Talk about small parts

Elroy · Sep 1, 2008

A few months ago Elroy was lucky enough to procure (3) plastic handle Proto ratchets on close out from Grainger. Well this evening Elroy pulled the 1/2" ratchet apart to check its internal construction AND to clean and lubricate as indicted on the cover plate.

Elroy has also been brushing up on his photo skills. He's getting there but no pro. Anyways here are a few shots of the "guts"

[/IMG]

This is exactly how it came apart. Zero lubrication except for the most minimal amount of oil.

Here is the "SMALL" part. You talk about tiny. Almost had to get some tweezers just to manipulate this thing

[/IMG]

Here is that micro minature spring ready to accept the dog

[/IMG]

[/IMG]

And finally detailing the cover plate:

[/IMG]

[/IMG]

All done.

[/IMG]

[/IMG]

Opps, How did that get in there

[/IMG]

Blacknwhitepit · Sep 1, 2008

How did you clean off the excess paint on the detailing part, while leaving the metal so intact?

-BWP

CAT_serviceman927 · Sep 1, 2008

I have some of those ratchets. One 1/4 regular, 3/8 regular, 3/8 long, and 1/2 long. I love the 3/8 and 1/2 drives. My only problem was that the screws came loose, but a little lock-tite took care of that. As for the 1/4, it feels coarse to me. Maybe it just needs better lube like you did to yours.

Elroy · Sep 1, 2008

Blacknwhitepit said:
How did you clean off the excess paint on the detailing part, while leaving the metal so intact?

-BWP

That would be Lacquer Stik.

http://www.markal.com/

Designed and developed exactly for this type of application. Simply rub it on, let flash for a minute or two and wipe off the excess with a paper towel or rag. When dried it is not easily removed.

l_bilyk · Sep 1, 2008

Look at the way the pawl in the proto ratchet engages all 9-teeth. When you put some force on the handle of that ratchet, the toothed banana thing gets jammed against the case. No way it's ever going to skip. IMO this is the best ratchet design out there. All the proto big dawg ratchets use this mechanism, and a few taiwanese stanley ratchets do too. The dual 80 ratchets are very similar, but only 7 much finer teeth engage at one time so it's a smoother but weaker design.

bchee · Sep 1, 2008

That is some excellent camera work.

a390st · Sep 2, 2008

I have a Proto 5449. It is coarse, but it is nice and thin. I had a Mac Tools version of the 1/2 Big Dawg. It was much finer, but it just didn't feel good to me. It wasn't very smooth feeling. I know that's subjective, but it was lubed and I still didn't care for it. If it was broken in, it might feel better. I do like the looks of that Proto ratchet, though.

Sunrise · Sep 2, 2008

isnt that little too much lube? when i used super-lube on matco ratchet, it made worse (small gear stucks during turns). so i removed some lube and works fine again.

billymade · Sep 2, 2008

Nice close up pics; are you using Macro mode?

Printer Mike · Sep 2, 2008

Very interesting...Thanks for the sharp pictures!

eschoendorff · Sep 2, 2008

I love those Proto ratchets! Never considered using grease in it... mine works just fine with ATF.

Blacknwhitepit · Sep 2, 2008

Elroy said:
That would be Lacquer Stik.

http://www.markal.com/

Designed and developed exactly for this type of application. Simply rub it on, let flash for a minute or two and wipe off the excess with a paper towel or rag. When dried it is not easily removed.

Could this be used for Snap on Screwdriver handles with the Paint worn off the writing?

-BWP

Merkava_4 · Sep 2, 2008

Very nicely done Elroy. :beer:

Elroy · Sep 2, 2008

Blacknwhitepit said:
Could this be used for Snap on Screwdriver handles with the Paint worn off the writing?

-BWP

Why yes it can. Your question enticed Elroy to freshen up an older example this evening. This first picture is the front side before.

[/IMG]

And after:

[/IMG]

And the back side before:

[/IMG]

And the back side after:

[/IMG]

Notice that the flaws also have paint in them as well

and a few intermediate shots

[/IMG]

[/IMG]

At this point, Elroy should have allowed a little bit more flash off time and been a little more careful with the "buffing".

Elroy · Sep 2, 2008

Sunrise said:
isnt that little too much lube? when i used super-lube on matco ratchet, it made worse (small gear stucks during turns). so i removed some lube and works fine again.

uh, Let Elroy think about that :eyecrazy:

well, the answer is NO.

It's just about right amount in Elroy's opinion. You may think it's too much but Elroy thinks it's about right. The mechanism was assembled dry and lubed from above. There is plenty of cavity available to accept what is there.

Elroy · Sep 2, 2008

Merkava_4 said:
Very nicely done Elroy.

thank you.

Underdog · Sep 2, 2008

What type of grease does Elroy use, Thanks

Elroy · Sep 2, 2008

EP-0

as in extreme pressure - zero

Available in 5 gallon pails only.

Sorry, but you asked

Blacknwhitepit · Sep 2, 2008

Elroy said:
Why yes it can. Your question enticed Elroy to freshen up an older example this evening. This first picture is the front side before.

And the back side after:

[/IMG]

Notice that the flaws also have paint in them as well

and a few intermediate shots

[/IMG]

[/IMG]

At this point, Elroy should have allowed a little bit more flash off time and been a little more careful with the "buffing".

Elroy,

Thanks for the Pics. I am going to try to get some of this in white and then "refresh" some of my worn grips.

:thumbup:

-BWP

Talk about small parts

Elroy

Banned

Blacknwhitepit

Well-known member

CAT_serviceman927

Well-known member

Elroy

Banned

l_bilyk

Well-known member

bchee

Well-known member

a390st

Well-known member

Sunrise

Well-known member

billymade

Well-known member

Printer Mike

Well-known member

eschoendorff

Well-known member

Blacknwhitepit

Well-known member

Merkava_4

Banned

Elroy

Banned

Elroy

Banned

Elroy

Banned

Underdog

Well-known member

Elroy

Banned

Blacknwhitepit

Well-known member