In our docks and boathouse there are some galvanized nuts and bolts. Some of these are below the waterline. Occasionally these nuts need to be tightened or removed and a ratchet and socket makes this easier. How much damage will I do to my ratchets If I briefly use them under water? They are basic craftsman ratchets so of no real value but I also don’t want to destroy them. Should I buy a used “junker” ratchet or breaker bar at Restore to use? Should I just use a wrench?
Submerging Ratchetsi
- Thread starter LOW1
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Gangly
Well-known member
Ratchets will be fine as long as you clean them out with something that will displace the water, and lube/oil them immediately after use. if I had to use a wrench, I'd use one without a ratcheting mechanism, such a a breaker bar, and just dry it then dip it in oil afterwards.
Personally, I would use an open-end or box-end wrench then dry them off real well before wiping them down with an oil rag.
Just curious, but why not just use an open-end or box-end wrench so you don't have to worry about anything other than drying it off? Too slow?
Personally, I would use an open-end or box-end wrench then dry them off real well before wiping them down with an oil rag.
Just curious, but why not just use an open-end or box-end wrench so you don't have to worry about anything other than drying it off? Too slow?
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Mr Ratchet
Well-known member
For this kind of work, I only use wrenches (combination). It's a little slower to tighten/loosen the fasteners. Quicker over all since a good dry off and maybe a spray of WD-40 is all that is needed. Putting tools with moving parts under water is a sure way to have them lock up from rust build up. You would need to take the tool apart to dry and spray with WD-40.
I also make a lanyard out of nylon string for the wrench/s. Make a loop around the shank of the wrench. Make it big enough to slide back and forth. Not too big to slide past the open and box end. Then make another loop that goes over your wrist. This will keep you from looking for a dropped wrench. I know this from experience!
I also make a lanyard out of nylon string for the wrench/s. Make a loop around the shank of the wrench. Make it big enough to slide back and forth. Not too big to slide past the open and box end. Then make another loop that goes over your wrist. This will keep you from looking for a dropped wrench. I know this from experience!
And a big magnet on a lanyard for dropped hardware. I know this from experience.
I also use combination wrench or socket and breaker bar. I tried the ratchet but as stated by others, the post-use maintenance time took longer than the use time.
I'm currently waiting on lower water levels so I can use an angle grinder to flush cut some old, rusty bolt ends from old brackets.
Yes. Up until this summer the dockwork only involved an occasional tightening that only took a minute or two with an old already-rusty channel lock. But now I’m building a staircase and would prefer to use a ratchet.
rlitman
Well-known member
They make aluminum bronze ratchets for spark safety that are also corrosion resistant.
gleman
Well-known member
I have a dedicated ratchet/extension and socket for my dock. I use it twice a year in the lake and just clean it up well after each use.
manwithtools
ALLIANCE MEMBER
And for what they cost, the OP could buy and throw away a cheap ratchet once a year for the next 20 years...
I wonder if you used a relatively open ratchet like a craftsman raised panel POS, then after having been submerged, you put it in a can of motor oil. if that would be okay. Are we talking about salt water or fresh water?
CGarage
Well-known member
The vintage Craftsman ratchets in most cases are some of the worst I have ever had the displeasure of using.
rlitman
Well-known member
I think you're onto something. What about those fully open old-school ratcheting wrench designs?
Rip the plastic off of these:
drokihazan
Well-known member
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the above ratcheting wrenches are a nice idea. Just get one of the old style Snap-on ones off eBay for like $20, dedicate it to this job, and when you get done give it a nice spraydown of WD-40 and then throw it in the used oil can for a day. Seems like a combination wrench and a ratcheting wrench is probably enough to make your life easier, and a lot easier to clean too.
Beerhippie
Well-known member
Obviously, the only GJ-correct answer is this:
commercialdivingsupplies.com
Good to 50 meters!
Nemo Power Tools - Impact Wrench 50m - AXSUB® Commercial Diving Supplies
Nemo Power Tools - Impact Wrench 50m with two (2) 6Ah Rechargeable Li-ion Batteries and one (1) Charger The world’s first waterproof cordless impact wrench works on land and underwater up to 50m, allowing commercial divers and construction workers to carry out a wide range of fastening applications.
commercialdivingsupplies.com
Good to 50 meters!
Ohio Andy
Well-known member
Ignore for a moment that of course you want one....Obviously, the only GJ-correct answer is this:
Nemo Power Tools - Impact Wrench 50m - AXSUB® Commercial Diving Supplies
Nemo Power Tools - Impact Wrench 50m with two (2) 6Ah Rechargeable Li-ion Batteries and one (1) Charger The world’s first waterproof cordless impact wrench works on land and underwater up to 50m, allowing commercial divers and construction workers to carry out a wide range of fastening applications.
Good to 50 meters!
I can throw away a lot of ratchets before I get to $1,800 though.
KnurledNut
Well-known member
I’ve worked with utility crews installing water line repair coupling clamps on pressurized lines. This is often underwater in a pit full of muddy water and high pressure water spraying. I keep this Wright open head ratchet in my kit for uses like this and other sanitary applications:
https://www.harryepstein.com/products/1-2-dr-ratchet-open-head-10-1-2-series-80?
It’s simple to disassemble for drying and cleaning, but is usually not necessary.
https://www.harryepstein.com/products/1-2-dr-ratchet-open-head-10-1-2-series-80?
It’s simple to disassemble for drying and cleaning, but is usually not necessary.
Wrench-Polisher
Well-known member
gleman
Well-known member
Sweetcorn
Well-known member
Use the craftsman ratchets you already have for this, then go buy yourself something nicer to use everywhere else.
Obviously, the only GJ-correct answer is this:
Nemo Power Tools - Impact Wrench 50m - AXSUB® Commercial Diving Supplies
Nemo Power Tools - Impact Wrench 50m with two (2) 6Ah Rechargeable Li-ion Batteries and one (1) Charger The world’s first waterproof cordless impact wrench works on land and underwater up to 50m, allowing commercial divers and construction workers to carry out a wide range of fastening applications.
Good to 50 meters!
How about a Ryobi and a hefty bag?
Beerhippie
Well-known member
You forgot the duct tape!
Maintaining the seal around the anvil might be a problem....
Damn, when you're right you're right...
Well it'll never work with that outlook. Wish I had a cheap drill to try, I could make a killing selling underwater torque guns to dock owners.
@LOW1 How many extensions and u-joints to get below water?
seber
Well-known member
These sell for pennies on Ebay. If they freeze up, throw it away.
woody 73
Well-known member
I've picked up old rusty ratchets and brought them back from the dead with a very good cleaning, ones that people gave away because they were stone cold dead after all the abuse. Water for a few hours is nothing provided you take it apart that same day. clean up all the internals really good and lube it up.
I would prefer myself not to drop it in any water, but it's not the end of the world, just take it apert and clean everything up.
I would prefer myself not to drop it in any water, but it's not the end of the world, just take it apert and clean everything up.
sparky 1971
Well-known member
Wow. Use a cheap ratchet, spray it down with WD40 before and after each use. Done.
Ohio Andy
Well-known member
I really like their tools and when I saw that one I remember wondering the typical use case. I could not service of it was for ear of cleaning, but I thought you would need to clean it a bunch and it might become unusable from things like sand in the gears.
I should probably just Google it. Never occurred to me that I could use it underwater then just spray it down.
rust in the eye
Well-known member
Seems to this guy it might make sense to soak the ratchet in light oil before use. After use again in oil positioned so the heavier water could flow out/down.
Leaflessshadetree
Well-known member
I have an old ratchet that I use underwater for driving a handfull of lagbolts just about every year. I usually let it dry out in the sun then spray/wipe it down with penetrating oil.
Thorsen and P&C made a bunch of those open gear ratchets for decades. They are plentiful and cheap and almost always in good shape because they are so easy to clean. Wright carried on I suspect to supply the military. Nothing better in a bad environment than a ratchet you can clean with a dip in a can of oil. Sand you can just blow out. Sealed heads usually aren’t.
alinc100
Well-known member
HF has a composite body ratchet, though you'd still have to lube/dry the internals. Old ratchet wrenches are a dime a dozen and the open gear ratchets mentioned above are plentiful.
Wrench-Polisher
Well-known member
Military field repairs, basically 100% guarantee that they will be getting daily mud baths.
Anything on a tracked vehicle will be enclosed in mud, they will probably use the handle to chip the mud away from the bolt and go to town.
Ratchet Perfection