So I decided to try some Kobalt tools...

[RedFordTruck]

And I picked up a 1/2'' drive set yesterday at 50% off and a 3/8'' drive set at 60% off.

Well I decided to check out the "innards" of the Fancy schmancy 72 tooth ratchets since I use Craftsman RP ratchets 90% of the time.

I'd already noticed they were louder than most ratchets, so I crack open the 1/2'' drive ratchet and its bone dry. Not a drop of grease, and no sign there ever was any. Open up the 3/8'' drive and its the same deal. Bone dry.

Ive never seen a ratchet that didnt have some form of grease in it.

Is this by design? Is there a reason for a dry ratchet? Or did the people in Taiwan just happen to forget to grease both of the ratchets I happened to buy?

And my next obvious question would be, what grease should I use?

 

[shoturtle]

The is being more common place to have bone dry ratchet form asia. Assembly oil or gun oi, or super lubel works fine. I would avoid heavy grease.

 

[archirelic]

Super Lube

 

[shoturtle]

Yup the thiner lube, it is a fine tooth, and heavy grease is not ideal.

 

[RedFordTruck]

Will do!

And I plan on getting a 1/4'' drive set today, and Im just gonna go out on a limb and assume I'll need to grease that one too.

 

[shoturtle]

all the taiwan ratchets are bone dry, you will need to oil them.

 

[TwoInch]

id go superlube. i use it fine tooth and coarse tooth both, and find it to be the ultimate ratchet lube(have i said that before?)

with the finer tooth models, use a little less and they work very well. superlube is not the same consistency as your average #2 bearing grease, and it doesnt "gum" up the mechanism.

 

[supersteve]

Where does one find this super lube?

 

[Gary S]

I've never checked my 40 year old Craftsman ratchets to see if they were sold dry or lubed. Why would I? They have worked perfectly for 40 years.

 

[archirelic]

Where does one find this super lube?

I've purchased it at both Home Depot and Harbor Freight. And of course, you can order it online as well.

 

[stonesfan68]

Where does one find this super lube?

Harbour Freight carries it.

 

[RangerDaleXp]

Where does one find this super lube?

Lowe's used to stock the superlube brand and also PAW. PAW is gone and it is no longer sold at Lowe's. You can order it online and only the small tubes are available at Harbor Freight.....

 

[TwoInch]

HF and ACE hardware usually carry it

 

[TwoInch]

I've never checked my 40 year old Craftsman ratchets to see if they were sold dry or lubed. Why would I? They have worked perfectly for 40 years.

all the +20 year old craftsmans i have/had all were lubed when i got them. the newer ones are very lacking in lube.

i will say tho, i have never seen any ratchet go 40 years being used regularly, with out being cleaned and lubed, or rebuilt a couple times. if its used 3 times a year for 40 years maybe. not to say it isnt possible, just saying ive never seen it.

gear lubrication is pretty well understood.

 

[Gary S]

i will say tho, i have never seen any ratchet go 40 years being used regularly, with out being cleaned and lubed, or rebuilt a couple times. if its used 3 times a year for 40 years maybe. not to say it isnt possible, just saying ive never seen it.
.

I guess you need to look farther. Both my Brother and I have been using our tools that long without ever wasting time playing with them and lubing them. We do work with tools, not play.

 

[RangerDaleXp]

all the +20 year old craftsmans i have/had all were lubed when i got them. the newer ones are very lacking in lube.

i will say tho, i have never seen any ratchet go 40 years being used regularly, with out being cleaned and lubed, or rebuilt a couple times. if its used 3 times a year for 40 years maybe. not to say it isnt possible, just saying ive never seen it.

gear lubrication is pretty well understood.

I have always made it a point to disassemble and lube a new ratchet regardless from where it was made or manufactured.

I buy the cheap grinders from HF and the first thing I do is remove the fish grease from the gear-case and grease it with mobile 1 grease or superlube. It is probably the main reason I don't have many problems with them....

 

[RedFordTruck]

Well im back from Lowes... Got some More Taiwan stuff for my truck!

I was looking at the $4.97 1/4'' drive sets, but then I decided on this set for everything it had!

Got a 51 piece 1/4'' drive set. Original price $49.97, on sale for $24.97.

Heck of a Deal in my opinion.

1/4'' drive ratchet
Baby Breaker bar
Drive Handle
U-joint
3-extensions
10 6PT SAE Sockets
13 6PT Metric
3 8PT SAE
6 Security Torx sockets
6 Hex sockets
3 Flat screwdriver sockets
3 Phillips screwdriver sockets

Not bad for $25!

 

[thesilverone]

permatex engine assembly lube aka RLL (red lube of love)

 

[TwoInch]

I buy the cheap grinders from HF and the first thing I do is remove the fish grease from the gear-case and grease it with mobile 1 grease or superlube. It is probably the main reason I don't have many problems with them....

i too use HF grinders, and also remove the funk "grease" before i plug it in, and repack with superlube(moly in one) and have run them for extended times, and heavy use and no ill effect. i got the grinders for about $8 each.

the trick is to get the right amount of grease. too much and it causes excess friction and heat, too little and no lubrication. i filled them about 2/3 with a nice air pocket, and they work great and run cool.

 

[TwoInch]

I guess you need to look farther. Both my Brother and I have been using our tools that long without ever wasting time playing with them and lubing them. We do work with tools, not play.

i use mine also, a lot. i have seen oodles of craftsman =v= ratchets that were dry, and the teeth worn to nubs.

not sure if you are implying i play with ratchets instead of using them. but like any moving steel parts, they need lubrication to last. anyone who does any sort of mechanical work knows this, and wouldnt argue against it.

is changing oil in your car "playing" with it also?

 

[Displaced Hokie]

I'm going to guess they are dry so they don't leak lube while in shipping. I bet things get mighty hot in those containers, and any lube would surely thin and leak out.

Plus, they probably don't need lubing. Anyone ever use those exposed gear ratchets? Not saying I agree, but they do WORK fine dry.

 

[mudflap]

***** juice, lubricates your tool, and makes it smell good too..... If you dont know any place to get some of that, the next best thing is the graphite spray that napa sells. It dries and leaves a graphite coating . Works great, no leaks, and creates no back drag like some oils , and greases will.

 

[Thumper]

 

[CloseEnough]

I've never taken a ratchet apart before. After reading this thread I decided to take one of my Snap-on ratchets apart That hasn't been working. I guess I could use some lube?


-Charlie
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Kyle86]

***** juice? Can you get that from harbor freight too?

 

[RedFordTruck]

Dang CloseEnough!

 

[TwoInch]

I'm going to guess they are dry so they don't leak lube while in shipping. I bet things get mighty hot in those containers, and any lube would surely thin and leak out.

Plus, they probably don't need lubing. Anyone ever use those exposed gear ratchets? Not saying I agree, but they do WORK fine dry.

they will work fine dry, but they will be loud, and the gear will wear very many times faster. lube not only makes them last longer, it makes them quieter, and smoother. i find that a light grease does not cause drag, it actually helps the pawl skim over the teeth much easier on the back stroke. that is the main reason i like the superlube better than RLL, not that its a better lubricant, i just like how it affects the function of the mechanisms.

as for why they dont lube them when new, most companies would rather save the couple pennies on the lube im guessing. superlube doesnt melt, or thin out when heated, and it doesnt dry up. its dropping point is above 500*F. here is a quote from their site about the grease mentioned

"is compatible with most other lubricants and will not run, drip, evaporate or form gummy deposits, and will not melt or separate. "

superlube is what snap on includes in their ratchet rebuild kits, and many other non ratchet/tool related companies rebadge it for specific applications.

and i would not recomment any dry graphite lubricants. not good for gear mechanisms.

 

[TwoInch]

I've never taken a ratchet apart before. After reading this thread I decided to take one of my Snap-on ratchets apart That hasn't been working. I guess I could use some lube?


-Charlie
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

looks like that one sat in the back pond for a while. yikes

kyle, no, but i can send ya some if you cant find a decent source... for a nominal fee of course...

 

[thesilverone]

***** juice? Can you get that from harbor freight too?

http://cdn.fd.uproxx.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/alina-hsu-xu-mussolini-****-lube.jpg

 

[dankicksass]

Guy with the American flag avatar seems very excited to be overpaying for EZ-Red or Titan tools.

 

[RedFordTruck]

Guy with the American flag avatar seems very excited to be overpaying for EZ-Red or Titan tools.

At less than 50 cents per piece they'll do fine riding in my truck.

And how are they overpriced titan tools?

The Titan tools ive seen at Northern tool arent as nice as these, and theyre made in China and have basically the same price point.

I would rather buy the Kobalts than Craftsman, knowing If I ever have to warranty Craftsman, Im gonna be getting a Chinese Ratchet and Extensions, etc. At least with the Kobalts I know I would get a Taiwan thats gonna be the same as what I paid for.

 

[TwoInch]

I would rather buy the Kobalts than Craftsman, knowing If I ever have to warranty Craftsman, Im gonna be getting a Chinese Ratchet and Extensions, etc. At least with the Kobalts I know I would get a Taiwan thats gonna be the same as what I paid for.

i wouldnt expect that. lowes has changed the kobalt line twice in the last few years. they were once Williams USA made, then they were Danaher USA made, and were the same as craftsman but with different stampings and handles, and now they are Taiwan made.

i am sure it will be changed once again in the near future.... each time they have stepped down in quality, maybe not a huge quality drop on the last switch, but at least they were USA.

 

[btbsandman]

i wouldnt expect that. lowes has changed the kobalt line twice in the last few years. they were once Williams USA made, then they were Danaher USA made, and were the same as craftsman but with different stampings and handles, and now they are Taiwan made.

i am sure it will be changed once again in the near future.... each time they have stepped down in quality, maybe not a huge quality drop on the last switch, but at least they were USA.

You beat me on this post!

 

[dankicksass]

Kobalt hardline was USA made two years ago. Guys that bought Williams made Kobalt ten years ago or Danaher made Kobalt two years ago can't get the same maker tool back on a warranty exchange anymore either. The Chinese behind Titan and EZ-Red are the new makers for LG Sourcing labeled hardline.

Gosh I'm slow.

 

[thesilverone]

Kobalt was launched in 1998 and 14 years later they are on their 3rd tool manufacturer. Are you sure what you're buying?

was your made in usa avatar made in taiwan or china?

 

[LumpyMusic]

Some of you guys talk like you routinely warranty your tools.


Lumpy

You were on Leave it to Beaver?
No, I was on on CHiPs. That Beaver Lumpy
was Frank Bank.
www.LumpyMusic.com

 

[RedFordTruck]

Lol I buy some cheap tools to carry as a road kit and everyone jumps me!


But for what Ive spent on Kobalt Im not out much. Ive purchased 3 things the past two days and they've all been at least 50% off.

Ive got 80% Craftsman for my stuff at home and just wanted some cheaper Extras for the road. Im going to pick up Channellock pliers and assorted brand screwdrivers on the Cheap at the Flea market next run, so that should better round out what I carry with me.

Sure, I decided to give the Taiwan Kobalt a shot, but I try to avoid Chinese Kobalt like the Plague. Their pliers and such?

 

[TwoInch]

Lol I buy some cheap tools to carry as a road kit and everyone jumps me!


But for what Ive spent on Kobalt Im not out much. Ive purchased 3 things the past two days and they've all been at least 50% off.

Ive got 80% Craftsman for my stuff at home and just wanted some cheaper Extras for the road. Im going to pick up Channellock pliers and assorted brand screwdrivers on the Cheap at the Flea market next run, so that should better round out what I carry with me.

Sure, I decided to give the Taiwan Kobalt a shot, but I try to avoid Chinese Kobalt like the Plague. Their pliers and such?

im not jumpin ya. i was just pointing out that you shouldnt expect there to be the same tools there if you ever need a replacement. thats probably not even a big deal, but still a valid point.

there is nothing wrong with kobalt, i own a bit myself. its good stuff for the money, especially when you get it on sale/clearance.

 

[TwoInch]

Some of you guys talk like you routinely warranty your tools.


Lumpy

You were on Leave it to Beaver?
No, I was on on CHiPs. That Beaver Lumpy
was Frank Bank.
www.LumpyMusic.com

what posts are you refering to???? cuz i dont see em.

but thanks for the informative post.

 

[RedFordTruck]

im not jumpin ya. i was just pointing out that you shouldnt expect there to be the same tools there if you ever need a replacement. thats probably not even a big deal, but still a valid point.

there is nothing wrong with kobalt, i own a bit myself. its good stuff for the money, especially when you get it on sale/clearance.

Haha how jealous would people be if Lowes miraculously decided to switch back to being made in the USA and you could warranty Taiwan for USA.