup of ATF. Keeps everything slick!
I always liked guys who maintain their tools I like ur videos even tho u r Canadian but dead gum it u r really good blessings to u ⭐️
I often give the ball bearing that holds the sockets on too a little greese. Just push it in with lithium on your finger and roll it if you can. Don't wait till it's hard to get sockets on and off.. Another great video Donneyboy.
Excellent videos ! 👍🏻
Good advice, Don. Easy to do and no doubt extends the life 10x's of even the cheapest ratchet. Your channel is one of my favorites on TH-cam. I've used a lot of your advice. Thanks!
good tip, I've always used dielectric grease. its silicone based so it turns water well and doesn't break down the orings that help seal the ratchet.
i like your all videos when i go to old country repairing my brother lawnmower and chain saw he using in forest cutting tree all the time
Here's a man who really loves his tools! Awesome!
Hey D B, What a great tip!👍🏻👍🏻 I have some ratchets that are 50 years old, never thought about maintaining, will do it later today. I thank you and my ratchets thank you!✌🏻️
Good comment, look after your tools, I agree 100%.
I have like 65 different ratchets. I let them sit in motor oil over night every once in a while and it works really well. But that is a great tip!
Great video. I am gonna have to set aside some time to lube my ratchets. That's one thing I think of but then forget. Thanks for showing us how to care for our tools.
Suggest clean parts like this with a spray solvent to remove dirt and other particles before applying grease.
I didn't know I was supposed to grease my ratchets ! Guess your'e never too old to learn a new trick. Thanks for the tip.
Thanks for the tip.. I'm a small engine guy too.. and it's funny how we are busy maintaining people's blowers,trimmers and mowers I wonder how many of us doing this..
You should bring your tools to a tool mechanic for proper servicing at regular intervals 😜😁
@@xephael3485 hay that cuts deep lol
Always take care of your tools they need maintenance too love your channel and any quality tool isn't cheep
Great video to let people k know to look after their tools I always clean mine and have served me well
I have Craftsman ratchets and they are held together with a snap ring. Haven’t lubed them yet but it’s on my agenda for springtime! Thanks Dony
Great tip! Another good grease is super lube synthetic silicone grease
Never done this but a good idea, my sidchrome ratchets have been with me scince 89 still good.
good tip. good photography and editing
Great advice... an old uncle of mine use to boil grease to liquify it and the pour it into bearings and things.. when the grease cooled down it solidified again... old timers did this all the time to grease bearings
If a thick Grease solidified the ratchetIng mechanism might not operate very well especially in small ratchets. Think about how well red lithium grease protects bearings. That grease holds up well to extreme pressures and stays on things forever. I'm guessing it won't solidify over time or behave badly in cold weather.
@@randywl8925 back in the day mechanis stripped down bearings and the rebuilt them not like now we just replace. Boiling grease really works to allow it to run. I must do a video on it. TH-cam is a great platform for sharing and learning
I will be doing all my ratchets tomorrow, good video, thank you sir.
Thanks Don, never knew you needed and could service them, cheers from Queensland
Not many out there that even think about doing that, well done donyboy73.
In all my years never thought about doing that
Thanks
thank you Don , great video and reminder . so simple to make good tools last a life time .
Canada is lucky to have you.😁😁Thanks for another great video.
In our farming operation, dirt and dust are our biggest problems. Our ratchet maintenance includes a complete disassembly and thorough solvent wash before any lubricant is added. Just be careful to contain the detent ball and spring when the reversing rocker is removed -- that pesky ball can fire out of the housing like a bullet.
Totally agree. Tools that get used day in and day out (mechanic by trade) do pick up dirt, grit and grime from the machines they are used on, and ratchets do need to be cleaned out occasionally and then re-lubricated. I treat them as I would any bearing assembly. I would never apply new grease to a bearing that is still filled with old dirty grease. If you are taking it apart anyway it's only a few extra minutes to clean it out first. An ultrasonic cleaner will do all the work for you!
Excellent tip 👌👍
When you make a living with your tools it's well worth the time to take care of um. 👍👍
Great vid as ALWAYS!
Great , now I have to do my ratchets tomarrow, thanks alot! Lol. Thanks for the tip.
I don't have any of those spendy ratchets but I have always tried to spray silicone spray inside.
Great maintenance tip. Thank you for sharing. 🇨🇦😎
Good Idea. I've Been An Auto Mechanic For 49 Years. 33 Years In Dealers. Ratchets Are Made For Speed Not For Breaking Loose Or Tightening. That's Why If You Buy A Set Sockets Extensions swivel And BREAKER BAR. That's What The Breaker Is Used For. Breaking Loose And Tightening. Once Loose The Use The Ratchet. If You Do It That Way They Will Last As Long As Mine. I have A 3/8 Drive Craftsman Ratchet Since I Was 18 Years old And I'm Now 67 Years Old And it Still Works Like New. To Lube My Ratchets I've Always Once In A While Drop Them In A Coffee Can Over Night With Gear Oil. Even The Smallest Openings In The Ratchet Will Allow The Oil To get Inside. I Have Lots of Ratches Craftsman , Snapon , Blackhawk , Mac , Vulcan , And They Are OLD And All Still Work. If You Use A Tool For What it Was Truly Designed For it Will Lasttttttttttttttt.
Thanks Stephen, I do have a few Craftsman ratchets that were made in USA that I've had since I was 18 too! I should make a video on your suggestion about dipping them in gear oil overnight! have a good weekend!
great info, never thought of doing this
Awesome tip! Thank you Dony!!
I always lubricate my ratchets and I also use spray clear grease on my pliers because if they aren't used in a while they start to seize up. It does make your tools last longer I have a over 20 year old Snap on ratchet that is still in good working order.
Thanks for sharing. I have the same 1/4" snap on Ratchet thanks for the tip. Hope you wife is doing well. Have a great week!!!
Great tip Brother... Going to do this right now...
It's a very useful and great tips. Thank you, Dony.
Thanks Don
Great tip Donny, thank you.
Always great info, the 1/4” inch is underrated thanks again for you’re time
Ratchets should never be greased. You can find that information from the manufacturers.
Ratched maintenance consist of:
1. Disassembly and thorough clean in kerosene or parts washer solvent.
2. Lubricate with a light machinery oil such as gun oil and re-assemble.
3. Subsequent lubrication can be done without disassembly.
The reason not to use grease is that grease will build up with dirt and cause the pawls to ride higher in the teeth which could result in tips of teeth breaking off ruining your ratchet., also the tolerances (which can be quite fine with higher end tools) were derived with a light oil lubricant in mind.
Certainly maintain your ratchets, it will prolong their life and make them more pleasant to use, but use the right lubricant.
snowblower auger gear box grease will also work in the cold
Is the permatex white lithium grease the same stuff I can not find eneything that says ultra slick thanks
Nicely done
Don what was that long thin flat head screwdriver you were using i need one
I got one of my dad’s(RIP) old craftsman 1/2 drive. It has a grease fitting on top. But I did what you did in the video. But I used a all purpose grease from my grease gun. After getting the screws off I packed it. After seeing this I like the lithium grease. Can I get a degreaser and clean it up? Or should I just leave it?
More words of wisdom, thank you !
Hi love your show. I would like to see you rebuild a Hydro pump for zero turns like on encores or something like it. If you have how can I find it. Thanks keep up the great work.
Good Morning DB73, I buy those cheeper wratches, and oil them when they feel like a binding sensation. I use none of my tools for a living. All good points here as always. Don't forget to Make those screws DB73 tight, LOL... With my luck, I would open a ratchet and a Gazillion tinny Ball bearings would spring out on to the floor :-(
I decrease new rachets and use DeWalt moly grease. 8 years later zero maitence still working great
Watched a couple of your videos for first time, I really like your no nonsense no acting like an idiot videos.............
Great video! I never thought about greasing my ratchets. I just assume bearings were sealed. I have 2 quality older NAPA ratchets I'll grease today
The craftsman ratchet looks like it has black flat spring retainer, like the old 3/8 ones.
They peel off with a small screw driver :-)
I have an old 3/8 japan made ratchet i bought in one of those 30 piece socket sets when i was a teenager in 1983 Ish.
It's still working fine over 30 years later, i regularly washed it out and re-greased it.
i used parafin or wd40 to wash the grease away, wd40 has been around for a long time.
Another use for Fluid film
Nice tool tip. Thank you
Can i use hi temp grease?
Great video & Great Tip
🤗👍👍👍👍👍👍
QUESTION: Why is it that - "A Good Craftsman never blames his tools?"
ANSWER: Because A Good Craftsman looks after his tools!
You don’t need to use that much... as he packs it full. hahaha I had no fricken clue I could ever grease a ratchet. This is awesome
I'm very glad to have found your channel....a wealth of knowledge. I am grateful. Where about in Canada are you situated?
Thanks for the info👍👍👍
thanks don
Thanks Don. Now that I am older I do this But when I was younger I just abused my tools. bad on me
Which ratchet is best Honda small engines
No matter how hard I try, I always end up getting caught in the rain working on stuff. Or I step inside and a storm will come thru and my tools and ratchet get wet. For me this is a must.
Would aluminum anti seize serve as well?
no, it's not a lube
I do this. I dissassemble and clean with gas an regrease them.
Also, you need to re grease your angle grinders regularly.
Just ordered some ratchets online... do most companies sell them already greased or oiled ?
Or do I need to do this immediately
what craftsman ratchet was that at :08 ? Thanks
Thank you. Thank you.
Good tip!
Thanks!
Good tip.
Where have you been ? We need to fix something...lol..good advice tools aren't cheep..at least the good ones aren't..Cheers 🍻🍻🍻🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
I bought a Stanley ratchet set and the large ratchet froze up. It won't move it's jammed it something?? Can it be fixed?
you are a boss for sure...
Snap on ratchets are my favorite also. They cost a lot but they are the smoothest ratchets around. You can email snap on and they will send you a rebuild kit for the ratchet if you need one
My favorite 1/4 drive ratchet is an 88 tooth Matco. I also have a Snap-on, an S-K, and several Crapsman. Shoutout for the Wiha screwdriver, they're my favorite small drivers and my favorite 1/4 hex bits.
As far as lubing ratchets, I have always just used 30 wt oil. I just spoke to my tool guy and he told me to use super lube grease. I'll try it.
call me el cheapo but my favorite ratchet is mastercraft ones, they're not the best but i can go in store and get a new one if its broken
@@martinblouin3639 I never bash somebody's personal preference, unless it's Milwaukee or Harbor Freight. Milwaukee is no longer a US company. They are entirely chinese owned, designed and manufactured. Harbor Freight is passive aggressive, and their stuff isn't worth saving money to risk your life or health.
@@martinblouin3639 And they still last a long time.
Hey don guess what I’m going to do today, thanks for the great idea that’s one of those things a guy never seems to think about, that’s why I prescribe 👍🏻
that's your prescription for today!
Thanks for the tip. Would silver grade anti-seize work all the same? Love your work.
anti-seize is not a lube, best to use grease
Thanks
I'm from the school that if the ratchet or assembly is assembled from parts, then those parts HAVE to come apart someway. Like sealed bearings, you can remove the seal and grease them.
I have disassembled, cleaned, and oiled my craftsman usa ratchets every few years since buying them new over 20 years ago. The ratchet action is noticably better afterwards. I lost the 1/4" ball bearing last time. Had to google a while to find Craftsman's specs on ball diameter so i could buy more.
Good idea to remove old dirty grease before adding new grease
Great point!
You said that the lub stands up to the cold, how would it take 105 degrees Fahrenheit in the SW US.
AWESOME GOOD FOR US TO KNOW
That was a good idea I never though about it and bearings go dry and humidity to it is like you said and it is cheep cheep insurance and what 1 cent worth of grease and 5 minutes of your time versus buying a new snap on Tool 🤔🤔🤔🤔
I disassemble my ratchets every couple of years and lubricate them with a product called Super Lube. I have been using that stuff for decades and the only times my ratchets have failed are when I lent them to my son-in-law. I used to have a policy that if he needed something, all he had to do was take it from my toolbox. My only rules were to treat them right and put them back when he was done. Well, he managed to break a vintage, 1/4" drive, Made in USA, Craftsman, ratchet. How do you break a 1/4" drive ratchet? I don't know, but I bought that ratchet in the 70s when I was first learning to work on cars. It almost made me cry. I took it to Lowes to get a ratchet repair kit and guess what? They don't carry them. I'm not even sure they still make them, because the Craftsman brand is now owned by Stanley and are made in China. I got Lowes to replace the broken ratchet, but it's not Made in USA. I keep thinking I should have tried harder to find a NOS vintage repair kit. But that's all in the past. Also, one time he borrowed my 13mm combination wrench. I went over to his house and tripped over a bump in the dirt. I looked down, and there was my wrench, sticking up out of the driveway! I was appalled! Naturally, I have rescinded my original policy, and my toolbox is locked for the first time in over 20 years. I'm just glad I never lost the keys.