Got me some Wright #3490

[blarf]

From HJ Epstein.

As promised, nice high tooth count (yay floating pawls) with a small head. I was really surprised by how much resistance there is (especially for a ratchet that suggests "OIL ONLY"). These bad boys are STIFF. Any instructions/suggestions on how to take them apart and maybe use a more appropriate lube or otherwise lighten up the action?

Looks like a bit of chrome is chipping off the selector knob, probably from bouncing around in the box (the USPS woman made some comment about how beat up the box looked — but getting Priority Mail after paying for Parcel Post... I can't complain too much).

But what really caught my eye was that one ratchet was stamped perfectly "3409 OIL ONLY" / "WRIGHT - USA-" with "96 H" a bit off axis. Whoever stamped the other ratchet definitely took artistic license and stamped them at a trendy angle. They're both broached on-center, and the finishing on the handle looks pretty nice however.

They definitely weren't Snap-On priced, so I'll keep the ugly one and give the other one to my friend to start her tool collection. It's just one of those things where if it's made in the USA by a proud, family owned company... you'd hope they pay more attention to what goes out the door.

Nice ratchet if you're looking for something new, but unless I was after a new or fine toothed ratchet I'd go with the SK Pro (or Tuff 1 if you can find 'em) unit over this in a heartbeat. It definitely hasn't unseated my Williams B51 as my fav 3/8" ratchet.

Whine.

 

[hammlm]

Pictures, please?

 

[SMKS]

Here's a pic of mine, along with some other tools. I also got it from Harry Epstein.

The name stamping on mine is perfectly straight. Mine was a little stiff when it was new, but it has loosened up.

Also, there is a snap ring on the drive end that you take off with a pick and the mechanism comes out. I wouldn't be surprised if there's no lube left, because these ratchets were made in 1996!

Link to the ratchet at HE.

 

[blarf]

Pictures, please?

So I'm not really setup for macro photography, and I apologize for getting my reflection in everything.

Sample #1

Second sample:

It's not so awful I'm going to return it and raise a fuss, but my circa receivership S-K stuff looked nicer (and it does look very nice). My used S-K stuff is definitely a bit beat, but it's USED, If I ever upgrade my 3/8" sockets from the ex-USA made KD stuff, I'll definitely be looking at S-K first. I'm sure the 3490s will work just fine, but it just looks sloppy.

Also, there is a snap ring on the drive end that you take off with a pick and the mechanism comes out. I wouldn't be surprised if there's no lube left, because these ratchets were made in 1996!

Wait. What? The #3490 is still listed in the Wright catalog. :O If they're really that old, then, yeah, I should take them apart and put some lube on them before bitching. Sheesh.

And, yah I saw the retaining ring, but no obvious way to apply snap-ring pliers like I would with my SK ratchet.

 

[93sr20det]

I have been using Baton Rouge industries L-640 on all of my wright ratchets with good results.

http://www.batonrougeindustries.com/images/61%20L-640.pdf

I spray it liberally on the selector side and spin it and work the selector as I spin it. I also put 2-3 sprays on the retainer ring and ball bearing retainer. I let it set for about 5 mins then shake out the excess on a paper towel. The l-640 has a light green color to it so you can see your coverage.

 

[SMKS]

Wait. What? The #3490 is still listed in the Wright catalog. :O If they're really that old, then, yeah, I should take them apart and put some lube on them before bitching. Sheesh.

The reason HE has these so cheap is because they bought a big batch of them on closeout. They're NOS.

The "96H" is a date code. It means it was made in 1996. The one I got from HE also has the "96H" date code. I have other newer Wright tools with "08" and "09" date codes.

 

[TheGrooveking]

The two I scored from HE were perfect.

TheGrooveking

 

[john8791]

Sorry to open a dead thread, but I just received my "new" 3490 from Harry Epstein (never heard of him) via Amazon. I thought the action seemed a little loud and stiff so I searched and found this thread. No where in the Amazon add did it say these were from 1996. I wouldn't care if it had been stated up front. Definitely needs lubed.
I've never taken apart a ratchet with a coiled snap ring like this one has. Is there a trick to getting it back together? Never owned a double pawl ratchet and am curious to take a look.

 

[rusty65]

The trick to get one back is separating the clip by pulling up wards and when it's separated enough grab the bottom end the point of the snap ring and start it in the grove and then take a screwdriver or puck and apply a downward pressure on the snap ring while coiling it around the ratchet. Sorry if the way I explained is a little confusing if you have any questions please ask.

 

[Hank McMauser]

The wright ratchets are some of my favorites. I have several that I've picked up at yard sales for $1-$2 they are the single pawl type sold by montgomery wards (powr-kraft) and they're probably about 40 yrs old and have plenty of chrome peel

 

[john8791]

The trick to get one back is separating the clip by pulling up wards and when it's separated enough grab the bottom end the point of the snap ring and start it in the grove and then take a screwdriver or puck and apply a downward pressure on the snap ring while coiling it around the ratchet. Sorry if the way I explained is a little confusing if you have any questions please ask.

Thanks for the help. Got it appart and all oiled this morning with some Weapon Shield gun oil. I really wanted to put some Superlube in it but I obeyed the "oil only" instructions on the handle. It's a nice heavy ratchet and a good chrome finish. Still pretty loud though even after oiling.

 

[larryq]

Thanks for the help. Got it appart and all oiled this morning with some Weapon Shield gun oil. I really wanted to put some Superlube in it but I obeyed the "oil only" instructions on the handle. It's a nice heavy ratchet and a good chrome finish. Still pretty loud though even after oiling.

Wrights are a little loud because of the 'oil only' requirement, but they're one of my favorites. I'm sure you'll be happy with the performance. I may have to pay a visit to Mr. Epstein myself, I only have three of them.

 

[SMKS]

Loudness is not an indication of a problem or an indication of a lack of quality.

 

[john8791]

Wrights are a little loud because of the 'oil only' requirement, but they're one of my favorites. I'm sure you'll be happy with the performance. I may have to pay a visit to Mr. Epstein myself, I only have three of them.

Nice looking family Don't get me wrong, the volume doesn't bother me so much, just not used to that from my S-K's and Cman's. I would guess the double pawl mechanism has something to do with it.

 

[thesilverone]

I put RLL in my Wrights

 

[byoungblood]

I put some assembly lube in mine, it quiets them down a little bit and makes them a tad smoother. Really you just need to avoid heavier greases as it would probably gum up the pawls a little.

 

[Hiball]

3-1 oil for the last 3 years.. No problems..

 

[Farmall450]

3-1 oil for the last 3 years.. No problems..

The Outers gun stuff?? I just picked some up since rem oil pissed me off and it's great. Doesn't smell bad like rem oil.

 

[Farmall450]

I'd go with WD-40, or put some white lithium grease in...kroil but it's pricey

 

[Hiball]

The Outers gun stuff?? I just picked some up since rem oil pissed me off and it's great. Doesn't smell bad like rem oil.

Cheap and effective... About 1x a month.

 

[Farmall450]

Cheap and effective... About 1x a month.

OK. I was just curious, as I picked this up yesterday and it rang a bell!

 

[john8791]

The Outers gun stuff?? I just picked some up since rem oil pissed me off and it's great. Doesn't smell bad like rem oil.

Weapon Shield smells like cinnamon. Weird but it works great.

http://www.weaponshield.com/products.htm