Best lube for ratchets????

[4x4gearhead]

In my armstrong 1/2" I put a bit of marvel in it, and I always take the gear out and put just a dab of grease on the back just like i watch the snap on dist. do whenever he rebuilds my ratchets. I dont go crazy with the grease, just a little dab'l do ya

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

Super Lube didn't worked well on Matco ratchet. It gets stick and stuck. Wiped off and dropped couple oil on there, works better.

No problem on Snap-on and craftsman ratchets.

 

[Shadowdog500]

I always put a dab of wheel bearing grease in my ratchets.

I just put some Mobil 1 grease in a new ratchet I bought on Black Friday. It's smooth as butter. Hope it stays that way.

Chris

 

[rmsg0040]

I use superlube in matco ratchets and it make they super smooth and quiet, no problems

 

[mrjaw14]

So where does one buy Marvel mystery oil? Never heard of it before. Something you can get at a local parts store, or do you have to order it?

I saw a similar thread a few months back and went out and got some SuperLube from HF. Took all my ratchets apart any lubed them. World of difference. Didn't know to lobe ratchets before then...I am enlightened. I hate using other people's dry ratchets now

So where do I get marvel for my fine tooth ratchets?

 

[TwoInch]

pretty much any auto parts store, menards, walmart, etc... carry marvel mystery oil.

 

[thesilverone]

RLL here

 

[Gabastone]

It depends on the ratchet. I like Super Lube in everything except Matco 88 which get a very light coating of Valvoline Durablend grease.

 

[whofan]

I just tried PB blaster. Seems to work good.
I can't see anything thick working out long term do to gumming up with dirt.

 

[Jure]

i use what i got,motul gearbox 80W90 for all my fine tooth ratchets and for coarse tooth ratchets Stihl Hedgecutter Grease

 

[twertsy]

So I have been using Boelube for years for dipping my spot weld bits (rotabroach) before cutting and it is absolutely amazing. Over a year and the same rotabroach bit is still going, and I've used it A LOT. So I order some of the paste to try on an old Proto ratchet I just rebuilt. It feels absolutely fantastic. Just in case anyone cared to find/use something different. I love it because being a paste, it doesn't leak out of the ratchet at all.

 

[Arbybe]

After wrenching for 50 years I have found that blowing out the grit after a weeks work,
Then drop the gear head in 10/30 in a can for the weekend worked.
Only a couple of re-builds were necessary from pawl wear, abuse.
Fancy lube may add another decade more but really good ratchets are easy to acquire
At reasonable cost. Even the "best machine" will let you down if neglected long enough.
Any lube is better than nothing.
IMHO

 

[bad luck]

So I have been using Boelube for years for dipping my spot weld bits (rotabroach) before cutting and it is absolutely amazing. Over a year and the same rotabroach bit is still going, and I've used it A LOT. So I order some of the paste to try on an old Proto ratchet I just rebuilt. It feels absolutely fantastic. Just in case anyone cared to find/use something different. I love it because being a paste, it doesn't leak out of the ratchet at all.

Twertsy,
So I took your advice and bought a little pot of boelube, and cleaned and lubed up my old sk wayne ratchet that I bought back in the 60's.
This is the first time it has ever been apart.
I just didn't think to clean and lube it till I started visiting gj. The boelube works great, thanks for the tip.

 

[Jure]

Twertsy,
So I took your advice and bought a little pot of boelube, and cleaned and lubed up my old sk wayne ratchet that I bought back in the 60's.
This is the first time it has ever been apart.
I just didn't think to clean and lube it till I started visiting gj. The boelube works great, thanks for the tip.

is that lube something similar to regular ball bearing grease? and does someone tried to lube a facom style round head (72 tooth) ratchet with a light coat of ball bearing grease?? since its a fine tooth it will lock and stick or?

 

[bad luck]

is that lube something similar to regular ball bearing grease? and does someone tried to lube a facom style round head (72 tooth) ratchet with a light coat of ball bearing grease?? since its a fine tooth it will lock and stick or?

No it isn't like ball bearing grease, it is not tacky. But I think it might work fine for you facom ratchet.

 

[twertsy]

Twertsy,
So I took your advice and bought a little pot of boelube, and cleaned and lubed up my old sk wayne ratchet that I bought back in the 60's.
This is the first time it has ever been apart.
I just didn't think to clean and lube it till I started visiting gj. The boelube works great, thanks for the tip.

It works on all ratchets. You should have seen the guys playing with my ratchets at the tools swap this past weekend.......even the 3/4 drive ones are smooth as butter, and the boelube doesn't attract grease/grit/grime so it'll stay smooth. I haven't had to "relube" any of them yet, and I have over 100.

 

[crerus75]

I just did some of my ratchets this weekend using Super Tech (Walmart) high-pressure grease. I think this stuff is similar to the infamous Red Lube but I'm not sure. I did a Williams 1/2" Superratchet, 2 3/8" Eascos, a Craftsman Flying V 3/8", an SK 3/8", a Husky 3/8", a Crescent 1/4", and a Stanley 1/4".

All the guts and ratchet heads got a turn in the ultrasonic cleaner, then rinsed, lubed and reassembled. I used aerosol Super Lube on the detent balls. They all work fine, though if I had to do it over, I'd probably use a lighter grease like Lubriplate. Oh well, I'll probably lube them again in 15 years or so. I'll use it then.

 

[Clemson13]

It works on all ratchets. You should have seen the guys playing with my ratchets at the tools swap this past weekend.......even the 3/4 drive ones are smooth as butter, and the boelube doesn't attract grease/grit/grime so it'll stay smooth. I haven't had to "relube" any of them yet, and I have over 100.

Thread back from the dead!

I am in need of some lube on my craftsman 36 tooths (70/80's), gear wrench 84's (new), and my favorites the dual 80s (used, but newer).

I was going to grab some superlube and put it in em all trying to keep the amount per ratchet minimal.

Now I see you saying this BOElube is fantastic, think it is worth doing instead of superlube? Have you done a dual 80 with it? If so did it turn out sweet?

Cant decide which of the two to buy, both are in my amazon cart

 

[Tony G]

My ratchets are used to and will only work when lubed with a special blend that I get from a company in South America. Its based on the feces of the purple *** baboon. They collect the droppings after the baboons eat a certain rare fruit indigenous to the Amazon Rain Forest. I have one snapon ratchet that likes anything I spray in it. The ape lube also works on vices.

 

[48548]

I just did some of my ratchets this weekend using Super Tech (Walmart) high-pressure grease. I think this stuff is similar to the infamous Red Lube but I'm not sure. I did a Williams 1/2" Superratchet, 2 3/8" Eascos, a Craftsman Flying V 3/8", an SK 3/8", a Husky 3/8", a Crescent 1/4", and a Stanley 1/4".

All the guts and ratchet heads got a turn in the ultrasonic cleaner, then rinsed, lubed and reassembled. I used aerosol Super Lube on the detent balls. They all work fine, though if I had to do it over, I'd probably use a lighter grease like Lubriplate. Oh well, I'll probably lube them again in 15 years or so. I'll use it then.

Lubriplate *****. I added a lot to my ratchets and it just oozes out and makes a huge mess in my tool box. No more of that for me.

 

[Harley-FXDWG]

Mobile 1 synthetic grease. Take it apart and brush it on the parts. Works great and will not leak out like any of the sprays/oils mentioned. I also use it on all my firearms. A tub of it is about $8 or so and will last ya forever.

 

[OutsideMachinist]

My ratchets are used to and will only work when lubed with a special blend that I get from a company in South America. Its based on the feces of the purple *** baboon. They collect the droppings after the baboons eat a certain rare fruit indigenous to the Amazon Rain Forest. I have one snapon ratchet that likes anything I spray in it. The ape lube also works on vices.

Pretty much this. I get mine covered in salt water almost daily. About the worst thing you could do to them. Dont always clean them right afterwards. I use whatever oil/grease/lube I have available at the time and keep working. You guys are hilarious.

 

[Bielio]

I use super-lube synthetic grease and oil on a lot of items.
Great stuff.
For ratchets though, I'd use something thicker so it doesn't goop out

 

[Empty Pockets]

I've been using Permatex, since I've been rebuilding and/or cleaning my ratchets. A small bottle lasts forever. And it's never let me down.

 

[Spdfreak91]

I use Mercruiser extreme grease, its the only thing i have laying around, trailer hubs,gimbal bearing, prop shaft and ratchets . Hope its not bad but at least its EXTREME.

 

[anndel]

Valvoline SynPower or Mobil 1 synthetic grease. Brush lightly on the parts and good to go!

 

[Bielio]

I've been using Permatex, since I've been rebuilding and/or cleaning my ratchets. A small bottle lasts forever. And it's never let me down.

I've been meaning to get this stuff. Heard many great things.
Isn't this kind of runny? If you put it in a ratchet.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Sure, it's a little thin. Use it sparingly, you may get a little leakage from non sealed head ratchets, but nothing that can't be cured with a rag.

 

[CD1]

You are correct, Permatex can be runny, so use very little and wipe off excess.

 

[Wamsutta]

I've been meaning to get this stuff. Heard many great things. Isn't this kind of runny? If you put it in a ratchet.

It's about the thickness of refrigerated maple syrup. I don't know how that could be considered runny. If you have an unsealed ratchet, a little bit will 'seep' out, but it's definitely not running anywhere.

 

[Bielio]

Thanks for the responses.
Let me re-phrase.
I meant "runny" when compared to a more solid lube, like grease.
Not necessarily like water.

The responses cleared up my concerns.
Thanks.

 

[texasfiremedic]

Has anybody tried Krytox in the dual 80's?

 

[Mooky]

Has anybody tried Krytox in the dual 80's?

Yes, excellent. As you know it is very expensive, but a little goes a long way. A small $30 tube will last a lifetime. Worked at the plant where it's made, got a few "samples".

Lubed several dual 80's and a number of older style ratchets and torque wrenches. Will likely never touch them again. No leakage from the unsealed heads.

 

[mjoekingz28]

I think it comes down topreference and metallurgy. I think the Craftsman metal 'crave' SAE straight 30 weight oil.



I think I just got my first sealed ratchet- a 88T MAXX 1/4 Armstrong. I poured some oil on it to hopefully absorb into the head, but it just sat there dammed up. Maybe they put a dab of something nice in there that needs to get worked around, because it seems a bit rough, or notchy, now. I dont think I have the proper tools anyhow to be opening it up, Id probably find some way to mess it up. Expensive tool but I love how miniature it feels. Dissuades me from over torquing

 

[Wamsutta]

Hey fellas, there's one thing I know for sure, there's no way to smooth out a Snap-on F936. I've tried every type of oil and grease imaginable. That is a loud clicking ratchet and always will be. I finally gave up and went back the the factory superlube. I figure as long as it's going to be loud anyway, I might as well have the factory lube in there. Some guys cut the springs on them; I can't bring myself to do that.

 

[denysws]

Great thread! One question the Super Lube or any Silicone synthetic grease is not indicate to metal/metal, no?

 

[FlushingDIYer]

I think there are some solid suggestions here, in no particular order:

- Superlube
- Marvel Mystery Oil
- Boelube

I've been using Permatex 24110, Ultra Disc Brake Caliper Lube (https://www.amazon.com/Permatex-24110-Ultra-Brake-Caliper/dp/B000HBNV6W for about a year in my Craftsmans and aside from putting in too much initially, the ratchets are pretty smooth. I'd use it again without hesitation. At least until I run out!

 

[Qualitytools]

I have used Super Lube on my ratchets and Snap-On ratcheting screwdrivers with great results. Mainly because that's what I had on hand and it worked.

 

[Schurkey]

Currently using the Green Lube of Love, (GLL) Federal-Mogul assembly lube. Probably the same as the Permatex RLL with a different-color dye in it.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/SLP-55-400/

I used to pack white grease into the Proto 1/2" drive torque wrench I was assigned. Made the ratchet nice 'n' smooth. Perhaps I used too much.

I also had problems popping teeth off the main gear of that Proto torque wrench. I was not torquing at or near the limit of the wrench, although I used it fairly often every day to drive a torque multiplier. Although I didn't suspect at the time, looking back...I think the ratchet did not appreciate the white grease, and spit the occasional tooth because of it. I'd have to stuff in a repair kit perhaps every six or eight months. Never had a problem with the pawls, or the selector knob. Always knocked a tooth off the main wheel.

 

[MDK22]

I use Lubriplate No. 105 Motor Assembly Grease White Motor Assembly Grease

Wouldn't recommend it to people that are not techs tho You have to do it about once every 6 months and it can leave buildup behind.