SK 3/8 rebuild kits

[R1100purist]

Hello! I’ve been looking for a rebuild kit for my SK 3870 ratchet and haven’t been successful! Is there a source you guys know of?

 

[bbrins]

If all you need is the ratcheting part, it takes the same kit as the 45170. 45170-2 is the entire ratcheting assembly and 45170-9 is just the internal bits. I don't recall if SK had a special kit just for the 3870 or not. If you can't get one out of SK, try ebay.

 

[Professional Tool User]

I would try contacting SK to see if they could send you one.

 

[R1100purist]

I sent them an email a couple weeks ago but I may have to use good ol’ fashion telephone to give them a call.

I’m pretty excited to turn the old guy into a fine tooth ratchet with the new rebuild! Plus the old one was peeling and skipping occasionally.

 

[sparky 1971]

I sent them an email a couple weeks ago but I may have to use good ol’ fashion telephone to give them a call.

I’m pretty excited to turn the old guy into a fine tooth ratchet with the new rebuild! Plus the old one was peeling and skipping occasionally.

Good luck, you're probably going to get nowhere fast in the near future. . I would check SK's website periodically. If they ever get it back up to the point orders can be placed, then give them a call. Right now, they claim to be sold out of every single item they sell. I don't believe that, but I do think they have a hell of a mess on their hands after moving from IL to PA.

 

[desrosd]

I sent them an email a couple weeks ago but I may have to use good ol’ fashion telephone to give them a call.

I’m pretty excited to turn the old guy into a fine tooth ratchet with the new rebuild! Plus the old one was peeling and skipping occasionally.

The two repair kits mentioned above by bbrins maintain the original 40 tooth count. The SK DT80 kit doubles the tooth count, but also results in a very high back drag - I tried a DT80 kit but removed it.

 

[MarkH]

A 3870 is one of my two main go to ratchets. At the home shop I have 2 of them. One with a regular rebuild kit in it and another with a DT80. I still find myself going to the one with the regular rebuild kit in it between the two choices. I use the DT80 but where the smaller swing is useful.

Right now there is enough choices on e-bay for the regular rebuild kits get one and use a great ratchet. Try a DT80 when available. Some people love the kit others do not. Once you have it you will see which one you are.

 

[vssjim]

I have plenty of all sizes in stock complete head kits and repair kits and a 3/8 DT80 for sure and they are available to ship just make me an offer

 

[bbrins]

The two repair kits mentioned above by bbrins maintain the original 40 tooth count. The SK DT80 kit doubles the tooth count, but also results in a very high back drag - I tried a DT80 kit but removed it.

I've found that I don't really care for the DT80 kits. They have too much backdrag, even after a good breaking in, which is even worse with the long handle of the 3870 since I am usually using it in areas where I can't just reach in with my other hand to counteract the fact that it won't ratchet. If I have enough room to get another hand in there to hold onto the socket or put pressure on the selector, then I probably have enough room to add an extension or something so that I don't need the smaller swing arc of the DT80.

If you haven't already tried, it might be worthwhile to open it up and clean it up and regrease. A lot of times, old dried up grease is the cause of a poorly ratcheting ratchet.

*Edited to correct what autocorrect screwed up.

 

[desrosd]

I've found that I don't really care for the DT80 kits. They have too much backdrag, even after a good breaking in, which is even worse with the long handle of the 3870 since I am usually using it in areas where I can't just reach in with my other hand to counteract the fact that it won't ratchet. If I have enough room to get another hand in there to hold onto the socket or put pressure on the selector, then I probably have enough room to add an extension or something so that I don't need the smaller swing arc of the DT80.

If you haven't already tried, it might be worthwhile to open it up and clean it up and degrease. A lot of times, old dried up grease is the cause of a poorly ratcheting ratchet.

I also tried a 1/2" DT100 kit, it increased the backdrag but nowheres as bad as the DT80 kit in the 3/8". The backdrag is just slightly past the edge of where I consider it acceptable. That 1/2" ratchet is never grabbed first - I'm keeping it around in case I need the higher tooth count for a job.

 

[bbrins]

I've tried all of the DT kits, I think the 1/4 or DT120 is worse than the DT80 as far as additional backdrag is concerned. I found the backdrag on 1/4 drive to be beyond unacceptable.

FWIW, I'm a big fan of the traditional SK round head ratchets, I just think they missed the mark on the DT kits.

 

[R1100purist]

Really good input guys! I was thinking the DT80 would be an awesome addition to the 3870, but I’m going to re think that.