Help finding rebuild for old Mac TW3FRAN torque wrench

[old_smokey]

so I’ve got this old Mac torque wrench. It was my uncles and he gave it to me just before he passed away. I’m really hoping I can continue to use it, but the ratchet spring mechanism is shot. It just locks in both directions.

I’ve tried searching for a rebuild kit but they are long discontinued it seems.

Anyone recognize this head design and maybe know of an alternative kit that could drop in?

It’s a Mac 1/2” TW3FRAN








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[ALLFAST]

You might try the two torque wrench calibration/repair services I just read up on. One is in San Jose, Ca, and the other in Idaho or perhaps Utah?

IIRC, they both offer repair (and obviously have parts) for all the common marques of torque wrenches. Give it time and someone here will have some good info for you.

Nice work keeping your heirloom tool in the game. Regards, Shawn

 

[rogermac]

I can help with the spring. I have a supply of an updated spring, i'll be happy to send you a couple. Retired Mac Tools 20 yrs ago.

 

[old_smokey]

I can help with the spring. I have a supply of an updated spring, i'll be happy to send you a couple. Retired Mac Tools 20 yrs ago.

Roger, that would be brilliant! I’ll send you my mailing address in a private message tonight


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[ALLFAST]

That's what I'm talking about! Good Man!

 

[DD T/A]

I can help with the spring. I have a supply of an updated spring, i'll be happy to send you a couple. Retired Mac Tools 20 yrs ago.

You should totally share some stories of your days as a tool guy.

 

[mikebaker1129]

That is a Facom style mechanism.
Try cleaning any old grease out from the teeth and lubricate it with ATF or MMO.
I would bet you get it working.

 

[old_smokey]

That is a Facom style mechanism.
Try cleaning any old grease out from the teeth and lubricate it with ATF or MMO.
I would bet you get it working.

Tried that already and it would go. I also pulled a spring out of a similar style Husky ratchet to see if that would make it go but no luck. The teeth appear to be good on the body and pawl but it just locks up no matter what. That spring is very particular it seems


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[mikebaker1129]

There is a video on YouTube by Facom showing the repair of a similar ratchet.
Are you lining up the bottom of the heart shaped spring with the pin on the selector lever?
It has to be on there just right or it will not function.

 

[old_smokey]

There is a video on YouTube by Facom showing the repair of a similar ratchet.
Are you lining up the bottom of the heart shaped spring with the pin on the selector lever?
It has to be on there just right or it will not function.

I tried but the spring is mangled. It looks like my uncle probably was having issues with the ratchet head and tried bending the spring to fix it. It made it nearly impossible to keep on the selector lever pin, and when it was finally on, it didn’t work well. I hope a new spring will do the trick.


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[rogermac]

Hi old smokey, Have you tried the new spring yet? That would usually take care of the reversing problems. If the teeth on the pawl have rounded a bit it can cause slippage . Hope the spring cured it. Rogermac

 

[old_smokey]

Hi old smokey, Have you tried the new spring yet? That would usually take care of the reversing problems. If the teeth on the pawl have rounded a bit it can cause slippage . Hope the spring cured it. Rogermac

Hi roger! My sister received the package of three springs about a week ago and mailed them to me yesterday. So they’re en route to me now in Canada, hopefully won’t take more than a few days. I’ll post a follow up here when they arrive!


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[old_smokey]

Hi old smokey, Have you tried the new spring yet? That would usually take care of the reversing problems. If the teeth on the pawl have rounded a bit it can cause slippage . Hope the spring cured it. Rogermac

Hi there Roger!

I received your letter with the replacement springs yesterday evening and ran out to the garage to give them a try.




What a huge difference here! My spring sure was mangled beyond recognition.







The pin on the back of the selector dial is very shallow on this ratchet. I almost wonder if it’s been damaged at some point. It took several tries and some creativity but eventually I got the ratchet assembled correctly.

I now have proper ratcheting action in both directions. Success!!

It sounds very positive as it clicks in the loosening position, and a bit more muddled when ratcheting in the normal tightening position. I tried a few lubes and it seems to prefer being almost dry, just the lightest film of oil. Anything more and the ratchet would occasionally skip or hang up while applying force. I think the pawl itself has some slight wear but I’ve got it dialed in now and it’s working well. I’m really glad that I’m able to put my uncles old tool back into practice.

Thanks so much Roger for making this possible. It’s generosity like this that makes this board so great.


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[rogermac]

Hi Old Smokey, Glad the spring took care of the problem, your original spring was replaced with this design and seemed to work much better. I've tried a lot of ways to lubricate a ratchet and feel that the best lube I found was automatic transmission fluid. It worked best on the fine tooth ratchets like your torque wrench has. Grease seemed to slow down the movement that needs to occur. Looked around for a pawl but all seem to be used up except for a few 3/4" drive parts. Wind your wrench down to zero after you use it and it will hold calibration forever. Rogermac

 

[nwfuel]

Hi Rogermac and Old Smokey - I'm doing the exact same repair on the exact same torque wrench, wondering if there's another surplus spring available. Tried to PM but just joined this board after finding this thread and cannot send PM until I have a few posts first. gord a t nwfuel d o t ca.

 

[meckman]

Hi Old Smokey, Glad the spring took care of the problem, your original spring was replaced with this design and seemed to work much better. I've tried a lot of ways to lubricate a ratchet and feel that the best lube I found was automatic transmission fluid. It worked best on the fine tooth ratchets like your torque wrench has. Grease seemed to slow down the movement that needs to occur. Looked around for a pawl but all seem to be used up except for a few 3/4" drive parts. Wind your wrench down to zero after you use it and it will hold calibration forever. Rogermac

i am looking for the same spring. do you think you could send one to me thanks

 

[rogermac]

nwfuel & meckman: Sorry it's taken me so long to spot this. If you still need this spring pm me your address and I'll get springs to you.

 

[ODINSsON86]

I can help with the spring. I have a supply of an updated spring, i'll be happy to send you a couple. Retired Mac Tools 20 yrs ago.

By chance would you happen to have any more of those springs sir ? I went thru my fathers estate and he had this same MAC torque wrench but it needs a spring and the small grooved piece so if you know of anywhere I could find them I’d greatly appreciate it thanks