Plumb 5451 1/2" Ratchet Rebuild?

[speedyspaghetti]

Hey everyone,

So I bought a made in Los Angeles 5451 ratchet off of eBay which was listed as "used, works," but it spins on empty and does not ratchet. Basically it just constantly slips. I could request a refund/return, but before I go down that rabbit-hole, I'd like a stab at fixing it if possible. I'd been hunting for an LA-made Plumb ratchet for a while that wasn't missing the original drive-plug and I thought this was it.

Are there any rebuild kits that would work for this? Any other suggestions? Thanks guys.

 

[JR 42]

It's actaully Plomb, not Plumb- it can be hard to tell with the triangle mark. Plumb was (and still is) a different company, whose lawsuit led to Plomb changing their name to Proto. You should make a few more posts, then take some pics and post them in the Plomb thread in the Vintage Tools section, someone might be able to help. There's a bunch of info about the lawsuit and dating from markings in the forum.

 

[bonneyman]

I'd take it apart and soak it in 50/50 acetone and ATF - it might just be inoperable due to chunky grease. If after cleaning and inspection you need a part (or parts) one of us might have what you need.

 

[speedyspaghetti]

I'd take it apart and soak it in 50/50 acetone and ATF - it might just be inoperable due to chunky grease. If after cleaning and inspection you need a part (or parts) one of us might have what you need.

Good idea - currently I'm having an impossible time loosening those two slotted screws. Gonna have to dig up my hand impact I think.

 

[Plombob]

The innards are interchangeable with a modern Proto. Order a repair kit if it's missing parts or worn out.