Anyone Familiar With This 3/8" Ratchet?

RM209 · Oct 26, 2009

The 3/8' ratchet dsplayed in the photos is from the 70's and one of my favorites. It's got a push-button socket release, similar to Craftsman of that period, approximately 46 teeth,and is marked "American Forge 3901 USA" . Not sure, but I believe it was the "house" brand for American Hardware, later Service Star, for many years.
Any idea who produced this ratchet?

Thanks,
RM209

Bull · Oct 27, 2009

I believe Jake nailed it.

I got my first one of those (1/2" drive version) in a bulk lot of tools I bought. I am selling all of the ratchets (15 of them) from that lot but I am keeping that Husky. After I cleaned it and lubed it with Permatex, I could not BELIEVE how smooth the mechanism was. Seriously, it's like butter. I thought my vintage Armstrongs felt nice, but this is my new favorite.

I'd take that one off your hands Jake if it weren't for the broken push button.

cruiser808 · Oct 27, 2009

I have a 3/8" Penncraft that looks exactly like that ratchet. Most likely a New Britain Co. inspired design relabeled for other brands.

PowderKeg · Oct 27, 2009

cruiser808 said:
I have a 3/8" Penncraft that looks exactly like that ratchet. Most likely a New Britain Co. inspired design relabeled for other brands.

Yep, New Britain made it - I've got the non-release version, now I've got another one to watch for...

Does it have a speeder disk clipped on the drive side? The pic is isn't clear enough (for me at least) to really see. I've got 2 Penncraft 3/8 ratchets with QR and speeders that at first glance looked the same, but have different model #'s. Turns out that one has a higher tooth count than the other. Ironically, the higher count model has a cheapy plastic disk, while the other has a nicely fitted metal one. Both are held on the drive stud by an external clip. They're the only QR New Britain ratchets I've got (so far), so I'm wondering if the speeder disk was a common addition with the QR.

rjohnson · Oct 27, 2009

Husky +1....

RM209 · Oct 27, 2009

All: Thanks for ID'ing the ratchet. It makes sense that it's a New Britain; I've got several of their tools, and although not fancy, they're high quality.

PowderKeg: Yes, it's got a (steel) speeder disk on the drive side.

RM209

DonkDonk · Oct 25, 2010

I know this is an old thread, but I picked one of these up at the flea yesterday and I almost gave up trying to find any info on it then found this so I thought I would post some pics of the guts for reference.

I almost didn't even notice the ratchet because at first glance it looked like one of those superduperchinaspecials that comes in a $10 "tool kit". When I picked it up and spun it I couldn't believe how smooth it was but I had never heard of American Forge and I almost didn't buy it because I already had 4 ratchets I was buying (Snap-On F749, Snap-On 71-M, Snap-On FV71M, and a Matco AR5N) but when he said $3 I couldn't turn it down.

After taking apart, cleaning, and adding Permatex 81950 I was amazed at how smooth it is. The F749 has more teeth, but this one is smoother. Very nice ratchet and I am glad I didn't leave it laying.

RM209 · Oct 25, 2010

Don: That's a real bargain; looks to be in great condition as well. It's one of my favorite 3/8" ratchets; I was just using mine yesterday.

RM209

mrholeshot · Oct 25, 2010

The first time I put one of those in my hand I was like DAMN! It was super smooth. Then again most everything back then felt like a bumper jack

dieseldodge01 · Oct 27, 2010

That is a New Britain made for American Forge. Out of all the ratchets I have, none are American Forge. RLL really helps the NB round head ratchets, especially the 60 tooth ones. What surprises me is that it does not have the Patent number on it. If you ever want to sell it, I would be interested.

timmyisme22 · Jan 25, 2015

I know it's a long dead post, but garage journal is just about the only place with info on this ratchet. It's the 3901 3/8" ratchet.

Wondering if anyone has the inventory or pictures of the workings under the plate. I have a spare spring that I don't know if it is part of the switches spring on the underside, or if it's a separate part.

Now, I'm not talking about the QR release spring for the post, but the plate spring(s). It's not the curved piece on the outside of the plate facing the head (I know I have that) but I don't know if it's supposed to loop into a second spring round on the underside.

Anybody able to help? It's my fathers, it was rusted, and I wanted to get it cleaned up and re-greased. The springs shot out when I opened it up and as such, I can't put it back together (I can put it together and locked, but not working).

bonneyman · Jan 25, 2015

Definite NB guts. Here's a Pro American I had at one time and an exploded view of the gear assembly.

timmyisme22 · Jan 25, 2015

bonneyman said:
Definite NB guts. Here's a Pro American I had at one time and an exploded view of the gear assembly.

I have all the parts. That's good. Now I just need to find where that second small spring goes (the bottom one in the 3rd picture).

Mind telling me? Trying to get it back together.

Josey Wales · Jan 25, 2015

The coil fits into the cavity in the drive plate
Long end through the "chin" hole...
Short end through the "nostril" notch

bonneyman · Jan 25, 2015

Sounds right, Josey.

I myself couldn't get the thing back together without taking a second one apart and watching where the springs were B4 they went flying. That was like 5 years ago and I don't have the ratchet anymore.

Here's some close-ups of the assembled gear. Hope it shows enough detail for ya.

Anyone Familiar With This 3/8" Ratchet?

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