Rebuilding HF ratchets.

[mojo_13]

First off I want to say I am not trying to start a flame war, just was curious and couldn't find anything with a search so I thought I'd ask. So here goes.

I was wondering if anyone has rebuilt their HF ratchets with another companies rebuild kit. Such as if anyone found a SO, MAC, Proto, etc kit that worked in any of the HF ratchets. I have one of their SO copy ratchets but didn't know if it was similar enough that one of their rebuild kits would work.

Any help or insight to help this inquiring mind would be great. Thanks

 

[billymade]

I'm thinking, the average customer that needs one rebuilt; would just take it to the store and they would give you a new one. Its probably not worth their time to provide a kit; if you really want one, I would email or call HF and see what they say.

http://www.harborfreight.com/contact-customer-service

 

[mojo_13]

I'm thinking, the average customer that needs one rebuilt; would just take it to the store and they would give you a new one. Its probably not worth their time to provide a kit; if you really want one, I would email or call HF and see what they say.

http://www.harborfreight.com/contact-customer-service

I completely agree that most/all people just take it in and get a new one. I am just wondering if any other companies rebuild kits would fit, to act as an "upgrade" for the HF ratchet.

 

[78Bird]

Worn out, just take it back...

as an upgrade, hm... possible. only way to be sure would be to buy the kit for the SO copied and try it.

 

[X1 Mike]

Upgrading a Harbor Freight ratchet??? Try this website.

www.howtopolishaturd.com

note: for all you h-f fanboys It was a joke.

 

[mojo_13]

Upgrading a Harbor Freight ratchet??? Try this website.

www.howtopolishaturd.com

note: for all you h-f fanboys It was a joke.

and a good one at that!

This was just a hypithetical question, wondering if it was possible.

 

[r6_cannibal]

Keep us posted if you try it out. I don't have any hf ratchets or I would open em up to see which guts are swappable

 

[Abbott]

I would just exchange the tool or purchase a new one.

 

[arkangel06]

I would just exchange the tool or purchase a new one.

I wouldn't buy one in the first place.

 

[Indy_500]

I don't think its possible since most HF ratchets have quick-release. Most "good" ratchets aren't quick release. Does snap on even sell a quick release ratchet?

 

[cruiser808]

I don't think its possible since most HF ratchets have quick-release. Most "good" ratchets aren't quick release. Does snap on even sell a quick release ratchet?

Hi Indy - yes, at least in the recent past. I have two Snap-on quick release ratchets, one in 3/8" and one in 1/2". Got them really cheap as no one seems to give them much love. They're very well built and are great for those slippery ****** jobs.

 

[mrholeshot]

Nothing between the two ratchets will interchange

 

[O RLY]

Why not just buy a Snap-On

 

[mojo_13]

Why not just buy a Snap-On

This was strictly a curiosity type thing like I said before. Just wondered how similar these were to the originals.

 

[Abbott]

Why not just buy a Snap-On

Why waste the money?

 

[Interex]

Here we go...

 

[shotgunfatcat]

Why waste the money?

Because I can! Money is meant to be spent.

 

[mrholeshot]

 

[shotgunfatcat]

You really don't like horses do you.

 

[geaugafletcher]

Mythbusters quantitatively demonstrated that with a little bit of work, one -can- polish a turd.

I'd just take a HF ratchet back for an exchange. That's still cheap and easy enough that it'd cost more in time to figure out a parts cross reference than it's worth.

 

[Danglerb]

You may not be able to polish a turd, but you can roll it in glitter.

HF ratchets never break, so no issue anyway.

 

[Jononon]

I could imagine it being fruitful to take it apart, deburr, polish the friction surfaces, clean and lube.

If, that is, your time is cheaper than buying a decent ratchet in the first place

 

[caper]

I could imagine it being fruitful to take it apart, deburr, polish the friction surfaces, clean and lube.

If, that is, your time is cheaper than buying a decent ratchet in the first place

The ones I've seen it would be a waste of time to polish and clean,they're smoother than 1/2 the ratchets on the market the way they are.

 

[Hiball]

The ones I've seen it would be a waste of time to polish and clean,they're smoother than 1/2 the ratchets on the market the way they are.

+1 I was in HF Sunday as i needed to pick up a couple packs of there shop towels. I wandered over to the hand tool section and examined some of the Wrenches, Ratchets etc.. I will admit there ratchets have a nice feel to the Mechanism, I just cant bring myself to buy one. Its not because i feel there ****... I just currently own multiple Snappy and Wright Ratchets. I will say i dont like that you cant take them apart but then again, If it ever fails just take it back and grab another.