Frozen Tools

[Obie]

Just thought this would be interesting to share. This is from a few weeks ago when I was doing some tests in our cold room. We had it set to around -26c.

That's my Armstrong 1/2" Maxx Locking Flex Ratchet with a Wright 1 1/8" Impact Socket, and my 1 1/8" and 1 1/16" Wright wrenches.

I thought it looked neat after I brought these out and they frosted over.

 

[Twiggss]

should have licked them.

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

Now hammer them.

 

[TWX]

Did you attempt to operate the ratchet mechanism? I'm curious as to how it worked that cold.

 

[Obie]

Ratchet mechanism, selector switch, and the locking flex all worked perfectly. Granted, I replaced the OEM oil with Superlube the first day I got it. I would have been more surprised if they didn't work, actually.

Would be pretty funny if the boys in Alaska and upper Canada had to resort to big sticks and rocks because their tools wouldn't work

 

[TWX]

Ratchet mechanism, selector switch, and the locking flex all worked perfectly. Granted, I replaced the OEM oil with Superlube the first day I got it. I would have been more surprised if they didn't work, actually.

Would be pretty funny if the boys in Alaska and upper Canada had to resort to big sticks and rocks because their tools wouldn't work

I was mainly curious if there was any noticeable difference in operation. Obviously some lubricants don't work at that low of a temperature, and if the humidity is really high, it might cause rapid icing inside of the tool if any water vapor had made its way inside.

 

[Jim C.]

I don't think I'd make a habit of doing that. Frost on metal that is warmed up leads to condensation, and that could lead to rust.

 

[Chubi_QC]

I use my tools outside in winter all the time. At -35c they starting to act funny. The only problem is that my hand stick to the tool itself.

 

[wolflrv]

Many years ago when I was in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada, in October, it was about -20F and I was trying to tighten an exhaust bolt. Had a 12" Craftsman extension snap in half like a twig. Also had a 50ft orange extension cord freeze into a solid 50ft long stick. Had to drag into the hotel room a few feet at a time to thaw it out...LOL!

 

[JeremyManning]

Ratchet mechanism, selector switch, and the locking flex all worked perfectly. Granted, I replaced the OEM oil with Superlube the first day I got it. I would have been more surprised if they didn't work, actually.

Would be pretty funny if the boys in Alaska and upper Canada had to resort to big sticks and rocks because their tools wouldn't work

Thanks for the compliment I would agree that my stick is big

 

[Wakefield]

Many years ago when I was in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada, in October, it was about -20F and I was trying to tighten an exhaust bolt. Had a 12" Craftsman extension snap in half like a twig. Also had a 50ft orange extension cord freeze into a solid 50ft long stick. Had to drag into the hotel room a few feet at a time to thaw it out...LOL!

I don't know if it is true but I have heard that when cold enough-seriously subzero- that good strong metal gets brittle and can shatter like glass.
also reason for fearing to run an engine cold or hit a cold engine with ether? As opposed to some way of prewarming the engine before trying to start it?

 

[Obie]

I don't know if it is true but I have heard that when cold enough-seriously subzero- that good strong metal gets brittle and can shatter like glass.

That's very true. All you have to do is watch Terminator 2


Edit: Bleh, hit the wrong button

also reason for fearing to run an engine cold or hit a cold engine with ether? As opposed to some way of prewarming the engine before trying to start it?

That's more because a cold engine will have less lubricity, and in the case of diesels, fuel will begin to gel up below 32f. Ether isn't "recommended" for any condition because it raises combustion temperatures to potentially damaging points, which can wear piston crowns, rings, etc. There's also a whole 'nother debate about "ether addiction"