Best lube for ratchets????

[gatewaysysop]

So sk frankenstein 36 tooth would be bad with marvel mystery?

Oops 32 tooth

Just picked up a 3/8 Frankenstein off eBay ($50 shipped ). I think I counted 36 teeth, checked twice, but either way I wanted to point out for those reading this thread that I cleaned it up and lubed using Super Lube and, despite being very well worn, it ratchets real nice in both directions now. The selector/pawl mechanism also got Super Lube and it works much better now.

Too bad it's near impossible to get gut kits for this, I'd love to completely rebuild it. It looks absolutely mint on the outside and could pass for brand new after I cleaned it up.

 

[ajchien]

Where do you guys find superlube? I've checked HF and True Value, 2 places that are supposed to have it and came up empty.

 

[gatewaysysop]

Where do you guys find superlube? I've checked HF and True Value, 2 places that are supposed to have it and came up empty.

Amazon has it and so does eBay. I'm surprised your HF doesn't have it, but to be truthful, I didn't see it at mine all the time either. They only carry the big tube, so if you're looking for something else maybe you missed it?

In any case, the prices aren't much different between HF and Amazon or eBay.

Here's the HF link, they claim in-store only so maybe they have it somewhere and you just missed it? Or maybe they can tell you which stores have it? Link

Here's Amazon's link for the same thing.

Either way, that's practically a lifetime supply for lubing ratchets.

Hope this helps!

 

[Aklass]

Anyone try Molly Lube? or is that too extreme and will cause slipping?

 

[Busted Bolts]

I use fluid film

 

[jon619]

Where do you guys find superlube? I've checked HF and True Value, 2 places that are supposed to have it and came up empty.

Call multiple Ace Hardware and check to see if it's in stock. Also, you can order online and pick up in store.

 

[mkdive]

 

[chewy7]

I always use either Super Lube or gear oil, depending on the type of ratchet.

i might have to try gear oil in mine

 

[chewy7]

Well i have tried 85w140 gear lube in my craftsman 1/2" 44996 thin profile ratchet. It seams to work better than some clp that i had. and no.2 amsoil grease made it to sticky.

 

[48548]

I use mobil 1 synthetic grease in a tube, it is red and works well in my plumb/proto and snap on's all way up to the dual 80's. It is pretty cheap for 6 a tube or so and works on a lot of things....

 

[chewy7]

I use mobil 1 synthetic grease in a tube, it is red and works well in my plumb/proto and snap on's all way up to the dual 80's. It is pretty cheap for 6 a tube or so and works on a lot of things....

I have that stuff too in a tube being unused. Right now i had amsoil in my grease gun so I tried to use that stuff. Maybe i will try some mobil 1 at a later date.

 

[neverenoughtools]

I just use garden variety NLGI #2 White Lithium Grease. Whatever brand you find. Has worked wonders for my ratchets.

X2

 

[chewy7]

i did use no.2 for some of my craftsman teardrop ratchets, for those it works good.

 

[W650Mike]

I use Stihl chainsaw bar oil.

It behaves much like a hypoid gear oil and doesn't get too sticky in cold weather.

 

[JayL]

Is Super Lube ( 400g )and Marvel Mystery Oil (32 Oz ) available at Advance Auto Parts, Orielly's or Auto Zone? I can't seem to find Super Lube on their websites.

Thanks

 

[TireTracks]

I use fluid film

Same here.

 

[gatewaysysop]

Is Super Lube ( 400g )and Marvel Mystery Oil (32 Oz ) available at Advance Auto Parts, Orielly's or Auto Zone? I can't seem to find Super Lube on their websites.

Thanks

I was never able to find it at Orielly's or any of the other parts houses, but stumbled on it unexpectedly at Harbor Freight. Lifetime supply for about $5. I think you can find it on Amazon in larger containers if you need/want that much of it.

 

[ajchien]

Ok, so I finally found some superlube at HF.

Previously to superlube, I used CRC brake caliper grease, and standard lithium white grease. At first there seemed to be very little difference in my raised panel CM ratchets. But now, 2 weeks later, the ratchets are much smoother. Delayed response? Just the grease taking time to even out? Put too much grease in and now some has squeezed out? Don't know. But I'm happy with the superlube result.

 

[dirtrider]

I just use regular old Pennzoil 30w oil, I find grease get's gunky after the ratchet sits for a couple of days and air tool oil is just to light. Never tried the red lube or marvel mystery oil .

 

[bmwohio]

great thread!

 

[Gregg33]

SAE 30 (lawnmower) motor oil on the gear teeth and wheel bearing grease on all other moving surfaces.

 

[asp]

I tore apart my new-to-me Blue Point UR72 ratchet head today (32 tooth). It was pretty gross inside when I opened it up. I cleaned everything out, and packed it all with multipurpose grease, and put it back together. It's leaking out of the openings, but I'm slowly wiping it away as it oozes. The action is very, very smooth.

 

[chilly460]

Digging up this old thread. I've torn down roughly 10 ratchets lately of all different designs and sizes. I've used some Redline assembly lube I've had laying around, it's more like a grease, but it's pretty light. I like it because it doesn't leak out, it clings to places where you want it, and it won't dry out like some other types.

That said, I have found with ratchets with a light detent spring, it can be a little too thick and cause issues, I have Snap-on 730 that i had to take back apart and clean out because the pawl just wasn't engaging the teeth enough. Otherwise, it has worked in everything and quiets them all down.

 

[BrokewrenchLS1]

Interesting that it hasn't been mentioned, but I've used MagnaLube for all my tools. Carried it over from my gun stuff, and a very light coating works great and seems to last quite a while. Inexpensive, too.

 

[ZRX61]

LubriPlate, makes em like butter

 

[Old Donn]

A spot, and I mean just a spot of STP.

 

[ChrisF250]

permatex rll on my fine tooth ratchets, wheel bearing grease on my older craftsman ratchets

 

[woody 73]

Superlube from HF for about $4.99 per plastic bottle best lube on the planet! Wow this is an old post I wonder if the op is still alive?

 

[jk47]

The new superlube tubes have permatex written on them

 

[MasterBlaster]

I let them soak overnight in ****** fluid.Even rusty ones usually free up
after a soaking.

 

[Sterff]

It all depends on the ratchet. Fine tooth ratchets such as 60 + tooth models I would only use an oil. Courser ratchets I tend to use grease. I use 3-in-1 oil on my 60,72,80,88,and 100 tooth ratchets.

 

[jk47]

It all depends on the ratchet. Fine tooth ratchets such as 60 + tooth models I would only use an oil. Courser ratchets I tend to use grease. I use 3-in-1 oil on my 60,72,80,88,and 100 tooth ratchets.

I agree, but use Marvel Mystery air oil for fine tooth

 

[Singlecut]

I let them soak overnight in ****** fluid.Even rusty ones usually free up
after a soaking.

Agree 100%.
I got a used S-52 off eBay and I soaked it for about a week in ATF. Every morning or so I'd walk out to the garage, pull it out of the soak, attach a 1" socket on it and spin it upside down. TONS of black crud came out. I didn't want to take it apart as these things are notorious for flinging components.

So I did this until only crisp-red ATF would leak out. Man does this ratchet purr. I do this to all my non-sealed heads now.

Actually, I do this to a lot of my tools. Pliers, swivel joints and ratchets get a cycle in the soak. It's very meditative just sitting and cleaning them. It's been like 90+ degrees here in Denver so I'll set the jar out in the sun with the tools soaking in their lovely bath.

 

[Paco Pena]

I used to use multi purpose grease in mine till it caused issues in really cold weather. Now all the non sealed ones get a soak in ATF. Just leave then standing upside down in a coffee can to drain afterwards.

Paco

 

[earlthegoat2]

Gun Oil

Seems to work fine.

I would not hesitate to use some 0W-20 Mobil 1 either.

 

[JohnFreeman]

LubriPlate, makes em like butter

Amen! Works great!

 

[bentwrench54]

LubriPlate, makes em like butter

did this to my cornwell 30 tooth 3/8 ratchet that has several missing teeth, works like a charm.

 

[padronanniversary]

+1 to super lube

 

[jstutzman]

I just cleaned 4 of my ratchets out last night and relubed them. I only do this about every two years. Here in NC it is fairly important to lube your tools as it gets very humid all summer long. That said, i used 3M oil and have not heard anyone mention it on here. It does seem a little light and i was thinking about using a bar and chain or gear oil. Maybe even a light lithium greese. Im didnt use the greese becuase i had take some very old ratchets apart that had a lot of dried up greese in them. Actually picked on up at a flea market becuase it didnt work and all that was the matter was it was gunked up. A little carb cleaner and some oil cleaned it right up.

 

[Dustin Crawford]

I prefer reg leftover grease. I have tried light oil and 90w but prefer grease because it stays in there a long time and tales away the 'clicky' feeling of my matco 88 and newer craftsman stuff. It makes older craftsman stuff feel like butter.