Permatex 81950 for ratchets?

[Jason280]

I'm looking at picking up a lube just for ratchet use, is there a better option than Permatex 81950 engine assembly lube?

http://www.permatex.com/products/pr...tex--ultra-slick--engine-assembly-lube-detail

Any other suggestions?

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Anxious to see what the more experienced say...
PERSONALLY, I've never viewed Permatex anything as top shelf.. Knowing assembly lube is what works, I'd be investigating something like Royal Purple Max-Tuff or something like that.
Then again, I could be over thinking it..slight bit of difference between seeing a shiny new punched out BBC get broken in on a Dyno and a hundred buck ratchet.

 

[Black89LX]

i use super lube

 

[CWP1616L]

For MAC 30 tooth ratchets there's nothing better.

 

[DARKSCOPE001]

depends. Its a really good lube for low tooth count ratchets. but DO NOT! use it in floating paw style ratchets like matco, gearwrench, high tooth count craftsman, armstrong ect. Use them only in low tooth count non floating paw. I have had good Luck with it also in Snap on dual 80's

The only problem your going to have with it is that. When you lube up a ratchet with it your going to have to basically let it drip over a paper towel for a week because RLL while thick still leaks past ratchet covers.

Good Luck
Sean Scott

 

[reptilezs]

i use a tacky oil like bar and chain oil for fine tooth ratchets. for the 36t or less i use a light grease

 

[Steve_P]

super lube-I buy it on ebay.

 

[tjmonsen5]

You can find SuperLube at any hardware store. If Snap-on supplies it in all of their repair kits and new ratchets, it must be good stuff.

 

[marlinspike]

Stahlwille told me to just use "regular tool oil" or 3 in 1 oil.

 

[gsmornot]

Thin layer of super lube. More is not better in this case. Fine tooth ratchets will stop working correctly with too much. No worries, just pull it apart and take some out but it's duble work. I've used tool oil but it drips out into the drawer after a while, Superlube seems to stay in the ratchet.

 

[kythri]

I haven't used the engine assembly lube on the fine-tooth stuff as of yet, but multiple reports here have indicated that it's too thick for that application.

On regular-toothed stuff (24, 30, 36, etc.) though? It's fantastic. I just cleaned and lubed an old Craftsman flex-head 3/8" of my dad's that was dirty and gummed up. Dad didn't believe me at first that it was the same ratchet. SUPER smooth, for something that's not fine-tooth.

 

[jeremy v]

i use a tacky oil like bar and chain oil for fine tooth ratchets. for the 36t or less i use a light grease

That is a pretty good idea, I had not thought of using that with my higher toothed ratchets. I always have plenty of that around and it might stay inside the ratchet longer than the other thinner weight oils do. A drawback though, is that if it does leak out it is red and it could/would stain fabrics etc. Does anyone know if they make a sticky chainsaw type oil that is clear?

 

[chris6278]

I use air tool oil. Works great on fine tooth ratchets

 

[ganymede]

That is a pretty good idea, I had not thought of using that with my higher toothed ratchets. I always have plenty of that around and it might stay inside the ratchet longer than the other thinner weight oils do. A drawback though, is that if it does leak out it is red and it could/would stain fabrics etc. Does anyone know if they make a sticky chainsaw type oil that is clear?

Oil for worm drive saws. Very sticky. Ive been using it because I saw a tube of it on sale at Sears and I'm cheap.
It still weeps out for a while after but not too bad. Just don't put a lot on.
I prefer blue wheel bearing grease for coarse tooth ratchets and oil for round head.

 

[ganymede]

For MAC 30 tooth ratchets there's nothing better.

And That saying a lot. I cut the spring down on my xr8 and it still feels too stiff.

 

[Conductor562]

Some ratchets prefer the Permatex, some prefer the Super Lube, and some don't seem to like either.

 

[jeremy v]

Oil for worm drive saws. Very sticky. Ive been using it because I saw a tube of it on sale at Sears and I'm cheap.
It still weeps out for a while after but not too bad. Just don't put a lot on.
I prefer blue wheel bearing grease for coarse tooth ratchets and oil for round head.

Thank you very much ganymede. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for some. I can already think of several other situations where having an oil that sticks like chainsaw bar oil would work better than what I am using now, but I wasn't using bar oil because I didn't want the stain possibility from the red coloring.

 

[ganymede]

Thank you very much ganymede. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for some. I can already think of several other situations where having an oil that sticks like chainsaw bar oil would work better than what I am using now, but I wasn't using bar oil because I didn't want the stain possibility from the red coloring.

Sorry Jeremy I was paying half attention and posting. The worm drive saw lube is NOT clear and will probably stain fabric.
Don't know why I ignored that part of your post.

 

[Fireball027]

I use the lucus engine assembly lube in all my ratchets including my Matco 88, and my Dual 80 snap on's. I just use a very fine layer and have never had a problem.