Ratchet ID Help (Pictures Inside)

[arkracing]

I found this ratchet in box of tools that showed up @ my shop (not mine, given to my "garage mate"). When I first saw it I thought it was going to be some cheap junk that was headed for the trash, but it is actually pretty nice

I was wondering if anyone knew who made it.

Looks similar to an SK with the knurled handle - which has a very nice knurling quality. Seems to have similar action/degree of movement/ratchet feel to an SK as well.

The only marking on the ratchet is "Japan" on the inside of the handle

Any ideas?

 

[krusty the clown]

it's definatly not an s&k. the head itself looks very similar to wright's ratchet. i have seen a few of these when i was selling matco. the snap on guy's would give them to customers and have them ask me to replace the ratchet head in an attempt to prove that the wright made matco ratchets we were selling were made in japan. it din't really prove anything but the perception was there.

 

[Uncle Buck]

It looks like no ratchet of particular quality that I have ever laid eyes on; I think it is a cheap import job!

 

[Fedwrench]

I think it is one of those generic no name ratchets from a $4.99 socket set that you see in little black boxes by the cash registers in chain auto parts stores.

 

[arkracing]

I think it is one of those generic no name ratchets from a $4.99 socket set that you see in little black boxes by the cash registers in chain auto parts stores.

That's what I thought too, but the quailty seems alot nicer than those. It doesn't feel "Cheap"

It probably is a "cheap" one, but was hoping it might be something cool/differant. I actually like it better than a Craftsman Raised Panel Tear Drop

Good enough to through in the "on the road tool box"

 

[comp]

S&K should say it on it

 

[arkracing]

it's definatly not an s&k.

S&K should say it on it

I know, I said that it looks similar and acts similar. - Just edited the 1st a little to make that more clear

 

[wrenchr]

It is not SK, I think is is a higher quality ratchet designed after the wright.

 

[wrenchr]

The cheap ones that sell for $4.99 are very "CHEAP" the direction selector is plastic and the handle is the same diameter as the shaft. Very cheap, not this one

 

[rsanter]

it is probibaly from the era when that stuff was made in japan. now its made in china

bob

 

[Kurn]

It does look like a generic Japanese ratchet form the eighties.But if it works well and you like it,who cares?

 

[Itzkwik]

Looks like a Cen-Tech ratchet. I think Harbor Freight used to sell them in the '70s.

 

[chevy302dz]

The direction lever is different than the old HF ratchet, but other than that it's a exact copy.

 

[kartracer55]

Junk. See the retaining ring that holds the head in? Most junky ratchets use this style... not intended to be rebuilt like an SK that uses a spring clip.

Jim

 

[krusty the clown]

Junk. See the retaining ring that holds the head in? Most junky ratchets use this style... not intended to be rebuilt like an SK that uses a spring clip.

Jim

thats the same spiral lock ring that wright uses.........i don't think anyone considers them "junky"

btw harley davidson uses the same spiral lock ring to hold wrist pins, if it'll hold in a piston ring it won't be a problem on a ratchet

 

[Chris Adams]

Ditto on the spiral lock not being necessarily a sign of cheapness.

I just cleaned and oiled a nice Husky from the 70's.
It uses the spiral lock. Very secure and a pain to remove, but totally reusable.

The Husky has been in storage since 1984, and the grease was pretty solid. After a cleaning and lubing with Lithium grease it works like new. And lots better than the new ones I was looking at today at HF and Sears.

I have a Thorsen Allied (TAT) ratchet in the drawer, made in Taiwan that looks almost exactly like the mystery ratchet. It is totally serviceable, but not up to the Husky from the same era.

 

[old salvage]

I have a late production New Britain 1/4" drive that has the spiral retaining ring. Probably not the best tool ever made but not junk. That style ring is probably just cheaper to manufacture and thats why its so common on cheapo ratchets.

 

[kartracer55]

btw harley davidson uses the same spiral lock ring.....

Maybe thats why they break down so much?

OUCH!! hahahahah

 

[arkracing]

Thanks for all the great info guys. Yep the "Lever" is all metal, the whole thing is pretty heavy and doesn't feel like the "junk" ones.

Does that the Sprial Retaining Ring. I was contemplating tring to remove it and clean/re-grease the guts. It doesn't seem to be sealed so maybe I'll just soak it in some Marvel M. or something. Then again a good challenge never hurt anyone

It's not like my Snappy 830's but it works and seems decent enough for a spare (as if I need another) or for the "road tool box"

 

[Coach James]

Alright, after reading this, I had to go out to the garage and see how my ratchets were held together. Most were snap rings, two with bolts, one with a hex bit drive machine screw. But, I also had these that had spiral locks: Jensen, Wright, old USA made Blackhawk, and old USA made Husky.

Coach

 

[Chris Adams]

Thanks for all the great info guys. Yep the "Lever" is all metal, the whole thing is pretty heavy and doesn't feel like the "junk" ones.

Does that the Sprial Retaining Ring. I was contemplating tring to remove it and clean/re-grease the guts. It doesn't seem to be sealed so maybe I'll just soak it in some Marvel M. or something. Then again a good challenge never hurt anyone

It's not like my Snappy 830's but it works and seems decent enough for a spare (as if I need another) or for the "road tool box"

If you go to take the spiral out, you use a sharp point, something like a scratchall or ice pick. Catch the end and gently start it spiraling into the center. Don't push the pick into your hand. I did that the first time I rebuilt one.
After you get it out there should be ten parts total, including the body. May have eleven on your pictured one.
Clean them very well, and don't lose the two springs.
Easy to put back together. I use small needle nose pliers to coax the thing back in. Don't over lube. I use Lithium grease, just enough to coat everything. Should take about 30 minutes, start to finish and be sorta fun.

 

[hiavia]

That looks like a etc ratchet from Japan

hiavia

 

[eschoendorff]

Not all spiral retaining rings are made equal. i remember having to replace an alternator on the side of the road. Thankfully, my FIL was with me (in his car) and went to the autoparts store. He came back with a $4.99 socket set. The goddamn ratchet kept falling apart on me!

 

[Junkman]

Junk. See the retaining ring that holds the head in? Most junky ratchets use this style... not intended to be rebuilt like an SK that uses a spring clip.

Jim

I've made a lot of things in my lifetime, but never a ratchet...