Rebuilding Matco CFR178LFTG 88T

[KU_MechE]

So, got this well-used ratchet on ebay and immediately cleaned everything, lubed the head with Superlube, and re-painted the switches. Ratchet works beautifully, but i'd like to replace the worn handle. My options seem limited due to the size of the handle and I'm guessing a prybar handle would work well. Top preference would be a green hard handle, but what are my options?

Original Condition:

Now:

 

[Fedwrench]

It's a big honking ratchet meant to be used, not a museum piece!!!

Clean the handle with 409/simple green and go use the hell out of it. Matco handles aren't meant to be replaceable.

 

[otis66]

It's a big honking ratchet meant to be used, not a museum piece!!!

Clean the handle with 409/simple green and go use the hell out of it. Matco handles aren't meant to be replaceable.

Yeah, Simple Green works nice.

 

[otis66]

It's a big honking ratchet meant to be used, not a museum piece!!!

Clean the handle with 409/simple green and go use the hell out of it. Matco handles aren't meant to be replaceable.

Yeah, Simple Green works nice.

 

[billymade]

Does Matco sell replacement handles; like snapon does and then your dealer can swap it for you?

 

[KU_MechE]

Does Matco sell replacement handles; like snapon does and then your dealer can swap it for you?

I asked about that and was told "no, the handle was not designed to be replaced and Matco doesn't sell handles". I was hoping GJ could confirm or deny this claim.

 

[KU_MechE]

It's a big honking ratchet meant to be used, not a museum piece!!!

Clean the handle with 409/simple green and go use the hell out of it. Matco handles aren't meant to be replaceable.

fair enough, but I prefer hard handles

 

[warmpancakes]

fill hand with hand cleaner or lava soap that handle will clean like new

 

[canuckian]

^^hand cleaner works. Just tried it with some "gojo" on an orange handled 1/4 Matco. Looks like new now, well except for a couple of small gouges it has but it even cleaned the dirt out of those!

 

[chris6278]

goo-be-gone would work great on that handle an will make it smell like oranges lol

 

[Big Johnson]

It's a big honking ratchet meant to be used, not a museum piece!!!:wtf:

Of course it is. Haven't you been to the used Matco tools purchased on ebay museum?

 

[Mr Ratchet]

Looks like you cleaned it up pretty good already! I have a similar ratchet in an Armstrong with chrome handle and 60 toooth count. I like it so much, I have a matching 3/8" on order.

I'd just clean the handle a little like others have suggeted and use the heck out of it.

 

[daveblank]

I asked about that and was told "no, the handle was not designed to be replaced and Matco doesn't sell handles". I was hoping GJ could confirm or deny this claim.

I'll confirm it, they do not sell handles.

 

[GTO]

Re painted the switches ?

Really ?

 

[kxxr]

missed a couple spots.

 

[KU_MechE]

missed a couple spots.

No, I didn't. I refurbished 2 months ago and the tool gets used at every autoX