1/2 in 3/8 ratchet

[plinker]

Found a repair kit that will turn any of the 3/8 drive Craftsman/Matco/Allen/Kobalt/Napa/K-D/S-K/Armstrong/ete.. 36 tooth ratchets/torque wrenches in to a 1/2 drive ratchet.

While not really a fine tooth ratchet, it is what it is. No one make one currently anyway (that I'm aware of). The PITA part of it is getting the snap ring to go in to place, kinda tight fit. The kit comes with a detent ball holder sort of like Snap-on's.

It does get rid of the QR feature and leave an open spot, Shouldnt be too big an issue, My S-K torque wrench was this way from new.

Part # 64-091 Armstrong torque wrench repair kit for torque wrench # 796AR-91

LINK,
https://www.ebay.com/itm/400999550218

 

[ihateminimumwage]

This thread is useless without a PART NUMBER!

In all seriousness, cool find!

 

[plinker]

Oops! I'll edit with link & number.....

 

[Alpine4x4]

Good use for one of the many 3/8 craftsman kit ratchets i have laying around! Nice!

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Even better, it's through Cripe! I'll be moving and working down the street from them next week, which could be rough on the wallet!

Now you're going to get me to buy another 36T Craftsman style pearhead after I got rid of all those garbage ratchets...

 

[65k10]

Very cool and thanks for the link. Now I have a reason to pick up a danaher 36 tooth (never thought I'd say that).

I've made a 1/2 in 3/8 ratchet using a Proto J5249 ratchet with a J6008RK kit. It has real light back drag which is nice, but it's not the best ratchet for this application thanks to the large head and low tooth count.

 

[four.cycle]

NAPA NB41 3/8" drive teardrop ratchet (Danaher)
listed as used (see photos - this seller bought out a close-out NAPA inventory)
$11.34 + $3.99 shipping "buy now" * 5 available 03/06 21:51 PST *
https://www.ebay.com/itm/NAPA-Nb41-3-8-Inch-Drive-Pear-Head-Ratchet-USA/112770325246

 

[CR888]

I love a good compact ratt whether off the shelf or self made. But if one searches hard you can find small head ratchets that are smaller than most other brands next down drive size. For example here are some well known Gearwrench rats next to an Aussie brand Kincrome (Taiwan made but oz designed) in 3/8" & 1/4"... So what we have is a 1/4" , 1/4, 3/8", 3/8" none of these are compacts, just standard rats but the Kincrome is much smaller head than GW.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Any reason I can't use this kit in an Armstrong 11-972 if I drill/ream out the cover plate for the 1/2" anvil to fit through?

Picture of the ratchet (and it's normal repair kit of 11-990) in pictures.

EDIT: IT WORKED. SEE POST #30

 

[plinker]

I dont think it'll work with a 11-972, it seems a bit different to me.

It would work in this one though,

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Armstrong-11-972A-3-8-Drive-Teardrop-Ratchet-Knurled-Handle-7-3-4-USA-/391888685563?hash=item5b3e62c9fb

 

[Fedwrench]

I love a good compact ratt whether off the shelf or self made. But if one searches hard you can find small head ratchets that are smaller than most other brands next down drive size. For example here are some well known Gearwrench rats next to an Aussie brand Kincrome (Taiwan made but oz designed) in 3/8" & 1/4"... So what we have is a 1/4" , 1/4, 3/8", 3/8" none of these are compacts, just standard rats but the Kincrome is much smaller head than GW.

The kincrome flex head looks like a dead ringer for the power built pro and Carlyle quick release flex head ratchets sold here. Different handles but, I bet the same factory in Taiwan cranks them out.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

I dont think it'll work with a 11-972, it seems a bit different to me.

It would work in this one though,

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Armstrong-11-972A-3-8-Drive-Teardrop-Ratchet-Knurled-Handle-7-3-4-USA-/391888685563?hash=item5b3e62c9fb

Yea...I just really like the handle of the older 11-972.

I may try it for shiggles. Other than the plate, what did you notice may be different?

 

[plinker]

Yea...I just really like the handle of the older 11-972.

I may try it for shiggles. Other than the plate, what did you notice may be different?

The Armstrong gear may be a bit bigger. It's worth a shot, either way you're not out much. I would try fitting the gear before removing the pawl/lever assembly since it's peen fit.

 

[Ji m]

Bought one,
thanks!

 

[CR888]

The kincrome flex head looks like a dead ringer for the power built pro and Carlyle quick release flex head ratchets sold here. Different handles but, I bet the same factory in Taiwan cranks them out.

Yes I think your right. I've seen a few similar designs but until they are in your hand its hard to tell but some other Taiwan rats looks almost the same. Kincrome socketry used to be made in Japan by SEK tools (I think). You should check out their newish 6pt sockets called Lok-on™ which are a flank drive kinda setup with a few ribs on the flat sides of the sockets. They claim that even an 80% rounded bolt head is no problem to remove. They have a YouTube demo on them. I'm going to get a set to check them out, just looking for the right eBay deal as there very pricey new.

 

[SRSemenza]

So this creates a 1/2" compact ratchet. Cool.

Seth

 

[bonneyman]

Yeah, that knuckle side snap ring looks like it would be a bear.

But nice mod.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Is the flip lever in the Armstrong kit metal or plastic?

 

[plinker]

Some form of metal. Far as I know, Craftsman is the only one that had plastic spec'd.

 

[Ji m]

Installed in a Matco BR12FTA

Great tip plinker, thanks!

I was able to use a spare Matco swivel head (BR12FTA) that was put away waiting for a kit (stripped teeth), and end up with a compact 1/2 swivel for my troubles.

I kept the Matco selector switch and snap ring, but used all the other parts in the kit.
I had trouble getting either snap ring back in at the end, which is weird because I've had it apart quite a few times with the 3/8" head and never had an issue.

^I think the thicker grease included might have been the issue,
should have stuck to MMO

anyway all the parts were a perfect 1 to 1 match for the BR12FTA
no mods needed what so ever

and the reward is a sweet compact 1/2" swivel:

 

[Ji m]

If I did it again,
personally I wouldn't use the "Ratchet Lubricant" included,

it's thick enough that it gives that "skipping teeth" feeling when you freewheel the ratchet.

I switched to MMO or Kroil in most everything else,
but figured I'd try the 'correct' lube since it came with the kit.

Awesome awesome kit, I just wanted to throw out that opinion

It's too bad that the only other ratchets I have that another kit might fit are the older style CM 44811's.

a tiny little compact 3/8" polished pear head would be SWEET with a 1/2" kit

 

[Al Borland]

I've got a Craftsman KU version and a Taiwanese no-name clone of this ratchet that looks like this would work for.

 

[plinker]

I think the Matco ratchets are ideal since they wont have the QR hole in them. I wasnt going to going to spend a lot of time looking so I bought the Craftsman industrial (didnt want knurled or a RP handle). I either used Super-lube or the stuff the kit had, didnt use much though, thin coating.

So far I've used mine with a tap socket. 8pt sockets are likely another use I'll have for it.

 

[pi_guy]

1/2" Drive 80-Tooth Stubby Handle Ratchet

https://store.snapon.com/Dual-80-17...e-80-Tooth-Stubby-Handle-Ratchet-P651019.aspx

 

[jl4c]

The New Britain Kilness style ratchets have the same size head, regardless of whether it’s 3/8” or 1/2” drive. You can transplant a 1/2” anvil into a 3/8” body, no problem. Just make sure you match the tooth count (45 or 60).

EDIT: Apparently my assertion was wrong, as proven by tool_scounge below. A thanks to him for correcting me.

 

[tool_scrounge]

The New Britain Kilness style ratchets have the same size head, regardless of whether it’s 3/8” or 1/2” drive. You can transplant a 1/2” anvil into a 3/8” body, no problem. Just make sure you match the tooth count (45 or 60).

Hmm... I just tried this. The diameter of the two assemblies is the same, but the 1/2 drive is about 0.06" longer than the 3/8 drive. So the 3/8" drive will fit into a 1/2 handle, but in flops around. The 1/2" drive fits the 3/8 handle, but you cannot install the C clip. This was a 45 tooth count, but I checked the length of a 1/2 drive 60 tooth count ratchet an it was the same length as the 1/2" 45 tooth count.

 

[jl4c]

Hmm... I just tried this. The diameter of the two assemblies is the same, but the 1/2 drive is about 0.06" longer than the 3/8 drive. So the 3/8" drive will fit into a 1/2 handle, but in flops around. The 1/2" drive fits the 3/8 handle, but you cannot install the C clip. This was a 45 tooth count, but I checked the length of a 1/2 drive 60 tooth count ratchet an it was the same length as the 1/2" 45 tooth count.

I know I have done this before. Perhaps I only dropped the anvil into the head and didn't bother to try inserting the c-clip as you did. I stand corrected, thank you.

The thing I still find fascinating is that essentially the same size insert is used for both 3/8 and 1/2 ratchets. It's a strong mechanism.

 

[Ji m]

If I did it again,
personally I wouldn't use the "Ratchet Lubricant" included,

it's thick enough that it gives that "skipping teeth" feeling when you freewheel the ratchet.

I switched to MMO or Kroil in most everything else,
but figured I'd try the 'correct' lube since it came with the kit.

Awesome awesome kit, I just wanted to throw out that opinion

Just to update this a bit...

thanks to plinker one more time because I bought a shorter 8" non-flex Matco BR8T & another 1/2" kit to convert that one too.

I quoted myself above to bring back up the issue I had with ratchet action,
the thick grease was part of that,
but I think the bigger issue for me is I didn't like the action of the Armstrong 3 tooth (on each side) pawl in the Matco handle.

I put the original Matco (2 tooth) pawl back in, with a small amount of Redline assembly lube instead of the included grease and they both click like Swiss watches now

 

[bonneyman]

Nice work, Ji M!

 

[Mohawk Dave]

It worked! 1/2" kit in Armstrong 11-972.

Only had to change the anvil and enlarge the plate hole. The pawl, spring, everything else was untouched.

I used a bridge reamer in my mill/drill and set pressure and turned by hand until I had just a CH of clearance around the anvil.

Put red assembly lube and it is muy bueno. Thanks OP!

 

[cliftonbros89]

Ok. I got my kit in. Now unfortunately I sold one of my previous Armstrong 3/8” ratchets, I also sold some U.S. Cman raised panel 3/8” ratchets I had laying around that I never used. So what’s your opinion on which ratchet would be best to pick up to put it in?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[plinker]

Best would be subjective, I'd say the nicest to use would be the Matco or Armstrong. It all boils down to what style handle you prefer and if you want the QR hole in the back.
That and how much you want to spend.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

It worked! 1/2" kit in Armstrong 11-972.

Only had to change the anvil and enlarge the plate hole. The pawl, spring, everything else was untouched.

I used a bridge reamer in my mill/drill and set pressure and turned by hand until I had just a CH of clearance around the anvil.

Put red assembly lube and it is muy bueno. Thanks OP!

Just an update. I've been using this shorty, and what a joy. Thanks again OP.

 

[cliftonbros89]

The kit would works in the likes of this Allen 11901 3/8” as well wouldn’t it?

It’s the same classic Danaher design like some many others isn’t it? I’ve had the kit for quite awhile and haven’t dropped in it a ratchet yet. I had a Masterforce ratchet that would’ve worked. Unfortunately, I got rid of it just before I got the kit. Now the Masterforce line has completely changed since it’s all China made.

 

[plinker]

It'll fit just fine, there will be a hole so to speak in the back of the ratchet body (think non QR kit in a QR ratchet).

 

[johninct]

Can a Snap-On f936 or F80 be converted? I want a longer handle 3/8" ratchet with a 1/2" drive.

 

[plinker]

Can a Snap-On f936 or F80 be converted? I want a longer handle 3/8" ratchet with a 1/2" drive.

These particular kits only fit the 36 tooth Danaher ratchets mentioned in earlier posts (Craftsman/Allen/KD/Armstong/Napa/Matco/ete..).

Far as I know, the only Snap-on ratchets made this style were 30 tooth from the 70's or 80's and not super common.

 

[cliftonbros89]

Got it!

Comparing it to a Snap On 3/8” and my short 1/2” Wright.


Not totally sure when I’ll need it. But I’m sure I’ll find a reason to use it. Not a bad ratchet for about $25.

 

[Mcadam1208]

Since apex brought armstrong, anyone have any idea on new part numbers ?

 

[victor252]

The issue is that Apex closed down the old Danaher plant that made Armstrong, Craftsman, Napa, KD, Allen and other labels.

I don't think there will be any new part numbers. Cripe is sold out. Not sure who would still carry this.

Armstrong 64-091 796AR-91 Ratchet Head Kit for 1/2

THE ARMSTRONG 64-091 IS A RATCHET HEAD KIT FOR 1/2" DRIVE ARMSTRONG TORQUE WRENCHES. FOR CLOSE HEAD NON-QUICK RELEASE TEARDROP RATCHETS ARMSTRONG 64-091 FEATURES: FITS 2-1/8" HEAD SIZES FOR USE WITH THE FOLLOWING TORQUE WRENCHES: 64-084

cripedistributing.com