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How much ratchet lube?

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CWP1616L

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I need to pick up some of this beloved "super lube."

I use super lube on all Snap-on ratchets. But I use the red assembly lube on MAC ratchets because the super lube will make them so they don't click anymore. MAC ratchets aren't sprung as heavy as Snap-on ratchets are, so they need a thinner lube.
 

AMC31B

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I use super lube on all Snap-on ratchets. But I use the red assembly lube on MAC ratchets because the super lube will make them so they don't click anymore. MAC ratchets aren't sprung as heavy as Snap-on ratchets are, so they need a thinner lube.

This sounds like an example of over lubing a ratchet. If you are applying so much superlube that the spring in the pawl or other springs in the ratchet are becoming weak, you are using too much. A light, thin coating of superlube all over the inside of the ratchet should never stop the ratchet from clicking or keeping the selector in place.

All you should be doing is dipping the small acid brush in the superlube and brushing on 1 thin coat (think of painting) all over everything. This is enough grease to lube for a long time, but not interfere with spring tension in the pawl or anything else.

I am not saying there is anything wrong with using RLL but superlube should never actually cause a racthet to malfunction if it is applied properly. :thumbup:
 

Farmall450

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This sounds like an example of over lubing a ratchet. If you are applying so much superlube that the spring in the pawl or other springs in the ratchet are becoming weak, you are using too much. A light, thin coating of superlube all over the inside of the ratchet should never stop the ratchet from clicking or keeping the selector in place.

All you should be doing is dipping the small acid brush in the superlube and brushing on 1 thin coat (think of painting) all over everything. This is enough grease to lube for a long time, but not interfere with spring tension in the pawl or anything else.

I am not saying there is anything wrong with using RLL but superlube should never actually cause a racthet to malfunction if it is applied properly. :thumbup:

Rll is?
Pardon my ignorance. :lol_hitti
 

Thegratenate

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Baker CA
I've learned a couple of things, first off, I think I need to bag up all of my ratchets at work next weekend and bring them home for a little quality time, second I need to get my hands on this superlube that you guys speak of from hf.

I do have a question for those that have tried everything short of peanut butter, has anyone tried putting a dab of grease on certain areas in an attempt to create a barrier to the outside elements? I don't expect it to seal up but a dab here and there where the openings are might make it harder for dust and contaminants to enter the mechanism.

Also has anyone tried any bicycle chain lube, for some reason this application is just screaming out for a couple of drops of Pedros.

Thanks
 

atwageman

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I use super lube on all my ratchets without issue. A thin coating on my high tooth count ratchets and a slightly heavier coating on my low tooth count ratchets.
 
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Applesauce

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Also has anyone tried any bicycle chain lube, for some reason this application is just screaming out for a couple of drops of Pedros.

Totally. As a bike mechanic I've usually got lots of "bike-specific" lives hanging around, and not much else. Steer WAY clear of any kind of "dry" or wax-based lubes, as they're only barely lives to begin with, and only clean up in alcohol or acetone. (Hence, Pedro's Road Rage is probably great, but not the other dry chain lubes.)

Also, any kind of polarized lubes are pretty rad. They cling like nothing else, and break down pretty slowly (on a dyno, anyway) compared even to Phil's Tenacious Oil (speaking of which, Phil's TO is great for some ratchets...). Bike lubes are expensive given the quantity you usually purchase, but they're generally very high quality.
 

jmm

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Totally. As a bike mechanic I've usually got lots of "bike-specific" lives hanging around, and not much else. Steer WAY clear of any kind of "dry" or wax-based lubes, as they're only barely lives to begin with, and only clean up in alcohol or acetone. (Hence, Pedro's Road Rage is probably great, but not the other dry chain lubes.)

Also, any kind of polarized lubes are pretty rad. They cling like nothing else, and break down pretty slowly (on a dyno, anyway) compared even to Phil's Tenacious Oil (speaking of which, Phil's TO is great for some ratchets...). Bike lubes are expensive given the quantity you usually purchase, but they're generally very high quality.

I don't know bike chain lube, but if it's anything like aerosol drive chain lube I can't imagine it'd work very well. That stuff is tacky as all get out (more so than RLL).
 

reptilezs

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I don't know bike chain lube, but if it's anything like aerosol drive chain lube I can't imagine it'd work very well. That stuff is tacky as all get out (more so than RLL).

the stickiest chain lube for bicycles is probably chain L or phil wood tenacious. these closely resemble bar and chain oil for a chain saw. the heavy wet lubes(finish line wet) are pretty close to 30wt oil, thick but not really sticky.
 

jmm

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the stickiest chain lube for bicycles is probably chain L or phil wood tenacious. these closely resemble bar and chain oil for a chain saw. the heavy wet lubes(finish line wet) are pretty close to 30wt oil, thick but not really sticky.

I use heavy gear oil in my torque multiplier, which works incredibly. I wasn't talking chainsaw lube, but the stuff that comes in a can for lubricating drive chain on machinery. It's sticky, to the point that it's not slick. Not exactly sure how it works.
 
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Jack Olsen

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Before I posted this thread, my first thought was to use Tri Flow, which is a bike chain lube. But when I did a search, I found someone who said it was too thin for ratchets.
 

daveblank

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Before I posted this thread, my first thought was to use Tri Flow, which is a bike chain lube. But when I did a search, I found someone who said it was too thin for ratchets.


From the factory that GW ratchet has Marvel Mystery Oil. I don't think anything is too thin for it. The Permatex is my lube of choice. All it takes is 1 drop. Too much more & that ratchet will slip due to the small pawl spring not having enough tension.
 

KnurledNut

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I use i pea-size drop of Lubriplate for coarse ratchets:
L0067-092.aspx


Marvel for fine tooth:
41OOhVqzDHL._SY445_.jpg


Thought about trying this:
61YZEAjku5L._SL1277_.jpg
 

kippieland

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Just put in Lucas Oil Assembly Lube. So far works the best. I have used both bicycle chain lube and air oil before. They work great as well.
 
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