Facom ratchets
- Thread starter SwampCat
- Start date
what is your location. I'm guessing somewhere in North America mentioning Sears.
Ultimate Garage in New Jersey is the best source for Facom in the USA, he is also
A Member here if you do deal with him.
However, if the ratchets are the r.161 and j.161 or (151) then they were rebranded
under both MAC and Proto tools, so you could probably pick up rebuild kits from any
decent dealer that sells MAC or Proto.
Good luck.
Ultimate Garage in New Jersey is the best source for Facom in the USA, he is also
A Member here if you do deal with him.
However, if the ratchets are the r.161 and j.161 or (151) then they were rebranded
under both MAC and Proto tools, so you could probably pick up rebuild kits from any
decent dealer that sells MAC or Proto.
Good luck.
ChevyEFI
Well-known member
Facom is part of Stanley Black and Decker, I believe. Contact them while you're at it.
They also had Facom ratchets, other ratchets that were using the same 72t guts as some ask models, so you may find an SK Facom kit on eBay.
They also had Facom ratchets, other ratchets that were using the same 72t guts as some ask models, so you may find an SK Facom kit on eBay.
AceofSpad3s
Well-known member
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probably going to have better luck going after proto kits since the round heads proto's are facom designs and are available here. They work in the SK ones as well from what I hear.
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Professional Tool User
Well-known member
Your best bet is to see if there is an equivalent Proto rebuild kit.
4xdog
Well-known member
Facom are lifetime warrantied, I believe, at least in Europe. I'd write to SBD to ask for the appropriate kits, referencing your model numbers.
californiaHank
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This is the link for Facom ratchet repair parts and prices at Ultimate Garage -
https://www.ultimategarage.com/shop/index.php?cPath=35_253_1204
https://www.ultimategarage.com/shop/index.php?cPath=35_253_1204
Which ratchets are you talking about?
The newer sealed pear heads aren't rebuildable as far as i know, however as mentioned all of facoms tools come with a lifetime warranty that means just sending it away and getting a new one 99% of the time.
The newer sealed pear heads aren't rebuildable as far as i know, however as mentioned all of facoms tools come with a lifetime warranty that means just sending it away and getting a new one 99% of the time.
Qualitytools
Well-known member
Ultimate garage as mentioned above, I am curious what happen to them that you need to rebuild them?
One is a 1/4," R.161 the other is a 3/8" J.161L
Both seem to be SKIPPING or slipping for a better term. Like the teeth are getting worn or striped . And no, I dont abuse these. I save them for precise work, in tight spots. I use the disposeable Craftsman stuff for GRUNT work.
Who is SBD ? And thank you. OK , dumb question. Stanley Black& Decker.
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I've had good luck soaking the heads of my Facom ratchets in ATF for a day or two. I think it helps to loosen the old grease and provide new lubrication. Made them work like new again.
You can always disassemble them and inspect. Likely the grease is dried up. But the pawl could be worn as well.
Like to PDF instructions: Instructions
Like to PDF instructions: Instructions
Yep, those are palm control design. Ultimate Garage, linked above, is your best bet for the repair kits.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gI__IzToGkU" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>
dutchgray
Well-known member
I would bet on dried out grease as well, Facoms old round head design is great but they don't like to sit. I have bought new ones where the grease had dried out.
And I wouldn't count on SBD North America being any help either...
If you cross reference the part number to a proto ratchet that uses the same head, you can just email them (Proto tools) using the proto ratchet # and they will probably send you a kit. I know thats slightly "Shady", So you might just want to order one https://www.ultimategarage.com/shop/part.php?products_id=2507
bmwtinut
Well-known member
I would go the ATF route as well. I have about 10 facom ratchets from the CDX style, 3/8" and 1/4" as well. One of my trusty 3/8" facoms was used when I changed transmission fluid 15 years ago and that one never fails to catch. I have had many of the newer ones that came in some kits stick all the time. They are brand new so not worn out. Just dried up grease. A little ATF and they are working very smooth again.
AceofSpad3s
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I keep seeing grease mentioned as a problem, do these facom designs prefer light oils over heavier stuff like superlube? I got a proto coming in the mail and a few import roto heads that look to have very similar mechanism with the single pawl and heart spring. I generally use superlube in everything, but use mmo in more picky mechanisms.
Having used Palm Control style ratchets for years, I've found moly grease works the best (like Honda M-77). Thicker stuff can lead to skipping.
Qualitytools
Well-known member
Ah, OK! So I had that while mine sat for a while and as others have said once I took it apart it had dried grease in there (classic round head Facom ratchet issue). I cleaned the old dried grease, used SuperLube and re-assembled following some particular steps (not sure where I found them) but you need them in order to re-assemble it by tightening the screw a certain way and there you have it good as new without having to use a rebuilt kit. I hope this helps you out, let us know what you end up doing.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I doubt very seriously that you need a rebuild kit. I think you need to perform some maintenance. Take the ratchet apart, clean and lube everything. I suggest brake clean for cleaning and a light oil for lube. The key thing to keep in mind when reassembling the ratchet is that there is a sweet spot when tightening the screw. Too tight, it won't ratchet right, too loose, inward and outward play will be excessive. Some people run the screw all the way in snug, and then back it off a quarter of a turn. Experiment to see what works best for you. Although those ratchets might fail rarely, they are pretty much bulletproof for normal use.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
The video shows them using a grease and a fairly heavy one at that. Surprising, I've always thought round heads prefer oil. A good compromise would be Superlube since it's a light thin grease.
ultgar
Well-known member
For the classic Facom ratchets, they come with a sheet showing maintenance requirements which most people throw out. As many have mentioned, its likely just the grease has dried out and the ratchet and pawl teeth are slipping. I shoot a little penetrating oil in at the head and work it in both directions until function is restored. You can also take it apart and clean it with a brush. Facom charges for their maintenance kits on the older ratchets. They are currently giving the kits for the new ratchets away for free (the 161B series). The $1.25 to $1.50 I charge for each of these kits is basically a portion of the inbound freight allocated to the kit. The kits would normally be $25-30ea.
Any long handled or flex versions of the new sealed heads on the horizon?
ultgar
Well-known member
Only the telescoping ratchets.......JXL.171 and SXL.171. If anything new in ratchets comes out, I'll see it from USAG first and 6 months later in Facom.
jimmyin3D
Banned
I have both the JXL.171 and SXL.171 but they are sealed heads, is there really no way I can open these?
The 3/8 is tight and it’s binded up. Anything I can do? Or do I need a new head for it?
The 3/8 is tight and it’s binded up. Anything I can do? Or do I need a new head for it?
jimmyin3D
Banned
I think I bought the 3/8 from ultimate garage and the 1/2 from eBay.
Yeah I was gonna do the ATF dip, never tried that before. Thanks!
Yeah I was gonna do the ATF dip, never tried that before. Thanks!
Reach out to UltGar and see what his thoughts are on lubing. But do try the ATF, it's brought back ratchets I thought were toast.
ultgar
Well-known member
The older round head ratchets were notorious for slipping and binding when the grease dried out. A thin oil usually does the trick.
I don't see any JXL or SXL sales to you..not sure where you bought them. Facom warranty is through the factory....USAG (they make a 1/2" drive SXL.171) is a much easier "US warranty".
jimmyin3D
Banned
Yeah I just checked I bought the 1/2 from you but it’s labelled USAG.
ultgar
Well-known member
That I saw but i wasn't sure it was you since you said you bought the 1/2" drive off Ebay. If the USAG one is giving you a problem you can't easily fix, send it back to me for repair or replacement.
jimmyin3D
Banned
Yeah sorry I mixed up where I bought them. The 3/8 I got from eBay . I’m gonna try the ATF thing otherwise I don’t know. If it doesn’t work maybe sell it as a non functioning ratchet. ***** :/
mikebaker1129
Well-known member
YES
They come with a grease from the factory that hardens over time. MMO or ATF works like a charm and they will likely never stick again.