Craftsman "V" ratchet problem

[bungy42]

I picked up this old 1/4" ratchet the other day, and when I got it home, I realized that the ball detent that holds on the socket is broken. Well, the ball is ok, but the spring behind it is obviously not working. So, it's not really usable as it is. I brought it to Sears, and the guy even gave it his best shot, but in the end, he only had rebuild kits for ratchets with a release button on the back. I'm sure this has been covered on this site, but a search didn't turn up any answers other than "take it to Sears". So, what are my options (if any)? Can I modify a newer style rebuild kit to fit this ratchet? Does anyone out there have the part I need? What's the part number for the rebuild kit that I need? It possible one might turn up on eBay at some point. Can I drill out the ball and replace it somehow? I have access to a machine shop, so pretty much any repair option is a possibility.

 

[RCStocker]

Your are not the first one to buy a bad tool that can not be replaced. It happens millions of times through the years. Just rite it off. I have had hundreds of them that I have sold through the years. I never paid more than $3 for any of them and most of the time it was a dollar or less. It is not rare. Millions of them were made. It is not gold. Just find another one and move on. Just remember if it goes bad you can't repair it. When you have something that is 50 years or more old why worry about it. Just turn it in for a new one. Don't give me the **** it is made in China. The Chinese have been making some of the best artifact in the world and have been doing it for thousands of years. It is the maker not where it is made. If you don't like the quality of the new Craftsman then don't buy it. Don't bash the country.
No, I am not Chinese. I am a German, Jew who gets up fighting with himself every morning. It happens get over it and have a great day.

 

[jakemac]

The kit you need is a #4483 (no longer available). They show up on ebay occasionally, but not often. You will need to re-use the selector and the pawl, the kit doesn't included the Butterfly selector and most of the pawls in the kits (unless you luck out on an early kit) are made for the long lever versions that came later. The ratchet is model #4317.

You can fix the one you have but it isn't easy, and isn't worth the trouble if you can find a kit or a donor ratchet. To fix it, you would need to carefully drill out the top of hole the ball is in, and replace the spring under the ball. Then, you would need to make a tool to pein the hole closed enough to retain the ball, but not restrict it while holding the ball and spring in place. I've heard of people doing this, but I wouldn't try it. It's up to you.

 

[G_P]

Tack weld the shortest extension you can find onto it.

 

[nehog]

Tack weld the shortest extension you can find onto it.

Creative.

 

[ganymede]

Do you frequent flea markets and yard sales? If so just hang onto it. You'll find another rat that has a different part broken and combine the two .
It may take a while but who cares.

 

[Cdstahlman]

Send it to me and I'll fix it. Seriously.


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[Westly]

Yes, it is fixable.

For starters just get some PB into the ball area and try to move the ball some with a pick.

That's a cute little rarity ratchet.

 

[bungy42]

Yes, it is fixable.

For starters just get some PB into the ball area and try to move the ball some with a pick.

That's a cute little rarity ratchet.

I've already hosed it down with PB Blaster. The ball moves just fine. It's just that the spring doesn't push the ball out. I may try the repair that jakemac suggested. We'll see.

 

[jakemac]

When you open up the hole remember that you need to leave as much material as possible, you will need it when you close the hole again. If you look closely at the hole, you may see a feint circle indented around the area. This is from the tooling that punched the hole closed, in effect - shrinking the top of the hole. You'll need to make a hardened punch with a profile similar to a nail-set, that can shrink the hole. Good luck. Take pictures so we can see your progress.

 

[bungy42]

I managed to drill out the hole a bit, and get the ball and spring pieces out. My current plan is to steal the ball and spring from a more recent ratchet (that I can easily get rebuilt at Sears). Unless someone else has a better source for these parts.

 

[G_P]

Not sure what the diameter of that hole is, but you may be able to use a cut down spring out of a retractable pen to replace the old spring.

 

[Mechanical Noise]

A cut down spring from a disposable lighter might work.

 

[bungy42]

The hole is 1/8" in diameter.

 

[G_P]

A cut down spring from a disposable lighter might work.

Good idea. Those springs are a bit smaller in diameter than pen springs.

 

[sberry]

Send it to me and I'll fix it. Seriously.


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If you are that bored I could find something useful to do? I was in for lunch, couldn't rsist this thread.

 

[jakemac]

If you can't reuse the ball, your local hardware store should have a drawer of loose ball bearings that you can replace it with.

 

[Cdstahlman]

If you are that bored I could find something useful to do? I was in for lunch, couldn't rsist this thread.

I have a sickness that requires me to repair all old ratchets. Or is it actually a mental illness? Either way, I'm still game to fix it.


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[Stooge]

Get the old ball and spring out, do some measuring and find a ball plunger that fits it. Ive repaired a few this way with some ball plungers i had on hand and were the right size. I also added a drop of 680 retaining compound after using some 7649 primer.

https://m.mscdirect.com/mobileweb/category?catId=12108457&searchTerm=ball plunger

 

[bungy42]

Got it fixed! I "borrowed" a ball and spring from a 3/8" - 1/4" adapter, placed them in the hole, and smacked it with a punch, which rounded over the outside of the hole. Thanks everybody for the help!

 

[jakemac]

Good job !