Ratchet lubrication
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
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Ratchet lubrication
I got one of these Mac ratchets with flex head and about 11" long...
it says on it to clean and oil regularly. So even though it is new, I took it apart and put some grease in it, the type to use for brakes. Is that a bad idea? It has a bit of oil in it. Should I clean it out and instead put some oil in it?
I thought grease would be great for these gears. It now sounds different.
it says on it to clean and oil regularly. So even though it is new, I took it apart and put some grease in it, the type to use for brakes. Is that a bad idea? It has a bit of oil in it. Should I clean it out and instead put some oil in it?
I thought grease would be great for these gears. It now sounds different.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
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I just bought a flexhead ratchet from Snap On and here's what they say about lubrication:
Patented design features high-tech seals and special O-rings to seal in permanent lubrication and seal out dust, dirt, moisture, and other contaminants. You get a smooth-running ratchet without the responsibility of routine maintenance. U.S. Patent 4,934,220 and 6,125,722.
Patented design features high-tech seals and special O-rings to seal in permanent lubrication and seal out dust, dirt, moisture, and other contaminants. You get a smooth-running ratchet without the responsibility of routine maintenance. U.S. Patent 4,934,220 and 6,125,722.
Last edited by Hangfire; Mar 23, 2005 at 09:08 AM.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: State of Misery (Missouri
Originally Posted by apropos
I got one of these Mac ratchets with flex head and about 11" long...
it says on it to clean and oil regularly. So even though it is new, I took it apart and put some grease in it, the type to use for brakes. Is that a bad idea? It has a bit of oil in it. Should I clean it out and instead put some oil in it?
I thought grease would be great for these gears. It now sounds different.
it says on it to clean and oil regularly. So even though it is new, I took it apart and put some grease in it, the type to use for brakes. Is that a bad idea? It has a bit of oil in it. Should I clean it out and instead put some oil in it?
I thought grease would be great for these gears. It now sounds different.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 482
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Do not use 3in1 oil. That stuff is only marginally better than WD40 for lubrication. It tends to gum up. Sewing machine oil, electric motor oil or turbine oil is a much better choice. These oils, all about the same thing, will not dry up and gum up. These types of oil are available in hardware stores in small containers, usually a squeeze bottle, often with a long application tube.
Senior User
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The 3in1 brand oil is trying, if memory serves, to lubricate, clean, protect. It's sorta like the racing phrase "fast, cheap, reliable, choose two". By trying to do all 3 somethings gotta slide. In the case of 3in1 it dries up and gets gummy, then you have to use more. The "having to use more" part does not bother the mfr of the product one bit. Light oil from the hardware store that is sold as a lubricant only will work fine. The stuff that is trying to be everything to everybody should be avoided.
This lesson was learned by me as a small boy listening to my uncle, the Texaco lubrication engineer, fix my mother's sewing machine. Guess what she used instead of sewing machine oil.
This lesson was learned by me as a small boy listening to my uncle, the Texaco lubrication engineer, fix my mother's sewing machine. Guess what she used instead of sewing machine oil.
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Chesapeake,VA
Ya don't need any trick oil or lube! It's a RATCHET, not a race engine, for petes sake!!!
I've used "brake (white) grease " for over thirty five years with great results. I've also used motor oil or whatever else was handy, its all good. Just take em apart and clean em up regularly, and any GOOD ratchet should last a loooong while!
I've used "brake (white) grease " for over thirty five years with great results. I've also used motor oil or whatever else was handy, its all good. Just take em apart and clean em up regularly, and any GOOD ratchet should last a loooong while!
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Lancaster County PA
Lifetime warranty? Why worry about it?
I haven't done anything to my Craftsman tools except use them and wipe them off when putting away. I have a part time business fixing/maintaining lawnmowers and my tools see a great deal of use.
Jeez, when you have to spend time oiling simple tools that really cuts into your hourly rate!
I haven't done anything to my Craftsman tools except use them and wipe them off when putting away. I have a part time business fixing/maintaining lawnmowers and my tools see a great deal of use.
Jeez, when you have to spend time oiling simple tools that really cuts into your hourly rate!
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: State of Misery (Missouri
Originally Posted by ckal704
Lifetime warranty? Why worry about it?
I haven't done anything to my Craftsman tools except use them and wipe them off when putting away. I have a part time business fixing/maintaining lawnmowers and my tools see a great deal of use.
Jeez, when you have to spend time oiling simple tools that really cuts into your hourly rate!
I haven't done anything to my Craftsman tools except use them and wipe them off when putting away. I have a part time business fixing/maintaining lawnmowers and my tools see a great deal of use.
Jeez, when you have to spend time oiling simple tools that really cuts into your hourly rate!
The problem is people do not wipe off the tools, especially around the snap ring!, Those that do and then use the right size tool for the job, tend not to have problems.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Southern MD
Originally Posted by ckal704
Lifetime warranty? Why worry about it?
I haven't done anything to my Craftsman tools except use them and wipe them off when putting away.
I haven't done anything to my Craftsman tools except use them and wipe them off when putting away.
IF I were to put oil into a ratchet, I would have to use Militech, but, I have ratchets that are over 30 years old, have NEVER been oiled, and have NEVER been replaced/rebuilt. (Oh yeah. . . they're Sears Craftsman.)
Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 24,724
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From: Blue Hill Township
I accidentally dropped a ratchet into some ATF from the Trans Am, and it has never worked better. However, the crappy part is that it will drip ATF for a while until all the excess is drained out.
