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The official GJ ratchet lube poll...

What ratchet lube do you use/prefer?

  • Permatex engine assembly lube (red lube of love)

    Votes: 36 18.8%

  • Marvel Mystery oil

    Votes: 14 7.3%

  • Lucas oil treatment

    Votes: 6 3.1%

  • Super Lube (Snap-On)

    Votes: 81 42.2%

  • Motor oil

    Votes: 11 5.7%

  • Gear oil

    Votes: 5 2.6%

  • ATF

    Votes: 7 3.6%

  • Grease

    Votes: 29 15.1%

  • WD-40, PB Blaster, Deep Creep, Kroil (penetrating oil)

    Votes: 8 4.2%

  • Other: please specify (gun oil, white lithium, anti-sieze, chain lube, air tool oil, lubriplate)

    Votes: 29 15.1%
  • Total voters
    192
B

bareass172

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 5, 2012
Messages
817
Location
N'awlins
Just for fun, I was reading on this the other day just to see what people were using. I searched and didn't see a poll, so for fun I decided to set one up. I think I covered the most mentioned lubes, but I can always modify/add up to 10 total if I've missed anything.

Edit: for those mentioning different types for different ratchets, the poll is set so you can choose more than one. I figured that was a better option than starting a different poll for each size/brand/make of ratchet. ;)

I, personally, have used Amsoil synthetic marine grease for years. I use a small brush to just coat the parts, not glob anything in there and cause problems. The marine grade sticks really well and doesn't tend to dry out too fast. It's amazing how much a very light coating will quiet down a ratchet while still maintaining complete function.
 
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J

jim1987

Banned
Joined
Feb 16, 2014
Messages
3,582
Location
Ohio
Definitely need to add "whatever is laying around" for me its either 10w-40, 90w gear oil, or chain lube or chain saws. Depends if its higher or lower tooth count.
 
M

monomach

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 8, 2013
Messages
1,489
Location
Illinois
It's not Snap-On Super Lube. Snap-on just happens to use it in some ratchets. You can buy the stuff at Harbor Freight or a hundred other places.

For ratchets that perform better with grease, I use Super Lube. For ratchets that perform better with oil, I use Marvel Mystery Oil. For old rusty garage sale pressed heads, I soak in whatever ATF I have sitting around.
 
J

jafco

Member
Joined
Feb 12, 2014
Messages
20
Depends on what ratchet. I have a little 1/4 inch drive Facom ratchet that will not work with with any kind of grease or thick oil. I use air tool oil for that one. For most of the other ones I have been using Permatex brake caliper lube.
 
S

shopboy13

Well-known member
Joined
May 17, 2011
Messages
153
Location
NY
Fluid film. Just don't try and use it until it has a minute to tack up or else it will come running out.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
R

rtole

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 25, 2014
Messages
366
I buy super lube at ace hardware. They also have it in spray can, that works better for fine tooth ratchets. It is the BOMB for your toolbox slides as well!
 
N

n8n

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 11, 2014
Messages
3,607
Location
Curtis Bay, MD
I recently cleaned and lubed some old Williams ratchets and used some Redline Heavy Shockproof gear oil. That stuff sticks to everything! held a Mason jar underneath the ratchet mechanisms while I drizzled the gear oil into them; soap and water wouldn't remove the stuff, I had to use Brakleen to get it all out.
 
S

Stooge

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 24, 2013
Messages
3,533
Location
South Shore, MA
for lower tooth count ratchets, i use GN assembly paste and makes them feel pretty smooth, higher tooth count ones, i use LPS lubricant that comes in a windex looking squirt bottle
 
C

Cameronl

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 5, 2009
Messages
572
Location
Connecticut
I first learned about lubing ratchets here on GJ. At the time all the talk was of RLoL. So I bought a small bottle at the parts store. It will last me a lifetime (maybe. I'm now actually assembling my very first car engine and putting it to use).
 
M

Mr.Nutcase

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 23, 2009
Messages
3,850
Location
USA
depends on the ratchet,Matco 88 calls for Marvel Mystery oil
Snap on uses Super Lube
 
C

cheechi

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 29, 2012
Messages
4,384
Location
Triad, NC
I have always used 3-in-1. Ever since reading GJ I have been using RLL & Marvel's also. No negative effects with any of these 3. Bigger heads, I think I like the RLL most. most of my 1/4 & 3/8 still have 3-in-1 without need to open it back up for a long while.
 
W

woody 73

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 14, 2009
Messages
11,540
Location
The Great State Up North
I have used everything you name it...even bear grease:lol_hitti

The red engine stuff leaks for years not days, not weeks but forever:wtf:

The white lithium is my curse darn stuff turns into a rock.:(

What I have found the best is the super lube from HF:beer:
 
O

Outlawmws

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 9, 2011
Messages
39,128
Location
The Badlands
It depends: A coarse tooth ratchet (Proto, et all) does fine with a light coating of a grease, I used to use a light gun grease lately it's been Red Mobile 1 grease.

Fine tooth ratchets don't generally like ANY class of grease, so an oil, but I haven't settled on a particular brand/grade. Something sticky like way oil might be a good choice, many light oils just drain out and make a mess. I probably need to go try super lube...
 
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N

nicksnothereman

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 19, 2013
Messages
3,608
Location
In the Mojave
There are other people using marvel...I don't feel special anymore.

That's some good stuff, tends to last a while.

Wait wait I got a good one here...does that snap on lube come with the bill? Hahahahahahaha.
 
9

91bronc300

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 19, 2009
Messages
2,559
I think I've only ever used ATF and bearing grease. Next time I lube a ratchet though I'm going to try dry graphite powder.
 
N

newchris

Well-known member
Joined
May 3, 2010
Messages
226
Location
CT
i typically will brush the gear with this anti corrosion high temp grease that we have in the shop to lube the rollers on school bus air brakes. almost got my friend to eat it once...looks just like peanut butter
 
B

bobcatdan

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 4, 2011
Messages
9,948
Location
Kaukauna,WI
shopboy13 said:
Fluid film. Just don't try and use it until it has a minute to tack up or else it will come running out.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I find fluid flim works great for ratchet lube. Then again I use it for evverthing. Hey fluid film, if you are reading this, I'd make a great paid spokesman!
 
S

shopboy13

Well-known member
Joined
May 17, 2011
Messages
153
Location
NY
bobcatdan said:
I find fluid flim works great for ratchet lube. Then again I use it for evverthing. Hey fluid film, if you are reading this, I'd make a great paid spokesman!
Click to expand...


Me too. I just found it about a year ago and oh boy that stuff is my favorite now. Don't remember the last time I've bought wd40


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
A

Adam.C

Banned
Joined
Jan 29, 2013
Messages
1,490
I'm not sure what others think, but I think the grease goes not on the gear teeth, but rather between the gear and the ratchet body. The goal is to reduce friction, preventing premature wear and gear material from clogging gear teeth.

Grease in the gear can limit tooth engagement, increasing pressure, and inevitably prematurely wearing the ratchet.

So I'm not sure what problem people are trying to solve with ratchet lubes. I could see soaking a ratchet in ATF just to prevent corrosion.
 
K

Kev442

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 15, 2009
Messages
5,386
Location
Wi
I tried RLL, kinda sticky. Today I was wrenching, so the ratchets got hit with kroil as the can was right there. Even after, the cheap 1/4 drive is pretty much junk, time to buy a couple more ratchets.
 
T

twertsy

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 5, 2014
Messages
6,726
Location
Reedville, VA
Other: Just because saying it in the other 22 threads on this topic apparently isn't enough............
 

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J

Jure

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 1, 2011
Messages
1,755
Location
Croatia
Kroon
kroon-oil-bicycle-110ml-oil-bottle-8578-p.jpg

and stihl grease for coarse tooth ratchets
 
G

Greasymofo

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 17, 2014
Messages
83
Location
dallas
Ive used 3 in 1 sae 20 before works fine. But id say a dry loob like people use for bike chains. Its got a wax that sticks and dosent attract dirt. Or perhaps remoil with teflon would work good. To each his own. No ratchet needs oil or grease. But i guess they might appreciate the gesture.
 
J

Jason280

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 4, 2012
Messages
3,157
Depends on the ratchet....I have close to 100 or more floating around the shop, so I use a variety of different lubes. Lately, though, I have been using Pennzoil Syncromesh and SuperLube more than anything. Never tried engine assembly lube, but may give it a try since I have a can sitting on the shelf.
 
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