Anything new with ratchet lube?

[Armatron]

Searching, I find a lot of older threads about Permatex assembly lube ( https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HBNVSK/?tag=atomicindus08-20 )

Interestingly, Snap-On recommends super lube in their dual 80's. There is a massive, massive consistency different between this assembly lube (thin) and super lube (thick grease).

After watching a couple youtube videos, my first thought is tw25b. It's a commonly used gun grease, not as tacky as assembly lube, but very long lasting synthetic.

I also have some hy-per lube from rebuilding the trans in a whirlpool direct drive washer. https://rislone.com/products/hy-per-lube-oil-supplement/

Any input here? Is there a definitive best grease for high tooth ratchets?

 

[CGarage]

For high tooth count ratchets it is generally recommended to use a light oil.

I have used Super Lube with great success in high tooth count ratchets

I am sticking to Super Lube.

TW25B separates too easily and becomes runny.

 

[Callelle]

I normally use super lube. Recently, at least in my cheap ratchets, I've been trying Cummins biolube 22 cause it's a light oil and I get it for free at work. I don't know if it's good or bad for it, but my Icon ratchets have been very smooth with it.

 

[Etchase]

I believe Snap On uses the less common grade 1 Super Lube. Kind of hard to find.

 

[AEAdam]

I believe Snap On uses the less common grade 1 Super Lube. Kind of hard to find.

Pretty sure it’s NGLI 2 grease, not the thinner oil. There have been several threads about this here if memory serves.

The trick to lubing ratchets is 2 fold.

1) Snap On may have chosen Super Lube because it’s cheap, MUSA, and compatible with their O ring seals. Not all oils and greases are.

2) You need to be smart enough to put the grease where it belongs and not where it doesn’t. The grease goes under the gear and under the face plate. Wipe a thin film around the inside of the body. Don’t pack grease into the gear teeth to “quiet the click”. That’s a ******* GJ thing. So dumb.

 

[neophyte]

There was a thread once upon a time concerning ratchets and lube.
Different brands recommended different lubes.
One brands recommended Marvel Mystery oil.
I think the reason, was that the solvents in the MMO would evaporate, leaving a thin layer of lube on the ratchet and Pawls, which was enough to lubricate, but not enough to interfere with the ratchet function.
It probably depends on the specific racket and mechanism, what will work best.

 

[Armatron]

Pretty sure it’s NGLI 2 grease, not the thinner oil. There have been several threads about this here if memory serves.

The trick to lubing ratchets is 2 fold.

1) Snap On may have chosen Super Lube because it’s cheap, MUSA, and compatible with their O ring seals. Not all oils and greases are.

2) You need to be smart enough to put the grease where it belongs and not where it doesn’t. The grease goes under the gear and under the face plate. Wipe a thin film around the inside of the body. Don’t pack grease into the gear teeth to “quiet the click”. That’s a ******* GJ thing. So dumb.

Interesting.. I have not fully disassembled a dual 80. There are o-rings? If so, that likely significantly narrows the grease we should be using

 

[Outahere]

Pretty sure it’s NGLI 2 grease, not the thinner oil. There have been several threads about this here if memory serves....

In their Dual80 repair kits, Snap-on includes NLGI OO grease from Super-Lube.

Ratchet lubricant?

What lubricant do you guys recommend to put in a ratchet? Got a bunch of older ratchets passed down to me that I’m cleaning up and want to get them back fully functioning the right way

www.garagejournal.com

 

[MarcSeattle]

I noticed one challenge with ratchet lube is that we expect the lube to be in the ratchet for a long time. Lube tends to dry out no matter what type it is. Thin lube tends to run out unless the ratchet is sealed. I don't know the solution. I have used Permatex engine assembly lube with success, but it does need attention occasionally.

Recently I have experimented with a wax-based dry lube infused with tungsten disulfide nanoparticles. Tungsten disulfide bonds with the metal and is crazy slippery. It goes on wet and then dries to a thin clear film. Definitely reduces drag and sounds a little bit click-ier than with heavier lubes. I can't yet report how it works over the longer term. It's also expensive - $25 for 4oz - and it's something I use for a different purpose so I happened to have it around for the experiment. But if you want the lowest backdrag that might be it.

 

[WWheeler]

I believe Snap On uses the less common grade 1 Super Lube. Kind of hard to find.

Pretty sure it’s NGLI 2 grease, not the thinner oil. There have been several threads about this here if memory serves.

The little tube that Snap-on includes with their rebuild kits is 82345/00.
The /00 suffix indicates that the lube is a NLGI 00 grade, which is a lot thinner than Superlube's popular NLGI 2 grease they retail.

That particular # doesn't show up as avcailable on their site, so I assume it's some sort of deal with snap-on, but they do sell those little packets of their /00 (NLGI 00) grease, #82340/00, as long as you want to buy them in allotments of 5000 for $3600. lol They also sell it in a 14.1oz cartridge or canister.

Synthetic Grease - NLGI 00 | Super-Lube

This Multi-Purpose Synthetic Grease NLGI 00 contains Syncolon (PTFE)

www.super-lube.com

 

[AEAdam]

The little tube that Snap-on includes with their rebuild kits is 82345/00.
The /00 suffix indicates that the lube is a NLGI 00 grade, which is a lot thinner than Superlube's popular NLGI 2 grease they retail.

That particular # doesn't show up as avcailable on their site, so I assume it's some sort of deal with snap-on, but they do sell those little packets of their /00 (NLGI 00) grease, #82340/00, as long as you want to buy them in allotments of 5000 for $3600. lol They also sell it in a 14.1oz cartridge or canister.

Synthetic Grease - NLGI 00 | Super-Lube

This Multi-Purpose Synthetic Grease NLGI 00 contains Syncolon (PTFE)

www.super-lube.com

Thanks guys. I’ve seen a ton of these threads with different answers.

 

[ronkz650]

Thanks for the info. Superlube NLGI 2 is no good as a ratchet lube, which as usual is mostly the only option available. The NLGI O0 can be bought directly through Superlube in 14oz tub. I don't see any other availability. There are other brands of NLGI 00 grease, but all are hard to get it seems.

 

[neophyte]

I wonder wether Houdini lock lubricant would work well ?
I presume it would eliminate stiction problems.
It’s probably made to prevent gumming up fine low power springs, etc.
I don’t know whether it would protect against corrosion, since locks are usually brass. ?

 

[isb cornbinder]

Don't use it.

 

[Wamsutta]

Interestingly, Snap-On recommends super lube in their dual 80's. There is a massive, massive consistency different between this assembly lube (thin) and super lube (thick grease).

Super Lube 21030 is the thin grease. They got it at Harbor Freight. The only thing in the store made in USA.

 

[ronkz650]

21030 is the NLGI 2 grease. It's terrible. Thick and turns to glue if water gets even close to it. I completely gave up on Super Lube after using this, but they do offer the correct lube, the NLGI 00. Don't use the Harbor Freight lube in a ratchet. As to the correct 00 lube, don't know and probably won't. Not worth the effort and $40 or whatever through Super Lube. It looks like the NLGI 00 lube was mostly used from around 1947-1979. Obsolete in today's world and hard to get.

 

[CGarage]

I have used the HF SuperLube in ratchets and have not had any problems with it and have had an extremely smooth action.

 

[ZRX61]

I use Lubri-Plate

 

[Outahere]

Super Lube 21030 is the thin grease. They got it at Harbor Freight. The only thing in the store made in USA.

21030 is a thick NLGI 2 grease.

Synthetic Grease - Multi-Purpose Lubricant | Super-Lube

Heavy-duty, multi-purpose lubricant synthetic grease with Syncolon® (PTFE) to form a premium lubricant that provides longer life protection against friction, wear, rust and corrosion.

www.super-lube.com

 

[Etchase]

The stuff that comes with the snap on rebuild kits sure seemed thicker than 00. It didn’t drip off like 00. Felt just like the 1 I was using until I ran out. Much thicker then vegetable oil. Clearly lots of things work, although you have to clean out some of the 80 year old stuff. I’m hoping the synthetic stuff won’t harden up as much.

 

[Wamsutta]

21030 is a thick NLGI 2 grease.

Synthetic Grease - Multi-Purpose Lubricant | Super-Lube

Heavy-duty, multi-purpose lubricant synthetic grease with Syncolon® (PTFE) to form a premium lubricant that provides longer life protection against friction, wear, rust and corrosion.

www.super-lube.com

They call it an NLGI 2 grease, but it sure feels like an NLGI 1 grease or thinner.

You want some super thick grease? THIS is it.

 

[CGarage]

I have recently (past 6 months) ordered rebuild kits from Snap-On.

As others have pointed out, the SuperLube that Snap-On sends does not appear to be 00 or 01 consistency.

It seems identical to the SuperLube sold at HF in terms of consistency.

 

[egdede]

red lube of love

ok guys so I used the red lube of love (permatex super slick engine assembly lube) on my new gearwrench ratchets and craftsman pros. Can anyone tell me that when i used this lube on these ratchets why they suddonly dont work as well anymore? my 3/8 likes to self reverse ALOT! and my 1/4 has done...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[VolvoRyan]

Super Lube works great in everything I have. SK was using some sticky stuff in the LP90's and new round-heads. I disassembled them, nuked them from orbit with solvent, and put Super Lube in. All was well. I think I even Super-Lubed a few 120XP's.

I like that Snap-On provides the Super Lube with their rebuild kits.

For sure, there's an art to "how much" lube goes in. Too much is no good!

-Ryan

 

[CR888]

I honestly dont think any of these fancy lubes would be any improvement over a few drops of sewing machine oil, mineral oil, 2T oil or virtually ANY motor oil. Its a damn ratchet. It'll likely outlast religion with some basic care.

 

[AEAdam]

I honestly dont think any of these fancy lubes would be any improvement over a few drops of sewing machine oil, mineral oil, 2T oil or virtually ANY motor oil. Its a damn ratchet. It'll likely outlast religion with some basic care.

No. The big flat surfaces need a grease, not an oil. Agree wetting the components with mineral oil (or any oil) is smart. But again, no, they won't last forever if not suitably lubed and you won't like the performance.

 

[Outahere]

I have recently (past 6 months) ordered rebuild kits from Snap-On.

As others have pointed out, the SuperLube that Snap-On sends does not appear to be 00 or 01 consistency.

It seems identical to the SuperLube sold at HF in terms of consistency.

What is the part number printed on the little tube of Super-lube?
The Dual80 rebuild kit I bought 2 years ago contains a tube of NLGI 00 Super-lube p.n.82345/00

 

[MarcSeattle]

I honestly dont think any of these fancy lubes would be any improvement over a few drops of sewing machine oil, mineral oil, 2T oil or virtually ANY motor oil. Its a damn ratchet. It'll likely outlast religion with some basic care.

I guess it depends on how a person defines improvement. If it works everyday then it's all good, right? It's also true that nobody needs a car with more than 200hp. Yet here we are...

 

[CGarage]

What is the part number printed on the little tube of Super-lube?
The Dual80 rebuild kit I bought 2 years ago contains a tube of NLGI 00 Super-lube p.n.82345/00

These pouches / sachets had no part number. Just a clear plastic pouch containing the lube.

 

[WWheeler]

These pouches / sachets had no part number. Just a clear plastic pouch containing the lube.

Here's a very recent snap-on rebuild kit showing the tube w/ superlube # 82345/00 ...

 

[Wamsutta]

Here's a very recent snap-on rebuild kit showing the tube w/ superlube # 82345/00 ...

Where is gets confusing is some of those tubes come with NLGI 2 rated grease instead of the NLGI 00 rated grease you have.

Amazon

 

[WWheeler]

Where is gets confusing is some of those tubes come with NLGI 2 rated grease instead of the NLGI 00 rated grease you have.

Amazon

Yeah I'm pretty sure all Superlube's NLGI formulations are available in little tubes like that (you can buy them in quantities of 5000 on their site), but every snap-on rebuild kit I've ever received, which is a many of them as recently as two weeks ago, going back at least to when the dual-80 was introduced, has had that same # 82345/00 tube in it.

 

[AEAdam]

Happy to be wrong, but I’m pretty sure somebody on GJ had a photo of ratchet repair kit with 21030, which I think is NLGI2. Is it possible Snap On has changed what they supply?

BTW, saw a chart that said 00 is like yogurt, 2 is like peanut butter. If you are smearing a film inside a ratchet head does it matter?

 

[woody 73]

I have never had any problems with the following product from Harbor Freight.

Harbor Freight Tools – Quality Tools at Discount Prices Since 1977

Harbor Freight buys their top quality tools from the same factories that supply our competitors. We cut out the middleman and pass the savings to you!

www.harborfreight.com

 

[CR888]

No. The big flat surfaces need a grease, not an oil. Agree wetting the components with mineral oil (or any oil) is smart. But again, no, they won't last forever if not suitably lubed and you won't like the performance.

Well I have a few ratchets maybe 60 which is not a lot compared to some folk here. I modify many of them to get the back drag just where I like it, and I know lubrication helps quite a bit. I used to dissolve some lithium 2 EP multipurpose grease into some 2 cycle FB rated mineral oil. That worked great. Nowadays I just put a few drops of 2 stroke oil and I have no reason to do anything else. That I know of at least that would make a meaningful improvement.

 

[CGarage]

I have never had any problems with the following product from Harbor Freight.

Harbor Freight Tools – Quality Tools at Discount Prices Since 1977

Harbor Freight buys their top quality tools from the same factories that supply our competitors. We cut out the middleman and pass the savings to you!

www.harborfreight.com

Agreed.

 

[Armatron]

I settled with about a 50/50 mix of super lube (the normal retail supposedly thicker stuff) and the permatex red ultra slick. Seems like a good combo, ratchets feel much better

 

[AEAdam]

I settled with about a 50/50 mix of super lube (the normal retail supposedly thicker stuff) and the permatex red ultra slick. Seems like a good combo, ratchets feel much better

Ok. If they feel or sound better, you may have done it wrong. Make sure the gears are not full of grease.

Cannot recommend mixing grease cocktails. Not sure why you are trying to outsmart Snap On engineers. I don’t know what their o rings are made from but some petroleum greases and oils attack some elastomers.

Also mixing stuff with super lube might be no problem, or you could have a little chemistry experiment happening inside your ratchet.

I’d recommend taking it back apart, wiping it out, then washing in your sink with hot soapy water, then use super lube. If you are worried about the viscosity, superlube sell a synthetic oil you can add which is similar chemically to the grease.

 

[Armatron]

Ok. If they feel or sound better, you may have done it wrong. Make sure the gears are not full of grease.

Cannot recommend mixing grease cocktails. Not sure why you are trying to outsmart Snap On engineers. I don’t know what their o rings are made from but some petroleum greases and oils attack some elastomers.

Also mixing stuff with super lube might be no problem, or you could have a little chemistry experiment happening inside your ratchet.

I’d recommend taking it back apart, wiping it out, then washing in your sink with hot soapy water, then use super lube. If you are worried about the viscosity, superlube sell a synthetic oil you can add which is similar chemically to the grease.

The problem is that getting the exact correct super lube is nearly impossible.

Assembly lube has to be o-ring safe. Plenty of o-rings in modern engines.

Grease cocktail.. Sure it might stiffen up or separate. No big deal, clean it out and replace it with something else.

 

[AEAdam]

You can buy the little tubes for less than $1 each. Or just use Super Lube NGLI 2. Smear a thin film inside the body. There’s a, not great, SO YouTube video that shows exactly what I’m saying (but that’s not why I’m saying it). It’s a little hard to see what the guy actually does but the words are right.

If you wash and dry your ratchet guts and want a little protective oil film to prevent corrosion, Super Lube makes a lightweight synthetic oil in a 4oz bottle. P/N 52004. It’s good for a lot of things, lighter than 3 in 1. Good for guns for example or fine machinery. Very stable, long lasting and not sensitive to heat and cold. It’s like the different between mobil1 and petroleum based motor oil.

Apply a light coat. That, in conjunction with super lube grease, may give you the exact consistency you were after all along. Just heed my advice and don’t grease the gear teeth!

The finished ratchet shouldn’t feel much different and should have a sharp metal on metal clicking sound. If that sound is deadened or dull, you did it wrong. You want those paws to snap home into the root of the gear. If there’s a build up of grease in those roots, you won’t have the full strength of the ratchet and you will wear it out quicker.

Good luck.