Disappointed with SK Palm control ratchet

[Tiny Jackson]

I have the 1/4" drive and it slips out of gear real easy. Anyone else have this problem?

Its a shame because I like the way this ratchet feels in your hand.

 

[Uncle Buck]

I have the 1/4" drive and it slips out of gear real easy. Anyone else have this problem?

Its a shame because I like the way this ratchet feels in your hand.

Are you talking about the little round one? I have had that one at least 20 years and love it!

 

[krusty the clown]

me too......it's great for under dash work. mine works fine!

 

[Rabbit]

I have a 1/4" drive SK that was Granddad's, then my dad's and now mine ... I hate to know how old it actually is, but it still works like a champ. I have a "newer" one identical to it and it works great too.

 

[Fedwrench]

Are you talking about the model 3866 which is a so-so copy of the Facom ratchet? If so, you could tighten the Torx screw ever so slightly to take some slack out of the head. For other models, you probably need a rebuild kit. I grew up on SK ratchets. They were really good when you had alot of room, their heads are thick.

 

[Tiny Jackson]

Yes it is the 3866. It is brand new. when I start tightening the fastener it will slip out of gear. It seems like it is hard to grab those tiny gears. I'll try tightening the torx screw.

http://www.skhandtool.com/Default.aspx?fusemode=10&pid=3866

Thanks,
Tiny

 

[Tiny Jackson]

Are you talking about the little round one? I have had that one at least 20 years and love it!

No, not the thumbwheel ratchet.

http://www.skhandtool.com/Default.aspx?fusemode=10&pid=3866

 

[eschoendorff]

Are you talking about the little round one? I have had that one at least 20 years and love it!

Me three. I love mine...

My 3/8 palm control is flawless also. Never seeded to tighten anything.

 

[MarkH]

I will admit I love the palm control after I got used to it. But the first few times I was always bumping it out of gear and did lead to some early frustration. In my case it was working on the nut behind the wrench that fixed it.

 

[Islands62]

Sorry to bump this old thread. My SK 1/4" drive does this too. If I tighten the allen it will lock up...I've tried a few different settings for the allen but its all the same. I am going to try and see what SK has to say...

I have the FACOM too, and it does not have this behavior.

 

[wrenchr]

Sorry to bump this old thread. My SK 1/4" drive does this too. If I tighten the allen it will lock up...I've tried a few different settings for the allen but its all the same. I am going to try and see what SK has to say...

I have the FACOM too, and it does not have this behavior.

You are FACOM out of luck!!

 

[posaune]

Fwiw, mine does it too. I emailed asking what to do and they told me to call to find a dealer that will exchange it (which I haven't done). It has done it since new. The 3/8" drive bought at the same time works great.

 

[Islands62]

My 3/8 SK is fine too. Normally I wouldn't let it bug me, but the FACOM is perfect and they look so similar. I opened it up, cleaned it and dunked it in Mobil 1, but no change.

 

[wrenchr]

Fwiw, mine does it too. I emailed asking what to do and they told me to call to find a dealer that will exchange it (which I haven't done). It has done it since new. The 3/8" drive bought at the same time works great.

Good luck getting a dealer to replace it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[posaune]

Good luck getting a dealer to replace it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What have I missed?

I dug up the email I got. The whole thing is below vvv

Thank you for submitting your inquiry to the SK website. SK tools carry a limited lifetime warranty. If you send me your complete mailing address and the ratchet model number and I will send you a rebuild kit free of charge. You can get your tool repaired or replaced at a dealer near you or send it directly back to SK. If sending directly to SK, please include a note describing how your tool failed along with a return address. The following is SK's address.

SK Hand Tool Corporation
Attn: Warranty Dept.
9500 W. 55th St.
McCook, IL 60525

If shipping to SK please note that returns must be shipped United Parcel as they are automatically insured for $100.00 without additional shipping cost or if shipment is Parcel Post that you must insure the parcel. This is to protect the End User as SK is not responsible for tools lost in transit and replacement cannot be made unless we receive the tool or a proof of delivery showing the tool was received at SK. To locate a dealer near you, please contact a customer service rep at 1-800 U CALL SK.

Regards,


Maria Gomez
Export Customer Service
Marketing Assistant
SK Hand Tool Corporation


My thought is that a rebuild kit isn't going to help. At least in the case of mine, it is pretty clear that the ratchet skips in two distinct places. Of course, being new, nothing is worn, so I wonder if the actual body of the ratchet is out of round.

 

[Monte]

If the ratchet was sitting in the shelves of the dealer for a couple of years the grease can get hard. The pawl will not move properly then. (it sticks to the grease) . I had the same problem with a similar ratchet . If regreasing doesn`t work bring it to the dealer. It´s a manufacturing error then and they should replace it.
ps: thre torx screw has to be tightened completely and then unscrewed 1/4 turn

 

[Islands62]

Mahalo Monte! Following your post I tightened it up and backed of on it a bit and now its perfect! It needed a bit more slack, about 2/3rds of a turn, but no more slipping.