Best lube/grease for 36 tooth ratchets?

[lincwelder225]

After reading here to use a light oil (specifically marvel mystery oil) for my 88 tooth ratchets, what does everyone recommend for your run of the mill 36 tooth ones? I used superlube grease in my snap on f936. Anything better? I have a new Armstrong 11-972 that needs to be lubed. What sayeth the ratchet gods here?

 

[Wamsutta]

Stick with Superlube for the F936 and I'll tell you why:

The seals will swell up when using the wrong lube and you won't be able to reassemble the ratchet because the seals have swollen up.

If you're trying to get the ratchet to run smoother, forget it; that's just the way the 936 series operates. They do however get smoother with lots of use.

 

[chipper]

I stick with superlube for everything now I used to use assembly oil(rll) but imo nothing works better than sl

Sent from my 6062W using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[wyattstihl]

I use Hoppes lubricating oil that usually gets used on guns. I just got a Craftsman old ratchet that was clunky and barely worked, dripped some of that into the assembly and by god its like brand new.


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[Wamsutta]

If the Armstrong has no seals in it which I don't think it has, use the Permatex 81950 in it.

 

[fsae0607]

I've always used a small dab of moly grease on all my ratchets.

 

[mr.lemons]

Stick with Superlube for the F936 and I'll tell you why:

The seals will swell up when using the wrong lube and you won't be able to reassemble the ratchet because the seals have swollen up.

If you're trying to get the ratchet to run smoother, forget it; that's just the way the 936 series operates. They do however get smoother with lots of use.

Is there rubber in snap on ratchets?

 

[lincwelder225]

If the Armstrong has no seals in it which I don't think it has, use the Permatex 81950 in it.

It's not the 88 tooth One, it's 36 teeth. Is the permatex still recommended for a low tooth count?

Btw, I already used the superlube in my F936...I called snap on and asked what they recommended. I ordered a small tube of it along with some other things.

 

[lincwelder225]

Is there rubber in snap on ratchets?

Yes there is a o ring around the selector switch and one on the plate.

 

[lincwelder225]

I use Hoppes lubricating oil that usually gets used on guns. I just got a Craftsman old ratchet that was clunky and barely worked, dripped some of that into the assembly and by god its like brand new.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I use clennzoil for firearms..It's thinner and "runnier" than regular gun oil so I don't think it's a viable option for me. Thanks for the idea though... I'll pick some up some time and try it in a Craftsman ratchet that I have

 

[lincwelder225]

I stick with superlube for everything now I used to use assembly oil(rll) but imo nothing works better than sl

Sent from my 6062W using The Garage Journal mobile app

Does the superlube last longer? Why did you switch? Just curious.

 

[Wamsutta]

It's not the 88 tooth One, it's 36 teeth. Is the permatex still recommended for a low tooth count?

Btw, I already used the superlube in my F936...I called snap on and asked what they recommended. I ordered a small tube of it along with some other things.

Yes, I recommend the Permatex for (unsealed) low tooth count ratchets; it's too thick for fine tooth. It's like a syrup.

 

[plinker]

I use Super lube myself, It's very usable for other stuff so I dont bother with anything else. The 60/72/84/88 tooth ratchets currently get air tool oil (Marvel).

 

[Professional Tool User]

For Snap on ratchets, the rebuild kits come with super lube. As for other ratchets, a lot of them are oiled at the factory with some sort of light out, so I would be careful about super lubing everything.

 

[Fedwrench]

If the Armstrong has no seals in it which I don't think it has, use the Permatex 81950 in it.

Ah, the red lube of love. MerK would be proud

Seriously though, it's a 36 tooth ratchet, not a high performance engine. ratchet lube is a deeply personal choice. Some people swear by engine assembly lube, some people like synthetic brake caliper lube, others like superlube, what do you have readily available? that's what i would use.

 

[M6erfan]

...ratchet lube is a deeply personal choice...

Which is really just sad

 

[WWheeler]

I used to use RLL in some but got tired of it leaking out and nowadays I use Superlube in everything.

 

[azchrisf]

You can use regular black grease in 36 tooth ratchets, but like most others have stated I'm happy with the Super Lube in my older 36 tooth Craftsman ratchets as well. The basic idea used to be thicker lube works fine in older ratchets, while newer ones need something thinner because of the close spacing of the teeth. Super Lube seems to work great in any ratchet from my experience.

 

[magicrat]

I have a williams ratchet that sounded like a tank so I opened it and it had grease already......I cleaned it and used Super Lube just out of curiosity and now it's quiet and smooth. I was really surprised, but when I was applying it I could see how slippery it was over thick grease

 

[Wamsutta]

I used to use RLL in some but got tired of it leaking out and nowadays I use Superlube in everything.

RLL works better than Superlube for MAC 30 tooth ratchets. I don't know why, it just does for some reason. The leaking stops after about a day because the MAC 30s aren't sealed at all.

 

[Tonyuk]

Moly grease,

My 36 tooth Williams smoothed out a bit after some grease and being spun with a drill for a few minutes in each direction, buts its still not nearly as smooth as my facoms etc..

Smoothest ratchets i have are composites made in taiwan with a 72 tooth movement.

 

[isb cornbinder]

I dropped my older Craftsman ratchet head torque wrench off at MOTION INDUSTRIES. They opened the wrench head and removed the dried grease that was causing the pawl to skip. "Run it dry", was the advice from the tech.
When I think about how little motion a ratchet gets and at low RPM, grease is likely unnecessary. I have a dozen torque wrenches, 8 of them with a ratchet head. All are grease free, now.

 

[Mgdoug3]

I like engine assembly oil for low tooth ratchets. I use Super lube for everything else. I know my Cornwell ratchet does not like Super lube.

 

[BarryWells]

I use this just because I keep it around. Used plenty of Superlube over the years that comes with kits.
I figure if it can handle a 500 hp engine just assembled I think a ratchet turning 5000 rp-10 years will be OK
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000UK9786/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[CR888]

Folks make it out that a certain specific lube is precisely needed for a ratchet to benefit. Yet near everyone in this thread uses a different lube which brings me to the point of these threads...whats the point, who's advice does on take and on what factual basis. lol. What is it with blokes & oil, grease, 2t mix ratio, gas octane & ratchet lube. Its a simple ratchet... thats all.

 

[Mr_B]

I use red lithium and couple drops atf on everything from 24 to 90 tooth I have and never had issue of skipping or leaky mess if all done in moderation .
I use fair bit grease in the low tooth counts but only once ratchets been used a bit thus worn in .
I sure wouldn't buy anything specific for ratchet lube, just use best choice from what you got stocked .

 

[Wamsutta]

Folks make it out that a certain specific lube is precisely needed for a ratchet to benefit. Yet near everyone in this thread uses a different lube which brings me to the point of these threads...whats the point, who's advice does on take and on what factual basis. lol. What is it with blokes & oil, grease, 2t mix ratio, gas octane & ratchet lube. Its a simple ratchet... thats all.

If you use SuperLube in Snap-on ratchets and RLL in MAC 30 tooth ratchets, you can't go wrong. I have no idea what to lube the new MAC 90 tooths with.

 

[Al Borland]

I use 3-in-1 oil.
It works good.
Much better than Crunchy Peanut Butter.

 

[Legion Prime]

Ahh but which 3in1? The black bottle is 30wt, the blue bottle is light machine oil 20wt. I used the LMO when I cleaned out my old Craftsman triwing ratchet. For my old OLD Craftsman 1/2" I just used the grease I got for my air guns. It's a low tooth count (have to go check) but it's so old the patina has turned it solid black and hey, it's got a grease fitting. I did however buy a little needle applicator of Superlube today. For $3 why not? I'll give it a try.

 

[Jazz1]

I found this long handled 1/2” drive Napa ratchet on road Friday. Packed it with Lucas red as I do all my ratchets

 

[DFB]

Ya pack 'em full with marine wheel bearing grease

 

[thesilverone]

Red Lube of Love!!!!!!!!!

 

[fang123]

If you use SuperLube in Snap-on ratchets and RLL in MAC 30 tooth ratchets, you can't go wrong. I have no idea what to lube the new MAC 90 tooths with.

Hows about dis here.