Old warhorse still getting it done 75 years later

[AS556]

Picked this up off Craigslist for $5. Took it apart and greased it, is in incredible shape internally. Extremely smooth and strong mechanism. I think I'm going to use this as my main work ratchet. I bet it's still going in 75 years.

Thanks for looking.

 

[bonneyman]

Picked this up off Craigslist for $5. Took it apart and greased it, is in incredible shape internally. Extremely smooth and strong mechanism. I think I'm going to use this as my main work ratchet. I bet it's still going in 75 years.

Thanks for looking.

If it ain't broke don't fix it!

 

[paulsomlo]

Interesting - same head shape and stamped selector as modern Proto, but selector is flipped 180 degrees.

 

[Rabid Badger]

Here are the old timers in my drawer. The SK is from the 40's. I picked it up at a yard sale for $2 since it was frozen solid. I replaced the fossilized grease with Super Lube and it works flawlessly. The Craftsman is from the 70's, I think.

 

[Rabid Badger]

OP, that ratchet might have a cadmium finish. Wash your hands after use and do not under any circumstances use a wire brush on it.

 

[AS556]

OP, that ratchet might have a cadmium finish. Wash your hands after use and do not under any circumstances use a wire brush on it.

It is cadmium AFAIK.

I knew about the wire brush but really? Wash your hands after? I thought it was just inhalation of particulate cadmium that's harmful.

 

[Rabid Badger]

It is cadmium AFAIK.

I knew about the wire brush but really? Wash your hands after? I thought it was just inhalation of particulate cadmium that's harmful.

What's on your hands tends to make its way into your mouth. Pick up a sandwich, lick a finger to turn a page in a shop manual, you get the idea. Cadmium is harder for the body to get rid of than other heavy metals, so repeated low-level exposure adds up.

 

[AS556]

What's on your hands tends to make its way into your mouth. Pick up a sandwich, lick a finger to turn a page in a shop manual, you get the idea. Cadmium is harder for the body to get rid of than other heavy metals, so repeated low-level exposure adds up.

Gotcha. I love that ratchet but maybe it's not the best choice for 50hrs+ a week. I guess I'll use it at home with gloves on working on the car etc.

 

[Rabid Badger]

If you love the mechanism maybe look into powder coating the body?

 

[AS556]

If you love the mechanism maybe look into powder coating the body?

Not a bad idea. My girlfriend works in a powder coat shop! Should be free

 

[Rabid Badger]

Not a bad idea. My girlfriend works in a powder coat shop! Should be free

Problem solved!

 

[CSXRAILFAN]

OP, that ratchet might have a cadmium finish. Wash your hands after use and do not under any circumstances use a wire brush on it.

Tell me more please. That is the first I have heard of this. When did this stop being used? What tool brands? I learn something new here every day.

 

[AS556]

Interesting - same head shape and stamped selector as modern Proto, but selector is flipped 180 degrees.

The internals are identical to new production Proto ratchets.

 

[AS556]

I got this JH William's 15" wrench for $10. Cleaned it up pretty nice. Here it is next to a new production Williams.

 

[Rabid Badger]

Tell me more please. That is the first I have heard of this. When did this stop being used? What tool brands? I learn something new here every day.

I don't know details like that, I just know what it looks like and to be careful with it.

If you have an old tool with a dull gray finish like the OP's ratchet wipe it clean with a rag and run it across a piece of paper. If it leaves a gray streak it has a cadmium finish.

 

[2oolhound]

Tell me more please. That is the first I have heard of this. When did this stop being used? What tool brands? I learn something new here every day.

Cadmium is widely used today on nuts and bolts although it is a relatively new incarnation of the earlier type used. I'm no expert on it but I believe they've made it safer and easier on the environment just in the last decade.

 

[CSXRAILFAN]

Copy, good to know.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Picked this up off Craigslist for $5. Took it apart and greased it, is in incredible shape internally. Extremely smooth and strong mechanism. I think I'm going to use this as my main work ratchet. I bet it's still going in 75 years.

While that's a nice ratchet, unless you're doing a lot of light duty work, I think you could find a lot better candidates for a main go-to ratchet.