Reviving a few cornwell ratchets.

[Ksem89]

Hey Guys!

Picked up these rather neglected looking Cornwell ratchets for $15 bucks, two 1/2 inch ones and one 3/8 drive. Tearing them down with the goal of making them look sharp again!

Upon tear down, besides very dirty and grimy, the teeth look super sharp with almost no wear!!

They all have holes in the top, which from my research is the oil hole, im just used to there being a ball detent of some kind. All the pictures I can find of these just show an open hole. Should I plug them with something, rubber, or a piece of felt to keep dirt out?

Any thoughts appreciated, stay tuned for end result!

k

 

[d42jeep]

Most of my 1/4” drive Walden ratchets have a similar oil hole and almost all of them are open. They seem to be harmless. I usually add a drop or two of 3 in One oil.
I’m a big fan of Cornwell ratchets and my absolute favorite is a 1/4” drive size handle with a 3/8” drive anvil. I never leave them behind on those rare occasions when I see them at sales.
-Don

 

[3baygarage]

Hi, nice grab. I would leave the hole open for oil as needed. I also wanted to mention, not sure if you have a rust cleaning method. Something like Evaporust would probably hurt the black finish. Not sure what to recommend.

 

[d42jeep]

Sometimes when I am trying to preserve as much black oxide finish as possible when some rust is present I’ll use some fine steel wool, concentrating on the rusty areas.
-Don

 

[Ksem89]

Hi, nice grab. I would leave the hole open for oil as needed. I also wanted to mention, not sure if you have a rust cleaning method. Something like Evaporust would probably hurt the black finish. Not sure what to recommend.

Yea I figured it would hurt it, With that Ill probably just try to degrease and wd40 with light brushing to see how it turns out. The other ratchets will have a date with the wire wheel, and maybe some buffing depending if I decided to shine em up and leave more raw looking, not sure yet.

k

 

[Ksem89]

Sometimes when I am trying to preserve as much black oxide finish as possible when some rust is present I’ll use some fine steel wool, concentrating on the rusty areas.
-Don

Thats a good idea!

thanks

k

 

[KnurledNut]

Nice ratchets! Those operate incredibly smooth when clean and lubed. Kudos for rescuing them! I’d leave the oil hole as is.

 

[bonneyman]

I've seen a video of a bike restoration guy who rubs rusty chrome handlebars with aluminum foil and it removes the rust while preserving the chrome. I tried it once with lackluster results. Maybe you'll be luckier?

I usually plug those holes with a plastic piece or something. Less chance of dirt to get in, and - if you need to oil things - just pop it apart and add the lube. Takes 5 minutes. FWIW

 

[d42jeep]

Here is a before and after picture of one of mine. I used my 3M rotary discs on it after putting it back together correctly
-Don

 

[Ksem89]

That looks sharp!!! Yea I was debating on bringing out the fine sandpaper and giving them a polished look! We will see.

K

 

[Ksem89]

One down. Did not realize how nice these ratchets are!!!

K

 

[SilverJimmy]

I believe that hole is from when the ratchet was drilled for the bore for the small spring and ball to bear upon the pawl that causes the ratchet to ratchet. More recent ratchets have that hole drilled at an angle to avoid having that hole.

 

[Zeus36]

During the early 80s I worked as a Millwright at a steel mill in Ohio. Sometime late on the afternoon shift, a freight car of Cornwell seconds, returns, mis-stamped wrenches, non-RFI ratchets, and rejects was dumped on the Melt Shop floor for scrap remelting. The gleaming sea of chrome when spread out looked like the size of half a football field.

Just came in on a midnight shift and the fellows leaving let the maintenance crew in on the arrival. I was able to rescue two 5-gallon buckets of ratchets and wrenches- for use in our shop of course. Ratchets were cannibalized to make working units. Those are usually the ratchets I reach for.

 

[Ksem89]

Need some opinions!

Do I finish the other 1/2 inch ratchet like the first one, with a slight mirror finish, or leave it more of a raw steel?

Thanks!

K

 

[d42jeep]

I think it’s a matter of personal preference. I like them either way. I double checked my 3/8” drive ratchets and they don’t have the hole on top.
-Don

 

[Ksem89]

Well got them all done. I did not polish the other one up as much, but I might still go back and do that. I did my best to preserve the black oxide finish on the 3/8 ratchet while removing the rust.

Feels good bringing these back to life!

K

 

[Ksem89]

Well, my 4 yr old daughter (who also has a thing for ratchets) really wanted the other one shiny too.

Of course I had to do it.

Also, anyone figure what yr these may be, with oil holes? AA does not really give anything for this model. Also, I notice the font, and handle contours are a touch different between the 1/2 in drives.

Thanks

K