How Do I Service This Cornwell Ratchet?

[giants]

I'm looking for a vintage Cornwell ratchet. I understand how to service the ratchet gear heads that have snap rings, but some ratchets don't seem to have snap rings around the gear head. I found a representative photo of some 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" ratchets I've seen on Ebay that don't seem to have snap rings.

I searched YouTube and this part of the forum, but couldn't find an answer, so I need your help.

How do I disassemble the gear head on these?

Thanks

 

[ganymede]

The right way: Use an adjustable pin spanner to remove that cover plate.
The wrong way : Use needle nose pliers.
(The cover is threaded and there are holes for a spanner.)

 

[giants]

The right way: Use an adjustable pin spanner to remove that cover plate.
The wrong way : Use needle nose pliers.
(The cover is threaded and there are holes for a spanner.)

Thanks.

Newbie situation here: I can't find an "adjustable pin spanner" at my usual stores' websites. Can you give me alternative names and/or leads to big stores that have it?

Also, I have snap ring pliers on hand; would those work?

Thanks

 

[snapmom]

Most of the time one of these works.https://www.ebay.com/itm/Park-Tool-SPA-2-RED-Freewheel-Ring-Pin-Spanner-BIKE-BICYCLE-TOOL/291955908511?epid=1800060922&hash=item43f9ed9f9f:g:qS8AAOSw4GVYO2vV

 

[Wrench97]

From Amazon > https://www.amazon.com/s?k=adjustab...399692&tag=googhydr-20&ref=pd_sl_4gnf1rxvzj_e

 

[ganymede]

Thanks.

Newbie situation here: I can't find an "adjustable pin spanner" at my usual stores' websites. Can you give me alternative names and/or leads to big stores that have it?

Also, I have snap ring pliers on hand; would those work?

Thanks

Snap ring pliers may work but those plates are often really tight.

I've also just took a piece of 1/8" x 1/2" steel bar or piece of scrap metal, measured the C-C distance for the holes, and drilled holes in the bar that far apart. Drop two drill bits into the holes shank first, and put them into the holes in the ratchet, and you have a makeshift wrench to remove the plate.

I like your idea better than my hack method .
View media item 71306

 

[bubinga]

Pad it in a vise, and tap around with a thin point center punch/

 

[lardy1]

On my Superratchet, I did the same. Used a pin punch and lightly tapped until it turned.

 

[davethorik]

I'm glad Cornwell went away from this design. The clips are so much easier to remove. i know the threaded faceplates are in theory better, but it's overkill imo. This is personal preference.

The only downside of the clips is they are spring steel and harder than the ratchet, so they can wear the ratchet over time if there is enough slop. If this happens the ratchet can disengage under load (not common but I've noticed it in other brands).

Cornwell solved that by making the steel ring the clip rides in a separate piece from the drive stud.

 

[giants]

Thanks.

I noticed that some Cornwell have an open hole on top. I presume that's for lubricating the gears.

Should this be covered up? If so, what are easy solutions?

Thanks.

 

[disston]

If the hole is open I think it's supposed to have a plug or a grease ****** in it. Is the hole threaded?

 

[giants]

It's definitely not threaded, but does lack of threading definitely mean that there wasn't a pressed in oil port?

 

[ganymede]

The hole is from when they drilled the hole for the detent ball behind the pawl. After that it was chromed over. At least it was in the few I have.

 

[giants]

The hole is from when they drilled the hole for the detent ball behind the pawl. After that it was chromed over. At least it was in the few I have.

The hole is on the opposite end of the pawl, at the very tip of the center head of the ratchet.

This Craftman ratchet has a port marked "oil" in exactly the same place that I'm talking about on the Corwell ratchets:

https://thumbs.worthpoint.com/zoom/...series_1_c5496ba0327cc5a224692d926370c4a4.jpg

 

[ganymede]

Yes.
It should be right in line with the hole behind the pawl so that if everything were removed you'd be able to insert a drill bit in both holes.

 

[giants]

I understand. For the end user, should it be sealed to prevent grime from getting on the gear head?

If so, what would work?

 

[tym]

I understand. For the end user, should it be sealed to prevent grime from getting on the gear head?

I never have. I do use the hole to drip some oil in from time to time.

 

[giants]

Thanks.

For the ratchets with black oxide finish, what's the best way to protect it, eg chrome polish?

This YouTube video suggested using used motor oil to re-blue black oxide?

It requires heating the ratchet to 400-500'F. Is that safe for the ratchet, given the cold/heat treatment at the factory and the stress that ratchets undergo?

If safe, why not use new motor oil, why not use new to avoid contaminating the ratchet? I don't mind using new oil, because I have the wrong type (10W-40 dino) lying around that doesn't work in my current car.

 

[bubinga]

spray down with WD-40 wipe down well, and paste wax and buff.

or the stuff they use for tablesaw tops.

really just wipe down after each use with a little oil, should protect it just fine.

 

[giants]

spray down with WD-40 wipe down well, and paste wax and buff.

or the stuff they use for tablesaw tops.

really just wipe down after each use with a little oil, should protect it just fine.

Thanks.

Would any wax, eg car wax, work, or do I need to use something special, eg Minwax Paste Finishing Wax?

 

[bubinga]

I understand. For the end user, should it be sealed to prevent grime from getting on the gear head?

If so, what would work?

My 1st thought, a dab of silicone?

 

[bubinga]

Thanks.

Would any wax, eg car wax, work, or do I need to use something special, eg Minwax Paste Finishing Wax?

IMO car wax is fine.

 

[bubinga]

The hole is on the opposite end of the pawl, at the very tip of the center head of the ratchet.

This Craftman ratchet has a port marked "oil" in exactly the same place that I'm talking about on the Corwell ratchets:

https://thumbs.worthpoint.com/zoom/...series_1_c5496ba0327cc5a224692d926370c4a4.jpg

Picture says,
"403 Forbidden"

I like to just host pictures here, then they stay here for people
doing research in the future.
Did try changing https to http too.

 

[giants]

Picture says,
"403 Forbidden"

I like to just host pictures here, then they stay here for people
doing research in the future.
Did try changing https to http too.

Below is the photo of the Craftsman oil port on the top of the head for comparison

 

[bubinga]

Below is the photo of the Craftsman oil port on the top of the head for comparison

Oh Yeah, I have some like that.
Thanks,

 

[giants]

Also, is there a trick to getting sockets to attach to the anvil?

The detent ball, though it moves easily by hand, doesn't have tapering on the side that faces the socket and won't budge when trying to add a socket.

 

[d42jeep]

My wife spotted this 3/8” drive one at a local estate sale. Since it works just fine, I probably won’t be taking it apart. I have a smaller 3/8” drive one with the snap ring that I bought long ago off of the Cornwell truck. It’s my go to stubby ratchet.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Also, is there a trick to getting sockets to attach to the anvil? The detent ball, though it moves easily by hand, doesn't have tapering on the side that faces the socket and won't budge when trying to add a socket.

No trick. If it's a ball it's already tapered/rounded. Have you tried using a little more force? Some of the older drive tools have stubborn detent balls that you really have to bang on and yank off.

 

[giants]

My wife spotted this 3/8” drive one at a local estate sale. Since it works just fine, I probably won’t be taking it apart. I have a smaller 3/8” drive one with the snap ring that I bought long ago off of the Cornwell truck. It’s my go to stubby ratchet.
-Don

What a great find!

What are good prices to ask/pay for these tools at garage/estate sales?

Do your Cornwells have a hole/port on the head? Kinda like the attached photo of a Craftsman.

If so, are they open or sealed?

Can you open the port?

 

[d42jeep]

What a great find!

What are good prices to ask/pay for these tools at garage/estate sales?

Do your Cornwells have a hole/port on the head? Kinda like the attached photo of a Craftsman.

If so, are they open or sealed?

Can you open the port?

I would expect to pay $5.00 or less for a ratchet at an estate or garage sale and about the same at the flea. My ratchets do not have a port but all of my 1/4” drive Waldens of the style below have the port and I’ve only seen a couple with plugs in place. I see no problem whatsoever with leaving the ports unsealed. They make it very convenient to spray cleaner in the mechanism followed by 3 in 1 oil or Superlube.
-Don

 

[giants]

Thanks.

I've had bad luck with garage and estate sales in terms of finding quality ratchets, which leaves me with craigslist (shoddy) and Ebay (expensive).

For the 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" used Cornwell ratchets, what should I expect to pay for good and fair Ebay prices?

Thanks

 

[d42jeep]

I just checked eBay and the prices are all over the place. Cornwell is not one of the most popular brands to find in the wild. Where are you located? I’m in the East Bay and usually have pretty good success with estate sales. Are you checking the 2019 garage sale thread in the general tool forum?
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

Here are a couple more Cornwell ratchets. The Chrome shorty is another of mine. The dark one my neighbor found at the Tahoe flea last year.
-Don

 

[lardy1]

They show up around here. Often enough that I won't pay much for them. They just lay in the drawer with my other vintage ratchets.

 

[giants]

Here are a couple more Cornwell ratchets. The Chrome shorty is another of mine. The dark one my neighbor found at the Tahoe flea last year.
-Don

They're great looking!

What are the models/drive size on those?

How much did your neighbor pay for the dark one?

I'm in California, and I believe that there are few, if any, Cornwell trucks. Is that why it's hard to find Cornwell here?

 

[d42jeep]

I’m pretty sure that they are both 3/8” drive. I’m sure that my neighbor paid less than $10.00 for that one. He is an experienced negotiator when it come to flea prices.
-Don

 

[bmwrd0]

I know there are Cornwell trucks in Sacramento. And I never had issues finding good, cheap tools at estate sales. You just need to know which ones to go to. I use estatesales.net to check out what the sale is going to have for many of them, but sometimes you get lucky at others that don't show any tools. It also helps to know what companies do what kinds of sales.

 

[d42jeep]

I know there are Cornwell trucks in Sacramento. And I never had issues finding good, cheap tools at estate sales. You just need to know which ones to go to. I use estatesales.net to check out what the sale is going to have for many of them, but sometimes you get lucky at others that don't show any tools. It also helps to know what companies do what kinds of sales.

I totally agree. I always check all of the pictures before deciding which ones to attend. After you do it awhile, you will figure out which estate sale companies to avoid due to consistently high prices. I check the website Aaron mentioned above as well as Craigslist. If you keep at it you will find some unbelievable bargains.
-Don

 

[giants]

Thanks.

So do the brand-name hand tools sell out quickly such that I should go the first day, or can I wait until 1-2 hours before the last day to get 50% off?

 

[bubinga]

Thanks.

So do the brand-name hand tools sell out quickly such that I should go the first day, or can I wait until 1-2 hours before the last day to get 50% off?

Yes, Brand names will sell Quick!
But some people don't know, like Write, and Bonney, Proto, etc are good tools, and will think they are some off brand, and may not buy them right away.