ratchet repair gone bad!

[PowerGenGuy]

Just took apart Mastercraft Maximum 1/4" rat for clean and repair. It had been skipping so I stopped using it and bought a snappy a while back. I decided to take it apart to see if I could clean it, first thing I lost a ball bearing and a spring. I have a wood shop, so you can imagine, like finding a needle in a haystack, found the spring, not the bearing!

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

That *****. I only disassemble things in clean/empty area.

Did it flew off or roll off? Next time use tray.

Good luck finding replacement parts!!

 

[SMKS]

This has happened to me, too. My local hardware store has the tiny springs and ball bearings I needed to fix several ratchets. These parts aren't too specialized.

 

[bgott]

Wood shop? That will be easy to find. Magnet on a stick. Now, if it was a machine shop you'd be screwed.

 

[JeremyManning]

Well its mastercraft so take it back and get a new one

 

[metal1313]

next time take it apart inside a zip-lock bag. that way the bb cant go far

 

[ctb]

Put it back together as best you can and take it back. Had the same thing happen with a craftsman 3/8 and they switched it for a new one no probs.

 

[GirlnAgarage]

lol ...recovering memory...there is a black hole...

Magnet on a stick. And/or sweep the entire place and put it in one pile and then go through the pile. I found a ball bearing after two days of searching (It HAS to be here. It can't just disappear.)


Good luck.

 

[osborn.ozzy]

(It HAS to be here. It can't just disappear.)

You would be surprised

 

[GirlnAgarage]

You would be surprised

I know, been there.


I know I did run across a post around here that listed the sizes of the ball bearings of a particular brand/model. Might be possible it fits others. Worth a look. Ball bearings can be ordered from McMaster-Car if one can stand the shipping time wait. Also they have them at bicycle shops I read.

 

[Danglerb]

You could try a compass, those are good if you lose your bearings.

 

[BigAl62]

Lately I've been taking mine apart over a rectangular magnetic pan set in a plastic tray I "borrowed" from the KMart cafe many years ago when I worked there (if they want it back, too bad!). As has been suggested before, try a magnet on a stick and who knows what else you'll find!

 

[Lomotil]

Sometimes, when I'm looking for something small, I have better luck turning the lights off, getting down on the floor, and using a flashlight. Maybe it's just me, but it seems to make focusing my eyes in a narrower area than if all the lights are on.

I'd still try a magnet first.

Failing that, a replacement BB shouldn't be too hard to find. If the hardware stores don't have 'em, maybe you could try a Hobby Lobby or similar craft store?

Whomever had the Ziplock bag idea - that's a great idea.

 

[bad_idea]

i recently took my 1/2" craftsman apart to clean the rust out and lube it. i work in ship repair and dropped it in saltwater, hence the rust. i took it apart on the workbench in the space. i knew the bb was in there but still managed to shoot that thing across the space. fortunately we were waiting for tag outs and i had the time to find it. if you think it's rough looking for it in a garage, imagine in a machinery space on a ship - bilges and all.

 

[nehog]

lol ...recovering memory...there is a black hole...

Magnet on a stick. And/or sweep the entire place and put it in one pile and then go through the pile. I found a ball bearing after two days of searching (It HAS to be here. It can't just disappear.)


Good luck.

We were working on my diesel generator, removed an injection line and lost teh small steel sealing washer on the banjo fitting. I found a replacement, and we finished the generator set, and moved it back into the shop.

Next day I went out determined to find that tiny washer. Taped a strong magnet to a stick, and went at it. Played for about 10 minutes, and said to myself, "I'll never find it..." and picked up the stick, and there it was on the magnet!

 

[DrkMtnDew]

I temporarily lost the ball bearing on the first Cman ratchet i ever took apart. took a lot more precaution on the next one. took even more on my first SO ratchet.

 

[Toolhorder]

Who cares it's a Mastercraft..

 

[PowerGenGuy]

News Flash! I did not give up on that bearing. Spent the afternoon on my knees on the shop floor with a flashlight and a magnet tray, and I found the bearing, ratchet now clean and back together, and working again. I mentioned that I bought a snappy to replace it, that's the way its gonna stay, this one will stay at home as a spare! Thank you all!

 

[mrholeshot]

Just took apart Mastercraft Maximum 1/4" rat for clean and repair. It had been skipping so I stopped using it and bought a snappy a while back. I decided to take it apart to see if I could clean it, first thing I lost a ball bearing and a spring. I have a wood shop, so you can imagine, like finding a needle in a haystack, found the spring, not the bearing!

When I'm working on small things with springs and things I always get real close without my glasses, that way whe it comes apart I know I can pick up a mirror and find the parts in my eye, lol

 

[bigbob302]

Haha that ***** man i have been there. I went out fixin to find out what was inside a dual 80 and sent the ball flying up and luckily down my shirt so I stripped down in the shop and found it. for a while after I put it in a plastic bag like said above, until i got the hang of it. An old trick that served me well talking apart small rifle parts with springs and balls in them.

 

[GirlnAgarage]

News Flash! I did not give up on that bearing. Spent the afternoon on my knees on the shop floor with a flashlight and a magnet tray, and I found the bearing, ratchet now clean and back together, and working again. I mentioned that I bought a snappy to replace it, that's the way its gonna stay, this one will stay at home as a spare! Thank you all!

...and so goes the circle of life